I make no apologies for these next two jokes - they were sent to me by an American friend!
During a recent campaign tour of the Apache Nation in the state of New Mexico, President George W. Bush said that he planned to increase every Native American's income by $40,000 a year.
The President refused repeated requests for details of his plan. However, he also told the Apaches that during his career as Governor of Texas, he signed YES 9,637 times on Indian issues that reach his desk for approval.
Before his departure, the Apache Tribe presented the President with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian Name, 'Walking Eagle'.
After the President's departure on Air Force One, tribal officials explained to the news media that 'Walking Eagle' is the name given to a bird so full of shit that it can't fly.
And the next joke:
Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield are together on Air Force One.
Bush says, "If I dropped a $1,000 bill out the window I would make someone very happy."
Cheney says, "If I dropped 10 $100 bills out the window I would make 10 people very happy."
Rumsfield says, "If I dropped 100 $10 bills out the window I would make 100 people very happy."
The pilot turns to the co-pilot and says, "Big shots ! If I dropped the three of them out the window I would make 56 million people very happy."
Suppose I should look like I'm doing some work...
Back later - if I get chance.
Karen.
Don't the b'stards get you down.
A good weekend (Nothing else matters)
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Karen
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This weekend has been far more fun than I'd expected it to be.. Simply because I was able to spend time with people I care about, and have a damned good time in the process!
Saturday, Mum and I went shopping to Merry Hill (a rather over-rated shopping centre in my opinion!) and then the real fun started on Saturday night... My friend Julian had invited me to an Erasure night at a club he regularly goes to, and told me to expect a shock when I saw him...
Shock was an understatement. He'd dyed his dark hair a startling white blond (think Billy Idol / Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer hair colour.) The disturbing thing was, he looked bloody good. But, that wasn't the only trick up his sleeve...
It turned out that this party was a Karoke party, and if you were dressed up as either Andy Bell, or Vince Clarke then you had to sing an Erasure track. Ok - no problem there, as Julian's got quite a good voice. The problem came when he decided that he would do Erasure's Abba cover - Voulez Vous, and required a singing partner.
No prizes for guessing who he roped in for that. Yep. Muggins. I will admit, I was more than a little apprehensive, but in the end thought "what the hell" and went for it.
Ok - I probably made a real prat of myself, but I was of the opinion that if I could cope with doing a presentation at the conference, I could cope with making an idiot of myself with a good mate.
I don't know what time I got to bed, but I seem to recall that it was the early (or not so early) hours of this morning... And I'd promised Mum that I'd take her to a garden centre at Wychbold, near Droitwich!
Thankfully, I'd not drunk that much, and got home in time to pick Mum up and take her to Webbs, as I'd promised. As I drove home, I was listening to Kerrang! on the radio, and they plated one of the few Metallica songs that I really like: -
Nothing Else MattersSo close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know
I never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
No, nothing else matters
For some reason, this song really speaks to a part of me that few people (other than those who've know me more years than any of us like to admit to) know even exists in me. Ok - I know that I appear sarcastic, and malevolent, but appearances can be very deceiving..
But all the same, if you don't like claws, don't pull a tiger's tail!
Time to call it quits - I've got to be up at 04:15 tomorrow morning to deal with Flame - I'm still trying to get used to the way that she likes to play about!
Back tomorrow.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Saturday, Mum and I went shopping to Merry Hill (a rather over-rated shopping centre in my opinion!) and then the real fun started on Saturday night... My friend Julian had invited me to an Erasure night at a club he regularly goes to, and told me to expect a shock when I saw him...
Shock was an understatement. He'd dyed his dark hair a startling white blond (think Billy Idol / Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer hair colour.) The disturbing thing was, he looked bloody good. But, that wasn't the only trick up his sleeve...
It turned out that this party was a Karoke party, and if you were dressed up as either Andy Bell, or Vince Clarke then you had to sing an Erasure track. Ok - no problem there, as Julian's got quite a good voice. The problem came when he decided that he would do Erasure's Abba cover - Voulez Vous, and required a singing partner.
No prizes for guessing who he roped in for that. Yep. Muggins. I will admit, I was more than a little apprehensive, but in the end thought "what the hell" and went for it.
Ok - I probably made a real prat of myself, but I was of the opinion that if I could cope with doing a presentation at the conference, I could cope with making an idiot of myself with a good mate.
I don't know what time I got to bed, but I seem to recall that it was the early (or not so early) hours of this morning... And I'd promised Mum that I'd take her to a garden centre at Wychbold, near Droitwich!
Thankfully, I'd not drunk that much, and got home in time to pick Mum up and take her to Webbs, as I'd promised. As I drove home, I was listening to Kerrang! on the radio, and they plated one of the few Metallica songs that I really like: -
Nothing Else MattersSo close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know
I never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
No, nothing else matters
For some reason, this song really speaks to a part of me that few people (other than those who've know me more years than any of us like to admit to) know even exists in me. Ok - I know that I appear sarcastic, and malevolent, but appearances can be very deceiving..
But all the same, if you don't like claws, don't pull a tiger's tail!
Time to call it quits - I've got to be up at 04:15 tomorrow morning to deal with Flame - I'm still trying to get used to the way that she likes to play about!
Back tomorrow.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Coping with a migrane, and other things...
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Karen
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I know that it's been a few days since I've posted anything to my blog, but this was because I've been ill with the bane of my existence - migrane. For those people lucky enough to avoid suffering from this, let me try and give an insight into the pain and anguish that it can cause.
Imagine one side of your head is being crushed in a vice. Then, add to that pain visual disturbance that would make a drug induced hallucination seem like a Disney film. On top of that, add in nausea, which makes you feel like you're going to vomit if you move too quickly.
That was what I was trying to work though on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. My line manager was a real angel, and made sure that I managed to get quiet a bit of time away from my computer screen, as he admitted that he knew what it was like to suffer from migraine himself.
And I wasn't helped by smart ass comments like "why aren't you wearing your glasses? Surely you'd be better off with them than wearing your contact lenses."
Congratulations. It doesn't matter what I wear to try and improve my eyesight - the problem lies in my skull - something along the lines of the blood vessels in the brain constricting, and causing the pain. Or something like that.
Including the one idiot on Friday who was unwise enough to argue with me. He claimed that he'd ordered a specific tyre pattern, and we'd sent the wrong one. There was only one problem with that. The person who'd placed the order has far more experience than anyone of us in the office, and if it had been me, I could have understood it, as I was spaced out of my brain on various painkillers on Thursday, in an attempt to kill the migraine.
Ok - here's a little background on this. This idiot called me, and started screaming that the wrong tyres had been ordered at our end, and that he needed these tyres for a customer who was going to Europe on Saturday morning. (Aren't they always?!)
Unfortunately for the moron at the end of the 'phone, he'd picked the worst time to call me, as my head was pounding. He tried to get me to agree to the same day delivery, but I don't think he'd banked on dealing with a bad tempered, stubborn female.
I refused to give in on the same day delivery, but gave him the following options, to prove that I wasn't being awkward. (Well, no more than normal!)
* Delivery on Monday
* He collected the tyres from the warehouse
"I'll get back to you" was the response. Fine with me, as I could almost guarantee that it wouldn't be me that he'd speak to... Needless to say, the twerp called back and spoke to one of the others in the department, and said that the Monday delivery would be fine. What a surprise.
But, I will admit to feeling bight enough to escape out on Friday night with one of the girls... We went to a pub that I have a real soft spot for - The Blue Lias at Stockton. We sat and talked about things that had really wound the pair of us up over the past couple of weeks, things that were of interest to the pair of us, our respective families and of course, the office gossip.
Unfortunately, it looks like I'm about to become part of the office gossip, as one or two of the people who were at the post conference piss up are starting to jump to conclusions along the lines of 2 + 2 = 22. Thankfully, forewarned is forearmed as they say, and no doubt there'll be sly digs, and not so subtle questions about what happened.
Time to call this entry quits - I want a peaceful bath - without furry intervention!
Back later, if I feel up to it.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Imagine one side of your head is being crushed in a vice. Then, add to that pain visual disturbance that would make a drug induced hallucination seem like a Disney film. On top of that, add in nausea, which makes you feel like you're going to vomit if you move too quickly.
That was what I was trying to work though on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. My line manager was a real angel, and made sure that I managed to get quiet a bit of time away from my computer screen, as he admitted that he knew what it was like to suffer from migraine himself.
And I wasn't helped by smart ass comments like "why aren't you wearing your glasses? Surely you'd be better off with them than wearing your contact lenses."
Congratulations. It doesn't matter what I wear to try and improve my eyesight - the problem lies in my skull - something along the lines of the blood vessels in the brain constricting, and causing the pain. Or something like that.
Including the one idiot on Friday who was unwise enough to argue with me. He claimed that he'd ordered a specific tyre pattern, and we'd sent the wrong one. There was only one problem with that. The person who'd placed the order has far more experience than anyone of us in the office, and if it had been me, I could have understood it, as I was spaced out of my brain on various painkillers on Thursday, in an attempt to kill the migraine.
Ok - here's a little background on this. This idiot called me, and started screaming that the wrong tyres had been ordered at our end, and that he needed these tyres for a customer who was going to Europe on Saturday morning. (Aren't they always?!)
Unfortunately for the moron at the end of the 'phone, he'd picked the worst time to call me, as my head was pounding. He tried to get me to agree to the same day delivery, but I don't think he'd banked on dealing with a bad tempered, stubborn female.
I refused to give in on the same day delivery, but gave him the following options, to prove that I wasn't being awkward. (Well, no more than normal!)
* Delivery on Monday
* He collected the tyres from the warehouse
"I'll get back to you" was the response. Fine with me, as I could almost guarantee that it wouldn't be me that he'd speak to... Needless to say, the twerp called back and spoke to one of the others in the department, and said that the Monday delivery would be fine. What a surprise.
But, I will admit to feeling bight enough to escape out on Friday night with one of the girls... We went to a pub that I have a real soft spot for - The Blue Lias at Stockton. We sat and talked about things that had really wound the pair of us up over the past couple of weeks, things that were of interest to the pair of us, our respective families and of course, the office gossip.
Unfortunately, it looks like I'm about to become part of the office gossip, as one or two of the people who were at the post conference piss up are starting to jump to conclusions along the lines of 2 + 2 = 22. Thankfully, forewarned is forearmed as they say, and no doubt there'll be sly digs, and not so subtle questions about what happened.
Time to call this entry quits - I want a peaceful bath - without furry intervention!
Back later, if I feel up to it.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Just something to make the day go by...
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Karen
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I make no apologies for this, especially given my personal feelings on the US president…
Wouldn’t it be great to turn on the TV and hear President Bush give the following speech?
My Fellow Americans:
As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days.
It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries that have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there. The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.
To Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Yo, boys. Work out a peace deal now. Just note that Camp David is closed. Maybe all of you can go to Russia for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too. By the way Palestinians, we are no longer going to restrain Israel!
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
A special note to our neighbours. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple of extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now. We are sick and tired of the one-way highway. It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "darn tootin'."
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. It is time to eliminate World Cup Soccer from America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you and we won't forget. To the nations on List 2, a final thought. Go to Hell.
God Bless America.
Thank you and good night.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier!!!!!!!!!
Ok, I know that there will be people who will be screaming blue murder, because I'm taking the mickey out of the US president, but I make no apologies for this. If I could find something that poked fun at the British political system, I would get it posted onto my blog. And no, this isn't something that a Brit sent to me - this came in from the States. And all that remains for me to say is....
Many thanks for the jokes big guy...
Suppose I'd better look like I'm doing some work...
Back later, if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Wouldn’t it be great to turn on the TV and hear President Bush give the following speech?
My Fellow Americans:
As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days.
It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries that have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there. The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.
To Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Yo, boys. Work out a peace deal now. Just note that Camp David is closed. Maybe all of you can go to Russia for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too. By the way Palestinians, we are no longer going to restrain Israel!
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
A special note to our neighbours. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple of extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now. We are sick and tired of the one-way highway. It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "darn tootin'."
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. It is time to eliminate World Cup Soccer from America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you and we won't forget. To the nations on List 2, a final thought. Go to Hell.
God Bless America.
Thank you and good night.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier!!!!!!!!!
Ok, I know that there will be people who will be screaming blue murder, because I'm taking the mickey out of the US president, but I make no apologies for this. If I could find something that poked fun at the British political system, I would get it posted onto my blog. And no, this isn't something that a Brit sent to me - this came in from the States. And all that remains for me to say is....
Many thanks for the jokes big guy...
Suppose I'd better look like I'm doing some work...
Back later, if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Woah - what we have here is sense of humour failure...
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Karen
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Why can't people be more open minded? All I got today was comments about me being cuddled by a fella at the post conference piss up. The truth of the matter is, I was stone cold sober, as I was driving, and was absolutely freezing whilst I was walking up the drive at Warwick castle, and the fella in question was a real gent and acted as a wind break for me.
As we walked through the Kingmaker exhibit, the floor was rather uneven, and some of the waxworks were real people, who seemed to delight in making people jump. I had one of them jump out at me, and it was only because the fella I was with grabbed hold of me, that I prevented myself from getting injured, or falling flat on my face.
Mind you, he didn't object, as he jokingly said that he'd 'pulled.' (I knew damned well he was married and he knew that I was attached and that my partner was also at the do, so there was absolutely nothing in it.)
The comments were just enough to irritate me, and I will admit, it was one of the rare occasions that I was glad of managerial intervention. My line manager stepped into the fray, and told the responsible people to cut the comments, otherwise he wouldn't be held responsible if I decided to lay a few tales to rest.
But that didn't stop the subtle hints, and just to make matters more awkward for me, the fella whom had been my 'escort' for want of a better term, was in the office. He was totally professional and if he heard the comments, didn't rise to the bait. Well - not that he showed, anyway!
What makes me say that? Simple. He caught up with me in the canteen area, where I was making myself a coffee, and asked if the interest in our being together on Tuesday night was normal. I nodded, and I guess that he must have realised that I was heartily sick of all the comments / nudges and winks, because he gave me a lovely cuddle, and told me not to worry.
It turned out, after I'd left the rest of the party-goers and headed for home, he'd spoken to my partner (or significant other - the choice of phrase depends on my mood!) and elaborated on the plan that the pair of us had hatched.
It basically boiled down to the fact that not many people at the office know him, and as I'm a newbie (so to speak), we were going to give all the office mob something to talk about - even though absolutely nothing happened!
To be honest, the sense of humour failure was mine - but thankfully, there were people willing to make me laugh, and act as unwilling scratching posts for my claws this afternoon. My poor maligned line manager being one of them.
He started taking the mickey out of one of the other girls, and I decided to start flexing the claws again, as I'd been rather subdued for a while... I gave her the idea that she could refuse to pick up his lunch for him when she went out for lunch, and that was met with a howl of anguish, and the comment:
"Ok, Karen, put the claws away. I didn't mean it."
That just made me laugh, but it was soon to be my turn to get on the receiving end of the waspish sense of humor that my line manager seems to have. But, instead of reacting verbally, I just waited to get a more pertinent type of revenge.
I waited until he was leaning back from his computer, stretching his back, and then took careful aim, and threw my lavender stress ball, so that it bounced off the keyboard and onto his desk.
The look of surprise was well worth it, as I'd never given any indication that I could throw as accurately as that. However, his accuracy wasn't as good as mine and he missed the return shot at me by a country mile. Mind you - I made damned sure of that - I ducked!
A few minutes later, it was time for me to escape, and it was with great hilarity that I left, as my line manager was too embarassed by the missed shot to even say anything to me, apart from wishing me a good weekend, and that he'd see me on Monday...
Suppose I'd better call this entry quits - I've got to get the cats sorted for the night.
Back when I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
As we walked through the Kingmaker exhibit, the floor was rather uneven, and some of the waxworks were real people, who seemed to delight in making people jump. I had one of them jump out at me, and it was only because the fella I was with grabbed hold of me, that I prevented myself from getting injured, or falling flat on my face.
Mind you, he didn't object, as he jokingly said that he'd 'pulled.' (I knew damned well he was married and he knew that I was attached and that my partner was also at the do, so there was absolutely nothing in it.)
The comments were just enough to irritate me, and I will admit, it was one of the rare occasions that I was glad of managerial intervention. My line manager stepped into the fray, and told the responsible people to cut the comments, otherwise he wouldn't be held responsible if I decided to lay a few tales to rest.
But that didn't stop the subtle hints, and just to make matters more awkward for me, the fella whom had been my 'escort' for want of a better term, was in the office. He was totally professional and if he heard the comments, didn't rise to the bait. Well - not that he showed, anyway!
What makes me say that? Simple. He caught up with me in the canteen area, where I was making myself a coffee, and asked if the interest in our being together on Tuesday night was normal. I nodded, and I guess that he must have realised that I was heartily sick of all the comments / nudges and winks, because he gave me a lovely cuddle, and told me not to worry.
It turned out, after I'd left the rest of the party-goers and headed for home, he'd spoken to my partner (or significant other - the choice of phrase depends on my mood!) and elaborated on the plan that the pair of us had hatched.
It basically boiled down to the fact that not many people at the office know him, and as I'm a newbie (so to speak), we were going to give all the office mob something to talk about - even though absolutely nothing happened!
To be honest, the sense of humour failure was mine - but thankfully, there were people willing to make me laugh, and act as unwilling scratching posts for my claws this afternoon. My poor maligned line manager being one of them.
He started taking the mickey out of one of the other girls, and I decided to start flexing the claws again, as I'd been rather subdued for a while... I gave her the idea that she could refuse to pick up his lunch for him when she went out for lunch, and that was met with a howl of anguish, and the comment:
"Ok, Karen, put the claws away. I didn't mean it."
That just made me laugh, but it was soon to be my turn to get on the receiving end of the waspish sense of humor that my line manager seems to have. But, instead of reacting verbally, I just waited to get a more pertinent type of revenge.
I waited until he was leaning back from his computer, stretching his back, and then took careful aim, and threw my lavender stress ball, so that it bounced off the keyboard and onto his desk.
The look of surprise was well worth it, as I'd never given any indication that I could throw as accurately as that. However, his accuracy wasn't as good as mine and he missed the return shot at me by a country mile. Mind you - I made damned sure of that - I ducked!
A few minutes later, it was time for me to escape, and it was with great hilarity that I left, as my line manager was too embarassed by the missed shot to even say anything to me, apart from wishing me a good weekend, and that he'd see me on Monday...
Suppose I'd better call this entry quits - I've got to get the cats sorted for the night.
Back when I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
There’s something about just shooting the breeze…
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Karen
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There's something to be said about going out after work with a couple of work mates, and sitting shooting the breeze, knowing that what you say won't be taken out of context or taken any further the table that you're seated at.
It started out as a joke between me and one of the other girls that I work with. We'd arranged to buzz off to a pub after work for a quiet drink and a chat, and as a joke, asked one of the guys that we worked with.
To be honest, I was rather sceptical about his participation, and as he was finishing after the pair of us, I gave him my mobile number with the request that he called me to make sure that we were still at the pub.
Well, much to my amazement, about an hour or so after we'd gotten to the pub, my 'phone rang, and my colleague said that he was en-route, and would join us in the pub.
If I'm brutally honest, I think it did me the world of good, as I was able to talk to people I like and respect, knowing full well that what I said would go no further. But I also leant more about the people I work with, and more importantly, how people in my department perceived me.
The fella who met us at the pub was part of the team that was doing the presentation on Tuesday, and he said that both he and my line manager had been really concerned about me, as I was paler than they'd ever seen me, and it was only because I was wearing a dark coloured shirt that I managed to get any colour in my face.
"To be honest, I was wondering if I was going to need a shovel, you looked like you were absolutely shitting it. But you really proved that you've got great strength of character - and that's been noted by the powers that be."
That really surprised me. Yes - I will admit to being terrified, but to have it open stated that I looked terrified really surprised me. Mind you, I wasn't really taking much notice of how I looked when I nipped into the ladies loo to change into my t-shirt!
We then got talking about other things, and I finally admitted the reason why I'd been so keen to get out tonight. Simply because talking to my ex had upset me more than I'd realised. Or, more to the point, it had upset me more than I'd been willing to admit to myself.
The more the three of us talked, the happier I became, and by the end of the evening, I was even getting the claws out, and having a quick swipe at people.
But, the most important thing for me, was the fact that the three of us have gotten to know each other slightly better, and have said that we'll have to go out again after work, and the agreement that we keep what is discussed between the three of us will be our bond.
Time to call this entry quits - I need my ugly sleep as I've got to be up early tomorrow morning.
Back tomorrow - if I get the peace and quiet at work!
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
It started out as a joke between me and one of the other girls that I work with. We'd arranged to buzz off to a pub after work for a quiet drink and a chat, and as a joke, asked one of the guys that we worked with.
To be honest, I was rather sceptical about his participation, and as he was finishing after the pair of us, I gave him my mobile number with the request that he called me to make sure that we were still at the pub.
Well, much to my amazement, about an hour or so after we'd gotten to the pub, my 'phone rang, and my colleague said that he was en-route, and would join us in the pub.
If I'm brutally honest, I think it did me the world of good, as I was able to talk to people I like and respect, knowing full well that what I said would go no further. But I also leant more about the people I work with, and more importantly, how people in my department perceived me.
The fella who met us at the pub was part of the team that was doing the presentation on Tuesday, and he said that both he and my line manager had been really concerned about me, as I was paler than they'd ever seen me, and it was only because I was wearing a dark coloured shirt that I managed to get any colour in my face.
"To be honest, I was wondering if I was going to need a shovel, you looked like you were absolutely shitting it. But you really proved that you've got great strength of character - and that's been noted by the powers that be."
That really surprised me. Yes - I will admit to being terrified, but to have it open stated that I looked terrified really surprised me. Mind you, I wasn't really taking much notice of how I looked when I nipped into the ladies loo to change into my t-shirt!
We then got talking about other things, and I finally admitted the reason why I'd been so keen to get out tonight. Simply because talking to my ex had upset me more than I'd realised. Or, more to the point, it had upset me more than I'd been willing to admit to myself.
The more the three of us talked, the happier I became, and by the end of the evening, I was even getting the claws out, and having a quick swipe at people.
But, the most important thing for me, was the fact that the three of us have gotten to know each other slightly better, and have said that we'll have to go out again after work, and the agreement that we keep what is discussed between the three of us will be our bond.
Time to call this entry quits - I need my ugly sleep as I've got to be up early tomorrow morning.
Back tomorrow - if I get the peace and quiet at work!
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Busted... And still smiling - but only just.
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Just one of the perils of being half asleep and sitting where I do (with my back to the door.) I'd got Solitaire running before I'd officially started work and me being dopey, I'd forgotten to close the game. It just my luck, as I was searching for a particular screen my line manager walked in, and spotted the offending game.
The first I knew of it, was when he said "Solitaire Karen? I'm very disappointed." Luckily for me, I was able to talk my way out of it, but it's made me realise that I need to be that much more careful - especially when I'm updating my blog!
I guessed that he wasn't too unhappy with me as he'd been teasing me, because I'm wearing my glasses. I will admit to being slightly miffed, but as I was taking the mickey out of him yesterday, I guess that I shouldn't complain too much.
The worst part (for me) is answering the phone. Simply because me being lazy, I use a headset, as that gives me both hands free to type with (but it doesn't improve my spelling!) But it does make life rather uncomfortable on my head, as my headset squashes the arms of my glasses into the side of my head.
But that's not the only thing that's annoying me today. I got caught a real beauty at lunchtime. My mobile rang, and me being not quite with it, having been engrossed in my book, I answered it.
It was the worst thing I could have done, as it was my ex. He was all sickly sweet, asking how I was, and I will admit, I felt really tempted to put the 'phone down on him. But, for some reason, pity stayed my hand, and I spoke to him.
But I was really surprised at myself - I felt like I was taking to a total stranger - any emotions that I may have had for him, seem to have vanished like the early morning mists. I got the impression that he wasn't too happy, and he asked why I sounded so disinterested.
To be honest, I wasn't that bothered what he thought, and only bristled very slightly when he asked if I was seeing anyone. I am, but what irritated me was the way that he seemed to insinuate that I was being nasty and flaunting my new relationship.
So, rather than risk an argument, I politely told him that I was coming to the end of my lunch break, and needed to get back to my desk. (I was actually only halfway through my lunch break, but I was damned if I was going to let him waste any more of my free time!)
Once I'd gotten off the 'phone, I settled back down to read my book. I'm currently reading a non-fiction book, about the life of Mary Queen of Scots called My Heart is My Own. It's really well written, and I will admit, I'm quite enjoying it. But, I'm still not encouraged enough to go and study history!
I suppose I'd better get on with some work...
Back later - if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
The first I knew of it, was when he said "Solitaire Karen? I'm very disappointed." Luckily for me, I was able to talk my way out of it, but it's made me realise that I need to be that much more careful - especially when I'm updating my blog!
I guessed that he wasn't too unhappy with me as he'd been teasing me, because I'm wearing my glasses. I will admit to being slightly miffed, but as I was taking the mickey out of him yesterday, I guess that I shouldn't complain too much.
The worst part (for me) is answering the phone. Simply because me being lazy, I use a headset, as that gives me both hands free to type with (but it doesn't improve my spelling!) But it does make life rather uncomfortable on my head, as my headset squashes the arms of my glasses into the side of my head.
But that's not the only thing that's annoying me today. I got caught a real beauty at lunchtime. My mobile rang, and me being not quite with it, having been engrossed in my book, I answered it.
It was the worst thing I could have done, as it was my ex. He was all sickly sweet, asking how I was, and I will admit, I felt really tempted to put the 'phone down on him. But, for some reason, pity stayed my hand, and I spoke to him.
But I was really surprised at myself - I felt like I was taking to a total stranger - any emotions that I may have had for him, seem to have vanished like the early morning mists. I got the impression that he wasn't too happy, and he asked why I sounded so disinterested.
To be honest, I wasn't that bothered what he thought, and only bristled very slightly when he asked if I was seeing anyone. I am, but what irritated me was the way that he seemed to insinuate that I was being nasty and flaunting my new relationship.
So, rather than risk an argument, I politely told him that I was coming to the end of my lunch break, and needed to get back to my desk. (I was actually only halfway through my lunch break, but I was damned if I was going to let him waste any more of my free time!)
Once I'd gotten off the 'phone, I settled back down to read my book. I'm currently reading a non-fiction book, about the life of Mary Queen of Scots called My Heart is My Own. It's really well written, and I will admit, I'm quite enjoying it. But, I'm still not encouraged enough to go and study history!
I suppose I'd better get on with some work...
Back later - if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
The day after the conference...
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Karen
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And oh my God, are there some sore heads in the office. Mine isn't one of them, but I will admit to only getting an hour's sleep last night... I got home just after midnight, and was too wired to sleep, so that's the reason for the lack of sleep. (Well, one that I'm sticking with, anyway!)
I've also got a rotten headache to boot, as my eyes are really suffering. My own fault really, I'm too vain to wear my glasses instead of my contact lenses.
Having said that though, it's been quiet enjoyable, watching the rest of my colleagues suffering - including my line manager - who has been very subdued, due to the size of his hangover. (And yes, I am malevolent enough to take great glee in that fact!)
But he was still bright enough to have a quick pop at me, when I said that I'd gotten very little sleep. I knew he wasn't with it enough to fight back when I threatened to flick water over him, in an attempt to stop him falling asleep at his desk!
I guess that I should talk a bit about the conference... It was quite good, but I will admit, I wasn't really able to enjoy the morning, as I was really wound up about the presentation that I was going to do in the afternoon.
Lunch was very tasty - (the little bit that I managed to eat!), and the afternoon session was quite good fun. Those of us that were at the conference changed into t-shirts, with a motto that said:
A contact centre agent is for life - not just for Christmas
I've also got a rotten headache to boot, as my eyes are really suffering. My own fault really, I'm too vain to wear my glasses instead of my contact lenses.
Having said that though, it's been quiet enjoyable, watching the rest of my colleagues suffering - including my line manager - who has been very subdued, due to the size of his hangover. (And yes, I am malevolent enough to take great glee in that fact!)
But he was still bright enough to have a quick pop at me, when I said that I'd gotten very little sleep. I knew he wasn't with it enough to fight back when I threatened to flick water over him, in an attempt to stop him falling asleep at his desk!
I guess that I should talk a bit about the conference... It was quite good, but I will admit, I wasn't really able to enjoy the morning, as I was really wound up about the presentation that I was going to do in the afternoon.
Lunch was very tasty - (the little bit that I managed to eat!), and the afternoon session was quite good fun. Those of us that were at the conference changed into t-shirts, with a motto that said:
A contact centre agent is for life - not just for Christmas
on the front, and our first initial and surname on the back, with 05 (a reference to it being the 2005 conference) underneath. They looked really good, and we've all agreed to wear them the first Friday of the month, in order to raise money for the company's selected charity.
The presentation itself went quite well, and I will admit, my colleagues on the stand were a real help, giving me visual signals of encouragement (such as thumbs up) when I got the visual cue from the video that was part of the presentation.
But, I guess the real crux of the matter was the fact that I didn't chicken out,which I get the feeling that my line manager was worried I'd do. Simply because I was really scared in the morning, and could just about manage to do a final run through.
Afterwards, he admitted that he'd been worried that I would freak out and refuse to do the presentation due to my nerves, and that he had been quite willing to step in and help me if I'd felt too overwhelmed.
However, what he didn't realise was that I was determined to overcome my nerves, and once I'd got the first bit over and done with, I was relatively happy. Ok - I'll re-phrase that. Happier than I was in the morning!
The real fun was in the evening. We ended up going to Warwick Castle, and had to stand in the cold, listening to some idiot in armour drivelling on about the history of the castle. Normally I'm fairly interested, but when I'm freezing cold and hungry to boot, there's not much point in trying to get my interest.
The food wasn't really anything to write home about - but the entertainment was good in places, and missed the target in others. But for me, the best part was getting to know my colleagues better, and share a few jokes with like minded people... Including having a quick dig at my line manager!
As I've said in previous posts, I was determined to stop him calling me by his chosen nickname for me... So, last night, I jokingly asked him not to call me "Karen" all the time, as I always wondered what I'd done wrong.
His response was to complain that I was always changing my mind, ("typical bloody female") and he didn't know what the hell he could call me! I started laughing, and suggested "Kaz." He agreed, and said that this would be the last change, otherwise he'd start calling me something truly unrepeatable (in polite company, anyway!)
Ah well, time to call it quits - it's time for me to log off and bog off.
Back later (if my headache has cleared)...
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Feeling awful... And I think I know why....
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Karen
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No, I haven't said anything that I may regret. Yet. (There's still the evening 'do' to get through so I'll try to avoid tempting the Fates like that!)
The reason I'm feeling awful is the fact that I discovered that I am a rotten traveler when I'm uptight or worried about something. Crazy, I know, especially when you consider all the thousands of miles that I must have traveled over the years....
As you know from my last post, I was helping to set the stand up for my department's presentation, and that involved traveling. Not a good move, as I wasn't feeling too good anyway - I'd got a rotten headache even before I left the office, and spent the outward journey as a quiet passenger.
Once at site, I brightened up, even to the extent of doing a little bit of baiting, much to the amusement of one of my colleagues who jokingly called me Tiger. Ok - I can cope with that, as I have a real soft spot for the big stripy pussy cats.
The fun started when I was heading back to the office. I settled into the back seat of the car, and that was it. I started to feel really ill. My traveling companions were chatting, and it was soon noted that I was rather quiet.
Normally, if I get asked if I'm ok when I'm in a car, I make a joke and say that I'm "checking my eyelids for light leaks" or something like that. This time, I was really ropy, and just quietly admitted that I wasn't very good when it came to traveling in the back of a car.
My colleagues were really sweet, and said that I should have said something before, and I could have sat in the front. Very commendable, but given how I was feeling, the best thing I could do was close my eyes and snuggle down into my heavy winter coat - to the extent that all you could see of my face was the brow of my nose and my eyes.
Thankfully, the trip wasn't that long, and I was able to get out of the car, and stretch my legs. But I still felt rotten, and managed to avoid the very kind offer of a lift to where Mum works, on the grounds that the last thing I wanted to do was spend any more time in an unfamiliar car.
Don't get me wrong, the person who was driving was very steady - fast, but steady. Speed doesn't really bother me, but there was just something that I wasn't comfortable with, and I guess that it's because that I'm really wound up about this presentation.
Luckily for me, I'm going to be driving to the conference tomorrow, so I'll be too concerned with making sure that I get myself and the car to the site in one piece, so I hopefully won't have time to get travel sick.
Slightly change of topic now - Mum and I have booked our break to the Isle of Wight. We've booked a four night break at the St Maur hotel in Ventnor (see http://www.stmaur.co.uk/index.html) for full details. Now all I have to do is go and see the Doctor to get myself sorted out for the ferry!
Suppose I should log off and bog off. I want to get a decent night's sleep so that at least I can go to the conference semi-relaxed.
Back on Wednesday....
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
The reason I'm feeling awful is the fact that I discovered that I am a rotten traveler when I'm uptight or worried about something. Crazy, I know, especially when you consider all the thousands of miles that I must have traveled over the years....
As you know from my last post, I was helping to set the stand up for my department's presentation, and that involved traveling. Not a good move, as I wasn't feeling too good anyway - I'd got a rotten headache even before I left the office, and spent the outward journey as a quiet passenger.
Once at site, I brightened up, even to the extent of doing a little bit of baiting, much to the amusement of one of my colleagues who jokingly called me Tiger. Ok - I can cope with that, as I have a real soft spot for the big stripy pussy cats.
The fun started when I was heading back to the office. I settled into the back seat of the car, and that was it. I started to feel really ill. My traveling companions were chatting, and it was soon noted that I was rather quiet.
Normally, if I get asked if I'm ok when I'm in a car, I make a joke and say that I'm "checking my eyelids for light leaks" or something like that. This time, I was really ropy, and just quietly admitted that I wasn't very good when it came to traveling in the back of a car.
My colleagues were really sweet, and said that I should have said something before, and I could have sat in the front. Very commendable, but given how I was feeling, the best thing I could do was close my eyes and snuggle down into my heavy winter coat - to the extent that all you could see of my face was the brow of my nose and my eyes.
Thankfully, the trip wasn't that long, and I was able to get out of the car, and stretch my legs. But I still felt rotten, and managed to avoid the very kind offer of a lift to where Mum works, on the grounds that the last thing I wanted to do was spend any more time in an unfamiliar car.
Don't get me wrong, the person who was driving was very steady - fast, but steady. Speed doesn't really bother me, but there was just something that I wasn't comfortable with, and I guess that it's because that I'm really wound up about this presentation.
Luckily for me, I'm going to be driving to the conference tomorrow, so I'll be too concerned with making sure that I get myself and the car to the site in one piece, so I hopefully won't have time to get travel sick.
Slightly change of topic now - Mum and I have booked our break to the Isle of Wight. We've booked a four night break at the St Maur hotel in Ventnor (see http://www.stmaur.co.uk/index.html) for full details. Now all I have to do is go and see the Doctor to get myself sorted out for the ferry!
Suppose I should log off and bog off. I want to get a decent night's sleep so that at least I can go to the conference semi-relaxed.
Back on Wednesday....
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Getting over the weekend...
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Karen
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I had a quiet weekend, doing very little - apart from getting my hair streaked. Instead of going for the normal blonde, I've opted for red streaks. Not a vivid red, but a subtle dark red.
To be honest, I was quite apprehensive, as I'd got horrible visions of it going wrong, but when it was done, the result was really surprising. Far from being the vivid red that I'd feared the streaks would be (as the colourant was a bright red colour), they're quite subtle, and you've got to get me in decent light to see them.
I've also managed to achieve a miracle. I've stopped my line manager from calling me by an "nickname" of sorts, my surname with a "Y" added on the end. Admittedly, I did drop myself in it rather a long way, and caused a lot of hilarity in the office, as I was aiming at a colleague, who was encouraging the use of the hated "nickname". Instead of me saying to my colleague "Shut your trap.... " I got the name wrong.
Thankfully, my line manager has taken it in good humour, and admitted that he hadn't actually heard the comment. How he failed to do so is beyond me, but I was quite grateful. It's also had the additional benefit that I'm now just called "Karen" instead of anything else!
So, now my next "task" is to get a new nickname established, as most of the people who know me call me "Kaz", which I will admit, used to annoy me, but as I've gotten older it doesn't bother me so much...
Slightly off topic, this e-mail was sent to me by an American e-mail friend....
A worldwide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was:
"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?" The survey was a huge failure.....
Coz in Africa they didn't know what 'food' meant, in India they didn't know what 'honest' meant; in Europe they didn't know what 'shortage' meant; in China they didn't know what 'opinion' meant; in the Middle East they didn't know what 'solution' meant; in South America they didn't know what 'please' meant; and in the USA they didn't know what 'the rest of the world' meant.
Oops! Time for me to log off & bog off - I've got to go and help set up the stand for the conference tomorrow.
Back later, if I get the chance....
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
To be honest, I was quite apprehensive, as I'd got horrible visions of it going wrong, but when it was done, the result was really surprising. Far from being the vivid red that I'd feared the streaks would be (as the colourant was a bright red colour), they're quite subtle, and you've got to get me in decent light to see them.
I've also managed to achieve a miracle. I've stopped my line manager from calling me by an "nickname" of sorts, my surname with a "Y" added on the end. Admittedly, I did drop myself in it rather a long way, and caused a lot of hilarity in the office, as I was aiming at a colleague, who was encouraging the use of the hated "nickname". Instead of me saying to my colleague "Shut your trap.... " I got the name wrong.
Thankfully, my line manager has taken it in good humour, and admitted that he hadn't actually heard the comment. How he failed to do so is beyond me, but I was quite grateful. It's also had the additional benefit that I'm now just called "Karen" instead of anything else!
So, now my next "task" is to get a new nickname established, as most of the people who know me call me "Kaz", which I will admit, used to annoy me, but as I've gotten older it doesn't bother me so much...
Slightly off topic, this e-mail was sent to me by an American e-mail friend....
A worldwide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was:
"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?" The survey was a huge failure.....
Coz in Africa they didn't know what 'food' meant, in India they didn't know what 'honest' meant; in Europe they didn't know what 'shortage' meant; in China they didn't know what 'opinion' meant; in the Middle East they didn't know what 'solution' meant; in South America they didn't know what 'please' meant; and in the USA they didn't know what 'the rest of the world' meant.
Oops! Time for me to log off & bog off - I've got to go and help set up the stand for the conference tomorrow.
Back later, if I get the chance....
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Getting feedback is always nice..
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Karen
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I guess that I'd better respond to a couple of queries that I've received from posters about my blog...
In answer to Brian's comment, am I just sarcastic or is it just an English thing? Well, it depends on who / what I'm aiming at. And it's not because I'm English - I'm half Canadian from Dad's side of the family.
But most of the time, no, I'm not sarcastic - just rather fed up with the stupidity of people who don't seem to have anything better to do apart from complain.
Now onto the latest post / details... It feels like WWIII has broken out in the office. Two of the girls are involved in some silly little dispute that appears to have escalated into out and out war, and this dispute is now in danger of pulling me into the fray.
The worst part (for me, anyway) is the fact that both of them are using me as a shoulder to cry on, and as regular readers of this blog will know, I've got more than enough to keep me on my toes without this being added to my woes.
The mere fact that the probate court is querying the fact that Dad's will hadn't been updated for about 17 years. To be honest, neither he nor Mum thought that there was any need to update their wills as nothing had changed. So, I've got that hanging over me, as well as doing this dratted presentation at the conference.
Despite that, I'm keeping pretty much to my own council at the moment, as I'm currently the main contact for earthmover / industrial tyres in the office, as one of my colleagues is having a couple of days off.
As result, I've been kept pretty busy and have been on the 'phone most of the day. Mind you, I don't mind as the guys I talk to always end up veering off the subject and we end up talking about everything apart from work!
But, having said that, there are times when I wish I wasn't in the office and I'm starting to feel that today is one of them. Simply because I know that sooner or later, a complaint will be made to our departmental line manager, and I'll be hauled in to explain what's been going on.
The worst part is, I don't really want to drop either one in the proverbial, so I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. I know that I should be ready, willing and able to explain what I've seen and heard (not to mention said myself), but I feel that I'll be betraying the confidence of both girls.
Still, I guess that life could be a heck of a lot worse, and I've decided to adopt a new motto:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ "WOO HOO what a ride!""
Back when I get fed up.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
In answer to Brian's comment, am I just sarcastic or is it just an English thing? Well, it depends on who / what I'm aiming at. And it's not because I'm English - I'm half Canadian from Dad's side of the family.
But most of the time, no, I'm not sarcastic - just rather fed up with the stupidity of people who don't seem to have anything better to do apart from complain.
Now onto the latest post / details... It feels like WWIII has broken out in the office. Two of the girls are involved in some silly little dispute that appears to have escalated into out and out war, and this dispute is now in danger of pulling me into the fray.
The worst part (for me, anyway) is the fact that both of them are using me as a shoulder to cry on, and as regular readers of this blog will know, I've got more than enough to keep me on my toes without this being added to my woes.
The mere fact that the probate court is querying the fact that Dad's will hadn't been updated for about 17 years. To be honest, neither he nor Mum thought that there was any need to update their wills as nothing had changed. So, I've got that hanging over me, as well as doing this dratted presentation at the conference.
Despite that, I'm keeping pretty much to my own council at the moment, as I'm currently the main contact for earthmover / industrial tyres in the office, as one of my colleagues is having a couple of days off.
As result, I've been kept pretty busy and have been on the 'phone most of the day. Mind you, I don't mind as the guys I talk to always end up veering off the subject and we end up talking about everything apart from work!
But, having said that, there are times when I wish I wasn't in the office and I'm starting to feel that today is one of them. Simply because I know that sooner or later, a complaint will be made to our departmental line manager, and I'll be hauled in to explain what's been going on.
The worst part is, I don't really want to drop either one in the proverbial, so I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. I know that I should be ready, willing and able to explain what I've seen and heard (not to mention said myself), but I feel that I'll be betraying the confidence of both girls.
Still, I guess that life could be a heck of a lot worse, and I've decided to adopt a new motto:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ "WOO HOO what a ride!""
Back when I get fed up.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Something to make the day easier...
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Karen
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Just a little thought for those who work in an office....
Prayer for the stressed
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change things I cannot accept and the wisdom to hid the bodies of those I had to kill today because they got on my nerves.
Help me to be careful of the toes I step on today as they might be connected to the feet I may have to kiss tomorrow.
Help me always to give 100% at work: 12% on Monday, 23% on Tuesday, 40% on Wednesday, 20% on Thursday and 5% on Friday.
And help me to remember when I am having a bad day and it seems that people are trying to wind me up it takes 42 muscles to frown, 28 to smile and only four to extend my arm and smack someone in the mouth.
AMEN.
I know it sounds like all I do is bitch about work, but the office isn't as bad as it could be... There have been some offices that I've had the misfortune to work in, where you felt like you'd done well if you only had one knife hilt in your back!
Ah well, suppose I'd better get on with some w*rk...
Back later if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Prayer for the stressed
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change things I cannot accept and the wisdom to hid the bodies of those I had to kill today because they got on my nerves.
Help me to be careful of the toes I step on today as they might be connected to the feet I may have to kiss tomorrow.
Help me always to give 100% at work: 12% on Monday, 23% on Tuesday, 40% on Wednesday, 20% on Thursday and 5% on Friday.
And help me to remember when I am having a bad day and it seems that people are trying to wind me up it takes 42 muscles to frown, 28 to smile and only four to extend my arm and smack someone in the mouth.
AMEN.
I know it sounds like all I do is bitch about work, but the office isn't as bad as it could be... There have been some offices that I've had the misfortune to work in, where you felt like you'd done well if you only had one knife hilt in your back!
Ah well, suppose I'd better get on with some w*rk...
Back later if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
After the run through...
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Karen
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Talk about being emotionally drained. The run through was worse than I'd expected! Ok - I know that my colleagues were quite happy with the way I coped, but appearances are tremendously deceiving. Inside, I was little more than a quivering jelly!
My line manager was really helpful, and offered to help me on the first attempt, but I'm the stubborn (or bloody minded - take your pick) type. I will admit, I politely declined the offer of help, as I said that it was easier for me to "fling myself in at the deep end, and get this started - otherwise I'll just wimp out."
It wasn't as bad as I'd feared, and given the fact that I'd only watched the video a couple of times, I don't think I did too badly... Everyone in the group was really supportive, and my line manager was really impressed - he jokingly accused me of reading the script over his shoulder as he prepped it on his laptop!
But the more I ran through the script, the more my nerves started to affect me, and it didn't help the fact that my colleagues were pulling faces at me in an attempt to ease my nerves. In the end, I declined the offer of another run through, on the grounds that all it was doing was making me even more nervous that I already was.
As I left the room with the others, my line manager asked me to wait a couple of minutes, as he wanted to talk to me. I will admit to being even more uptight than I was before, but it transpired that all he wanted to do was re-assure me that if I didn't feel up to doing the presentation at any point, just let him know, and he'd step into the fray for me.
I will admit, I was really grateful for the offer, but said that I would feel that I had let myself and my group members down by wimping out at the last minute. As I type this, I'm beginning to wonder if this time, I've finally bitten off more than I can chew...
Back when I get chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
My line manager was really helpful, and offered to help me on the first attempt, but I'm the stubborn (or bloody minded - take your pick) type. I will admit, I politely declined the offer of help, as I said that it was easier for me to "fling myself in at the deep end, and get this started - otherwise I'll just wimp out."
It wasn't as bad as I'd feared, and given the fact that I'd only watched the video a couple of times, I don't think I did too badly... Everyone in the group was really supportive, and my line manager was really impressed - he jokingly accused me of reading the script over his shoulder as he prepped it on his laptop!
But the more I ran through the script, the more my nerves started to affect me, and it didn't help the fact that my colleagues were pulling faces at me in an attempt to ease my nerves. In the end, I declined the offer of another run through, on the grounds that all it was doing was making me even more nervous that I already was.
As I left the room with the others, my line manager asked me to wait a couple of minutes, as he wanted to talk to me. I will admit to being even more uptight than I was before, but it transpired that all he wanted to do was re-assure me that if I didn't feel up to doing the presentation at any point, just let him know, and he'd step into the fray for me.
I will admit, I was really grateful for the offer, but said that I would feel that I had let myself and my group members down by wimping out at the last minute. As I type this, I'm beginning to wonder if this time, I've finally bitten off more than I can chew...
Back when I get chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Tired, and stuck with a headache.
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Karen
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There's nothing like a headache to make you feel flat. I've had this dratted headache for the past couple of days, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's got something to do with the fact that I'm worried.
No, it's not family or anything like that. This is work related. Me being dumb, I've agreed to speak at the company conference this month, and I'm scared witless. I know people will be saying "for goodness sake, say something!" but it's not as easy as that. I feel like I'm letting down my colleagues & team mates if I back out now.
Hopefully, I'll feel brighter this afternoon - I'm going to be doing a run through, to make sure that everything goes to plan...
Suppose I'd better log off & bog off - I want a few minutes peace and quiet before I get hauled in to do the run through...
Back later - if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
No, it's not family or anything like that. This is work related. Me being dumb, I've agreed to speak at the company conference this month, and I'm scared witless. I know people will be saying "for goodness sake, say something!" but it's not as easy as that. I feel like I'm letting down my colleagues & team mates if I back out now.
Hopefully, I'll feel brighter this afternoon - I'm going to be doing a run through, to make sure that everything goes to plan...
Suppose I'd better log off & bog off - I want a few minutes peace and quiet before I get hauled in to do the run through...
Back later - if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
Finding a UFO in the car... (Uninvited Furry Object)
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Karen
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No, I'm not going 'round the twist. I was checking the car over in the garage, and obviously, to get access to the controls and the bonnet catch, I had left the driver's door open.
The cats have the run of the house and garage, and Fred, being the nosy / dumb moggy that he is, hopped in to the car. Ok - not a major problem, as he had a quick sniff 'round, saw that there was nothing of feline interest, and hopped out.
Ponto, on the other hand was a different kettle of fish. (Or fur - your choice!) He hopped into the car, and promptly settled down for a sleep on the back seat. I closed the bonnet, and the door of the car, and went back into the house to grab my coat and handbag, so I could leave for work.
No problem there. The problem arose, when I backed the car out of the garage, and had just closed the garage door, with the intention of heading to work. Only to have a small (or not so small) grey head pop between the front seats, look up at me and go 'Meow.' As if to say "where are we going, and will I be able to sleep?"
I will admit, I was too stunned to even scream. I stood on the brakes, and slapped the hazards on - the last thing that I wanted was for one of the other residents to plough into the back of my car, whilst I was busy throwing Ponto back into the house.
Grabbing hold of him wasn't that difficult - I think he was more stunned by my reaction than I was! I opened the garage door, and then opened the back door and plonked him down on the floor with a few kitty crunchies. Whilst he was munching, I scarpered out the back door and back to the car, muttering darkly as I did so.
If the truth be known, Ponto & Fred wouldn't dream of going near my previous car, as I used to take them to the vet, and the minute they saw the door open on the car, the two of them fled!
So, I guess the moral of this furry tail (ok - I mean tale) is to make sure that neither cat is in the area when I'm checking the car over... Until I have to take them to the vet that is!
Suppose I'd better get on with some work...
Back later - if I can get the peace and quiet!
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down
The cats have the run of the house and garage, and Fred, being the nosy / dumb moggy that he is, hopped in to the car. Ok - not a major problem, as he had a quick sniff 'round, saw that there was nothing of feline interest, and hopped out.
Ponto, on the other hand was a different kettle of fish. (Or fur - your choice!) He hopped into the car, and promptly settled down for a sleep on the back seat. I closed the bonnet, and the door of the car, and went back into the house to grab my coat and handbag, so I could leave for work.
No problem there. The problem arose, when I backed the car out of the garage, and had just closed the garage door, with the intention of heading to work. Only to have a small (or not so small) grey head pop between the front seats, look up at me and go 'Meow.' As if to say "where are we going, and will I be able to sleep?"
I will admit, I was too stunned to even scream. I stood on the brakes, and slapped the hazards on - the last thing that I wanted was for one of the other residents to plough into the back of my car, whilst I was busy throwing Ponto back into the house.
Grabbing hold of him wasn't that difficult - I think he was more stunned by my reaction than I was! I opened the garage door, and then opened the back door and plonked him down on the floor with a few kitty crunchies. Whilst he was munching, I scarpered out the back door and back to the car, muttering darkly as I did so.
If the truth be known, Ponto & Fred wouldn't dream of going near my previous car, as I used to take them to the vet, and the minute they saw the door open on the car, the two of them fled!
So, I guess the moral of this furry tail (ok - I mean tale) is to make sure that neither cat is in the area when I'm checking the car over... Until I have to take them to the vet that is!
Suppose I'd better get on with some work...
Back later - if I can get the peace and quiet!
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down
Happy New Year!
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Karen
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Happy New Year! Sorry it's taken a while for me get this post on to the blog, but I've been rather pre-occupied with various things - including making sure that my friend is ok...
As I type this, Rachel is still in hospital recovering from the riding accident, and to be honest, I'm wondering if she'll ever want to get back on a horse again.
But, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - no point on dwelling what may not even happen. If the events of the past year have taught me anything - it's grab every chance with both hands - life's too short for what if....
So, having taken that lesson on board, I did exactly that, and did something that most people would consider crazy. I bought a horse. Not just any horse, but a thoroughbred. As in race horse breed. I've no intention of racing her, as I don't fancy the expense / heartache that comes with race horse ownership.
However, she's a really bright / intelligent horse, and she's called Heart of Flame (more often called Flame for ease!) When I get the scanner sorted out (really must take the computer apart this weekend!) I'll take some photos of her (I don't do self portraits), and post them on my blog.
On a personal note, aside from the purchase of my horse, things have been ticking along quietly, and things are getting..... Interesting. Obviously, I'll refrain from naming people (unless I get their ok), but suffice to say that I'm happier than I've been for quite a while.
Admittedly, I do take some stick at work for it, but it's water off a duck's back as they say, as there is very little that anyone can say / do to dampen my happiness.
Ah well, time to call this entry quits - I've got to get dinner ready for when Mum gets in...
Back tomorrow - possibly.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
As I type this, Rachel is still in hospital recovering from the riding accident, and to be honest, I'm wondering if she'll ever want to get back on a horse again.
But, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - no point on dwelling what may not even happen. If the events of the past year have taught me anything - it's grab every chance with both hands - life's too short for what if....
So, having taken that lesson on board, I did exactly that, and did something that most people would consider crazy. I bought a horse. Not just any horse, but a thoroughbred. As in race horse breed. I've no intention of racing her, as I don't fancy the expense / heartache that comes with race horse ownership.
However, she's a really bright / intelligent horse, and she's called Heart of Flame (more often called Flame for ease!) When I get the scanner sorted out (really must take the computer apart this weekend!) I'll take some photos of her (I don't do self portraits), and post them on my blog.
On a personal note, aside from the purchase of my horse, things have been ticking along quietly, and things are getting..... Interesting. Obviously, I'll refrain from naming people (unless I get their ok), but suffice to say that I'm happier than I've been for quite a while.
Admittedly, I do take some stick at work for it, but it's water off a duck's back as they say, as there is very little that anyone can say / do to dampen my happiness.
Ah well, time to call this entry quits - I've got to get dinner ready for when Mum gets in...
Back tomorrow - possibly.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down.
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