After a lunch time walk to town along the sea front. Ahem...

Dear barefooted blonde girl at Marine Lake with the cool style of cropped black trousers and black bikini,

You looked hot.

Thought you should know.

kthnxbye.

Edit : 02 May 2007, 18:35

After an evening walk to town along the sea front. Ahem...

Dear dark-haired girl with the black trousers and pink bikini,

You looked fairly good too.

Pink and black is nearly always a winning combination.

kthnxbye.

Yes. I'm probably a pig, but "woo".

Thought I'd best update, seeing as I haven't really much in between LJDQ's and Friend-locked stuff.

Not going to mention too much on the job hunt, it's ongoing at the moment. I really don't want to fall back on agency or 'pay-per-task' roles, and I've put in quite a lot for local authority jobs.

Got myself some new casual clothing recently, long sleeved t-shirts, better fitting jeans and, soon to arrive, a pair of chinos so I finally have something to bridge the gap between 'work trousers' and 'jeans', something for the 'casual wear' bracket. I love the long sleeved t-shirts, they are deep joy. Male fashion is sorely limited, though I still seem to get asked about girl clothes and what would 'go', and occasionally I get good feedback - what up wit' dat?!

My Mikomi PC5330 CD Clock Radio gains a minute every day, I'm not sure why and I can't stop it from doing it even when I reset it. Every day, a new minute just magically gets added.

Home Economics wise, after the quesadilla experiments, my toasties have taken a new twist. Instead of grilling plain cheese on toast, I mix mature grated cheddar with blocks of mozzarella and diced onion, sprinkle on slices from a bloomer loaf, add slices of chorizo sausage and bake instead of grill. It really comes up well. Also, after trips to Costa, I found myself a recipe for White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins, and following a discussion where bell_de_tink revealed a dislike for seeds in jam, I got seedless (and frozen raspberries). I might try making a batch soon.

Been chatting a bit more with Ecro/Alex/'Kiddo' outside of Terris. Good kid, should be a laugh meeting up. Should be quite interesting with the personalities, we both seem able to argue moot points for the sake of representing one (which Tink and johnwordsworth should recall as the basis of the infamous "Curried Potato" debate), and it should be interesting to have his, mine and scyphen's sarcasm and belittling insults flowing. Although, Scotty is a bit of a big fluffy teddy bear - or a big fwuffy teddy-weddy-bear.

Chatting with Tink and Scott has been fun, especially because my mind has been in the gutter recently, and it's just nice to hear from them. On-line I get some anonymity, so I'm more vocal, but also more diplomatic. Over Skype I'm more quiet. On the phone, I can be a bit more boisterous because I still have the distance and non-appearance factor, though still all the mannerisms to convey a message. In person...that will be an experience.

I'm booked for a room in the Clocktower I actually went for a double, because I really don't want to repeat being in a small single room in the hotel, and hearing 'unf' and 'oh god' all night again.

Terris has been rather slow, with - and I shall use the vernacular of the streets as Tink did - less and less people from the Goldcroft Massive representin' lately. Fonz has buggered off temporarily, Scott is in transit, Ecro doesn't hang around, Sher when she is around is in guild (though she's away now, of course), Prae is missing, Croft is rare. So that leaves myself and Songward. With visits from Kort (occasionally, although he sometimes makes Ecro vanish) and Venis (the less said there...although, my math skills say it's 3 out of 6 months so far). I've done stuff outside, but it's a bit hard going so I've been bouncing around bits and pieces.

I'm rather nearing the blasphemy, or at least corrupter, stage of debate in Terris, having both myself and others questioning different aspects of their faith and others, even down to how 'hope' is actually a negative thing instead of positive. Sometimes I think I was more cut out to be a Druid, Warlock or Brotherhood Monk than a Rogue. Although, truth be told, I feel out of place everywhere in there that I'm supposed to 'belong' in.

Oh yes. Just as 'they' are, I'm one of 'them'.

First, I'd just like to say that going to Costa for a double shot, skinny latte and raspberry and white chocolate muffin is a rather simple joy. I just wish there was more to the seating area so I didn't have to take-away. It's in a Waterstones, so most in the book store, but it could be quite the social point otherwise.

That's the good thing, now to the gripe.

I'm used to being judged by appearance, to odd looks and muttered comments, I'm even used to loud abuse. I had years of it, and though it's hurtful, I can at least shrug most of it off. I got fairly used to things like comments on my weight, when at a work-based quiz night, after scoring highly in many aspects (TV, Film, Music, Literature, Politics, Science), I helped win a section on "Food, Drink and the Kitchen" with questions on foreign food one of my team-mates in the quiz said "Well, I'm not surprised. You obviously like your food a lot."

I got lot to a load of things that people associate with it, because quite frankly, in some cases there is a logical connection. So, I can see it.

Years ago, when I worked on Housing Benefit as agency staff, I had a group of friends there. We were the 'young people' of the office, and amongst them was Ping, who had a very cute hooded sweatshirt that she used to wear when kicking about in her flat. It was cute, and she highly recommended them. It was a few years before I could find one in my size, and I got one before I ever heard the term 'chav'.

I liked my 'hoodie', it was thick, so it was warm, and it also helped disguise my figure slightly. If it started a small summer drizzle, it had a hood. If there was a cold winter breeze, my ears and back of my neck could stay warm. I still like my 'hoodie', because of these things, although now I'm slightly swimming in the thing (it being 3XL, and me taking L/XL now).

Today, it was warm when I set off down to town, so I decided to not wear a coat atop everything else. Most people would probably gasp at that, as I usually wear a coat to hide myself during the heights of summer. Everything was doing well, until the walk back, as I was sipping my double shot skinny latte on the beach promenade, and a grey cloud starting dripping lightly. "No worries," thought I, "for I have sensible fabric hood." So up flipped said hood, five people walked by whilst I had the hood up, every single one of them shot me a dirty look.

I can only think this is down to the reputation of the hoodie in culture today, and it's rather upsetting, that something I enjoy so much and feel so comfortable in, is ruined by the reputation of some people who have used it as a badge and that people can not see behind it.

I wonder if there might have been more conflicting image if I'd been sucking back on Starbucks coffee instead. Hehe, Chav Hipsters. Chivsters.

I've had mixed successes this week.

I managed to finally get a surge protected 10-way extension lead for my PC and kit. However, despite being a standing instead of laying unit, it isn't silver like the 4-way and 8-ways, and it clashes with my actual base and peripherals. How awkward! Also, I'm rather lazy about getting round to untangling behind the PC, it's hell back there.

I not only managed to get new jeans, which I really needed having got down from a 54" to 44/46", but I can now also fit in to my old rough leather waistcoat.

I've been able to take longer walks along the beach front, and taken more photos on these walks. I've taken quite a few sunset photos, as the sky has a great bronze tone to it at the moment. Even put them on my Flickr account, with geotags.

I've managed to do three well received meals this week. Shepard's Pie, Cheese and Chorizo Quesadilas, and Cheese and Chorizo baked on bread. Granted, the third was a back up plan to get rid of excess from the second, but it was good enough to redo as a light meal separately. As a result, I've managed to introduce shadowranger to the wonder of Chorizo sausage. Chorizo being a gateway sausage in to the harder sausages, like Pepperoni and Salami.

I set up my CD Alarm Clock, of course I found the danger already of playing the same CD each morning. I don't know if I can go another day with The Bluetone "After Hours" in my head.

I finally got round to watching Silent Hill. Ye gods. Also, as with the game, creepy girl archetype warning.

Went down to town earlier, and despite not getting the new rucksack I was aiming for I did get myself a new suit jacket from M&S which feels like a decent fit. Though, without an out of body experience, one can never really tell.

I also ordered myself some neat stuff from Amazon and Play. Mwehehehe.

I spent ages in Terris today and barely achieved anything. There isn't really a stage after level 50 where you can actually be self-sufficient, to be challenged but not need magic effects to survive. So, I gave up after a few hours.

It's still hot. I got on the train with Rob from the office and had a good chat until I had to get off at Bedminster. The offie was warm, but not uncomfortable hot until about 14.00 when I was leaving, the train platform however was very exposed and quite baking. It was quite difficult to leave though, every moment I was getting more calls from my team on my mobile.

The conductor on the train was quite a cool guy, when one of a group of girls was sifting through her handbag to find her ticket, he pointed out she'd lied to someone today. Either the ticket office for a childs ticket, or the newsagent for the packet of cigarettes. He let it slide though.

I sent off my letter to HMRC to turn the job down.

Mmm, bikini tops, cropped shorts and shorts that manage to stay up despite being undone or lacking the ability to do up.

My DVDs and CDs from Play and Amazon came through this morning, which was refreshingly quick. So, I've got X-Men 1.5 and 2, and Animatrix to watch, and 92 songs from The Simpsons to listen to.

I took a walk with Tim out to the Post Office sorting office to pick up my trousers I had ordered that couldn't be delivered. It's a good 4 or 5 mile round trip out to the office, the sun was high and the sky was almost cloudless. It was magnificent in my black jeans and black short sleeved shirt - feeling fresh and cool the entire time.

We stopped into ASDA for a quick look around before heading over to Pizza Hut for some lunch, and were served by the most beautiful and excellent waitresses, I believe, in the history of Pizza Hut. Very gorgeous, attentive and great overall service. Her automatic refilling of drinks without needing to check what is was, and without asking if it was wanted, is usually enough for me to warrant the 10% at the restaurant, but I increased it because, well, she was teh greatness, which I think caught as a bit of a surprise when I had put the meal on card.

Mmm.

(The pizza was good too.)

I spent money, it's hard to believe, but I did! So, from the money from Tim and Mum, I got:

From Amazon
The Simpsons: Go Simpsonic and Songs In the Key of Springfield CD Box Set for £11.99
The Animatrix DVD for £3.97

From Play.com
X-Men 2 2-Disc DVD for £8.99
X-Men 1.5: Extreme Edition 2-Disc DVD for £7.99

From [clothes place for lardies]
Trousers for £25.99 + £5 p&p

All I have to do is wait for my bonus now until next spending spree!

It was quite a nice day to have off from work. The sun was shining, and although town was busy, it was bearable. Ended up going down into town and Tesco twice, which was a good excuse to enjoy the sun.

Unfortunately, I don't really have much in the way of casual or summer wear, this hasn't really bothered me before, but nowadays I feel I could wear more - or indeed a little less - and variance would be nice. I only really have two short sleeved shirts, and one is a work shirt, and I'm not really comfortable in just a t-shirt, so I have to roll my sleeves up.

Even so, I'm actually looking at clothes these days, knowing I have choices opening up. There's only really issues of chest, arse, thighs and hair to deal with before I'd be comfortable. Of course, you wont catch me in any trendy sandals unless they do foot grafting operations.

Weston had good-looking wandering mobs, the recent turn in weather to colder had dulled the crowd, but now the standard is very high. I can only imagine what they'd be like for T4 on the Beach this weekend, I'm not planning on attending, but you get to see those staying around for it. Going to do a DVD recording of it, it was a good show last year.

Like a good little sheep, I tuned in to the England v. Trinidad & Tobego match, and got all enthusiastic and loud.

Right now though, it's beautiful outside. Not very cloudy, the tide is in and very calm, and the view of Brean Down across the sea is slightly misty.

---

Yeah, I've been back over and merged most of this weeks daily stuff into a bulk. I'm fickle like that.

The summer seems to have kicked off nicely, with the glorious weather and beautiful sights to see. Mmm-hmm.

Monday

It was a day in Weston, and such a glorious day with the sun high and the sky blue. So glorious, in fact, that Dave J. at the office mocked me for wearing my coat to the office this morning - I just need it for all the damn pockets.

It was confirmed, the training I did on Friday was the last bit of work I'd be responsible for on the 'net. The only real drawback is that it leaves me with nothing really remaining to do in Weston in the future. I am now on a basis of getting scraps of work, like a dog does for food.

I got a nice txt from Tink, which was really appreciated! Decided I'd try to get off early and see if I could get a decent GAIM connection at home and say 'Hi!'.

I helped Jaqs pack her crates today for her move, disposing of a lot in the confidential waste. We finished quite quickly, so I decided to take the afternoon off and Jaqs cleared it.

The walk home was great, the sun meaning everyone has taken a more casual look. Ye gods, the amount of shoulders and necklines out there!

Managed to catch up with the Nat when I got home, as seems Tink and Spin were somewhere AFK.

Tuesday

Another day in Weston. Another day with little work. Another day leaving early to enjoy the weather and relax a little.

Jaqs is quite willing to let me take the time, as if I get another job I can't take my Flexi Credits with me.

Wednesday

Today I spent the day in Bristol, which was glorious in the warm weather and as I have taken to - and this is a cue for an audible gasp - not wearing my coat to work when their is no cold air, I have obviously benefitted. Also, I do like my profile in elevator mirrors, vanity thy name is Guise.

I was doing some collating of details for Vonnie, I need to fiddle around with her shelves though to get box filing working. This could be interesting as I'm not quite sure how the shelving pegs in the metal cupboard, and there is a great deal of very heavy and very precariously balanced casepapers resting on their sides below.

The folks in Bristol included me in their World Cup sweepstake, now anybody who knows me will know my affinity to sport is limited at best to being able to learn rules fast and little else, football is perhaps one of those I'm least keen on.

However, given that they'd taken me into consideration, at that it is the World Cup, I eagerly joined up, for which I was randomly assigned Korea. This was not so bad, for two reasons :

1. Andy M. was assigned Togo, which no-one knew where it was, and upon me pointing it out on a map we realised it was actually smaller than Scotland (54,385 sq km to the Scots 78,772). In fact, on the map that we had Togo was the only country that could not fit its name within its boundaries.
   
2. With luck all the boots produced by the leading brands will have been made in the sweatshops of Korea, and if this is the case then there is the chance that the same plot I worked out will have been thought by their Government. This plot is to make all other nations boot in a substandard fashion, so that during any crucial match the opponents boots will seemingly explode at the stitching, flower out like Elmer Fudd's gun around the players ankles and leave Korea with an open field.

Because otherwise, I'm a tad screwed.

Thursday

Was up at 05:00 to get ready for the day, and I was really surprised - it turns out that there is a five o'clock in the morning, and they even have radio programmes at that time. Got down for the 07:15 to Bedminster and hit Bristol South office before 08:00.

Spent the morning with Andy M. sorting and shifting around 30 odd crates full of casepapers. It was gruelling work that left every single part of my body aching, including bits that I haven't heard from in years. It didn't make it any better that a load of the casepapers were in nor particular order.

Finished up around 12:00 and headed back to Weston.

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, said Benjamin Franklin, except death and taxes. Of these, one of them wishes to offer me a job, and I most honestly regret that it is not the one where I get to wear a dark robe and carry a scythe.

After I got back into the office, I got a call mid-afternoon from Her Magesty's Revenue and Customs - the tax office - about a job, I'm not 100% sure about it, as it says Business Support, but I can't shake the feeling oh god, it's ok and I've been accepted, but it does sound like a receptionist.

( Read more... )

I'm just cynical about jobs, but then considering I once got a Marketing Executive job with a generous salary, which turned into 'selling gas door to door in Kingswood for non-salaried On Target Earnings', is it really suprising.

I'm still looking to apply to other areas, but at least it's a job with a secure pay. I'm just not sure.

Friday

An absolutely wonderful day, spent in Bristol. The ride up was with very attractive girls in very nice polo shirts and short skirts, as well as a rather nice girl who sat next to me who went to UWE, studying Media, and smelt faintly of coconut (sun lotion) and apple (probably her her shampoo).

Most of my day was spent looking at Human Resources policies and fiddling with Vonnies cabinet, which was a lot easier than it first appeared.

We had a CD of football songs at one end of the office and the radio at the other, there's nothing quite like the mix of Lightning Seeds (with Baddiel and Skinner) and Fine Young Cannibals as you hear Three Lions...drives me crazy, like no-one else...coming home. There is also nothing like going in to the chilly Stationery Room to assemble flat pack boxes to escape it.

I heard on the radio that Emu of Rod Hull and Emu fame is to be brought back by Rod's son Toby Hull, it's not the first time that embarrisingly funny, strange puppet concepts have been brought back by a younger family member for a second go in the spotlight. Sooty was thrust back in the limelight by Harry H.'s so, Matthew Corbett, and then there's George W Bush Jr.

I decided to finish early though, because it really was too warm to be stuck in an office.

I gave the Big Issue guy outside Temple Meads a couple of quid, guy had been out since 10:00 and looked like he was getting burnt and lips chapping. He's a really good guy, unlike the pushy bastards in the centre of Bristol.

Karma has a way of getting back to you quickly sometimes. So, in return for what Karma did for me, a couple more of my random thank you's:

Dear Girl who sat next to me on the ride home,

You know, you were really quite cute, and you have a really sweet voice when asking for a seat.

Also, you had a very nice cyan coloured thong with picture of what may have been a butterfly, flower or fairy on the rear. When you sat down and stood up, not only was it showing, but was less than an inch from my face.

Thanks for make my journey both a mix of awkward silence and thinking how hot you were!

Kind regards,

Guy who probably wouldn't have complained if the train had jolted you backwards ::cough::

Also,

Dear Girl in front of me on the train,

Sorry, but you had the nicest shoulder I've seen in quite some time.

Kind Regards,

Guy behind you

And at the station,

Dear Girls in Bikinis,

Holy Jeebus Christ on a Cracker.

Also, for the majority black string is so your colour.

For the exception, white-almost-transparent cotton trousers are so you.

Mmmmm,

Random Guy

Tim met up with me and we hit Tesco for our usual Friday shopping, and then went to grab something to eat. On the way back, there was one more thank you to give out:

Dear Girl by the College,

You made me completely forget what I was saying to my brother, like being blindsided by a double decker bus. My god, wow.

Please ignore the jaw as I can't seem to lift it,

Guh?

So yes, slightly piggish remarks, but bloody hell, Weston has been awash with such beauty today. Obviously, I've been a bit 'avoid staring' and the idea of me thinking 'oh my god' would probably freak some people out.

But as I pointed out in a conversation the other day, at least I don't ogle breasts - granted instead I'll be fighting the urge to take a look at a neck, shoulder, collarbone, nape of the neck, chin, earlobes, a closed eye (because I have trouble making eye contact), a slight nose, back of neck, spine, exposed sides or a belly button (innie) - but I tend not to focus on breasts.

Somehow I think I'm more of a freak for this than if I actually just sat on a train staring at a girls breasts, at least that would be 'open and honest'.

We'll add this to the list of things none of you ever really wanted to know.

Ok, I'll get the rotten stuff out the way first, because the day has had highlights!!

Firstly, I forgot to mention my suggestion for music in the staff letters column didn't get posted. I'm not upset by this, as I realise it might be a slightly right-wing view - in the way Alan B'stard was slightly dishonourable. Still, when I rule...

Secondly, the IT system meant to replace a shitload (metric, not imperial) of administrative staff has been delayed until December 2006, it was originally scheduled for Spring 2004.

Thirdly, the 'net I've worked on is to be centralised, this isn't a shock or distressing, because I had said for years that it should be managed that way and now they can achieve it. The only downside is the shitload (again metric) of files I'll have to review and the lack of a central structure with under 3 months remaining. Still, as Darrell would say it's an SEP (Someone Else's Problem) now.

Then I had the ridiculous conversation of a member of staff trying to apply for an external job, and left wondering not so much how they ever got recruited or promoted above me, but how they remember to eat and breathe without a flowchart. Seriously, you can't forget whether you had an appraisal, it's what leads to you get a bonus, and it's the rules that you keep your own records and access your attendance, there are desk aids on it in our file library - I know there are, I wrote them and published them, I also laminated them and stuck them on your noticeboard people (just because it's covered by a picture of the Crazy Frog now does not excuse anything)! Oh, and it's not exactly leaving a good impression to complain at your potential employers HR section because they don't explain what each form they refer to does - it is not important, it just means 'you will do form checking'. It was about an hour of my life, overall, wasted. On the plus side, I don't think I have to worry in any internal recruitment competition.

The plus side though...
I got my earcuff through the post this morning, and I'm quite happy with it. It's fairly subtle, being silver and it's got a nice bit of detail on it. I also can't feel it, it just rests nicely.

Hmm, I do need a shave, haven't since last week. Flash really bleaches and then yellows skin. Still not sure what to do about the hair.

But, yay for earcuff!

Had a really fun conversation about interior design with Tink last night, previously I may have felt emasculated from it, but having someone like Sarah confirm what seems stylish actually is something to be proud of. But, like I pointed out to Sarah, I wouldn't bother buying things now while in this place, I'd rather start fresh and make a place my own. But, mmm, was sounding very nice. Maybe I have some taste, or else more of that osmosis of feminine mind is rubbing off when outnumbered in the office...

Oh, and though I'll probably go into it more later...RESPECT...seriously, everyone has to be nice in the UK, it's almost like a law now...we are so almost CANADIAN!

Also, I'd like to say how nice staff are in girly clothes shops. They are ever so helpful to guys with lost and helpless looks on their face, and they do know absolutely everything from vaguest of details - which is great, because guy clothes shopping requires three details : item type, colour, size; girl clothes shopping requires intricate knowledge of the history of costume and fashion in the ancient to renaissance periods. But seriously, greatness is a sales girl who asks questions a guy can answer.

---

Mission 101 :

• 017. Buy a tasteful, subtle earcuff (10/01/2006 - Sterling Silver Ear cuff)

---

* Interestingly, there is a church clock tower almost directly opposite the opposite, with a view into their room.

Was feeling ever so slightly intoxicated last night, after so easily knocking back the watered wine (a slight change in taste, not in effect), but still managed to get up at a decent time.

Went down to town and thought I'd try getting some clothes, chiefly some boxers. The thing is with a waist of about 50, that works out in trouser size as a 4XL, however, underclothes are actually closer fit, had I known I could buy off the peg boxers I would have been much happier. My clothing options have increased.

Of course, I didn't know until I came home with three 3-packs. Oh well, live and learn. But, I can buy normal clothes! ::dances::