Legacy of a crash [part 2]

Well, the price for the same day delivery has been given… £165 + vat. Glad it’s not me that has to pay that! Call me tight fisted if you like, but the problem only arose due to our system failure on Wednesday.

I know one thing – it’s taught me to make sure that I use the manual ordering system, when the computer ordering system is unreliable!

Bugger – there goes my ‘phone. Suppose I’d better answer it.

Back later.

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Legacy of a crash [part 1]

Just what I didn’t need. An order that I manage to force into the ordering system on Wednesday, (when it was up and running after a fashion) has come back to haunt me.

The truck tyres that were ordered haven’t arrived and the guy at site is going mad, as the truck that they are to be fitted to is going for the MOT on Monday, and the company that owns the truck isn’t open on Saturday, so that negates a Saturday delivery.

The worst part is, there has been a crackdown on same day deliveries, and due to the system being down on Wednesday, the transport system didn’t register the fact that there had been an order placed.

So, as I type this, we are waiting for a price to see if the same day delivery can be sorted… I hate computers at times like this!

Back later [possibly].

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Do pigs fly to the bacon slicer yet?

Just one of my quick answers when I get asked if a certain tyre is in stock yet. It tends to be truck tyres that get this response, and thankfully, it does make life a little easier, as most customers have a good sense of humour. You do get the occasional one that has sense of humour failure, but that’s just one of the perils of this job…

Hmm – suppose I’d better answer my phone…

Back later [possibly].

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Inside Out..

Listening to a Bryan Adams song - Inside Out, reminds me of the way that my best mate and I are with each other - even though he's very happy with a super lass.

Inside Out
Bryan Adams

 The biggest lie you ever told
Your deepest fear 'bout growin' old
The longest night you ever spent
The angriest letter you never sent


The boy you swore you'd never leave
The one you kissed on New Year's Eve
The sweetest dream you had last night
Your darkest hour, your hardest fight


I wanna know you, like I know myself
I'm waitin' for you, there ain't no one else
Talk to me baby, scream and shout
I want to know you, inside out


I wanna dig down deep, I wanna lose some sleep
I wanna scream and shout, I wanna know you inside out
I wanna take my time, I wanna know your mind
Ya know there ain't no doubt, I wanna know you inside out


The saddest song you ever heard
The most you said with just one word
The loneliest prayer you ever prayed
The truest vow you ever made


What makes you laugh, what makes you cry
What makes you mad, what gets you by
Your highest high, your lowest low
These are the things I wanna know


I wanna know you like I know myself
I'm waiting for you, there ain't no one else
Talk to me baby, scream and shout
I wanna know you inside out


I wanna dig down deep, I wanna lose some sleep
I wanna scream and shout,
I wanna know you inside out


I wanna take my time, I wanna know your mind
You know there ain't no doubt, I wanna know you inside out

I wanna know your soul, I wanna lose control
C'mon n' let it out
I wanna know you inside out


Ya gotta dig down deep, lose some sleep
I wanna dig down deep, I wanna lose some sleep
I wanna scream and shout, I wanna know you inside out

I wanna take my time, I wanna know you're mine
Ya know there ain't no doubt, I wanna know you inside out

For me, this song sums up the meaning of a true friendship. Someone who knows your darkest moments, and your hopes and fears. Ok - I know that some people will find it a weird set up that I am such good mates with an ex, but as I've said in a previous post - we didn't split up because on cheated on the other - we split up because we were too good together as friends to be anything else.

Time to call it quits - I've got to get to my room - there's a program on BBC2 (Horizon) about the new theory on the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Back tomorrow.

Karen.


Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Sharing a joke…

There are some people who can make a day seem an awful lot brighter, by sharing a laugh. The best example today, has been the Scots fella who was ordering some tyres for a Peugeot 307 XSi.

He wanted a particular tyre type, but unfortunately, there’s more than one variety of this tyre, and ideally, you need to match like with like. We talked about the car – I’ve driven the 307 110 HDi diesel turbo – which is extremely fast – for a diesel! Mind you – I made a bad mistake a couple of years ago…

I took on what I thought was a standard diesel, only to have the damn thing accelerate, and chew me up then spit me out in little pieces! It was a blasted 110, not the 90! But, that’s not the only time I’ve bitten off more than I can chew…

When Mum was in hospital, after having surgery on her arm to remove one of the plates, Dad and I had gone to visit her – the pair of us in separate cars, as he was going to work (he worked at Birmingham airport – those people who know me, know who Dad used to work for!), and I was going to head back home.

Well, we headed for the hospital, and at the major traffic island (the junction of the A45 & the A46) I was first at the traffic lights, with a BMW along side me…. I looked over, and saw the M-series bodykit on the car, and assumed that the driver had more money than sense… And that the car was a standard BMW. Boy – did I get that one wrong!

The lights changed, and I accelerated, expecting to leave the BMW for dead. No chance. The BMW hit the powerband, and that was it. I was eating rubber. Dad found it hilarious, and said to Mum:

“Our daughter’s an idiot – she took on an M-series BMW in her car.”

“Hang on a minute – I didn’t know that it was an M-series – I just thought it was someone with more money than sense. I didn’t realise that it was the real McCoy!”

“Didn’t you see the twin tail pipes?”

“Not until he was past me.”

 That caused much hilarity, and even up to the day he died, Dad used to tease me about my mistake – but thankfully, that was the only one that I admitted to! If he known what I used to get up to (and still get up to) he’d skin me!

Time to call it quits – there are too many people about to blog safely at the moment!

Back later [possibly].

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Back from lunch…

And there’s nothing that makes me wish I was back on my lunch than the fact that I am bored stiff. I’ve done all the work that needs to be done, and I’m having trouble staying awake.

But, I’ll say one thing – having a warped sense of humour can pay off at times. One of the sales reps called into check stock, and whilst I was waiting for the computer to give me an availability, he told me a joke – if you’re easily offended, may I suggest you skip the rest of this post!

A man goes into the doctor’s and says that he’s got real problems. “Every time I sneeze, I get an erection.”

“That’s awful,” said the Doctor. “Are you taking anything for it?”

“Yes,” replied the man. “Snuff mainly.”

As soon as the guy had told me the joke, he said that he was a bit worried, as jokes like that were grounds for me to make a complaint to HR (Human Resources). That had me laughing, and I said that there was no need to worry - I appreciated that sort of joke!

Hmm – suppose I’d better look like I’m working, instead of blogging…

Back later [possibly].

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Catching up…

Is a pain in the bum! But, thankfully, I’ve got the calls made to the customers that I took manual orders from, and got most of the bits and pieces sorted out.


Now all I’ve got to do, is try and keep myself from strangling the moron that called me, wanting to order a tyre that is on a back order. He can’t seem to get it through his thick skull that there are none available for the next five days at least!


Hmm – time to call it quits – I’m gonna strangle this one!


Back later [possibly].

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Working with Word ®…

It’s the only way that I can keep adding to the Blog. I’ve managed to save the last few entries, and that way, I can see what I’ve ranted about.

Despite that, I’ve had a couple of jokes sent to me – the only one that had me sniggering, so I’ve decided to post it on the blog as it was rather appropriate…

A French teacher was explaining to her class that in French, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine. "House" is feminine -"la maison." "Pencil" is masculine -"le crayon."

A student asked, "What gender is 'computer'?" Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups - male and female - and asked them to decide for themselves whether "computer" should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for their recommendation.

The men's group decided that "computer" should definitely be of the feminine gender ("la computer"), because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later review; and

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your salary on accessories for it.

The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine ("le computer") because:

1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on

2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realise that if you had waited a little longer, you could have got a better model.

Just something that made me smile – especially given what the computer has been doing to me today!

Back later [possibly].

Karen.

Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Never trust a computer.

Especially when you’re trying to do some work. The entire network has had to be put onto a backup system.

‘We are currently experiencing problems in the wide area network that is causing long response times with all external systems. Though the problem is still on going, we have diverted our traffic over the ISDN backup system which is unaffected by the fault. This means that we currently have acceptable response times but limited capacity.

I will send another email when the problem is fully resolved, but in the meantime can you refrain from using non-essential systems such as Internet browsing and E-mail.

Sorry for the inconvenience’

 So, here endeth the blog entry for now!

Back later – if the computer lets me!

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Get a solicitor involved? You must be joking!

I’ve just spoken to the people who usually deal with probate matters… They have advised me to do the work myself, as it would be considerably cheaper - approx. £130, as opposed to £500 or more, if we got someone else to do it!

Call me tight fisted if you like, but I’d prefer to do the work myself, and ask for advise as and when I need it, as this could prove easier for me, and (I know this sounds horrible) at least I know what to do when Mum dies.

I’ve also spoken to Mum, and she’s agreed with me – the best course of action is for us to do the paperwork ourselves, and then file the necessary documents at the probate court.

Hopefully, there’s a closer court than Birmingham, as apparently, you have to go in and swear some kind of oath (I guess it’s along the lines of that the information given is true, etc.) and then the certificate is issued, and can be sent off to the relevant people, and Dad’s estate can be sorted out, and the files archived on the computer.

Time to call it quits – got calls to make!

Back later.

Karen.

Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

There are times when I could cheerfully wring someone’s neck. Care to volunteer?

Just spoken to the probate office. Because the insurance policy is over £5k, then there is the requirement to go through probate, which can take about two months or more!

Apparently, it is quite easy, but the lass I spoke to said that we needed to declare all of Dad’s assets – that were held in his name only. Because the majority of the assets were in joint names, they don’t count, but there are some bits I need advise on.

So, the lass has arranged for one of her colleagues to call me during my lunch break, and I can talk things through with him, and see what the best course of action is – i.e. if Mum & I do the work, or if we just let the family solicitor loose.

Hmm – looks like things are starting to work. Not.

Back later.

Karen.

Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Dratted insurance companies… Why can’t they be more helpful??

Why is it that you try to make a claim on a life insurance policy, the company throws as many obstructions in your path as they possibly can? We’ve been told that the claim had been authorised, but as it was over the company limit, we need to go through probate.

Which is a pain in the backside, as everyone else has been a real help, and has agreed that there is no requirement for this. Simply because Dad’s will stated that everything had been left to Mum and there are no other claimants on the estate. I don’t count, because I’m classified as independent, as I’m earning my own money.

The worst part, is the fact that Birmingham office that I’m trying to contact has a recorded message, to say that the reception is on restricted hours, due to staff training, and that if you leave a message, they will call you back. Fine under normal circumstances, but knowing my luck, they would call me when I was unable to take the call.

So, I’ve decided to call them during my lunch break, and see what happens. The last time I called them, they were really helpful, and gave me the information about what to do, and whom I should contact when I needed help.

Suppose I’d better answer my phone before it drives me scatty!

Back later.

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Yawn – why are meetings so boring?

And if I had the answer to that question, I’d make a fortune! Simply because I’d have found a way to brighten up meetings, and avoid falling asleep, and getting nudged by a colleague, in order to stop my subtle (or not so subtle) snores!

Thankfully, that didn’t cause too much trouble, as I’d already admitted that I was knackered, and had gotten very little sleep last night. What I didn’t admit to, was the fact that I’d done my usual trick, and spent most of the night reading. (You expected me to say that I’d been up playing Divine Divinity!)

But, the book was really worth it. It was the second of the Kelley Armstrong books I’d bought the other day. To be honest, Industrial Magic was better than Dime Store Magic, but you really needed to read Dime Store before Industrial, in order to understand the various bits and pieces.

Me being such a bookworm, I’ve started to read another book – this one’s called The Saga of Darren Shan – Vampire blood. It’s really good, and I will admit, I was loath to put the book down at the end of my lunch-break!

Hmm – more work to do…

Back later – possibly.

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Why have I got a soddin’ headache?

There must be some conspiracy to drive me out of my braincell today. That and the fact that someone keeps trying to call my mobile – with a withheld telephone number, and as soon as my answering back service (sorry – voicemail!) cuts in, they hang up.

If it was so important that he / she / it contacted me, then they would surely leave me a voicemail to get me to call them back. But I get the impression that I know who it is, and at the moment, all they are managing to do, is leave a list of missed calls on my mobile.

By the same token that’s the reason why they won’t send me a text message, as the mobile number is listed, and I could identify the caller / sender from that.

So, as far as I’m concerned, no voicemail or text message, then you won’t get a response from me – as I now refuse to answer unlisted numbers on my ‘phone, as the last time I did, I got more hassle than answering the call was really worth.

The other thing that’s trying to drive me out of my braincell, is this headache. It feels like eyestrain, but I know that it can’t be due to my contact lenses, as I’ve got the new ones in. So, I get the feeling that it may be due to my screen settings being wrong, as well as the theme colours finally driving me spare.

So, me being me, I’ve altered the theme to something a little more relaxing… The cursors are quite good – little starfish, and things like that, and the icons are good as well. The best bit though, is the fact that the colours are restful to the eyes – fairly close to the Windows system standard colours – which I will admit are fairly innocuous.

But, there is one other thing that drives me out of my braincell – is the speed (or lack of) my computer! I ask it to do something, and it just sits there giggling – almost as if to say ‘You expect me to do this fast? Forget it!’ Needless to say, this infuriates me, and causes me all kinds of problems with my work, as it delays me completing an order, and also can result in me doing a manual order.

That’s when I abandon the computer, and grab the old fashioned pen & paper, and then check the computer for the stock when its decided to do some work for me! The trouble is, it then results in a phone call to the customer, and telling them that the tyres are in stock or on a back order (i.e. we’ve got no stock, and are waiting on more coming into our warehouse).

Time to call it quits – got a meeting to attend (and fall asleep in!)

Karen.

Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Waiting patiently is hard to do…

As the title suggests, I’m finding the wait for my new car somewhat trying. But, I’ve been given a build date of 18/10/04, so hopefully, I should have the new car for the end of the month!

The best bit is, that I’ve not told anyone at work that I’m getting a new car, and when ever I’ve been asked, I’ve been rather evasive! So it should be quite funny to see the look on people’s faces when I bring the blue flyer into work!

I’ve also got to book my remaining half-day’s holiday, in order to use up my allocation before the end of the year. So, I’ve put in for a half day in the end of November, so that I can do some Christmas shopping.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve not got that much to do, but it will give me chance to get a few bits and pieces – including Mum’s footspa. Thankfully, she’s off, so she can help me pick out the right one for her, and also have a look for a few bits for my Godsprog.

But, the trouble is, I don’t have the foggiest what to get her. I mean, what do you get a three year old girl, who seems to have everything, and is more interested in her pony than dolls?

I get a feeling that I may be taking a trip to Walsall, to see if I can get her something to do with the pony, as that seems to be where her interests lie at this moment in time.

I’m also going to speak to her mum, and see if she has given any indication of what she would like for Christmas… I know that’s cheating, but to be honest, what else can I do?

Time to call it quits – my ‘phone’s ringing.

Back later – if I get chance.

Karen.

Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Mentioned in despatches...

Talk about blowing your own trumpet. The charity I nominated for the company’s charity of the year has been selected! How do I know this? Simple. It was in the company’s internal newsletter!

‘We are looking to adopt the Northampton & Warwickshire County Air Ambulance (also known as the Princess Diana air ambulance), based in Bagington, as our Charity for 2005. This is the aircrew who recently appeared on the television. This charity was suggested by Karen of the Contact Centre. Many thanks for your suggestion Karen and lets see how much we can raise for them.

The Company will look at asking staff on the first Friday of every month who participate in a "casual dress day" to donate the minimum of a £1 to the charity. Thank you for your continued support.’
 Wow – just goes to prove what an e-mail in the right place can do! But, having said that, it is a charity that I support, and at Dad’s funeral, instead of flowers, we (Mum & I) asked that donations were made to the Northampton & Warwickshire County Air Ambulance.

This was because it was something that he believed should be supported by the National Lottery good causes fund, instead of being purely funded by charitable donations, because he saw the good that an air ambulance did when he was travelling in North America.

Time to call it quits – the ‘phones are going mad!

Back later - possibly.

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Weird films and other stuff...

If I didn't know better, I would swear that Dreamcatcher was based on a Stephen King book.(Feedback to let me know if I'm right, or scatching the wrong post would be much appreciated!) Don't get me wrong, I loved every second of the film - and have deemed it another must get for my ever expanding DVD collection!

I will admit, it freaked my friend out, and she sat for the best part of the film, cuddling a cushion, and hiding when some of the worms made their presence known. I won't say anymore, but to those who read Stephen King books, it will come as no surprise the style of the ending...

Onto a slightly touchy subject - Christmas. I always jokingly say "Unh, no-one mention the c-word" - just a slight twist on a line in Beetlejuice! Because Mum is at work this weekend, I made the most of it, and escaped into town (Leamington) and managed to get part of Mum's Christmas present.

She knows that I'm going to get her a Remington Footspa, but this second bit, is unknown to her. I've bought her a perfume bottle. Ok - I know that doesn't sound much, but I'd better explain a bit more.

Mum and Dad used to collect what is commonly known as Studio Glass - i.e. the stuff that is still blown by hand. Good examples are Okra (it used to be part of the Moorcroft pottery group) and John Ditchfield (he of the wonderful glass lilly pad paperweight - complete with the little silver frog!)

This perfume bottle is made by an English glass-making company, in the Lake District - Heron Glass. It's all iridecent blues, greens and golds, and it's just the sort of thing that Mum would go for. The best bit is, the fact that I've been able to hide the bottle in the study - as it's one of the two rooms that she won't willingly venture into - the other one being my room, as she's never sure where the cats are hiding!

Time to call it quits - I can see the moggies giving me the evil eye again, as they're not getting any attention from me, and Ponto looks like he's going to eat the computer mouse if I don't sign off!

Back tomorrow - I hope!

Karen.

Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Listening to my choice of music for once…

That’s the worst bit about having to share a car. I can’t listen to my choice of music. At the moment, I’m blasting the airwaves with Jean Michele Jarre’s latest album – Aero. (There's a specific website for this album - see http://www.jeanmicheljarre.com/) It’s really good, and sounds absolutely phenomenal on the car stereo – with the windows open!

The best bit (for me) is the fact that I managed to get the album with the limited edition DVD of some of JMJ’s videos. I’ve never seen any of them, but I have been lucky enough to see him in concert in Paris a good few years ago. (One of the joys of being an airline brat – I was able to get cheaper tickets to places like Paris!)

So, that’s something for me to look forward to tonight – I’m going to see my gosprog, and her mum is a big JMJ fan, and has got a super home cinema setup (5.1 Dolby surround sound), so we’ll be rocking the night away to JMJ and other music stuff!

Rats – my phone’s ringing – suppose I’d better answer it.

Back later…

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

Ahhh... I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.

Jut another little part of my job. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. Much. But there are times when the best laid plans go astray, and that’s what I find annoying – having to break a promise to someone.

But, I should have known better, as the promise was made on the assumption that a tyre collection could be made, only to discover that the quantity is too great for the collection to be done today.

Needless to say, I’m less than impressed, and have been promised that the collection will be done on Tuesday. But the annoying part (for me) is the mere fact that I had to make the call to the customer in the first place, to see if the tyres had been picked up!

Time to call it quits – before I go and splatter something!

Back later…

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?

It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off...

The paperwork I’m doing is repetitive, and trying to read the handwriting at times is like trying to decipher a soddin’ code. I wouldn’t mind, but when I write out the same paperwork, I make damned sure the handwriting is clear!

Despite that, it’s good practice for me, as I’m going to be taking responsibility for this particular aspect of the work. I need a training session or two to get me into the swing of what should be done, and that way, I know that if I goof up, it won’t cost the company too much money…

Time to call it quits – got more work to do.

Back later…

Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?