Victoria

Ahh, come on now, Nightstroker. We're talking of "Europeans" here, not Americans or foreigners doing the Grand Tour. Almost all of us have been to the continent on several occasions since childhood, because it's dead cheap to travel. I mean, we're talking U$50 London to Paris. Less if you have travel vouchers from the Sunday papers. I can't even go to Orlando from Miami for $50!! Or 100! Not that I am for one moment suggesting that "culture" should be snubbed at. That's not the point. Relaxation is also important to recharge our batteries, even if that includes a trip to Friday's instead of the local tapas joint. (I secretly can't believe I'm playing Devil's Advocate here, again, with TeeJay. I'm one of those Brits who rail at my countrymen for simply hanging around other Brits in Ibiza, Mallorca, etc. ALL DAY. It's like they literally never left the UK, down to the radio stations and pubs. But ah well. Swimming is fun. And soon, it'll barking cold in the UK. Let TeeJay have his swim!)

Just really getting in, after all day off the internet. Didn't know. My prayers go out to all who are affected...I'm not sure if that should include you, Fireman_Fred, based on your moniker -- regardless, my sympathies.

Oh God. Seriously with the BEST will in the world, I just don't see how you guys can like the Grahams. Blimey, it looks like Jeff Goldblum in the Fly. All it needs is feelers and pus. Maybe a Tank Americaine next to it, to simulate 6'0 Geena Davis.

My mum is prettier and blonder than I am, so she dealt with him. I mostly stayed in the car, Hambone. Also, my German isn't as good as all that. She understood about 80% of his Yiddish, so that helped enormously. I've already "sprung back" in anticipation of DST ending, but I've vowed not to wind my 112 more than 40 times per night, and not until its run out of juice tomorrow. I'm so scared now! DSN replied that if it happens again, send it back, so I'm at least partially relieved.

That's exactly what Mario Paci's head strapmaker, Fabrizio, suggests for all pricey straps -- Meltonian Neutral. It can be bought at your local shoemaker or on eBay, dead cheap. I think it was $2.50 per vial, excluding shipping. I also, just today, got Chelsea Leather Food from Greg Stevens, that other famous strapmaker. I do have to say that I haven't tried this (Chelsea) on my Strapculture straps YET. What you describe Romp, is precisely why with regret, I do not recommend anyone to buy Strapculture straps, at least certain lines. I know they are very popular. I'm sure when they are worn in they are nice. But the Legend line is made of VERY coarse, low-grade leather -- it's as thick as cardboard, and stiffer than John Kerry at a bar mitzvah. Meltonian Neutral had no effect on my 2 SC straps whatsoever, but then, I'm no real leather expert, like V, Tootall or Savage. Try it. At least it won't stain!

Well, after 30 minutes, one of my mother's pricey watchsmiths fixed it for $50. Well, that also included regulating 3 other watches, and adjusting the links of 3 others, so not too bad. He was a Jewish gentleman with a thick accent, and took it out to the back of his shop, so I didn't see what he did. When I asked, he harrumphed, and explained it. Didn't understand a word. WHATEVS. IT'S FIXED! Touch wood. Not yours, FxrAndy. Thanks! Wow, it's been quite the success. I may keep it for oh, 3 days. @Kiki_HR: Yay!! I thought of you when he handed me the watch. Hope it works out too!

If I hadn't been so encumbered and sickly, you would've had that divers' strap. Sorry, TeeJay. Tricky situation. Both are or were a bit wonky mechanically. The PAM 029 is gorgeous, but lacks an SS bracelet for the swimming. The PAM 111 is more reliable and versatile, but isn't as dashing as the 029. Ooh toughie. PAM 111h. Go for the practical, and anyway, it's STILL an extremely good-looking combo.

True enough. Its immediate advantages are more psychological, perhaps. BST always meant for me that we had sun until at least 9/10 PM -- always a plus for lazy village cricket matches.

Feta1's sad post reminded me that there is a time change tonight, in North America. At 2:00 AM your local time, we'll go back one hour to 1:00 AM, wherever in the US and Canada you are. FREEBIE INFO: "Date change in 2007 On August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This Act changed the time change dates for Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. Beginning in 2007, DST will begin on the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. The Secretary of Energy will report the impact of this change to Congress. Congress retains the right to resume the 2005 Daylight Saving Time schedule once the Department of Energy study is complete." I personally didn't like the earlier change at first, but as ever, I gradually began to see its benefits. BTW, EU countries changed over last Sunday, IIRC. And in Britain, we don't refer to Autumn as "Fall" (WTF), so Spring Forward, Fall Back doesn't work.

HEY! I only just saw this. I bought your strap out of the goodness of my own crippled heart of gold! Sheesh. You know what they say. Beware of Greeks bearing straps...

Oops, double post. So as not to waste a post towards my 3000th post (gulp), here's a visual of the "V" Lizard ETs, in human form. Very 80s.

HEY! Admin will be wanting a word, POTR. My dad and boyfriend call me Vicky. My mother and all my friends, Victoria. My cousins...well, actually yes. When I was growing up they called me "Vee". This sucked because when I was a kid, there was this television series called "V" about lizard extra-terrestrials. A big hit. Unfortunately, I didn't like the inference I was a green scaly, evil creature with forked tongue. That doesn't resemble me at all.

Stephane, you're a genius! That's it. They look at my .sig and think Ahh, she's Stephane. BUT WAIT! Why would anyone except an egotistical arrogant loudmouth quote THEMSELF in a .sig??? Oh, right. Point taken.

Hmm, I give it short turns, and FAST. Maybe that's not so good. I remember my grandfather (the watch fanatic) SLOWLY winding his watch every night, on his bed. I must've thought that's because he was old. Not because he was deliberate and precise... @V: Thanks! I saw instantly what you meant, but I never would've seen it if you hadn't pointed it out. You and FxrAndy are wonderful watchsmiths. UPDATE: Watch stopped again. It had run flawlessly from 12:46 to 1:20 to the dot, both on its front or back. I'll stop boring you now. Thanks guys!

Can you give me a visual for that? Is this something the watchsmith can fix? (I really don't want to send this back to China). I think I know what you mean, though. It's not "looped" around the dagger low enough. EDIT: Okay, I see it. Nice quality control...

:lol: Yeah, I'm Mamzelle Strap. HOWEVER, apparently I am also "Stephane"! Do you know how many times people confuse me with you? Because Stephane to English eyes LOOKS feminine, of course. They assume one of the few women here, must be Stephane. Just imagine if you were called the French unisex name, Dominique!

Just for future reference: It's running again. I AGAIN jimmied with the dagger. Gently touched each side below in red, and it sprung to life. It's been running since, whether on its back or front. I have the Crown Guard off still, just in case. EDIT For FxrAndy: I gently shook it over white paper. Nothing was loose, or looked loose. So whatever it is, I think the problem is partly there. Obviously, still taking it to the watchsmith, ASAP.

For the record PLEASE I AM NOT "VB". That sounds like an itch you get in your privates. Vic, Victoria, Vicky, Mistress Vicky. Knock yourselves out! (Whew, I never did like "V" anyway, no offence V!)

Sure. I told Davidsen that last night, via PM. Didn't reply, but at least he's aware of the situation. @Estaban: 30-35 winds?? God, I've been doing 60 every night. With 60, it gives you a day and a bit power reserve. I obviously have to adjust that tendency.

Oh Jesus, FxrAndy. I'm desperate enough to try this right now. Let me comprehend what you are describing by trying it... Be back. THANKS FOR THE REPLIES! @Ryyannon: Yes it's something like that (or was, when I "fixed" it). It ran either face up or face down, but not both. Face down being more logical, so I'll say that. UPDATE: Oh God, I dunno. Not only did I not know what a ratchet click was (looked up in TZ) but I realised, where will I get a peg wood? I have Sushi chopsticks. I'll bollox this up, I think...

This is an eerie thread. Yesterday, I was going to tease our K in the Wrist-Checks about HOW VERY SIMILAR he and I are. It's freeky! Same: - Board Initial - Strap obsession - Strap TASTE (reddish straps) - Gen PAM, 112 (his, present, mine, future) - Interests (a guess) I mean, we're practically interchangeable! Except for the penis obviously.

I thought you WERE gay? Didn't the Greek invent it? *runs*

It stopped at 2:10 AM, a few minutes after I put it in its case for the night. Back to Square 1 in the morning.

Reminds me of that scene in the Michael Keaton 80s movie, where the Japanese have bought out his auto plant. The new management come to the company softball game, wearing schnazzy pinstripe unis, compared to the rag-tag shorts and tees of the American workers. George Wendt sees the Japanese and says: "Great. They look like Yankees. I hate them already". Everyone hates the Yankees. I don't hate them, per se. My favourite player next to Ted Williams is Lou Gehrig. But I dislike YANKEE FANS, especially those Upper East Side idiots who take out their Yankees cap once a year, when the Yankees win. Varitek is without question, the best catcher in the league. Veteran, solid, with an amazing grasp of his pitchers' strengths. Every DAMN TIME he called for the Gyro from Dice-K, the pitch worked. And any guy who caught Tim Wakefield for all those years has got to have the stamina of an ox!

Heh, because of the different emoticons, I can tell you c/p this from RWI. Cool. (I wonder if women post on their forums, "OMG, I had to accompany my husband to an auto shop, and he spent 10 hours talking about pistons with the salesmen." :mad:) This is a beauty, GTD. I believe your post will be deleted because there is a strict "do not go to ADs with your reps and then post about it" rule here, as I believe there was on RWI when By-Tor was there, but at least you got away with it! And it really helps, no doubt, that you're Italian. It's a wonder you didn't see Jfreeman there, buying his pinky rings.