Sunday, April 18, 2010
We're still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
In the meantime: here's a viaduct and some hazy hills.
In the meantime: here's a viaduct and some hazy hills.
Friday, November 27, 2009
"...and he sometimes speaks of you, the way that you want him to"
16.45 On Time
OldFishWife is thinking about VR, ThesaurusBoy drives, Lovely goes running at lunchtime and it looks like Leanne's going to get to Arizona before me.
I can't keep up these days.
Two Seconds - Laura Cantrell
OldFishWife is thinking about VR, ThesaurusBoy drives, Lovely goes running at lunchtime and it looks like Leanne's going to get to Arizona before me.
I can't keep up these days.
Two Seconds - Laura Cantrell
Labels: work
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Every Breath You Take
17.41 On Time
Have become obsessed with the idea that ShiftyColleague is fiddling his leave. It's not like there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation for how he keeps using it all up but still managing to have more days off, or how come he was in the minus yesterday but is in the plus again today.
Am determined to thwart him. Might mean going through his bins, figuratively speaking. Might not be in accordance with RIPA.
Don't tell anyone.
I - Spy - Get Cape Wear Cape Fly
Watching The Detectives - Elvis Costello
Karma Police - John Vanderslice
Creep - Radiohead
Cracking Up - Nick Lowe
Have become obsessed with the idea that ShiftyColleague is fiddling his leave. It's not like there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation for how he keeps using it all up but still managing to have more days off, or how come he was in the minus yesterday but is in the plus again today.
Am determined to thwart him. Might mean going through his bins, figuratively speaking. Might not be in accordance with RIPA.
Don't tell anyone.
I - Spy - Get Cape Wear Cape Fly
Watching The Detectives - Elvis Costello
Karma Police - John Vanderslice
Creep - Radiohead
Cracking Up - Nick Lowe
Labels: work
Monday, September 14, 2009
17.41 On Time
This morning passed in slow motion. It was all about the 'R' word.
This afternoon we were promised "Nothing will be decided until April, and even then... "
That "even then" just hangs in the air, because no one really believes it can be painless.
Grey Skies and Work Things - The Lilac Time
Welcome To The Working Week - Elvis Costello
Not A Job - Elbow
The Employment Pages - Death Cab For Cutie
This morning passed in slow motion. It was all about the 'R' word.
This afternoon we were promised "Nothing will be decided until April, and even then... "
That "even then" just hangs in the air, because no one really believes it can be painless.
Grey Skies and Work Things - The Lilac Time
Welcome To The Working Week - Elvis Costello
Not A Job - Elbow
The Employment Pages - Death Cab For Cutie
Labels: work
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
17.41 Ten Minutes Late
We don't know if it's the weather or the water, but a definite something has got into people recently.
A call on speakerphone is usually a sign that a conversation is degenerating and that witnesses or assistance might be needed, so we all had the benefit of Mr"I'm going to smash his wife's face in and if I committed murder it wouldn't be my fault, it would be the police's fault for not doing anything about it" . Very calm, totally in control: much more menacing than a ranter. You can leave a ranter to run out of steam, by which time they'll probably apologise and tell you "I'm just really frustrated". This one didn't sound angry - he sounded serious.
Then, later, ThesaurusBoy's caller tried for the sympathy angle by following up the promise of violence with the threat of suicide.
Some people seem to lose all sense of proportion when consumer goods go bad.
By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell
Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
Incident At Conklin Creek - Richmond Fontaine
I Came Here To Say I'm Going Away - Okkervil River
Labels: work
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
15:52 On Time
Shunned a dying man in order to make a train.
It sounds like something from Earl's list, but it's what I did today.
Had to visit the BoyDentist this afternoon (we're getting on better these days, which is just as well as I'm back again in another four months) and as I was ambling back towards the station it dawned on me that, if I got a move on, I stood a slim chance of catching the next train rather than having to kick my heels for another whole hour.
So, there I was walk-running along the pavement when in the distance I saw a mobility scooter, scooting erratically towards me. As it got closer I recognised it's driver as the shadow of a former colleague, a man I used to work closely with ten years ago. We drew level. He said "Hello." I said "Hello".
I didn't stop, neither did I shout back "Train! Station!Got to..." as some form of explanation. I ran-walked away.
He was never a strapping, rosy complexioned picture of health - more a man constructed entirely from tobacco leaf - but today he was strapped to a tank of oxygen and grey as a squirrel.
He didn't stop either, but that's a feeble excuse isn't it?
Shunned a dying man in order to make a train.
It sounds like something from Earl's list, but it's what I did today.
Had to visit the BoyDentist this afternoon (we're getting on better these days, which is just as well as I'm back again in another four months) and as I was ambling back towards the station it dawned on me that, if I got a move on, I stood a slim chance of catching the next train rather than having to kick my heels for another whole hour.
So, there I was walk-running along the pavement when in the distance I saw a mobility scooter, scooting erratically towards me. As it got closer I recognised it's driver as the shadow of a former colleague, a man I used to work closely with ten years ago. We drew level. He said "Hello." I said "Hello".
I didn't stop, neither did I shout back "Train! Station!Got to..." as some form of explanation. I ran-walked away.
He was never a strapping, rosy complexioned picture of health - more a man constructed entirely from tobacco leaf - but today he was strapped to a tank of oxygen and grey as a squirrel.
He didn't stop either, but that's a feeble excuse isn't it?
Thursday, August 06, 2009
16:44 Fifteen Minutes Late
Sometimes I think he must want me to kill him.
One day maybe I will lose control. Leaping over the desk, leaving paper clips and treasury tags in my wake, brandishing an improvised and ineffectual weapon ... Then I remember: that's what he wants.
If I were to staple him to his chair, he would be the winner.
So, I close my ears to the irksome adolescent monologues (alternately whining and boastful) and remember: he is as old as I am, yet he still lives with his parents.
Lose Control - James
Went Crazy - Teardrop Explodes
She's Lost Control - Joy Division
I'm Not Angry - Elvis Costello
Sometimes I think he must want me to kill him.
One day maybe I will lose control. Leaping over the desk, leaving paper clips and treasury tags in my wake, brandishing an improvised and ineffectual weapon ... Then I remember: that's what he wants.
If I were to staple him to his chair, he would be the winner.
So, I close my ears to the irksome adolescent monologues (alternately whining and boastful) and remember: he is as old as I am, yet he still lives with his parents.
Lose Control - James
Went Crazy - Teardrop Explodes
She's Lost Control - Joy Division
I'm Not Angry - Elvis Costello
Labels: work
Thursday, June 04, 2009
17:00 On Time
As I try to work out how to express the sentiment: 'please, just sort this thing out, otherwise I'll have to actually read the four page letter I'm enclosing and work out for myself what’s gone on and then explain to you why you need to fix it, so please just do it now and save us both some time' only in not those exact words, I bat a squeezy rubber stress-ball from hand to hand. It's not really necessary. The letter isn't all that difficult, but it makes it look as though I'm struggling, having to think things through, means I can spend longer doing a job that should take five minutes tops.
To make it look even more serious I'm using my glasses again, which I don't really need for the screen, but I do so enjoy looking over the top of them, especially at ThinksHe'sAllThat, I think it unnerves him. At least I hope it does. Taking a break between paragraphs I hold the stress ball against my bottom lip, giving the impression of a person deep in thought.
When I was about nine years old, for Christmas, I got a huge, rubber, bendy Pink Panther. It smelled fabulous. Sometimes I was tempted to take small bites from it and, in the same way, I’m tempted to bite the stress ball now.
Eventually it perished.
Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear
As I try to work out how to express the sentiment: 'please, just sort this thing out, otherwise I'll have to actually read the four page letter I'm enclosing and work out for myself what’s gone on and then explain to you why you need to fix it, so please just do it now and save us both some time' only in not those exact words, I bat a squeezy rubber stress-ball from hand to hand. It's not really necessary. The letter isn't all that difficult, but it makes it look as though I'm struggling, having to think things through, means I can spend longer doing a job that should take five minutes tops.
To make it look even more serious I'm using my glasses again, which I don't really need for the screen, but I do so enjoy looking over the top of them, especially at ThinksHe'sAllThat, I think it unnerves him. At least I hope it does. Taking a break between paragraphs I hold the stress ball against my bottom lip, giving the impression of a person deep in thought.
When I was about nine years old, for Christmas, I got a huge, rubber, bendy Pink Panther. It smelled fabulous. Sometimes I was tempted to take small bites from it and, in the same way, I’m tempted to bite the stress ball now.
Eventually it perished.
Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
16.44 On Time
This afternoon I found myself composing a reply to an email that hasn’t been sent yet. An answer to a question I haven’t been asked. But then that’s nothing new. Most of my conversations don’t make it outside my head. The overlap is scary.
Afternoons are when I succumb. When I have least resistance. Yesterday I found myself making a list of names which I now seem to have misplaced, scarily enough - if it turns up in the wrong hands I may need all my powers of invention.
Afternoons are where I’m tempted to put my glasses on and pretend to be much busier than I actually am. When I have nothing at all to do I make sure I'm wearing the glasses, so I can gaze into the middle distance in a way that makes it look as though I’m seeking inspiration and pondering really important things and not just staring at nothing and having conversations in my head. Which is most likely the case.
Which is most likely the case?
Wrecking Ball - Cranes & Crows
Interstate 5 - The Wedding Present
Inner Flight - Primal Scream
This afternoon I found myself composing a reply to an email that hasn’t been sent yet. An answer to a question I haven’t been asked. But then that’s nothing new. Most of my conversations don’t make it outside my head. The overlap is scary.
Afternoons are when I succumb. When I have least resistance. Yesterday I found myself making a list of names which I now seem to have misplaced, scarily enough - if it turns up in the wrong hands I may need all my powers of invention.
Afternoons are where I’m tempted to put my glasses on and pretend to be much busier than I actually am. When I have nothing at all to do I make sure I'm wearing the glasses, so I can gaze into the middle distance in a way that makes it look as though I’m seeking inspiration and pondering really important things and not just staring at nothing and having conversations in my head. Which is most likely the case.
Which is most likely the case?
Wrecking Ball - Cranes & Crows
Interstate 5 - The Wedding Present
Inner Flight - Primal Scream
Labels: work
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
17.41 Seven Minutes Late
Best thing I read all day:
“Satellite UK Ltd recently sold their assets and data base to Satellite & Digital Ltd. Satellite UK customers were supposed to get a letter explaining the changes within 30 days of the takeover.
Payments will now appear on their bank statements to Satan”
Still not sure if it was a typo or a S&D Ltd employee with a sense of humour.
I Am Kloot - I Am Kloot
Best thing I read all day:
“Satellite UK Ltd recently sold their assets and data base to Satellite & Digital Ltd. Satellite UK customers were supposed to get a letter explaining the changes within 30 days of the takeover.
Payments will now appear on their bank statements to Satan”
Still not sure if it was a typo or a S&D Ltd employee with a sense of humour.
I Am Kloot - I Am Kloot
Labels: work
Thursday, April 23, 2009
17.53 On Time
As with so many things I brought it on myself.
Not only did I allow the thought: "Hmmm, what a lot of nice, reasonable people I've been dealing with lately" enter my conscious mind but I forgot to turn my phone off at five and picked up the call that came through at five past.
When the answer I gave him didn't tally with the answer he wanted me to give him (and following a lively exchange of views culminating in him resorting to calling me "Dear"- you know they're on the ropes at that point) he demanded to speak to ExLineManager. Presumably in the mistaken belief that this would intimidate me into changing my answer (the correct one) into his answer (the incorrect one). It didn't.
I sometimes wonder why I bother. What does it matter anyway? Why can't I just agree?
I could say: "Oh, you know, now I've had another think, yes, the law is exactly the opposite of what I just said it was. Turns out you're 100% right! I don't know why you bothered asking me in the first place! What do I know about it?"
After all it's no skin off my nose is it? I'm not going to be the one wasting money on court fees. In fact, if he rings back tomorrow, I think that's exactly what I will do.
Show Me How The Spectres Dance - Liam Frost & The Slowdown Family
As with so many things I brought it on myself.
Not only did I allow the thought: "Hmmm, what a lot of nice, reasonable people I've been dealing with lately" enter my conscious mind but I forgot to turn my phone off at five and picked up the call that came through at five past.
When the answer I gave him didn't tally with the answer he wanted me to give him (and following a lively exchange of views culminating in him resorting to calling me "Dear"- you know they're on the ropes at that point) he demanded to speak to ExLineManager. Presumably in the mistaken belief that this would intimidate me into changing my answer (the correct one) into his answer (the incorrect one). It didn't.
I sometimes wonder why I bother. What does it matter anyway? Why can't I just agree?
I could say: "Oh, you know, now I've had another think, yes, the law is exactly the opposite of what I just said it was. Turns out you're 100% right! I don't know why you bothered asking me in the first place! What do I know about it?"
After all it's no skin off my nose is it? I'm not going to be the one wasting money on court fees. In fact, if he rings back tomorrow, I think that's exactly what I will do.
Show Me How The Spectres Dance - Liam Frost & The Slowdown Family
Labels: work
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
16.44 Thirty Five Minutes Late
I think we've all got our fingers crossed for Thursday.
Dreading it being an elaborate hoax on his part: "Ha Ha, fooled you! I'm going nowhere!"
And, then, he might not get it.
Or, worse, he might get it but not take it.
How about that thought?
Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
Shine - Laura Marling
Last Call - Elliott Smith
Never My Love - The Association
I think we've all got our fingers crossed for Thursday.
Dreading it being an elaborate hoax on his part: "Ha Ha, fooled you! I'm going nowhere!"
And, then, he might not get it.
Or, worse, he might get it but not take it.
How about that thought?
Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
Shine - Laura Marling
Last Call - Elliott Smith
Never My Love - The Association
Labels: work
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Switching Off
16.53 Five Minutes Late
Other people's noise in my head.
All day.
Used Guy Garvey to block it out at lunchtime.
Didn't last long.
Indian Summer - Ben Gibbard
Sunken Waltz - Calexico
146 Degrees - Cinerama
Carparts - The Long Winters
Other people's noise in my head.
All day.
Used Guy Garvey to block it out at lunchtime.
Didn't last long.
Indian Summer - Ben Gibbard
Sunken Waltz - Calexico
146 Degrees - Cinerama
Carparts - The Long Winters
Labels: work
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What Do You Want The Girl To Do?
16.44 Four Minutes Late
When ExLineManager asked if I'd go undercover for him - and once I'd established that there were no strings and no commitment would be required - I agreed pretty sharpish. It's been a while since I did anything even vaguely double-entendreish in the workplace and you need to grab your fun where you can.
Providing he doesn't lose his nerve there'll be more fun on Friday, when he mischievously slaps a fixed penalty notice on the new boss.
What Do You Want The Girl To Do - Lowell George
What Do You Want The Girl To Do - Boz Scaggs
What Do You Want The Girl To Do - Allen Toussaint
When ExLineManager asked if I'd go undercover for him - and once I'd established that there were no strings and no commitment would be required - I agreed pretty sharpish. It's been a while since I did anything even vaguely double-entendreish in the workplace and you need to grab your fun where you can.
Providing he doesn't lose his nerve there'll be more fun on Friday, when he mischievously slaps a fixed penalty notice on the new boss.
What Do You Want The Girl To Do - Lowell George
What Do You Want The Girl To Do - Boz Scaggs
What Do You Want The Girl To Do - Allen Toussaint
Labels: work
Thursday, April 09, 2009
"...but my only desire is to be recognized ... by you"
16.53 Eight Minutes Late
This has been a crap week work wise.
Nothing bad has happened. I'm on top of my 'caseload'. I've had some nice chats with some nice people who I'll never, ever have to meet face to face. GirlieBoss has been off all week. ExLineManager gave us each a tube of mini eggs. The trains were on time (mostly). Plus it's a four day week - what more do you want?
Just....I don't know...some vague hope that, one day, things might be...well, less crap? It's only what we were promised, after all.
Bish - Stephen Bishop
This has been a crap week work wise.
Nothing bad has happened. I'm on top of my 'caseload'. I've had some nice chats with some nice people who I'll never, ever have to meet face to face. GirlieBoss has been off all week. ExLineManager gave us each a tube of mini eggs. The trains were on time (mostly). Plus it's a four day week - what more do you want?
Just....I don't know...some vague hope that, one day, things might be...well, less crap? It's only what we were promised, after all.
Bish - Stephen Bishop
Labels: work
Friday, March 20, 2009
"...just a girl who can't say no"
16.44 Six Minutes Late
Finished the chocolates this afternoon.
They had lasted three days, which is pretty good in our office. Although that may have been because I was rationing them quite severely.
As soon as I'd got them upstairs I realised I hadn't made enough of an effort to refuse - not even the most perfunctory of 'Oh, no really, you shouldn't have's. I could see what was in the bag, I wanted it: I'm not good at dissembling.
But, technically, we're not permitted to accept gifts. We're supposed to put up at least a show of resistance and not leave ourselves open to 'Council Officials in Chocolate Corruption Scandal' accusations.
Expect 'ThorntonsGate' to follow.
Jupiter & Teardrop - Grant Lee Buffalo
Bixby Canyon Bridge - Death Cab For Cutie
I Went With Some Friends To See The Flaming Lips - Benji Hughes
Some Things Last A Long Time - Daniel Johnston
Finished the chocolates this afternoon.
They had lasted three days, which is pretty good in our office. Although that may have been because I was rationing them quite severely.
As soon as I'd got them upstairs I realised I hadn't made enough of an effort to refuse - not even the most perfunctory of 'Oh, no really, you shouldn't have's. I could see what was in the bag, I wanted it: I'm not good at dissembling.
But, technically, we're not permitted to accept gifts. We're supposed to put up at least a show of resistance and not leave ourselves open to 'Council Officials in Chocolate Corruption Scandal' accusations.
Expect 'ThorntonsGate' to follow.
Jupiter & Teardrop - Grant Lee Buffalo
Bixby Canyon Bridge - Death Cab For Cutie
I Went With Some Friends To See The Flaming Lips - Benji Hughes
Some Things Last A Long Time - Daniel Johnston
Labels: work
Thursday, March 19, 2009
7.57 On Time
IntimidatingGermanWoman smiled! With her eyes!
I’m slightly in shock, but put it down to an aberration induced by the spectacularly mild weather and the glorious sunshine.
Also, had a bit of a think and must remember to tell ThesaurusBoy to disregard all the ‘advice’ I’ve been giving him about ‘dating’ and ‘relationships’ over the last few weeks. Must also tell him why, or he will think I am simply looking for an excuse not to listen.
Minor Works – J Tillman
IntimidatingGermanWoman smiled! With her eyes!
I’m slightly in shock, but put it down to an aberration induced by the spectacularly mild weather and the glorious sunshine.
Also, had a bit of a think and must remember to tell ThesaurusBoy to disregard all the ‘advice’ I’ve been giving him about ‘dating’ and ‘relationships’ over the last few weeks. Must also tell him why, or he will think I am simply looking for an excuse not to listen.
Minor Works – J Tillman
Labels: real life, train, work
Friday, March 13, 2009
"...all we care about is talking, talking only me and you"
21.45 On Time
So, pissed blogging? Yes or no? Probably "no" is for the best.
Only, being ThesaurusBoy's birthday, a round of 'pin the age on...' was unavoidable. This is a dangerous game, even when no actual sharp implements are involved. It invariably results in someone getting hurt and disproving that old 'sticks and stones may break my bones...' cliche. I'm so used to it not being me I don't know how I'll cope when the inevitable happens.
It was interesting to discover ThinksHe'sAllThat likes Eels though. I'd never have guessed. And when was the last time I went out 'on my own'? It seems like forever.
Oh, La - Ra Ra Riot
Modern Mystery - Someone Still Loves You Bosis Yeltsin
Kids - MGMT
Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn & John
So, pissed blogging? Yes or no? Probably "no" is for the best.
Only, being ThesaurusBoy's birthday, a round of 'pin the age on...' was unavoidable. This is a dangerous game, even when no actual sharp implements are involved. It invariably results in someone getting hurt and disproving that old 'sticks and stones may break my bones...' cliche. I'm so used to it not being me I don't know how I'll cope when the inevitable happens.
It was interesting to discover ThinksHe'sAllThat likes Eels though. I'd never have guessed. And when was the last time I went out 'on my own'? It seems like forever.
Oh, La - Ra Ra Riot
Modern Mystery - Someone Still Loves You Bosis Yeltsin
Kids - MGMT
Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn & John
Labels: work
Friday, March 06, 2009
8.38 Three Minutes Late
I have several colleagues who regularly hoard their annual leave and then, in March, don't come to work at all. It seems like such a waste. Not that the idea of taking a whole month off doesn't appeal (and nothing against March, as such) but if you're choosing a month to spend away from work it's got to be May or June or, at a pinch, September.
Also, to take March off means you've gone through the entire leave year turning things down, never luxuriating in a long weekend, and thinking: "Oh well, only another 273 days to go and it'll be March again..."
In the 'current climate' it also hints at dispensability.
Not Even Jail - Interpol
Sad Sweet Dreamer - Sweet Sensation
Human Remains - Tom McRae
Do What You Gotta Do - Four Tops
I have several colleagues who regularly hoard their annual leave and then, in March, don't come to work at all. It seems like such a waste. Not that the idea of taking a whole month off doesn't appeal (and nothing against March, as such) but if you're choosing a month to spend away from work it's got to be May or June or, at a pinch, September.
Also, to take March off means you've gone through the entire leave year turning things down, never luxuriating in a long weekend, and thinking: "Oh well, only another 273 days to go and it'll be March again..."
In the 'current climate' it also hints at dispensability.
Not Even Jail - Interpol
Sad Sweet Dreamer - Sweet Sensation
Human Remains - Tom McRae
Do What You Gotta Do - Four Tops
Labels: work
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
14:53 Thirty Minutes Late
Compensating for the fact that lunch was nothing special The Course finished early.
It wasn't bad. I didn't scribble anything snide, or even doodle much, on my Holiday Inn notepad. Oh, unless "Future Proofing!!!!" counts. But that was ExLineManager.
The Trainer knew both what he was talking about and who he was talking too, which is uncommon. We are now all fired up and full of enthusiasm, which is also uncommon.
Setting Sons - The Jam
Compensating for the fact that lunch was nothing special The Course finished early.
It wasn't bad. I didn't scribble anything snide, or even doodle much, on my Holiday Inn notepad. Oh, unless "Future Proofing!!!!" counts. But that was ExLineManager.
The Trainer knew both what he was talking about and who he was talking too, which is uncommon. We are now all fired up and full of enthusiasm, which is also uncommon.
Setting Sons - The Jam
Labels: work
