One more Dec update!

Can I just say, its December the 9th, and I have bought all my Christmas shopping!

A big woo-hoo for me as this is a first :O)

Mind you, 3 hours in Milton Keynes + 2 hours in Aylesbury + 1 hour in Tesco = Bleedin sore feet!!

Happy "16 days to" Christmas everyone *<:O)

PS - December update :: Maddy ^..^

PPS - Forgot to say Maddy is having such a hard life as you can see by pic below. I no longer have 'my side of the bed'!
Hard to believe the lazy little monkey was also responsible for the carnage below which I had the pleasure of walking back home to after a hard day's shopping.
Cats... don't you just love em :)

December update :: 07.12.06

Hello

Well it's 2 working weeks til Christmas! Bloody hell, that's come around far too quickly. This year has been a blur. I swear, it only seems like a few weeks ago I saw Christmas lights dotted around.... oh that's because it was :)

Yes its that time of year again, when houses become feestooned with bulbs. Its amazing how much some people can fit on one house. Some look like Blackpool illuminations and others more like an enchanted sparkly place. Personally I like them, not on my own house so much but its nice seeing all the effort that goes in and it certainly brightens up my dull journey back from 'Slaaaah'.

Ahhh lovely Slough. Am still working for the same contracting company that I started with in September. There were a few pay issues (in that there were severe delays in giving us our cash earnt) but a few of us staged a protest in working from home instead and we got paid a week later. I still don't think they've grasped though that it would be nice to be PAID IN FULL, not drips and drabs. It's annoying as I get an admin charge each time money is released through the agency into my account.

It's been a weird few months actually. Very up and down. I'm either on an even keel in which I can deal with stuff and roll with the punches or I just feel totally down about the whole situation. Actually full on unhappy... there, I said it. I am sometimes really unhappy. Not so much about the insolvency and redundancy now, but more "where do I go from here?" kind of panic. I haven't had many interviews due to working in Slough and the ones I've had haven't been great, which makes me think "do I really want to stay in e-Learning?". When I first started this contracting job, it was new and fresh and I actually really enjoyed the first month there. We were cracking on with production of work, learning new methods of working and we knew where we stood. Then the company made some radical working practice changes and as a result I really don't enjoy it there anymore.

There is no logical structure to their working methods and everything seems to be done on a 'panic basis'. I mean every company always states in their job description "must work well under pressure" but there's a difference in working to deadlines and working for a client who seems to have no clear idea of what you do, what your budget and what your timescales are. Add to that a really complicated timesheet system (the best use of creative timekeeping I've ever seen) and the fact that most of the production work usually done by us is now going to a company in India as its more 'cost effective'. My job now is to get assets ready for India which would be good but when the client hasn't decided what they want, its very hard to prepare anything with thin air of ideas and then of course at the last minute they want everything with knobs on!! Goes to show the grass sometimes isn't always greener....

BUT.... the one saving grace in this is that I am a contractor. I am still in the mindset of absorbing politics and getting riled by them. But I don't have to!! I Do, but I need to learn not to. I can walk away when I want to with a short notice period. The other small glimmer of hope is that there is a possibility of a permanent job in the new year with an ex colleague who has set up a company with clients from my old job. He's already been very successful in 4 short months than my old company was all year. Anyway, won't get my hope up too much but there's a seed of possibility there.

MOAN OVER... its nearly Christmas!!

I did put up my pathetic 3ft fake tree. Would love a real one but A) don't have the room and B) my central heating would cook it! Still my 3ft fibreoptic one is very sparkly and sits nicely on my TV cabinet. I have put some icicle lights in the front window too. I have also decided to take the first week in Jan off as I need a rest so perhaps that will cure my mood a little. I think its a combination of everything and tiredness at only having 2 weeks off since January! I think I deserve some R&R even if I do have to forfeit a week's pay. Am soooo looking forward to it.

So thats me up to date I think. So in case you don't hear from me, I wanted to wish you all a festive season and happy New Year. Lets hope it brings us all good health, happiness and prosperity!

LoL
Sharon xxx

PS, to all those I promised I'd meet up with, my apologies again. I WILL try to catch up with you soon. Sorry for being a bit useless & hopefully will see you soon
*<:O)

PPS, I didn't get the O.U. job (see last blog). Completely fluffed the interview with nerves. Had the full works, cold sweats, shaky hands, dry mouth, wobbly voice and a blank memory of anything intelligent to say. Lets just say it was an experience. It just wasn't to be!! Nevermind...onwards and upwards! I cured my nerves afterwards with a spot of retail therapy in MK! :O)

October update...

Hello people... How are you all?

Thanks for all your emails over the past few weeks/months (how long has it been??). I apologise as I have been royally crap at email of late. Personally I blame the early mornings and travelling to and fro from Slough. On a good day it takes an hour and on a bad it takes two hours! Luckily I can now car share with my mate Helen as she works with me now, so we take it turns to snooze on the way in!

As you may gather I am still contracting in Slough. Working for an e-Learning company and learning lots of new tricks with animation software packages. People are cool and its a nice company to work for. This week I was deputising for the Lead Graphic designer as she was on holiday. It was a wee bit stressful but I think I coped okay. Its just weird getting used to how other companies work having been in my old place for so long. I've enjoyed what we've worked on so far and so far they like our work (Helen and myself respectively). So much so that we both had the good news last week that they are extending our contracts until the end of the year. Plus they are already talking about projects in the new year that we both seem earmarked to work on... so thats a good sign. Fingers crossed... don't want to appear like I'm jumping the gun. I am just grateful to be working.

Another bit of good news I got today is that I got an interview for the OU (Open University) for a full time Media Developer role. A lot of us applied from my old place and I was successful in getting an interview. Am already a bit nervous as its with a panel of 3 people. I have been incredibly lucky in my career that effectively I have only ever had about 5 interviews. 2 formal interviews for Tescos, 1 formal for a Graphics company in MK and 2 really informal interviews/chats for the 2 jobs I got (Tescos doesn't count...!). My old job's interview was "have a cup of tea, what sort of stuff do you know, can you use a PC - ok you have the job" and the place I'm contracting in now was just an informal conversation about my experience in the industry. The OU one will be my first 'Proper' grown up one.... eeek! I have until the 2nd of November to practice. Plus I need to update my portfolio, get a website up and running and buy some interview clothes as I don't have any! (hey I'm a Graphic Designer... casual is my middle name!). I may do well, I may not, but am chuffed to have got this far. I can only be myself, not bullsh*t and hope I do okay. The job seems interesting and it has some good benefits such as pension, training etc. Failing getting that, I will continue contracting until I'm told otherwise or I find something else. I still have some additional freelance work left over from my old company too. Only problem now is being on contractors rates means I am being taxed heavily (the bar-stewards!!). At least I think so as my first weeks pay was like "Woo-hoo... I am minted" and the next paycheque was "where's the rest of it??". I must check up and see if I'm not being ripped off by the taxman! Mind you, one of the downsides of contracting is that you get paid sporadically when they feel like it. I've worked 6 weeks and only been paid for 2 of those. Again, hopefully more will come soon as I sure need it!

I had a lovely 30-fffo... birthday (too old to recall my age!). Had a lovely meal one weekend with my folks. Dad did some DIY for me too. Bargain! The following weekend, I ate out with my best mates and we then went to the cinema to see The Departed (very good film - recommended). We were supposed to go see a singer called Imogen Heap but her concert was cancelled due to a sore throat. Nevermind, the meal and cinema was excellent too. Tried a restaurant in Aylesbury that I thought for ages was a dodgy pub, but in fact has been converted into a fab retro pub/restaurant. Food was lovely and really reasonably priced. We are going again next weekend for Helen's birthday!

Maddy is fine too. Lovable as ever.

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me 'mass' mailing this way. It's just an easier way of giving you the goss as I tell most of you the same news :O)

If any of you have holidays planned, can I just say "you lucky gits". I would love one but just don't have the time. I can afford it too now (well.. when I'm paid) but obviously can't go mad in case I'm out of work after contracting here. As I'm in Slough, I see the flight path of Heathrow. I often daydream and wish I was jetting off to the Canaries for a short break as I sure need one! My brother is off to 'Noo Yawk' between Xmas and New Year. He's dead excited. If I do succeed in getting a permanent job, my contracting wages earned will definately treat me to something nice next year!

... some quick personals:

- Gill, apologies I missed our meet up date. Memory like a sieve. My weekends now are mostly spent sleeping in as I'm knackered most of the time. Oct is a birthday month for me too. Hopefully Nov or nearer xmas we can catch up.

- Una, hope the love life is going well. Any goss?? Hope so. Thanks for all your emails :O)

- Rosie... where are you? Are you okay? Have you rebuilt your house yet :O)

...everyone else, a big hello and hope you are well

Hope all of you are well. Don't work too hard.
Much love to you all & keep in touch

S x

PS - total toilet humour but you have GOT to check out this website. If any of you watch Most Haunted on Living TV, this is a parody called Most Farted. Its totally crass and stupid but very cleverly done and I laughed til I cried watching it. I emailed it round work and the lead software guy couldn't speak he was laughing so much... anyway, enjoy:

http://www.mostfarted.co.uk/home/
(click Play All - the Holly Valarse video is good too)
As you can see, my humour is definately gutter level! Enjoy :O)

Almost forgot...

Last weekend was my little pride and joy (my puss cat) first birthday from the RSPCA (she's about 1 and a half really but I've had her a year). I have had her a whole year and she still makes me smile with her antics. The picture shown is her latest favourite place to sleep. Amazing how much fun a cat can have with an office swivel chair!


She's grown into a lovable 'fat' little porker but I love her to bits. Even my mum likes her which is something!

So Happy birthday Maddy chops... xxx

New TEMP job and LATEST NEWS

Hi all

Sorry I've been a bit lax of late for emailing. Since the redundancy and upheaval of being unemployed after 8 years, my brain kind of turned to mush for a bit. I thought I would post a general update on here for all to read. Cop out I know but am so knackered of late as am doing long days at the moment... read on

On the Thursday we got the news, I went home and my 'knee jerk' reaction was to put my CV on as many websites as possible. As a result of that, I did get a couple of interviews. This caused a mad panic as I had to collate eight years of work and sift through what was decent enough to go in a portfolio. Eventually it paid off as I am now contracting for a month in lovely Slough. Had another interview for a web company in MK but the gits couldn't be arsed to phone me back so guess that wasn't to be.

I'm now working for an e-Learning company called PPI (which is what my old one was) and it is all Flash based work (to those of you not in the know, thats a web animation programme). The commute is tiring but its a nice place and the people are friendly. Hopefully, its looking likely that the work will continue beyond the initial month contract period so am hoping it will keep me going til nearer Christmas. Helen (my best mate has also come to work with me after recommendation from my good self) so thats nice now we can car share. Journey to Slough from Aylesbury either takes an hour on a good day... or 2 hours on a sh*te day. Lots of cramp in knee from shuffling between 1st ans 2nd gear whilst stuck in traffic. Super! Avoid the M4 like the plague as its hell getting out of Slough. Made the fatal error of trying a shortcut through Maidenhead last week... never again as I got totally lost!

I also have another few bits and pieces to do for ex-company clients, so should keep me ticking over for a short while. Have applied to the O.U. (Open Uni) for a perm job but waiting to hear back if I've gotten through to interview stage. The contracting is good wages but I really would like the stability of a perm job just so I know I can pay my mortgage etc. Until then I will keep on looking.

I turn 34 next month (oh joy). I just cannot believe this year has gone in a flash. My summer holiday seems like last year. I had my 5 seconds of fame on "Trust Me I'm a Holiday Rep" when I was shown sat at the bar chatting with my back to the 'celeb' rep Brandon Block (90's Dee Jay). Zoe (my hol companion) was also shown queuing at the airport. It was nice to see the resort on TV as I recognised a few faces and sights. I would go back there as I love Crete. I could certainly do with another holiday after the stresses of the last month!!

Not much else news... Maddy cat is fine. House is needing a revamp... no time and no energy at the mo. Might trundle over to IKEA to buy a new computer desk. Need more space and trying to have an office in a 7 x 7ft box room (as well as a single futon) is rather cramped!

Hope everyone is well. Apologies to those of you who I'd said I would meet up with at various points. I hope you understand its still a bit up in the air at the mo. I just wanna get myself settled a bit (get paid for a start) and hopefully I can then start resurrecting my social life.

I am going to a concert for my birthday. Helen bought us tickets to see Imogen Heap at the Oxford Apollo. To those of you who don't know her, she is in a band called Frou Frou and her song was used in the season 2 O.C. finale. I like her anyway - should be good :)

So that's me for the moment. Will hopefully catch up properly with you all soon.

Until then, love to you all and enjoy the last of the indian summer sunshine.

S xx

The End!

As of Thursday 31st of August 2006, my role as a Senior Designer, along with the rest of my work colleagues became null and void, as the company I work for went into administration. After many weeks of a possible 'buyout' deal going back and forth at board level, the deal fell flat on its face at the final hour.

As a result, I will no longer be working with the staff and friends that I have been with for 8 and a half years, and we are now all unemployed.

I mention no names, but this company would not be in the dire straits it ended up in if it were not for a few select individuals who, over the years bled the company dry, were a waste of company resources and got a nice fat cheque when they walked out the door.

I am sure the same thing happens the world over, to big and small companies, but I just wish these greedy people would take a moment to realise just how many lives their so called 'business' decisions affect.

I would like to thank the people who I have worked with who stayed loyal, the ones who are truly my friends, and the ones who actually believed we would make it through. And to those people out there who screwed it up in the first place.... well f**k you very much too.


Just about summs up how I'm feeling at the moment!!

England vs Equador :: 25.06.06 - 16:00 BST

COME ON ENGLAND!!! Show us what you are made of!!

The 'After' shot

See 'before' and 'during' shots below. Got my stitches out today and am amazed at the result. Barely any scar at all. Plastic surgeons are amazing!

Sx

Instant hangover cure!!

Happy St Patricks day! Well the day after anyway...

Had a good night last night. Drank and was merry. Was REALLY looking forward to a lie in this morning as head was a wee bit tender. However, my little madam puss cat Maddy had other ideas.

She was driving me mad at 5am flicking the cat flap to get out so I semi stumbled downstairs, opened it and stumbled back to bed, safe in the knowledge I could nod back off and Maddy could go out and do her business...

6.20am... "miaow miaow miaow" from outside my bedroom door (thank GOD it was closed). I waited til she'd stopped miaowing then opened the door. Through my tired puffy eyes, it didn't register at first but I thought, "why is she playing with a pair of balled up socks?"... then my puffy eyes opened a bit more and I realised it was actually a dead 'headless' starling bird. At which point I leapt back on my bed, horrified. Maddy, bless her furry bird killing paws, looked ever so pleased with herself and she then picked it up and scarpered under the bed.

Now in this situation, I had to praise her as she was bringing me the fruits of her efforts to her 'mum'. So I patted her and she purred away, all the time me thinking "there's a headless dead thing under my bed!". Managed to lure her downstairs (minus dead thing) to which I ran upstairs with broom and dustpan, closed the door and trying not to hurl, got the bird in a bag and disposed of it. I had to do it whilst Maddy wasn't there as supposedly, if cats see you disposing their 'kill', they assume it wasn't good enough... and bring you bigger better things! As I said, Praise the Lord that I had the sense to close my bedroom door at 5am when I let her out as it could have been her dropping the bird on the pillow next to me. That would have definately been a Godfather moment and I would probably still be scrubbing myself clean now!

So that's it... my sweet and innocent kitty is now a stealth killer!

Eeew, eew eew...

Sx

You should see the other fella!!

Before shot - *NOTE* Having an extremely bad hair day!!

I finally took the plunge yesterday and had a lump removed from my forehead that's been there for about 10 years. It had recently started growing again so I decided the best course of action was to have it surgically removed.

So yesterday, thanks to my work health insurance, a very nice plastic surgeon did the procedure for me. It's what they call a Lipoma which is a fatty tumour, and is completely benign.

The whole thing wasn't as traumatic as I originally imagined. I am the original wuss when it comes to needles, injections and anything sharp at the docs, but I faced my phobia of the dentist last year, so I thought this would be a doddle. And to be honest, it was. If anything, having this removed was LESS unpleasant than the dentist. It was very quick, hardly painful at all and aside from feeling a bit woozy when injected with the local anaesthetic, I came through the procedure remarkably calm! Plus I got my own private room to relax in afterwards with a nice cup of tea and a bacon pannini!

After shot = Hair not much better but don't
look as lardy as the other picture!

Stitches to be taken out next week but for now, I have my lovely skin coloured dressing on. Washing my hair is the next fun bit as I have to keep this on for a week. Scar update to follow soon... :O)

Sx

Brief Update (Monday 13.02.06)

Quick post as I've neglected the site for a while now. Been too busy and my PC was down but now I have a super spanking new one, everything is so much faster!! And I got a free iPod Nano which is the coolest little toy I've had in ages :O)

Well, its been almost 3 months since Madam Maddy had her operation and this Saturday gone was the first venture outside. It was supervised but I needn't have worried as she was like my little shadow whilst I was gardening. Sunday was raining so she didn't go out much. She's been out today but has been inside when I came home first at lunch and second in the evening. I think the noises of buses and larger vehicles still unnerves her as she scoots inside when she hears them but in a way I want her to be nervous as hopefully she will get more road sense that way, or at least respect the cars! Anyway, she had a good report at the vets last Fri apart from she is on a diet. Much like her mother! (all round the hips in both of us!)

Haven't taken any pix of late so nothing to report there either, weather has been too miserable and I've been busy.

So this is a quick one as Life On Mars is just about to start and I love that TV programme!

TTFN
S x