I won't say I've been hugely keen on all the hype and hysteria surrounding the Royal Wedding but I'm really glad that they seem so happy and wish them every bit of happiness and best wishes for their future together. It's so nice to have a very British occasion which helps remind everyone around the world that Brits do it best! Not in a cheesy way or full on parade, they personify the class and decorum with a younger, refreshing appeal and verve.
I had been secretly dreading the 2012 Olympics but if we can call upon the Royals to ramp things up a bit, I actually will look forward to the spectacle.
Friday 29 April 2011
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Tonsillitis really sucks... especially when you're having a holiday!
I felt really lousy yesterday so went to the doctors to check it out. The doctor looked only around 20 years old and didn't really give me much confidence as they asked for two referrals after looking at my results... I got diagnosed with Tonsillitis with a few other complications but was told to take some pills to put it right. Now 24 hours on, I'm feeling much better although my tonsils have swollen more, but at least the aches have died down.
The one good thing is I had taken these days off as holiday and the doctor told me that I can get my holiday days back as I have been unwell as these can be put down as sick instead. This suits me quite nicely, could do with getting 3 days holiday to use at another time!
I hope I'm much better soon as I really don't want to be ill for the rest of this week. I was really looking forward to having an Orange Wednesday today but I still am unsure if I'm well enough to go to the cinema.
The one good thing is I had taken these days off as holiday and the doctor told me that I can get my holiday days back as I have been unwell as these can be put down as sick instead. This suits me quite nicely, could do with getting 3 days holiday to use at another time!
I hope I'm much better soon as I really don't want to be ill for the rest of this week. I was really looking forward to having an Orange Wednesday today but I still am unsure if I'm well enough to go to the cinema.
Wednesday 20 April 2011
Back to school?
I've been thinking long and hard about my future... things like I only have a relatively short time on this planet to make a difference... a change for myself, a change for others around me... sometimes its big things that make people stand up and take notice, other times its the smaller bits and pieces that make it all worthwhile!
I am at work and I feel a little bit like others have more control over what I do, how I do it and all the rest when the last time I checked, I'm the one living this life... as I once said to my sister, there's a difference between living and existing, and she took these profound words and decided to join a university!
Perhaps I've gone down this road long enough and I've seen the signs and continued merrily along my way regardless. Sure I've turned left when I could turn right and sure, perhaps I could have turned around at any point, but now I feel almost like I'm running on empty doing the same thing over and over again and not really getting to enjoy it the same as I once did, I'm wondering if I should go back to school and try to find something that really matters to me and firmly get my head around what I want to do for the next chunk of my life.
It's quite scary, not in a bad way, but pressurised and crucial to make the right decisions. It's funny that quite recently I read somewhere how we spend the best part of 18 years in education and get 15 minutes with a careers advisor. The real learning comes outside of the classroom.
It's not like times running out, but I want to make sure each step I take is precise, measured and justified so that it comes back with the right results. Nothing's ever certain in life except failure if you don't even try... so I'm hoping to have a decent chat with a course advisor at college and try to figure out if there's something I can use the skills I've learned outside of the classroom. Maybe this is going backwards according to some, but I'd rather ask the questions and be the fool for five minutes than stay quiet and make no effort to address the situation and remain being the fool for the rest of my life!
I wonder if anyone else out there feels the same or has any tips on what I should do?
I am at work and I feel a little bit like others have more control over what I do, how I do it and all the rest when the last time I checked, I'm the one living this life... as I once said to my sister, there's a difference between living and existing, and she took these profound words and decided to join a university!
Perhaps I've gone down this road long enough and I've seen the signs and continued merrily along my way regardless. Sure I've turned left when I could turn right and sure, perhaps I could have turned around at any point, but now I feel almost like I'm running on empty doing the same thing over and over again and not really getting to enjoy it the same as I once did, I'm wondering if I should go back to school and try to find something that really matters to me and firmly get my head around what I want to do for the next chunk of my life.
It's quite scary, not in a bad way, but pressurised and crucial to make the right decisions. It's funny that quite recently I read somewhere how we spend the best part of 18 years in education and get 15 minutes with a careers advisor. The real learning comes outside of the classroom.
It's not like times running out, but I want to make sure each step I take is precise, measured and justified so that it comes back with the right results. Nothing's ever certain in life except failure if you don't even try... so I'm hoping to have a decent chat with a course advisor at college and try to figure out if there's something I can use the skills I've learned outside of the classroom. Maybe this is going backwards according to some, but I'd rather ask the questions and be the fool for five minutes than stay quiet and make no effort to address the situation and remain being the fool for the rest of my life!
I wonder if anyone else out there feels the same or has any tips on what I should do?
Nearly holiday time...
Had a good day today, only one day left of work before a big break for Easter and the Royal Wedding etc. I'm really looking forward to chilling out for a good spell, just hoping the weather stays good for as long as possible as it would be so perfect to have a warm sunny few days off... reminds me of what it used to be like when I used to have the big breaks off school.
Playstation 3 late at night... time flies when you're having fun but I feel guilty now...
Time flies, or Tempus Fugit as I once learned, when you're having fun. I feel guilty for playing my playstation 3 for as long as I did. I couldn't believe where the time went?! It's funny how a clock will change from 7pm to 11pm without much change and no real effort.
In the middle of playing though I did have a call from my sister which was a nice surprise. I can't believe she sent me a heap of money for Easter! Feel guilty as that's way too much for chocolates... and I didn't get her anything!
In the middle of playing though I did have a call from my sister which was a nice surprise. I can't believe she sent me a heap of money for Easter! Feel guilty as that's way too much for chocolates... and I didn't get her anything!
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Politeness on public transport...
It's funny how people manage to lose any etiquette when using the London Underground. People barge onto the train when they should allow others to get off first and make way. Then there's the smelly folk who seem to lack any skills in knowing what deoderant is or make use of a bath or shower and for some reason they always seem to end up standing or leaning next to you.
If that's not enough you get constant updates over the tannoy about how good the service is, ironically it just so happens your train is the only one that doesn't seem to be where it should be when you want it to.
You then ask the helpful members of staff who tell you something other than what they or their colleagues have just mentioned over the tannoy system. (At least we're not the only ones kept in the dark - I guess it's after being surrounded by the tubes and black holes).
I can't wait for the air conditioning to be introduced into the trains as it seems long overdue particularly when its summer.
Today I got lumbered with the fun of someone who was coughing their lungs up but couldn't be bothered to cover their mouths to prevent any bugs from spreading.
After this I was then stuck next to someone who seemed to have a problem with someone on the phone, only to discover that the phone wasn't working and they were just talking to their imaginary friend and muttering over and over 'the problems of Africa' before laughing out loud and telling whoever cared to listen that they were cracking up. I guess the term 'no shit Sherlock' springs to mind, but I was just glad to get off the train and make my way to work... a rare instance there indeed! I guess it goes to show tolerance levels and thresholds.
The ironic thing is not only do you get subjected to most if not all of the above when on the Underground, you get to also pay for the pleasure. What adds even more insult to injury - the increase in the charges!
Also what's the deal with all the advertising on the underground? Not only do you get stuck on the train but the only distraction from those around you looking either excited (clearly new to using the system) or those blanking you and/or staring at you like an axe murderer (probably a well established tube user) are the adverts on the platform or on the train itself. Surely the advertising should make the tickets cheaper?
Also I forgot to mention, what about the funny folk all trying to avoid interaction with others by reading a book or working out how to read a newspaper without instigating a fight or worse, crumpling their paper.
The Underground... a necessary evil I agree but an evil none the less!
If that's not enough you get constant updates over the tannoy about how good the service is, ironically it just so happens your train is the only one that doesn't seem to be where it should be when you want it to.
You then ask the helpful members of staff who tell you something other than what they or their colleagues have just mentioned over the tannoy system. (At least we're not the only ones kept in the dark - I guess it's after being surrounded by the tubes and black holes).
I can't wait for the air conditioning to be introduced into the trains as it seems long overdue particularly when its summer.
Today I got lumbered with the fun of someone who was coughing their lungs up but couldn't be bothered to cover their mouths to prevent any bugs from spreading.
After this I was then stuck next to someone who seemed to have a problem with someone on the phone, only to discover that the phone wasn't working and they were just talking to their imaginary friend and muttering over and over 'the problems of Africa' before laughing out loud and telling whoever cared to listen that they were cracking up. I guess the term 'no shit Sherlock' springs to mind, but I was just glad to get off the train and make my way to work... a rare instance there indeed! I guess it goes to show tolerance levels and thresholds.
The ironic thing is not only do you get subjected to most if not all of the above when on the Underground, you get to also pay for the pleasure. What adds even more insult to injury - the increase in the charges!
Also what's the deal with all the advertising on the underground? Not only do you get stuck on the train but the only distraction from those around you looking either excited (clearly new to using the system) or those blanking you and/or staring at you like an axe murderer (probably a well established tube user) are the adverts on the platform or on the train itself. Surely the advertising should make the tickets cheaper?
Also I forgot to mention, what about the funny folk all trying to avoid interaction with others by reading a book or working out how to read a newspaper without instigating a fight or worse, crumpling their paper.
The Underground... a necessary evil I agree but an evil none the less!
Constant updates... lasting the test of time!
There's someone I know who is glued to facebook, so much so you can tell where they are and what they're doing just if you care to look (and thanks to the phone being wired up to facebook) you get constant alerts to their every post! I understand that there's a need for this sort of thing a bit in today's culture but seriously when they've got a child and should be spending time socialising with them rather than living a cyber life and updating every second they can their whereabouts and so on, it really should be put into question. The question that really should be asked whenever blogging or putting a status up online should be 'who cares and is it any of their business?, if it's safe to write and it's good for others to know, that makes sense... if it fails on either point then please do yourself and everyone else a favour and don't bother - it's not that inspiring knowing that you've just turned onto a street or had a snack... not unless you have a serious lack of social skills and you crave knowing someone's movements or eating habits!
I guess if we flash forward 50 or 100 years from now, I wonder and rather pity the poor souls who are left digging through these electronic archives. Gone are any real remnance of an advanced society... we have all this technology and so on and the best we can do is prattle on about what Lady Gaga wore or didn't wear and so on. I just hope they find that some of the writing is amusing and stimulating and not as exciting as a shopping list (although perhaps that will be quite exciting when they're probably won't be some things in existance at that stage...)
I guess if we flash forward 50 or 100 years from now, I wonder and rather pity the poor souls who are left digging through these electronic archives. Gone are any real remnance of an advanced society... we have all this technology and so on and the best we can do is prattle on about what Lady Gaga wore or didn't wear and so on. I just hope they find that some of the writing is amusing and stimulating and not as exciting as a shopping list (although perhaps that will be quite exciting when they're probably won't be some things in existance at that stage...)
After midnight and still not tired...
It's strange how your body clock doesn't seem to work as it should. I am sure it's down to diet and work and stress etc. which has a strong impact on this sort of thing? I remember the wost bout of insomnia though was when I was about 17, I couldn't ever get to sleep at a reasonable hour no matter how hard I tried. I think I drove myself to distraction in all the efforts I went to, from opening the window wide to ventilate the room and cool down a stuffy room, to exercising during the day to wear myself out, to not eating anything that may not agree with me.... you name it I probably did it and of course it was ironic laying there wide awake thinking of nothing more than how much I'd rather be asleep.
Now, several years on, I'm still no better - reflecting on anything and everything and not seeming to crack the code that is - just how the hell am I supposed to get some rest when my mind and body seem to have other ideas?! Does anyone have tips on how to beat insomnia?
Now, several years on, I'm still no better - reflecting on anything and everything and not seeming to crack the code that is - just how the hell am I supposed to get some rest when my mind and body seem to have other ideas?! Does anyone have tips on how to beat insomnia?
Beer late at night...
Just had a Budvar Dark Lager... it wasn't that nice. I think it's quite a bit like Marmite either you like it or loathe it ironically it tastes much the same!
Reminding myself to keep blogging...
It's funny that I keep having to remind myself to keep blogging. I was never much of a diary keeper, I still struggle to put anything down to remind myself of what to do as I'm always too busy just doing it than worrying about planning and normally if I do set a reminder unless it's more important than the thing I'm doing, it gets ignored or rescheduled. I wonder if that's just me or if there's others out there who do the same?
Monday 11 April 2011
Cotswolds - Blockley, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh and Oxford - Ghosts!
I took my wife to the countryside yesterday making the most of the glorious sunshine and fine weather. We hit Oxford first and to be fair, it wasn't really much to write home about - it's funny how it's got such a great reputation but if you avoid all the main attractions, it's nothing special.
So as I was determined to have an injection of good ol' British countryside before returning back to London - I took a slightly less beaten path through the Cotswolds and visited a place I used to go to when I was young called Blockley. In all the time, it's not really changed all that much - still the peaceful sleepy village tucked away in the folding fields and just as spellbinding in its way as it ever was the very first time I went there.
I'm sad that the cottage my grandparents owned was sold but with none of their children looking to take it on, the legacy and history was flogged to the highest bidder and sadly it turned out to be a builder who knew a good thing when he saw it and changed the virtually unchanged property into what it is now. I'm sure it's making the new owners very happy and I hope they cherish it as much as we all did. I just hope the ghost hasn't been upsetting them too much! - but that's another story!
So as I was determined to have an injection of good ol' British countryside before returning back to London - I took a slightly less beaten path through the Cotswolds and visited a place I used to go to when I was young called Blockley. In all the time, it's not really changed all that much - still the peaceful sleepy village tucked away in the folding fields and just as spellbinding in its way as it ever was the very first time I went there.
I'm sad that the cottage my grandparents owned was sold but with none of their children looking to take it on, the legacy and history was flogged to the highest bidder and sadly it turned out to be a builder who knew a good thing when he saw it and changed the virtually unchanged property into what it is now. I'm sure it's making the new owners very happy and I hope they cherish it as much as we all did. I just hope the ghost hasn't been upsetting them too much! - but that's another story!
Anniversary and Birthday Bash
Had a cracking day on Saturday just gone with a big family and friends bash. It's funny how eating lots of treats still leaves you hungry for the right stuff.
The only thing that was a little upsetting was a contingent decided to turn up late then leave quickly, taking all their drink with them. But in fairness they didn't bring anything other than a weird mood with them and it was nice when things went back to how they were before they came!
Another thing, it's great how kids just bring such fun and energy to a party... so I don't see why a jelly and ice cream party gets such a bad wrap.
The only thing that was a little upsetting was a contingent decided to turn up late then leave quickly, taking all their drink with them. But in fairness they didn't bring anything other than a weird mood with them and it was nice when things went back to how they were before they came!
Another thing, it's great how kids just bring such fun and energy to a party... so I don't see why a jelly and ice cream party gets such a bad wrap.
Funniest job interview ever - how not to do it.
I wouldn't normally stir things but sometimes the actions of others beggars belief... let me know what you think?
A colleague who had been promoted from telesales to field sales decided to not come to work for quite a while - effectively leaving my team in the lurch with everything to do. After giving him several weeks to come in and speak with the management and HR team to explain what was going on, there was still no progress (as he failed to turn up or even call in to say he was ill or anything) he was eventually given the sack.
I feel for him as he's obviously struggling but he didn't help himself in the way he was doing things and never went about it in the right way.
Anyway now you know the background, just when you thought he was history this happens...
A couple of weeks ago he boasted how he'd set himself up for a job with an old manager of his (and this was his reason for going AWOL). He then calls in last week saying he'd been to a second interview with a company for a job which I'd turned down and was hoping that I and two others at the office would give him a reference. In a bit of disbelief I was then told that he was needing a gleaming reference as the company he'd had an interview with were concerned over why he'd left so swiftly after being promoted and he had given the excuse that it was too tough - hardly what a future employer wants to hear from someone at an interview... so honest but stupid I think is the kindest thing to say.
Anyway, he calls up the day after and was put through to the Director who wanted to clear things up and from what I gather the call went roughly along these lines...
X - "Can I have a reference?"
D - "In light of the way you conducted yourself, I can only give you a factual one..."
X - "I am sorry for the way things went, I had several things going on at home and was wondering can I have my old job back?"
D - "To be honest, I think it's best all round if you moved on as the role's been advertised internally and externally."
X - "So can I have an application form then to re-apply for the job?"
D - "No."
X - "Can I have my old position in telesales back then?"
D - "With the greatest respect - I'm terminating this call..."
A colleague who had been promoted from telesales to field sales decided to not come to work for quite a while - effectively leaving my team in the lurch with everything to do. After giving him several weeks to come in and speak with the management and HR team to explain what was going on, there was still no progress (as he failed to turn up or even call in to say he was ill or anything) he was eventually given the sack.
I feel for him as he's obviously struggling but he didn't help himself in the way he was doing things and never went about it in the right way.
Anyway now you know the background, just when you thought he was history this happens...
A couple of weeks ago he boasted how he'd set himself up for a job with an old manager of his (and this was his reason for going AWOL). He then calls in last week saying he'd been to a second interview with a company for a job which I'd turned down and was hoping that I and two others at the office would give him a reference. In a bit of disbelief I was then told that he was needing a gleaming reference as the company he'd had an interview with were concerned over why he'd left so swiftly after being promoted and he had given the excuse that it was too tough - hardly what a future employer wants to hear from someone at an interview... so honest but stupid I think is the kindest thing to say.
Anyway, he calls up the day after and was put through to the Director who wanted to clear things up and from what I gather the call went roughly along these lines...
X - "Can I have a reference?"
D - "In light of the way you conducted yourself, I can only give you a factual one..."
X - "I am sorry for the way things went, I had several things going on at home and was wondering can I have my old job back?"
D - "To be honest, I think it's best all round if you moved on as the role's been advertised internally and externally."
X - "So can I have an application form then to re-apply for the job?"
D - "No."
X - "Can I have my old position in telesales back then?"
D - "With the greatest respect - I'm terminating this call..."
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