birth of a photo blog
Absolutely no-one has ever asked me: 'Norman - why don't you start a photo blog of all these interesting places you visit ?'
So here we go. No. 1 in a very occasional series.
The Sage Gateshead in Newcastle (from the Tyne Bridge)
too good to be true ?
I am lazy. I buy my gas from British Gas and my electricity from Seeboard. It takes a lot for me to overcome my inertia and change provider to save money. However, I am interested in Carphone Warehouse's offer of 8 M/bit broadband, unlimited UK landline and international (28 countries including Australia) calls, all for 21 GBP per month. This is much less than I am currently paying Telewest for an inferior package of telephone and broadband services. The only downside I can see is that the contract is for 18 months. Obviously a lot depends on the quality of service Carphone Warehouse can provide to this influx of new subscribers but worth keeping an eye on. PS. Well I was interested but I just entered my phone number and postcode to be told 'Your telephone number is not on a BT exchange so we can't offer you TalkTalk'. So that is why Carphone Warehouse can only offer coverage to 70% of the UK.in flight humour
I enjoyed these quotes from airline staff with a sense of humour (via Tom Kyte). A couple of years ago, I was on a British Airways flight that was making its final approach to some anonymous airport in Scandanavia. Quite suddenly and without any warning, the landing was aborted. The plane stopped descending, quickly started to climb, levelled out and then resumed a familiar, circular holding pattern. I was a little perturbed but no-one else seemed bothered as though this was perfectly normal so I stopped screaming, apologised to my immediate neighbours, dabbed the sweat from my brow with a napkin and picked up my copy of 'High Life'. The pilot announced:'Ladies and Gentlemen. You have probably noticed that we have been unable to land and are in a now holding pattern. This is because the aircraft in front struck a bird during landing and the ground staff are currently clearing the runway of debris so it is safe for us to land. British Airways apologises for the delay to your onward journey and the inconvenience caused. However, please spare a thought for the poor bird.'Of course, the last sentence was my input but what a glorious, wasted opportunity.
annual review
This may be contrary to corporate blogging guidelines but still... Just had the formal feedback from my annual review and it is excellent news. Seeboard - monthly bill down to 38 GBP (down from 60 GBP) per month.rude awakening
I was at my desk at 09.05 this Monday morning. Nothing extraordinary there but considering I live in South West London and this particular desk was in Newcastle, this represented quite an achievement. And this prompt start was only possible due to a considerate, thoughtful taxi driver. I ordered a taxi at 05.45 on Monday morning. I slept downstairs on the sofa bed to avoid disturbing the household at that unearthly hour. I got up at 05.30. The taxi driver rings my doorbell at 05.35. The following conversation ensues in hushed whispers. Thankfully, for his sake, it is quite hard to get really angry in a hushed whisper.'What time is the pickup ?' '5.45' 'What time is it now ?' '5.35' 'Why have you rung the doorbell ?' 'To let you know I am here' 'Why have you just woken my wife and children up at half five in the morning ?' 'Oh. Sorry'And with that, he returned to wait in the taxi and any hope of a (paltry) tip disappeared into the chilly morning air.