Sunday, November 25, 2007

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

The overused phrase "heads will roll" has been overused to mighty capacity lately. If the Inland Revenue are ISO accredited, does this mean they will lose it? The dear old company has just recently passed their latest annual assessment, and I know, for darn sure, if anything like this had happened at our company, you would have seen enough heads to play a game of bowls.

Actually, its not really head rolling. I wonder if Henry VIII, in a fit of religious fervour, or pissed off because the latest offspring was a daughter, again, he stated ' Forsooth, heads will roll'? Or maybe that should be in Latin. Or French. I forget.

It's more like dominoes actually. Firstly, the head of the department gets whacked, who then whacks the manager, who then whacks the team leader, who then whacks the senior, who then whacks the junior.

Just as dramatic, in my opinion.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Site traffic...vroom vroom beep beep (or something)

OK, so my little website is not exactly the M25 of the Internet Superhighway, in fact, it's one of those minor routes that only sheep lorries use, and maybe they just about have the edge. All the same, I am surprised with the number who view the page on a weekly basis. No, it isn't just me, as internet access at work is now severely restricted and I really don't visit my blog that much after I've posted.

The thing is....the thing is....is probably getting more traffic than this blog, oddly, that was totally not the point of the exercise.

Think I'll add a counter to that one too, to see if my suspicions are correct. Then decide what I'm doing right in the other...hang on...I'm part of the 82% revolution, and since I'm never read, this means I have to make efforts not to become part of the machine...omg my head hurts.

Thanks for reading, whoever, wherever and whenever you are.

Friday, October 05, 2007

YOU have something to say

Was browsing blogs today using the link facility in my profile.

Just clicking on North Wales brings up an incredible cross cut of society, amongst other types; some young, some old, some sci-fi addicts, some horror film fans, gardeners, hikers, dog walkers, cross stichers, strange musical tastes and stranger religions and frankly, some downright weirdos.

Unfortunately, the majority of them, although they felt they had something to say when they started their blog, after a week or two ran out of something to say, or maybe just got bored. OK, so I'm not the best at updating my blogs, and such a length of time passes on occasion that I sometimes wonder whether it is worth posting when there is too much to say, or is it just too mundane.

Of course, the reason for abandoning a blog could really be very simple. Lost the password, and even worse, lost the webmail account that you used to sign into blogger. Thus the poor website is lost forever as a piece of history clogging up the web, but never read. However, these lost souls are in the minority. Sadly, I think it is just plain boredom, in the main, or laziness, even worse.

YOU have something to say. Yes, I'm sure that you thought that your blog would become a masterpiece fit for the Booker Prize, but once you get over the disappointment that even your mates can't be bothered to read it, writing, even with poor spelling or with grammar as bad as mine, it can be an outlet for your frustrations and is in fact a piece of history. Oh yes, writing brings out the very personality of the writer. It's what makes them fascinating.

You can't change the world with your blog. You may sell a book (as some have done, and some are trying to do) or you may even get a job (that's happened too). But the likelihood of making a shedload of money from your mundane ramblings are fairly similar to lottery odds. But that doesn't matter, cos this is YOU. Something to look back on later, you may be surprised at how insightful you are, even if you didn't think so at the time. Something you could even show your kids, cos unless you tell blogger to ditch the blog, or you're breaking blogger rules (some sick ones out there I can tell you) it is there forever. Unlike a diary or book, it is difficult to destroy and can't be burned. Why consign it to one post saying something along the lines of 'my first post! look forward to all sorts of excitement!'. Six months later that same first post is still there and looking utterly pathetic. One even said that his blog was 'under construction'. Oh dear. Batteries not included.

So then. Post. If you're not going to post, delete the blog. When you feel the muse upon you, start again, they're free after all. Don't post with 'update later' and don't. It's annoying. It's like saying you'll phone a friend at 9 and wait for them to phone you.

If we've lost the power of actually talking to each other because of the 'net, let's start a new revolution, and be part of the fascinating culture that is 82% of the net. Unsung, never read, sometimes boring but actually a reflection of world society and all its personalities and culture.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Wanted

Sadly, I found that a lot of the blogs that I used to have linked I either don't visit anymore or they don't exist anymore. Some blogs I don't want to link to, as they are somewhat personal and I feel like I'm intruding just reading them.

So, what I want is some more blogs as the list is looking rather sad. Rules are quite simple.

1. Not too popular. It's hip to be square, yep you gotta be the 82% of the web that is hardly read.

2. Do NOT be up your own anus. I can smell bovine excrement at 20 paces. If your life really is that exciting, why aren't you out there living it rather than on the web.

3. Humour welcome, but not mandatory.

4. You might get linked to anyway, whether you want it or not.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Spring clean in Autumn

I decided to upgrade my blog and give it a fresh look.

Those who were on my blog list, if you still read this of course, don't be offended, your link will be back again, just as soon as I find the time to track you all down, check the links still work and post you up there again :-)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Us and Them

In light of the news from the USA today, lyrics from a Pink Floyd track that are over 30 years old, but still powerful today.

Us and Them
And after all we're only ordinary men
Me, and you
God only knows it's not what we would choose to do
Forward he cried from the rear
And the front rank died
The General sat, and the lines on the map
Moved from side to side

Black and Blue
And who knows which is which and who is who
Up and Down
And in the end it's only round and round and round
Haven't you heard it's a battle of words
The poster bearer cried
Listen son, said the man with the gun
There's room for you inside

Down and Out
It can't be helped but there's a lot of it about
With, without
And who'll deny it's what the fighting's all about
Out of the way, it's a busy day
I've got things on my mind
For want of the price of tea and a slice
The old man died

Monday, September 03, 2007

The circus has left town

Nah, not Rhyl's funfair. Oh I'm sure there's a few tears at the passing of the garish monstrosity but I'm not biased (oh sure).

No. At least 75% of the tourists have left. We saw coaches and caravans passing by our window yesterday and inwardly heaved a sigh of relief that we don't have to put up with that lot any more. If only tourists were polite and treated the resorts as they would their own town. (Mind, you perhaps they do, that's the trouble.)

In other news, I note that my last post was about Dean, which has now been replaced by Felix. (I think it was Erin in between which was a mere tropical storm). Gil has already burned (or is blown) out, but Henriette is looking scary. Felix went overnight from category 2 to 5. I mean, the mind boggles. Our hurricane in '87 was a baby in comparison, barely a category 1 if I remember rightly.

Have a look at the USA hurricane site (I really can't be bothered to post a link, go to Google for crying out loud). Click on the satellite pics. Felix is a monster. Looking at the hurricane names link - there may be a Hurricane Fiona in a couple of years.

I couldn't bear to be a mere storm or, even worse, depression. I mean, 'Tropical Depression Fiona' sounds like an office nickname.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Dean


Having an internet radio means that you can access some 6,500+ stations from around the world. We were listening to the aftermath reports from Dominica last night, this morning we're listening to Jamaica. Dean has not hit them yet, and the announcer sounds calm, but you can sense a terrible undercurrent of fear. Joking aside of how incredibly laid back most Jamaicans are (moving in a slow hurry today) or the weather forecasts (its gonna get a bit windy out there) I am very nearly on the verge of tears. They are coming through so loud and clear they could only be just up the road. The faith that is pouring forth from so many of them just makes me realise how blessed I am, when so many Jamaicans are worrying about food, water and even their homes. God bless each and every one of them, they will be on my mind for the next 24 hours and beyond.

Friday, August 17, 2007

A bit of Burberry

According to this I am 18% chav.

Thank goodness for that.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Oh my gosh I feel like a teenager....

In the August edition of "Getting Away With Murder", written by my very favourite author, Mike Ripley, he mentions ME!!!!

I sorta would like to get in contact with him to thank him for the birthday wishes and ask him when he's going to get Fitzroy to change a few nappies. I think though it's going to remain a happy memory, and use it as encouragement to make some headway with "Echoes".

Thank you "The Ripster" if you read this. You made this stalker very happy :-)

Thursday, August 02, 2007

The life of Fi

I've decided to keep personal life away from this blog and just keep this one for occasional humour or a shout about stuff going on in the world that's bugging me. I set up "The Thing Is...." yesterday. Not using full names there, and besides it is mainly a very personal blog for general review of my attitudes on a day to day basis. Friends or pyschiatrists may be interested but I somehow think that it will remain the 82% of the web that never gets read, and frankly that's probably all for the best.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Yeeeeeeeeeeessssshhhhhhh

Sometimes I have a quick looksee at web sites that suck and frequently I come away wondering what they are on about...ok so the site is a little shabby...but akin to a vacuum cleaner, um, no. The exception are those 'arty' websites of "artistes" so far up their own backsides that yoga practitioners are jealous, or because they have done one or two fairly successful advertising campaigns, this gives them the right to be rather mysterious cos they're famous now innit.

Can someone please tell me what planet this guy was on when he put this travesty together. What's wrong with point and click? And maybe provide some clues as to why?

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

I can't think of a title for this...too tired

Not too tired to have a laugh though.



And you can make one of your own. Go on. You know you want to.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Learned some things today

The distance I'm prepared to travel to work

The value of trying, for if I hadn't tried, I would never have known

Not to shoot at the stars before I can hit the moon

What I need to achieve to enable me to move forward

The love of a good man is worth more than gold

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

When the going gets tough...

....the tough go shopping*. Having forgotten how rubbish Rhyl is for anything other than casual shopping, after trying on Saturday, we hit Llandudno today. I had M&S vouchers saved for goodness only knows how long (one of them at least 10 years old and without a bar code, causing a bit of a delay at the till...oh well the staff are trained to be good-humoured). The vouchers were enough to buy me a suit for Friday, I just had to buy a blouse, so the lot cost me £8. Even the SOH was happy, he got a hat from a charity shop and I also got a more "serious" handbag from same charity shop. I managed to get shoes at least from Rhyl, so the only thing missing now is tights. And remembering to control my breathing. At least I'll look the part although my heartbeat is not going to stop doing 120 until I'm actually in the interview room. Strange how it is the getting there that gets my adrenalin going, rather than the being there.

The letter from potential employer came today, just in case I thought I may have been dreaming on Friday.


* Can't take credit for this one (can't take credit for many actually). This is a quote from a Mike Ripley novel, but no doubt he also got it from another woman, so I guess it really is a case of 'source unknown' :-)

Friday, June 29, 2007

Two weeks

The length of time reckoned between application submission or deadline (as applicable) and a response. Any more, it is likely the application has been rejected. This, I learned from my early days on the job market with barely 3 O Levels and no confidence.

As the days ticked by, I was beginning to hope that the rejection letter came quickly and I could get the upset over and done with, with a week to go of my holiday, time to recover. The job is too far away, and do I really have the technical confidence to do it? The SOH hates the uncertainty and risk associated with a potential move, and believe me, I am no Cosmo woman, his opinion counts. Today is the 15th day after the deadline.....and a postal strike which I forgot about before I went downstairs to check.

Then........a phone call, from potential employer. Due to postal strike, they are phoning successful applicants and could I come and see them next Friday?

I'm in shock, I need a day or two to sort my head out.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Webmasters are a funny species

When I first started trying to build my own web pages I read a lot of dos and don'ts. Such as you never ever ever have a page stating "under construction" or somesuch. Page 404 (provided its done in a stylish manner) is forgiveable providing that you fix it soon, "under construction", no way lazy saddo, put something there or take it offline; after all, there is nothing there until you go through the tedious mucking about with the ftp.

Taking this advice to heart, v21's Webmaster came up with a cunning version on a theme. Oh be calm my aching, shaking sides. Just how long has it been since you started trading again?




As an aside - yes I did send the application off, though re-reading the job description I think they want someone a lot more technical and IT experienced than me, rather than the jackofalltradesmasterofnone sort like me. Still, I am in no hurry, I'm calm now and just waiting on the change in my life I have faith is coming.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Ohmateohmateohmate

You know when you see that dream job, the one that makes your heart beat in your throat and your stomach do back flips?

I saw the position yesterday, and now I've an awful dilemma.

Y'see, it's nearly three times the distance away, I'd have to learn how to drive again probably (yikes) and I don't know if this was the opportunity that I sensed last Saturday (the job was posted a mere three days before I felt it). Also, it's a two year temporary contract.

I could do this job. It's what I could have been doing had I stayed in London. Those sorts of opportunities do not come around too often. I could write an application that will nearly blow their socks off (and, unlike some submissions made, it will be completely honest) and at least get to interview stage.

So...omigosh what do I do? I'm thinking too far ahead. Submit application and then wait....

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Could it be....yes it could

Today I woke up with that tremendous feeling of something is about to happen.

Now, I'm not a believer in premonition or astrology; not in the cold, hard way that occultists practise it anyway. I've a more vague belief that we are all part of one big Program and the sum of the parts are as big as the Universe (Douglas Adams was closer to the truth than he realised). Now, that's all a bit deep for a simple blog, but what I'm trying to say is, that when the adrenalin that flows through our body gets a kick for no particular reason that we can think of, I believe it is God's way of telling us to be on standby. Maybe it's an opportunity that's going to pass by my window and I just have to grab it. Or maybe (hopefully) it will fall at my feet. Good, I could do with a bit of excitement or something to focus on at least.

Or just maybe I'm mistaken and all it is is that Spring is slowly turning into Summer round here and its part of the ancient feeling of the changes of the seasons. We shall see.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

OK, so I was a bit down on Thursday (well I never would have guessed it Fi, strike me down with a 6 inch toothbrush etc)

I seem to have inherited my father's trait of metaphorically always being the bridesmaid and never the bride. To add to the anguish, the one who got made the bride has barely been there five minutes....I am calm...I am calm...

From my mother, I inherited The Sulk. When I was a kid I managed to milk this to full effect. As I grew up, I tried to hide The Sulk but it doesn't stop people asking you every 5 minutes if you're OK. So, Friday, The Sulk was on full throttle, but this time with the threat of bursting into tears at every quiet moment. What made it worse is the boss noticed. Now, since The-Rather-Well-Known-Utilities-Company payroll is running rather well at the moment, partly thanks to yours truly, The Sulk may have been misconstrued as The-About-To-Hand-In-Her-Notice-Look. So I was taken into a room and given a pep talk. And heard all the same rubbish I've heard before.

I don't like to use this blog as a diary, but I guess the above is all part of the rich fabric of LIFE. The Sulk is over. Time to move on and put my foot in another door.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Disappointment

When the pressure of supposed failure
Overcomes the well of self-worth
And bursts forth in a wash of self-pity

The only consolation
Is that Someone, Somewhere
Loves and cherishes you more
Than your Glittering Prize

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Out of the ashes?

Interesting find this morning. V21 has started trading again.

Then I saw at the bottom of their webpage ESP1 trading as V21. I looked them up on Google and saw that seem to have lines in airskates and jeans.

Will the V21 I knew and loved ever return to what it was, or are they doomed to flit about the internet until someone manages them properly, with just V21 in mind and not other companies/interests?

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Something else to talk about

There's been an earthquake in Folkestone. Sounds like a line in Yes, Primeminister, doesn't it? BBC Radio Kent, doubtless grateful to have some news for once (actually, Kent seems to get it bad - the worst of flooding, the worst of the '87 hurricane) have been talking about it non stop for about 4 and a half hours.

Four and a half hours for something that lasted about 15 seconds??!!

OK, so you have to think about context and probability. We have had earthquakes of more than 4 before, but not very often. We get 'baby' ones every 6 months or so, but only dogs and the extremely alert feel them. As we are merely on the Eurasian plate, and not even the edge of that plate, an earthquake is an earthquake as far as we're concerned. I love to go to the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program website to get it into context of just how minor our big event was.

Have a gander at this. The stake was driven through the tyre by a tsunami caused by the Prince William Sound Earthquake of 1964.

We got it easy. Talk about important stuff please.

Friday, April 20, 2007

a word from archie

helo. my name is archie. i am a flea who lepes from kee 2 kee to tipe owt mi mesage. fi has had a hard weke so dained to pas the keebord 2 me. as this is hard wurk as it is, i realy canot be botherred 2 hit caps lok evry tim i nede to start a sentuns, so u ma find redeing this a bit odd. fi dusn't like me posting 2 often as she sez i hav a speling problem. i hurd sumthin toda tho, and took grate delite in teling her that even the xperts get it rong sumtimes. royal male haz manidged to spel the ile of wite rong, it shud b wight hamshire sa. wel i can't tel any diffrunce myself, but wot wud i no im only a flea. i also poynted out that she maried sum1 who used to spel hounslow with a d in the midle and feltham contaned an o. that shut her up toot sweet and sed to post hear befor i showed her up even mor. so well done royal male. you prooved that not only fleas hav got speling problems, gave me a chans to hav my sa and also shut fi up 4 a bit.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Woodwork squeaks...

I don't rely on tourism for a job. In some ways, I'm glad I don't, but sometimes, particularly when there is heavy pressure from the Global IT company on behalf of the rather well known utilities company, I think that just some pressure, occasionally, is better than the full-on-omg-we've-only-just-finished-tax-year-end-and-have-2-weeks-to-get-the-next-payroll-out stress that I seem to face every year, no matter how much quality prep time is available.

So it is with tourism. It's not like the onset of spring - you see a snowdrop, maybe a crocus one morning and then gradually, the daffodils appear and slowly turn the brown earth to green. Oh no. Every year, without fail, and without warning, on the first sunny day on or after Easter, most of Liverpool invades the coastal towns from Prestatyn to Llandudno. Llandudno has more to offer year round than most, so it is well prepared. Sleepy Prestatyn barely knows whats hit it. Rhyl, who looks ridiculous in bright colours from early October to Easter, suddenly wakes up and becomes a personality again, rather than a shameful blot on the North Wales landscape.

Its not so much woodwork squeaking (was not was), more a sorta battering ram at the gates of a flimsy barn, and when you spend hours on buses to get to favourite destinations, so easy to get to in the winter. And people can't even say to me, you wouldn't have a livelihood without them, cos I would.

There are plenty that do though, and once the true personalities come out during winter, i.e. everyone takes a deep breath and starts talking to one another again, and with civility, I just wonder whether the stress is worth it, and does the money really compensate? And who does it compensate?

Friday, March 30, 2007

Hmmm

I do "fun surveys" on occasion, (as many of you know). Most I discard as rubbish. A laugh, but mostly of no consequence whatsoever. But after a stressful day and hearing some news that saddened me, this came as a welcome surprise.

Which Positive Quality Are You?
Your Result: Faith

You are Faith. Faith is the belief in better things, in spite of the cynicism and doubt that swirls around us. Faith gives us strength; it inpsires us to move forward and follow our hearts. "Faith tells us what the senses do not."

Love
Friendship
Courage
Peace
Charity


Amazing.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Lies, Damn Lies and Internet Service Providers

Hey ho.

Biscit is no more.

Strangely, I'm not angry or upset at all. It has a sort of Shakesperian Tragedy feel to it, a sorta inevitability. So, they bought V21 to shore up their debts, and went bust trying to pull it all together again. 6,000 customers in the UK was not enough, and doesn't sound like enough to me, frankly.

I do feel a little sad saying goodbye to V21, the best ISP I have had dealings with (and I've been through a few). And the vultures have already started sending stuff to my inbox desperately wanting my business.

But I'm going to a company that I trust and is not likely to go bust after a couple of dodgy decisions by the MD. And its all set for next Monday.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

When in Wales

Although I'm an English girl, what better way to celebrate St David's Day?

Apparently, this is the official St David's Day Flag.





But I thought I'd add the more well known dragon flag.


Sunday, January 07, 2007

Tee hee hee, idle hands an' all that...

This is quite amazing - and I almost did myself an injury laughing. Read the 'customer reviews'. I haven't heard this 'masterpiece' yet, and probably never will, but I don't think I have ever seen anything like it on Amazon before. Give whoever did it a medal...or something...at least for brightening my day.

Update, 6 February 2007. Guess some killjoy (or realist) at Amazon decided that the reviews were somewhat fake. Ah well. This too, will pass.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

I don't want to turn this into a cooking page...but

I made a blinder of a fake pizza tonight. So good I had to write it down for posterity.

Ingredients
2 slices of back bacon, sliced into strips
handful of mushrooms, sliced
small onion, chopped
1 italian stock cube
2 slices of bread, preferably thickly cut from an unsliced loaf
tomato ketchup
a couple of handfuls of grated cheese - mozarella if you're feeling posh, else mild cheddar will do

salt and pepper to serve

Feeds 2, or a ravenous 1
  • Heat a frying pan - adding oil or butter if required
  • Chuck in the bacon, mushrooms and onion, fry until everything is soft, about 5 mins I guess. About 3 quarters the way through cooking, crumble over the italian stock cube and stir thoroughly
  • Meanwhile, toast the bread on one side under a hot grill, remove just before 'burning point' (i.e...."crisp"...but not charcoal...yeah?)
  • Spread some ketchup over the untoasted side of the bread. The squirty tommy kay is dead useful for this - I was quite gratified it was useful for something, you get it all over the table when you're trying to annoint your chips. I digress.
  • Pile on the bacon etc mixture on top, dividing the mixture equally yahdeyahda.
  • Top with the grated cheese
  • Place under hot grill and toast until cheese has started to get those lovely brown bubbly bits
  • Add salt and pepper to taste and handover one of them to loved one, who asks in astonishment how you managed to create something so tasty and amazing in 5 minutes (well, mine did). Alternatively, pick your favourite listening or watching pleasure with a glass of fave tipple and pig out.

Hah. Who needs you Jamie Oliver.