Friday, 29 April 2011
A day to remember
Well, I don't think I can add anything to what's already been said and reported today. It has been special and even a refusenik can't fail to be slightly impressed by what's unfolded today. Proud to be British? Yes, I suppose I am. We can certainly put on a good do, even if we've sold everything else. In fact the Royal Family is probably all we have left and for this reason, it should be preserved. My son completely failed to see the significance of today preferring to watch all three Shrek movies. It's all been quite surreal really and difficult to imagine that life returns to normal tomorrow for so many people. My wife is back to work for 8am and I'll be back to working on my model railway... For most of us, life goes on as normal - the struggle to pay bills and the dread of the Monday morning return to work. For one individual, life will never be the same again, ever.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
The night before
Everywhere seems poised for the event of the year and I have to confess to feeling a little excited but I suspect my son's enthusiasm is beginning to rub off a little. This goes against everything I stand for but it is becoming difficult to avoid. The TV is awash with preparations and interviews with spectators, some of which have made temporary roadside homes. The official guide to the wedding has been released and is available for download. I'm pleased to see that Parry's 'I Was Glad' and Walton's 'Crown Imperial' have been selected - these are two of my favourite pieces of royal music. My son knows that something special is happening tomorrow. He doesn't quite understand the significance and I wonder whether he'll remember anything of it in years to come. I know I can barely remember the wedding of 1981. I recall it was warm and sunny but I don't remember much of the wedding. I was young and there were more important things to think about such as whether I had enough long bits to finish my Leggo house.
I suspect there will be many men wishing they were waking up on Saturday with Kate and women wishing they were waking up Saturday morning a princess... The fact is that I doubt many people could cope with the life changing demands of joining the Royal Family. There would be too many sacrifices to make and duties to perform. But there's no harm in imagining.
It would be nice to think that everything will return to normal from Saturday. I hope very much that the new Royal Couple can be left alone, but I fear this will be the case. I'm not interested in what they are doing every minute of the day and I don't honestly think many people are. There certainly cannot be a repeat of the mistakes made with Diana. For one thing, I don't think William will allow it. If I were them, I'd simply insist on disappearing for a while and let world events dictate the rest. There's enough going on all over the world to fill the front pages. The next big story involving them should be the arrival of a son or daughter. Let's by all means celebrate their union but people are still killing each other all over the world and many in this country are struggling to make ends meet.
Hip Hip Hooray!
I suspect there will be many men wishing they were waking up on Saturday with Kate and women wishing they were waking up Saturday morning a princess... The fact is that I doubt many people could cope with the life changing demands of joining the Royal Family. There would be too many sacrifices to make and duties to perform. But there's no harm in imagining.
It would be nice to think that everything will return to normal from Saturday. I hope very much that the new Royal Couple can be left alone, but I fear this will be the case. I'm not interested in what they are doing every minute of the day and I don't honestly think many people are. There certainly cannot be a repeat of the mistakes made with Diana. For one thing, I don't think William will allow it. If I were them, I'd simply insist on disappearing for a while and let world events dictate the rest. There's enough going on all over the world to fill the front pages. The next big story involving them should be the arrival of a son or daughter. Let's by all means celebrate their union but people are still killing each other all over the world and many in this country are struggling to make ends meet.
Hip Hip Hooray!
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Wonderful vinyl
It's true that MP3's have made music more accessible and portable. I use this format all the time. Most of my music is now in MP3 format and I have a vast collection of radio drama and audio books. I use these to help me sleep and I use a WIFI MP3 player to access my collection from the comfort of my bed each night. Today, I rediscovered something - vinyl. I found my record deck, buried under some books and other assorted junk. I dusted it and put on a record. It was one of the many Top of the Pops records I have - released on the Pickwick label and very popular during the 70's and early 80's. They 'recreated' the hits of the day - actually quite well. As the first track began to play, I was reminded of how warm and soft the tones are from vinyl. I'll never be able to recreate the sound of my Nan's radiogram, but this was close. Although most of my records are in pretty good condition, there was still the occasional noice made by the odd dust particle - but this was right, it sounded more perfect, if you see what I mean. The pop and crackle are all part of the experience. Vinyl isn't perfect. I don't think it ever professed to be perfect. But it does sound right. In comparison, my MP3's sound harsh and too sharp. They are convenient and that's all.
I love hunting for these vinyl discs of audible pleasure. High street charity shops are ideal places to find them, often tucked away in the corner or under shelves in an old cardboard box. Amongst the Max Bygraves and sing-along Christmas albums, there will occasionally be lurking the odd gem - a Disney original or soundtrack to some blockbuster film. From time to time, it's also possible to stumble across a Betjeman or Tony Hancock radio show. These are moments of excitement - the thrill of the hunt - knowing you've found something quite exceptional. I love these moments. And for this pleasure, you are seldom asked for more than 25 or 50p. I would happily pay more and often do if I find something exceptional. Some vinyl is worth it.
To me, vinyl is very much alive. It never actually went away. It was simply languishing in pokey little shops and attics waiting to be found once more. Only this time, it is loved and cherished like never before... certainly by me.
I love hunting for these vinyl discs of audible pleasure. High street charity shops are ideal places to find them, often tucked away in the corner or under shelves in an old cardboard box. Amongst the Max Bygraves and sing-along Christmas albums, there will occasionally be lurking the odd gem - a Disney original or soundtrack to some blockbuster film. From time to time, it's also possible to stumble across a Betjeman or Tony Hancock radio show. These are moments of excitement - the thrill of the hunt - knowing you've found something quite exceptional. I love these moments. And for this pleasure, you are seldom asked for more than 25 or 50p. I would happily pay more and often do if I find something exceptional. Some vinyl is worth it.
To me, vinyl is very much alive. It never actually went away. It was simply languishing in pokey little shops and attics waiting to be found once more. Only this time, it is loved and cherished like never before... certainly by me.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Gagging
A lot in the news at the moment regarding gagging orders and news today that Andrew Marr has been a participant in this new fad. I'm not so surprised at the fact he was awarded the gagging order but more surprised and dare I say it shocked that anyone, anyone would find him the remotest bit attractive. If I'd been him, I wouldn't have bothered with the gagging order and celebrated the fact that someone was willing to have an affair with me...!
As for the ethics of gagging orders, if you choose to place yourself in the public eye then you should expect everything you do to become public. If you do things you're ashamed of, tough! Rant over.
As for the ethics of gagging orders, if you choose to place yourself in the public eye then you should expect everything you do to become public. If you do things you're ashamed of, tough! Rant over.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Easter with the In-Laws
Yesterday afternoon was spent in the company of my in-laws. A deep low had set-in a few hours before and being someone that hates social events of any kind, I knew an enormous effort would have to be made. This was helped somewhat by half-a-bottle of brandy. Id decided beforehand that this was the only way I would get through the afternoon, and it worked.
Everyone had been expecting a BBQ - instead, we had a modest cold buffet - to everyone's disappointment I think. Nevertheless, it was pleasant and I spent much of the time in the garden trying desperately to look happy and interested in what was going on around me. I've worked quite hard at my technique and I think I've managed to hone it to perfection.
As the evening approached, I knew I had drunk too much. It doesn't effect me a great deal, I don't become silly in any way, just lethargic and a little unsteady. I don't think anyone had actually noticed to be honest. I think sensing my unease with social occasions, I'm normally left alone except for the obligatory hello's and goodbye's. I was fortunate to have attracted the attention of my brother-in-law's dogs so was able to give them some fuss and prevent them from getting to an Easter egg my son had found hidden in a bush.
As it became cooler, we headed inside where the subject had turned to photographs of my wife and her family dating back years. Always a source of amusement, this had us entertained for a while. Countryfile on the TV gave the cue for everyone to start making their excuses and soon we were loading ourselves into the car. My wife drove us home, something I'm not used to very much. She drives faster than me, but I didn't mind as I tried focussing on the scenery as it whizzed past us.
The evening was brief, I fell asleep from 8-9. So that was Easter. Note to self: Make it better next year.
Everyone had been expecting a BBQ - instead, we had a modest cold buffet - to everyone's disappointment I think. Nevertheless, it was pleasant and I spent much of the time in the garden trying desperately to look happy and interested in what was going on around me. I've worked quite hard at my technique and I think I've managed to hone it to perfection.
As the evening approached, I knew I had drunk too much. It doesn't effect me a great deal, I don't become silly in any way, just lethargic and a little unsteady. I don't think anyone had actually noticed to be honest. I think sensing my unease with social occasions, I'm normally left alone except for the obligatory hello's and goodbye's. I was fortunate to have attracted the attention of my brother-in-law's dogs so was able to give them some fuss and prevent them from getting to an Easter egg my son had found hidden in a bush.
As it became cooler, we headed inside where the subject had turned to photographs of my wife and her family dating back years. Always a source of amusement, this had us entertained for a while. Countryfile on the TV gave the cue for everyone to start making their excuses and soon we were loading ourselves into the car. My wife drove us home, something I'm not used to very much. She drives faster than me, but I didn't mind as I tried focussing on the scenery as it whizzed past us.
The evening was brief, I fell asleep from 8-9. So that was Easter. Note to self: Make it better next year.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Our first CCJ
To add to our woes, my wife and I received a CCJ in the post today from our friendly and helpful South Holland County Council. This follows our recent visit to discuss our financial problems where we were both assured that we should do nothing until they'd assessed our situation and issued a new statement of the reduced charges. I couldn't deal with much more today so it fell upon my darling wife to call them to express our displeasure at their action. We now have to wait until next Tuesday for someone to call us to discuss our plight, leaving this hanging over us for the weekend. Fantastic. So does that now make us criminals for not paying our council tax? Our credit rating can't get any worse - we must be into the minus figures by now. This would be the icing on the cake. Can things seriously get any worse..?
At least the weather is good!
At least the weather is good!
Another setback
Letter received today telling me I've been unsuccessful in my application. Wonderful. I can only assume it's because I haven't got my D1 or D license. So after getting me hyped-up, this nice lady at TransL**c must have realised that I didn't stand a chance without it. Let's face it, if two others come along waving their PCV licenses, they're going to take them on regardless of anything else that may go in my favor.
So it's back to square 1 and all options to gain my full PCV. Something I have been looking at is a CDL (Career Development Loan). Apparently it is arranged between your bank and the training provider providing the funds needed to complete a given training course. You then pay back the loan at reduced interest rates over an agreed period. That of course assumes you get a job as a result of gaining your new qualification... Something to look into I suppose and can't do any more harm.
I'm a little p'd off that Easter is now upon us. Everything now shuts down until next Tuesday though in truth, nothing will be normal until well after next weekend as we have the Royal Wedding to focus on. For me though, it's not the most important thing going on at the moment.
So yet another blow that I mustn't allow to get the better of me. 'Brush yourself down and get on with it', as my father would say. I can hear him now. My mum would want to go to Lincoln and lynch them. My wife will be worried that I will slip into a depressive state in time for the weekend. We're invited over her parents for an Easter get-together of the whole family. I always struggle at these sorts of occasions. Maybe I should just get drunk?
Thanks then to whoever it is making the rules up there... Happy Easter everyone!
So it's back to square 1 and all options to gain my full PCV. Something I have been looking at is a CDL (Career Development Loan). Apparently it is arranged between your bank and the training provider providing the funds needed to complete a given training course. You then pay back the loan at reduced interest rates over an agreed period. That of course assumes you get a job as a result of gaining your new qualification... Something to look into I suppose and can't do any more harm.
I'm a little p'd off that Easter is now upon us. Everything now shuts down until next Tuesday though in truth, nothing will be normal until well after next weekend as we have the Royal Wedding to focus on. For me though, it's not the most important thing going on at the moment.
So yet another blow that I mustn't allow to get the better of me. 'Brush yourself down and get on with it', as my father would say. I can hear him now. My mum would want to go to Lincoln and lynch them. My wife will be worried that I will slip into a depressive state in time for the weekend. We're invited over her parents for an Easter get-together of the whole family. I always struggle at these sorts of occasions. Maybe I should just get drunk?
Thanks then to whoever it is making the rules up there... Happy Easter everyone!
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Farewell Sarah-Jane...
What a shock it has been to hear of the sad death of Elisabeth Sladen. I think I speak for many when I say that this news came as a complete surprise and not only to fans but colleagues also. I will have fond memories of Elizabeth's wonderful performances alongside Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. It was only recently that we lost Nicholas Courtney. That too came as a shock to many. It is though comforting to know that they can be remembered and appreciated by this and future generations through their work in TV. I understand the BBC are putting together a fitting tribute to be shown as part of the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who to be broadcast this coming Saturday. I'm sure it will be done well but very moving. I bid a fond farewell to a hugely talented and much loved actress. Sleep well...
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Waiting...
The observant amongst you will have noticed that I have given no mention yet to the call I was supposed to have received the beginning of this week. Indeed, I am still waiting for it and becoming a little worried that either I have been forgotten or that my hopes have once again been dashed. I am for now putting it down to the fact that it's fast approaching the Easter Bank Holiday weekend so things are perhaps a little hectic with people off on their hols and looking after their children. We'll see what tomorrow brings...
Apparently I'm a Refusenik...
My loathing of everything to do with the forthcoming royal wedding now has a label - 'refusenik'. An odd title, but one it seems applies to more than just me - according to the BBC News website. I'm actually quite pleased, though 'refusenik' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue - I'd have plumped for something a little different. I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm anti-royal - no, I like tradition. What I do object to though is the way in which every Tom, Dick and Harry have jumped on the proverbial band-wagon. References to it are popping up everywhere and I was even asked yesterday if I was going to have a street party. I could imagine nothing worse. It's not as if anyone in our street talk to each other let alone celebrate someone else's wedding. My God, I could think of nothing more unappealing. All those false smiles and small talk... Agggghhhhrrrr! Will I be watching it on TV? Oh I expect so, secretly wishing for something to go wrong or for someone important to trip up or faint. I sound awful I know, but really - isn't it just an excuse to do something a bit different? A few hours out of our humdrum lives to imagine we were somewhere else or tagged with the label 'royal'? What I also find sickening is how every TV personality is suddenly thrust into the role of royal commentator. As if we can't see that the dress is white or who the queen and the prime minister are. If they are going to televise it, at least do it without comment. That would be much better.
What is clear is that as we draw nearer to the event, there are fewer and fewer places to hide for a 'resfusenik'... I suspect I'll just end up suffering it. Humbug!
What is clear is that as we draw nearer to the event, there are fewer and fewer places to hide for a 'resfusenik'... I suspect I'll just end up suffering it. Humbug!
Monday, 18 April 2011
Monday energy & things that go bang
I don't know if our home is unique in this, but each week is begun with a spell of what I call 'Monday energy'. It seems to build over the weekend and is motivated I think by a deep desire to make the coming week better than the last. My wife is particularly prone to this. With me, it comes and goes depending on the mood I'm in. This morning was no exception and my wife decided she would sort through and recycle the overflowing waste bin I have in my office. Normally it is gingerly walked past with care not to disturb in case it topples over spilling its load. But today was different - my wife was energized. Now this term would strike the fear of God into any man, and so it should. I've grown somewhat used to it over the years - enough to know that it doesn't last for very long and is soon spent. So to a volley of disapproving tuts, my wife emptied and sorted the contents of my bin. I'm sure she likes to get to it before I do just so she can have a moan. I like to wait until it's full, properly full, for I feel I am making full use of the bin's potential. My wife feels this is just a sign of laziness. On this, I'm afraid we will never agree...
One thing that did decide to give up the fight today was our kettle. It didn't just stop working gracefully. Oh no. Instead it decided to let us know it was going - with a bang. In fact, it fused the whole house. Thankfully we have a clever fuse box that knows when there's something wrong but it still took about half-an-hour to work out the kettle had been removed... That's actually the second thing this week to 'blow-up'. The other thing was one of my computers. I have a few of them and this was the slowest of them all, affectionately named 'Frodo'. The power supply unit looks like it had overheated and blown. I don't think the damage was confined to the PSU as I did try replacing it and there is no pulse. So I'll be salvaging the hard drives just as soon as I can afford a portable IDE drive caddy.
For a bit of fun, I've started running my own competition to see whether we can watch a news bulletin where the upcoming Royal Wedding isn't mentioned once. Today we managed it, well ITN did with their 1.30 bulletin. We'll see if they can do just as well tonight... I doubt it.
It's good to see the sport of Extreme Ironing is still going strong. A guy pitched his ironing board on the middle lane of the M1 motorway. It's closed at the moment due to a fire having damaged it the other day. I did have a good chuckle though and credit to him for doing it!
I'm waiting expectantly for the phone call to invite me to an interview. It'll be nice if they call today as I'm due to sign-on tomorrow and I can give them some good news for a change.
Oh, I've started using paragraphs. I always use them when I type letters to people so the same should apply here. I hope it makes a difference.
One thing that did decide to give up the fight today was our kettle. It didn't just stop working gracefully. Oh no. Instead it decided to let us know it was going - with a bang. In fact, it fused the whole house. Thankfully we have a clever fuse box that knows when there's something wrong but it still took about half-an-hour to work out the kettle had been removed... That's actually the second thing this week to 'blow-up'. The other thing was one of my computers. I have a few of them and this was the slowest of them all, affectionately named 'Frodo'. The power supply unit looks like it had overheated and blown. I don't think the damage was confined to the PSU as I did try replacing it and there is no pulse. So I'll be salvaging the hard drives just as soon as I can afford a portable IDE drive caddy.
For a bit of fun, I've started running my own competition to see whether we can watch a news bulletin where the upcoming Royal Wedding isn't mentioned once. Today we managed it, well ITN did with their 1.30 bulletin. We'll see if they can do just as well tonight... I doubt it.
It's good to see the sport of Extreme Ironing is still going strong. A guy pitched his ironing board on the middle lane of the M1 motorway. It's closed at the moment due to a fire having damaged it the other day. I did have a good chuckle though and credit to him for doing it!
I'm waiting expectantly for the phone call to invite me to an interview. It'll be nice if they call today as I'm due to sign-on tomorrow and I can give them some good news for a change.
Oh, I've started using paragraphs. I always use them when I type letters to people so the same should apply here. I hope it makes a difference.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Surprisingly cheerful
I have to admit I feel quite chirpy and a tad bit enthused at my recent development. I have told those closest to me but I have to remind myself that it's not a done deal and I've been let down so many times in the past.
I do though feel quietly confident. I know I'm a good driver and I enjoy meeting people. I'm passionate about mobility issues and transport is something I'm very keen on. I believe it will become a major issue in years to come, particularly as oil reserves begin to run dry and there is an increased reliance on public transport. That's not to say there won't be private transport. I believe there will be but unless we are able to sufficiently develop battery technology in time, vehicles will be limited in mileage.
I do though feel quietly confident. I know I'm a good driver and I enjoy meeting people. I'm passionate about mobility issues and transport is something I'm very keen on. I believe it will become a major issue in years to come, particularly as oil reserves begin to run dry and there is an increased reliance on public transport. That's not to say there won't be private transport. I believe there will be but unless we are able to sufficiently develop battery technology in time, vehicles will be limited in mileage.
Friday, 15 April 2011
Progress!
I received rather a nice call earlier from a company I had sent my details to a few weeks ago in relation to transport jobs - Translinc in Lincoln. They provide specialist transport for the county and local bus services to rural communities. To my utter surprise, the nice lady at the other end asked me if I would be interested in driving for them. Wow - a complete shock! I almost lost my breath trying to respond to her, I think she could tell I was happy... They run little buses 8-14 seaters providing an on demand service for rural villages which then connect with the main bus network. The job would be to drive one of these on a full time basis. I's exactly what I've been looking for. Also, having read about my struggle to gain my full PCV license, the nice lady informed me that they provide full training for their drivers towards their full PCV enabling them to drive larger buses and coaches. I could not believe what I was hearing. There is hope! She told me she would call on Monday with a time so I can visit the depot for an interview with the manager there. I can't wait! What a difference a call can make...
The man from Indesit
The washing machine has been on the blink for over a week. Thankfully we have it covered by a household appliance policy so they said they'd send someone out today to look at it. They couldn't give a time but it would be anytime between 8am and 6pm. I've never known them to arrive any earlier than midday and sometimes they make us their last call given the fact we're so remote. Imagine then our surprise when they guy turned up at 8am on the dot. I was in the shower and my wife and son had just had breakfast. My wife answered the door and let him in. 'Daddy, Daddy, the man's here!', my son screamed up the stairs. 'I know mate, I'll be down in a second'. 'No come now and say hello!', shouted my son as he dragged me from the bathroom, not a stitch on. 'Good morning...', I mumbled down to him... 'Morning sir!", was the reply. By the time I was dressed, the machine was in pieces on the kitchen floor. I expect he'll be busy today - especially after last night's Watchdog programme on the BBC. It's a consumer rights show that goes after rogue traders and stands up for your rights. They were complaining about mould building up in a new washing machine and as it was incapable of operating at temperatures above 60 degrees, it was staying in the machine and ruining clothes. All very interesting but not good news if you've just forked out £300 for one.
The guy had soon identified the problem - 'main board'. Luckily he was carrying a spare and in another ten minutes he'd fitted it and reassembled the machine - much to my wife's delight. He'd finished in the nick of time too - I was able to drop my wife at work and head on over to see my mum.
The guy had soon identified the problem - 'main board'. Luckily he was carrying a spare and in another ten minutes he'd fitted it and reassembled the machine - much to my wife's delight. He'd finished in the nick of time too - I was able to drop my wife at work and head on over to see my mum.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
An hour with the big screen
Today I was home alone once more. I should have been looking after Ethan but I got my dates mixed up as I thought I was to be driving my son's godparents down to Newmarket. My mum kindly agreed to look after my son so we left the arrangements as they were. He had a good time by all accounts and even got a ride on the little bus my parents use to take them into town. He loves it.
So I had some time to myself. I did the usual stuff to satisfy myself I've been of some little use and decided in the last hour to treat myself. My sister had bought me a DVD for my last Birthday. It's full of old wartime public information films - stuff like what to do in an air-raid and how to recycle everything as it can be used to build airplanes etc. I can see why my grandparents were so keen to waste nothing, they had been practically brainwashed during the war years into giving anything spare to the war effort and not to throw anything away. It's really fascinating stuff. Of course these short films were shown in the cinema - there was no TV as it had been shut down before the war began. I did enjoy my 'hour in the past'. It took me back to an ear full of propoganda full of anti-German and anti-Japanese solgans. Nowadays, these would be banned and rightly so - but back then, anything went it seems.
The last film, about making only essential journeys, was interrupted by my wife and son arriving home. This is always a noisy event - our dog goes beserk and runs madly around the house. Being a Springer Spaniel, she's quite active and easily excited.
I've seen something I really want on eBay. It's always a mistake for me to browse the site as I always come across something I really like but never have the funds to buy. This time, I've decided I want it and that somehow I simply have to buy it. I have a thing for old buses and coaches. This one is in mint condition, a double-decker with a removable roof so it can be used open-top. This is a very rare find indeed and ticks all my boxes. I've even started imagining driving it to the coast with my son and wife riding on top. But it will never be, I know that... There's no harm in wishing though.
So I had some time to myself. I did the usual stuff to satisfy myself I've been of some little use and decided in the last hour to treat myself. My sister had bought me a DVD for my last Birthday. It's full of old wartime public information films - stuff like what to do in an air-raid and how to recycle everything as it can be used to build airplanes etc. I can see why my grandparents were so keen to waste nothing, they had been practically brainwashed during the war years into giving anything spare to the war effort and not to throw anything away. It's really fascinating stuff. Of course these short films were shown in the cinema - there was no TV as it had been shut down before the war began. I did enjoy my 'hour in the past'. It took me back to an ear full of propoganda full of anti-German and anti-Japanese solgans. Nowadays, these would be banned and rightly so - but back then, anything went it seems.
The last film, about making only essential journeys, was interrupted by my wife and son arriving home. This is always a noisy event - our dog goes beserk and runs madly around the house. Being a Springer Spaniel, she's quite active and easily excited.
I've seen something I really want on eBay. It's always a mistake for me to browse the site as I always come across something I really like but never have the funds to buy. This time, I've decided I want it and that somehow I simply have to buy it. I have a thing for old buses and coaches. This one is in mint condition, a double-decker with a removable roof so it can be used open-top. This is a very rare find indeed and ticks all my boxes. I've even started imagining driving it to the coast with my son and wife riding on top. But it will never be, I know that... There's no harm in wishing though.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Consumer rights
If you've bought something and it hasn't arrived or you've paid for something you didn't receive, you don't stand a chance. At least that's what I've discovered so far. I've mentioned previously my mistake of paying £1,140 for a course I never received. Well to take legal action and get a court to rule in my favor, I had to pay a further £1000. I am sill no nearer getting my money back as it turns out the guys who took my money don't have to pay my money back - despite being ordered to do so by the court. I was told this when I spoke to someone at the court. I now have to take out an enforcement order. This instructs the court to send in their bailiffs to get the money back in person. But again this has no guarantee of success as they can't force the issue and for this pleasure, I need to fork out another £200 in fees. Now, call me Mr Picky but isn't there something wrong with all this? Are we the only country where you have to fight tooth and nail until you are sick through stress to get back what is rightfully yours. Does this happen in the US, in France or in Italy? Why do the courts have no powers? I am bewildered by the whole thing. There has to be an easier way. I wonder if I'd be treated like this if I was an imigrant...? So it looks like we'll be calling on the help of our local CAB once more. I hate doing it, but having followed what I considered to be sound legal advice, we've got nowhere and I'm now over £2,000 down and unable to complete the training I need in order to work and provide for my family. And people wonder why I'm in a bad mood sometimes...
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
A smell of cake and a happy son
I think I attempt too much to make my posts read like mini works of literary excellence. Of course they are not by any means, simply the result of unloading my mind and recording some of the events from a somewhat humdrum life.
I spent the morning looking after my son, not that he really needs much looking after but at 4 years old, he's still clingy - the sort of clingy that makes you feel loved and wanted. He's had a habit lately of coughing until he makes himself sick. This has normally occurred during the evening or at night. Last night, he was told that if he managed to cough without being sick, he could have a jungle train we'd stored away for him since Christmas last year. It's an educational toy really, made up of many cogs that interact. It's battery driven and the whole thing trundles across the floor making choo choo and animal noises. The problem was, the thing was in 127 separate pieces and had to be put together, much like chunky plastic Meccano. So that's what we did this morning. I was actually quite proud of myself. Normally I take one look at things like this and run a mile. But my son was happy he had a new toy and he wanted his daddy to build it for him. That felt nice... It actually took me about two hours, but it seemed to pass quickly and I didn't at any point become stressed. I normally have what I call an 'MFI' fit when forced to assemble anything larger than a footstool so I was quite impressed with myself... Today I achieved something. An everyday statement for most people but for me, that really is significant.
My wife came home from work at about 2pm. I was quite pleased as any longer than this and I would have begun to find difficulty in keeping my son entertained. Thankfully, it had been agreed that he would make a cake this afternoon. It is one of those DIY cake mixes where you just have to add eggs and milk and shove it in the oven - ideal for a 4 year old and no too much mess. Within a few minutes, the house became full of cake fumes. I'm surprise Airwick haven't produced a cake scented air freshener. That would be quite popular. Within an hour the cake was ready to come out of the oven, my son brimming with pride as it emerged and was placed on the worktop to cool down.
As I type this, my son is laughing hysterically. He's learning to use the computer and is very fond of the CBeebies website. What a fantastic site this is and it is hard to imagine how we would ever be able to manage without it. Like the channel, it is a saviour for parents who have a limit, the red bit on the scale it isn't nice to reach. The red bit means Maximum. I've rigged the computer up to a projector we sometimes watch movies on. It's all been done properly, ceiling mounted with a 2m x 2m screen. Sound is through speakers in the ceiling and the keyboard and mouse are wireless so he can't get himself in a tangle. He loves it and it keeps him occupied for ages. I convince myself that he is learning important computer skills and I can answer any criticism with the fact that it is all educational. He does though seem to be laughing more than anything else. I've noticed also that there have been very few shouts of 'Daddy...' - this tells me he's mastered the basics and can now navigate the website himself. That makes me proud. I sound as though I want my son to grow up with a passion for computing. The fact is that I don't. I think it's important he has the confidence to use computers, but I'm really not bothered what he ends up doing, so long as he's happy. I'm not one of those pushy competitive parents - just the opposite. I want him to be happy. That's more important than anything else - I know.
So with the smell of freshly baked cake drifting around me and my son chuckling away to himself, I tell myself this has been a better than average sort of day. I feel that it hasn't all been wasted. With my laser pointer, I help my on to close an extra tab he's opened. He follows the bright red dot on the screen and clicks. Clever lad...
It's nice to see that I have another follower, and from a part of the UK I know well. I grew up in Kent and spent a lot of time exploring that corner of England. Many happy memories...
I spent the morning looking after my son, not that he really needs much looking after but at 4 years old, he's still clingy - the sort of clingy that makes you feel loved and wanted. He's had a habit lately of coughing until he makes himself sick. This has normally occurred during the evening or at night. Last night, he was told that if he managed to cough without being sick, he could have a jungle train we'd stored away for him since Christmas last year. It's an educational toy really, made up of many cogs that interact. It's battery driven and the whole thing trundles across the floor making choo choo and animal noises. The problem was, the thing was in 127 separate pieces and had to be put together, much like chunky plastic Meccano. So that's what we did this morning. I was actually quite proud of myself. Normally I take one look at things like this and run a mile. But my son was happy he had a new toy and he wanted his daddy to build it for him. That felt nice... It actually took me about two hours, but it seemed to pass quickly and I didn't at any point become stressed. I normally have what I call an 'MFI' fit when forced to assemble anything larger than a footstool so I was quite impressed with myself... Today I achieved something. An everyday statement for most people but for me, that really is significant.
My wife came home from work at about 2pm. I was quite pleased as any longer than this and I would have begun to find difficulty in keeping my son entertained. Thankfully, it had been agreed that he would make a cake this afternoon. It is one of those DIY cake mixes where you just have to add eggs and milk and shove it in the oven - ideal for a 4 year old and no too much mess. Within a few minutes, the house became full of cake fumes. I'm surprise Airwick haven't produced a cake scented air freshener. That would be quite popular. Within an hour the cake was ready to come out of the oven, my son brimming with pride as it emerged and was placed on the worktop to cool down.
As I type this, my son is laughing hysterically. He's learning to use the computer and is very fond of the CBeebies website. What a fantastic site this is and it is hard to imagine how we would ever be able to manage without it. Like the channel, it is a saviour for parents who have a limit, the red bit on the scale it isn't nice to reach. The red bit means Maximum. I've rigged the computer up to a projector we sometimes watch movies on. It's all been done properly, ceiling mounted with a 2m x 2m screen. Sound is through speakers in the ceiling and the keyboard and mouse are wireless so he can't get himself in a tangle. He loves it and it keeps him occupied for ages. I convince myself that he is learning important computer skills and I can answer any criticism with the fact that it is all educational. He does though seem to be laughing more than anything else. I've noticed also that there have been very few shouts of 'Daddy...' - this tells me he's mastered the basics and can now navigate the website himself. That makes me proud. I sound as though I want my son to grow up with a passion for computing. The fact is that I don't. I think it's important he has the confidence to use computers, but I'm really not bothered what he ends up doing, so long as he's happy. I'm not one of those pushy competitive parents - just the opposite. I want him to be happy. That's more important than anything else - I know.
So with the smell of freshly baked cake drifting around me and my son chuckling away to himself, I tell myself this has been a better than average sort of day. I feel that it hasn't all been wasted. With my laser pointer, I help my on to close an extra tab he's opened. He follows the bright red dot on the screen and clicks. Clever lad...
It's nice to see that I have another follower, and from a part of the UK I know well. I grew up in Kent and spent a lot of time exploring that corner of England. Many happy memories...
Monday, 11 April 2011
Wedding blues
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm a little tired of the upcoming royal wedding already. I know this sounds very anti-monarchy of me but it's all over the TV already and shops are already stocking the most tacky of royal wedding souvenirs. I'm sure it'll all be very nice on the day. I know most of the country will come to a standstill huddled in front of huge TV sets, presumably to keep warm rather than squint - given the fact no one is able to afford to heat their homes anymore. But I do know those who steadfastly will be working.
A far better day today. My head wasn't being squeezed. A visit to my parents earlier did provide a degree of stress but it could have been worse. I've learnt to deal with it better over the years. They're lovely of course, but in small doses.
A note for TV buffs - The final ever Waking The Dead tonight on BBC1. A very British drama serial, dark and miserable, but very well made and acted.
I'm doing the house-daddy thing tomorrow as the kids are off school for the Easter break. He's not much trouble but getting more and more interested in computers...
Back briefly to the 'plan' and I have decided to apply for a 'warrant of execution'. This is provided by by the court who apparently send in their own bailiffs to demand the return of my money. I can see no other choice, but we are having to plead poverty and request that we are spared the fee. As with everything, this is far from an easy thing to do so we are requesting the help of our local Citizen's Advice Bureau on Wednesday. I'm determined not to let them get away with it. They have my money and I want it back... soon.
A far better day today. My head wasn't being squeezed. A visit to my parents earlier did provide a degree of stress but it could have been worse. I've learnt to deal with it better over the years. They're lovely of course, but in small doses.
A note for TV buffs - The final ever Waking The Dead tonight on BBC1. A very British drama serial, dark and miserable, but very well made and acted.
I'm doing the house-daddy thing tomorrow as the kids are off school for the Easter break. He's not much trouble but getting more and more interested in computers...
Back briefly to the 'plan' and I have decided to apply for a 'warrant of execution'. This is provided by by the court who apparently send in their own bailiffs to demand the return of my money. I can see no other choice, but we are having to plead poverty and request that we are spared the fee. As with everything, this is far from an easy thing to do so we are requesting the help of our local Citizen's Advice Bureau on Wednesday. I'm determined not to let them get away with it. They have my money and I want it back... soon.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
A glorious Sunday
A bright, sunnny and warm day. Unusual? Yep, but very welcome. It's amazing the effect a little sunshine has on people. Clothes become scant and outlandish, tops come off cars and people behave differently, some deciding to drive like complete twats. The sun and the heat also brings out the flies, the wasps and the bees
but it's a small price to pay. My wife hates bees and wasps. I have to deal with these. She handles the things with eight legs, much to my relief. The weather also brings out he barbeque. In recent years, this has become a very British phenomenan so much so it wouldn't surprise me if we had overtaken the Australians in the popularity stakes. My in-laws are particularly fond of them. The weather has had an odd effect on me today. Well I'm blaming the weather anyway. It should have had a positive effect, but it did exactly the opposite. I felt awful with a head feeling like it was being squeezed. Quite why I felt under so much pressure is a mystery. I have the same worries and uncertainties plaguing my every day. Normally these are kept under the surface, but not today. Something was different. Talk about re-painting the outside of the house did nothing to improve things. How can I consider making the house look better if we won't be in it next year? Give me security and I will devote every spare minute I have to it. Security equals confidence. Confidence equals motivation...
but it's a small price to pay. My wife hates bees and wasps. I have to deal with these. She handles the things with eight legs, much to my relief. The weather also brings out he barbeque. In recent years, this has become a very British phenomenan so much so it wouldn't surprise me if we had overtaken the Australians in the popularity stakes. My in-laws are particularly fond of them. The weather has had an odd effect on me today. Well I'm blaming the weather anyway. It should have had a positive effect, but it did exactly the opposite. I felt awful with a head feeling like it was being squeezed. Quite why I felt under so much pressure is a mystery. I have the same worries and uncertainties plaguing my every day. Normally these are kept under the surface, but not today. Something was different. Talk about re-painting the outside of the house did nothing to improve things. How can I consider making the house look better if we won't be in it next year? Give me security and I will devote every spare minute I have to it. Security equals confidence. Confidence equals motivation...
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Citalopram Nights
The label reads 'Take one tablet daily just before bed'. This little yellow pill sure packs a punch. It keeps the dark clouds away. It also makes me sleep every night. I drift into Slumberland where I dream weird and wonderful things, so vivid I can remember the smallest detail. For a few hours, this pill makes me forget, it takes me to new and exciting places where anything is possible. Waking in the morning is a difficult process. I am wrenched from my slumber like being forced from one world into another. As I enter the real word, the world of now, reality begins to enter my mind and memory begins its painful entry back into my mind. Oh take me back to my Slumberland, where I am safe from the present, where I can be anything and do anything. There's a short time window when the recollection of a dream are vivid. If I'm lucky, I am able to capture them. If not, they vanish just like a fading roll of film. Some dreams are so vivid and leave such an impression, they seem to last forever, just like events in the 'real' world. This little yellow pill does its work in the conscious and the unconscious. Once awke, I feel as if fell into bed a few hours ago after a heavy drinking session. I feel rough, really rough. I feel I could slip back into Slumberland so easily. I must not close my eyes. Summoning the effort to move is difficult. My body seems to be several seconds behind my mind - the two aren't yet synchronised. After about half-an-hour, I'm functioning 'normally'. whatever that is. The real benefit of Citalopram is seen during the day. Has it helped me? Yes, most definitely. It keeps me away from the edge and helps me to stay in control. Is it the perfect solution? No. I still think the same things, it's just the effects of those things that are changed. It helps others to know that things are under control. Citalopram is a badge that tells others my speed is limited to 50 mph. It's an anti-surge device, a thermostat. It regulates and prevents me from going bang. It's my guardian during the day and my weaver of magical dreams at night. My Citalopram.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Recollection - Schools TV
I've decided it is possible to find absolutely anything on YouTube. I have even managed to find the old TV schools programmes I was forced to watch as a primary school kid back in the early 80's. A lot of them were made by ATV before it became Central. Programmes like Stop Look Listen, Seeing & Doing, History Around You, Watch, Picture Box, to name just a few. They are all there, beatifully converted from old analogue videocassette to digital - preserved forever for all to enjoy. Oh how innocent and basic things were back then. I recall sitting cross legged in front of the school TV high on its mobile stand. There would be a first generation JVC video recorder in a steel case beneath it. Built like a tank with chunky jutting out buttons - then a wonder of technology, now a collectors item. Oh how I would enjoy our 15 minute escapes from classroom routine. Sometimes, if we were lucky, it would be 30 minues and on the last day of term we would all be squashed into the TV room for a Disney film. I also remember equipment was painted with LBB in bright yellow. I had no idea what it meant back then but now know it was to show it was owned by the county council and a deterrent against theft. The countdown clock was the most memorable thing about schools TV, normally white on a blue background. Nowadays it can be found online and even downloaded as a screensaver! I have them all. The countdown clock and schools TV will be imprinted in my memory for years to come. Little did I know back then how significant it would be...
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Recollections 1
I've decided to add periodic recollections from my past for two main reasons - firstly as they may be of interest and secondly to prevent my memory from deteriorating. If I record my memories then when my mind fails, I have something to rely on.
I was born and grew up in Kent in a large town just south of London. I moved up here to Lincolnshire in 2002 but I had been backwards and forwards between my home down south and my place of work in Peterborough for about a year beforehand.
I remember much of my younger life being spent on public transport. My parents didn't drive and had no desire to do so. The buses ran very close to home and there was a stop at both ends of our road. Therefore, most of my memories from that period contain buses for one reason or another. Every day involved normally at least two bus trips. They were all red back then and old - RT's and RM's - but reliable and classically British. It's hard to understand nowadays but they were invariably smoke-filled, especially when it was cold or raining - not from the engine fumes but from smokers. Back then you could smoke on buses. Hard to believe nowadays but true.
We would go shopping, visit family and sometimes I would just ride about visiting different places. It was cheap and as I got older, I was able to have my own bus pass. This was a pass to freedom and I was convinced it could take me anywhere.
I used to love sitting at the front. In those days, I was just behind the driver and I had a clear view so I could see everything - the road ahead and what the driver was doing to make this beautiful machine move. I used to love the smell. You could smell the warm oil, the diesel fumes, the hot engine. It smelled like a bus. Not like nowadays - everything is cleaned-up, they may as well be electric. I love them. If one looked slightly different, I noticed and I remembered, right down to the smallest detail.
In the evening, I used to walk up the road to meet my Dad from work. He would sometimes get off there depending on the bus he had caught and then walk down the road. I would get to the stop early. I used to like doing that as I could see more buses. I would see the bus in the far distance and as it slowly came into view, I could tell if my Dad could be on it by its route number. Sometimes the bus would pull up and he wouldn't get off but I knew he'd be on one of them eventually. I remember carrying his case for him. I loved those times. I remember them well...
I was born and grew up in Kent in a large town just south of London. I moved up here to Lincolnshire in 2002 but I had been backwards and forwards between my home down south and my place of work in Peterborough for about a year beforehand.
I remember much of my younger life being spent on public transport. My parents didn't drive and had no desire to do so. The buses ran very close to home and there was a stop at both ends of our road. Therefore, most of my memories from that period contain buses for one reason or another. Every day involved normally at least two bus trips. They were all red back then and old - RT's and RM's - but reliable and classically British. It's hard to understand nowadays but they were invariably smoke-filled, especially when it was cold or raining - not from the engine fumes but from smokers. Back then you could smoke on buses. Hard to believe nowadays but true.
We would go shopping, visit family and sometimes I would just ride about visiting different places. It was cheap and as I got older, I was able to have my own bus pass. This was a pass to freedom and I was convinced it could take me anywhere.
I used to love sitting at the front. In those days, I was just behind the driver and I had a clear view so I could see everything - the road ahead and what the driver was doing to make this beautiful machine move. I used to love the smell. You could smell the warm oil, the diesel fumes, the hot engine. It smelled like a bus. Not like nowadays - everything is cleaned-up, they may as well be electric. I love them. If one looked slightly different, I noticed and I remembered, right down to the smallest detail.
In the evening, I used to walk up the road to meet my Dad from work. He would sometimes get off there depending on the bus he had caught and then walk down the road. I would get to the stop early. I used to like doing that as I could see more buses. I would see the bus in the far distance and as it slowly came into view, I could tell if my Dad could be on it by its route number. Sometimes the bus would pull up and he wouldn't get off but I knew he'd be on one of them eventually. I remember carrying his case for him. I loved those times. I remember them well...
You called yourself Somi
We met on IRC in 1997, soon after Diana had left us. We chatted every night. You were hours ahead and I would often stay up late in the night and into the morning to talk to you. I'd struggle to stay awake at work some days. We used Netmeeting - you were thousands of miles away but I could hear your voice. Sometime we'd lose the connection. We only had dial-up modems back then. You told me you were coming to visit in 1998, July. You wanted to meet me, you told me you loved me. We met at Victoria Station, under the clock. You threw your arms around me and we hugged. We walked to the pub across the road from the station. It was the World Cup and the pub was full of people watching it on the TV. We sat looking at each other longingly. I was shaking.
We went outside and walked for a little. We held each other for hours and it became dark. We were in our time and our place. You had to go and so did I. But we would see each other again, soon. You called a cab. We waved goodbye and I headed back to the station. I boarded my train and went home - not a long journey, just 20 minutes.
We met again and again. I showed you my home town and where I worked. You met my father in his shop. It rained and we both got wet. We were happy. I drove us to the country and we went to Heathfield, home of Winnie The Pooh. We spent a barmy afternoon there. In a field of long grass, we held each other. Some walkers came by and they tutted as they passed. We laughed. We became close and we talked about the future - 10 years from then, talking on the phone until you fell asleep. Then I'd listen to you sleeping.
But then you went. You knew it couldn't be. We let go. You floated away.
I sat at my desk in my office. It's July 2008. I start looking for you on the Internet. I know your father has a firm a long was away. I send an e-mail. I get a reply and he tells me I have been in touch. I feel great but a bit scared. I keep looking and I find you at a firm in London. I email you. I don't know if you will remember. You mail back. You do remember. But you have changed. And so have I. I'll never forget you. I'm still there in 1998 and so are you. Maybe I'll see you again, someday... I'll always miss you, Somi.
We went outside and walked for a little. We held each other for hours and it became dark. We were in our time and our place. You had to go and so did I. But we would see each other again, soon. You called a cab. We waved goodbye and I headed back to the station. I boarded my train and went home - not a long journey, just 20 minutes.
We met again and again. I showed you my home town and where I worked. You met my father in his shop. It rained and we both got wet. We were happy. I drove us to the country and we went to Heathfield, home of Winnie The Pooh. We spent a barmy afternoon there. In a field of long grass, we held each other. Some walkers came by and they tutted as they passed. We laughed. We became close and we talked about the future - 10 years from then, talking on the phone until you fell asleep. Then I'd listen to you sleeping.
But then you went. You knew it couldn't be. We let go. You floated away.
I sat at my desk in my office. It's July 2008. I start looking for you on the Internet. I know your father has a firm a long was away. I send an e-mail. I get a reply and he tells me I have been in touch. I feel great but a bit scared. I keep looking and I find you at a firm in London. I email you. I don't know if you will remember. You mail back. You do remember. But you have changed. And so have I. I'll never forget you. I'm still there in 1998 and so are you. Maybe I'll see you again, someday... I'll always miss you, Somi.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Sausages
Can a sausage ever be square...? I like sausages, I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur. Imagine then my surprise when I came across a square sausage the other week in our local frozen food store. I bought a pack - at just £1 for 10, I considered them a bargain.
They are made in Scotland which leads me to think this may be a Scottish thing... However, putting their shape to one side, they are actually very nice and taste just like a normal breakfast sausage.
Yummy yum...
They are made in Scotland which leads me to think this may be a Scottish thing... However, putting their shape to one side, they are actually very nice and taste just like a normal breakfast sausage.
Yummy yum...
Choo choo's
It's no secret that I love railways. It's in the blood and something I was born with. You can't switch it on and off - the love is either there or it is not. I love the feeling of sitting on a platform and that expectation that a train is somewhere in the distance and on its way. I can sit in stations all day, watching the comings and goinigs, the different trains and absorbing the sounds. At least, I could if I wasn't married. There are certain things you sacrifice when you marry... I am absorbed in a wonderful book I've borrowed from my local library - I'd first seen it in a book shop and promised myself I would one day buy it. It is entitled 'All Change - Visiting the Byways of Britain's Railway Network' by Paul Atterbury. It is beautifully illustrated and explores many of the not so well known and long forgotten parts of the UK's once great railway network. The pictures take you back to a different time when the railways were the primary means of transport, long before the motorcar became a throw-away item. My son has my love of railways also. He's 4 years old and enjoys railways just as much as me. He's happy they are there whereas I also like to know why and how they got there.
British Transport Films are also a wonderful resource which have become almost an institution here amongst lovers of the railway. There were hundreds made - each one a masterpiece in its own right - with lavish budgets and direction typical of a Hollywood blockbuster. GPO Films also give a valuable insight into our bygone railways and there are some wonderful films made that document how our mail was once carried by travelling post offices. Well worth seeking out...
British Transport Films are also a wonderful resource which have become almost an institution here amongst lovers of the railway. There were hundreds made - each one a masterpiece in its own right - with lavish budgets and direction typical of a Hollywood blockbuster. GPO Films also give a valuable insight into our bygone railways and there are some wonderful films made that document how our mail was once carried by travelling post offices. Well worth seeking out...
Where do I want to be?
I want to wake in the morning looking forward to the day ahead. I will get ready, don my uniform, grab some breakfast and bid farewell to my wife and son. I will drive to the depot, park the car and collect my running sheet from the office. I will bid a good morning to the others and find my bus. It's had a wash and looks great. The inside has been vacuumed and the washer fluid filled. I carry out my safety checks. It has a full tank of diesel. I enter my bus, putting my bag in the cab and starting the engine. I change the destination and wait for the air pressure to build and the light change from red to green. I feel the bus rise as the suspension levels. We're ready to go. I close the door and I'm off. I run empty to my first stop where I see my regular early morning passengers. They bid me a good morning and I return the compliment. They sit in their usual seats. I drive on picking up people I recognise and those I don't. They are all different, some heading to the shops, some heading to the factory or to see family and others off to catch a train. I may see them later, I may not. But I will see them again - my regulars. The day sails past, just like empty stops. As my shift nears its end, my bus slowly empties as I near my final stop. I'm on-time. I change the display to 'Not In Service' and drive to the depot. I park the bus ready for it to be cleaned and serviced for the following day and take the day's takings into the office with my Wayfarer ticket machine to be tallied-up. I bid a farewell the office staff and head home where my son is waiting for me. He has a new toy he's pushing round the lounge floor - a bus... I look at him and smile.
A rosy glimpse into the future
I've long had a private pension - a couple in fact. I've never paid much attention to them, knowing they are there somewhere but also knowing I can't get my hands on it for many years. So it was quite interesting to find that I could take a look at it online, and I was pleasantly surprised. I now know that we'll be OK when I'm 55. We can do a cruise or buy a new car - maybe a couple if we're lucky. I know that we'll be secure, and that's a good feeling. The problem is of course the here and now - not some rosy future, as my wife brought me firmly down to earth... She's right of course. The fact is that we're bloody lucky. The company I had given so many years to had paid in to a private stakeholder pension, and they paid well. I can't see that ever being repeated... things have changed.
The weather here today is fantastic. It's amazing the difference a little sun can make. Those who claim that sunshine or lack of it can affect mood, they are right - absolutely right. I know as I've had first hand experience. It's nice to be able to open the doors and windows for a change. We're lucky to live in quite a remote area, so we have little traffic and the only real noise is from the jets on the nearby bombing range. Living in remote locations can sometimes have its drawbacks. The RAF like to play with their toys of war, but it's something we've grown used to. Having lived in London (well just south) for many years from birth, this is a world away from the traffic, the rushing about and the constant noise I was used to. Here, the silence is strangely deafening, you can see the stars - millions of them. The night sky isn't polluted by orange street lights and criss-crossed by holiday jets. It's not paradise, but I like it - it's home.
The weather here today is fantastic. It's amazing the difference a little sun can make. Those who claim that sunshine or lack of it can affect mood, they are right - absolutely right. I know as I've had first hand experience. It's nice to be able to open the doors and windows for a change. We're lucky to live in quite a remote area, so we have little traffic and the only real noise is from the jets on the nearby bombing range. Living in remote locations can sometimes have its drawbacks. The RAF like to play with their toys of war, but it's something we've grown used to. Having lived in London (well just south) for many years from birth, this is a world away from the traffic, the rushing about and the constant noise I was used to. Here, the silence is strangely deafening, you can see the stars - millions of them. The night sky isn't polluted by orange street lights and criss-crossed by holiday jets. It's not paradise, but I like it - it's home.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Thanks but no thanks
So my application to teach IT skills has been knocked back. 'Hugely interesting' and the 'skills are certainly there', but not quite got everything needed to teach. Oh well, another in a long line I suppose.
Back to Plan A then and I am continuing my fight to get my money back so I can continue with my master plan. This time, I have contacted my wife's magazine 'That's Life'. They have a consumer complaints section headed by their 'consumer warrior' Anne Hunt. I did them a brief email explaining how I had paid the £1,140 for the course back in March 2010 and that I am still waiting... Hopefully they will be interested and their consumer warrior will take on my case.
I signed on this morning. This time it was with one of their special advisers. You get pushed up an attention level the longer you remain jobless. The guy was actually pretty good - he took an interest in my past and why I had become jobless. He could see that I was once a high earning IT management guy and that health problems had taken their toll. I explained that I wanted something completely different and wanted to be a PCV driver. It turned out he had an interest in passenger transport like me so we spent some time talking about our mutually favourite subject. This made a nice change and restored my faith in the welfare system here in the UK. Maybe things aren't as bad after all...
Back to Plan A then and I am continuing my fight to get my money back so I can continue with my master plan. This time, I have contacted my wife's magazine 'That's Life'. They have a consumer complaints section headed by their 'consumer warrior' Anne Hunt. I did them a brief email explaining how I had paid the £1,140 for the course back in March 2010 and that I am still waiting... Hopefully they will be interested and their consumer warrior will take on my case.
I signed on this morning. This time it was with one of their special advisers. You get pushed up an attention level the longer you remain jobless. The guy was actually pretty good - he took an interest in my past and why I had become jobless. He could see that I was once a high earning IT management guy and that health problems had taken their toll. I explained that I wanted something completely different and wanted to be a PCV driver. It turned out he had an interest in passenger transport like me so we spent some time talking about our mutually favourite subject. This made a nice change and restored my faith in the welfare system here in the UK. Maybe things aren't as bad after all...
Monday, 4 April 2011
Rain and pizza
We had the first significant rain today. It was quite welcome here by the Wash. It can rain half a mile down the road and we can miss it completely. We seem to have our own mini weather system here. At least the car got a wash...
I didn't hear back from the teaching agency I contacted yesterday - I suppose it's too early. I'll give them until the end of the week and then chase. I'm signing-on again tomorrow so at least I can tell them I've applied.
Pizza tonight - it's the real thing. Asda let you make your own and it has a thin base, just the way pizza should be. The best pizza I've ever had was in Yugoslavia, many years ago. It was thin and big - really big. I haven't found one to beat it but I've got close.
The government here today announced that they are re-vamping the disability assessment process. Up to now, it has been a complete sham. I remember being assessed myself by some untrained 'medical assessor' who simply clicked at a checklist on a computer when I was signed-off work with severe depression. I was deemed 'fit for work' and had to then appeal the decision which induced further stress. I've read so many accounts from others who are severely disabled enduring the same treatment and having to appeal. Apparently last year, there were more than 300,000 appeals. Disgusting. But that's how this country is I'm afraid - an I fear it's getting worse.
Hey ho, that's life I suppose... It seems if there's anything wrong with you, you suffer.
I didn't hear back from the teaching agency I contacted yesterday - I suppose it's too early. I'll give them until the end of the week and then chase. I'm signing-on again tomorrow so at least I can tell them I've applied.
Pizza tonight - it's the real thing. Asda let you make your own and it has a thin base, just the way pizza should be. The best pizza I've ever had was in Yugoslavia, many years ago. It was thin and big - really big. I haven't found one to beat it but I've got close.
The government here today announced that they are re-vamping the disability assessment process. Up to now, it has been a complete sham. I remember being assessed myself by some untrained 'medical assessor' who simply clicked at a checklist on a computer when I was signed-off work with severe depression. I was deemed 'fit for work' and had to then appeal the decision which induced further stress. I've read so many accounts from others who are severely disabled enduring the same treatment and having to appeal. Apparently last year, there were more than 300,000 appeals. Disgusting. But that's how this country is I'm afraid - an I fear it's getting worse.
Hey ho, that's life I suppose... It seems if there's anything wrong with you, you suffer.
Taken the plunge
Yesterday evening, I took the plunge and sent my CV with a covering letter to a teaching agency based in Rutland. I had been debating the idea for sometime and teaching certainly isn't my first choice but it's something I am confident I can do. I explained the fact that for the past nearly 20 years, I have been an IT professional having ended my career in 2009 due to poor health (stress). I could very easily turn my back on my IT career and the skills I've amassed over the years but it may be possible for me to pass on some of those skills to young people or those with special learning needs. I've had experience of this so I am more than confident in the company of disabled people.
It would be nice if I get a response. Most of those I've contacted can't be arsed to reply and it's rare to hear anything back. I'm quietly optimistic, though I'm anxious not to get my hopes up as I've had these dashed so many times in the past. Oh well, it's worth a try...
It would be nice if I get a response. Most of those I've contacted can't be arsed to reply and it's rare to hear anything back. I'm quietly optimistic, though I'm anxious not to get my hopes up as I've had these dashed so many times in the past. Oh well, it's worth a try...
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Crusha gym kittens TV ad
My son has just seen this ad on TV and I think we've watched it more than ten times already. I don't think I've heard him laugh so much!
Mothering Sunday
I don't know if this is a worldwide phenomenon but here in the UK, it's Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday. It's one of several days each year set aside for spending ridiculous amounts of money in card shops and florists.
My son is the most excited this morning person - he thinks it's like a Birthday and he's written his card and prepared his gift. He's now waiting anxiously for his mummy to wake-up... he's been waiting since 6am...
We'll of course be 'doing the rounds' today visiting my mum and mum-in-law.Oh what fun...
My son is the most excited this morning person - he thinks it's like a Birthday and he's written his card and prepared his gift. He's now waiting anxiously for his mummy to wake-up... he's been waiting since 6am...
We'll of course be 'doing the rounds' today visiting my mum and mum-in-law.Oh what fun...
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Modelling progress
A typical Saturday afternoon spent at my best friends. Incidentally, they are godparents to my son such is their close friendship. Each visit involves me giving 2 or 3 hours to the model railway I'm building. As mentioned previously, I've spent many years getting it to where it is now and I estimate another couple of years to get it anywhere near complete.
A particular problem hindering progress has been the track elevations and gradients. What works fine for one loco won't work for another so I've had to do a huge amount of tweaking and testing. I've decided to use fine ballast to mimmic the real thing and I'm using this to hold the track in position rather than track pins. I have found these rather too severe and 'final' making any adjustments to track almost impossible. An area causing me considerable grief is at the north end of the layout - north being furthest from the camera in the above photo. The line turns into a bend which then elevates on a steady gradient. A slight tilt to the track has been necessary to prevent derailments and after several re-lays, I think I'm just about there. The ballast incidentally is sprayed with PVA mixed with water. When dry, this sets the ballast solid holding the track firm. I normally place a large weight onto 'troublesome track' and remove when the ballast is dry.
Up to a few weeks ago, track condition had been a real problem. As the layout is in a large shed, weather can play havoc with condensation the worst culprit. I read somewhere on the Net that operators of large model railway layouts swear by Wahl Oil. Apparently, despite being an 'oil', it has remarkable cleaning properties and leaves a ultra fine conductive layer which drastically improves transfer of current from track to wheel. So, I duly ordered a bottle or two and I've been amazed at the result after applying just one drop to each rail. Locos now run smoothly and without hesitation on all parts of the layout. I've also noticed the oil has managed to clean the loco wheels. Wahl Oil has to be the most essential accessory for any model railway and I thoroughly recommend it. Do though be careful with steep gradients. The oil can cause increased slippage on drive wheels, as I've found. In such cases, I've double-headed and run continuously for about an hour or so to disperse the oil.
I'll update on progress again next Saturday.
Something you don't see very often
Driving to mum's this morning, I passed a man smoking a pipe. Now that wouldn't have been very remarkable years ago but nowadays, it's something you don't often see. It wasn't a 'basic' pipe, you could see that money had been spent and care had been taken to make it look good. It was a rich mahogany in colour and a pipe typical of the fictional Sherlock Holmes - a real classic.
I did admire the fact that this chap, clearly mature in years, was walking with confidence, his pipe boldly displayed from his mouth. In this age, smoking is sneered at and attempts are now being made to hide it in the UK and push it under the counter - out of sight, out of mind...
I'd raise my pipe to him, if I had one. I don't - I used to, at school, many years ago. Not a period I'm proud of. I progressed to cigarettes, then cigars - which I smoked for many years up until about 2 years ago. I never quite kicked the habit. The birth of my son made me think seriously about it and in the end I decided to try one of these 'electronic cigarettes' everyone was raving about. They provide the full experience of smoking but without any of the harmful stuff - essentially it produces water vapour with nicotine. I'm still using it two years on, and I enjoy it. It gives me the freedom of using it anywhere, even indoors as there is no passive smoke and no smell. A wonderful little device and the best thing to come out of China since noodles.
Good luck to him! I expect in 10 years from now, we will be sneering at petrol and diesel cars as we glide past noiseless in our little electric pods...
I did admire the fact that this chap, clearly mature in years, was walking with confidence, his pipe boldly displayed from his mouth. In this age, smoking is sneered at and attempts are now being made to hide it in the UK and push it under the counter - out of sight, out of mind...
I'd raise my pipe to him, if I had one. I don't - I used to, at school, many years ago. Not a period I'm proud of. I progressed to cigarettes, then cigars - which I smoked for many years up until about 2 years ago. I never quite kicked the habit. The birth of my son made me think seriously about it and in the end I decided to try one of these 'electronic cigarettes' everyone was raving about. They provide the full experience of smoking but without any of the harmful stuff - essentially it produces water vapour with nicotine. I'm still using it two years on, and I enjoy it. It gives me the freedom of using it anywhere, even indoors as there is no passive smoke and no smell. A wonderful little device and the best thing to come out of China since noodles.
Good luck to him! I expect in 10 years from now, we will be sneering at petrol and diesel cars as we glide past noiseless in our little electric pods...
Something nasty in the bath
An early start for us all this morning. I must explain that each Saturday morning, we have to get my wife to work so she can 'do' the hair for a woman who insists she has it done each Saturday at 8am. So we all have to run round like headless chickens getting ready to leave by 7.45 at the latest. If only this woman knew the combined effort required each Saturday to provide this service, maybe she'd think again. It's not as if the reward is worth the effort - it is not. Anyway, something was waiting for us (well me) in the bath this morning - a spider. Now, I'm OK with most insects and things with more than four legs, but when it comes to spiders I'm afraid I'm prone to freaking out - and that's exactly what I did this morning. My fear of spiders has rubbed off on my son and our dog come to that, for all three of us hurtled down the stairs to escape this bathroom menace... My darling wife is the only person who can confidently deal with them. We all stayed down there until the all clear was given and normal life could resume. So that was the first one of the year. We don't normally get them this early but it's starting to get mild here and that normally brings the buggers out. I have a little device, battery driven, that give out an ultrasonic beam of sound. This is supposed to keep them away so I've now switched that on. The dog doesn't like it much - she just sits staring at it. I must sound as if I'm petrified of the things - I am.
Friday, 1 April 2011
Broadcasting - News - Rob Brydon fools Ken Bruce radio listeners - Digital Spy
This was hilarious - one of the best April 1st pranks I've heard...
Farewell BBC Radio 7
Tomorrow morning, BBC Radio 4 Extra will replace BBC7. As a lover of radio, this is a special moment in radio history. From what I've seen, Radio 4 Extra will bring a lot of new programming to new and existing listeners as well as maintaining Radio 7's unique blend of new and classic comedy. It's good to see further investment and development in radio. As a radio listener once said 'I like listening to the radio because the pictures are better'... how very true.
New month, same old idiots
So bye bye March and Hello April... We start the month with a a visit to the local doc with my son. A swift check over and we're told he has a cold (which we already knew)... so that was time well spent.
I don't know if it's the weather but so far today, I have just seen idiots on our roads. Where I live, there is a generally poor standard of driving skills. We are surrounded by farmland and long roads with little traffic. I think this gives people the impression they can drive how they like, with absolutely no regard for anyone else. I do take extreme exception to dangerous drivers particularly when I have my son in the car with me. To give an explicit example, I was driving back from the doc's along a road that up to very recently had a 60 mph limit. It has since been changed to a staggered 50 mph, starting at 40 mph for the first few hundred yards. I am a stickler for safe driving, so imagine my anger when some blithering idiot decided he could drive as fast as he wanted and overtook me. The road is marked with think red stripes with white speed symbols and the lamp posts also display the new speed limit.
The other idiots this morning included a woman who didn't know her right from her left and indicated right whilst turning left and someone else who thought that because he had a big car, he didn't have to give way when the law required otherwise. Unbelievable...
I've managed to leave my poorly son at my parents for a couple of hours. They have my sister's kids there today so he's very happy playing with them and didn't even notice the fact that I'd left.
Whilst there, they asked me to look at their VCR. It had been making a strange noise. True enough, it was and I deduced that a drive cog had worn out. They are still in the dark ages when it comes to technology and believe me, it is not a good idea to bring them into the 21st Century. I've tried. So imagine my horror when my father produced a DVD recorder - the same machine I had a year ago taken a month trying to teach them to use. I recall actually making myself ill at the time, it was that stressful. They simply cannot get their heads round the fact that a recordable DVD is not the same as a tape and cannot be re-wound and taped-over. DVD's have to be finalised and erased if you want to use them again. No, I think the simplest thing to do is to find a replacement VCR - they understand them and it means less stress for me. I should have hidden that bloody DVD recorder when I had the chance...
OK, that's off my chest.
I'm off to work on my model railway later. I'll get some more photos while I there.
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