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I am a pensioner

(157 Posts)
nanaej Mon 02-Jul-12 16:50:02

I am officially a pensioner as today I activated my state pension! Apparently I could have been collecting it since January so a bit of back pay due ...how nice as it softens the blow of admitting I am a certain age on the outside whilst in my head I am about 30!!!

jeni Tue 03-Jul-12 22:31:16

grin I got 23% for o level Latin!

jeni Tue 03-Jul-12 22:32:07

I just glad other people know it as well!

Anagram Tue 03-Jul-12 22:34:02

What, that you only got 23% for Latin? grin
Don't worry, jeni, we won't hold it against you!

nanaej Tue 03-Jul-12 22:35:11

haha jeni my favourit comment on one of my school reports reads "22%- this is a true reflection of E's ability in Latin" confused

jeni Tue 03-Jul-12 22:36:10

In the same vein, does anyone remember a poem that started something like
'je suis le tenebrae'

jeni Tue 03-Jul-12 22:37:55

I did get 85% for English Lang lit biology and chemistry though!

And RE.

Anagram Tue 03-Jul-12 22:39:26

We got grades. I got Grade 1 for English Language!
Didn't take Latin though - gave it up in the Fourth Year.

Sook Tue 03-Jul-12 22:43:26

nonu You are entitled to your opinion of course. BUT. Men superior? You are having us on aren't you? grin

jeni Tue 03-Jul-12 22:43:30

I think 85was a one.
I must be older than you. Grades came in later.
I HATED Latin.
I was trying to do the three sciences on my own as my school only did general science and you needed the three fot medical school.
I decided to ignore Latin. I've only ever found it useful for xwords

Anagram Tue 03-Jul-12 22:58:51

I'm glad I did Latin for two years - it does give you a bit of a clue (!) about the roots of words. Yes, it was difficult in our school to do all the sciences - I only took Biology because Physics and Chemistry defeated me. You couldn't even do general science at our school.

PRINTMISS Wed 04-Jul-12 07:50:17

I have no idea what all the latin is about, I left school in 1948 (YES! 1948) Latin was not an option, but we were expected to stay late for typing lessons, and arrive early for mothercraft and first aid. To get back to the original thread, a friend of mine called herself a re-cycled teen-ager, but that was when being a teenager was a lot different to what it is today. I think silver surfers is a lovely phrase, it brings all sorts of images to my mind, but then I have always been a dreamer.

jeni Wed 04-Jul-12 08:10:09

I like silver surfer as well!

petallus Wed 04-Jul-12 08:53:09

How come I contribute to a website where people post in Latin? Me who hardly had a proper education in English?

When I was scrolling down through the posts I caught the first bit of Latin without noticing who had posted it but I scrolled back up thinking 'I bet it's jeni' smile

As for getting old, I don't intend to try to stay young, think that I'm younger than other people of my own age or wear purple and say I can't afford butter (I am the only person I know who hates that poem).

petallus Wed 04-Jul-12 08:54:02

Because it's twee.

Annobel Wed 04-Jul-12 09:03:01

OK, let's put that controversy to bed - I have dug out my Complete Works of William Dunbar and checked on the Lament for the Makaris. And it is 'conturbat'. I did a year's classics at University 'just in case' but saw sense and decided to specialise in English.

GillieB Wed 04-Jul-12 09:18:53

Back to the original thread - I deferred taking my pension for two years and am very glad that I did as, as someone said upthread, I now get more money each week. I could have had a lump sum of about £8,000 (I think that's about what it was), but would have had to pay income tax on that, so for me, as we didn't need the lump sum, getting extra each week seemed a better bet. And, as someone else said, each time there is a percentage increase, I get that increase on the larger weekly sum.

Oldgreymare Wed 04-Jul-12 10:03:08

Back to the latin (23% in mock exam so not allowed to take the REAL one!)
I thought 'leechis surriganis and physicianis' might refer to those who might like to use leeches (leech surgeons?) as opposed to real physicians ! [Hmm]
confused blush.
Back to the thread, I would prefer another name, NOT pensioner. Any more suggestions?

Anagram Wed 04-Jul-12 10:20:23

I'm not keen on 'silver surfer' either. I have hardly any grey hair, let alone silver! I suppose 'retiree' is better than 'pensioner', but a bit awkward.

Annobel Wed 04-Jul-12 10:43:45

Anything but OAP! That should be banned.

Anagram Wed 04-Jul-12 10:59:04

Gosh, yes, I'd forgotten about that one, Annobel! shock
'Old Age' indeed....huh!

AlisonMA Wed 04-Jul-12 11:21:54

What's wrong with Senior Citizen? I think it has a certain gravitas.

nonu you are entitled to your view about men but I don't share it. I have 1 DH & 3 DSs and can assure you that when the need arises I can easily outnumber them.

I've just come back from pilates which I have been doing for about 2 1/2 years and am now in the advanced class and finding it mostly quite easy. I had polio when I was 7 and as a consequence have one leg longer than the other, severe scoliosis and am knock kneed. I have scars all over me from many operations and have had more than my share of illness BUT none of this bothers me and I think I am fitter with more stamina than many people half my age.

I am not old at 66 and think it is a great age as I no longer have to go to work and deal with people I would prefer not to know. I can do what I like when I like and don't have to use an alarm clock. If I want to go on holiday on impulse I can do so. If the house needs cleaning and I get a better offer I can choose which I want to do. We worked very hard to do the best for our sons and now it is our turn to enjoy ourselves and that is what we are doing! We are thoroughly enjoying our S.K.I.ing.

Being a Senior Ccitizen is brilliant.

johanna Wed 04-Jul-12 11:36:32

PENSIONISTAS.???

merlotgran Wed 04-Jul-12 11:52:44

I like that one, johanna. The men can be PENSIONMISTAS. grin

Annobel Wed 04-Jul-12 11:57:46

Alison - Respect! flowers

Ariadne Wed 04-Jul-12 12:33:18

Definitely "conturbat" like "amo, amas, amat "etc. (did Latin and Greek to "A"Level!)