More of same (so yep it's interesting, but a little tired to me).  Going to at least try to start revising and being diligent on Monday; if I can do regular-hour study for even a week that'd be good.  For a month would be unprecedented.  Anyway, see how things go.

Changing the subject somewhat, I was on the phone to TV Licensing this afternoon, having received a red-rimmed letter from them informing me that I have no TV license, which both they and I already knew because I'd filled in a form explaining why I don't have one and sent it to them some time ago. Anyway the upshot is that they're apparently going to send someone round to "check". I wonder how that works. Firstly, I wonder if I'm actually required by law to let them in. (Anyone know?) They don't make appointments, I was told, they just come round. What if there's nobody at home, I said. Apparently they just keep coming until they find someone in. (Must be quite a tediously repetitive job during the summer-holiday season.) Then, what they'll find is a TV set connected to a DVD player, in a room which has an aerial outlet in it, which however doesn't work because it's disconnected from the aerial in the attic. It's impossible to check this because the attic is jammed full of stuff. So in the end they'll have to take my word for it anyway.

Apart from which, attentive members might recall my tribulations with CP Plus Ltd, parking contractors for Whipps Cross Hospital. In the end, threatened with legal action, I paid up. However, that seems not to have been the end after all, because although my bank account was debited to the relevant amount on 16 June, yesterday I had a solicitor's letter of the "pay up or else" variety.

 

All very trying, r. If it's any consolation at all, the car parking at Dundee Ninewells Hospital seems to be in the control of similarly dogged terrors: the sort that arrive at a vehicle instinctively a minute or two before the ticket's due to expire, and stand there with the penalty notice already filled in ready to pounce. There's a certain devilish satisfaction to be gained by arriving with thirty seconds to spare before leaving or affixing a second ticket....

Why exactly are debt collection agencies so inefficient? I have a cynical feeling that it's because they employ those who enjoy the power. 

I wouldn't worry, Richard. I live at an address which houses 5 flats - except that flat 1 doesn't exist. Flats 1 + 2 regularly receive threatening mail relating to non-payment of a TV licence and have done for at least 2 years. I actually phoned TV Licensing + have returned the occasional missive, but it keeps on coming. So do threats of dire consequences if debts are not paid by 2 presumably fictitious occupiers of my flat. No-one has ever come round.

You could give them the controls and ask them to tune it for you.

I don't think they will get very far

Tommo

From the TV Licensing website:
   
Do I need a TV Licence?
      
   You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV. [My italics]

If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence. [Which surely rather contradicts the first paragraph: in any case, r doesn't really belong in either camp, so his situation isn't actually catered for.]

I got an angry letter from the TV Licensing people once telling me that I hadn't paid my license and would be liable to all the usual fines, searches etc. They told me that they knew I had a TV because I had recently bought a TV booster aerial from Amazon. I have to say, I find it pretty alarming that the Licensing people are able to keep such efficient tabs on how I spend my money, particularly as they weren't able to read their own database sufficiently to note that a License was indeed registered to my address, using the cunning alias of my wife's name.

But he's richard barrett, GG, therefore 'r'.

Isn't the contradiction that he has installed TV receiving equipment, though: it rather depends on whether their interpretation of the weasel word installed is 'plumbed in to an aerial', or simply 'situated within the house': the second sentence could be seen to suggest that any TV receiving equipment in the house could be deemed liable for a licence, whether or not  it's actually connected to an aerial.