Am quite looking forward to tomorrow evening. We're going to see Deacon Blue in Oxford! Now there is a throwback to the 80's! (well, I think it was the 80's, can't really remember, might have been the 90's!!) Anyway, we're off for a spot of nosh before the gig, and then to listen to the pop-like tones of the Deacon Blue's for the remainder of the evening. Should be good I think! Much singing along to real gone kid, or whatever it was!! (well, probably more humming cos I don't know any of the words!!)
Will try and get a few things done on the house for the rest of the weekend. Don't seem to have progressed with the living room as much as I'd have liked to, and still can't find bloody floor tiles... Was going to play football sunday morning, but haven't really been feeling too good this week, so not sure running around like an idiot (which is apparently what I do) for a couple of hours is really a good idea. Will have to settle for MOTD2 on sunday and a firm eye kept on Gilette Soccer Saturday!!
Hey ho!
Friday, 23 November 2007
It's a worry...
A friend at work, Ian, today had a bit of a heart/chest thing going on. Whilst doing an interview in the conference room he started getting chest pains, so Simon (another guy at work and a long term friend of Ian's) rushed him off to Warwick hospital sometime just before lunch. I don't know all the details, but it sounds like they did a wotsername scan thingy and couldn't find anything, but he's staying in overnight anyway, so they can keep an eye on him.
Makes you think really. Am not quite sure how old he is, but can't be more than a few years my elder, so probably mid to late 30's. Is a little worrying. Not really sure how fit he is, I kind of get the impression that he's about average cos I know he goes to the gym a few times and week.
Just made me think that's all, so I thought I'd write about it!
Makes you think really. Am not quite sure how old he is, but can't be more than a few years my elder, so probably mid to late 30's. Is a little worrying. Not really sure how fit he is, I kind of get the impression that he's about average cos I know he goes to the gym a few times and week.
Just made me think that's all, so I thought I'd write about it!
Monday, 12 November 2007
So called celebs...
Just thought of something. That bloody I'm a celebrity thing has started again. Gets worse every time. Annoyingly addictive to watch, purely because you get to see a bunch of complete nobodies, who probably had a career way back when, having to endure a relative uncomfortable holiday in the jungle. There's some bloody awful yank ex-model on there this time. Total biatch, needs a damn good kick up the backside if you ask me. All talk and no substance of course, but that's nothing new.
It's a pretty sorry attempt at a program, but I suspect we'll be watching it every night because Rach loves it. Would rather watch James Bond or something myself!!! (although watched the pilot of Journeyman the other day, which wasn't bad. Might watch a few of them and see if they're up to anything...)
S'it really!
Night night!
It's a pretty sorry attempt at a program, but I suspect we'll be watching it every night because Rach loves it. Would rather watch James Bond or something myself!!! (although watched the pilot of Journeyman the other day, which wasn't bad. Might watch a few of them and see if they're up to anything...)
S'it really!
Night night!
It's been aaaaaaaaages!
...since I put anything on here, so thought I should write something. Not quite sure what I have to say really, but I'll think of something...
So, what's been happening? Well, we're off to Edinburgh this weekend. Am well chuffed with the deal we got on the hotel. It's a dead swanky 4 star place just off the royal mile. Rooms are normally £300 a night, but somehow we managed to get a deal at £205 for 3 nights!! Not quite sure, and took a lot of doing, but we got it! It's the Holyrood Hotel (http://www.holyrood-hotel.com/). Anyway, we had great pleasure once we'd booked it in winding up our friend Gary, who is being a cheapskate and wanted to stay at a travel inn, so we made out we'd booked him into a carbon neutral hostel (even sent him a link to the site) which was a right dive!! Kept him on the hook for a good few hours with that!!
The only down side is that we're flying out of Brum international at 6:55 on friday morning. Stupid time of the day, but the flights were only £2.99 (plus taxes - another £50 in all!!) so not a bad deal really. Looking forward to that.
Other than that, nothing much else is happening really. Work progresses, still hate recruitment companies, but work is actually pretty good. House progresses, a little slower than I'd like at the moment. Is hard to get motivated in the evenings, especially when I need to do things outside and it's bloody freezing!
Oh, birthday on monday. Have been really struggling to think of anything that I want for my birthday. Has been annoying everyone, cos they keep asking. But I genuinly can't think of anything (well, nothing which wouldn't cost an arm and a leg!) Of course I'm also struggling to think of anything to buy anyone else for christmas aswell. Bloody nightmare this year, I've just got no idea.
Right, well, that's a really boring post! Must remember to do little posts during the day or something, when I think of something to write...
So, what's been happening? Well, we're off to Edinburgh this weekend. Am well chuffed with the deal we got on the hotel. It's a dead swanky 4 star place just off the royal mile. Rooms are normally £300 a night, but somehow we managed to get a deal at £205 for 3 nights!! Not quite sure, and took a lot of doing, but we got it! It's the Holyrood Hotel (http://www.holyrood-hotel.com/). Anyway, we had great pleasure once we'd booked it in winding up our friend Gary, who is being a cheapskate and wanted to stay at a travel inn, so we made out we'd booked him into a carbon neutral hostel (even sent him a link to the site) which was a right dive!! Kept him on the hook for a good few hours with that!!
The only down side is that we're flying out of Brum international at 6:55 on friday morning. Stupid time of the day, but the flights were only £2.99 (plus taxes - another £50 in all!!) so not a bad deal really. Looking forward to that.
Other than that, nothing much else is happening really. Work progresses, still hate recruitment companies, but work is actually pretty good. House progresses, a little slower than I'd like at the moment. Is hard to get motivated in the evenings, especially when I need to do things outside and it's bloody freezing!
Oh, birthday on monday. Have been really struggling to think of anything that I want for my birthday. Has been annoying everyone, cos they keep asking. But I genuinly can't think of anything (well, nothing which wouldn't cost an arm and a leg!) Of course I'm also struggling to think of anything to buy anyone else for christmas aswell. Bloody nightmare this year, I've just got no idea.
Right, well, that's a really boring post! Must remember to do little posts during the day or something, when I think of something to write...
Saturday, 3 November 2007
I should change the blog name...
...to "The recruitment company haters blog"...
They're at it again! So last week, coming to the end of my first 4/5 week period (they're approximately monthly) whereby I submit an invoice to the recruitment company, I get my timesheets approved and submitted to the recruitment company, they invoice the client, the client pays the recruitment company, then finally the recruitment company pay me (after taking a big fat chunk for their greedy fat faces).
Or at least that's the plan. So Olly (at work) and I hadn't heard anything about how to get the timesheets approved so I rang them up to ask. I fill out my timesheets online, so I naturally assumed that Olly would be able to log into the same site and approve them as and when required. How foolish of me! I ranted a little at their incompetency and generally stupidity before finally being told that I had to print off the timesheets, get Olly to sign them (like they know what his signature looks like) and then fax them to the recruitment company.
Does that seem like an efficient solution to you? No, me either...
Anyway, I got this all done, and got Lorraine to fax the timesheets back. That was 3 days ago. According to the website they're still unapproved. So I ring up to find out why they are delaying. Am told that they're not approved because Olly hasn't logged into the website to approve them!!!! ARGH!
So what Iw as told before was complete bollox. Who knows wether what I'm being told now will turn out to be accurate or not. Who can tell with these fucking idiots. So apparently now Olly will be emailed details of how to log into the site and approve the timesheets. Maybe my invoice will get paid sometime this side of the end of this millenium...
...so I really do hate recruitment companies. I hate how much money they make for doing absolutely nothing accept profiting from my hard work. I hate how utterly stupid they are. I hate how utterly incompetent they are. I hate how someone with absolutely NO IT savvy or knowledge can recruit IT staff. I hate how they lie and cheat their way through life. I JUST HATE THEM!
...oh, and the recruitment chap wants to meet for lunch next week! Well, I'll have a free lunch if he's paying, but he can expect a frank and unedited version of my feelings towards his company (although I think he's already getting that impression - I wonder if he's trying to butter me up a bit by buying me lunch?! He even had the cheek to ask if I knew anyone else who HE could put forward for jobs!!! Ha! TWAT!)
They're at it again! So last week, coming to the end of my first 4/5 week period (they're approximately monthly) whereby I submit an invoice to the recruitment company, I get my timesheets approved and submitted to the recruitment company, they invoice the client, the client pays the recruitment company, then finally the recruitment company pay me (after taking a big fat chunk for their greedy fat faces).
Or at least that's the plan. So Olly (at work) and I hadn't heard anything about how to get the timesheets approved so I rang them up to ask. I fill out my timesheets online, so I naturally assumed that Olly would be able to log into the same site and approve them as and when required. How foolish of me! I ranted a little at their incompetency and generally stupidity before finally being told that I had to print off the timesheets, get Olly to sign them (like they know what his signature looks like) and then fax them to the recruitment company.
Does that seem like an efficient solution to you? No, me either...
Anyway, I got this all done, and got Lorraine to fax the timesheets back. That was 3 days ago. According to the website they're still unapproved. So I ring up to find out why they are delaying. Am told that they're not approved because Olly hasn't logged into the website to approve them!!!! ARGH!
So what Iw as told before was complete bollox. Who knows wether what I'm being told now will turn out to be accurate or not. Who can tell with these fucking idiots. So apparently now Olly will be emailed details of how to log into the site and approve the timesheets. Maybe my invoice will get paid sometime this side of the end of this millenium...
...so I really do hate recruitment companies. I hate how much money they make for doing absolutely nothing accept profiting from my hard work. I hate how utterly stupid they are. I hate how utterly incompetent they are. I hate how someone with absolutely NO IT savvy or knowledge can recruit IT staff. I hate how they lie and cheat their way through life. I JUST HATE THEM!
...oh, and the recruitment chap wants to meet for lunch next week! Well, I'll have a free lunch if he's paying, but he can expect a frank and unedited version of my feelings towards his company (although I think he's already getting that impression - I wonder if he's trying to butter me up a bit by buying me lunch?! He even had the cheek to ask if I knew anyone else who HE could put forward for jobs!!! Ha! TWAT!)
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Local Councils, Local Government, Central Government... They're all S@#T!
Serious gripe time I'm afraid. How's this for a story...
My folks live in a street where there is very little available parking. They are lucky enough to have a driveway where they can house a couple, if not three cars, with a gate at the front, and a lowered curb. From time to time annoying
people park in front of the gates, so you can't get out (or in). Usually it's someone in the pub next door, so popping in there to get them to move isn't too much of an issue.
Anyway, a few weeks ago, at 7:30 on a sunday morning, for no apparent reason (certainly not requested by my parents) some workmen turned up and put a single yellow line accross the gateway. All a bit bemused by it, but weren't going to complain. It didn't actually stop people parking there, but no harm done...
A week later, at about 7:30 on a sunday morning, some workmen turned up and burnt the yellow line off the road surface. Again, rather bemused at the whole thing really. But hey, no harm done...
A week later, at - yep, you've guessed - about 7:30 on a sunday morning some workmen turned up and painted two large white lines, parallel to the curb, about a cars width apart, with a large white cross between the lines, thus marking off the spot as a parking place completely. Utter bemusement!! No idea why this keeps happening, but again not going to complain. Bit unsightly, but it actually has stopped people parking there.
So, the other day, my dad ventured outside to see a strange woman in an orange overcoat pacing around outside the gate. Dad approaches and asks if he can assist in any way. "Do you live 'ere" she says."Well yes" replies my dad. She continues to say that she is from the council, and apparently she's been looking for the white lines for months!!! (My dad did point out that they'd only put it there a week or so before, but this seemed to have no impact). It turns out that the lines (both yellow and white) were intended for the end of the lane the other side of the pub. All of 20 yards away!!
"Well, I better ring them up and get them to come and remove it" she says.
"There's really no need..." says my Dad, "... we don't mind it being there. Seems daft to pay to have it removed if it's not doing any harm"
"'Ave you paid for them?" she asks, "Well no, we never requested them. How much do they cost?", "£50" she says. "You wanna pay for it?". "Well, no, not really" says my Dad, "as I explained we didn't ask for them to be put there in the first place, so I don't want to pay for it".
"So I'll ring them up and tell them to come and remove them then, and I'll also book them in to come and put the lines in the right place aswell..."
Now, is it me, or is this woman, a complete f*@#ing twat?! Surely the cost of removing this thing it going to be greater than leaving it there? Of course Dad pointed this out, and that actually, as the council are paying for it, it's the tax payer who ultimately pays. She didn't give a flying wotsit of course, a) because she's too thick to know any different, and b) because she doesn't get paid to care that the general public (including her I hasten to add) will foot the bill for such utter incompetence and stupidity. It just makes me so bloody mad that these idiots are not only in a position to spend our money, but they rarely, if EVER make a good job of doing so! AND the bastards keep upping our sodding council tax year on year, above the rate of inflation, in order to pay for these monumentally dense decisions. BASTARDS!
I can't possibly put down the words as to how angry I am at this stupidity and incompetence, as no doubt I'd be stricken from ever using blogger again!! But needless to say I'm not a happy bunny. I'm disgusted with the current 'government' (that word is really not appropriate for them...), disgusted with the local 'government' (again, inappropriate) and utterly horrified with the local council (now that's an appropriate word, cos in my book it means a bunch of useless fatcats who sit around ensuring they get a decent pension).
Comments very very welcome! Please come and rant about similar stories. I'll not go into Oxford Council's decision to a) lay the same road in the city centre with paving not once but twice at the cost of millions, and b) pay £80,000 (yes, eighty thousand pounds) for 10 (count them, TEN) benches, each of which is uncomfortable and inappropriate to the city setting...
I could go on, but I won't, because this post is far too long already!!
My folks live in a street where there is very little available parking. They are lucky enough to have a driveway where they can house a couple, if not three cars, with a gate at the front, and a lowered curb. From time to time annoying
people park in front of the gates, so you can't get out (or in). Usually it's someone in the pub next door, so popping in there to get them to move isn't too much of an issue.
Anyway, a few weeks ago, at 7:30 on a sunday morning, for no apparent reason (certainly not requested by my parents) some workmen turned up and put a single yellow line accross the gateway. All a bit bemused by it, but weren't going to complain. It didn't actually stop people parking there, but no harm done...
A week later, at about 7:30 on a sunday morning, some workmen turned up and burnt the yellow line off the road surface. Again, rather bemused at the whole thing really. But hey, no harm done...
A week later, at - yep, you've guessed - about 7:30 on a sunday morning some workmen turned up and painted two large white lines, parallel to the curb, about a cars width apart, with a large white cross between the lines, thus marking off the spot as a parking place completely. Utter bemusement!! No idea why this keeps happening, but again not going to complain. Bit unsightly, but it actually has stopped people parking there.
So, the other day, my dad ventured outside to see a strange woman in an orange overcoat pacing around outside the gate. Dad approaches and asks if he can assist in any way. "Do you live 'ere" she says."Well yes" replies my dad. She continues to say that she is from the council, and apparently she's been looking for the white lines for months!!! (My dad did point out that they'd only put it there a week or so before, but this seemed to have no impact). It turns out that the lines (both yellow and white) were intended for the end of the lane the other side of the pub. All of 20 yards away!!
"Well, I better ring them up and get them to come and remove it" she says.
"There's really no need..." says my Dad, "... we don't mind it being there. Seems daft to pay to have it removed if it's not doing any harm"
"'Ave you paid for them?" she asks, "Well no, we never requested them. How much do they cost?", "£50" she says. "You wanna pay for it?". "Well, no, not really" says my Dad, "as I explained we didn't ask for them to be put there in the first place, so I don't want to pay for it".
"So I'll ring them up and tell them to come and remove them then, and I'll also book them in to come and put the lines in the right place aswell..."
Now, is it me, or is this woman, a complete f*@#ing twat?! Surely the cost of removing this thing it going to be greater than leaving it there? Of course Dad pointed this out, and that actually, as the council are paying for it, it's the tax payer who ultimately pays. She didn't give a flying wotsit of course, a) because she's too thick to know any different, and b) because she doesn't get paid to care that the general public (including her I hasten to add) will foot the bill for such utter incompetence and stupidity. It just makes me so bloody mad that these idiots are not only in a position to spend our money, but they rarely, if EVER make a good job of doing so! AND the bastards keep upping our sodding council tax year on year, above the rate of inflation, in order to pay for these monumentally dense decisions. BASTARDS!
I can't possibly put down the words as to how angry I am at this stupidity and incompetence, as no doubt I'd be stricken from ever using blogger again!! But needless to say I'm not a happy bunny. I'm disgusted with the current 'government' (that word is really not appropriate for them...), disgusted with the local 'government' (again, inappropriate) and utterly horrified with the local council (now that's an appropriate word, cos in my book it means a bunch of useless fatcats who sit around ensuring they get a decent pension).
Comments very very welcome! Please come and rant about similar stories. I'll not go into Oxford Council's decision to a) lay the same road in the city centre with paving not once but twice at the cost of millions, and b) pay £80,000 (yes, eighty thousand pounds) for 10 (count them, TEN) benches, each of which is uncomfortable and inappropriate to the city setting...
I could go on, but I won't, because this post is far too long already!!
Monday, 29 October 2007
A tile too far...
We're trying to find 6" square quarry tiles to match the existing tiles in our house. This, it would appear, is an impossible task! The tiles in question are inch thick old, dark red (victorian red I think) clay tiles. I have, thus far, found only one tile which comes close to being a match, and that is a Daniel Platt Ferrolite red tile. Great, I can just buy some... NOT! Daniel Platt went bust about 3 years ago and now it seems their tiles are rarer than hens teeth, so I can't source any of them.
I found a website which had some tiles which looked like they might be a good match. So I ordered 3 samples, from 3 different ranges. They arrived today and are basically nowhere near! All modern tiles appear to be a much more orange red, whereas the ones we're trying to match are a more purple/brown type red. There is another tile on their site which may be a decent match (named as Victorian Red) but they're octagonal!! So I've sent them an email to ask if they could source the same tile in 6" square size. We'll see...
Other than that I have no leads at the moment, and the only other option I can see is to rip up the existing floor and replace it entirely!!
Oh, the reason I need these tiles is that we knocked out a wall in the house which had behind it an outside loo, and a pantry. The pantry was tiled, but the outside loo was not. So I now have a decent sized area of concrete in the living room which rather needs tiling!!
Other than this I'm progressing with bricking up the doorway (from the pantry) and plastering the walls in the living room. Must also get hold of some fire resistant board to box in the RSJ...
...I digress...
I found a website which had some tiles which looked like they might be a good match. So I ordered 3 samples, from 3 different ranges. They arrived today and are basically nowhere near! All modern tiles appear to be a much more orange red, whereas the ones we're trying to match are a more purple/brown type red. There is another tile on their site which may be a decent match (named as Victorian Red) but they're octagonal!! So I've sent them an email to ask if they could source the same tile in 6" square size. We'll see...
Other than that I have no leads at the moment, and the only other option I can see is to rip up the existing floor and replace it entirely!!
Oh, the reason I need these tiles is that we knocked out a wall in the house which had behind it an outside loo, and a pantry. The pantry was tiled, but the outside loo was not. So I now have a decent sized area of concrete in the living room which rather needs tiling!!
Other than this I'm progressing with bricking up the doorway (from the pantry) and plastering the walls in the living room. Must also get hold of some fire resistant board to box in the RSJ...
...I digress...
The onslaught of christmas...
Tis the season, or at least you would not be thought foolish for thinking it was! Christmas appears to be everywhere, and now I have to think about what Christmas presents to buy. I'm sure I used to be quite good at thinking of what to buy people for birthdays and christmas, but now-a-days I just have absolutely no bloody idea! So, what do I buy? I have one or two possible little ideas for my better half, but obviously can't put them on here incase she reads about them. But I need to be getting things for other people aswell...
What about my parents?! No idea at all. They're difficult at the best of times. They're now becoming well travelled (well, they're off to Edinburgh tomorrow for a few days for my mums college reunion. I suspect it's the first time they will have been on a plane since they were about 5 - ok, maybe in their 20's or something). Anyway, I shall be transporting them to the airport tomorrow! I think they're equally excited and terrified about the whole thing!!
So what do I get them? What do I get my sisters? What do I get for the no-yet-in-laws?! I don't know. It's a bit of a minefield really. Any suggestions?!?!
What about my parents?! No idea at all. They're difficult at the best of times. They're now becoming well travelled (well, they're off to Edinburgh tomorrow for a few days for my mums college reunion. I suspect it's the first time they will have been on a plane since they were about 5 - ok, maybe in their 20's or something). Anyway, I shall be transporting them to the airport tomorrow! I think they're equally excited and terrified about the whole thing!!
So what do I get them? What do I get my sisters? What do I get for the no-yet-in-laws?! I don't know. It's a bit of a minefield really. Any suggestions?!?!
Saturday, 27 October 2007
Weddingy goodness...
Well, what a wedding! Spent the afternoon/evening at my mate Richard's wedding to Kate. I used to work with them both a few years back, so know them (particularly Rich) quite well. Was wondering who else was going to be there from our old company days, and was surprised to meet only one other person I knew from there. Feel very strangely extra specially honoured to be invited to join them at their wedding, especially since I'm not at all religious, and Richard and kate both are, as were the VAST majority of the people at the wedding.
As a result it was a very happy clappy wedding, and not at all what I was expecting (although I'm not sure what that was). Richards brother played the guitar and led the 'band' for all the singing (there was much singing) which was far from traditional, but instead included bongo's and chimes and stuff! Fantastic! Everyone was most enthusiastic about it all with much waving in the air of hands, and swaying with emotion with eyes closed etc etc etc. Top notch stuff! You couldn't help but feel very happy about it all. It was one of those kind of occasions! Was a little concerned with such comments as I will serve god first, and then you (in the vows!!!), but each to their own I suppose!
Despite being very much not a believer I have to say I do very much admire the whole sense of community and togetherness that these people have. One of the guys who did a reading (well, more of a sermon really!!) was Jeremy, who was married by Rich's dad many years ago, and knew Rich then. He's now living in Warwick, and setting up a new church. As Rich has recently moved to Warwick I think he and Kate are helping him set it all up. Anyway, Jeremy was a top bloke. Had a good chat with him after the wedding bit. Would be most interested in going along to see how the new church is going and how it all works. Not really from a godly point of view you understand (I just cannot bring myself to believe in a higher being at all, it's not in my nature) but instead from a community type point of view. Could be interesting...
Anyway, the wedding over, and much singing done (and much blessing by Jeremy's wife), we all met in a dining room for food etc. Excellent food! And lots of it! Am still stuffed! Enough said!!! Speeches were excellent, particularly impressed with Richards, since it was off the cuff, and extremely well delivered (I even got a mention!!! Blimey!). Rach and I had a bet on the length of the speeches. I won!!! (She owe's me a fiver then!!)
So, bit more chatting etc, then Rich and Kate left for their honeymoon. They're off to New Zealand for a few weeks which should be great. Looking forward to catching up with them both when they get back.
So it was all rather an excellent day! Just need to hope the bloated full feeling has worn off by the time I arrive for football tomorrow morning!
S'all for now I think! Tra...
As a result it was a very happy clappy wedding, and not at all what I was expecting (although I'm not sure what that was). Richards brother played the guitar and led the 'band' for all the singing (there was much singing) which was far from traditional, but instead included bongo's and chimes and stuff! Fantastic! Everyone was most enthusiastic about it all with much waving in the air of hands, and swaying with emotion with eyes closed etc etc etc. Top notch stuff! You couldn't help but feel very happy about it all. It was one of those kind of occasions! Was a little concerned with such comments as I will serve god first, and then you (in the vows!!!), but each to their own I suppose!
Despite being very much not a believer I have to say I do very much admire the whole sense of community and togetherness that these people have. One of the guys who did a reading (well, more of a sermon really!!) was Jeremy, who was married by Rich's dad many years ago, and knew Rich then. He's now living in Warwick, and setting up a new church. As Rich has recently moved to Warwick I think he and Kate are helping him set it all up. Anyway, Jeremy was a top bloke. Had a good chat with him after the wedding bit. Would be most interested in going along to see how the new church is going and how it all works. Not really from a godly point of view you understand (I just cannot bring myself to believe in a higher being at all, it's not in my nature) but instead from a community type point of view. Could be interesting...
Anyway, the wedding over, and much singing done (and much blessing by Jeremy's wife), we all met in a dining room for food etc. Excellent food! And lots of it! Am still stuffed! Enough said!!! Speeches were excellent, particularly impressed with Richards, since it was off the cuff, and extremely well delivered (I even got a mention!!! Blimey!). Rach and I had a bet on the length of the speeches. I won!!! (She owe's me a fiver then!!)
So, bit more chatting etc, then Rich and Kate left for their honeymoon. They're off to New Zealand for a few weeks which should be great. Looking forward to catching up with them both when they get back.
So it was all rather an excellent day! Just need to hope the bloated full feeling has worn off by the time I arrive for football tomorrow morning!
S'all for now I think! Tra...
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Calling all .Net developers...
The company I'm working for at the moment are in need of permy .Net developers. It's a good project, looking forward for the next couple of years, rolling out all over western europe. We're developing using .Net 3.0 (WCF, WF and WPF) so it's at the front of things from that point of view (although we're not getting into 3.5 quite yet). The company are based in Warwick. I don't really expect any developers to read this, but just incase we're looking for experienced and competent developers. Post a comment if you're interested!!! :o)
Spurs schmurs...
Oh what a disaster. Have just watched the nightmare that was Spurs vs Getafe in the Uefa Cup. Spurs were pretty pants by all accounts, certainly, as has been demonstrated on several occasions this season, their defending was a complete disaster. So they lost 2-1. Getafe played well I guess, but Spurs really should do better. However, what I'm really wanting to rant about is the bloody awful treatment of Martin Jol by the Spurs joke of a board. In particular that muppet Daniel Levy. what a twat (excuse the french) he is.
So, it appears that prior to the game tonight Jol posted his resignation from Spurs. Don't bloody blame him. I know they've had a terrible start to the season, and really they should be doing better, but Jol has taken the club from nothing to a European team, and certainly a potential contender for the top 4 in the Premiership. (although not on this season's performances!!)
So the board have buggered him about and basically made his position completely untenable from any direction you wish to look at it. So I'm kind of glad he's quit, cos he deserves better. He's a good manager, he's increased the clubs profits considerably, and their reputation aswell, and this is how they treat him. I can only hope that he gets a whacking great big pay off and goes on to great success somewhere else.
Poor bugger. Good luck Martin, in whatever you do. Damn shame you couldn't stay and maybe Levy could have sodded off instead!!
Oh to be a Spurs supporter...
So, it appears that prior to the game tonight Jol posted his resignation from Spurs. Don't bloody blame him. I know they've had a terrible start to the season, and really they should be doing better, but Jol has taken the club from nothing to a European team, and certainly a potential contender for the top 4 in the Premiership. (although not on this season's performances!!)
So the board have buggered him about and basically made his position completely untenable from any direction you wish to look at it. So I'm kind of glad he's quit, cos he deserves better. He's a good manager, he's increased the clubs profits considerably, and their reputation aswell, and this is how they treat him. I can only hope that he gets a whacking great big pay off and goes on to great success somewhere else.
Poor bugger. Good luck Martin, in whatever you do. Damn shame you couldn't stay and maybe Levy could have sodded off instead!!
Oh to be a Spurs supporter...
Saturday, 13 October 2007
I hate recruitment companies...
...well I do! They're gits. Ok, so I start this contract on Monday, good company, seem like a nice bunch, expanding and stuff and an interesting project. That's all fine. But... the contract sent by Spring Technology was a bit iffy to say the least. I wanted a few things changing which basically didn't impact them in any way shape or form. But their frigging contracts/legal department have said they won't change it. Bastards. The reasons they gave were just genius! They totally contradicted themselves in their answers, and completely missed the point of my changes! What total idiots!
Anyway, basically they're a big company, I'm a small company, I get shat on. Simple as that really. Needless to say I hugely recommend you never ever deal with Spring Technology. Keep an eye out though, they change their name every few years! Ha, dodgy or what. Big company though. Utter useless bastards. Pretty typical of a recruitment company really. What can you do, they're all arseholes.
Next time I'm going to try and get a contract directly with a company and avoid recruitment wankers. Am also pretty damn pissed off with the government, but a) that's nothing new, and b) I could rant about them all bloody night. Much as I think Cameron is a bit wishy washy, and definately way too green and hoody hugging for my liking, I'm desperate to get these jokers out of power. And I honestly thought that maybe Brown would be a bit different, and maybe, possibly, try not to completely destroy small businesses in the UK. Ah, how wrong I can be...
Well, before I get on my soap box and start putting some serious swearing into action I better stop typing. Footy tomorrow, cup game, so fingers crossed. Won our first game this season last week (we've not been on the best form), and thoroughly deserved it, so hopefully we'll perform again tomorrow.
Bye for now!
Anyway, basically they're a big company, I'm a small company, I get shat on. Simple as that really. Needless to say I hugely recommend you never ever deal with Spring Technology. Keep an eye out though, they change their name every few years! Ha, dodgy or what. Big company though. Utter useless bastards. Pretty typical of a recruitment company really. What can you do, they're all arseholes.
Next time I'm going to try and get a contract directly with a company and avoid recruitment wankers. Am also pretty damn pissed off with the government, but a) that's nothing new, and b) I could rant about them all bloody night. Much as I think Cameron is a bit wishy washy, and definately way too green and hoody hugging for my liking, I'm desperate to get these jokers out of power. And I honestly thought that maybe Brown would be a bit different, and maybe, possibly, try not to completely destroy small businesses in the UK. Ah, how wrong I can be...
Well, before I get on my soap box and start putting some serious swearing into action I better stop typing. Footy tomorrow, cup game, so fingers crossed. Won our first game this season last week (we've not been on the best form), and thoroughly deserved it, so hopefully we'll perform again tomorrow.
Bye for now!
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Is it really worth the effort...
So, had an interview for a contract yesterday at a smallish company in Warwick. Seems like a good company, and an interesting role and I think I'm quite suitable for it. Pretty sure from a technical point of view I'm up to it ok. Anyway, the interview was with a team leader there and a contract architect, who only started yesterday! Think the interview went well, but the architect chucked in a curve ball half way through suggesting I would need to do a competency test. Fine really, cos I can understand that an interview and a CV doesn't really tell you whether someone is technically competent.
Anyway, they decided that they would send me this test, and I'd have a day to complete it and return it. I suspect most contractors would back away at this point just because of the hassle involved. I am not so, but was sorely tempted when I got the exercises!
Two exercises. The first, not too much of a problem but a bit of a pain. It was the old Bridge Crossing problem. 4 guys need to cross a bridge in 17 minutes or less. It's dark and they only have one torch. Only two people can be on the bridge at any one time. They can't throw the torch back etc. So basically you need to take two people accross, then return with the torch and take another two etc until they're all over.
Each person takes a different time to cross, 1, 2, 5 and 10 minutes. Now the solution to the problem isn't too taxing. persons 1 and 2 cross (2 minutes), person 1 comes back (3 minutes), persons 3 and 4 cross (13 minutes), person 2 comes back (15 minutes), persons 1 and 2 cross (17 minutes) and they're all across. Fine. Sadly, what they wanted was a program to find all possible solutions (they didn't state successful only, so I assumed each possible combination) to the problem.
So I spent most of the morning writing that. Not too hard, just a bit of a bugger. Went for the simple approach of a recursive algorithm. Not the most efficient, but it did the job. There are various other ways of solving it with mathematical equations etc, and then you could apply more complex rules to a recursive or even non-iterative solution, but I digress...
The second part was an architectural exercise. Now I don't want to moan, but to be honest I thought this was a bit cheeky. Not only was it an architectural exercise, when I'm not applying for an architects position (I would expect about double the money for that, and I'm not an architect anyway) and the problem they gave me was to define a high level architecture for the exact system they're recruiting for!!! They even recruited the contract architect to do exactly this job! Bit of a cheek really. Anyway, I basically wrote 6 pages of architectural waffle, including design principles appropriate to the requirements, a very rough high level architectural diagram (which may or may not be what they wanted at all) and an explanation of the architecture. I even included some possible technologies which could be applied.
Hopefully it's ok, but really I think it was a bit of a cheek to ask that. But there you go. We'll see. They better offer me a job after all that, otherwise I'll be a bit miffed!
There's another possible contract in Stratford on the table, so if not maybe that'll come off. It's a bit more money to!!
Right, had enough of typing now. Bye!
Anyway, they decided that they would send me this test, and I'd have a day to complete it and return it. I suspect most contractors would back away at this point just because of the hassle involved. I am not so, but was sorely tempted when I got the exercises!
Two exercises. The first, not too much of a problem but a bit of a pain. It was the old Bridge Crossing problem. 4 guys need to cross a bridge in 17 minutes or less. It's dark and they only have one torch. Only two people can be on the bridge at any one time. They can't throw the torch back etc. So basically you need to take two people accross, then return with the torch and take another two etc until they're all over.
Each person takes a different time to cross, 1, 2, 5 and 10 minutes. Now the solution to the problem isn't too taxing. persons 1 and 2 cross (2 minutes), person 1 comes back (3 minutes), persons 3 and 4 cross (13 minutes), person 2 comes back (15 minutes), persons 1 and 2 cross (17 minutes) and they're all across. Fine. Sadly, what they wanted was a program to find all possible solutions (they didn't state successful only, so I assumed each possible combination) to the problem.
So I spent most of the morning writing that. Not too hard, just a bit of a bugger. Went for the simple approach of a recursive algorithm. Not the most efficient, but it did the job. There are various other ways of solving it with mathematical equations etc, and then you could apply more complex rules to a recursive or even non-iterative solution, but I digress...
The second part was an architectural exercise. Now I don't want to moan, but to be honest I thought this was a bit cheeky. Not only was it an architectural exercise, when I'm not applying for an architects position (I would expect about double the money for that, and I'm not an architect anyway) and the problem they gave me was to define a high level architecture for the exact system they're recruiting for!!! They even recruited the contract architect to do exactly this job! Bit of a cheek really. Anyway, I basically wrote 6 pages of architectural waffle, including design principles appropriate to the requirements, a very rough high level architectural diagram (which may or may not be what they wanted at all) and an explanation of the architecture. I even included some possible technologies which could be applied.
Hopefully it's ok, but really I think it was a bit of a cheek to ask that. But there you go. We'll see. They better offer me a job after all that, otherwise I'll be a bit miffed!
There's another possible contract in Stratford on the table, so if not maybe that'll come off. It's a bit more money to!!
Right, had enough of typing now. Bye!
A haven of wildlife
Spent the weekend down in Dorset at Rachel's cousin's wedding. Was rather nice all in all! Bit of a long drive for everyone concerned, but worth it I think. Anyway, the real reason for this post was to display the haven of wildlife our humble abode is! Since getting back from holiday Fergal the Fox has been a regular visitor to the garden, especially around tea time. Not really surprising when Rach keeps feeding him! She even bought some ham the other day, apparently for me!! Apparently that also means for the Fox! He's such a well fed Fox! Anyway, yesterday, whilst doing nothing much at home after an interview for a new contract (more on that in a later post...) I got up to spy a green woodpecker happily pecking away at the lawn out the front! Took a few photos...
Here he is! pecking away! What a splendid sight! Wasn't expecting to see that.Anyway, later on Fergal decided to come and see me during daylight hours, so here's a picture of him aswell!
Really nice to see him in the daylight for a change! Anyway, here's another photo from tonight, having just been fed. Decided to have a little lie down just outside the back door.
Anyway, that's all on that front. Will go have a moan about this potential contract now...
Friday, 28 September 2007
I hate grouting...
But thankfully the kitchen grouting is complete! Just need to put a bead of sealant round the bottom and it's all done. What a chore though. Still, have moved on to knocking holes in the living room walls now, so I can put a beam in and then remove the wall at the end of the room.
Anyway, here's a picture of the completed kitchen...
Anyway, here's a picture of the completed kitchen...
We are really chuffed with it, the tiles are just perfect for it, and really finish it off.
Had another visit from the Fergal the Fox tonight. Apart from last night he hasn't missed a night yet! Just sits in the veggie patch around dinner time waiting for something to munch! We gave him a few bits tonight, then went off to get Pizza and he was still sitting there waiting for more when we got back! Cheeky bugger! Is nice to have him in the garden though, and we saw him catch a rat the other day in the field, so he's a good ratter aswell!!!
Right, have the IT crowd to watch now (which we're having to watch upstairs cos the bloody Sky box doesn't seem to like channel 4 at the moment - no idea why...)
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
And so it begins...
Well, seeing as Rach (my other half) now has a blog, I thought I should follow her lead and put one together. I'm sure I should have been doing this ages ago, but can never seem to find the time.
Not that I have anything interesting to write today, so I'll wait till I can put something of note in here, but for the time being this is just a hello to the world! Have just got back from a week in Northumberland, so am now actively looking for a new contract to bring in some pennies. Can't say I'm relishing the prospect, but needs must. It's nice to be at home doing vast amounts of DIY rather than working for a living! Today is mostly tiling in the kitchen. Smashin' tiles though, I'll post a picture when I've done a bit more.
Bye for now...
Not that I have anything interesting to write today, so I'll wait till I can put something of note in here, but for the time being this is just a hello to the world! Have just got back from a week in Northumberland, so am now actively looking for a new contract to bring in some pennies. Can't say I'm relishing the prospect, but needs must. It's nice to be at home doing vast amounts of DIY rather than working for a living! Today is mostly tiling in the kitchen. Smashin' tiles though, I'll post a picture when I've done a bit more.
Bye for now...
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