Albert did the trick with a hot sausage and egg on granary bread. Very tasty and warming and providing of the energy for emptying boxes and moving bus stop flags. Trouble is we generated so much junk just from sorting one of the three rooms that we are going to have to get it cleared out before we can move on. I knew there was a lot of junk that had accumulated over there, but hadn't realised there was quite that much. Part of the trouble is of course that everything we buy comes in about seven nested boxes...
I was thinking of just hopping off early tonight, going home and sitting around enjoying myself for an hour or so before picking Joan up, but it seems everyone else will be off in meetins so I guess I will do the decent thing and stay here to cover the phones. Will have to get myself a book to learn how to be more of an uncaring bastard some time. Not the way I am, but I get the feeling it would be quite useful in many ways.
Arse, now it is raining and I put my new summer coat on this morning which has no hood. And my brolly is of course in the car rather than being over here in the office where it might be of some use. Grrr.
After spending all that time drawing my nice map for the Shotley ferry project they have decided not to use it after all. Taken some of my ideas, but implemented them on to one drawn by the ad agency. With errors aboundant on the draft copy from what I can see. Really makes me feel valued again. Still, there was an interesting looking job as manager of a training centre in Felixstowe in the paper this week, so I am now waiting for an application form to arrive. I will of course get all the usual should I or shouldn't I jitters when it does turn up, but it can't hurt to apply. And who knows, maybe I'll even end up being offered the post (which comes with a lot more money than here, even taking in the pay rise we'll be getting next month). That would be a result and either a fresh start or a good bargaining tool for here.
It would also mean getting away from stupid, stupid people phoning up about buses (why do you waste all that money on paying for buses that only carry 2 or 3 people? Can you not give your park & ride people better protective clothing as they are obviously not clearing the rubbish from the prickly bushes? Can't they make the steps on the buses smaller?). Or worrying about bus shelters that get installed in the morning then smacked up by buses in the afternoon (happened today in Trimley so I think I might take a look on the way home). I could just delegate all that to my underlings. Of course there will no doubt be other hassles associated with the new situation but at least they would be new and not the same old same old. And do I really want to leave the Council? Dunno. All will be revealed in time I guess, when I get to read just what this job actually entails and do some thinking about it.
I'm also in one of those flat bits here where I am waiting on other people to do stuff before I can get on with things. So in some ways it would be nice to be able to set my own pace on a higher percentage of my work. Just not sure I'm up to making the move really.
Oh crikey, the boredom/food threshold has been crossed again and I have had to obtain a creme egg. I really must devote some of my energy to finding a way to perk myself up without the use of chocolate from next week on. It would of course help if there were another huge pile of magazines to read like I had last Friday but it seems that nothing new has made it to me since. Oh well, at least the diary for next week is pretty full so there will be less time available for sitting around here trying to look busy. I have cleared out a good bin full of old junk from my desk drawers as well this afternoon. What is it about local government that we end up hanging on to so much useless tat?
Part of the general feeling bored and a bit fed up problem also stems from this weekend playing host to a Retrovision event where loads of Llamasofties will be getting together in Oxford to play old games, eat drink and generally be merry. So big amounts of wishing I could be there with them instead of sat in Felixstowe. One of these days.
Friday, March 07, 2003
Paranoia strikes! IT have rolled out a new software tracking system across some (read all of us so far) PCs in the council today to see what we've got installed. I have of course got stuff on this one they didn't put there - although nothing has gone on recently. The thing crashed out with illegal operations when it tried to run this morning though so we will just have to wait and see what happens. I'll get Richard on the case next week...
And we have decided that to avoid confusion, new boss Chris will henceforth be known as Sonic. Due to his Hedgehog style spikey hair. I'll have to fire up the emulator over the weekend and capture some suitable images to use in the future.
Today I am planning to spend mostly over the road sorting out Dove Street. Its a tough and dirty job but someone has to do it. Plus it means being away from the desk, the phone and the all-seeing eye. It also means that if the general consensus is a yes, I'll be prepared to indulge in an offering from Alberts this morning to start off with a warm lining. Got to keep the insulation levels up after all. Of course what I really want to do is go home, catch a couple of hours sleep and then goof about on the Cube. That will have to wait for tomorrow instead.
And we have decided that to avoid confusion, new boss Chris will henceforth be known as Sonic. Due to his Hedgehog style spikey hair. I'll have to fire up the emulator over the weekend and capture some suitable images to use in the future.
Today I am planning to spend mostly over the road sorting out Dove Street. Its a tough and dirty job but someone has to do it. Plus it means being away from the desk, the phone and the all-seeing eye. It also means that if the general consensus is a yes, I'll be prepared to indulge in an offering from Alberts this morning to start off with a warm lining. Got to keep the insulation levels up after all. Of course what I really want to do is go home, catch a couple of hours sleep and then goof about on the Cube. That will have to wait for tomorrow instead.
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Hmmm, interesting. They have put up temporary traffic monitoring cameras at the Dock roundabout in Felixstowe where I join the A14 of a morning and also at the roundabout where I come off again on my way to work. I wonder of they are looking for anything specific or just general surveys. Hopefully they will lead to improvements for those of us doing the Felixstowe to Ipswich run of a morning and the reverse at night as the layout of both these junctions seems to favour people doing other journeys than mine. I have sat for up to 10 minutes waiting to get a gap in the traffic some days which does not a happy Simon make.
Of course the trip in to work today was complicated by my own stupidity. I managed to leave my id badge/car park entry card on the desk last night so had to make sure I got up on time and out the house early (not easy on Joan's day off). Then find a space on street, come in and pick it up then move the car again. Not the best way to arrive! And not something I will want to make a habit of when we move as there is even less opportunity for on-street stoppage at that end of town. Of course they will probably change all the entry systems anyway while they have the chance.
Seems that Richard is not starting here until Tuesday now. I repeated my offer of a lift and he still hasn't made his mind up. He thinks he will be doing a 9.30 to 5.30 pattern covering the help desk and doesn't want to get in early with me and sit around finding things to do! Can't say I didn't try.
Entertainment last night came from Swordfish on Sky. Not a bad little film despite the poor rating in the Radio Times. Certainly had us guessing up to the end on some of the plot twists, plus I give it extra points for having John Travolta driving a nice British TVR rather than the usual sports cars that Hollywood likes. And I'm sure that certain aspects of Halle Berry were on the judges minds from this film rather than the one she was awarded the Oscar for when they were making their decision.
Am feeling OK again for the second day in a row, which has to be a good sign. Also not as tired (although I ought to be - dreams had me running up and down stairs half the night!).
Of course the trip in to work today was complicated by my own stupidity. I managed to leave my id badge/car park entry card on the desk last night so had to make sure I got up on time and out the house early (not easy on Joan's day off). Then find a space on street, come in and pick it up then move the car again. Not the best way to arrive! And not something I will want to make a habit of when we move as there is even less opportunity for on-street stoppage at that end of town. Of course they will probably change all the entry systems anyway while they have the chance.
Seems that Richard is not starting here until Tuesday now. I repeated my offer of a lift and he still hasn't made his mind up. He thinks he will be doing a 9.30 to 5.30 pattern covering the help desk and doesn't want to get in early with me and sit around finding things to do! Can't say I didn't try.
Entertainment last night came from Swordfish on Sky. Not a bad little film despite the poor rating in the Radio Times. Certainly had us guessing up to the end on some of the plot twists, plus I give it extra points for having John Travolta driving a nice British TVR rather than the usual sports cars that Hollywood likes. And I'm sure that certain aspects of Halle Berry were on the judges minds from this film rather than the one she was awarded the Oscar for when they were making their decision.
Am feeling OK again for the second day in a row, which has to be a good sign. Also not as tired (although I ought to be - dreams had me running up and down stairs half the night!).
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
So the planned day out in the van turned in to about an hour and a half of not getting outside of Ipswich owing to the fact that there were hardly any books left in stock. Which according to my records means over 50 boxes have been taken without being recorded. How am I supposed to keep track of stuff when people help themselves willy-nilly? I have thus sent a snotty email round the group asking everyone to be more careful when the next edition arrives. It will be interesting to see what happens when we move to our new office as I don't suppose anyone has taken things like storage for large amounts of timetables into account. Not to mention bus stop flags.
Other than being a bit tired I'm feeling pretty good today. I wonder if that will be that or if the grottiness will come back at random, or when I reduce the dose again. Fingers crossed and all that.
Tiredness is due to the BBC deciding to show all of this week's In Deep last night rather than splitting it over two days as normal. Another good one (but the last in the series, boo hoo) that again managed to do without murder as the main plot. I think we will have to go to bed early tonight to make up for missed sleep.
Got pointed to a website earlier that has some sort of database of all the names in the country. It seems there are 106 Simon Barnetts lurking about. I wonder what the rest of us are like. I don't recall being related to anyone else with the same name. And indeed I wonder if there are any in other parts of the world. More to the point, I wonder if any of them are millionaires who would like to share their good fortune with namesakes. Got to be worth a try I reckon. Too many wonders in that paragraph.
Gary back from his holiday today so for the first time in what seems like months we are actually at full strength in the office today. All a bit strange - finding people at desks and not having to answer phones all the time for absent colleagues. I could get used to that last bit.
Still no letter from the expensive gum dentist giving me a formal quote. I think I might have to give them a call tomorrow to try and hurry them along. I need to start looking at making sure I get the time off to go down there if I'm going to have the treatment done, and as the first appointment is only a couple of weeks away I could use written confirmation. I'd like to see if I can wangle some of it as special leave rather than having to take holiday each time.
Other than being a bit tired I'm feeling pretty good today. I wonder if that will be that or if the grottiness will come back at random, or when I reduce the dose again. Fingers crossed and all that.
Tiredness is due to the BBC deciding to show all of this week's In Deep last night rather than splitting it over two days as normal. Another good one (but the last in the series, boo hoo) that again managed to do without murder as the main plot. I think we will have to go to bed early tonight to make up for missed sleep.
Got pointed to a website earlier that has some sort of database of all the names in the country. It seems there are 106 Simon Barnetts lurking about. I wonder what the rest of us are like. I don't recall being related to anyone else with the same name. And indeed I wonder if there are any in other parts of the world. More to the point, I wonder if any of them are millionaires who would like to share their good fortune with namesakes. Got to be worth a try I reckon. Too many wonders in that paragraph.
Gary back from his holiday today so for the first time in what seems like months we are actually at full strength in the office today. All a bit strange - finding people at desks and not having to answer phones all the time for absent colleagues. I could get used to that last bit.
Still no letter from the expensive gum dentist giving me a formal quote. I think I might have to give them a call tomorrow to try and hurry them along. I need to start looking at making sure I get the time off to go down there if I'm going to have the treatment done, and as the first appointment is only a couple of weeks away I could use written confirmation. I'd like to see if I can wangle some of it as special leave rather than having to take holiday each time.
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Feeling grotty again today. Damn these bloody tablets. Still, this is now day two of week four and I haven't given in to going back up to one a day. I am determined to see this through to none at all unless I start getting really bad trouble from cutting down. Fingers, toes and legs are crossed on this one.
Of course the weather isn't helping today. Grey and dull with fine rain that seems to work its way under hoods and up sleeves and things. Which also meant having to have the heater on in the car to keep the windows clear and all that sort of stuff. Hope it is sunny again tomorrow as I've booked a car to go out and deliver some books. More to stop some people moaning at me than any other reason!
Joan is working late tonight moving stuff around on the shop floor. I did offer to help but she thinks it would be best "politically" if I stayed away. Oh well, can't say I didn't try. She is now confirmed on the annual conference thing for this year at the end of the month so that will be good for her to get away. Stupid thing is that although Argos are providing transport and B&B in Telford the night before, they are NOT paying for the evening meal. Seems a bit crazy if you ask me. I know they want to keep costs down where possible but you would have thought that when dragging people halfway across the country it would be only fair to feed them when they arrive. At least she is going with some people she knows from other stores again so they will go out together, rather than being alone.
Of course the weather isn't helping today. Grey and dull with fine rain that seems to work its way under hoods and up sleeves and things. Which also meant having to have the heater on in the car to keep the windows clear and all that sort of stuff. Hope it is sunny again tomorrow as I've booked a car to go out and deliver some books. More to stop some people moaning at me than any other reason!
Joan is working late tonight moving stuff around on the shop floor. I did offer to help but she thinks it would be best "politically" if I stayed away. Oh well, can't say I didn't try. She is now confirmed on the annual conference thing for this year at the end of the month so that will be good for her to get away. Stupid thing is that although Argos are providing transport and B&B in Telford the night before, they are NOT paying for the evening meal. Seems a bit crazy if you ask me. I know they want to keep costs down where possible but you would have thought that when dragging people halfway across the country it would be only fair to feed them when they arrive. At least she is going with some people she knows from other stores again so they will go out together, rather than being alone.
Monday, March 03, 2003
I was right. The sale tempted me again so I left HMV with the Royksopp cd Melody A.M. which I have been thinking about getting for some time and at the price couldn't refuse. Mind you, I did manage to refuse quite a few other offers so I guess I won there. Also downloaded a cracking Lemon Jelly vs. The Prodigy remix as done by someone on the Llamasoft forum. Superb piece of cut & paste if ever I heard one. I do like that sort of messing around with music. Again, if only I had the time!
Have now done as much on the map as I can without outside advice. It has changed a bit from my original concept and I'm not 100% sure if I like it as much now but will persevere. Hopefully I'll be happy with the finished version anyway. I'm trying to combine a geographically accurate base and a representational style of information on routes etc which should be easy to understand, but I think it is losing a little in the mix.
Have now done as much on the map as I can without outside advice. It has changed a bit from my original concept and I'm not 100% sure if I like it as much now but will persevere. Hopefully I'll be happy with the finished version anyway. I'm trying to combine a geographically accurate base and a representational style of information on routes etc which should be easy to understand, but I think it is losing a little in the mix.
Another good weekend overall. Had some downer moments on Sunday but nothing too major. The main theme of the two days was pretty upbeat generally. Mainly thanks to the Lemon Jelly albums as they are just wonderfully uplifting and fun to listen to. With good use of obscure and interesting samples. It is also the type of music I'd like to make myself if I ever had the time, equipment and talent. I guess I might have the equipment as I have a whole stack of music progs and samples for the PC lying around waiting to be installed (not to mention built-in sampling facilities for all the strange stuff I'd want to put in), but the other two elements are still lacking!
I had a blitz on the ironing and some other general tidyness stuff. And made some bread that came out perfectly (yay for me!) and finally managed to get some software sorted on the PC to actually rip tracks to MP3 and create files that will work on other machines with no licence problems. Not that I will be going for mass musical piracy, but for sending the occasional top track off to people it will be very useful.
Entertainment goodness also came from more attempts at Timesplitters 2 - this time without the feeling ill business so I guess it was either long time no first person shooting or being actually ill before. Still having trouble on the normal setting, but having switched to Easy I have at least whipped off the first 4 or 5 levels now. I'm sure it shouldn't be so much fun shooting people, but some of the details are excellent. Right down to there really being a hunchback in the Notre Dame stage. Woo for hunchbacks. Also tried the co-op mode with Richard but didn't get off the first level (again possibly through playing on the normal setting - what kind of game has a health feature but no way of restoring it?).
Oh, and a new Jonathon Creek on the telly. Been away from the screens for too long.
I was wrong when I predicted me doing big things in the kitchen though. Saturday night we had a pizza which was OK, but won't be bought again (it was on a Ciabatta style base which didn't do much for either of us, frankly). Then last night we decided it was time we paid the Beagle a visit as we hadn't been there for ages. Very nice meal there and well worth the drive. Even had room for a pudding for a change. And with Joan off work today and a chicken sitting there just asking to be roasted I guess I won't be doing much of the cooking tonight either.
Not much going on at work today either. The meeting I should have had this morning has been cancelled, leaving me time to get on with Dawn's map and one or two other little things I've got on the burner. Still a few empty desks scattered about but Chris is back from Jamaica and seems to have had a good time. The git.
Couldn't be bothered to make any lunch again today. Must get back in to the habit there as although having to go out for food means that I do actually get out of the building at lunchtime, it isn't exactly cheap. Still, I will also go to the Library and possibly HMV again so it will be a multi-purpose trip. Might even help wake me up as I'm feeling a bit sleepy right now.
I had a blitz on the ironing and some other general tidyness stuff. And made some bread that came out perfectly (yay for me!) and finally managed to get some software sorted on the PC to actually rip tracks to MP3 and create files that will work on other machines with no licence problems. Not that I will be going for mass musical piracy, but for sending the occasional top track off to people it will be very useful.
Entertainment goodness also came from more attempts at Timesplitters 2 - this time without the feeling ill business so I guess it was either long time no first person shooting or being actually ill before. Still having trouble on the normal setting, but having switched to Easy I have at least whipped off the first 4 or 5 levels now. I'm sure it shouldn't be so much fun shooting people, but some of the details are excellent. Right down to there really being a hunchback in the Notre Dame stage. Woo for hunchbacks. Also tried the co-op mode with Richard but didn't get off the first level (again possibly through playing on the normal setting - what kind of game has a health feature but no way of restoring it?).
Oh, and a new Jonathon Creek on the telly. Been away from the screens for too long.
I was wrong when I predicted me doing big things in the kitchen though. Saturday night we had a pizza which was OK, but won't be bought again (it was on a Ciabatta style base which didn't do much for either of us, frankly). Then last night we decided it was time we paid the Beagle a visit as we hadn't been there for ages. Very nice meal there and well worth the drive. Even had room for a pudding for a change. And with Joan off work today and a chicken sitting there just asking to be roasted I guess I won't be doing much of the cooking tonight either.
Not much going on at work today either. The meeting I should have had this morning has been cancelled, leaving me time to get on with Dawn's map and one or two other little things I've got on the burner. Still a few empty desks scattered about but Chris is back from Jamaica and seems to have had a good time. The git.
Couldn't be bothered to make any lunch again today. Must get back in to the habit there as although having to go out for food means that I do actually get out of the building at lunchtime, it isn't exactly cheap. Still, I will also go to the Library and possibly HMV again so it will be a multi-purpose trip. Might even help wake me up as I'm feeling a bit sleepy right now.
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