You might recall a few weeks back my post regarding the shoplifter incident, the one in which some half-wit cretin so blatantly stole a high value item from my place of work as to make it nigh on impossible to ignore and do nothing about.
What happened next got lost among my upset at Poppy's death just a few days later but a progression has bought the matter to the fore again.
What transpired immediately after the incident left me almost spitting with annoyance. Bear in mind here that I am familiar with this territory and whilst it is a fair number of years since I was involved in the pursuit of shoplifters on a reasonably regular basis it is not something one forgets.
So, having almost crippled my unfit self in my attempts at catching the aforementioned half-wit and having spent over an hour giving a statement, one might expect perhaps just a small thank you from one's boss. One would be very wrong!
What I actually got was told off, not a hint of gratitude in sight. A fanfare I didn't want nor expect but a 'cheers bud' would have been kind of appreciated.
Company policy it seems goes along the lines of 'don't give chase, we don't want your risking being injured'. That translates directly to 'we don't really give a damn about you the individual, we just don't want you injured and suing us'. Now I understand that and I would never advocate someone who knows nothing about that particular situation giving chase, or doing anything other than alerting a member of management, but I am familiar with the situation and ultimately, if we all sat by and just watched when things get a little 'iffy' instead of doing something about it, would that not result in anarchy?
For me it's simple, the cretin did wrong, I could do something about it, so I did and I have to say, I'm sorry but regardless of company policy, if I was presented with the same scenario tomorrow I would take the same action. Yes the company owns a part of me for the time I am there but they don't own all of me. Hell, I'm hardly likely to take unnecessary risk am I, strangely I kinda like my life!
Anyways, my annoyance at the lack of anything positive being said about the incident subsided until yesterday when the police asked me to attend an identity parade one day next week, that's fine said I, I'll be there....and on informing my employer there was still an apparent and decided lack of support.
There is a part of me that wonders why I bother, I know really why I bother, the same reasons as I took action in the first place. I'm happy to use my own time to attend the I.D. parade, and if it ends in court I'm happy to do that in my own time and at my own expense but still, a little tiny thank you wouldn't go amiss and the initial 'telling off' still rankles!!!
Saturday, 8 October 2005
Friday, 7 October 2005
Vanity, vanity all is vanity
For years, nay decades I resisted the temptation, when all around me fell into the trap, when fashion dictated it and then when time suggested it, still I resisted. Gradually necessity began to shout loudly and insistently at me, the idea became less and less resisted and more and more attractive, until finally not two years ago I capitulated, all previous arguments and reasoning abandoned for vanity. My resolve weakened, time having marched suitably on I could deny it no longer and finding to my horror not one but perhaps five grey hairs I too fell into the dying trap.
I told myself this was merely a 'touch up', that after all it was only my natural colour, I wasn't actually changing anything, I was merely assisting nature.
Assisting nature my foot! If you have ever dealt with one of the heinous chemical concoctions you will know just how far from anything remotely natural the whole nasty business is.
My last day at work, when I politely enquired of a friend what he was going to do with his day off the following day, he looked down upon my seated self, over this spectacles and said in his best thespian tones, "I don't know, why, what are you doing? Your roots?"!!
Ok, point taken, my reluctance to go through the whole dying performance yet again had persisted since last time way too long and so today I set about making good the situation.
In television ads this process is carried out in a mere second or two by some stunning thirty something who swans elegantly around a delightfully chic apartment, a velvety towel wrapped around her head, as the magic is performed beneath. It sure ain't like it is in the movies as they say.
Our attractive 'thirty something' it seems, doesn't have to deal with quite the same myriad of problems the rest of us do. As we upend the box containing 'all you will need for a truly beautiful result' (who are they kidding, is there a plastic surgeon going to spring from this box like a genie from a lamp??) Firstly there is the 'protective gloves' to contend with, in an effort presumably to save costs these are never the surgical kind that might actually fit, no, they are something less well fitting than a common or garden plastic bag might be and made with the hand size of Goliath in mind. Next having got loosely fitting gloves dangling off the ends of one's arms there is the instructions to check. For me it is always so long since the last time I read these it is necessary that I do it again but always I remember to do so after I have deposited my glasses 'somewhere'!
Reminded of the procedure next comes the application, this is the really tricky bit, for one false move and disaster strikes. In my case I am already elegantly attired in old decorating clothes, I know just how easy it is to ruin almost a whole wardrobe in one fell swoop with this carry on, but still there remains the problem of ones surroundings. The minutest splash or drip of this noxious substance will render the flooring with a not so beautiful 'marbled effect' as it strips the colour out in an instant! Strange that, it puts colour into one's hair but takes it out of just about every other surface known to man or in this case woman!
Product applied and the next stage requires that one, rather than swanning around elegantly wrapped in a velvety towel, hovers around for something approaching thirty minutes, whilst doing a fair impression of wearing a surgical neck brace for fear of a stray strand of hair springing loose and applying the marbled affect to yet another room's flooring, wall, soft furnishings, cat, etc. etc. Why is it that at this point someone always knocks on the bloody door??
Door answered and apologies for appearance duly made, one starts to notice about now that this stuff, so carefully applied to the head, really starts to sting and the ability to breath and to see from un-bespectacled, watering eyes is begining to suffer impairment from the cloud of engulfing fumes!
Finally the prescribed time is up and the washing out shenanigans can begin, more of the fumes, even more of the splashing risk and this time added to it, the frantic grappling for the towel left just out of reach, as chemical laden water runs into an eye, despite having it closed tight shut. Of course, as the towel grappling is in progress the shower head is forgotten and invariably twists itself around soaking the entire bathroom and sending an interested small cat running for cover.
Rinsing and washing complete there is the then the 'extra special' conditioner to contend with, this stuff seems to be barely more than gear grease in disguise, presumable heavy enough to attempt to make good some of the damage the earlier chemical assault has had. This concoction takes almost the remainder of the day to rinse out and by the time the job is done weariness takes over.
At last, not in the the advertised time of thirty minutes later but closer to three times that, the whole carry on is over....and what for, a cursory look in the mirror reveals nothing has changed, there is no transformation to the elegant thirty something in the ad, there is merely me, but sans roots!
There is perhaps something to be said for short, greying hair.....ok...perhaps not but chemicals that sting like hell, take the surface of just about everything and leave my scalp sore for the following twenty four hours or so cannot be good!
Vanity....tsk!
I told myself this was merely a 'touch up', that after all it was only my natural colour, I wasn't actually changing anything, I was merely assisting nature.
Assisting nature my foot! If you have ever dealt with one of the heinous chemical concoctions you will know just how far from anything remotely natural the whole nasty business is.
My last day at work, when I politely enquired of a friend what he was going to do with his day off the following day, he looked down upon my seated self, over this spectacles and said in his best thespian tones, "I don't know, why, what are you doing? Your roots?"!!
Ok, point taken, my reluctance to go through the whole dying performance yet again had persisted since last time way too long and so today I set about making good the situation.
In television ads this process is carried out in a mere second or two by some stunning thirty something who swans elegantly around a delightfully chic apartment, a velvety towel wrapped around her head, as the magic is performed beneath. It sure ain't like it is in the movies as they say.
Our attractive 'thirty something' it seems, doesn't have to deal with quite the same myriad of problems the rest of us do. As we upend the box containing 'all you will need for a truly beautiful result' (who are they kidding, is there a plastic surgeon going to spring from this box like a genie from a lamp??) Firstly there is the 'protective gloves' to contend with, in an effort presumably to save costs these are never the surgical kind that might actually fit, no, they are something less well fitting than a common or garden plastic bag might be and made with the hand size of Goliath in mind. Next having got loosely fitting gloves dangling off the ends of one's arms there is the instructions to check. For me it is always so long since the last time I read these it is necessary that I do it again but always I remember to do so after I have deposited my glasses 'somewhere'!
Reminded of the procedure next comes the application, this is the really tricky bit, for one false move and disaster strikes. In my case I am already elegantly attired in old decorating clothes, I know just how easy it is to ruin almost a whole wardrobe in one fell swoop with this carry on, but still there remains the problem of ones surroundings. The minutest splash or drip of this noxious substance will render the flooring with a not so beautiful 'marbled effect' as it strips the colour out in an instant! Strange that, it puts colour into one's hair but takes it out of just about every other surface known to man or in this case woman!
Product applied and the next stage requires that one, rather than swanning around elegantly wrapped in a velvety towel, hovers around for something approaching thirty minutes, whilst doing a fair impression of wearing a surgical neck brace for fear of a stray strand of hair springing loose and applying the marbled affect to yet another room's flooring, wall, soft furnishings, cat, etc. etc. Why is it that at this point someone always knocks on the bloody door??
Door answered and apologies for appearance duly made, one starts to notice about now that this stuff, so carefully applied to the head, really starts to sting and the ability to breath and to see from un-bespectacled, watering eyes is begining to suffer impairment from the cloud of engulfing fumes!
Finally the prescribed time is up and the washing out shenanigans can begin, more of the fumes, even more of the splashing risk and this time added to it, the frantic grappling for the towel left just out of reach, as chemical laden water runs into an eye, despite having it closed tight shut. Of course, as the towel grappling is in progress the shower head is forgotten and invariably twists itself around soaking the entire bathroom and sending an interested small cat running for cover.
Rinsing and washing complete there is the then the 'extra special' conditioner to contend with, this stuff seems to be barely more than gear grease in disguise, presumable heavy enough to attempt to make good some of the damage the earlier chemical assault has had. This concoction takes almost the remainder of the day to rinse out and by the time the job is done weariness takes over.
At last, not in the the advertised time of thirty minutes later but closer to three times that, the whole carry on is over....and what for, a cursory look in the mirror reveals nothing has changed, there is no transformation to the elegant thirty something in the ad, there is merely me, but sans roots!
There is perhaps something to be said for short, greying hair.....ok...perhaps not but chemicals that sting like hell, take the surface of just about everything and leave my scalp sore for the following twenty four hours or so cannot be good!
Vanity....tsk!
The importance of underwear
From the Watford Observer comes this story of a Garston couple who
drove their car to the Harlequin Shopping Centre, only to have their car break
down in the car park. The man told his wife to carry on with the
shopping while he fixed the car. The wife returned later to see a small
group of people near the car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of
male legs protruding from under the chassis. Although the man was in
shorts, his lack of underpants turned private parts into glaringly
public ones.
Unable to stand the embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward,
quickly put her hand UP his shorts, and tucked everything back into
place. On regaining her feet, she looked across the bonnet and found
herself staring at her husband who was standing idly by.
The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead!
True or not? Who knows but thanks to 'P' for landing this in my mailbox this morning and making me giggle. It has added interest, if you can call it that, for me, Watford is close to where I grew up and is still a very familiar place to me.
drove their car to the Harlequin Shopping Centre, only to have their car break
down in the car park. The man told his wife to carry on with the
shopping while he fixed the car. The wife returned later to see a small
group of people near the car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of
male legs protruding from under the chassis. Although the man was in
shorts, his lack of underpants turned private parts into glaringly
public ones.
Unable to stand the embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward,
quickly put her hand UP his shorts, and tucked everything back into
place. On regaining her feet, she looked across the bonnet and found
herself staring at her husband who was standing idly by.
The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead!
True or not? Who knows but thanks to 'P' for landing this in my mailbox this morning and making me giggle. It has added interest, if you can call it that, for me, Watford is close to where I grew up and is still a very familiar place to me.
Save Jeeves
The decision by the big wigs at Inter-Active Corp. the owners of 'Ask Jeeves' the search company, to
drop it's very familiar butler logo, seems to be causing some upset among the rank and file.
The upset is such that those opposing the decision have had their story and objections picked up by the national media one of them having created a blog in an effort to muster support for the 'save Jeeves' campaign.
Doubtless this is another 'I want to make my mark' decision by executives of the new parent company, it will have less to do with the brand requiring an update or re-vamp than it will with a few career obsessed individuals who merely want to be noticed! Aggravating as it is and in many cases unnecessary, some young marketing 'hot shot' will have decided that re-branding is the way to go and as ever they do in the world of corporate limelight grabbing will run with it until one of two things happens, the decision proves to have been financial hogwash or he or she becomes bored and is head hunted.
I can see a marketing argument on occasion for updating a brand but but Ask Jeeves is hardly a company or image that we have had time to grow tired of and nor is it an image that is strongly rooted in a particular trend. The butler saw the company through the dot com boom and bust but loyalty or customer opinion are two areas where large corporations and marketing teams seem to attain a sudden and convenient case of profound deafness and tragic sight loss!
If it ain't broke don't fix it eh guys? What?, Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise, would you like that in sign language or Braille?
drop it's very familiar butler logo, seems to be causing some upset among the rank and file. The upset is such that those opposing the decision have had their story and objections picked up by the national media one of them having created a blog in an effort to muster support for the 'save Jeeves' campaign.
Doubtless this is another 'I want to make my mark' decision by executives of the new parent company, it will have less to do with the brand requiring an update or re-vamp than it will with a few career obsessed individuals who merely want to be noticed! Aggravating as it is and in many cases unnecessary, some young marketing 'hot shot' will have decided that re-branding is the way to go and as ever they do in the world of corporate limelight grabbing will run with it until one of two things happens, the decision proves to have been financial hogwash or he or she becomes bored and is head hunted.
I can see a marketing argument on occasion for updating a brand but but Ask Jeeves is hardly a company or image that we have had time to grow tired of and nor is it an image that is strongly rooted in a particular trend. The butler saw the company through the dot com boom and bust but loyalty or customer opinion are two areas where large corporations and marketing teams seem to attain a sudden and convenient case of profound deafness and tragic sight loss!
If it ain't broke don't fix it eh guys? What?, Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise, would you like that in sign language or Braille?
Thursday, 6 October 2005
You wouldn't like me!
I have the right bloody hump! I'm in a childish kicking and screaming frame of mind though of course I won't actually lie on the floor and kick and scream, but then again...... I have PMS from somewhere very close to hell, PG has the kitchen turned upside down twice over, complete with what seems like ten sets of golf clubs scattered on every available surface whilst I attempt to conjure up something for dinner, Lord knows that he's doing...... and we are still very kitten-less! Ppfftttt.
Without a doubt it is not a good time to be in gemmak's-ville, I advise that anyone in close proximity stay well clear, things could get 'heated'! Damn, sodding hormones!
As for the kitten situation, the decision was 'no', a number of reasons bought us to decide that as beautiful as she was she was not for us. The cost cost was a factor, along with a concern over how happy a cat that can never go out might be, but also I think that deep down we just can't escape the want of a little cuddly moggy that needs a home. That said, there don't seem to be any 'little cuddly moggies' needing a home right now....they seem to be rarer then hens teeth, at least in these parts.
So the search continues.
The PMS continues.
The grumpiness continues.
You wouldn't like me right now I promise!
Breath in 1......2.....3...... out 1......2.....3, throw something 1......2..... grrrrr.
Without a doubt it is not a good time to be in gemmak's-ville, I advise that anyone in close proximity stay well clear, things could get 'heated'! Damn, sodding hormones!
As for the kitten situation, the decision was 'no', a number of reasons bought us to decide that as beautiful as she was she was not for us. The cost cost was a factor, along with a concern over how happy a cat that can never go out might be, but also I think that deep down we just can't escape the want of a little cuddly moggy that needs a home. That said, there don't seem to be any 'little cuddly moggies' needing a home right now....they seem to be rarer then hens teeth, at least in these parts.
So the search continues.
The PMS continues.
The grumpiness continues.
You wouldn't like me right now I promise!
Breath in 1......2.....3...... out 1......2.....3, throw something 1......2..... grrrrr.
Winter is on it's way
The first morning this autumn where we have woken to temperatures below 3 degrees, brrrrr. It makes for a pretty start to the day though. In one direction a soft mist, in the opposite a gentle sunrise.
Wednesday, 5 October 2005
Decisions?...I hate 'em!
As you will assume from the title there is still no decision on the kitten front.
We went, as planned, to visit 'posh puss' this afternoon and stayed over an hour playing with her and her litter mates, three others still remain, though they are all spoken for apart from 'ours'.
She is beautiful, a tiny elegant little thing but, and it is quite a big but, she is quite expensive (not for the breed, just for us) and she is an Asian Burmese which means she is very thin and lithe, more so even than a Siamese and we are just not sure. I suppose we are used to big fat old moggies.......
A nights sleep might bring a decision!
We went, as planned, to visit 'posh puss' this afternoon and stayed over an hour playing with her and her litter mates, three others still remain, though they are all spoken for apart from 'ours'.
She is beautiful, a tiny elegant little thing but, and it is quite a big but, she is quite expensive (not for the breed, just for us) and she is an Asian Burmese which means she is very thin and lithe, more so even than a Siamese and we are just not sure. I suppose we are used to big fat old moggies.......
A nights sleep might bring a decision!
More kitten visiting
This afternoon we get to visit this little soul, the Burmese mentioned in yesterday's post.
I have a good feeling about this one despite her being way too expensive for us really but when you carry the balance on credit cards that I do (don't ask, if I had to tell you I would scare myself) what's another few hundred pounds?
The good feeling? On first sight PG and I weren't completely sure about Burmese but this little thing has grown on us over the last few days and her 'mum' is a star. You know when once in a while you meet someone you just seem to 'click' with, I think over the last two days we have probably spent well over two hours chatting on the phone, she is such a nice woman I feel comfortable about the kitten being healthy etc. and if we choose to have a litter ourselves, she is more than happy to give us advice and help. Never having been that route before and knowing little about the rules surrounding breeding from a pedigree, I would need much help!
PG is slightly disappointed that if we take this kitten we don't get the 'tiny wee six week old stage', pedigree cats can't be re-homed until eighteen weeks but hey, in twelve weeks time a six weeker will be eighteen anyways and the fact that they come ready inoculated and tested for feline leukemia is a big plus!
Result of visit later.......
I have a good feeling about this one despite her being way too expensive for us really but when you carry the balance on credit cards that I do (don't ask, if I had to tell you I would scare myself) what's another few hundred pounds?
The good feeling? On first sight PG and I weren't completely sure about Burmese but this little thing has grown on us over the last few days and her 'mum' is a star. You know when once in a while you meet someone you just seem to 'click' with, I think over the last two days we have probably spent well over two hours chatting on the phone, she is such a nice woman I feel comfortable about the kitten being healthy etc. and if we choose to have a litter ourselves, she is more than happy to give us advice and help. Never having been that route before and knowing little about the rules surrounding breeding from a pedigree, I would need much help!
PG is slightly disappointed that if we take this kitten we don't get the 'tiny wee six week old stage', pedigree cats can't be re-homed until eighteen weeks but hey, in twelve weeks time a six weeker will be eighteen anyways and the fact that they come ready inoculated and tested for feline leukemia is a big plus!
Result of visit later.......
Tuesday, 4 October 2005
Kitten visiting
Finally yesterday we managed to get hold of the 'parents' of two different litters of kittens, the Birman I mentioned a few days back and a Burmese.
Having recovered a little from my yukky-ness by early evening and on finding that the Birmans were almost around the corner, PG dragged me, unwashed hair and all, to pay a visit.
What beautiful little creatures....all nine of them! There were two litters of Birmans, one litter of Norwegian Forest cats and two large dogs! I was in kitten heaven but of course nothing can be too straighforward can it and within ten minutes my eyes were red and itching :o(
'Mica' ~ The name would have to change!
I have never been allergic to a cat before but I have also never had a long hair before and as I have eczema and asthma I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. PG is in love, which is no help at all, and would happily have paid a king's ransom and taken the lot there and then but I'm in a quandary. We have no way of knowing if just one would have the same effect and I couldn't bear to have to give her back if I am allergic after all the recent Poppy sadness.
Hopefully we can go and visit the Burmese tomorrow, she is a shorthair, and then a decision will have to be made.
I would be just as happy with a 'moggy' as opposed to a pedigree but there are none it seems right now, we have tried everywhere and patience not being one of my virtues a pedigree it looks like it is likely to be!
Having recovered a little from my yukky-ness by early evening and on finding that the Birmans were almost around the corner, PG dragged me, unwashed hair and all, to pay a visit.
What beautiful little creatures....all nine of them! There were two litters of Birmans, one litter of Norwegian Forest cats and two large dogs! I was in kitten heaven but of course nothing can be too straighforward can it and within ten minutes my eyes were red and itching :o(
I have never been allergic to a cat before but I have also never had a long hair before and as I have eczema and asthma I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. PG is in love, which is no help at all, and would happily have paid a king's ransom and taken the lot there and then but I'm in a quandary. We have no way of knowing if just one would have the same effect and I couldn't bear to have to give her back if I am allergic after all the recent Poppy sadness.
Hopefully we can go and visit the Burmese tomorrow, she is a shorthair, and then a decision will have to be made.
I would be just as happy with a 'moggy' as opposed to a pedigree but there are none it seems right now, we have tried everywhere and patience not being one of my virtues a pedigree it looks like it is likely to be!
Monday, 3 October 2005
Why?
1. Why, when I had my off day all planned and before me like a lovely blank canvas this morning, did the bearing in the washing machine have to choose to die?
2. Why, when having moved heaven and earth to get a new one delivered today, would the retailer not take payment over the phone by credit card but instead insisted that I make the 30 mile round trip to make payment in person?....this is 2005, a large national retailer, we have epos systems even here out in the sticks for goodness sake.
3. Why, when I tried to disconnect the offending machine from it's plumbing would the inlet tap not turn off, despite heaving my whole weight against the wrench?
4. Why, did I not think of applying WD40 at the start of the procedure instead of after a 30 minutes wrestle with the damn thing?
5. Why, having successfully achieved disconnection, did I forget that the washing machine shares the same waste pipe as the sink.... and empty the caffetiere straight down it.....and into the cupboard below?!
6. Why, did I decide that I couldn't tolerate said washing machine 'landed' in the middle of the room until the man came to take it away.....and move it on my own with an already knackered shoulder?
7. Why, did I get up this morning?
8. Why, are you laughing?
2. Why, when having moved heaven and earth to get a new one delivered today, would the retailer not take payment over the phone by credit card but instead insisted that I make the 30 mile round trip to make payment in person?....this is 2005, a large national retailer, we have epos systems even here out in the sticks for goodness sake.
3. Why, when I tried to disconnect the offending machine from it's plumbing would the inlet tap not turn off, despite heaving my whole weight against the wrench?
4. Why, did I not think of applying WD40 at the start of the procedure instead of after a 30 minutes wrestle with the damn thing?
5. Why, having successfully achieved disconnection, did I forget that the washing machine shares the same waste pipe as the sink.... and empty the caffetiere straight down it.....and into the cupboard below?!
6. Why, did I decide that I couldn't tolerate said washing machine 'landed' in the middle of the room until the man came to take it away.....and move it on my own with an already knackered shoulder?
7. Why, did I get up this morning?
8. Why, are you laughing?
Annular eclipse?
So did anyone actually see this today?
If my understanding is correct it should have been visible here by now but despite clear skies and almost rendering myself blind, yes, I know, I'm not supposed to look with the naked eye but I'm devoid of the appropriate equipment, I just cannot see anything even slightly discernible as a partial eclipse!
:o(
If my understanding is correct it should have been visible here by now but despite clear skies and almost rendering myself blind, yes, I know, I'm not supposed to look with the naked eye but I'm devoid of the appropriate equipment, I just cannot see anything even slightly discernible as a partial eclipse!
:o(
Scottish cats........
....have porridge for breakfast too!
...but apparently it has to be served perched on the arm of the sofa!
...but apparently it has to be served perched on the arm of the sofa!
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