Just published the last post and have been asked to go in and see the Chief Executive and the President who is turning up late this morning.
Must dash! Off to London.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Yesterday was a bit flat
When I think about what I achieved and the news I got and not getting through on the phone. No worries, today should be better. I know about the Operation now and I know what the response is and I know that that wont be the only thing on their mind next week as they owe lots of people loads of money on Monday!
I need to concentrate on turning my life and my luck around and that needs to start today I suggest. I've made some serious changes in the background. I am losing a lot of my industry ties and not renewing Institution and Association renewals. It will be a shame to watch the letters drop off my last name but there you go, got to move on. I've cancelled a number of subscriptions that I have held for years and I am dropping renewing my magazines and newsletters too. Breaking with the past is an important thing - it is actually quite hard work as you sort of yearn for these things, they are part of your past but life really does need to move on and these things are the symbolic signs of that change.
The next things to do are breaking habits, perhaps adopting new ones, changing rituals, burning bridges and boats and just getting on and doing whatever I've decided to do.
It is still like turning an Oil Tanker though and so change is very gradual but then increases towards the end of the manoeuvre.
So there we go. Gradually things from my past are getting thrown out, a few things are getting archived and if I don't need them in a year (my insurance) then they can go to a new home too. My library is looking particularly bare as I remove anything to do with technology and contracting and leave my history and fiction books there.
I need to concentrate on turning my life and my luck around and that needs to start today I suggest. I've made some serious changes in the background. I am losing a lot of my industry ties and not renewing Institution and Association renewals. It will be a shame to watch the letters drop off my last name but there you go, got to move on. I've cancelled a number of subscriptions that I have held for years and I am dropping renewing my magazines and newsletters too. Breaking with the past is an important thing - it is actually quite hard work as you sort of yearn for these things, they are part of your past but life really does need to move on and these things are the symbolic signs of that change.
The next things to do are breaking habits, perhaps adopting new ones, changing rituals, burning bridges and boats and just getting on and doing whatever I've decided to do.
It is still like turning an Oil Tanker though and so change is very gradual but then increases towards the end of the manoeuvre.
So there we go. Gradually things from my past are getting thrown out, a few things are getting archived and if I don't need them in a year (my insurance) then they can go to a new home too. My library is looking particularly bare as I remove anything to do with technology and contracting and leave my history and fiction books there.
Operation
Well it looks set for early May - a tiny bit later than I thought but I chased up today as I hadn't heard anything. So I imagine that I will be assessed at the end of April - probably 28th or 29th and then "done" about the 6th or 7th May or thereabouts. The letter should arrive a little later this week to confirm.
I should be out on the 6th May doing some official business but I think I had better not as that also would involve going out drinking and I probably don't want to be doing that the day before the operation and we don't normally get home until very late. It looks like that is going to be knocked on the head then.
I spent a little time re-reading the stuff from my ex-employers and feel much more confident than I did earlier that their heightened level of general ignorance of employment law will play its part. I am guessing that next week will see activity as their Brief gets back off of holiday and reads the statement and works out the case and the chances. It is funny how much this damn thing plays on my mind but then reading their words they were happy to have people (not just me) work for them for long periods of time and because their investment is in jeopardy they don't think that they should pay for the work others have undertaken on their behalf. That is stealing and fraudulent use of our time and of course, they don't own any of the IP we produced for them either.
I should be out on the 6th May doing some official business but I think I had better not as that also would involve going out drinking and I probably don't want to be doing that the day before the operation and we don't normally get home until very late. It looks like that is going to be knocked on the head then.
I spent a little time re-reading the stuff from my ex-employers and feel much more confident than I did earlier that their heightened level of general ignorance of employment law will play its part. I am guessing that next week will see activity as their Brief gets back off of holiday and reads the statement and works out the case and the chances. It is funny how much this damn thing plays on my mind but then reading their words they were happy to have people (not just me) work for them for long periods of time and because their investment is in jeopardy they don't think that they should pay for the work others have undertaken on their behalf. That is stealing and fraudulent use of our time and of course, they don't own any of the IP we produced for them either.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Not there
Oh well - message sent for him to ring back. At least I've rung back when I said I would.
It will be interesting to hear what they have to say anyway. If it is a yes I'll be happy if it is a no then I have the other stuff to get on with and it will give me some impetus to go at it.
As usual, waiting around is always a problem but it isn't the be all and end all of things either way and - to complicate matters further another job landed in my inbox about 30 minutes ago.
It will be interesting to hear what they have to say anyway. If it is a yes I'll be happy if it is a no then I have the other stuff to get on with and it will give me some impetus to go at it.
As usual, waiting around is always a problem but it isn't the be all and end all of things either way and - to complicate matters further another job landed in my inbox about 30 minutes ago.
So decision day
I have to ring up the chap from the charity late this afternoon to see if they want me and let him know if I want to work there.
Given the utter nonsense I am going through at the moment, this may at least be a place to settle down or a while and just forget all the other nonsense. Moving from high octane work to something slower paced may be difficult to start with though. At the back of my mind is the thought that I may be jumping at this opportunity but I think that I'd probably be reasonably happy there. It will pay the bills and that is important of course. It appears to be flexible and would allow me to do some work from home during the 44 days off.
Oh well - - I used to be indecisive - now I'm not so sure etc........
Let's see what the phone call brings.
Given the utter nonsense I am going through at the moment, this may at least be a place to settle down or a while and just forget all the other nonsense. Moving from high octane work to something slower paced may be difficult to start with though. At the back of my mind is the thought that I may be jumping at this opportunity but I think that I'd probably be reasonably happy there. It will pay the bills and that is important of course. It appears to be flexible and would allow me to do some work from home during the 44 days off.
Oh well - - I used to be indecisive - now I'm not so sure etc........
Let's see what the phone call brings.
Phew
Well it made me quite angry reading the witness statements but now I've read them through a couple of times I can see that they don't add up to anything other than what they added up to last time.
They missed one or two key points which they won't know about until their brief comes back from holiday next week. At no point have they worked out that their own words and actions as recorded will determine their case. I like the arguments in the statements can each be shot down by their own paperwork. Nice.
I feel a little upset about the lies but not for long. I will spend a little time next week just adding the correct level of cross references to their statements. I like the fact that mine is entirely based on documents and theirs isn't.
The sooner this gets settled the better.
They missed one or two key points which they won't know about until their brief comes back from holiday next week. At no point have they worked out that their own words and actions as recorded will determine their case. I like the arguments in the statements can each be shot down by their own paperwork. Nice.
I feel a little upset about the lies but not for long. I will spend a little time next week just adding the correct level of cross references to their statements. I like the fact that mine is entirely based on documents and theirs isn't.
The sooner this gets settled the better.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter out of the way
Onto new things now. I can have a look at the stuff from the other party tomorrow and have a laugh at that and then get on with some important stuff. I feel a re-arranged room might be good. A change of scene and switching stuff around and making space.
A spring clean of the office is what is required and then some work on a potential holiday for us all. The US is now off - NZ looks to have potential problems with everyone's availability anyway. I now find that I would have been on my own in Chicago as everyone wanted to be back for exam results! Not sure why but not my call.
So Europe is a possible. I fancy a Danube cruise - no one fancies a boat after last year! So perhaps Switzerland or Austria, Germany or Denmark, maybe Italy.
Job day tomorrow - I need to ring in the late afternoon to see if they are interested and whether I am. I still need to sleep on it.
A spring clean of the office is what is required and then some work on a potential holiday for us all. The US is now off - NZ looks to have potential problems with everyone's availability anyway. I now find that I would have been on my own in Chicago as everyone wanted to be back for exam results! Not sure why but not my call.
So Europe is a possible. I fancy a Danube cruise - no one fancies a boat after last year! So perhaps Switzerland or Austria, Germany or Denmark, maybe Italy.
Job day tomorrow - I need to ring in the late afternoon to see if they are interested and whether I am. I still need to sleep on it.
Decisions
I can't say that the last set of decisions were either in my hands or exactly the best ones I've ever made. However there you go, they are history and the future lays in front of me now.
I have a nagging reluctance to return to the workplace. Deep inside, something is wanting me to hold back. I'm not sure whether that is because of the complete change in direction, the low money and conformity of the role, regret that I'll go back to work after having almost started the researcher business or something else. If the job doesn't suit then, I am guessing that it will be easy enough to leave that - we did discuss how and if I would fit in.
It is some great wave of worry just a deep down thing, almost a doubt or uncertainty. I have these quite a bit and so I shouldn't be surprised I'm having these now.
I need to spend today thinking about whether it is the right move. The family are, as ever, fully supportive of it. I just want to make sure that it isn't jumping in the wrong direction.
I have a nagging reluctance to return to the workplace. Deep inside, something is wanting me to hold back. I'm not sure whether that is because of the complete change in direction, the low money and conformity of the role, regret that I'll go back to work after having almost started the researcher business or something else. If the job doesn't suit then, I am guessing that it will be easy enough to leave that - we did discuss how and if I would fit in.
It is some great wave of worry just a deep down thing, almost a doubt or uncertainty. I have these quite a bit and so I shouldn't be surprised I'm having these now.
I need to spend today thinking about whether it is the right move. The family are, as ever, fully supportive of it. I just want to make sure that it isn't jumping in the wrong direction.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Tired
Amazing how tired I am - perhaps weary and fed up still waiting for things to settle down. I have to say I have been good I haven't even looked at their witness statements - that can wait until office hours on Tuesday.
The Egg Hunt yesterday was good and I got up early this morning to watch the F1 Grand Prix. I've hardly done anything and fallen asleep a number of times in my comfortable armchair.
I have been doing some serious thinking about whether to take on this job if I get offered it or whether I go do my own thing. In a way I am ever so slightly disappointed that the complication has set in but it will prove to be a decision for tomorrow now. I have had to write down all he pros and cons and I think I have a decision made. It probably comes out as a compromise and yet that isn't too bad either.
At least tomorrow is a Bank Holiday and I can spend a little time sorting my room out and preparing for the next couple of weeks which are going to be busy.
It would be nice to be fit again or have half my stamina back.
The Egg Hunt yesterday was good and I got up early this morning to watch the F1 Grand Prix. I've hardly done anything and fallen asleep a number of times in my comfortable armchair.
I have been doing some serious thinking about whether to take on this job if I get offered it or whether I go do my own thing. In a way I am ever so slightly disappointed that the complication has set in but it will prove to be a decision for tomorrow now. I have had to write down all he pros and cons and I think I have a decision made. It probably comes out as a compromise and yet that isn't too bad either.
At least tomorrow is a Bank Holiday and I can spend a little time sorting my room out and preparing for the next couple of weeks which are going to be busy.
It would be nice to be fit again or have half my stamina back.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Long old day
we did the annual Easter Egg Hunt - well I suppose you couldn't hold it any more often than that anyway!
It was a horrible day and we ended up for only the second time in about 12 years or so actually running it inside. A good number of people turned out which was great and all the youngsters enjoyed themselves which was also great.
The witness statements arrived from the other side, I saw the first few words and noted how slim they were and so will read them sometime down the week. I hardly think that there is anything in there that will alter my opinion or the outcome.
Finally I am wrestling with the idea of the new job. I'd quite fancy it and yet know that it means the researcher role would be real back burner stuff. Perhaps I can just sub contract the work out or something. It seems a shame that it is just after I'd gotten the business plan into good shape and also how I was going to market it.
It was a horrible day and we ended up for only the second time in about 12 years or so actually running it inside. A good number of people turned out which was great and all the youngsters enjoyed themselves which was also great.
The witness statements arrived from the other side, I saw the first few words and noted how slim they were and so will read them sometime down the week. I hardly think that there is anything in there that will alter my opinion or the outcome.
Finally I am wrestling with the idea of the new job. I'd quite fancy it and yet know that it means the researcher role would be real back burner stuff. Perhaps I can just sub contract the work out or something. It seems a shame that it is just after I'd gotten the business plan into good shape and also how I was going to market it.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Always someone worse off than you
It is a sad fact of life that as far as you may feel pretty hard done by there is always someone worse off than you. Somewhere there is one person in the world who is far worse off than anyone else and if you imagine someone worse off than you and they imagine someone worse off than themselves and so on, then you really do have to feel very concerned for the one who is worse off than everyone else.
Just a thought. I have been corresponding with people who are far worse off than me giving them some of the problems I've encountered. I know that there are a lot of people with a lot worse than I have had. When it is personal though, you can't imagine anyone else being worse off than you.
I suppose that is just the way it is.
Just a thought. I have been corresponding with people who are far worse off than me giving them some of the problems I've encountered. I know that there are a lot of people with a lot worse than I have had. When it is personal though, you can't imagine anyone else being worse off than you.
I suppose that is just the way it is.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
44 Days
That is quite shocking isn't it - that 4 days is the number of days I need off in the next 18 months. That really surprised me when I did the calculations. 24 of those would be for treatment.
The 44 days also looks at everything being successful of course. It is amazing how much time these things take also that I really haven't still worked out quite how much work is involved in getting me back to healthy. Incredible.
The 44 days also looks at everything being successful of course. It is amazing how much time these things take also that I really haven't still worked out quite how much work is involved in getting me back to healthy. Incredible.
Off out in a moment
Getting rid of that darn Witness statement thing and then can concentrate on getting on with the rest of my life. Nothing will happen until the week after next as they won't look at it it until they return from their Easter break.
I'm also going to pop down to the local computer shop and see if he can read the data on some 3 1/2" floppy disks I have been sent. Can you believe that I have no way of reading what is on them anymore?
I feel today is a turning point and that I can hopefully now just move on with things. Next to going to the Tribunal itself and reading what they have to say, preparing any questions based on those, that should be the lot.
I have an idea of what will happen though, knowing these people as I do. I also hear that other legal steps are being taken against them and the target date for them meeting some contractual obligations is fast approaching. Anyway, we will see.
So, that lot can go, hopefully the shop can pull out all the data and finally I have forgotten that I need to get Easter things! DOH!
I'm also going to pop down to the local computer shop and see if he can read the data on some 3 1/2" floppy disks I have been sent. Can you believe that I have no way of reading what is on them anymore?
I feel today is a turning point and that I can hopefully now just move on with things. Next to going to the Tribunal itself and reading what they have to say, preparing any questions based on those, that should be the lot.
I have an idea of what will happen though, knowing these people as I do. I also hear that other legal steps are being taken against them and the target date for them meeting some contractual obligations is fast approaching. Anyway, we will see.
So, that lot can go, hopefully the shop can pull out all the data and finally I have forgotten that I need to get Easter things! DOH!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
So Riddle Me this
Oh no - don't - not this late at night.
The trouble with this job is that I haven't earned so little for 18 or more years. I've said money isn't the driver yet- in the back of my mind I can do 4 times this much. Will I be satisfied working for next to no money if in reality my job satisfaction quotient could be massively high?
Yeeeeeks - how on earth do you qualify that out.
The trouble with this job is that I haven't earned so little for 18 or more years. I've said money isn't the driver yet- in the back of my mind I can do 4 times this much. Will I be satisfied working for next to no money if in reality my job satisfaction quotient could be massively high?
Yeeeeeks - how on earth do you qualify that out.
Charity Work
Wow, what a morning and suddenly, it seems to me as if I may be OK doing this job. I'm a bit non conventional and haven't held a 9-5 for many years. We had a lovely long talk and a wander around and I bumped into two other guys I know who work there.
The people, as you would expect are lovely and dedicated. The work looks right up my street and I have just had to send off samples of all my different writing styles as I need to do copy for press releases, e-mails flashes, case studies, speeches and all that good stuff.
I think I could do that now given the meeting I had today. The issue still is for me the ongoing treatment but I am sure some how we can work around that. So it is a chat with the family over the next few days - I think that I'd love the chance to do this job. It puts the researcher job on the back burner for a while but perhaps I can run that as a side industry and not open up the whole site for now. I need to decide on that - it could allow me to work in the charity sector (the money ain't great of course) and to supplement that accordingly.
Anyway - it feels good - that was what I needed to feel!
The people, as you would expect are lovely and dedicated. The work looks right up my street and I have just had to send off samples of all my different writing styles as I need to do copy for press releases, e-mails flashes, case studies, speeches and all that good stuff.
I think I could do that now given the meeting I had today. The issue still is for me the ongoing treatment but I am sure some how we can work around that. So it is a chat with the family over the next few days - I think that I'd love the chance to do this job. It puts the researcher job on the back burner for a while but perhaps I can run that as a side industry and not open up the whole site for now. I need to decide on that - it could allow me to work in the charity sector (the money ain't great of course) and to supplement that accordingly.
Anyway - it feels good - that was what I needed to feel!
Just about ready
To go off and see the charity guys up in London. I think I won't make a hasty decision - I need to talk it through with the family, not least of which is the obvious part that the money is a lot less than we are used to.
It will at least give them a chance to see me and vice versa and to ask questions and I suppose to give me enough of a flavour of the role and the people.
What probably frightens / worries me more than anything is that it will be a 9 to 5 job and I haven't had one of those in years.
It will at least give them a chance to see me and vice versa and to ask questions and I suppose to give me enough of a flavour of the role and the people.
What probably frightens / worries me more than anything is that it will be a 9 to 5 job and I haven't had one of those in years.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Clear
That is that - all clear and done apart from actually sending it off on Thursday. I can actually get on and do something else now. It feels a little strange sitting here staring at the screen and wondering what to do next but in reality, I have a list of things to do.
I just took myself out for a walk but it is weather for Penguins out there so I just went to the shops and back - that was enough. So, a short break, draw breath and then get on with something meaningful and not designed to waste my time.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day and my chance to see what working at a Charity organisation is all about. I need to convince myself that it is what I want to do and I need to see if they are OK with the fact that I'll be having at least 44 days off in the next 18 months for treatment. Yes - that came as a bit of a shock but if you add it up there are a minimum of 3 operations at 1 week each at least, 12 lots of BCG at 2 days each - 3 assessment days and 3 appointments and the odd day it goes into 3 days not 2 on treatment or 2 days not 1 in for the Operation and you are soon there. When you look at it like that it doesnt look great does it?
If they can bear that then I suppose it wont be so bad. Not sure how I will get on with the day after treatment as only rarely have I travelled any distance then.
I just took myself out for a walk but it is weather for Penguins out there so I just went to the shops and back - that was enough. So, a short break, draw breath and then get on with something meaningful and not designed to waste my time.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day and my chance to see what working at a Charity organisation is all about. I need to convince myself that it is what I want to do and I need to see if they are OK with the fact that I'll be having at least 44 days off in the next 18 months for treatment. Yes - that came as a bit of a shock but if you add it up there are a minimum of 3 operations at 1 week each at least, 12 lots of BCG at 2 days each - 3 assessment days and 3 appointments and the odd day it goes into 3 days not 2 on treatment or 2 days not 1 in for the Operation and you are soon there. When you look at it like that it doesnt look great does it?
If they can bear that then I suppose it wont be so bad. Not sure how I will get on with the day after treatment as only rarely have I travelled any distance then.
Things start to fall in to place
The Witness Statement is complete, the covering letter is complete and needs to be sent off later this week. MY CV is finished and my other details for the job tomorrow are almost done, I sketched it all down yesterday - time to clean it up this morning.
Interestingly, someone spoke to the business - ultimate owner - yesterday who is still wondering how his business and ideas managed to get stolen and robbed away from him. Interestingly enough two of us told him as far back as September what we thought was happening and if he remembers back that far he should click in that I warned him that I was concerned where this had come from.
Oh well, it is all a matter of who you trust ultimately I suppose.
I'm relatively calm about things at the moment. I am pretty certain that whatever happens from now on isn't really going to matter in the overall scheme of things. With hardly any money in the coffers, these guys have been well and truly shafted by their "mates" and as predicted 6 months ago, have lost their ideas and their business.
I can't believe how "ill" it has made me. This victim thing is pretty horrible and yes I am the victim here and I'm the one made to feel guilty. I know that isn't the case but the way these guys fight their corner is pretty rough. I do hope though that they realise that their case now rests on the original grounds for resistance and that they cannot change their story. It will be a wonder to behold I am sure and a worthy work of fiction. Mine? Relies on facts only.
Interestingly, someone spoke to the business - ultimate owner - yesterday who is still wondering how his business and ideas managed to get stolen and robbed away from him. Interestingly enough two of us told him as far back as September what we thought was happening and if he remembers back that far he should click in that I warned him that I was concerned where this had come from.
Oh well, it is all a matter of who you trust ultimately I suppose.
I'm relatively calm about things at the moment. I am pretty certain that whatever happens from now on isn't really going to matter in the overall scheme of things. With hardly any money in the coffers, these guys have been well and truly shafted by their "mates" and as predicted 6 months ago, have lost their ideas and their business.
I can't believe how "ill" it has made me. This victim thing is pretty horrible and yes I am the victim here and I'm the one made to feel guilty. I know that isn't the case but the way these guys fight their corner is pretty rough. I do hope though that they realise that their case now rests on the original grounds for resistance and that they cannot change their story. It will be a wonder to behold I am sure and a worthy work of fiction. Mine? Relies on facts only.
Monday, March 17, 2008
That Charity Job
I got a call today from someone at the Charity and they had spoken to someone who knows me and they are interested in talking to me. I am going to see them on Wednesday morning to have a look around and to see whether we like each other
You know, I really fancy doing that job. It pays peanuts but I think that I should be able to give it so much from my experiences. I can hardly believe that I missed the bit where this guy I knows happens to work there - Doh! If I'd have realised that then I could have spoken to him.
I think that this may just be the thing for me. Something that I'd enjoy, something where I could make a difference and pay a little back and somewhere away from the idiots and ll the stress.
It would mean working up in London a fair amount of the time, but that is OK too. It will be a stone's throw from Covent Garden. It would be brilliant to be doing something like this.
Of course timing is rubbish as always as I have just chosen the new name for the business! Ho hum!
Anyway - I am excited about the possibilities of working for this group - the pay is rubbish but I hope that the rewards will be a happier me.
You know, I really fancy doing that job. It pays peanuts but I think that I should be able to give it so much from my experiences. I can hardly believe that I missed the bit where this guy I knows happens to work there - Doh! If I'd have realised that then I could have spoken to him.
I think that this may just be the thing for me. Something that I'd enjoy, something where I could make a difference and pay a little back and somewhere away from the idiots and ll the stress.
It would mean working up in London a fair amount of the time, but that is OK too. It will be a stone's throw from Covent Garden. It would be brilliant to be doing something like this.
Of course timing is rubbish as always as I have just chosen the new name for the business! Ho hum!
Anyway - I am excited about the possibilities of working for this group - the pay is rubbish but I hope that the rewards will be a happier me.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
My mate can really p*ss me off sometimes
You have to be nice to your mates but sometimes you really want to tell them something - like "shut up and go away" or words that have a similar meaning. I'm getting pretty fed up with this guy telling me about my apparent behaviour when it is his behaviour that really needs sorting out.
If you have something to say fair enough but don't say it in front of a bunch of people that I happened to be in conversation with. Naughty and I'm not the sort that would tear straight in but it was a very close run thing. Very close indeed. It isn't the first time either and it is getting a little wearing and again, it isn't really called for. Perhaps I just p*ss people off myself:-)
If you have something to say fair enough but don't say it in front of a bunch of people that I happened to be in conversation with. Naughty and I'm not the sort that would tear straight in but it was a very close run thing. Very close indeed. It isn't the first time either and it is getting a little wearing and again, it isn't really called for. Perhaps I just p*ss people off myself:-)
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