Not really had an internet connection for a while, hence the lack of updates.
That's totally due to the inept team of Bt and BT Openreach, who in this digital age seemingly think that 5 weeks to activate a broadband connection is acceptable. I will be amazed if the broadband router and engineer turn up tomorrow as promised.
I emailed and tweeted BT customer care. Rang them too. No response. No help. Not a great start for a customer with a contract is it? I think their new tag line should be "BT- Like it or lump it".
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Friday, 8 June 2012
Honesty.
Those that know me, would probably realise that i am a fairly open person, others might go so far to say I am brutally honest most of the time, and up until recently, I thought that was a good thing.
Recent events are leading me to think that being an open book may not always be the best policy. I should be more guarded in my conversations with those I do not yet fully know or trust.
Thoughts? Is it a good quality or not? Comments welcome. I may ( or may not) tell you by thoughts afterwards.
Recent events are leading me to think that being an open book may not always be the best policy. I should be more guarded in my conversations with those I do not yet fully know or trust.
Thoughts? Is it a good quality or not? Comments welcome. I may ( or may not) tell you by thoughts afterwards.
Thursday, 7 June 2012
15 years.
No rant this time. Quite the opposite.
Met an old friend the other night, someone I have not seen in 15 years. Someone who, I now realise , that with a friend like that, you don't go 15 years without seeing each other. Oh we have randomly kept in touch over the years but I have seriously missed out on sharing good times with that person. Someone please give me the Kenny Everett style slap with his massive comedy hands. I deserve it.
Need to remind myself to get these kind of things right in future.
You never stop learning. And a chance encounter reminds you of good times had long before now. Also reminds me how much I miss having someone like that. The right kind of friend. Or Soulmate. Or indeed, both of those things. I came away thinking that my life is somehow a little poorer because I have not spent time with people like that. Genuine, funny, honest, interesting and caring people.
You know who you are. Thank you.
Bugger.
C- ,could do alot better.
By the way, before I get abuse, it's not that other people in my life are not genuine and caring, the point is for me to ensure that those people I call my friends are all like this.
Met an old friend the other night, someone I have not seen in 15 years. Someone who, I now realise , that with a friend like that, you don't go 15 years without seeing each other. Oh we have randomly kept in touch over the years but I have seriously missed out on sharing good times with that person. Someone please give me the Kenny Everett style slap with his massive comedy hands. I deserve it.
Need to remind myself to get these kind of things right in future.
You never stop learning. And a chance encounter reminds you of good times had long before now. Also reminds me how much I miss having someone like that. The right kind of friend. Or Soulmate. Or indeed, both of those things. I came away thinking that my life is somehow a little poorer because I have not spent time with people like that. Genuine, funny, honest, interesting and caring people.
You know who you are. Thank you.
Bugger.
C- ,could do alot better.
By the way, before I get abuse, it's not that other people in my life are not genuine and caring, the point is for me to ensure that those people I call my friends are all like this.
Irritated,41, of Berkshire.
The House saga continues.
So , told today that the house has been signed off by the builders, it's ready, apart from some wardrobes that are to be fitted shortly. This is excellent news. I should be excited. I have seen the flat, flooring and carpets are laid, electrical goods installed, blinds are in etc. Its looking great.
What is not so excellent news is that solicitors are still apparently using communication methods once thought of as old hat in the Dark Ages. I am sure documents are going between law firms painted on the side of livestock and herded around the country in some bizarre Legal/Farming industry tie up. Pork couriers. Could be onto something there- post arrives, and you fancy a bacon sarnie?? I digress.
What is wrong with people picking up the phone? If something is urgent, you call someone right?, and that's only if you cannot go an see them? Email is completely one way- you can send a message but there is no obligation on the other party to even acknowledge the communication let alone reply. If the amount of money charged by solicitors to buy and sell your house isnt enough to power up an email server or switch the phones on, charge me a bit more. Or offer a super speedy service at an extra 20%. See pic below.
I actually think my own solicitor is quite good, its the seller's lawyers that are dragging their heals.
So why are faxes and actual Snail Mail still the preferred method of communication with solicitors? Surely a question could be emailed to another party, called to ask for reply, then followed up with a hard copy in the mail, but relying on just the post seems mad in 2012. I guess it satisfies some sort of legal proof question about who sent what/where/when. Time to update the law then if that is the case.
But get with the program please!
So yes, my house move is still ongoing, no idea when we will exchange but probably in the next week, completion might even happen on the same day. Basic details about the lease, and the management companies, and 'minor' queries are still to be answered. How long does it take to follow a conveyancing process? Who knows.
And yes i am Irritated,41, of Berkshire tonight, but actually want to be Relieved, 42, of Oxfordshire. That sounds nice. Moving in around my birthday would be a nice present.
So , told today that the house has been signed off by the builders, it's ready, apart from some wardrobes that are to be fitted shortly. This is excellent news. I should be excited. I have seen the flat, flooring and carpets are laid, electrical goods installed, blinds are in etc. Its looking great.
What is not so excellent news is that solicitors are still apparently using communication methods once thought of as old hat in the Dark Ages. I am sure documents are going between law firms painted on the side of livestock and herded around the country in some bizarre Legal/Farming industry tie up. Pork couriers. Could be onto something there- post arrives, and you fancy a bacon sarnie?? I digress.
What is wrong with people picking up the phone? If something is urgent, you call someone right?, and that's only if you cannot go an see them? Email is completely one way- you can send a message but there is no obligation on the other party to even acknowledge the communication let alone reply. If the amount of money charged by solicitors to buy and sell your house isnt enough to power up an email server or switch the phones on, charge me a bit more. Or offer a super speedy service at an extra 20%. See pic below.
I actually think my own solicitor is quite good, its the seller's lawyers that are dragging their heals.
So why are faxes and actual Snail Mail still the preferred method of communication with solicitors? Surely a question could be emailed to another party, called to ask for reply, then followed up with a hard copy in the mail, but relying on just the post seems mad in 2012. I guess it satisfies some sort of legal proof question about who sent what/where/when. Time to update the law then if that is the case.
But get with the program please!
So yes, my house move is still ongoing, no idea when we will exchange but probably in the next week, completion might even happen on the same day. Basic details about the lease, and the management companies, and 'minor' queries are still to be answered. How long does it take to follow a conveyancing process? Who knows.
And yes i am Irritated,41, of Berkshire tonight, but actually want to be Relieved, 42, of Oxfordshire. That sounds nice. Moving in around my birthday would be a nice present.
Friday, 1 June 2012
The Queen
So, do I have the Jubilee feeling? Or the Olympic feeling for that matter.
I think my blog page title should answer that. Was in the big smoke today on business, and it was deserted. Very few people about, little evidence of forthcoming celebrations this weekend (although I was in the city). No sign of the Jubilee spirit. Other than flags in the odd shop window. I should say well done to Liz, 60 years is a damn fine innings. It looks like rain will dampen the celebrations this weekend a tad, I wonder how many people will come out for event? The flotilla could be impressive, might not see that again for a while. let's hope the public pay genuine respect to the years of service to our nation. I Hope so. And in an atypical mood for Mr Cynical here, let's hope we hear nothing from naysayers saying the Queen costs us £70m a year to "keep", when it is estimated Liz+co brings in £30Bn a year in tourism to the UK.
Me? What am I up to this soggy bank holiday weekend? Well I have been invited to watch some fast cars slide around Silverstone in the rain and sub zero (comparatively) temperatures, so in search of some fresh air (admittedly tainted with racing fuel) and company, I will be there on Sunday.Blancpain-endurance-series . Looking forward to it .
I will raise a glass to Liz though when there. Well done ma'am .
Olympics. Think that one deserves it's own post.Shortly.
I think my blog page title should answer that. Was in the big smoke today on business, and it was deserted. Very few people about, little evidence of forthcoming celebrations this weekend (although I was in the city). No sign of the Jubilee spirit. Other than flags in the odd shop window. I should say well done to Liz, 60 years is a damn fine innings. It looks like rain will dampen the celebrations this weekend a tad, I wonder how many people will come out for event? The flotilla could be impressive, might not see that again for a while. let's hope the public pay genuine respect to the years of service to our nation. I Hope so. And in an atypical mood for Mr Cynical here, let's hope we hear nothing from naysayers saying the Queen costs us £70m a year to "keep", when it is estimated Liz+co brings in £30Bn a year in tourism to the UK.
Me? What am I up to this soggy bank holiday weekend? Well I have been invited to watch some fast cars slide around Silverstone in the rain and sub zero (comparatively) temperatures, so in search of some fresh air (admittedly tainted with racing fuel) and company, I will be there on Sunday.Blancpain-endurance-series . Looking forward to it .
I will raise a glass to Liz though when there. Well done ma'am .
Olympics. Think that one deserves it's own post.Shortly.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Nearly. But not quite.
OK, so an update on the house stuff.
Sold. That should be the headline really, but in reality, the sale of previous house was more than a bit of an anticlimax.
Days (!) of packing, throwing rubbish ( and possessions ) away, taking stuff to charity shops, cleaning the house, redecorating took its toll and come Completion day, I was totally shattered.The fact that various solicitors swapped large numbers of money around in various directions ending up in a phone call to say all is done hardly mattered. Was an odd feeling going to the house on last day, leaving a note for the new occupiers, taking meter readings etc I hope they like what they bought, even though i suspect it has ended up as a buy to let opportunity. Good luck with that!
I have moved in with Sister for the time being, who is very kindly putting me up for a few weeks until the new flat is ready. It's very odd living in someone else's house. Very odd indeed.
So how is it going with the new flat you ask? Well it is 'getting there' i think. Searches seem to be delayed ( aren't they always), supposed to be exchanging tomorrow in fact but i cannot see that happening, not that it really matters as because there is no chain in the buying process, exchange and completion could happen on the same day.
I have chosen the interior décor now, so wardrobes, carpets, blinds, lighting, kitchen and bathroom flooring are all winging there way into the flat at some point. This could be the sticking point as i don't really want to move things in without all of this done, but now just want to get in to the property as soon as possible and stop living out of suitcases.
There are the small but significant matters of getting the NHBC certificate from a man with a clipboard, and then the rubber stamp from the property developers Quality assurance man too. Might give the sales office a visit today to see how things are doing in person.
I have even been hunting around for dining furniture this weekend, one major thing I was lacking, and spent most of yesterday trawling around shops in Kingston upon Thames. Came to a decision about what I liked - a very blokey thing to do all in a day, and then stumbled upon very similar items on eBay for sale at half the price. Hmm. Could save a few hundred quid but not actually see what i am bidding on before buying. What to do ?
Sold. That should be the headline really, but in reality, the sale of previous house was more than a bit of an anticlimax.
Days (!) of packing, throwing rubbish ( and possessions ) away, taking stuff to charity shops, cleaning the house, redecorating took its toll and come Completion day, I was totally shattered.The fact that various solicitors swapped large numbers of money around in various directions ending up in a phone call to say all is done hardly mattered. Was an odd feeling going to the house on last day, leaving a note for the new occupiers, taking meter readings etc I hope they like what they bought, even though i suspect it has ended up as a buy to let opportunity. Good luck with that!
I have moved in with Sister for the time being, who is very kindly putting me up for a few weeks until the new flat is ready. It's very odd living in someone else's house. Very odd indeed.
So how is it going with the new flat you ask? Well it is 'getting there' i think. Searches seem to be delayed ( aren't they always), supposed to be exchanging tomorrow in fact but i cannot see that happening, not that it really matters as because there is no chain in the buying process, exchange and completion could happen on the same day.
I have chosen the interior décor now, so wardrobes, carpets, blinds, lighting, kitchen and bathroom flooring are all winging there way into the flat at some point. This could be the sticking point as i don't really want to move things in without all of this done, but now just want to get in to the property as soon as possible and stop living out of suitcases.
There are the small but significant matters of getting the NHBC certificate from a man with a clipboard, and then the rubber stamp from the property developers Quality assurance man too. Might give the sales office a visit today to see how things are doing in person.
I have even been hunting around for dining furniture this weekend, one major thing I was lacking, and spent most of yesterday trawling around shops in Kingston upon Thames. Came to a decision about what I liked - a very blokey thing to do all in a day, and then stumbled upon very similar items on eBay for sale at half the price. Hmm. Could save a few hundred quid but not actually see what i am bidding on before buying. What to do ?
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