Christmas - well it was ONLY 260 shopping days away ! On Friday I couldn't believe my ears - and later that evening - my eyes ! Ian Botham was on the television promoting a foot massager - Revitive. At the end of the commercial he tells the viewer " Revitive - an ideal gift for Christmas." Later in the evening, I was surprised at what I saw in front of a house near to me - Christmas tree lights ( lit ), adorning a Christmas style tree !
It wasn't that difficult to work out We were doing the weekly shop in my local supermarket - and in the aisle with pasta, baked beans and other tinned 'stuff' A chap was with his elderly father. I heard the son ask dad "What is it you're looking for ?" Dad replies "Spaghetti hoops." Son bent forward and selected a tin from the shelf and said " I think this is what you need." He then looks at the picture on the label and reads from it and says " Oh no, this isn't what you want - it says they're rings, not hoops.
Perhaps they used a football referee to pace out the 'distance' ! Yesterday I was looking on the internet for Skips. I knew that they came in different sizes - called 'yards,' One website gave illustrations of the 'capacity' of each size. This is where you can be forgiven for thinking that yards and capacity should have some co-relation, and that it would be normal to assume that a 12 yard skip has double the capacity of a 6 yard skip. ---- You'd be wrong (apparently). According to the chart ; 6 yards = 48 black bags. 8 yards = 62 black bags -- NOT 64 ( even though 8 is 33% more than 6, and 33% more than 48 is 64. 12 yards = 78 black bags -- NOT 96 ( even though 12 is 100% more than 6, and 100% more than 48 is 96. even using the 'relation' between the sizes as per the company's chart, it should mean that the 12 yard skip ( 50% bigger than the 8 yard skip ), would be 50% bigger than their illustrated capacity of the 8 yard skip -- so, it would be 62 bags + 50% ( 31 bags), = 93 bags. But somehow they make it only 78. I know that the description of yards is a marketing ploy -to make us think we're getting more for our money - but it might explain why you never see a level skip when it's ready to be collected.
As shops appear to be a favourite topic on this thread, anyone else noticed the reduced customer service with retailers now since the 5p charge for carrier bags? Now we can either all give retailers millions of 5p to fill their or the government coffers, not quite sure where this charge goes too, or you can take your own bag. However, it appears with all retailers now more so clothes stores, they no longer pack your bags for you. The scenario used to be, you would take your purchase to the checkout, complete transaction, they supply a free bag for you and pack your goods before handing them to you. Now with the 5p charge; They leave your goods on the counter, waiting for you to pack your own bag. A couple of times i have left a bag on the counter during the transaction process to see if it would prompt them to pack it, but to no avail. So now not only do they want to charge us to save the environment they also want to save employee energy! I suppose what I'm trying to highlight, is that I'm doing what the government asks and taking my own bags to a store, hence helping save the environment, so why in doing so does the centuries old principle of customer service change in that process. Yes, I could ask them to pack my bags for me, but I never used too before the 5p levy, so they could as good customer service ask me if I would like my bags packed.
brb I think the shops and Government can take the bag issue a step further - because I am sure that with the 'shrinking goods' on offer, we'll need smaller bags ! What I mean is that every product seems to have got smaller ( whilst giving the illusion that the price hasn't been increased ! ). I have purchased several different tubes of Pringles in the last couple of months - each is of a different size - progressively smaller. As for Wagon Wheels - the modern variety would only 'fit' on a Dinky toy car. I could quote other examples - but I'll give others a chance.
Years ago shops provided free of charge, paper bags for groceries and or clothes, some shops have gone back to using free paper bags (perfectly legal) many others are happy to rip you off.
Exactly - I actually spoke to the well known retailer about the 5p levy, to which the initial response (without thinking) was I could have asked for my bags to be packed! Red rag to a bull - To which I replied that they are missing the point, unless we are saying that the 5p charge is not only to save the environment but also to ensure we receive the same customer service we had previously always received. Hence I asked has the training policy for employee's now changed, that instead of them customary packing or asking if you would like your bags packed, you now have to ask, she said no, so I responded by saying so why are they not asking me, instead of me asking them as you just suggested! Personally i think the 5p levy has created a psychology of behaviour, not before precedent before the levy. The human mind is a wonderful thing, which is fascinating to challenge, because people don't think through their responses.
I'm obviously not as funny as Sean Lock ! On Monday I went to the Marlowe with my family - to see a show featuring Sean Lock. I enjoyed the first half of the show ! At the interval everyone had an opportunity to obtain 'refreshments.' My family duly indulged - but it would seem that we were able to 'hold' our pint of lager a little bit better than two idiots behind us..... As we settled into the second half of the act, the two guys behind us ( and particularly directly behind me ), started to act like morons. For a start, the bloke behind me couldn't keep still - and I'm surprised I didn't end up with bruises all over my back with the number of times he kicked the back of my seat --- there's plenty of leg room at the Marlowe . The laughter of these guys also became hysterically loud -- and definitely not in time with the laughter of the rest of the audience -- I suspect their beer had made them a bit 'slow' ( if that wasn't already the case ) -Except that they began to (very) audibly reveal the punchline to several jokes before they were delivered by Sean Lock - thus spoiling many of the jokes -- but-- they still went into hysterical fits of laughter - just as if it had been the first time that they had heard the joke - and at the same time it was obvious that they were jumping up and down in their seats - with my back being their 'cushion.' -- and because their hysterics lasted well into the next joke, it was impossible to listen properly to the performance. My younger son was sat next to me - and I could tell he was getting irritated. Rather than let him get 'involved' with the idiots behind us, I turned around and said " I'm terribly sorry, but I didn't realise that this show didn't come with sub titles." -- Reply " What ?" -- I did say I wasn't funny - but I bet my wit is funnier than their intelligence
What's the point ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36205523 I understand that clubs may want to 'increase' their crowd capacity - and using the fact that many thousands of fans already refuse to sit, to support the quest to revert to standing stadiums - but -- Why bother providing any seats in the designated areas ? I would suggest that the actual seat isn't going to be used - so why bother with it ? I would still advocate the 'safety' of the idea of seating - but this can be achieved by merely installing the rail. This 'feature' of the mechanics involved in 'safe standing seats' is an integral part. The rail - on each row - should provide the safety that current seats give ( above the levels of safety given by 'old-style' terracing.) The trend by so many fans to stand ( especially behind the goals ), is making a mockery of the rules for supporters to be seated. The fact that the FA ( to my knowledge) haven't punished any clubs for allowing the fans to stand - when they should be seated, goes to show that they don't think this to be a problem -- so why not allow each club to decide for themselves. A rail along each row would greatly increase the capacity of the ground - without diminishing the safety of the fans - or am I missing a point ? ( a different sort of point to the ones missing by the players )..... still not being as funny as Sean Lock - or the clowns behind me at the Marlowe
I think the drop down seat being part of it was always the selected model in an attempt to persuade the authorities to allow safe standing, thus to dispel any opposition to the idea.
So it appears the government spent in total £10M on the EU leaflets, but... quote; In an unusual move, the Cabinet Office has ruled the public do not have the right to know how the taxpayers’ money was spent claiming it is “commercially confidential.” hmmm
brb -- I agree with your thoughts - but Will you be saying "hmmm" when Dack and Egan are sold for an 'undisclosed' figure ? - We ( Gills fans ), won't be permitted to know the amount due to 'commercial confidentiality' -- or some other load of testicles.
I'm not 'gay'.... in any sense of the word ! I mention this as a matter of fact ! -- and because the BBC have just had to defend themselves in the use of the term 'migrant.' - defining it to mean anyone yet to complete their journey in a quest to achieve asylum (when fleeing from oppressors ). This is not to be confused with anyone looking to invade Britain - to take advantage of all the 'freebies' and benefit hand-outs. We mustn't upset the people wanting to migrate to this country - they may not be coming for the 'freebies' and hand-outs - they might be coming to experience our fantastic weather and culture and wonderful football officials and low flying pigs. I'm undecided which way to vote on 23rd June . Neither the IN or LEAVE brigades have lied with sufficient conviction to make up my mind. I am most concerned with any effect to the nation's economy - and, perhaps, with that in mind, I may vote to 'leave' - on the grounds that it may help to retrieve some control of Britain's ability to enforce border controls - and to deport economic 'migrants' -- Britain simply cannot afford to keep taking the numbers that Europe forces upon us. Britain has got to start to be able to apply its' own rules - without European dictatorship -- otherwise there is no point in having our Government.
I'm not sure if my postman is a Millwall supporter - or did he think I was a burglar who wanted to make a clean, quick getaway ? Yesterday I was outside my front door - cleaning my car on my driveway ( with garage door 'open' ). My normal postman arrived. He ignored me when I said "Good morning." He went to my front door and rang on my bell. I admit I was a little confused - but I spoke and said " Postman - I'm here." At the time, there wasn't anyone else in my home - so, although the postman might have wanted to contact another member of my family, he wouldn't have got an answer................. but having said all that - I'm only complicating a simple issue. The postman again ignored me, and again rang the bell. During the proceedings, I was only about 3 or 4 yards away from the postman - So not exactly 'invisible' or inaudible. I again spoke "I'm behind you Mr.Postman." This time he decided to reply - but - oddly, without turning round. He kept staring at my front door and said " There's no reply from anyone inside." I said " There isn't anyone indoors. I've just burgled the place - but there wasn't anything worth stealing - and for their inconvenience I'm cleaning their car before I run away." .............. He smiled - I think at me, rather than at my wit.
Having a sense of humour does not always work especially when dealing with someone who obviously doesn't have one........still fun though.
The spokesperson for East Kent Hospitals is an idiot ! http://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/anger-as-parking-wardens-target-96762/ I've had to go to this hospital several times in the last year - to take patients within my family, and one who is a friend. Each time, parking wasn't terribly easy - with few spaces except in the staff section. Here, the car park was always so empty that you could have played a 5-a-side match in it. I would have thought that it might have made a little more sense for patients who have to use the 'Chemo bus' situated in the staff car park, to be issued with a unique permit - to identify their status and need to be close to the bus. The patient that was interviewed, Mr.Sloan, states that only a few patients can be seen in the Chemo bus - so only a few places in the staff car park would be 'affected' ----- and, trust me - there were LOADS of empty staff parking places every time I have visited this hospital. What rubs salt into the wounds of the patients - is the buffoonery offered by the spokesperson - who pretends to have compassion for the patients who have been targeted by the Mr & Mrs Jobsworthy - yet offering NO suggestion, ( such as I have made ), to eliminate the predatory actions of the attendants - BUT basically condoning their actions - to ensure that patients do NOT park near to the Chemo bus. I cannot begin to describe how disgusted I am at the appalling treatment of these patients.
............. and whilst we're on the subject of idiots..... Richard was in the wrong lane - yet, somehow, it was my fault. The other day I was driving through Maidstone town centre. Many people will know that there are roadworks and lane closures in the area of the bridge over the Medway. The matrix and 'normal' signs and cones are obvious well in advance of the 'pinch points.'...... well, they are to anyone who looks beyond the nose on their face. I was in the middle of a 3 lane stretch of road - approaching the bridge [ at which point the lane on my right was to 'close.'] ...This 'situation' was 'warned' well in advance. To the credit of most other drivers, the signs were being 'heeded,' - except by Richard Cranus -- you all know him - he's the clown who takes no notice of lane closure signs - the idiot who comes tearing down the lane to it's closure point, then expects to be allowed to 'bully' their way into your lane - whilst you have had the good manners and sense to get into an appropriate lane before reaching the pinch point. This is exactly what happened to me. Mr.Cranus tried to force his way into my lane. Even if I wanted to allow the cretin into my lane - I couldn't - there was nowhere for me to go ( the inside lane was occupied - and if I had entered it, I would have been sent in a different direction). Richard must have been upset by me staying in my lane - he chose to sound his horn. What a Richard !
I told my mother that she should have gone to the surgery, urinated on the floor and then declared " There's the sample you wanted."! Yesterday, whilst speaking on the phone to my mother, she told me that she needs to make an appointment with her doctor. Mum stated she has a problem with her personal 'waterworks.' Mother (elderly, frail, alone - no transport etc), was told she wouldn't be allowed to see the doctor without providing a 'sample.' She was told to bring it with her, to the surgery, and the doctor would examine the sample. Mother wasn't advised as to the container she should use - nor the quantity of sample, or what precaution [ if any ], she should take to ensure the sterility of the sample. Whilst I appreciate that an application of common sense would have negated most of my queries, the surgery ( including Mrs. Hitler, the receptionist ), knows that my mother has dementia issues and would need better guidance. I would have thought that it would have been appropriate to invite my mother to the surgery - where she could be given a 'sample phial' to use ( thus ensuring non contamination, and correct quantity ) - and to provide the specimen in the surgery's 'facilities,' from where she could be given any help / guidance she might have needed by the resident nurse.. Mother - by sheer coincidence found an old 'specimen bottle ' bottle in her medicine cupboard. I advised her as how to ensure it was sterile for use. I told my mother that she should consider herself lucky - at least she has a doctor - my one is retiring in July -- you wouldn't believe the nonsense that I'm having in trying to register my family with another practise.
Goes to demonstrate the complete lack of knowledge, understanding and care of mental health issues, and what people don't realise they will all experience it one day later in life as either an illness in them self or in a close family member/friend.
