Well it's over for another year. Quite honestly the level of stupid questions surpassed any previous year. The pinnacle was from one punter, who stood looking at the stand uttered the immortal words "Well what do you do then?"
Did all my stand dressing efforts go to waste? Was the slide show playing on the computer screen not a clue? Or is it merely a testament to Tony Blair, dumb down so they all fell they have succeeded?
We will never know. However one thing I do know is that the cuts are working in one way shape or form, there was little spending going on. My loss the countries gain.
Just remember me lads when your pockets are full again!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Oh shit another 3 years!
No I am not doing a degree! Number 2 son (for those avid readers, oh forgot no one reads this any way!) he has decided Liverpool and Law and Business aren't for him! He has enrolled in a Banking course in London. Ok he can't get a job anyway so why not rack up another £25k of debt? I am wondering if my son has crossed to the other side as he seems to be adopting a stupid labour government borrowing approach. I feel relieved that this cannot be the case as he isn't stupid, just can't manage money, so me wonders why he is doing a banking degree, then the penny, the pound and all the money drops! The best place to be overpaid if you can't manage money is in banking! Well done son you can beat them from the inside, I call it the Tevez move!
So Dad has spent the best part of the weekend playing White van man, first fetching from scouse land then relocating to the smoke.
We started to look for flats, halls £13k! Fuck off!, I must say it has made me even, more aware of the divided nation we have become. A small and I mean small, flat about 1 hour commute from the centre in an area you won't be stabbed or mugged in starts at £1000 for 2 beds, a box kitchen, a box living room, and a bathroom you can't bend over in! PLUS that entitles you to a reduced travel cost to the centre of £30 per week as a student, whch is a discounted 7 day pass, how many students travel 7 days a week?
Cameron you are supposed to want the big society is that just for the London elite or have you forgotten about us outside the M25.
I, a man of reason (ask the Overgraduate) is getting pissed off and will soon become more revolting than usual! Before it was just the banks!
So we wait and see, I have just read an article in Money Week 30 Sept, "Millibands fee cap is a fraud on the poor". Very depressing reading for parents with kids at or going to Uni.
The more time goes on the more the beach beckons, I am a hippy born too late, but one who gave his soul when he felt it was worth it, now this country stinks.
So Dad has spent the best part of the weekend playing White van man, first fetching from scouse land then relocating to the smoke.
We started to look for flats, halls £13k! Fuck off!, I must say it has made me even, more aware of the divided nation we have become. A small and I mean small, flat about 1 hour commute from the centre in an area you won't be stabbed or mugged in starts at £1000 for 2 beds, a box kitchen, a box living room, and a bathroom you can't bend over in! PLUS that entitles you to a reduced travel cost to the centre of £30 per week as a student, whch is a discounted 7 day pass, how many students travel 7 days a week?
Cameron you are supposed to want the big society is that just for the London elite or have you forgotten about us outside the M25.
I, a man of reason (ask the Overgraduate) is getting pissed off and will soon become more revolting than usual! Before it was just the banks!
So we wait and see, I have just read an article in Money Week 30 Sept, "Millibands fee cap is a fraud on the poor". Very depressing reading for parents with kids at or going to Uni.
The more time goes on the more the beach beckons, I am a hippy born too late, but one who gave his soul when he felt it was worth it, now this country stinks.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Another day another peso!
Certainly isn't anything as grandiose as a dollar these days! Having said that September has come to our rescue. We have been inundated by requests from Universities for beds! The students arrive around now and it all started going mad about 3 weeks ago! We got call after call for not small quantities but from one learned establishment for 500 bunk beds. Did they really get their headcount wrong by 1000 students?! One Univrsity had forgotten to order 300 beds! These are the places our children are going to be "educated" for a "Kings ransom" (sorry ma'am but didn't think you would want to be implicated)! Enough of that a far more funny but if you think about it too long, very sad story! A colleague of mine has just attended a Meet the Buyer seminar and proudly announced he had an appointment with the MOD. He was very excited, he rang me in fits of laughter later that afternoon and recanted his tale. He had told the representatives that it was a nonsense that smaller Companies cannot supply direct and he sympathised but said their instructions and policy were from Central Government. However all small contracts, less than £10k are placed by the local MOD buyer. Oh goody says my colleague can you let me have a list of those individuals please? To which the MOD representative said - Sorry no chance! Pray why? Because we don't know who they are! Anyone with access to a Government credit card can spend up to £10k!!Fear not fellow citizen there are checks and balances, one said individual with access to a card was prohibited from buying a Harley Davidson! Oh joy perhaps he got an MP to put it on his expenses instead!!
Hey ho life in the real world continues ad nauseam, I have been on the shop floor this week doing the physical stuff, hats off to my employees, it's not easy so even though they don't know it yet they will be getting a bonus, well those that have gone the extra mile will. It takes a complete team to make it work and maybe I have lost sight of that in the last 12 months as I have tried to keep us afloat feeling morose and depressed.
Well done lads the beers on me!
Streety has a new book out, sorry Digby has, am about to buy it so I can find out what is wrong with Britain and why he is a Lord!
Hey ho life in the real world continues ad nauseam, I have been on the shop floor this week doing the physical stuff, hats off to my employees, it's not easy so even though they don't know it yet they will be getting a bonus, well those that have gone the extra mile will. It takes a complete team to make it work and maybe I have lost sight of that in the last 12 months as I have tried to keep us afloat feeling morose and depressed.
Well done lads the beers on me!
Streety has a new book out, sorry Digby has, am about to buy it so I can find out what is wrong with Britain and why he is a Lord!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
A beacon in all the madness
I am on hols as you probably realise but as is my wont I still stay in touch with wot appens in Blighty.
All respect to Tariq Jahan that man is a saint, (not sure wot it is in his religion but they must have something) there is no way i could have been as calm as him. I would want an eye for an eye. The man is immense he is someone for us all to look up to I admire his control and foresight. You are a true man of strength sir. I salute you.
Then I turn a few pages and I get to the other end of our society that scum bag Moira Pearce the mother of ten! She is the prime example of why we as a country are in such a mess. Thank god she has been sterilised otherwise she would soon be claiming more than the country's national debt!
I then turn another page and find out we have just released a suspected Al-Qaeda chief.
What are you doing while I am away? Is this a conspiracy to ruin the country for my return?
At last even dipstick milliband has woken up to the fact that the "underclass" is largely due to that new comic hero duo "Blair & Brown" the liberal educators! "education, education,education" you twat Blair what a legacy you have left middle England, you twat Brown you sold our gold reserves! What a pair of prats I cant say what you guys deserve I might get arrested by your PC police! I hate you guys, you are so smug and you still don't seem to understand the shit you have left behind you. Poor old Cameron what a hole he has to dig out of.
David watch "the great escape" and take heart! You must stand up and be counted YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
Plus the Villa drew, and ID has done his calf in! Is there no end to the misery?
Adios amigos hasta la vista!
All respect to Tariq Jahan that man is a saint, (not sure wot it is in his religion but they must have something) there is no way i could have been as calm as him. I would want an eye for an eye. The man is immense he is someone for us all to look up to I admire his control and foresight. You are a true man of strength sir. I salute you.
Then I turn a few pages and I get to the other end of our society that scum bag Moira Pearce the mother of ten! She is the prime example of why we as a country are in such a mess. Thank god she has been sterilised otherwise she would soon be claiming more than the country's national debt!
I then turn another page and find out we have just released a suspected Al-Qaeda chief.
What are you doing while I am away? Is this a conspiracy to ruin the country for my return?
At last even dipstick milliband has woken up to the fact that the "underclass" is largely due to that new comic hero duo "Blair & Brown" the liberal educators! "education, education,education" you twat Blair what a legacy you have left middle England, you twat Brown you sold our gold reserves! What a pair of prats I cant say what you guys deserve I might get arrested by your PC police! I hate you guys, you are so smug and you still don't seem to understand the shit you have left behind you. Poor old Cameron what a hole he has to dig out of.
David watch "the great escape" and take heart! You must stand up and be counted YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
Plus the Villa drew, and ID has done his calf in! Is there no end to the misery?
Adios amigos hasta la vista!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Oh dear oh dear oh dear!
Well it's not really a surprise to most of us mere mortals that it would all end in tears. Did someone not realise that years of "education,education,education" with endless handouts and an open border policy that allowed all ensundry to join in the fun would eventually come home to roost! It was nice to see that dimwit Harriet Harman destroyed by Gove. Just utterly flabbergasting that she didn't realise what endemic damage that Tangoed knob head Blair had done to this country.
Well done to the Turks for defending their property, I would have done the same and a rousing call to all of middle England should be "rise up and kick the shit out of these low life's they deserve it!" turn on the water cannons , give a warning to the country anyone in these areas are fair game, and for Christ sakes let the police defend themselves! How can we expect them to defend the nations property if in the midst of having rocks and firebombs thrown at them they can't raise a baton or two!
build more prisons get this shit of our streets and let's get back to making England a great nation again.( no point including the welsh and scots, they want to break away anyway!)
it's about time a few politicians got a backbone and grew a pair! This would have been a perfect time for the return of Maggie if she werent a bit on the doddery side, she wouldn't have stood for all this human rights shit.
In my view you lose your human rights when you attempt to destroy the community that hands you out cash to live on, have they not heard the saying " never bite the hand that feeds", well folks every dog has it's day and now it's time.
Cameron could clean up here if he acts tough and sorts it out properly, not like that wimp Clegg!
As you can see I am my usual tolerant self with balanced views, bollocks time to rise up and do what is right!
Well done to the Turks for defending their property, I would have done the same and a rousing call to all of middle England should be "rise up and kick the shit out of these low life's they deserve it!" turn on the water cannons , give a warning to the country anyone in these areas are fair game, and for Christ sakes let the police defend themselves! How can we expect them to defend the nations property if in the midst of having rocks and firebombs thrown at them they can't raise a baton or two!
build more prisons get this shit of our streets and let's get back to making England a great nation again.( no point including the welsh and scots, they want to break away anyway!)
it's about time a few politicians got a backbone and grew a pair! This would have been a perfect time for the return of Maggie if she werent a bit on the doddery side, she wouldn't have stood for all this human rights shit.
In my view you lose your human rights when you attempt to destroy the community that hands you out cash to live on, have they not heard the saying " never bite the hand that feeds", well folks every dog has it's day and now it's time.
Cameron could clean up here if he acts tough and sorts it out properly, not like that wimp Clegg!
As you can see I am my usual tolerant self with balanced views, bollocks time to rise up and do what is right!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Ole another sojourn to Espagna
Well it's late July and family Brain are once again resident in Spain. This year as a result of the recession I have limited Mrs B to a mere 4 weeks, a fact that she is not overly impressed with!
She is already muttering about staying on and what's the point in going home. None my sweet except the fact that you will certainly lose the weight you have put on if you do stay coz like the Treasury when Blair and Brown finally got booted out the cupboard is bare!
Excellent start - NO charge for excess baggage! What a result, saved me a small third world country sovereign debt! This year managed to explain to said Mrs B that the 10kg hand luggage allowance was there to be used for FREE and not put in the case and paid for!
So we arrived to - cloud! Walter the nice Dutch man picked us up and we had a quick catch up on the economy and his annual harvest of olives etc and one good tip of a restaurant more of that later.
So off to El Cortes Ingles for the annual opening shop. Shit inflation certainly hasn't missed Spain!
Now we are a week in and have had far too much food, drink not too bad (can't count the beers on the beach as it's hot!)
número UNO son arrives with girlfriend tomorrow, that will increase the spends enormously. El segundo son is in Liverpool trying to organise a new flat for next year. It would appear that ALL people involved in letting property are total immoral shisters! That is the only conclusion I can come to having now rented flats for 2 sons for 3 years each and not had a decent expeience yet. I have agreed to pay 6 months rent up front but they are still insisting on doing a credit check at a ludicrous cost to guess who?
That's right MY cost!
Anyway he is off to a musofezt this weekend and was threatening to grace us with his presence For a week but has just learnt he has resits and coursework to redo so may not.
This year we have wifi in the flat for the first time! Trauma itself. All organised prior to my arrival all I had to do was set it up. I eagerly sat with laptop and straight connection to router! Nah too good to be true. Yes it was, no connection to the broadband line from the router. So I ring Movistar, Spanish phone co, to be told I had to speak to technical dept. I was then told no-one in technical speaks English, but if I wanted An engineer visit I could pay 50euros and they would come out and help me! I know times are hard but that's a sneaky one!
Anyway hot with blue skies so trying to chill and forget all the problems waiting for me when I get back!
She is already muttering about staying on and what's the point in going home. None my sweet except the fact that you will certainly lose the weight you have put on if you do stay coz like the Treasury when Blair and Brown finally got booted out the cupboard is bare!
Excellent start - NO charge for excess baggage! What a result, saved me a small third world country sovereign debt! This year managed to explain to said Mrs B that the 10kg hand luggage allowance was there to be used for FREE and not put in the case and paid for!
So we arrived to - cloud! Walter the nice Dutch man picked us up and we had a quick catch up on the economy and his annual harvest of olives etc and one good tip of a restaurant more of that later.
So off to El Cortes Ingles for the annual opening shop. Shit inflation certainly hasn't missed Spain!
Now we are a week in and have had far too much food, drink not too bad (can't count the beers on the beach as it's hot!)
número UNO son arrives with girlfriend tomorrow, that will increase the spends enormously. El segundo son is in Liverpool trying to organise a new flat for next year. It would appear that ALL people involved in letting property are total immoral shisters! That is the only conclusion I can come to having now rented flats for 2 sons for 3 years each and not had a decent expeience yet. I have agreed to pay 6 months rent up front but they are still insisting on doing a credit check at a ludicrous cost to guess who?
That's right MY cost!
Anyway he is off to a musofezt this weekend and was threatening to grace us with his presence For a week but has just learnt he has resits and coursework to redo so may not.
This year we have wifi in the flat for the first time! Trauma itself. All organised prior to my arrival all I had to do was set it up. I eagerly sat with laptop and straight connection to router! Nah too good to be true. Yes it was, no connection to the broadband line from the router. So I ring Movistar, Spanish phone co, to be told I had to speak to technical dept. I was then told no-one in technical speaks English, but if I wanted An engineer visit I could pay 50euros and they would come out and help me! I know times are hard but that's a sneaky one!
Anyway hot with blue skies so trying to chill and forget all the problems waiting for me when I get back!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
News from the front and a venting of the spleen!
Well I checked with the over graduate and I am pleased to report he has safely returned from his latest excursion into the land of triathlon. Hot off the press he has discovered a triathlon that takes place in the holy land of Hendricks aka Dunmore East. He is bravely investigating and has promised to take part if Big Willy also does. Big problem does anyone have a wetsuit Big Willy size?
So on to spleen time.
First article to upset me was by Terence Blacker in The Inedendent who was complaining about the celebration of a certain Pippa's rear end. Of course she will win rear of the year, even if it means I have to vote by phone for hours! What is wrong with the man, is he of the wrong persuasion?
Secondly was a tremendous article from the Los Angeles Times entitled - How much use is that costly degree?
A last someone seems to have been listening to me and more succesfully can get their thoughts published!
The fault lies with the University system who use their clients (namely 18 year old adolescents) who are naturally averse to work and want an easy life, to sign up to so few hours of work, to sit dumbed down exams, they now have fantastic accommodation in a lot of cases but where is the skill of reasoning and complex thinking? Sadly too many of those in the system are products of it and perpetuate it. It would be possible now to do a 3 year degree in 12 months and if I could afford it would gladly prove it - do I have any sponsors?
Cameron wake up, smell the coffee, and put some mettle into your policies. It's not degrees we all need, as Tangoed Blair thought but more support for apprenticeships. Why not put the same money into the core skill base of this country's youngsters, stop overseas people coming in and knicking these opportunities and disillusioning our youth.
Thirdly - I read with amazement of these women who did a "slut walk", in the name of feminism!
Girls when I was at Uni a "slut" was not a compliment!
Finally a few statistics that I have become aware of recently -
We give foreign aid to China- can I please have some of what the people who agreed with that are smoking please!
We give aid to India to feed their children. Very honourable I thought , I then find out that India has both a space programme and a nuclear programme! If they choose to put a man on the moon and let children starve who the hell are we to give them money to try and stop them?
We aren't just mad we are negligent of our own people.
Oooo feel better now!
So on to spleen time.
First article to upset me was by Terence Blacker in The Inedendent who was complaining about the celebration of a certain Pippa's rear end. Of course she will win rear of the year, even if it means I have to vote by phone for hours! What is wrong with the man, is he of the wrong persuasion?
Secondly was a tremendous article from the Los Angeles Times entitled - How much use is that costly degree?
A last someone seems to have been listening to me and more succesfully can get their thoughts published!
The fault lies with the University system who use their clients (namely 18 year old adolescents) who are naturally averse to work and want an easy life, to sign up to so few hours of work, to sit dumbed down exams, they now have fantastic accommodation in a lot of cases but where is the skill of reasoning and complex thinking? Sadly too many of those in the system are products of it and perpetuate it. It would be possible now to do a 3 year degree in 12 months and if I could afford it would gladly prove it - do I have any sponsors?
Cameron wake up, smell the coffee, and put some mettle into your policies. It's not degrees we all need, as Tangoed Blair thought but more support for apprenticeships. Why not put the same money into the core skill base of this country's youngsters, stop overseas people coming in and knicking these opportunities and disillusioning our youth.
Thirdly - I read with amazement of these women who did a "slut walk", in the name of feminism!
Girls when I was at Uni a "slut" was not a compliment!
Finally a few statistics that I have become aware of recently -
We give foreign aid to China- can I please have some of what the people who agreed with that are smoking please!
We give aid to India to feed their children. Very honourable I thought , I then find out that India has both a space programme and a nuclear programme! If they choose to put a man on the moon and let children starve who the hell are we to give them money to try and stop them?
We aren't just mad we are negligent of our own people.
Oooo feel better now!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A spiffing good wedding celebration!
Went to a wedding evening "do" last night at the Belfry, bloody good bash but boy do the Belfry know how to charge!
Good opportunity for Mrs B to plead nothing to wear so new dress and shoes were acquired together with a new suit, shoes, shirt, and a choice of ties for number 1 son (who was also invited). All in all I felt as though I had paid for the sodding wedding!
Flase start as 5 minutes before the taxi arrived a phone call from where we had parked lil' Matt overnight to be told he was throwing up everywhere and wanted to come home!
Mrs B to the rescue, went round and valliantly tried to force the little sod to stay, but he was having none of it so she returned with the little sod in tow. Having looked him up and down my doctors prowess came to the fore and I declared him nothing more than overtired and full of junk food and fizzy pop. I despatched him to bed immediately whilst Mrs B did pleading phone call to Father who rushed round in his silver chariot to rescue the day. I checked on little sod just before we stepped out of the door into the second taxi I had ordered that night and sure enough he was fast asleep! Detective Doctor Dad right again!
So off to the bash.
Great turnout and those who had been there all day were nicley oiled.
What is the purpose of all this you may ask? Well it is actually to sing the praises of the live band who performed 2 sets and seemed to be on forever called The Garage band. Anyone locally that wants a good live band that plays soul/blues but also a great rendition of "Baggy Trousers" should investigate them. Some superb musicians playing some great music.
A great night was had by all, returning in the small wee hours just in time to have a row before going to bed. another great weekend!
Good opportunity for Mrs B to plead nothing to wear so new dress and shoes were acquired together with a new suit, shoes, shirt, and a choice of ties for number 1 son (who was also invited). All in all I felt as though I had paid for the sodding wedding!
Flase start as 5 minutes before the taxi arrived a phone call from where we had parked lil' Matt overnight to be told he was throwing up everywhere and wanted to come home!
Mrs B to the rescue, went round and valliantly tried to force the little sod to stay, but he was having none of it so she returned with the little sod in tow. Having looked him up and down my doctors prowess came to the fore and I declared him nothing more than overtired and full of junk food and fizzy pop. I despatched him to bed immediately whilst Mrs B did pleading phone call to Father who rushed round in his silver chariot to rescue the day. I checked on little sod just before we stepped out of the door into the second taxi I had ordered that night and sure enough he was fast asleep! Detective Doctor Dad right again!
So off to the bash.
Great turnout and those who had been there all day were nicley oiled.
What is the purpose of all this you may ask? Well it is actually to sing the praises of the live band who performed 2 sets and seemed to be on forever called The Garage band. Anyone locally that wants a good live band that plays soul/blues but also a great rendition of "Baggy Trousers" should investigate them. Some superb musicians playing some great music.
A great night was had by all, returning in the small wee hours just in time to have a row before going to bed. another great weekend!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Have it Ireland - well we did our best to refloat your economy!
A Thank you to our sponsors !! ----->The four musketeers have returned from the annual pilgrimage, (well not quite true as PJ lives in Cork but you know what I mean!).
I think it is fair to say that a good time was had by all, with The Overgraduate putting in some splendid Triathalon training, went for RUN on arrival and then set about some serious stamina training. Boy done well, staying with me in the bar the latest and doing the last night til way past 4 when Cap'n Willy bailed out (no-one knows when we actually went to bed due to my watch breaking down due to the torque being created on the drives I was thundering down the middle).
We had a day for ducks at Dunmore East on the cliff top and on the last day we contemplated building an ark due to the state of the 18th green, and due to the fact we could sail straight back.
We went for a drink in Jack Meade's, a curious traditional Irish hostelry in the front room of some-one's house, as well as all the usual welcoming drinking houses. We stayed up several nights with that eloquent of ex-English rugby legends and it has to be said thoroughly good egg - John Scott and his crew, on one particular occasion sorting out the rugby world (I think!).
So much food (King rib-eye at the HAVEN especially) too much Hendricks (one has to question whether there can ever be too much?), too many shots (no doubt), lots of stories exchanged and piss take both given and taken. Mainly taken by Willy as it seems it is his mission in life to get to a course so early " can ye make sure that to make yer tee time ye arrive 2 hours before ye set off", (to be read in an aweful Irish accent)!
This year JB undoubtedly won the battle of the decks with a superb medley of 1980's rock classics one night before we left for dinner.
The weather did not do us too proud but gave Willy a chance to get his waterproofs out!!
How many did yer make that then?
Evidence that it is never too late to build an ark!Anyway alls well that ends well and we are all (except David) back on the little Hamster wheels trying to earn a buck to keep the wolf from the door - until next year when we will do it all again!! YIPPEE!!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Off to the Riviera!!
Sounds rather grand you might say, well its not quite the South of France but rather Riviera Bay Holiday park in Brixham. Wife and number 1 son went down yesterday and I pick up number 3 son from school tonight and off we go. At least 3 hours in traffic to stay in a place my wife has described as Colditz, but with far poorer en suite facilities!
Oh joy cold weather standing on the touchline cheering on the Boys on our 5th tour. Good news though, I drive back alone (peace and quiet and can listen to my own music), and on Monday fly off to join my fellow pilgrims on our annual hallowed tour of Southern Ireland. A bit of golf will no doubt be involved, well actually rather a lot of shots no doubt due to lack of any form of practice. However new bag and new shoes will hopefully carry me through. A lot of food and rather even more alchohol will be the order of the trip. However Iron Man Overgraduate may dip out occassionally due to his dedication to the task, he has his first triatholon the weekend after our return. Business is still shite, another customer went bust on Tuesday, sorry PC - went into administration. Will it be another Phoenix? Not sure, been stripped I believe rather like a total shister I know who has stripped his company in Liverpool and restarted by buying the equipment personally from the liquidator! Even more annoying and baffling is the fact the invoice discounters he used in dead company have been signed up in phoenix company!! Quite frankly this sort of management fraud needs stamping on from a great height, it is so bloody simple to do it encourages a total lack of morality in business.
Another such occurrence happened with another customer of mine about 6-7 weeks ago. Based in deepest darkest Wales the owning family decided they couldn't afford the redundancy bill required to slim down the business so did the dirty, dumped the creditors, and guess who is in position A to buy some form of it back? Yes go to top of the class, the incompetent gobshites that ran it down the toilet in the first place! The administrator is under extreme pressure not to liquidate because of the number of jobs that will go, how very PC, so instead said crooks will get another chance. The fact that they bought in loads of stuff from China and still couldn't make a profit is beside the point, lets hope they go again a bit quicker this time but don't take anyone with them!
So wish me luck, Bon Voyage and I will report back probably from the ferry on the way home!
Oh joy cold weather standing on the touchline cheering on the Boys on our 5th tour. Good news though, I drive back alone (peace and quiet and can listen to my own music), and on Monday fly off to join my fellow pilgrims on our annual hallowed tour of Southern Ireland. A bit of golf will no doubt be involved, well actually rather a lot of shots no doubt due to lack of any form of practice. However new bag and new shoes will hopefully carry me through. A lot of food and rather even more alchohol will be the order of the trip. However Iron Man Overgraduate may dip out occassionally due to his dedication to the task, he has his first triatholon the weekend after our return. Business is still shite, another customer went bust on Tuesday, sorry PC - went into administration. Will it be another Phoenix? Not sure, been stripped I believe rather like a total shister I know who has stripped his company in Liverpool and restarted by buying the equipment personally from the liquidator! Even more annoying and baffling is the fact the invoice discounters he used in dead company have been signed up in phoenix company!! Quite frankly this sort of management fraud needs stamping on from a great height, it is so bloody simple to do it encourages a total lack of morality in business.
Another such occurrence happened with another customer of mine about 6-7 weeks ago. Based in deepest darkest Wales the owning family decided they couldn't afford the redundancy bill required to slim down the business so did the dirty, dumped the creditors, and guess who is in position A to buy some form of it back? Yes go to top of the class, the incompetent gobshites that ran it down the toilet in the first place! The administrator is under extreme pressure not to liquidate because of the number of jobs that will go, how very PC, so instead said crooks will get another chance. The fact that they bought in loads of stuff from China and still couldn't make a profit is beside the point, lets hope they go again a bit quicker this time but don't take anyone with them!
So wish me luck, Bon Voyage and I will report back probably from the ferry on the way home!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Brum and the Midlands
Recently had 2 great experiences that made me proud to hail from these parts.
The first was a breakfast seminar that Dr Carl Chinn was speaking at. I defy anyone to listen to him and not be motivated, the man is a fantastic orator as well as being highly knowledgable and what's more - interesting! A lot of today's lecturers could learn from him, if they could be bothered to turn up. Number 1 son has had 6 weeks of the same lecture cancelled in succession, yes it is early morning as well. What does this teach them? How to be a lazy leach on society, I spit on you from a great height!
Second was a Made in the Midlands networking event. What a great idea! hELLOOOO I have been suggesting this for f'ing ages it makes my blood boil. If you want to enhance the wealth of your local area then support it! Stop thinking China is the solution for everything.
So this brings me on to my last point. Will somebody please do an analysis of the value of the Olympics project, EXCLUDING construction that has been placed outside our shores?
Did anyone win a contact when the games were in China, the States or for that matter any other Country that is far more Nationally focussed than this stupid over politically correct nation Of ours that gives our wealth away!
Come on Middle England where are you rise up and claim what is yours!
If we can't make a profit out of the Olympic games on our doorstep we really don't deserve a
Health service or any of the other trappings of a supposed Tier 1 nation.
I offered to make Yusain Bolt's bed whilst he is in Birmingham as well as the rest of the
Jamaican team, do you think I can get to the right person to speak to? No they are obviously
all away on a conference in the Bahamas or some such place. Bet your last yuan it wont be
Clacton!
The first was a breakfast seminar that Dr Carl Chinn was speaking at. I defy anyone to listen to him and not be motivated, the man is a fantastic orator as well as being highly knowledgable and what's more - interesting! A lot of today's lecturers could learn from him, if they could be bothered to turn up. Number 1 son has had 6 weeks of the same lecture cancelled in succession, yes it is early morning as well. What does this teach them? How to be a lazy leach on society, I spit on you from a great height!
Second was a Made in the Midlands networking event. What a great idea! hELLOOOO I have been suggesting this for f'ing ages it makes my blood boil. If you want to enhance the wealth of your local area then support it! Stop thinking China is the solution for everything.
So this brings me on to my last point. Will somebody please do an analysis of the value of the Olympics project, EXCLUDING construction that has been placed outside our shores?
Did anyone win a contact when the games were in China, the States or for that matter any other Country that is far more Nationally focussed than this stupid over politically correct nation Of ours that gives our wealth away!
Come on Middle England where are you rise up and claim what is yours!
If we can't make a profit out of the Olympic games on our doorstep we really don't deserve a
Health service or any of the other trappings of a supposed Tier 1 nation.
I offered to make Yusain Bolt's bed whilst he is in Birmingham as well as the rest of the
Jamaican team, do you think I can get to the right person to speak to? No they are obviously
all away on a conference in the Bahamas or some such place. Bet your last yuan it wont be
Clacton!
Another day another yuan!
Why a yuan you may ask and not a Yankee dollar? That's cuz our little far eastern friends own nearly the whole bloody world and with current pound exchange rate with our nearly bankrupt European neighbours being a laughing stock, the yuan will soon be a leading world currency!
So India are spending billions on nuclear weapons, they have a space programme, we however are on our uppers cutting like a native Mayan in Apocopalypto (topical I watched it last night), but NO we send them foreign aid!!
HELLO the empire is no more! Listening to some daft Labour politician lauding the Coalition for still contributing I was minded to wonder as to the reasons and reverse logic that abounds!
WE are the poor relative now, why do we still think in Empire mode?
Anyway on to more parochial matters - son number 2 was 21 last week and kindly condescended to return to the nest so Dad could take the extended family out for a lavish meal in Brindley Place.
Time out for a minute I must sing the praises of Piccolino's the staff were very attentive, the food outstanding and I found some very drinkable wine at less that £20 per bottle.
So back to number 2 son he arrives home Monday, we go to TGI Tuesday lunch, then shopping in Selfridges, then to Piccolino's in the evening. Is he becoming a home bird I hear you say?
NO bloody chance, he pisses back off to Liverpool Wednesday in his birthday present and despite saying drive carefully son it's quick,please let us know u get back safe, lying awake til late waiting to hear. Why didnt you phone him I hear you ask?
This is number 2 son who doesn't go with phones, on his 15th in as many months!
He did text his Mum the next day at mid day to let her know he got back safe!
Kids couldn't eat a whole one!
So India are spending billions on nuclear weapons, they have a space programme, we however are on our uppers cutting like a native Mayan in Apocopalypto (topical I watched it last night), but NO we send them foreign aid!!
HELLO the empire is no more! Listening to some daft Labour politician lauding the Coalition for still contributing I was minded to wonder as to the reasons and reverse logic that abounds!
WE are the poor relative now, why do we still think in Empire mode?
Anyway on to more parochial matters - son number 2 was 21 last week and kindly condescended to return to the nest so Dad could take the extended family out for a lavish meal in Brindley Place.
Time out for a minute I must sing the praises of Piccolino's the staff were very attentive, the food outstanding and I found some very drinkable wine at less that £20 per bottle.
So back to number 2 son he arrives home Monday, we go to TGI Tuesday lunch, then shopping in Selfridges, then to Piccolino's in the evening. Is he becoming a home bird I hear you say?
NO bloody chance, he pisses back off to Liverpool Wednesday in his birthday present and despite saying drive carefully son it's quick,please let us know u get back safe, lying awake til late waiting to hear. Why didnt you phone him I hear you ask?
This is number 2 son who doesn't go with phones, on his 15th in as many months!
He did text his Mum the next day at mid day to let her know he got back safe!
Kids couldn't eat a whole one!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
On the Irish Sea!
It's a bit early in the year for that you might say. It's usually the annual golfing pilgrimage that would cause me to be here. Aha off to Dublin for a bike show! - honest!
Just seen off the first pint of black nectar so we are up and running!
This is really just a practice run for the real trip to Dunmore. It has been made all the more welcoming by an email from the Irish Vat authorities received last night whilst languishing in the bath listening to a playlist I have created for the trip enjoying a couple of nice beers! Kind of spoilt the mood a touch. A very relaxing evening as Mrs B and her cronies had gone to see some boy band which at her age she really shouldn't be doing! Well only if she lets me go to see Kylie! Well the bar beckons so will update this at various times during the trip.
Just seen off the first pint of black nectar so we are up and running!
This is really just a practice run for the real trip to Dunmore. It has been made all the more welcoming by an email from the Irish Vat authorities received last night whilst languishing in the bath listening to a playlist I have created for the trip enjoying a couple of nice beers! Kind of spoilt the mood a touch. A very relaxing evening as Mrs B and her cronies had gone to see some boy band which at her age she really shouldn't be doing! Well only if she lets me go to see Kylie! Well the bar beckons so will update this at various times during the trip.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Social media in business
I attended a training course run by the soon to be defunct Chamber of Commerce a few weeks ago on the relevance of social media for business. The course was given by Ann Marie Hanlon whose website is very informative - http://www.evonomie.net/ . It was very informative said lady certainly knows her onions.
I came away trying to decide whether to joinh Linkedin, twitter,square4, or just keep on blogging, oh not to forget facebook!
If I had time for all this I wouldn't have time to run a business.
I have however decided to put a blog on each of my websites, and I have a new toy. A mini camcorder that saves in Youtube format for easy upload, so I will be publishing pics on the sites too! The main reason for not twittering is I struggle to understand how it works even though I have a twitter account!
I came away trying to decide whether to joinh Linkedin, twitter,square4, or just keep on blogging, oh not to forget facebook!
If I had time for all this I wouldn't have time to run a business.
I have however decided to put a blog on each of my websites, and I have a new toy. A mini camcorder that saves in Youtube format for easy upload, so I will be publishing pics on the sites too! The main reason for not twittering is I struggle to understand how it works even though I have a twitter account!
A working trip to the smoke!
Spent sometime over the last few weeks down the smoke! Doing the Excel Bike show. Well what an expensive jaunt that was. We found a good Indian restaurant just outside Excel doing an all you can eat buffet £14.95! (ideal for us fat bloaters). The only draw back was the wine list - a bottle of Jacob's Creek (that is currently on offer in Asda at 3 for a tenner), was £22!!!!!!!!
2 coffees and a smoked salmon bagel for breakfast was £8.70!
And they say there is no North South divide!
However I am off to Dublin on business in a few weeks so this may well turn out just to be a warm up! I will report back on my return.
2 coffees and a smoked salmon bagel for breakfast was £8.70!
And they say there is no North South divide!
However I am off to Dublin on business in a few weeks so this may well turn out just to be a warm up! I will report back on my return.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Stuff wot I write!
I Feel sorry for Andy Gray.
Having just been told by his Female GP the he has "man flu" he gets home and finds out he has been rejected for car insurance by "Sheila's wheels".
Good job we are so pc we can't discriminate both ways!
Oh and by the way there is a golf club close to where I live that has a "female only" YES that's right, clubhouse!
Hey ho as the Stones said "Under my thumb" yeah but which and whose?
Having just been told by his Female GP the he has "man flu" he gets home and finds out he has been rejected for car insurance by "Sheila's wheels".
Good job we are so pc we can't discriminate both ways!
Oh and by the way there is a golf club close to where I live that has a "female only" YES that's right, clubhouse!
Hey ho as the Stones said "Under my thumb" yeah but which and whose?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Happy F***in New Year!
I knew it was going to be a bad year when I realised it start 1/1/11. Far too many one's for my liking! Having had a traumatic time with car problems over the Christmas break with both the four wheel drive going into intensive care and my son's Mini doing a very good impersonation of a mobile kettle, its a wonder I have any hair left, havent had a coronary and still have a sense of humour left!
The big black mean looking four wheel drive built by Volkswagen kissed a kerb in the snow and all hell broke loose. Lights came up on the dashboard like Blackpool illuminations, the little man at the dealership rubbed his hands with glee and Mrs B ranted about not having a car! It ended up being an insurance jobby after I had suitably berated the Dealership for supplying an off road vehicle that quite obviously was not fit for purpose and was a tarts impersonation of a 4x4. What would have happened if the vehicle had been taken off road I asked him? Well you wouldn't have hit a kerb side on with the full weight of the vehicle impacting against the track rod end, SIR! Pah poppy cock!
The boys car was fun. Having replaced the heater matrix 3 months ago a leak the size of Powells pool developed in the passenger footwell. I took it to the Mini dealer where I purchased said matrix. Driving a car with steam coming out of the air vents with no speedo, no rev counter , no fuel gauge and several other items that had ceased to work due to the steam, on a cold frosty morning was a test and not for the faint hearted. Especially as No.1 son (like all of his generation) believe that cars run on fumes until Daddy's garage puts some fuel in! White knuckle ride it was. We then had a heated discussion at the dealership who agreed to replace the faulty part, BUT only the faulty part! This went on for some time until the little man (funny how these dealerships employ a lot of little men), saw it my way.
Eventually all parts were replaced and all is well.
So with Mrs B now back terrorising other drivers in the Four Oaks area and No.1 son safely ensconced in Nottingham maybe life would return to some semblance of normality? Oh No, Murphy's Law came into action and as I write I am battling with a poorly sick long wheel base sprinter!
Lot to be said for push bikes! This was all going on whilst trying to proof read No.2 son's course work essay on Trusts and Wills and make sure that he didn't miss the deadline submission date by too much so he would at least get some marks!
Happy Days, roll on 2012!
The big black mean looking four wheel drive built by Volkswagen kissed a kerb in the snow and all hell broke loose. Lights came up on the dashboard like Blackpool illuminations, the little man at the dealership rubbed his hands with glee and Mrs B ranted about not having a car! It ended up being an insurance jobby after I had suitably berated the Dealership for supplying an off road vehicle that quite obviously was not fit for purpose and was a tarts impersonation of a 4x4. What would have happened if the vehicle had been taken off road I asked him? Well you wouldn't have hit a kerb side on with the full weight of the vehicle impacting against the track rod end, SIR! Pah poppy cock!
The boys car was fun. Having replaced the heater matrix 3 months ago a leak the size of Powells pool developed in the passenger footwell. I took it to the Mini dealer where I purchased said matrix. Driving a car with steam coming out of the air vents with no speedo, no rev counter , no fuel gauge and several other items that had ceased to work due to the steam, on a cold frosty morning was a test and not for the faint hearted. Especially as No.1 son (like all of his generation) believe that cars run on fumes until Daddy's garage puts some fuel in! White knuckle ride it was. We then had a heated discussion at the dealership who agreed to replace the faulty part, BUT only the faulty part! This went on for some time until the little man (funny how these dealerships employ a lot of little men), saw it my way.
Eventually all parts were replaced and all is well.
So with Mrs B now back terrorising other drivers in the Four Oaks area and No.1 son safely ensconced in Nottingham maybe life would return to some semblance of normality? Oh No, Murphy's Law came into action and as I write I am battling with a poorly sick long wheel base sprinter!
Lot to be said for push bikes! This was all going on whilst trying to proof read No.2 son's course work essay on Trusts and Wills and make sure that he didn't miss the deadline submission date by too much so he would at least get some marks!
Happy Days, roll on 2012!
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