Yes, I know, a strange title.
After being frustrated on the phone the other day, I have finally got through to a human being.......
But the human being I spoke to was no help at all, other than giving me two options.
I asked for information about the "rapid response team" mentioned on the government website, I was informed that the was for companies making large scale redundancies. (No mention of it on the website, in fact the pages I was looking at were aimed at the employee NOT the employer!)
I obviously asked the person on the phone something that they knew nothing about, and felt like they had a "script" they needed to stick to, as it was like listening to a stuck record.
So.....I am letting off steam here......it seems like there is no longer a careers advice type service provided at the local job centre, in fact it feels like the jobcentreplus......is plus extra red tape, but MINUS accessibility to the general public.
Why are so many things automated these days?
Why is it difficult to get to speak to PEOPLE.....face to face?
And why do so many people use the excuse that it isn't their job, so they know nothing. Ok, I'll let them off the last one, but they should at least have ways of contacting people who can help, if they can't.
I detest "jobsworth's" who let themselves be limited by their job description.....I can only think they must be sadly lacking in initiative, and life.
I rate my experience at maybe 3/10, and that's being generous......a chocolate teapot would be more useful.
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Monday, 11 January 2016
Frustrating "fone" calls
Some of you might know that I am being made redundant.
After re-reading the gov.UK advice, I decided to try to contact the "rapid response team" mentioned on the government website.
Frustrating, or what?
I must have been on the phone for a total of 45 minutes, being passed from one department to another, and no one knew what I was talking about. I also got cut off a couple of times. (Not to mention the first few bars of Vivaldi's Four Seasons....ad nauseam.)
Frustrated, I revisited the page of the website, and found that I could email the correct department, that was done in a couple of minutes.
I can only hope it gets the desired result. All I want is advice that the website says I can access. After all, the job I currently have doesn't really use any of my qualifications, and I really would like to do something that will make much better use of them.
Well......I can hope, can't I?
After re-reading the gov.UK advice, I decided to try to contact the "rapid response team" mentioned on the government website.
Frustrating, or what?
I must have been on the phone for a total of 45 minutes, being passed from one department to another, and no one knew what I was talking about. I also got cut off a couple of times. (Not to mention the first few bars of Vivaldi's Four Seasons....ad nauseam.)
Frustrated, I revisited the page of the website, and found that I could email the correct department, that was done in a couple of minutes.
I can only hope it gets the desired result. All I want is advice that the website says I can access. After all, the job I currently have doesn't really use any of my qualifications, and I really would like to do something that will make much better use of them.
Well......I can hope, can't I?
Sunday, 10 January 2016
A little reflection.
I finished part of my friend's Yule and birthday presents, and as I finished "it" off, and started one last thing, a thought came to me.
The thought was how both Oliver and Edwin reacted the same after they had opened the socks that I knitted for them for Xmas.
They both did exactly the same thing, only three days apart. Xmas day, Oliver opened his present, then pulled off the socks he was wearing, and put the hand knitted ones on. Three days later, Edwin did the same.
Although Kerry is not getting socks, I really hope that she reacts the same way, with obvious pleasure.
The thought was how both Oliver and Edwin reacted the same after they had opened the socks that I knitted for them for Xmas.
They both did exactly the same thing, only three days apart. Xmas day, Oliver opened his present, then pulled off the socks he was wearing, and put the hand knitted ones on. Three days later, Edwin did the same.
Although Kerry is not getting socks, I really hope that she reacts the same way, with obvious pleasure.
Friday, 1 January 2016
Plans for 2016
You notice that these are plans, not resolutions.
Resolutions are usually good intentions that run out of steam very quickly.
If you read my blog, you'll know that I have reason to be making changes in my life. So....here goes.....
Plans!
Obviously I am going to find another way of making money, I might find conventional employment, or I might be working for myself, however things pan out, my life will be different in a few months.
I will still be knitting, reading, cross stitching, sewing, baking......but I have other ideas I want to explore and possibly follow up. I'll keep you updated as things develop, when I explore my ideas.
My reading plans.
1. Read a "classic" book.
2. Read a translated book.
3. Read a "classic children's book", that I haven't yet read.
4. Read some poetry.
5. Read a Shakespeare play that I haven't previously.
One of my exploring "ideas" involves me writing, perhaps the urge to write will return properly, it feels like it is beginning to already, as I have been blogging more in the last couple of weeks. I'll try to post every day, however briefly, just to keep me going.
I'll also try to keep up my weekly kitchen challenge, and try out an "unknown" recipe every week. The one I tried this week was Turkish Delight, not the strangest thing I have ever created in my kitchen, but it's in the top ten.
Resolutions are usually good intentions that run out of steam very quickly.
If you read my blog, you'll know that I have reason to be making changes in my life. So....here goes.....
Plans!
Obviously I am going to find another way of making money, I might find conventional employment, or I might be working for myself, however things pan out, my life will be different in a few months.
I will still be knitting, reading, cross stitching, sewing, baking......but I have other ideas I want to explore and possibly follow up. I'll keep you updated as things develop, when I explore my ideas.
My reading plans.
1. Read a "classic" book.
2. Read a translated book.
3. Read a "classic children's book", that I haven't yet read.
4. Read some poetry.
5. Read a Shakespeare play that I haven't previously.
One of my exploring "ideas" involves me writing, perhaps the urge to write will return properly, it feels like it is beginning to already, as I have been blogging more in the last couple of weeks. I'll try to post every day, however briefly, just to keep me going.
I'll also try to keep up my weekly kitchen challenge, and try out an "unknown" recipe every week. The one I tried this week was Turkish Delight, not the strangest thing I have ever created in my kitchen, but it's in the top ten.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Review of 2015
Ah! What can I say about 2015?
It's been a difficult year in a few ways.
From what I remember about January, there was pain from spinal stenosis, work, and the realisation that Spark was not a well doggie.
February brought a pain management appointment, and I had an injection. I started knitting a "knit-along" blanket featured in Let's Knit magazine.....I enjoyed making the squares, and when I had completed it some months later, I gave it to Becky.
February was also what I hoped would be the worst month, as I took Spark to see the vet, and with my three the decision was made that it would be kinder to let him go. Even though that was over ten months ago now, it still upsets me.
February is also the anniversary of Dad's death.
March through to early June was unremarkable, or at least I can't remember anything standing out, other than having a yearly meeting/review of my job.....fairly standard procedure that seemed to go well.......how innocent I can be at times.....rarely looking for ulterior motives for people's actions.
June started off fairly quietly, then the non-teaching staff restructuring was announced. They laughingly called it a proposed restructure at first, however as the year unfurled, it became clear that they wanted to be rid of certain members of staff, first they "ring-fenced" each section of the non-teaching staff, but removed it when they were told....too late for some, that they couldn't do that, as it was essentially forcing certain people out of work. So....eventually, after voluntary redundancies, there came applying, and subsequent interviews for the remaining posts. Although it has been claimed to have been a fair process, I don't think that it was, as there were more posts than people, yet it ended with me being made compulsory redundant.
Then, as well as that last bit, December brought named storms, storm Desmond managed to damage the power supply to the area, and we were on generators eventually, and switched back over to mains five days later. There's been another two storms since, again dropping loads of water on already sodden ground.
So.....after all that, I am hoping that 2016 might be kinder to me, and the general population.
There were positive things as well. Edwin graduated, and now has a job. Oliver submitted his thesis, and goes for his Viva on January 13th... after that he should be a Doctor, a PhD doctor, not a medical one. Samantha is still at the same place, and settled in her new flat. And Becky has started her Masters year.....oh! And Oliver has a job as well.
It's been a difficult year in a few ways.
From what I remember about January, there was pain from spinal stenosis, work, and the realisation that Spark was not a well doggie.
February brought a pain management appointment, and I had an injection. I started knitting a "knit-along" blanket featured in Let's Knit magazine.....I enjoyed making the squares, and when I had completed it some months later, I gave it to Becky.
February was also what I hoped would be the worst month, as I took Spark to see the vet, and with my three the decision was made that it would be kinder to let him go. Even though that was over ten months ago now, it still upsets me.
February is also the anniversary of Dad's death.
March through to early June was unremarkable, or at least I can't remember anything standing out, other than having a yearly meeting/review of my job.....fairly standard procedure that seemed to go well.......how innocent I can be at times.....rarely looking for ulterior motives for people's actions.
June started off fairly quietly, then the non-teaching staff restructuring was announced. They laughingly called it a proposed restructure at first, however as the year unfurled, it became clear that they wanted to be rid of certain members of staff, first they "ring-fenced" each section of the non-teaching staff, but removed it when they were told....too late for some, that they couldn't do that, as it was essentially forcing certain people out of work. So....eventually, after voluntary redundancies, there came applying, and subsequent interviews for the remaining posts. Although it has been claimed to have been a fair process, I don't think that it was, as there were more posts than people, yet it ended with me being made compulsory redundant.
Then, as well as that last bit, December brought named storms, storm Desmond managed to damage the power supply to the area, and we were on generators eventually, and switched back over to mains five days later. There's been another two storms since, again dropping loads of water on already sodden ground.
So.....after all that, I am hoping that 2016 might be kinder to me, and the general population.
There were positive things as well. Edwin graduated, and now has a job. Oliver submitted his thesis, and goes for his Viva on January 13th... after that he should be a Doctor, a PhD doctor, not a medical one. Samantha is still at the same place, and settled in her new flat. And Becky has started her Masters year.....oh! And Oliver has a job as well.
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Yule feast....a bit late, but still great fun
Due to my kids now being bona fide "grown ups"....with jobs! Yule feast was late this year.
I can't remember if I've posted about this before.....so a brief explanation.
As my three got older and left for university...I decided that I didn't want to put pressure on them "having" to be with Mum for Xmas. It was a joint decision that every year we would pick a day where we were all free, and get together. I make a buffet type meal, and when we are all here, we have food, as much, or as little as we want, when we want it. Now they are older, I do say to "bring your own booze".
We usually listen to music, catch up with each other, and play board games. The tv is not usually on, unless we are playing a multi player Wii game.
Also, a few years back, I bought a large package of assorted dice, and gave everyone a set, and challenged them to create their own game, that we would play at the next Yule feast. (There's just me left, I know what I want to create, just need time in which to do it.)
Oh boy! That's not brief!
However, in the past we've held Yule feast before Xmas, as that was most convenient. This year, the most convenient was between Xmas and New Year, yesterday to be precise.
I made sweet chilli sausage rolls, quiche, pork pie, and heated through some jalapeno things. Pickles, crisps were also available, plus plenty of cheese and crackers.
By three o'clock everyone who could be here was....Becky couldn't this year, as she'd not spent any time with her Mum over Xmas.
We opened gifts from any of us who hadn't seen each other before this Xmas, then we started games.
New game...Liar, liar....fun once you "get" it.
Then Samantha's game, a start/finish game, with "guards" throughout the course who you had to challenge in "top trumps" manner.
Then onto WobBally.....I bought this some years ago, it's a bit like Jenga, only you have around seven layers of marbles, each layer has around 15 marbles. You have to knock out one marble, without knocking the stack down.
We play it as a knockout. Things are usually a bit "giddy" to say the least by this stage. I never win this, but it's fun.
Lastly, we played Oliver's game from last year....another one which is simple on the surface, but a lot of fun. You roll two dice to get the category,(99 in all,) then you roll another, (20 sided,) for how many you have to name. Now comes the fun bit. After being allowed a minute or two to think, you have to name the number of things, before the sand timer runs out, about a minute......but.....the other players can decide whether to accept what you say, or not.....for example......an elk tree......just doesn't exist......don't ask, "is that allowed?".....you don't have time....and the other players can also heckle with incorrect answers, suggested. We found out that Samantha's bf gets the giggles very easily......so whenever it was his turn....we did our best to get him giggling....so that he couldn't possibly win.
Obviously all in good faith.........after all....you can't win everything.....I never win anything, except the Oxford dictionary game....which might be why we don't play it.
So......if you have kids, and they're getting older, rather than hope they can be with you on Xmas day.....and you want them all there at once....be flexible, adopt the Yule feast idea....choose a day when you can all be there, and have a great day.....and, if you've more leisure time than your children....let them sort the day out....just be there.
I can't remember if I've posted about this before.....so a brief explanation.
As my three got older and left for university...I decided that I didn't want to put pressure on them "having" to be with Mum for Xmas. It was a joint decision that every year we would pick a day where we were all free, and get together. I make a buffet type meal, and when we are all here, we have food, as much, or as little as we want, when we want it. Now they are older, I do say to "bring your own booze".
We usually listen to music, catch up with each other, and play board games. The tv is not usually on, unless we are playing a multi player Wii game.
Also, a few years back, I bought a large package of assorted dice, and gave everyone a set, and challenged them to create their own game, that we would play at the next Yule feast. (There's just me left, I know what I want to create, just need time in which to do it.)
Oh boy! That's not brief!
However, in the past we've held Yule feast before Xmas, as that was most convenient. This year, the most convenient was between Xmas and New Year, yesterday to be precise.
I made sweet chilli sausage rolls, quiche, pork pie, and heated through some jalapeno things. Pickles, crisps were also available, plus plenty of cheese and crackers.
By three o'clock everyone who could be here was....Becky couldn't this year, as she'd not spent any time with her Mum over Xmas.
We opened gifts from any of us who hadn't seen each other before this Xmas, then we started games.
New game...Liar, liar....fun once you "get" it.
Then Samantha's game, a start/finish game, with "guards" throughout the course who you had to challenge in "top trumps" manner.
Then onto WobBally.....I bought this some years ago, it's a bit like Jenga, only you have around seven layers of marbles, each layer has around 15 marbles. You have to knock out one marble, without knocking the stack down.
We play it as a knockout. Things are usually a bit "giddy" to say the least by this stage. I never win this, but it's fun.
Lastly, we played Oliver's game from last year....another one which is simple on the surface, but a lot of fun. You roll two dice to get the category,(99 in all,) then you roll another, (20 sided,) for how many you have to name. Now comes the fun bit. After being allowed a minute or two to think, you have to name the number of things, before the sand timer runs out, about a minute......but.....the other players can decide whether to accept what you say, or not.....for example......an elk tree......just doesn't exist......don't ask, "is that allowed?".....you don't have time....and the other players can also heckle with incorrect answers, suggested. We found out that Samantha's bf gets the giggles very easily......so whenever it was his turn....we did our best to get him giggling....so that he couldn't possibly win.
Obviously all in good faith.........after all....you can't win everything.....I never win anything, except the Oxford dictionary game....which might be why we don't play it.
So......if you have kids, and they're getting older, rather than hope they can be with you on Xmas day.....and you want them all there at once....be flexible, adopt the Yule feast idea....choose a day when you can all be there, and have a great day.....and, if you've more leisure time than your children....let them sort the day out....just be there.
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Inside I'm excited
Why? I hear you ask.
I am on a waiting list for a Maine Coon kitten.
I'm at the top......and new kitties expected late January.
I met some back in August....and before I wasn't convinced that a Maine Coon was for me.....however they were great. One of them found that my skirt was slidy, and kept climbing on my lap and sliding down it.
So...I'm excited...but don't want to jinx anything.
I am on a waiting list for a Maine Coon kitten.
I'm at the top......and new kitties expected late January.
I met some back in August....and before I wasn't convinced that a Maine Coon was for me.....however they were great. One of them found that my skirt was slidy, and kept climbing on my lap and sliding down it.
So...I'm excited...but don't want to jinx anything.
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