I have come to the conclusion that I am definitely getting old. Things that, a few years ago I would not have even raised an eyebrow at (in that peculiarly 1970's way as practiced by those of us that were once devotees of The Six Million Dollar Man), now make me seethe.
An example of what has 'got my goat' recently is the ever increasing use of abbreviated words. The biggest culprit (and this is perpetuated by one of my favourite programs - The Gadget Show) is App. App? What the Einstein is an App?? An instruction in written music for a very quiet section? A unit of measure such as the em and en? No! It is an application. An application that is most probably for a smart phone or computer. Is it necessary to reduce it to App? Are we that idle as a race that we have to reduce all words to the smallest number of syllables? Should we have Apps for our Smaphs? (Smart Phones).
My second example (cue the Steve Austin pose) is sides or side as in 'Would you like a side with that?' or 'Offer includes two sides'. What is a side? I thought it was and edge of a shape or other things such as; the side of the road, lay on your side or which side are you on? I mean, would you want a side of road with your meal? Would you want to lay on a portion of coleslaw. Would you even want to decide if you were backing baked beans or chips? Why can't we just have side orders? Is it too hard?
Then, of course, there is the culture clash of generations. I fully remember my father's face when I would come out with some ludicrous term that he found irritating but, as you age, so you forget your own experiences (conveniently). I work opposite a young girl who is just about young enough to be my very own proginy. I am wearing my teeth down with the amount of gritting they are doing when she repeatedly uses such excrutiating expressions such as 'My lunch today is immense' (does that mean she has a huge amount of food?), 'This salad is awesome' (can a salad really fill you with a sense of awe??) and the unshakable knowledge that, whilst anything I may do in my life is naff (I don't suppose she even knows what that really stands for) and everything she does is cool (yes, that word has spanned a number of generations) to such an extent that I sometimes wonder, if someone were to leave a dangerous piece of equipment within my reach, I might have no compunction to use it upon her!
Now I think I shall go and lie down in a darkened room....
Keep safe, keep loving
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Football - Yes! Football
Now, to those of you who know me (my 2 followers both know me probably too well!!), will be aware of my loathing (is that too strong a word?) for football. Maybe it was my inability to play at school or just the prima donnas of the uk game. I don't fully understand why but, there is no other word for it - hate. I hate the game.
However, there may be some redemption in the game. Now, forgive me if I am coming late to this party but I see the potential for a new sport: Team Mangers' with the most appropriate names?
This started as an idea when Arsene took over at Arsenal. Now there is Mancini at Man City. Perhaps Villas Boas should take over Aston Villa? Now the fun starts. Who could be the manager at QPR? Wolves? Accrington Stanley?? Well, obviously it would be tremendous sport if, for the last one, a chap were to step forward by the name of Stanley Accrington! Unlikely, but great fun. Are there other managers in the many leagues that already sport a relevant name for their team? Are there some that should be in charge of a different team? Are there well known personalities with names that would suit any teams? Can I/we come up with suitable managers for at least all the teams in the premiership?
That is the challenge. I give myself and anyone who has the inclination to help, until the end of Movember (yes, I have signed up to humiliate myself with my pathetic attept to grow a moustache next month) to complete the task. If successful, I shall move on to the championship.
All are welcome :)
Keep safe, keep loving.
DT
However, there may be some redemption in the game. Now, forgive me if I am coming late to this party but I see the potential for a new sport: Team Mangers' with the most appropriate names?
This started as an idea when Arsene took over at Arsenal. Now there is Mancini at Man City. Perhaps Villas Boas should take over Aston Villa? Now the fun starts. Who could be the manager at QPR? Wolves? Accrington Stanley?? Well, obviously it would be tremendous sport if, for the last one, a chap were to step forward by the name of Stanley Accrington! Unlikely, but great fun. Are there other managers in the many leagues that already sport a relevant name for their team? Are there some that should be in charge of a different team? Are there well known personalities with names that would suit any teams? Can I/we come up with suitable managers for at least all the teams in the premiership?
That is the challenge. I give myself and anyone who has the inclination to help, until the end of Movember (yes, I have signed up to humiliate myself with my pathetic attept to grow a moustache next month) to complete the task. If successful, I shall move on to the championship.
All are welcome :)
Keep safe, keep loving.
DT
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Company Vehicles
Let me say first, I am not referring to your average employee who has been lucky enough to bag a company vehicle due to the mileage they travel on business. I am referring to branded cars and vans that advertise their employers' business and attract custom.
Do the drivers of these vehicles not appreciate the negative effect they may be having on the business by the way they drive? I have long kept a mental list of companies that I will never use due to the ignorant, rude and, in some cases, aggressive way that some of their employees drive. Quite obviously, as a private individual, I will never use a company such as May Gurney but, should the need ever arise through work, I would certainly look unfavourably upon any quote from that company after experiences on the road.
In the current economic climate, I would have expected companies that provide vehicles to have some sort of 'good practice' code in place for their drivers? Do they not realise that there are so many commuters such as myself driving day in, day out that have time in the coccoon of their private vehicle to mull over the arrogant **** who just cut them up with a company name emblazened on the back of their van? After all, when we work in an office, we are expected to conduct ourselves in such a way so as not to cause offense or bully colleagues. In fact, this sort of behaviour can lead to diciplinary action - and this is considered normal - so why not apply the same rules to these drivers? At one time, it was all the rage to apply the sticker 'How am I driving' to such vehicles. These seem few and far between now and besides, if you are driving, how are you supposed to note down both the vehicle registration and the number to call?
Until such time as these finger waving bullies are removed from the roads, I will continue to make my list of companies that I will never have any dealings with and tell anyone who will listen that they should not deal with them either! Oh, and if you get the finger from such a driver that you may have the temerity to hoot your horn at, I have found that the best way to put them in their place is to blow them a kiss - coming from a 6ft 2", 18 stone bloke, seems to shut them up :)
Do the drivers of these vehicles not appreciate the negative effect they may be having on the business by the way they drive? I have long kept a mental list of companies that I will never use due to the ignorant, rude and, in some cases, aggressive way that some of their employees drive. Quite obviously, as a private individual, I will never use a company such as May Gurney but, should the need ever arise through work, I would certainly look unfavourably upon any quote from that company after experiences on the road.
In the current economic climate, I would have expected companies that provide vehicles to have some sort of 'good practice' code in place for their drivers? Do they not realise that there are so many commuters such as myself driving day in, day out that have time in the coccoon of their private vehicle to mull over the arrogant **** who just cut them up with a company name emblazened on the back of their van? After all, when we work in an office, we are expected to conduct ourselves in such a way so as not to cause offense or bully colleagues. In fact, this sort of behaviour can lead to diciplinary action - and this is considered normal - so why not apply the same rules to these drivers? At one time, it was all the rage to apply the sticker 'How am I driving' to such vehicles. These seem few and far between now and besides, if you are driving, how are you supposed to note down both the vehicle registration and the number to call?
Until such time as these finger waving bullies are removed from the roads, I will continue to make my list of companies that I will never have any dealings with and tell anyone who will listen that they should not deal with them either! Oh, and if you get the finger from such a driver that you may have the temerity to hoot your horn at, I have found that the best way to put them in their place is to blow them a kiss - coming from a 6ft 2", 18 stone bloke, seems to shut them up :)
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Latest
Just noticed that it has been nearly a year since I posted! That was while I was still job hunting and that seems so long ago.
Job came my way in February this year and I have been happily emplyed since then. Job is keeping me very busy but that is how I like to be. Have got to visit both the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows though I didn't get a great deal of time to look around as I was working :)
It is still twisting my head a bit to be planning now for 2013 but I'm sure I will get used to it.
Life away from work is still having its ups and downs but, touch wood, the downs are less frequent than they were 12 months ago.
I feel the need for a topic to get me writing both more frequently and in more detail than I have previously. I have had various brief flurries of activity on Twitter but I never seem able to maintain the 'creative' flow long enough with only 140 characters at a time. Should any random reader come across this post, please feel free (without being rude) to suggest topics and I will see what I can do. No promises but maybe I can get something regular out in that way.
Keep safe and keep dreaming!
Job came my way in February this year and I have been happily emplyed since then. Job is keeping me very busy but that is how I like to be. Have got to visit both the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows though I didn't get a great deal of time to look around as I was working :)
It is still twisting my head a bit to be planning now for 2013 but I'm sure I will get used to it.
Life away from work is still having its ups and downs but, touch wood, the downs are less frequent than they were 12 months ago.
I feel the need for a topic to get me writing both more frequently and in more detail than I have previously. I have had various brief flurries of activity on Twitter but I never seem able to maintain the 'creative' flow long enough with only 140 characters at a time. Should any random reader come across this post, please feel free (without being rude) to suggest topics and I will see what I can do. No promises but maybe I can get something regular out in that way.
Keep safe and keep dreaming!
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Scottish Nonsense
A bit behind the times on this but job hunting has taken priority!
Can someone explain to me what the MSP's are thinking? There are motions being put forward to try and reduce the alcohol problems that seem to be prevalent north of the border. This has to be applauded as an honourable plan and, before I have my rant, let me say that I have no idea what the answer is to the problem.
However, I am utterly bemused by the solutions that are being proposed. It seems that a large number of options are being put forward but, on the TV yesterday, one MSP stated the following (my apologies for the paraphrasing) - Whilst the proposal for minimum pricing per unit of alcohol is unlikely to be approved, we are hopeful that a ban on multibuy promotions will be passed and see this as a very positive step.
Now, I might be being naive here but, if they are going to ban promotions such as 'Buy one, get one free' but not enforce minimum pricing, surely the retailers just have to offer half price alcohol? Isn't that the same thing????
No wonder I could never get in to politics!
Can someone explain to me what the MSP's are thinking? There are motions being put forward to try and reduce the alcohol problems that seem to be prevalent north of the border. This has to be applauded as an honourable plan and, before I have my rant, let me say that I have no idea what the answer is to the problem.
However, I am utterly bemused by the solutions that are being proposed. It seems that a large number of options are being put forward but, on the TV yesterday, one MSP stated the following (my apologies for the paraphrasing) - Whilst the proposal for minimum pricing per unit of alcohol is unlikely to be approved, we are hopeful that a ban on multibuy promotions will be passed and see this as a very positive step.
Now, I might be being naive here but, if they are going to ban promotions such as 'Buy one, get one free' but not enforce minimum pricing, surely the retailers just have to offer half price alcohol? Isn't that the same thing????
No wonder I could never get in to politics!
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Job Hunting
Well, another day dawned, I got ready for work with the usual thoughts of what the day may bring. I had to stop off at the local postal depot to pick up a recorded delivery on my way to the office and the sky was blue. How quickly your outlook on life can change!
Having picked up my recorded post, as it was a letter, I decided to open it before I continued my journey. At this point, my day took a major turn for the worse.
My letter was the notice of intent to make redundancies. Whilst this might seem a bit broad brush to worry at this stage, the letter was written in such a way as to make it totally plain that I was the only member of staff to be facing this.
Gloom descended for the rest of the 90 minute journey but I filled in the time by contacting some old contacts.
Having got to the office in an understandably bleak mood, I decided to pre-empt the situation and look what is out there in my field. Not a lot is the answer but, after re-creating my CV and uploading to a job search website and applying for three jobs that seemed to fit the bill, I had two call backs from the agencies handling the jobs within 30 minutes! One has even stated that it is likely I would be interviewed tomorrow or in two days time if the client liked the CV!
Now, I know that it is much too soon to be thinking positive but it certainly lifted my day!
Having picked up my recorded post, as it was a letter, I decided to open it before I continued my journey. At this point, my day took a major turn for the worse.
My letter was the notice of intent to make redundancies. Whilst this might seem a bit broad brush to worry at this stage, the letter was written in such a way as to make it totally plain that I was the only member of staff to be facing this.
Gloom descended for the rest of the 90 minute journey but I filled in the time by contacting some old contacts.
Having got to the office in an understandably bleak mood, I decided to pre-empt the situation and look what is out there in my field. Not a lot is the answer but, after re-creating my CV and uploading to a job search website and applying for three jobs that seemed to fit the bill, I had two call backs from the agencies handling the jobs within 30 minutes! One has even stated that it is likely I would be interviewed tomorrow or in two days time if the client liked the CV!
Now, I know that it is much too soon to be thinking positive but it certainly lifted my day!
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
3am Eternal
I have to ask, why is 3am such a popular time for waking people up? When there has been a perfectly adequate 15 hours since rising the previous morning, why is there a need to either 'talk', demand answers or just generally discuss what is wrong with your life??
Currently, I work at home two days a week and in an office three days. The office drive is between 90 minutes and 2 hours each way (on occasion longer such as yesterday took 2 and three quarters). On days that I work at home, I could in theory stay in bed until 8.45am and still be at work before 9. Which mornings do the 3am chats take place? Without fail, on days that I have the long drive!
Weekends seem to be exempt from these events despite the opportunity to sleep longer. Is this a conspiracy? I don't know but, what I do know is, after only 1 week back at work following a 2 week break, I am shattered. All I want to do is go out to the car park and tip the seat back and sleep. Do you think anyone would notice? If I wore sunglasses would they not recognise me? Sadly, I think not.
So, for now, I shall keep knocking back the black coffee and taking brisk walks down the corridor to wake me up. I must be teh biggest bloody doremouse in the world.
Currently, I work at home two days a week and in an office three days. The office drive is between 90 minutes and 2 hours each way (on occasion longer such as yesterday took 2 and three quarters). On days that I work at home, I could in theory stay in bed until 8.45am and still be at work before 9. Which mornings do the 3am chats take place? Without fail, on days that I have the long drive!
Weekends seem to be exempt from these events despite the opportunity to sleep longer. Is this a conspiracy? I don't know but, what I do know is, after only 1 week back at work following a 2 week break, I am shattered. All I want to do is go out to the car park and tip the seat back and sleep. Do you think anyone would notice? If I wore sunglasses would they not recognise me? Sadly, I think not.
So, for now, I shall keep knocking back the black coffee and taking brisk walks down the corridor to wake me up. I must be teh biggest bloody doremouse in the world.
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