Suzie has been getting out and about to see the events she was given tickets to as Christmas presents.
First it was Chitty at the Nottingham Theatre Royal - written up at the time so I'll not say more than it was an experiance Sue & Mark recommend to anybody who likes to be entertained. Tickets are around £35 - expensive but worth it.
Next up, Sue & Carole took a mid-week day trip last week to London to see Lion King at the Adelphi Theatre in Covent Garden. A good day out apart from the freezing cold weather on the day. Lion King was good but surprisingly, not up to the standards set by Chitty.
Then this week Andy drove the two of them down to the NEC Arena to see X-Factor. Not my cup of tea but they enjoyed it. Heavy snow meant delays getting there and the organisers (to their credit) postponed the start of the show by half an hour, so arriving late they only missed the very first number as they took their seats. And they thoroughly enjoyed the show. The trip home was better that the one there as the conditions were much worse in the Birmingham area which meant things improved the further they got from the venue and closer to home.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Winter weather
There's been loads of talk in the media about the return of the winter weather, of the cost of the snow to businesses in lost trading, the poor preparation and response by councils to keeping roads open during the snow falls and the state of the roads with all the pot holes as a result of the snow and ice.
But it's all very quiet on the "global warming" issue.
So why is that? Nothing to do with the public discreditation of the computer models that have been used to predict future weather trends - No! Or the skewing of those already flawed predictions by the media to blow it up into a sensational story - Heavens Forbid! Or, the spin being put on it by politicians in an attempt to draw public attention away from their greedy expenses claims and letting their banking buddies off the hook for the recession they caused - Of Course Not!
But because of all this snow that we have and still are experiencing - insurance companies are forcasting huge increases in premiums to cover all the motoring accidents that have occurred in the snow. Being my usual sceptical self I've been looking at the bigger picture, and what do I find? Motoring accidents are only marginally up for the time of year for the simple reason that the motoring organisations are reporting that people just abandoned their cars and left them at home. Why? Simply beacause anybody who has passed their driving test in the last 20 years hasn't seen conditions like those we have been experiencing and didn't know how to drive in them, and even if they had, the penchance for wide alloy wheels and fat tyres with traction control and ABS meant that the cars were incapable of coping with the conditions even if the driver could.
So why are premiums getting a hike? It's those bankers again! Loans and mortgages are being defaulted on, new mortgages are being taken out in much lower volumes and premiums for insuring those loans have gone up - so many are opting to not take them out. On top of that the insurance companies are having to pay out on the defaulted loans in their portfolio and they have to make up the deficit somewhere. Cue the good old motorist - they can pay for the mistakes of others. After all, they pay more than everyone else for everything else.
But it's all very quiet on the "global warming" issue.
So why is that? Nothing to do with the public discreditation of the computer models that have been used to predict future weather trends - No! Or the skewing of those already flawed predictions by the media to blow it up into a sensational story - Heavens Forbid! Or, the spin being put on it by politicians in an attempt to draw public attention away from their greedy expenses claims and letting their banking buddies off the hook for the recession they caused - Of Course Not!
But because of all this snow that we have and still are experiencing - insurance companies are forcasting huge increases in premiums to cover all the motoring accidents that have occurred in the snow. Being my usual sceptical self I've been looking at the bigger picture, and what do I find? Motoring accidents are only marginally up for the time of year for the simple reason that the motoring organisations are reporting that people just abandoned their cars and left them at home. Why? Simply beacause anybody who has passed their driving test in the last 20 years hasn't seen conditions like those we have been experiencing and didn't know how to drive in them, and even if they had, the penchance for wide alloy wheels and fat tyres with traction control and ABS meant that the cars were incapable of coping with the conditions even if the driver could.
So why are premiums getting a hike? It's those bankers again! Loans and mortgages are being defaulted on, new mortgages are being taken out in much lower volumes and premiums for insuring those loans have gone up - so many are opting to not take them out. On top of that the insurance companies are having to pay out on the defaulted loans in their portfolio and they have to make up the deficit somewhere. Cue the good old motorist - they can pay for the mistakes of others. After all, they pay more than everyone else for everything else.
Is it Murphy's or Sod's Law?
Timing or what? I start thinking that maybe, just maybe, I need to start looking for a new job and I get a call from an agency (Elan) saying that they have my C.V. and that there's a role at Capital One in Nottingham and would I like to be considered? Well at least Capital One have moved their initial assessments on-line so I don't have to take time off to do them. But, I've been down this route 3 times with them in the past. First time out I failed the tests simply because I'd never done anything like them and didn't know what to expect. Both the other times I blitzed them getting scores well above average for my peer group. So this time? Can't be bothered and have withdrawn my application. I've got to the final 2 twice and then they chose the younger candidate and this time I'm 5 years older. Plus, Capital One are going nowhere in the UK having only recently made loads of folks redundant, and the parent company in the USA isn't faring so good either....
No, I'll stay put at FIS.
And that would have been that, except I got a call from another agency for another BA role - this time at Experian. This was much easier, as straight no thank you. Again I have "been there, done that", the whole nine yards and been rejected. When I turned up for interview I could tell within minutes who was going to be the preferred choice, and that it was their to loose. Like Capital One, Experian have a policy of constant rounds of redundancy each time they assess individuals performance (normally at end of 6 months and then on the anniversay of joining).
So that's 2 bridges burned. I wonder if there will be any more....?
No, I'll stay put at FIS.
And that would have been that, except I got a call from another agency for another BA role - this time at Experian. This was much easier, as straight no thank you. Again I have "been there, done that", the whole nine yards and been rejected. When I turned up for interview I could tell within minutes who was going to be the preferred choice, and that it was their to loose. Like Capital One, Experian have a policy of constant rounds of redundancy each time they assess individuals performance (normally at end of 6 months and then on the anniversay of joining).
So that's 2 bridges burned. I wonder if there will be any more....?
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Banking news
Yesterday Halifax Bank of Ireland announced that it is to withdraw from retail banking in the Republic of Ireland due to the economic turn-down affecting their relatively recent foray into the Republic. This will have a serious impact on FIS (where I work) as we handle thier business in cards and loans processing. The team was told in a short private meeting yesterday afternoon and we wait to see how much it will affect revenues and the implication for jobs in the Leicester office where I am based. Will it affect me? Who knows! Better start looking just in case.
First ride-out of the year
Sunday 7th was the first organised ride-out of the year organised through the Deauville Forum. Meet-up was Stratstone Motorcycles in Clay Cross, then a ride along Wooley Edge to Matlock, up past Chatsworth House to Lady Bower Reservoir and then over Snake Pass to lunch at The Cafeteria in Glossop. Return was via Buxton and Ashbourne. Cold, damp and exillerating - a great day's riding.
Theatre
The theatre bug has well and truly bitten. Friday night Suzie takes Mark to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. They were impressed with the whole production, thoroughly enjoyed the event and came home grinning from ear to ear as they walked in the door. If you can, go see it, highly recommended.
Today (Wednesday 10th) started early with Carole knocking on the door and me running her and Suzie down to Derby City Centre to get a bus/coach to London - they have gone to see Lion King. They should be back here around mid-night.
Today (Wednesday 10th) started early with Carole knocking on the door and me running her and Suzie down to Derby City Centre to get a bus/coach to London - they have gone to see Lion King. They should be back here around mid-night.
Friday 5th February - Andy's success
I got an text message from Andy mid-morning to say his results had come up on-line and he has passed the final part and is now a fully qualified BMW Senior Technician. Sweet news and a reward for his dedication.
Thursday 4th February - Mark's success
Yes, his results came through and he is still on-line for a First in Maths. Excellent news and he is both relieved and revitalised and looking forward to his finals. And a break before starting working for a living.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Where did January go to?
Here we are and it's February already. Just where did January go to? The good news is that I've at last managed to use the bike for my daily commute, not many times due to the severe frosts we have been having, but use it I have. And I'm hoping that I'll be out on a ride up through Derbyshire Peak District and the Snake Pass this coming Sunday (7th February). If not then there's the "Ride for Heroes" to Wootton Bassett on March 14th, Mothering Sunday (I've pre-registered just in case it's warm enough to go).
Angie and John finally managed to get up to Derby for their "Christmas" visit. Unfortunately Suzie and I were dining out on the Saturday night, celebrating Dave's birthday (he's a friend of ours). That was the evening of the 23rd. Friday 29th saw me on my work's "official" Christmas night out at Bistro Live in Leicester. Everybody had hyped up the Bistro Live, but, in the end it didn't live up to the hype. Good food but poor service and I'll not be recommending it to anybody.
Sister Christine in America has got a Blackberry (mobile/cell phone) and has found the delights of mobile email, the result being more communications with her and family news. Keep it up sis. She's had her first offspring, Wayne jnr, leave home and move into a place of his own a few miles away - so close I can't help wondering why?
Angie has at last found a job - it's cleaning and split shifts which aren't much fun, but, it pays the bills. John got snowed in for a couple of days but his new home is coming round a treat from the sounds of it. Mark has finished his exams and his next one will be his finals in May / June. Andy has taken his final exam for his BMW Senior Technician ticket and should hear in a few days if he passed. Mum & Dad seem to be going through a good spell after Dad had a very painful ear infection which was cured with anti-biotics. Yes, there are time when they both get tired (especially Mum) but overall, they do seem to be in a good spell.
And our little Charlie is now coming up to six month's old and next week he gets spaded. He's settled in nicely and has a daily routine all his own. He terrorises Jasper, our 10 year old cat, but that'll change once he's had the op.
Angie and John finally managed to get up to Derby for their "Christmas" visit. Unfortunately Suzie and I were dining out on the Saturday night, celebrating Dave's birthday (he's a friend of ours). That was the evening of the 23rd. Friday 29th saw me on my work's "official" Christmas night out at Bistro Live in Leicester. Everybody had hyped up the Bistro Live, but, in the end it didn't live up to the hype. Good food but poor service and I'll not be recommending it to anybody.
Sister Christine in America has got a Blackberry (mobile/cell phone) and has found the delights of mobile email, the result being more communications with her and family news. Keep it up sis. She's had her first offspring, Wayne jnr, leave home and move into a place of his own a few miles away - so close I can't help wondering why?
Angie has at last found a job - it's cleaning and split shifts which aren't much fun, but, it pays the bills. John got snowed in for a couple of days but his new home is coming round a treat from the sounds of it. Mark has finished his exams and his next one will be his finals in May / June. Andy has taken his final exam for his BMW Senior Technician ticket and should hear in a few days if he passed. Mum & Dad seem to be going through a good spell after Dad had a very painful ear infection which was cured with anti-biotics. Yes, there are time when they both get tired (especially Mum) but overall, they do seem to be in a good spell.
And our little Charlie is now coming up to six month's old and next week he gets spaded. He's settled in nicely and has a daily routine all his own. He terrorises Jasper, our 10 year old cat, but that'll change once he's had the op.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Motorbike blues
Aahhh.... that's the way I feel. Not quite depressed, but, not far from it. Usually I can banish the blues by getting the bike out and going for a ride, but it's been 5 or more weeks since I rode it. Snow and ice is not a biker's friend and I don't bounce as well as I used to. Not wanting to become an accident statistic I put the bike on a trickle charger, plugged into a timer, that sees it getting a one hour top up every night while the world sleeps. Sunday (yesterday) I completed the service I started back in late November, changing the oil and oil filter which I'd left to last. So all is done, MoT is not due until late May / early June and it will need a new rear tyre before then as the current one has done between 5,000 - 6,000 miles and with abit of luck will have done 2,000 - 3,000 more by then.
Suzie got me a new sat-nav for Christmas and the boys clubbed together to get me an Aqua Box and Ram mount - basically a waterproof holder and mounting mechanism for me to fit it to the bike... and I'm really pleased with both my choice and the finished result. Anyway, it's all ready for the first planned ride-out on 7th February, but hopefully, I'll have got a few commute trips in by then.
Suzie got me a new sat-nav for Christmas and the boys clubbed together to get me an Aqua Box and Ram mount - basically a waterproof holder and mounting mechanism for me to fit it to the bike... and I'm really pleased with both my choice and the finished result. Anyway, it's all ready for the first planned ride-out on 7th February, but hopefully, I'll have got a few commute trips in by then.
Back to routine
This evening I got an email from my brother John asking if I'd given up on my blog. The short answer is no, I've just been busy or had other things on my mind. Busy with birthday parties, Christmas & New Year parties and taxi driver for those that want to go to yet more parties. And the parties haven't finished. Fred is 64 on Thursday this week and Dave is 54 at the weekend. Mark will be 21 at the beginning of March (his girlfriend was 21 just into the new year). Suzie went to a 40th birthday party last Saturday and has to go to Cherry's 50th on this coming Friday evening, as well as Dave's do on Saturday night.
None of this has been made any the easier by the rather severe weather conditions that gripped the country for a few weeks, and where we probably got off the lightest. Thing is my car has too much technology, so when conditions are dodgy the traction control cuts in, cuts engine power and leaves you no option but to stop... which is when the ABS cuts in and stops you from braking safely. I really, really do wish I could afford to change my car, but, finances aren't anything special right now so that's out of the question. Hopefully some milder weather is just around the corner and I can get back on the motorbike. At least I haven't missed any days from work, unlike John who has missed a couple after getting snowed in - but I did have one night when I abandonded the car at the local shops and walked the 200 yards home, no way it was coming up the street (too much ice and snow).
All this adverse weather meant checking in more frequently on the old folks and getting them stuff from the shops when they ran short - not often as it happens, they seem to carry a years stock of just about everything. In the middle of it all Suzie's Tigra had to go for an MoT (and passed with flying colours) as did Andy's girlfriend's Ka, which didn't and needed £150 spent on welding to get it through. Mark's little 1200 Punto just keeps going and even with a screw in one of the front tyres... he must get that seen to soon.
Work has been busy, as one would expect after the redundancies that have been dished out on the run-down to Christmas. I don't see how the bosses can hope to increase revenue if they don't have the investment in knowledgeable staff to do the work that is there waiting to be done. Still, not my problem so long as I've got jobs lined up and they pay my salary. Suzie is busier still, having had to cover off for the PA to the Council's Chief Exec while she's been tending to her mother in Cyprus following the death of her father at Christmas.
And then there's the old folks. My mum has struggled to cope with Dad who is deteriorating visibly since the in / out / in / out episode at Royal Derby Hospital in early December and then the week of respite just before Christmas - without that I dread to think what mum would be like now. I pop in as often as I can but there's little I can do because when I'm there Dad doesn't play up, then as soon as I'm gone he's wanting mother to run around fetching drinks (which she then has to tip to his lips) and get him on and off the commode. It's got to the point that when he nods off and has a kip, so does she. I was dreading her falling over in the ice and snow.
To close, it's nice to be able to report that Christine has been a bit more active with her emails recently, as she now has a Blackberry and she uses that to reply to emails and keep in touch. Oh, and her Christmas card to us arrived ten days or so into the new year. Keep it up sis!
None of this has been made any the easier by the rather severe weather conditions that gripped the country for a few weeks, and where we probably got off the lightest. Thing is my car has too much technology, so when conditions are dodgy the traction control cuts in, cuts engine power and leaves you no option but to stop... which is when the ABS cuts in and stops you from braking safely. I really, really do wish I could afford to change my car, but, finances aren't anything special right now so that's out of the question. Hopefully some milder weather is just around the corner and I can get back on the motorbike. At least I haven't missed any days from work, unlike John who has missed a couple after getting snowed in - but I did have one night when I abandonded the car at the local shops and walked the 200 yards home, no way it was coming up the street (too much ice and snow).
All this adverse weather meant checking in more frequently on the old folks and getting them stuff from the shops when they ran short - not often as it happens, they seem to carry a years stock of just about everything. In the middle of it all Suzie's Tigra had to go for an MoT (and passed with flying colours) as did Andy's girlfriend's Ka, which didn't and needed £150 spent on welding to get it through. Mark's little 1200 Punto just keeps going and even with a screw in one of the front tyres... he must get that seen to soon.
Work has been busy, as one would expect after the redundancies that have been dished out on the run-down to Christmas. I don't see how the bosses can hope to increase revenue if they don't have the investment in knowledgeable staff to do the work that is there waiting to be done. Still, not my problem so long as I've got jobs lined up and they pay my salary. Suzie is busier still, having had to cover off for the PA to the Council's Chief Exec while she's been tending to her mother in Cyprus following the death of her father at Christmas.
And then there's the old folks. My mum has struggled to cope with Dad who is deteriorating visibly since the in / out / in / out episode at Royal Derby Hospital in early December and then the week of respite just before Christmas - without that I dread to think what mum would be like now. I pop in as often as I can but there's little I can do because when I'm there Dad doesn't play up, then as soon as I'm gone he's wanting mother to run around fetching drinks (which she then has to tip to his lips) and get him on and off the commode. It's got to the point that when he nods off and has a kip, so does she. I was dreading her falling over in the ice and snow.
To close, it's nice to be able to report that Christine has been a bit more active with her emails recently, as she now has a Blackberry and she uses that to reply to emails and keep in touch. Oh, and her Christmas card to us arrived ten days or so into the new year. Keep it up sis!
Friday, 1 January 2010
New Year! New Decade! New Hope?
I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations and that your hangovers aren't too heavy and pass quickly.
And talking of quickly - hasn't the first decade of the new millenium simply ripped through our lives? Now referred to as the "noughties" it has seen us throught the euphoria of promise that mankind reads into numerically significant ghanges of the ages throught to the biggest economic recession since the American "dust bowl" years epitomised by John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath".
So does the new decade bring new hope? Of course it does simply because if it doesn't then the recession will become the norm in the modern and developing world. So I wish you all a Happy, Prosperous and Successful New Year and everything you wish for yourselves.
And talking of quickly - hasn't the first decade of the new millenium simply ripped through our lives? Now referred to as the "noughties" it has seen us throught the euphoria of promise that mankind reads into numerically significant ghanges of the ages throught to the biggest economic recession since the American "dust bowl" years epitomised by John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath".
So does the new decade bring new hope? Of course it does simply because if it doesn't then the recession will become the norm in the modern and developing world. So I wish you all a Happy, Prosperous and Successful New Year and everything you wish for yourselves.
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