It was a constructive weekend, but it seemed to go quite quickly.
I built wardrobes, put up pictures, visited Ikea (!) and spent a nice weekend with my inlaws.
But I can't believe its Tuesday already. Still, Im officially off work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as Im decorating for two of the days and playing golf on one of them. I went to the golf range on Monday to make sure I could still hit a ball (not very well... Thursday is gonna be interesting) and Im looking forward to playing and seeing my playing partner again. (Its been a few weeks).
I dont mind the decorating - once I actually get started and get into it, it doesn't take me long. I should be able to finish the room at least by the end of the weekend.
I've also started re-reading "World War Z" by Max Brooks... it wasn't that long ago that I read it, but its such a good read and really gets the nerves tingling because of the style in which its written - its so beliveable.
Anyway, I know I haven't posted for a few days, but there's not much else to say today... so have a good day all, and I'll try and post more while Im off work.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Is it just me...
...or do I get overly annoyed by customer call centres? I have been trying to get through to a customer service centre for a well known building society, but its always busy. I ring the number I've been given, to be told "sorry, we dont deal with that here, you need to call xxxxxxxxxxxx"
But, of course, when I do ring that number Im first told "Thank you for calling, all our advisors are busy, we will try and connect you" then inflicted with some crappy muzak. Then, a second message says "Your call is important to us please hold" (if my call is important then ANSWER THE F*CKIN PHONE!) followed by more crappy muzak. (You haven't heard Livin' La Vida Loca properly 'til you've heard it as though you were stood in a lift). And then nothing. Just constant hold with crappy muzak. Being on hold for 10 minutes doesn't sound like a long time - but when you're just sat there on the phone it really is... so I end up swearing loudly and hanging up.
I mean, I dont know whats happening to my call... am I in a queue? Have I been transferred to a big room with one phone and no one else in it, just ringing constantly off the hook? Am I stuck in an endless loop, bouncing around withing the circuits and cables of this building society's phone system? And of course I am at work, so I can't really spend ages trying to get through to these arseholes, which means I have to try from home in the evening taking up MORE time.
*sigh* It is just me isn't it, no one else gets wound up by these things?
Anyway - its my Friday today (working from home tomorrow) and then a long weekend.
Have a great bank holiday all, and if I can post anything interesting I will do so over the weekend.
But, of course, when I do ring that number Im first told "Thank you for calling, all our advisors are busy, we will try and connect you" then inflicted with some crappy muzak. Then, a second message says "Your call is important to us please hold" (if my call is important then ANSWER THE F*CKIN PHONE!) followed by more crappy muzak. (You haven't heard Livin' La Vida Loca properly 'til you've heard it as though you were stood in a lift). And then nothing. Just constant hold with crappy muzak. Being on hold for 10 minutes doesn't sound like a long time - but when you're just sat there on the phone it really is... so I end up swearing loudly and hanging up.
I mean, I dont know whats happening to my call... am I in a queue? Have I been transferred to a big room with one phone and no one else in it, just ringing constantly off the hook? Am I stuck in an endless loop, bouncing around withing the circuits and cables of this building society's phone system? And of course I am at work, so I can't really spend ages trying to get through to these arseholes, which means I have to try from home in the evening taking up MORE time.
*sigh* It is just me isn't it, no one else gets wound up by these things?
Anyway - its my Friday today (working from home tomorrow) and then a long weekend.
Have a great bank holiday all, and if I can post anything interesting I will do so over the weekend.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Where's all the money gone
Its been ages since I found any money in the street. A couple of years ago, it seemed you were always hearing stories of people finding bank notes lying on the floor. My dad, for example, once found a £50 note lying in a garage forecourt. On more than one occasion I have found £10 notes lying on the ground. But, its been ages since I, or anyone I know, has found any. People must be holding on to their money alot tighter these days.
Champions League final tonight between Liverpool and AC Milan. I suppose I should support the English side, but I have family connections in Milan so I think I'll be part of the rossoneri tonight. Im also having a couple of friends round to watch it, and we're treating ourselves to a ruby which we haven't done for a while.
Its a lovely day again today - but Im sat at my desk freezing cold, because the stupid air conditioning in this building sucks. I sit right under one of the air con. vents, and it blows out a constant breeze of cold air... my hands keep going numb its so cold.
Oh, and I watched Hot Fuzz last night... not as good as Shaun of the Dead, but still a good film, good laugh, and the bit with the church spire was very cool....
Anyway, at time of writing I have an hour and a half before I can go home for the day - have a good rest of the day all, more stuff tomorrow.
Champions League final tonight between Liverpool and AC Milan. I suppose I should support the English side, but I have family connections in Milan so I think I'll be part of the rossoneri tonight. Im also having a couple of friends round to watch it, and we're treating ourselves to a ruby which we haven't done for a while.
Its a lovely day again today - but Im sat at my desk freezing cold, because the stupid air conditioning in this building sucks. I sit right under one of the air con. vents, and it blows out a constant breeze of cold air... my hands keep going numb its so cold.
Oh, and I watched Hot Fuzz last night... not as good as Shaun of the Dead, but still a good film, good laugh, and the bit with the church spire was very cool....
Anyway, at time of writing I have an hour and a half before I can go home for the day - have a good rest of the day all, more stuff tomorrow.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
The sun's out
The weather is very nice today - but typically, the hottest day of this week is supposed to be Thursday, when I usually play football. D'oh!
Very proud of Jake last night - he was asked to train with the age group above his at Watford last night. Only him and three others got asked to do it. I didnt go last night (it wasn't my turn) but by all accounts he acquited himself well and didnt look out of place at all. It shows he's making good progress.
I am SO bored at work at the moment. There are no projects on the go (apart from little annoying ones) and Im spending too much time at my desk trying to find work. This keeps happening here, and its one of the things that could really drive me to look elsewhere.
Not much else going on in my little world really... Barclays have 9 days left to respond to my claim online (which they probably will do) which then means they have another 14 days to submit a defence. Again, this probably will happen because it seems this is happening to most people who submit a claim against Barclays.
Oh, and I've made a mistake with my choice of mobile phone. I've gone right off it. Unfortunately though, I can't upgrade my handset without paying £200(!) OR if I want to leave my service provider and go somewhere else I have to buy my way out of my contract which is £426! Ouch. I guess Im gonna have to put up with it for a while.
Very proud of Jake last night - he was asked to train with the age group above his at Watford last night. Only him and three others got asked to do it. I didnt go last night (it wasn't my turn) but by all accounts he acquited himself well and didnt look out of place at all. It shows he's making good progress.
I am SO bored at work at the moment. There are no projects on the go (apart from little annoying ones) and Im spending too much time at my desk trying to find work. This keeps happening here, and its one of the things that could really drive me to look elsewhere.
Not much else going on in my little world really... Barclays have 9 days left to respond to my claim online (which they probably will do) which then means they have another 14 days to submit a defence. Again, this probably will happen because it seems this is happening to most people who submit a claim against Barclays.
Oh, and I've made a mistake with my choice of mobile phone. I've gone right off it. Unfortunately though, I can't upgrade my handset without paying £200(!) OR if I want to leave my service provider and go somewhere else I have to buy my way out of my contract which is £426! Ouch. I guess Im gonna have to put up with it for a while.
Monday, 21 May 2007
A productive weekend
Not just a weekend of sitting on my arse for a change. Admittedly Saturday afternoon was spent in front of the TV watching the cup final (snore...) but Sunday I stripped out Jake's bedroom furtniture, dismantled it, took it to the tip, built a new chest of drawers for him AND made tea!
Although its a bit tiring when you're rushing around busy on a weekend, it doesn't half make you feel good when you accomplish stuff. This is one of the reasons I no longer stay in bed at weekend until gone 10.00. Not that I would be allowed to of course.
No plans for this week at the moment, apart from watching the Champions League final on Wednesday night. Oh, and working from home on Friday.
And I still can't get the idea of getting a second car out of my head. A mini or MGB... its SO tempting, and its almost as though there are two people in my head arguing the case for and against. This is a dangerous time, because with things like this a lot of the time the voice who's arguing for the idea usually wins... I will have to be careful.
Have a good week all.
UPDATE: Soundtrack of the day: "Minutes To Midnight" - Linkin Park's new one...
Although its a bit tiring when you're rushing around busy on a weekend, it doesn't half make you feel good when you accomplish stuff. This is one of the reasons I no longer stay in bed at weekend until gone 10.00. Not that I would be allowed to of course.
No plans for this week at the moment, apart from watching the Champions League final on Wednesday night. Oh, and working from home on Friday.
And I still can't get the idea of getting a second car out of my head. A mini or MGB... its SO tempting, and its almost as though there are two people in my head arguing the case for and against. This is a dangerous time, because with things like this a lot of the time the voice who's arguing for the idea usually wins... I will have to be careful.
Have a good week all.
UPDATE: Soundtrack of the day: "Minutes To Midnight" - Linkin Park's new one...
Friday, 18 May 2007
Acceptance of peoples short comings
I read a comment on another blog this morning. The blogger had posted that they were wondering why a dry cleaners could not give back their clothes clean, when thats their job. Someone had commented saying basically "maybe its your fault" etc. but the final message was "its that sense of entitlement that gets people into trouble". Bull. This is one of the problems with society - people are too ready to excuse those things that they should reasonably expect of any given service.
I mean, if YOU gave something to a dry cleaners, and they gave it back dirty, would you not think "hang on, thats not what I pay you for". This company has set themselves up, and advertised, as dry cleaners. You should be able to reasonably expect them to clean the items you give them. And if they dont, then how can they call themselves dry cleaners?
You could say they same thing of mechanics who dont fix your car as expected, customer service centres / teams who dont give you, the customer, good service. Or postal / delivery companies who dont post / deliver your goods on time. COMPLAIN people! I hear alot of noise about the British being a nation of moaners and complainers, but f*ck me if I dont get what I expect from an individual OR company, (especially if Im paying for the privilage) I make sure they know about it. There is nothing wrong with doing that. If you let them get away with it, they will keep doing it and more people will be affected. First up against the wall when the revolution comes, Im tellin' ya...
Peace.
I mean, if YOU gave something to a dry cleaners, and they gave it back dirty, would you not think "hang on, thats not what I pay you for". This company has set themselves up, and advertised, as dry cleaners. You should be able to reasonably expect them to clean the items you give them. And if they dont, then how can they call themselves dry cleaners?
You could say they same thing of mechanics who dont fix your car as expected, customer service centres / teams who dont give you, the customer, good service. Or postal / delivery companies who dont post / deliver your goods on time. COMPLAIN people! I hear alot of noise about the British being a nation of moaners and complainers, but f*ck me if I dont get what I expect from an individual OR company, (especially if Im paying for the privilage) I make sure they know about it. There is nothing wrong with doing that. If you let them get away with it, they will keep doing it and more people will be affected. First up against the wall when the revolution comes, Im tellin' ya...
Peace.
Im bored with my car
I like my car. Its reliable, comfortable, easy to drive and has all the mod cons I need. But God is it dull. When I bought it, I wasn't fussed about what car I got as long as it was modern (I had previously driven scrap heaps on wheels) and reliable. And it is. But I miss my old cars.
I want either a late 90's Mini Cooper (Sports Pack). Or an MGB GT or MGB Roadster. The problem with these cars, of course, is that they are old and come with all the problems of older cars. Unreliable in hot / cold weather, no air-con, rust on the body work etc. etc. but at least (in my mind) they have character. And Im worried, because I keep looking at car ads on line and in magazines and getting ever so tempted to blow two or three grand on getting one anyway and keeping it as a run about. This would NOT be a good idea, but those of you who know me well know that this has never stopped me doing certain things in the past. I just hope Im strong willed enough to resist.
I want either a late 90's Mini Cooper (Sports Pack). Or an MGB GT or MGB Roadster. The problem with these cars, of course, is that they are old and come with all the problems of older cars. Unreliable in hot / cold weather, no air-con, rust on the body work etc. etc. but at least (in my mind) they have character. And Im worried, because I keep looking at car ads on line and in magazines and getting ever so tempted to blow two or three grand on getting one anyway and keeping it as a run about. This would NOT be a good idea, but those of you who know me well know that this has never stopped me doing certain things in the past. I just hope Im strong willed enough to resist.
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