Member Info for adoubleuk

daltry,

"LW - I liked the original better. It was funny....and no one picked up on it?
Says a a lot for this BB......"

Dam. Missed that bit! And yes, it was funny.

But I was actually pondering the 'bulk' of LW's message. Because it occurs to me that this 'predicting the peak' thing that governments are trying to do is not very dissimilar to the way we 'punters' try to play the stockmarket. Or rather, not 'we punters', but in fact the 'shorters'. With 'hospital beds' substituted for 'money', or 'available shares'.... So shut things down for the small people before their own game hits the fan...

Hmmm.

OH! Surprise, surprise! I write a post, and a 'green box' turns up! So just out of curiosity (suspecting I knew who it might be), 'unfiltered' the message and read it.

Usual nonsense. Back onto the 'filtered' list.

Cap't Swag,

"that particular field didn't work out but thats oil exploration"

Agree. But hang on, GWA isn't a 'field'. It's two, Warwick and Lincoln. Even if they may be interconnected. OK, I'm fed up with being called 'ramper', so I won't disagree that there are still question-marks about GWA. But I don't think the JV has written it off at all.

Longwait,

"According to Google Translate, 'fraccare' means 'to break down' in Corsican, although I'm not sure that adds to your clarification.

Maybe not clarification, but on the basis of 'learn something new every day', certainly my education. Maybe I should look back to that book 'The Frackers' to see if the Corsican Mafia had anything to do with it in the early days!

However (very briefly looking at this), the 'fraccare' word has connections with the Latin 'fissure'.

And of course, in geological terms , where you have fractures, you also have fissures...

Longwait,

" the 'frackers' (I hope I have spelled that correctly) "

Hmm. Iwonder who that little bit was aimed at? :-))

The word has now entered the vernacular, so I've given up arguing it. The technical term was (and remains, as a verb) 'to frac'. A hydraulic fracturing operation is (within the business) still called a 'frac job'. However, a very good book about the early and boom days of fraccing (worth reading) by Gregory Zuckerman (pub Penguin) is titled 'The Frackers', and that word has now stuck.

JAdam,

"Yes It is going ahead as a webcast, this has been confirmed to me by Ben Leigh at Hurricane."

I likewise had that confirmation from Ben a few days ago (and posted that here). I don't think there will necessarily be an RNS to that effect, though. It's possible there will be a video of it afterwards, like last year, but we'll have to check the company website about that.

Oh yes, another thing, Longwait,

"In case anyone has read this far and is wondering what all this has to do with shares, AIM and HUR, my answer is: a hell of a lot!"

Yes. Quite agree. I 'top-sliced' HUR at 54p, and of course I'm now kicking myself for not having done a 90% sell, intending to buy back at the recent levels. But of course, back then there was absolutely no reason to believe the SP would drop to 10. And 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing.

But there's one similarity between AIM shares and a casino. Never get in there with more money than you can afford to lose. That's not to say losing won't hurt at times.

Longwait,

"I think I may have mentioned that the man who came closest to breaking the bank at Monte Carlo is believed to have learnt how to predict roughly where the ball would land, based on the croupier's distinctive action, and then placed his bets as the croupier announced, 'rien me va plus!'"

That, I can (almost) believe. But only 'almost' !

Tantalum,

"Everything you can do in life may shorten your life. The nicest things are often the worst. Absolute proof of a sadistic god."

Or to quote Oscar Wilde, "Everything desirable is either immoral, illegal, or fattening."

Tantalum,

Excellent post.

" We need an antibody random test plus an infection random test."

Problem. Seemingly an 'antibody test' (ie trying to find something 'special' in people who are either already immune or who have tested positive but showed no significant symptoms) hasn't been found yet, in the same was that a vaccine is still being sought. Logic would make one think that a vaccine might be reverse-engineered from such an antibody (if detected), but seemingly it isn't as easy as that.

"Now where did I put that Hydroxychloroquine...."

For years I worked for companies which advocated the taking of that stuff because I was working in Malaria-prone countries. But to be effective, it has to be taken almost continuously, even during leave-breaks. I quit doing so after I started getting some strange changes in my eyesight, requiring a different prescription for my glasses almost annually. And chatting with my optician, the subject came up, and he put the blame on that medicine. I stopped, and things became stable again. Also, seemingly, it can damage the liver and other organs longterm.

No 'easy fix'.

Longwait,

"Anyone who has read 'The Gambler ' by Dostoevsky will remember the kibitzer who advised the countess to leave with her winnings as a matter of urgency."

I've delayed replying to this bit of your Friday message.

But it's one of those coincidences in life that raise a smile. Because part of my preparations for my trip to Marrakesh (cancelled due to Covid-19) was wondering what to take as reading matter. And decided on that very same book! I hadn't read 'The Gambler' since I was about 17, when it was all the rage to 'read the Russians'. So ordered a copy from ebay, as I haven't a clue where my original copy went to.

As it happens, it wouldn't have arrived in time, even if I had gone south, but it did recently, and I've just finished reading it. Discovering that I didn't really remember a thing about its rather convoluted plot, which remains quite unresolved other than the hero ends up on hard times. All those Barons, Counts, Generals, Princes, 'scandals', huge inheritances, and so on: why on earth was it fashionable to 'read the Russians' in one's teens? The characters are incredibly two-dimensional, and the plot of no more real interest than an episode of Eastenders.

But I did also recall that the game involved was roulette, a game of total chance, and one which doesn't interest me for that very reason. About the only casino game which interests me less is the slot-machines, and to play those for any longer than five minutes requires an IQ of 15 or less. But I've seen people with roulette 'systems', filling out all sorts of charts while playing, trying to find 'patterns', and being ultra-serious about the whole thing. And still losing, nevertheless! (Of course.) Pure chance, with an 'edge' to the house.

Anyway, now I can say I've read some Dostoevsky again, for the first time in decades, and probably the last. It can now live on my somewhat extensive 'poker bookshelf', which is about 50/50 novels / history and the other half technical tactics / strategy books.

I'd recommend 'For Richer, For Poorer' by Victoria Coren. It's far more entertaining than ol' Fyodor, and can also probably found on ebay for a quid or two. And having a good book or a hundred around will be a good idea for the next few weeks.

feelinlucky,

"...shop for an 'essential' black polo-neck sweater then parachute to your lady friend with a box of milk tray"

I alredy have one of those 'essential' items of clothing. But the only way I could get my hands on a helicopter right now is hijack the one from the hospital. Which (given current circumstances) might not be seen as a very good plan. And I doubt that the police would let me charter theirs.

On the subject, that's another eerie effect of this lockdown. There are a couple of world-class stunt-pilots besed at the local small airfield, and whenever the weather's ok, they're up practicing for at least a couple of hours. And the engines on thos aerobatics planes are noisy: can hear them from all over town. I'm always worried that sometime we'll hear that high-pitched noise, followed by a loud explosion.

They haven't been flying since the weekend.

It'ain't just poker games. It's ANY activity (other than walking or a quick cycle ride ) that's verboten. Even if (like flying a stunt-plane) it's performed individually and far away from other people. Madness.

Longwait,

"Poker gatherings, whose participants are deemed to be misbehaving, could be next.
If you are mandatorily confined, Double, let us know and we'll send the special commando unit to get you out."

Thanks for the thought, but the 'commando unit' would end up tangling with the police, so maybe not a good idea.For your possible interest, this is what it's like right now. Because further 'mandatory measures' are no doubt coming your way soon in the UK.

I can leave my flat to goto work (not applicable), go to a doctor or hospital (ditto), go shopping for essentials, visit IMMEDIATE family should a family member re quire 'care' (again N/a in my case), or take a quick stroll 'in proximity to my abode' for exercise, or to walk a dog if one has one (I don't). For any of these activities, one has to have a piece of paper (downloaded from the net and PRINTED ON PAPER) signed (on my honour that that's what I'm doing. A screenshot on a phone is no good. Tough luck for people with no printer. Without the bit of paper, it's a 138 euro fine. Although not enshrined in print, 'in proximity' means within about 500 meters of one's house.

What CAN'T I do (some examples)? i can't sit by the river fishing for hours. I can't drive 100 miles to the litte family cottage to cut the grass (which must be getting long, now). I can't drive to visit friends who live in the suburbs, or another town (so no private poker games). And of course I can't sit on a cafe terrace enjoying a beer in the sunshine. 'cos they're all closed.

Of course these measures have only been in place for 6 days, so I haven't started 'testing ' them. I know, for instance, one's not supposed to rendezvous with a friend or friends in a park or similar place. But what if I've got a piece of paper saying I'm out for a walk, and she's driven in from the suburbs to shop at the supermarket next to the park? Might try that.

But what it boils down to is that most of my day is spent at home, feeling somewhat claustrophobic (though it's a big place), and rather lonely. And up until absurd hours playing poker online.

I saw a good 'reader's comment' in today's online Times. "If the pubs are shut, what's the point in wanting to stay alive, anyway"? !!!

rodneytrotter69,

"Do you know of/ can you recommend any app where me and my poker group can continue to play poker online during our current shutdown for Coronavirus?"

What, some sort of 'conferencing' thing for a 'private' group? No, 'fraid not. If you find one, please let me know!

Me, I'm just about to hit bed, after a very long game on Betclic. Came in just 5th, yet again. And over the hours, noticed for the first time that AquaSulis' observation was correct. There were twice as many players than normal. So the 'final table' was worth more.

But despite a couple of hundred more euros in the bank, this 'lockdown' is rather depressing, especially with the nice weather which has arrived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WubwoP4l_YI

Longwait,

Just noticed this (from you).

" equivalent to casinos paying Double to accept chips with which to play"

That's a nice dream! But not absolutely 100% impossible. All casinos in France are closed. Which means they're now losing money, not a thing such corporations are used to. And when this thing blows over, they'll be scrambling to get their businesses up and running again.

I have a 'card' from all these groups in France. Barriere, Partouche, JOA, et al. It's a bit like an airline 'frequent flyer' card, on which one accumulates 'points' (exchangeable for meals, drinks, other goodies, etc., and also means that on presentation at the entry-desk one doesn't go through the rigmarole of having to present an identity-document, etc..

And I also receive frequent SMS's from these companies, announcing all sorts of 'events', 'bonuses', and so on. 99% of which are of no interest to me, because they're generally stupidities aimed at the slot-machine players and similar zombies.

But as soon as these places re-open, they'll be scrambling to get their places up-and-running again!

The idea of going to the 'cage' to buy (sorry, 'rent') my 500 euros-worth of chips and being offered an extra 50 is a rather pleasing one. And not entirely impossible. Or rather, maybe it is. Instead I'll just get a 10-euro 'ticket' to shove (and lose) into a slot-machine. And that happens already.

Now re-reading the RNS, yet again, and there's a bit I don't properly understand.

Now I know there are a number of technical 'experts' who correspond here. Some people flatter me and consider me to be one of them, and I must admit there's not much on the Drilling side (and other 'peripherals') I don't know about.

But I don't consider myself to be a Reservoir Engineer, even if I know a bit about it.

I've noticed this bullet-point in the RNS.

" As production continues the wells are experiencing increasing pressure support from the reservoir"

Obviously, this is 'good news'. But I don't really understand the 'increasing' bit., whereas 'continuing', I could. Does it mean that as the wells continue to flow and produce, they (and the surrounding fracture matrix) are actually still 'cleaning up'?

Any (technical) comments invited, and welcomed.

Having recently discovered that the 'filter button' can actually be a good thing, I've added the person who started this thread. Even if it means I'll probably be seeing more 'green boxes' appearing between the valid posts.

I nevertheless did a quick search, and indeed that 'Royal Rumour' seems to be 'fake news'. Confirmed by Sky News (on my telly at the moment) footage of Her Majesty and her husband setting off for Windsor Castle to 'self-isolate'. Though no doubt the conspiracy theorists will soon be saying it wasn't really Prince Philip in the car, but a stand-in.

Really, I find the 'social media' thing rather extraordinary. On Sunday, the day after certain measures were announced by the French TV, I was told by two friends I phoned that there was a 18:00h 'curfew'. Which was (and still is) utterly untrue. Where had they got this 'news' from? Other 'friends' on Facebook.

Not that I believe everything I see on the TV, either. But the gullibility and frankly, sheep-like behaviour of facebook and twitter 'believers' astounds me.

Longwait,

"TSD is no longer in business!"

Is 'Trolling BB's' considered a legitimate 'business'?

AQ01,

"ADUK, at least the online poker MTT numbers are creeping up again (and hopefully the guaranteed prize money will increase as well)"

Can't say I'd noticed. I play online on a very small site (Betclic, don't think it's accessible from the UK), and the little tournaments I join there are small buy-in (10 or 20 euros or so), there are only a couple of hundred players per game, usually, and so if one makes it 'into the pay', the winnings are small, just a few hundred or so. But repeat that every night and it can pay the rent! :-))

I'm not a 'tournament player' anyway, other than online, and games that only last a few hours, because I don't want to spend a couple of days playing a few thousand players for bigger winnings. And anyway in those games, the 'luck factor' takes on a far greater importance. Instead, I'm a 'live' cash-table player. And I'll be sitting down with a lot more than ten euros as my 'stack'. But (unlike a tournament) I can get up, cash in, and leave whenever I want. Except at 'private games' of course, where such behaviour is considered impolite.

(For those not interested in such stuff, apologies for the off-topic.)