Well we are about to move house, we are all set for Friday 7th December. I'm hoping that the new place will bring new beginnings and one being that I start to blog again.. I hope to start taking photos and putting them here. This past year has been a blurrrrr really, concentrating on work work oh and more work and realising that life is not all about work work and more work.
Thought: If I died tomorrow what would happen to the world and work. Well the world would continue to rotate and life would continue pretty much as it is today and work, well that would continue they would get some sad bastard to carry on what I was doing and that would continue as well. So why do we work so damn hard get stressed only to see our maker a lot quicker. Well that is the big question and one which I am about to change. You see moving house is not just having new surroundings but for me is a chance to change my priorities in life, work well that will be my 2nd thing in life, living will be my first.
It's time to get out more, walk the hills start a new hobby and well just experience more. You see my dream from leaving school was to have a nice house and a nice car and be happy. Well 2007 has brought me a nice new car and touch wood a nice new home which is exactly what I set out to do all those years ago. Not bad 20 years to get there.
Now it's time to set new goals ones that don't involve work and money and all things that grind you down, my new set of goals are going to be helping those less fortunate, travel, meet new people. how am I going to ac hive this I don't know it's new to me and very exciting.
So sorry for not blogging this year but that's about to change in 2008, and Dan you can un cross your link to me from January 2008 as I'll be back.....
So for the moment it's good bye until we meet in a little welsh town called Pencoed Nr Bridgend where my new life begins (As long as BT get's me broadband sorted in time).
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Hmm what time is it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well umm, what can I say...... I'm alive and kicking lots has happened over the past five months, shit five months since my last post. I'm way off the mark at the moment. Well in a nut shell we have sold our house back in August and we are still waiting to move, I have been told that we should be signing early next week. If I get chance I'll put a full post on what's been going on in my life this year.
Where the hell has 2007 gone, only yesterday it felt like Christmas!!! Argggghhhhhh
Hey Dan hope you are okay, I have tried to catch up on your blog but it'll take me a while.
Where the hell has 2007 gone, only yesterday it felt like Christmas!!! Argggghhhhhh
Hey Dan hope you are okay, I have tried to catch up on your blog but it'll take me a while.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
It's been a while
Hey BLOG it's been a while since I've left a message, to be honest I've been away from all my freinds blogs as well.
So what's the latest in my life... well I got my new car and it's great best car I have ever had, smooth, full of gadgets and 6 gears it's great.
And now I'm looking to move away from the sea up in to the Welsh hills and country side, yup the house is up for sale click here if you want a nose at my house. We have had an offer and hopefully within a few days we will place an offer on a house we like click here for a nose.
But and there has to be a BUT today the agents put another house up which has the BEST garden I have ever seen for this size house take a look.
So people which one do you like ???
I'm not sure how long it will be before I return it could be tomorrow or next month but for now byeeee ;o)
So what's the latest in my life... well I got my new car and it's great best car I have ever had, smooth, full of gadgets and 6 gears it's great.
And now I'm looking to move away from the sea up in to the Welsh hills and country side, yup the house is up for sale click here if you want a nose at my house. We have had an offer and hopefully within a few days we will place an offer on a house we like click here for a nose.
But and there has to be a BUT today the agents put another house up which has the BEST garden I have ever seen for this size house take a look.
So people which one do you like ???
I'm not sure how long it will be before I return it could be tomorrow or next month but for now byeeee ;o)
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Bit of a rant
Nissan and the long waiting Qashqui. Well it's been over 4 weeks since I paid my deposit and sat waiting for delivery, 1st they would not give me a delivery date, three weeks on I here nothing then along comes the insurance quote which had the registration number etc. on it, I rang Nissan Cardiff for an update only to find that the salesman had no idea what the registration was also when the car was due for delivery, I mentioned that I had the insurance quote and that it starts on the 6th April, so am I coming to collect my Qashqui on the 6th, no it's due in on the 11th and will be available a few days after. Okay. Well then comes the V5 with all the car details on, umm I ring Nissan Cardiff AGAIN this time to be told that the car has arrived (3rd April) but not ready o collect until a weeks time (10th April) great Qashqui here ready to drive away on the 10th!!!!
Phone call Thursday 5th Mr Baker about your Qashqui, the car is here but the tow bar will not be fitted until the 11th but that's after collection date, yeah we thought we would delay collection until Thursday?? NO WAY I have meetings and a schedule done for the next two weeks. Oh Mr Baker your cycle rack will not be available until 26th April. WOT...
So I made a decision which I hope does not back fire but I told Nissan that I would collect my Qashqui as promised on Tuesday 10th and I will take the car back in a month to have the usual service and at the same time I'll get the tow bar and cycle rack fitted.
I do hope that this plan does not backfire as at the moment Nissan Qashqui has been a bit of a nightmare and to cap it all Nissan are saying that the time scale now is 8 - 10 weeks for delivery. I think that have been caught out by the demand. I just hope mine is trouble free!! we'll see. Next post when I collect the car to let you know what happens. So far I give Nissan Cardiff 4/10 for customer service, I think there is a communication problem between Nissan and their garages.
Phone call Thursday 5th Mr Baker about your Qashqui, the car is here but the tow bar will not be fitted until the 11th but that's after collection date, yeah we thought we would delay collection until Thursday?? NO WAY I have meetings and a schedule done for the next two weeks. Oh Mr Baker your cycle rack will not be available until 26th April. WOT...
So I made a decision which I hope does not back fire but I told Nissan that I would collect my Qashqui as promised on Tuesday 10th and I will take the car back in a month to have the usual service and at the same time I'll get the tow bar and cycle rack fitted.
I do hope that this plan does not backfire as at the moment Nissan Qashqui has been a bit of a nightmare and to cap it all Nissan are saying that the time scale now is 8 - 10 weeks for delivery. I think that have been caught out by the demand. I just hope mine is trouble free!! we'll see. Next post when I collect the car to let you know what happens. So far I give Nissan Cardiff 4/10 for customer service, I think there is a communication problem between Nissan and their garages.
Friday, March 16, 2007
I am Dr Who
Time travels so fast, my blog is feeling a little neglected and my visitors have dropped through the floor. Well I did say I was not a writer.
I see Dan the man has been a little lacking on his blog and reading Joansy's blog and watching her YouTube feature which is great there is a big man hunt.
Here in Wales the weather has been well RAIN and lots of it and with more snow due this weekend. Still working hard at the office and on my business which is as normal very busy.
The family are well and looking forward to our trips later in the year, Spain to the house and Ireland which will be a first, drive, Ferry and cottage, ummm sounds good.
The new car.... well still waiting for the delivery date, I have been told it's going to be the end of March.
Health... much better than this time last year so here's hoping for a better year.
Latest on my Freelance business is that I have been asked to re-start work on an old favourite www.librautomotive.co.uk
I built this site way back in 2004 and I have just signed a 5 year contract to maintain and develop it so watch this space. Yes I know I have signed to many contracts now and I have not got time to.... well you know what I mean.
So that's enough for now I suppose. byeeee ;o)
I see Dan the man has been a little lacking on his blog and reading Joansy's blog and watching her YouTube feature which is great there is a big man hunt.
Here in Wales the weather has been well RAIN and lots of it and with more snow due this weekend. Still working hard at the office and on my business which is as normal very busy.
The family are well and looking forward to our trips later in the year, Spain to the house and Ireland which will be a first, drive, Ferry and cottage, ummm sounds good.
The new car.... well still waiting for the delivery date, I have been told it's going to be the end of March.
Health... much better than this time last year so here's hoping for a better year.
Latest on my Freelance business is that I have been asked to re-start work on an old favourite www.librautomotive.co.uk
I built this site way back in 2004 and I have just signed a 5 year contract to maintain and develop it so watch this space. Yes I know I have signed to many contracts now and I have not got time to.... well you know what I mean.
So that's enough for now I suppose. byeeee ;o)
Friday, March 02, 2007
Well, ummmm, ooooo
Well 29th Jan was my last visit, so what happened to February? to be honest I ran out of things to say apart from the usual stuff which after a while gets a bit boring so decided to take a break. However I may still get that urge to drop out for a while.
Anyway what have I been up to well......
I turned 38 now that was a lot easier than previous years no long suffering hangover or depression due to rapidly approaching 40 and wondering what I have done with my life. (Not much). The family are all fit and healthy (Thank god). The weather here is 'CRAP' wet wet and more wet.
The inlaws came over from Spain last weekend for a few days but we didn't see much of them for one reason or another, but what time we spent with them was okay although we have told them that we will only spend a week with them in the summer rather than the full two weeks more on that later.
So what's new........ well I've/we've decided to trade in my car for a new one, not a used car but a brand new one. Do you know that I have never bought a new car in my life they have always been used, although the last two or three have been under six months old. Anyway I'm going to the garage tomorrow for a second test drive and place my order which should take about 4.5 weeks. So what Am I getting I here you ask well here's a picture for you to dribble over.
And for the anoraks here is the vehicle specs:
QASHQAI Acenta adds a further touch of elegance and a host of technology. Body coloured door handles and mirrors and a leather bound steering wheel and gearknob are joined by hi-tec features like Rain-sensing wipers, automatic lighting, cruise control, an ultrasonic rear park system and dual zone air conditioning to make driving even more relaxing.
And here is the interior seat covers.
Finally here is the actual colour that I'm going for
which is called faded denim.
Anyway what have I been up to well......
I turned 38 now that was a lot easier than previous years no long suffering hangover or depression due to rapidly approaching 40 and wondering what I have done with my life. (Not much). The family are all fit and healthy (Thank god). The weather here is 'CRAP' wet wet and more wet.
The inlaws came over from Spain last weekend for a few days but we didn't see much of them for one reason or another, but what time we spent with them was okay although we have told them that we will only spend a week with them in the summer rather than the full two weeks more on that later.
So what's new........ well I've/we've decided to trade in my car for a new one, not a used car but a brand new one. Do you know that I have never bought a new car in my life they have always been used, although the last two or three have been under six months old. Anyway I'm going to the garage tomorrow for a second test drive and place my order which should take about 4.5 weeks. So what Am I getting I here you ask well here's a picture for you to dribble over.
And for the anoraks here is the vehicle specs:
| Power | 78/4000 (106/4000) kW / rpm (PS / rpm) |
| Maximum speed | 174 km/h 108 mph |
| Fuel consumption (Urban cycle) | 6.2 l/100 km 45.6 mpg |
| Fuel consumption (Extra-urban) | 5.0 l/100 km 56.5 mpg |
| Combined cycle fuel consumption | 5.4 l/100 km 52.3 mpg |
| CO2 Emissions | 145 g/km |
QASHQAI Acenta adds a further touch of elegance and a host of technology. Body coloured door handles and mirrors and a leather bound steering wheel and gearknob are joined by hi-tec features like Rain-sensing wipers, automatic lighting, cruise control, an ultrasonic rear park system and dual zone air conditioning to make driving even more relaxing.
And here is the interior seat covers.
Finally here is the actual colour that I'm going for
which is called faded denim.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Well hi there!!
It's been a while but since I was reading some blogs tonight I may as well have a bash myself. So what has changed over the past few weeks, well nothing really, I have not won the lottery so still living in Barry, by the freezing cold sea and working as hard as ever.
I have (MSM Interrupts and I have now lost my train of thought) , where was I..... oh yes I have converted all the computers to wireless which is fab as my home office has only two PC's left and one is just the base as I have software which allows me to use the same keyboard and mouse to operate both systems, that means I now have a half empty office and no one sat behind me.
The wonders of technology eh! I remember a few years ago wishing that we could do things like this not knowing that it would happen so quickly. The other day I used the same software to work on a PC in Scotland and London, the time and money that this bit of kit has saved is huge.
Currently I have a cold (Not ManFlu) just a normal cold, I normally get one at least once a year so this is it the annual cold. I'm still working though although not as fast as I normally do.
Things in the news that have driven me nuts over the past few weeks:
The Home office and all it's failings, I'm not being funny but how come private sector does not run in to this type of problem, if we did the company would go bust. Why do government believe that it's good to have three or four people doing the same job, no one knowing what is the right way or the wrong way and no one being held accountable.
Technology these days should mean that we should know everything we need to know, where a suspect is staying, who is in the country especially if they have come through Airports or Ports. It's not rocket science now is it.
Who authorises these multi billion pound IT contracts? do they know they are getting ripped off!! I would like for the government to come with me on a fact finding mission to see how it's done in the private sector (Real world) and how project managers deal with contracts, ideas and proof of concept and how they are responsible from start to finish, oh and how the contractors end up paying us for the service not the other way around. Yes you did read right, every project we carry out costs the supplier a large sum of money over a period of time. And yes Mr PM they are prepared to pay to work with us.
So come on chaps get with the programme and stop spending our hard earned cash on things that if dealt with properly would cost a fraction of the price.
2. Local council's and collecting rubbish, another mess that is only going to get worse, what's all this collecting different colour bins on separate weeks and if a person fails to put the correct item in the bin they get fined.
Well get stuffed matey, we pay you to do a job, the council is elected by us you listen to us. pfft who the hell do they think they are. I'd rather take the rubbish away myself. I do feel sorry for these people who have idiot council's luckily where I live we are keeping one bin, but can recycle by using other methods.
Me I prefer to take my recycle stuff myself to Tesco each week and place in the correct bins at least I know that I will not get fined, only last week on Radio two a news article came to light about a lady who saw a piece of cardboard blowing in the wind so she picked it up and placed it in a nearby bin only to get stopped by someone and ended up paying a £50 fine and being told that she could face prison. OMG what is this country coming too!
I must admit the thought of leaving these shores is becoming more attractive every time I think about it, Great Britain, well not so Great anymore and the name no longer used. United Kingdom well that's a laugh Scotland (Own powers to do stuff) Wales (Limited powers but will get full powers soon) Ireland (well on their way now for power sharing). Poor England left high and dry with a crap NHS, high taxes and laws that just don't make sense anymore so there we are UK no more!
That's enough ranting I have more but can wait another day. Currently looking to buy an island and set up home there as long as it has WiFi for Internet and a poor geezer able to cycle fast enough to produce my electricity I'm interested.
I have (MSM Interrupts and I have now lost my train of thought) , where was I..... oh yes I have converted all the computers to wireless which is fab as my home office has only two PC's left and one is just the base as I have software which allows me to use the same keyboard and mouse to operate both systems, that means I now have a half empty office and no one sat behind me.
The wonders of technology eh! I remember a few years ago wishing that we could do things like this not knowing that it would happen so quickly. The other day I used the same software to work on a PC in Scotland and London, the time and money that this bit of kit has saved is huge.
Currently I have a cold (Not ManFlu) just a normal cold, I normally get one at least once a year so this is it the annual cold. I'm still working though although not as fast as I normally do.
Things in the news that have driven me nuts over the past few weeks:
The Home office and all it's failings, I'm not being funny but how come private sector does not run in to this type of problem, if we did the company would go bust. Why do government believe that it's good to have three or four people doing the same job, no one knowing what is the right way or the wrong way and no one being held accountable.
Technology these days should mean that we should know everything we need to know, where a suspect is staying, who is in the country especially if they have come through Airports or Ports. It's not rocket science now is it.
Who authorises these multi billion pound IT contracts? do they know they are getting ripped off!! I would like for the government to come with me on a fact finding mission to see how it's done in the private sector (Real world) and how project managers deal with contracts, ideas and proof of concept and how they are responsible from start to finish, oh and how the contractors end up paying us for the service not the other way around. Yes you did read right, every project we carry out costs the supplier a large sum of money over a period of time. And yes Mr PM they are prepared to pay to work with us.
So come on chaps get with the programme and stop spending our hard earned cash on things that if dealt with properly would cost a fraction of the price.
2. Local council's and collecting rubbish, another mess that is only going to get worse, what's all this collecting different colour bins on separate weeks and if a person fails to put the correct item in the bin they get fined.
Well get stuffed matey, we pay you to do a job, the council is elected by us you listen to us. pfft who the hell do they think they are. I'd rather take the rubbish away myself. I do feel sorry for these people who have idiot council's luckily where I live we are keeping one bin, but can recycle by using other methods.
Me I prefer to take my recycle stuff myself to Tesco each week and place in the correct bins at least I know that I will not get fined, only last week on Radio two a news article came to light about a lady who saw a piece of cardboard blowing in the wind so she picked it up and placed it in a nearby bin only to get stopped by someone and ended up paying a £50 fine and being told that she could face prison. OMG what is this country coming too!
I must admit the thought of leaving these shores is becoming more attractive every time I think about it, Great Britain, well not so Great anymore and the name no longer used. United Kingdom well that's a laugh Scotland (Own powers to do stuff) Wales (Limited powers but will get full powers soon) Ireland (well on their way now for power sharing). Poor England left high and dry with a crap NHS, high taxes and laws that just don't make sense anymore so there we are UK no more!
That's enough ranting I have more but can wait another day. Currently looking to buy an island and set up home there as long as it has WiFi for Internet and a poor geezer able to cycle fast enough to produce my electricity I'm interested.
Friday, January 12, 2007
When is a begger a begger
Well certainly not the one I saw today, going back to my car in the local NCP car park there was a young woman wrapped in a blanket asking for spare change, but I caught her out, yes I walked in the foyer only to see her texting on her mobile. Hmm I said to her and her look was priceless the oh shit I've been busted! now I don't give to beggars as here in Cardiff we have a problem where people like her are all over the place and probably all work together, the media here covered this particular topic a few months ago and they reported that these people can earn up to £300 a week just by asking for spare change.
Well people there you have it your spare change buys a HOMLESS person a top of the range mobile phone, designer clothes all hidden by a tatty blanket. Next time I'll try and get a picture to shame the person.
Still not sure where to go with my blog so watch this space.
My week, well lets just say a good start to 2007 and long may it continue......
Monday news that bosses wanted a word this week. (Oops what have I done wrong?)
Tuesday people in my team being pulled in the office for chats, my turn at 11.45am sat down and my manager tells me that I have been requested to move over to our Team of Engineers as Project Manager. Hmm not bad, and makes sense as all my projects involve them.
10 mins after that meeting I'm called in to another meeting this time with the Chief Motor Engineer, he runs through stuff and then says, you will report to me and the Claims Director no one else, you will get a pay rise and will you come back full time.... (me long pause) "No" oh, he says, no problem you have home connection don't you.... "Yup" great then we will put you back on a 40hr Salary and you do 4 hours in the office and the rest from home all on trust. Hmmm well... Ummm... Okay that sounds fair!
So Tuesday I went from Part Time pay to Full Time pay with no change to my lifestyle what's next.
Wednesday, new job takes hold and I get my head in to new stuff. Phone does not stop, emails flood in need I say more.
Thursday. My diary is rapidly filling up with meeting requests about this that and his brother.
Friday. Diary now full up, next space for a meeting MARCH now if your reading this your probably thinking so if your booked up in meetings until March how are you going to get any work done? well that one has passed me by also.
Also Friday due to the amount of meeting requests I was getting I ended up selling my time, yes I was a time auction, started from a Madison Coffee, to Coffee and Muffin right through to Lunch in a restaurant. Well you can guess which one won over.
So that was my week, really has to go down as one of the most surreal I've ever had.
Well people there you have it your spare change buys a HOMLESS person a top of the range mobile phone, designer clothes all hidden by a tatty blanket. Next time I'll try and get a picture to shame the person.
Still not sure where to go with my blog so watch this space.
My week, well lets just say a good start to 2007 and long may it continue......
Monday news that bosses wanted a word this week. (Oops what have I done wrong?)
Tuesday people in my team being pulled in the office for chats, my turn at 11.45am sat down and my manager tells me that I have been requested to move over to our Team of Engineers as Project Manager. Hmm not bad, and makes sense as all my projects involve them.
10 mins after that meeting I'm called in to another meeting this time with the Chief Motor Engineer, he runs through stuff and then says, you will report to me and the Claims Director no one else, you will get a pay rise and will you come back full time.... (me long pause) "No" oh, he says, no problem you have home connection don't you.... "Yup" great then we will put you back on a 40hr Salary and you do 4 hours in the office and the rest from home all on trust. Hmmm well... Ummm... Okay that sounds fair!
So Tuesday I went from Part Time pay to Full Time pay with no change to my lifestyle what's next.
Wednesday, new job takes hold and I get my head in to new stuff. Phone does not stop, emails flood in need I say more.
Thursday. My diary is rapidly filling up with meeting requests about this that and his brother.
Friday. Diary now full up, next space for a meeting MARCH now if your reading this your probably thinking so if your booked up in meetings until March how are you going to get any work done? well that one has passed me by also.
Also Friday due to the amount of meeting requests I was getting I ended up selling my time, yes I was a time auction, started from a Madison Coffee, to Coffee and Muffin right through to Lunch in a restaurant. Well you can guess which one won over.
So that was my week, really has to go down as one of the most surreal I've ever had.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Happy New Year to you all ...
Well it's been a while but I'm back after a great few weeks relaxing and doing very very little, not sure what to do with this blog I'm not very good at writting and to tell you the truth it no longer rings my bell, I love reading other peoples blogs but I don't see the need to keep this going.
Plans for 2007 well at the moment I don't have any but who knows in a few weeks/months things may change.
Went to a local park with the family & Toby today, now we have never taken the dog to this park and it was an after thought but it was nice and quiet and we could let Toby of his lead which is great for a dog so young, when there are no other dogs around he'll come when called and generally be very well behaved but on site of another dog puppy instincts kick in and he runs away to play and will not listen to anyone, well it happened today, he met a Jack Russell and off he went sprinting around this park like a bat out of hell, I was pretty impressed with his speed for such a small dog. Anyway we could not see who this dog belonged to so continued walking and shouting for him to come back but to no avail.
We walked around the corner and I heard my name being called I turned only to see Suzanne who we were really close Friends with for many years and have lost touch, we had a card from her over Christmas with a message to call around her new house, I noted the address and left it at that. Well there she was standing there lead in hand and youngest daughter talking to MSM, oh my god I shouted and went over to her noticing that this Jack Russell was running between her legs, yes it was hers and there was Toby stood next to them tongue hanging out.
After the usual pleasantries and catch up I asked her how often she comes down to this park only to find out that this is the first time she has brought the dog here for a walk. Oh my, what sign is this, both families turn up at a park that neither of us ever go to and the dogs begin playing then MSN is spotted talking to her daughter. Is this a sign that it's time to reignite our friendship and resume where we left off?
I now have her mobile number but do I make a move and go around for coffee or should I just let it be, we'll see but a good start to 2007.
Plans for 2007 well at the moment I don't have any but who knows in a few weeks/months things may change.
Went to a local park with the family & Toby today, now we have never taken the dog to this park and it was an after thought but it was nice and quiet and we could let Toby of his lead which is great for a dog so young, when there are no other dogs around he'll come when called and generally be very well behaved but on site of another dog puppy instincts kick in and he runs away to play and will not listen to anyone, well it happened today, he met a Jack Russell and off he went sprinting around this park like a bat out of hell, I was pretty impressed with his speed for such a small dog. Anyway we could not see who this dog belonged to so continued walking and shouting for him to come back but to no avail.
We walked around the corner and I heard my name being called I turned only to see Suzanne who we were really close Friends with for many years and have lost touch, we had a card from her over Christmas with a message to call around her new house, I noted the address and left it at that. Well there she was standing there lead in hand and youngest daughter talking to MSM, oh my god I shouted and went over to her noticing that this Jack Russell was running between her legs, yes it was hers and there was Toby stood next to them tongue hanging out.
After the usual pleasantries and catch up I asked her how often she comes down to this park only to find out that this is the first time she has brought the dog here for a walk. Oh my, what sign is this, both families turn up at a park that neither of us ever go to and the dogs begin playing then MSN is spotted talking to her daughter. Is this a sign that it's time to reignite our friendship and resume where we left off?
I now have her mobile number but do I make a move and go around for coffee or should I just let it be, we'll see but a good start to 2007.
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