Early Risers.

[TheQ]

It would probably make their day getting an email of thanks, those in the office aren't to blame, they probably only get the stick!!!

[Tony_S]

Morning all  (again)

 

I have just received an email telling me that the penalty charge for the 'fallen' parking ticket has been cancelled. 

Considering this only happened last Wednesday I am happy, as much with the speed of the resolution, as with the outcome,

 

Do you think an email back thanking them for the swift response and understanding on this occasion would be appropriate or should I leave well alone?

I would send a thank you. I suspect that department mainly receive abuse.

[Tony_S]

Seems to me that the employers (or rather those responsible for recruitment) don't really know what they're looking for in a manager, so any candidate who can use a bit of smoke and mirrors (because they don't really know what is required either) stands a good chance of getting the gig.

I hope it has changed now but back in the day anyone in education who genuinely knew what they were doing with network management was viewed with suspicion.

Edited May 15, 2017 by Tony_S

[Horsetan]

I hope it has changed now but back in the day anyone who genuinely knew what they were doing with network management was viewed with suspicion.

I wouldn't hold your breath. Now they all view each other with suspicion because they think the other party will stab them in the back or at least undermine them sooner or later.

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from a drizzly London Bridge.

 

A weekend spent getting the house a little more shipshape.

 

Elder Lurker's first GCSE was this morning. He is doing two subjects  this year and the rest will be next summer. He did put some work in for this, so hopefully he has done himself justice.

 

Otherwise not too much to add, so have a good day

[The Lurker]

I hope it has changed now but back in the day anyone in education who genuinely knew what they were doing with network management was viewed with suspicion.

Judging by  Mrs Lurker's recent experience, I doubt it. She worked as a system tester and the system that deals with pay, pensions etc would not have made it from the developers' desk at her previous employer, much less through testing. the network manager at the school is ex one of the banks and does know his stuff. He is regarded with suspicion by the teaching staff.

[laurenceb]

Best of luck for Elder Lurker

[BoD]

I hope it has changed now but back in the day anyone in education who genuinely knew what they were doing with network management was viewed with suspicion.

..... and if you used the computer to do the timetable as well........

[Ian Abel]

Morning...

Very nice weekend overall here on Long Island, and huge amounts of brownie points amassed

Rained all day Saturday, heavy at times, but I "braved" the weather and drove into Brooklyn to the art museum and the Mrs had her first treat, the "Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit. Was rather "strange" from my perspective, as I'm not that much of a fan, but the exhibit, rather than being her work is more a collection/narrative of her life in photos by many of the worlds famous photographers, together with a large collection of clothing/garments/hats that were apparently her trademark persona.

However you look at it, the Mrs enjoyed it, and knew ahead of time (apparently) what the exhibit was going to be - wish she'd told me, not that it'd have made any difference!

My favourite piece - Black Pansy & Forget-Me-Nots

 

In the evening we again braved the heavy rain to drive to the middle of Long Island and an intimate 3,000 seat theatre for the Aretha Frankiln concert. Was excellent, although very short. She has some health issues, partly why this is her last tour, and only did two short sets totaling about 1 1/2 hours all told. The best part was being in that small a venue, in  a theatre-in-the-round, we were no more than about 60ft. from her at my guess. Excellent amount of brownie points

 

Sunday weather was very different, sunny and not too warm. We took a leisurely breakfast, then a drive along the south shore, taking in a couple of county parks for some walking trails, had dinner early and then walked the boardwalk at Long Beach until dusk.

 

Today in at the client already, but will take a brief break in about an hour to collect the Mrs and take her to JFK for her trip home.

 

Hope your week starts well...

[jamie92208]

Another quick visit. I don't usually post about things like this but hope that readers will not mind this one.

My eldest son, Martin, is doing a sponsored bike ride from London to Paris, over 4 days in July. This is going to be in aid of the Alzheimer's Society. Fortunately my own family had not been touched, yet, by this dread disease but several friends and neighbours, including our late next door neighbour of 40 years, have been affected. It is a scourge as many of you know.

 

If any of you feel like making a donation to this cause, Martin's just Giving page can be accessed her:-

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Martin-Guest1?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=updates&utm_content=Martin-Guest1&utm_campaign=updates-facebook

 

I gave been very impressed by the training that he's doing and am looking forward to greeting him in Paris in July. We are going up to meet him from our French House and he and his girlfriend plus her son are then coming back to stay with us.

 

Having done a few long bike ours in my time I appreciate what he's doing and am very proud of him.

 

Jamie

[newbryford]

Errant suitcase now home safe and sound having spent an extra night in Amsterdam. No evidence of it being out on the town.......

 

Only once it got home did Mrs NB admit that her necklaces were in it. Along with my Japanese station sign tee-shirt. So we're both happy bunnies.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[chrisf]

 The PoS meet up with the ER old lags was most enjoyable

 

Who are you calling an old lag ...?!

 

Chris

[bluebottle]

Just been watching M. Macron's formal welcome to Germany by Frau Merkel on the TV. The subtitles put up for the national anthems were entertaining; a spirited rendering of the Marseillaise was flagged as the German anthem, then a slightly subdued Deutschlandlied was, cautiously, simply "National Anthem". Love it!

[roundhouse]

CT scan done. A long wait. All others who came out of the scanner room had iodine injections so my blood pressure must have been quite high. Luckily I didn't need the injection so could leave straight after the scan and made it to Cronx in the Box park next to East Croydon station before 5pm so got a proper pint glass. After 5 they now have to use plastic ones. Hopefully a pint or two will ease the chest pains after being stressed awaiting the scan and thought of having injections. I am a whimp when it comes to those.

Saw a first for me today.
On the way through Croydon as I went to use an ATM a bloke got hisphone out and started to crouch down to photo a woman walking past. The woman kicked the phone out of his hands. Phone fell apart. Good for her.

Awaiting arrival of my other half to buy me another beer.

Edited May 15, 2017 by roundhouse

[Tony_S]

We have just had a call from Matthew.

He has been applying to Irish universities PhD programmes. He has been accepted onto what is probably his first choice. He hasn't got to accept for a few days so has time to see what his second choice say.

We are pleased. He sounds relieved. As part of his final semester in the Netherlands one has to complete a PhD application to gain credits. That does take some pressure off him as he has done it already "for real".

I think he will appreciate being in the same place for a few years too, and especially Ireland. He liked being there, the only problem he had in Cork was a crazy landlady.

[Happy Hippo]

Who are you calling an old lag ...?!

 

Chris

Well since you mention it, I did think the photo in the pub was very 1970's 'The Sweeney' with the bad guys planning another Hatton Garden's style heist over a lunch of bitter, jellied eels and pork scratchings

[BoD]

That is good news Tony.

Tell Matthew 'Well Done' from us.

[andyram]

Hello all. A quick check in whilst Sarah cooks the tea and Amber relaxes in front of the television. Best wishes to you all.

Today has been busy again. The children are beginning their SATs tests. They seemed to do ok. I admit to being a little nervous. I am sure the boss will be scrutinising the results very closely. Any below par results will surely bring on more criticism. I am hoping that for an above average set of results to prove that I am still capable of doing my job!

Meanwhile my mate has worked wonders with the PDF formatted application. It was emailed this afternoon, and the necessary edits made within the hour. Whether the application is successful or not I owe him a huge thanks. I am sure there will be a few bottles of beer passed on the next time we catch up.

Plans for tonight include finishing the supporting statement and sending the application in. Then it will be school paperwork with some catching up to do from the weekend.

[Horsetan]

We have just had a call from Matthew.

He has been applying to Irish universities PhD programmes. He has been accepted onto what is probably his first choice. ....

 

I don't think Ireland was any surprise. He may find himself reluctant to leave the place once he's been there a while. I know I was.

[New Haven Neil]

Didn't you fancy practice in Ireland, Ivan, or were there not any opportunities?

[NGT6 1315]

E'ning all. Managed only a back skim only, unfortunately, so I hope you will not mind generic C&Cs as appropriate.
 
New desk is nearing completion at long last, proving that pimping Ikea furniture does indeed work. Dinner tonight will be injera with a lentil and chicken wot. We had eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant during our recent Berlin trip and enjoyed it so much that we felt like cooking Ethiopian ourselves. Of course, you should not mind eating without cutlery, as is common in Ethiopia!

 

We may have another barbecue tomorrow, probably preceded by a bit of garden work.

 

Anyway, enjoy whatever you may be up to!

[Tony_S]

I don't think Ireland was any surprise. He may find himself reluctant to leave the place once he's been there a while. I know I was.

Matthew really liked Ireland and working with the Polish community there. It is also fortunate for him being interested in something that is happening in Ireland now. There has been a a change from migration studies in Ireland being that of people leaving to people arriving.

All the UK universities he contacted wanted him to make his research about Britain leaving the EU and he didn't want to spend 4 years or so on that topic.

Tony.

[Horsetan]

Didn't you fancy practice in Ireland, Ivan, or were there not any opportunities?

 

I am qualified to join the Irish Law Society Roll, but there were insufficient opportunities in terms of job openings when I was most ready to do it.

 

.....All the UK universities he contacted wanted him to make his research about Britain leaving the EU and he didn't want to spend 4 years or so on that topic.

The negotiations will probably take that long....

Edited May 15, 2017 by Horsetan

[New Haven Neil]

That's a shame Ivan, by how you talk about the country you obviously really liked it there.

[bbishop]

That's a shame Ivan, by how you talk about the country you obviously really liked it there.

 

Tiger economy.

 

Bill