It's taken 15 months, dozens of letters, loads of phone calls and eventually the issuing of County Court proceedings against them, but today, Marjs' insurance company decided they would pay her claim, in full, in cash and not make her accept vouchers.
I knew they would in the end. Who wants to be the company that has that practice tested at law and then discover that all claims have to be settled as cash rtaher than with vouchers that save the insurance companies 20% or so.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Kennamatic Vacation
I am off to Mallorca tomorrow for a week of rest and relaxation.
Bye Bye for now.
Bye Bye for now.
Cross Denominational Confusion
Listening to the radio yesterday they were speaking to some young Muslims who were explaining that they didn't like the fact that when we fight terrorism we pick on Muslims. As one explained, "when the IRA was about, you weren't picking on Christians".
For his information, and anyone else who failed to pick it up, the entire Irish conflict was a religious war!
For his information, and anyone else who failed to pick it up, the entire Irish conflict was a religious war!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
As one door closes....
As he starts his community serivce, I finish mine.
On a serious note, George has a court sentence imposed upon him and the media has prevented that sentence from being carried out correctly. Should they not be charged with either "perverting the course of justice" which is what is actually happening, or "contempt of court". They have also deprived the New York community from an improvement in their environment for which it would be nice to think that all the journalists might go along on a day off to pick up litter to show that they are sorry.
On a serious note, George has a court sentence imposed upon him and the media has prevented that sentence from being carried out correctly. Should they not be charged with either "perverting the course of justice" which is what is actually happening, or "contempt of court". They have also deprived the New York community from an improvement in their environment for which it would be nice to think that all the journalists might go along on a day off to pick up litter to show that they are sorry.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
1/8th Millenium
On 23rd September my mum and I will reach our combined 125th birthday.
Can anyone suggest something appropriate for us to do in celebration.
Can anyone suggest something appropriate for us to do in celebration.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Catch Up
I seem to be in one of those periods where I have way too much happening and not enough time for reading blogs or posting much. Work is busy, social life is busy and computer time is severely diminished.
It's not likely to get much better as the rest of this month includes a weekend in Eastbourne. A weeks holiday in Mallorca by way of Dusseldorf. Three lots of installations plus anything else that comes in. Sleeping, I hope.
I guess it also all means that apart from being tired, things are generally going along quite nicely for once. My company may be morphing into specialising in one type of product soon but more on that when it happens.
Private life wise, I'm still living with Linda but spending most of my time with Marj. This situation can't carry on for ever as it takes it's toll on at least two of the three of us and therefore I am talking to my doctor about support for me and support for Linda as I am starting to make the move to be with Marj full time. It's a very hard decision to have made, and made even harder by the feeling that I am running away from a difficult situation and abandoning Linda but my doctor thinks it is the right decision, for Linda as well as for me. (For those passing through, Linda has suffered with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for 10 years and shows signs of getting worse rather than better).
Anyway, as long as you don't expect hourly bulletins from yours truly you will get the odd bit of news.
Probably.
It's not likely to get much better as the rest of this month includes a weekend in Eastbourne. A weeks holiday in Mallorca by way of Dusseldorf. Three lots of installations plus anything else that comes in. Sleeping, I hope.
I guess it also all means that apart from being tired, things are generally going along quite nicely for once. My company may be morphing into specialising in one type of product soon but more on that when it happens.
Private life wise, I'm still living with Linda but spending most of my time with Marj. This situation can't carry on for ever as it takes it's toll on at least two of the three of us and therefore I am talking to my doctor about support for me and support for Linda as I am starting to make the move to be with Marj full time. It's a very hard decision to have made, and made even harder by the feeling that I am running away from a difficult situation and abandoning Linda but my doctor thinks it is the right decision, for Linda as well as for me. (For those passing through, Linda has suffered with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for 10 years and shows signs of getting worse rather than better).
Anyway, as long as you don't expect hourly bulletins from yours truly you will get the odd bit of news.
Probably.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Age is all in the mind.
Was chatting with someone the other day who helps out at an old peoples home. There's a retired Brigadier there who has just traded in his Lexus IS200 2 litre for the newer 2.5 litre because the old one wasn't exciting enough. The Brigadier is 96!
And talking of age, in Septemeber me and my mum are having a bit of a party as our combined age will reach exactly 125 years old. Who'd have thought it, we'll have seen as eigth of a millenium!!!
And talking of age, in Septemeber me and my mum are having a bit of a party as our combined age will reach exactly 125 years old. Who'd have thought it, we'll have seen as eigth of a millenium!!!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Co-Incidence?
Can there be any connection between the two stories that appeared in Metro the other day?
On the same day that the government want to cut the nuclear defence capability to cut costs, they are also trying to push throught the purchase of "Blair Force One" as the intended purchase of a Prime Minesterial equivalent of the US Presidents jet has been called. The new Jet, along with one for the Queen, will cost mopre money to run, even forgetting the purchase, than the present service supplied by the RAF. To my knowledge, I don't think the Queen has asked for a private jet so I guess it's being offered to make sure it doesn't look as though it's just Blair who wants one.
Next time we have an election, can people vote for a party that might be interested in the governing of the country rather than just the trappings of office.
On the same day that the government want to cut the nuclear defence capability to cut costs, they are also trying to push throught the purchase of "Blair Force One" as the intended purchase of a Prime Minesterial equivalent of the US Presidents jet has been called. The new Jet, along with one for the Queen, will cost mopre money to run, even forgetting the purchase, than the present service supplied by the RAF. To my knowledge, I don't think the Queen has asked for a private jet so I guess it's being offered to make sure it doesn't look as though it's just Blair who wants one.
Next time we have an election, can people vote for a party that might be interested in the governing of the country rather than just the trappings of office.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Promotion
My position in Marj's house has been improved.
I am now officially The Spider-Finder General!
I am now officially The Spider-Finder General!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Crime & Punishment
I have now completed 38 hours of community service.
Do you all feel safer in your beds at night?
So far I have helped;
Clear an area of allotments.
Clear some waste ground.
Creosote a fence.
Trim back an overgrown passageway. (Fnarr Fnarr)
Trimmed another overgrown passageway.
And I've become the face of community service in Ealing. Well, not the face so much as the back of the head of community service in Ealing. There was a bit of a jaunt for the powers that be as last week was some incredibly boring anniversary and they needed some photos. There were 15 of us to choose from but, what a surprise, they chose to use the two white guys rather than the 13 black and asians. It did however give me the chance to explain quite forcibly to the powers our views on the work.
Although I am doing pretty much manual stuff everytime there are two types. One givers some level of "job satisfaction", the other doesn't. When we cleared allotment 1 I was talking to the guy who runs these sites for the council. He explained that when the allotment is finally opened the income will be £350 per year. We had 15 of us there and thus provided the equivalent of about £1000 of labour. He couldn't aford to do this if we weren't available and thus you do feel as though it will make a difference.
Last week when we cleared the alleyway, much of the ground level overgrowth was in front of the residents gasrage doors. It didn't take much cutting back or removal but they obviously couldn't be arsed to do it themselves. I don't see why we should tidy up after residents who have caused the problem in the first place.
It was basically those two points I put across to the local councillor and the Head of the Community Service. Suprised I didn't get another 100 hours for my cheek!
Do you all feel safer in your beds at night?
So far I have helped;
Clear an area of allotments.
Clear some waste ground.
Creosote a fence.
Trim back an overgrown passageway. (Fnarr Fnarr)
Trimmed another overgrown passageway.
And I've become the face of community service in Ealing. Well, not the face so much as the back of the head of community service in Ealing. There was a bit of a jaunt for the powers that be as last week was some incredibly boring anniversary and they needed some photos. There were 15 of us to choose from but, what a surprise, they chose to use the two white guys rather than the 13 black and asians. It did however give me the chance to explain quite forcibly to the powers our views on the work.
Although I am doing pretty much manual stuff everytime there are two types. One givers some level of "job satisfaction", the other doesn't. When we cleared allotment 1 I was talking to the guy who runs these sites for the council. He explained that when the allotment is finally opened the income will be £350 per year. We had 15 of us there and thus provided the equivalent of about £1000 of labour. He couldn't aford to do this if we weren't available and thus you do feel as though it will make a difference.
Last week when we cleared the alleyway, much of the ground level overgrowth was in front of the residents gasrage doors. It didn't take much cutting back or removal but they obviously couldn't be arsed to do it themselves. I don't see why we should tidy up after residents who have caused the problem in the first place.
It was basically those two points I put across to the local councillor and the Head of the Community Service. Suprised I didn't get another 100 hours for my cheek!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Misdemeanours
I have so much crap happening, (crappening?), that I can't finish the long awaited mega post re my life of crime so here are the facts.
Got done for driving whilst disqualified. Arrestable offence so was. No drink, drugs or other party involved.
Court gave me 100 hours community service, the same number which is given routinely to teenagers who stab people if they have mitigating circumstances. I have done 24 already. And I have a one year ban on driving which I am sticking to. Next time is possibly imprisonable. Then again, that could sort out the where to live issue!
Right, onwards and upwards.
Got done for driving whilst disqualified. Arrestable offence so was. No drink, drugs or other party involved.
Court gave me 100 hours community service, the same number which is given routinely to teenagers who stab people if they have mitigating circumstances. I have done 24 already. And I have a one year ban on driving which I am sticking to. Next time is possibly imprisonable. Then again, that could sort out the where to live issue!
Right, onwards and upwards.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Home is where the court is.
Well, we live to fight another day on the house front. Or another 8 days from now. Back in court then, and if I can prove projected earnings we keep it, if I can't then it's bye bye home.
Still, there's another 2 lottery draws till then so that's o.k. then.
Still, there's another 2 lottery draws till then so that's o.k. then.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
And now, the end is near.....
Indeed, the end of this seasons opera has come. I enjoyed it, the others enjoyed it, the audience enjoyed it. I think we can take it that it was an enjoyable experience all round.
What isn't so enjoyable at the moment is some of the other bits of my life. For those who know don't know the story of Faust he makes a pact with the devil and sells his soul. I sometimes wonder whether I've done the same.
Apart from losing my licence, and yes, I still know I have to give you the story of my arrest etc and also why I'm in the early stages of doing 100 hours community service but today also sees me in court this afternoon to try and stop our eviction from what has been my home for 31 years.
At the end of Faust the Chorus have the last lines;
"Let Earth be severe,
Let Earth be severe,
Heaven is forgiving."
For some reason I've found that this has become my personal mantra at the moment. Let's hope a bit of heavenly forgiveness shines on us this afternoon.
What isn't so enjoyable at the moment is some of the other bits of my life. For those who know don't know the story of Faust he makes a pact with the devil and sells his soul. I sometimes wonder whether I've done the same.
Apart from losing my licence, and yes, I still know I have to give you the story of my arrest etc and also why I'm in the early stages of doing 100 hours community service but today also sees me in court this afternoon to try and stop our eviction from what has been my home for 31 years.
At the end of Faust the Chorus have the last lines;
"Let Earth be severe,
Let Earth be severe,
Heaven is forgiving."
For some reason I've found that this has become my personal mantra at the moment. Let's hope a bit of heavenly forgiveness shines on us this afternoon.
Monday, May 15, 2006
I'm pleading lack of time yet again for the lack of posts, but time is an even greater commodity as this week sees our performance of Faust.
Final rehearsals started on Saturday. Tonight is the SitzProbe, (a run through with the orcheastra rather than the strange medical examination it sounds like), Tuesday, the Technical rehearsal, Wednesday the Dress Rehearsal, and then Thursday, Friday and Saturday the performances. This will be followed by the cast party and much collapsing with exhaustion!
Final rehearsals started on Saturday. Tonight is the SitzProbe, (a run through with the orcheastra rather than the strange medical examination it sounds like), Tuesday, the Technical rehearsal, Wednesday the Dress Rehearsal, and then Thursday, Friday and Saturday the performances. This will be followed by the cast party and much collapsing with exhaustion!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Those who live by the sword......
Not another one of my proverb posts, although it might be interesting.
The Da Vinci Code is released on the 19th and The Catholic Church and Opus Dei are gearing up to refute it's claims.
The problem for the church, and as much for the broad church as just one sect, is that they cannot deny that historically they have over-ridden other religions and facts to further their cause. No-one can deny The Inquisition and in the beginning of Christianity around the world they took over the pagan festivals and converted them to Christian celebrations. Indeed, we see the same happening today, where "The Church of Political Correctness" thinks Christmas should be abandoned in favour of an all inclusive Winter Festival.
I have read the book, along with millions of others, (readers, not books), and enjoyed it. Whether there be any truth in it whatsoever with regard to the central premise or not I found it a good read. Because of religions past behaviour however, one does certainly wonder whether there might be something in it.
The Church really need not worry though. Those who believe in Christ et al, are unlikely to be swayed away from their beliefs and for those who are non-believers it will just be a film with a story they either like or don't.
The Da Vinci Code is released on the 19th and The Catholic Church and Opus Dei are gearing up to refute it's claims.
The problem for the church, and as much for the broad church as just one sect, is that they cannot deny that historically they have over-ridden other religions and facts to further their cause. No-one can deny The Inquisition and in the beginning of Christianity around the world they took over the pagan festivals and converted them to Christian celebrations. Indeed, we see the same happening today, where "The Church of Political Correctness" thinks Christmas should be abandoned in favour of an all inclusive Winter Festival.
I have read the book, along with millions of others, (readers, not books), and enjoyed it. Whether there be any truth in it whatsoever with regard to the central premise or not I found it a good read. Because of religions past behaviour however, one does certainly wonder whether there might be something in it.
The Church really need not worry though. Those who believe in Christ et al, are unlikely to be swayed away from their beliefs and for those who are non-believers it will just be a film with a story they either like or don't.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Ooowwww!!!!
Lack of posts due partly to me being in great pain with a jaw infection.
On the positive side, I am hopeful that the long awaited contract in Jersey is on the brink of being signed.
Updates will re-commence when I can stand the pain of my jaw and the pain of writing them.
On the positive side, I am hopeful that the long awaited contract in Jersey is on the brink of being signed.
Updates will re-commence when I can stand the pain of my jaw and the pain of writing them.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Public Enemy no 1.5
No update today because I haven't had a chance and I won't be online tomorrow but by Saturday I will have written up a number of posts either about me or some of the stories I have heard whilst hanging around the courts.
Wait with baited breath!
Wait with baited breath!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Public Enemy no 1
In the upcoming news, which if your lucky will be posted tomorrow, you can hear about my arrest and court appearance!
There, that's got your attention hasn't it!!!
There, that's got your attention hasn't it!!!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Not waving, but drowning
Not dead, just resting.
Well not resting, just access to the internet is a bit intermittent at the moment but normal service will be resumed shortly.
Well not resting, just access to the internet is a bit intermittent at the moment but normal service will be resumed shortly.
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