Isle Of Grain

So here I am on site. Got a quiet moment and a network connection, so let's blog! Yesterday was a total stress-out for me. A thumping headache from start of day to end.
Got my induction done having travelled down the night before. The safety guy was a complete racist and spent his lecture telling us to shop the foreigners if we see them breaking site rules. Jerk.
Trying to get into the system felt daunting. Adrian had new code to install and was under pressure. Doing mods on your last day on site is a no-no as we all know. But he had to. And guess what? It went badly and he was on site till 7PM getting the system up and stable. Hence I don't fancy doing anything at system level, I just don't know my way around it well enough. Everyone tells me I'm there to support loop-testing but you just can't predict events. We shall see.
Yesterday I was depressed as hell. Today I'm much happier. A swim and a good breakfast set me up right. Haven't actually DONE anything but have been involved in the general flow of the day. Lots of talk about various tasks but all fade into nothing. There always seems to be a reason why something can't be done. I just hope this doesn't build into an explosion of tasks all at once in the future.
Glad to be going home tonight having had a brief taste of site. Baby steps. At least I know what to expect when I return next week.

Sitework Beckons

Well, it's been on the cards for a while and today I have been finally asked to join the Grain project team to help out with some sitework. Jacq not happy about the short notice for this weekend so I've declined that. Although I'm not thrilled about doing site, I'm most definitely NOT stressing about it. Site happens. It's about time I copped for some. So bring on the overtime! 'Ave it!

Another Nice Weekend

Another nice weekend just gone. Sunday was full of fun especially. Swimming in the waves at Crystal in Stourbridge, then Robots at the AMC cinema followed by a miniature railway ride in a park.

More Changes?

It was announced yesterday that our General Manager is being replaced. Not that suprising. The last of the Dickinson management is gone. Hopefully the changes that are bound to follow will improve my feelings about work. I need to fix my head. Warnings about my blood pressure are focussing me a bit more on my stress levels. I need the skills to chill. I need to be able to accept the bits of work that wind me up and not get stressed by them. Easier said than done I guess, but I have to try. I need to change.

Google Maps

Google maps is very cool. Check out Bearwood. Just wish they had the great satellite images for the UK that they do for the US. Scrolling around the US is a blast. The Google Sightseeing site is great fun.

Coffee & Croissants

Is there any better smell on a sunny Sunday morning than coffee and croissants? I don't think so. Off now for a visit to Bourton On The Water. Don't ya just love a sunny day?

Good To Be In The Weekend

Work was tiresome this week. Morale very low. Drifting. Giving me headaches. So glad that the weekend is here. Harriet had me up 6:30 this morning to go fetch a parcel from the sorting office for her. A 'Harris' Neopet that Jacq got her off eBay, she was thrilled with it. Kids back into swimming lessons again today then after we booked Dylans party at the Wacky Warehouse. Rest of day filled with the usual chores and just hanging out at home. Tonight me and Jacq watched Dodgeball which was a good laugh. Balls wacking into the nutsack is always good fun!

The High Line

This site has some beautiful images of a side of Manhattan that I didn't know existed. The disused High Line track is a wonderful place that I do hope can be reclaimed as a public promenade. I know that I would dearly love to take that stroll.

Delicious Monster

Check out Delicious Monster. Cool website. Cool application. And best of all, I love that fact the companys workplace is their local coffee house where they get free wifi. Sweet.

Catching Up

It's been a week since my last post and there's quiet a bit to catch up on. The kids second week off school for Easter. They had loads of fun over at the sleepover then Dylan had a full day of play over with his friends David and Aaron. Wednesday was another product brief day and once again it was very interesting. It really does show up what a clueless operation we run at Coventry. Dentist visit gave an all clear to the kids and I'll be having a crown on my busted tooth. Thursday and Friday down at Weston again. A little trip for the end of the holidays. Nice times at Wookey Hole and Weston but the wind too cold for much beach action. Dylan lost his first tooth. Freaked him out a bit. Back home for the weekend and ready now for the new week.

Kids On A Sleepover

Just dropped the kids over at Marys for a sleepover with their cousins. We're back home and cooking dinner, listening to music, all very civilised but feels weird. Just seems WRONG not having them around the place.

Lovely Days

On Top Of The Hills,
originally uploaded by Tingy.

After a week based mostly in the office, yesterday I was on a sales visit over in Erdington just around the corner from Cincinnati. Home nice and early so later in the afternoon we went for a walk up the Clent Hills. The weather was lovely and it felt great to be out in the fresh air. Took some nice photos although some of the best ones were taken by jacq and she's nabbed them for her photostream.

Picked up a top bargain at HMV in Merry Hill, Volumes 1 to 4 of UFO for 20 quid. Result.

No swimming this morning due to Easter break. Me and Dyl got our hair cut. Spent most of the day in the garden. Cut the grass for the first time. Sorted out the shed. Very satisfying work in the spring sunshine.

Kids are exited about tomorrow cos they're going over to Becky, Jodie, Katys for a sleepover.