Hampton grass…

What a great weekend…

I was awarded some extra days off work for 10 years long service… That’s far too long in one business but I have had some good times and some bloody terrible ones too. I guess the main reason for staying so long is the people you get to meet and the friendship that develop. It’s interesting to return to the branch I started in so long ago and enjoy a few relaxing days out to celebrate. If that’s the word???

Saturday was the first day of the good weather and we decided to go to Hampton Court Palace. Soon after arriving we attacked the maze and attack it we did. Or rather Fleur did as she missed the point of getting lost and having fun and decided to becomes member of the Borg.

She did the maze both ways in 5 minutes… Job done!!!

However, while walking around a square courtyard she got lost… Twice!!!

We walked around the Palace for a good 15 minutes before coming to the opinion that looking at an old dusty chair on the hottest day of the year was not the best plan we had… So, we run out into the gorgeous gardens and slept on the lawn in the glorious sun.

An expensive way to sleep on grass but a good day!!!

Mexican Blue Sky…

TORTILLA – CANARY WHARF, originally uploaded by MOLIBLOG.

Hello Moliblog fans…

While at the supermarket today I discovered the Mexican version of Subway called Tortilla Mexican grill. I’m sure the world has lots of them but this is the first I’ve found. It’s located below the DLR station at Canary Wharf and the food is fantastic. I had a Chicken Burrito with Cheese, beans and salsa for £5… It’s well worth the money and than Taco Bell in America.

My foot feels better today, I’m always shocked at how quickly it comes and goes. One minute your fine and then you wake up in agony. 3 day later it just gets better. Now the doctor has given me pills to stop it happening again. Watch this space. I hope it works.

Bit of a wasted day today, I originally wanted to go abroad for a few days, but Fleur didn’t want to do it. However, since the Icelandic volcano eruption all flights are cancelled anyway. Looks like I was always doomed to remain at home alone today. Still, I get to look up at the blue sky without any aircraft to spoil the view. Not seen that since 9/11.

I’m hoping Saturday and Sunday will offer me more than watching Countdown and eating Mexican food…

M

Alarming Stupidity…

It’s been the week of the stupid and the just plain dumb…

Most people come and go and pass through without you remembering them. Some stick in your memory because life would be so dull without them.
I remember years ago an old woman coming into the store with one of those tartan trolleys. She walks up to the manager and asks for batteries for her vibrator. The manager was lost for words at the thought of this little old lady using a rampant rabbit. He asked, what batteries does it take? She then proceeded to open the zip of the tartan trolley and reach inside. The manager started to stare into space like a not so rampant rabbit caught in the head lights. As she began to lift out the object, she revealed a large back massager!!! Poor man!!!

At work we try to sell a great many things. One of these is SKY HD. However, we can’t seem to do it. Imagine my surprise and Cheshire cat grin when a woman asked for SKY and all the channels. I was just about to rush off and get it arranged when she said. “Can I have it for a week?” WTF!!!

Also I had a woman ask me for a cable. I asked what cable would she like. She said, “I’d like a yellow one.” Nice!!!

Later in the week, one man asked me, pointing at the ticket saying £379.99, is that the price? No, it’s a random set of numbers generated to confuse the mentally insane. We have a small monkey in the back just to pull numbers out of a cardboard bed pan and place around the building.

A member of staff came up to me with a question about pay. It’s was a serious request and went something like this. Mark, can I get the same pay as a nurse who looks after the mentally sick… If I have to do it here, I should get paid the same. LMAO!!!

To top things off I got a call out today on my day off. One of my fellow managers forgot his key and everyone was waiting outside. Thank fuck I only live a short distance but having had a few drinks and a late night, I could have done without that.

I went for my ten yearly eye test today. I went along to Vision Express at Canary Wharf. I got a very friendly service and a detailed test. Results are that I’ve still got my greater than 20/20 vision and I’ve not got to go back for another 2 years. Here is a picture of my retinas…

Also today I had a Sushi lunch in Selfridges with Fleur and enjoyed the sunshine on Hyde Park.  Afterwards we had Tea in Fortnum and Masons which is a fantastic experience and very reasonable.

Only 3 days work left and then I’m on holiday…

Have a good weekend

M

Easter Who…

Happy Easter Moliblog readers…

I’ve just spent the last two days either working or eating Chocolate eggs. Work was quite on Friday. Much too quite but we did manage to get all the work done in time for me to have the weekend off. Lovely!!!

Saturday was spent getting a shock absorber replaced on the mini and watching Matt Smith as the new Doctor Who. Why it wasn’t me I have no idea. I wear Converse shoes and have my own sonic screwdriver. I’d be cheap too.

Smiths’ arrival as the Time Lord has been long awaited and much spoken about and photographed during production. Like every Doctor before him, I’ve hated the idea of him leaving and being replaced with a poorer version. Except Colin Baker. I mean, for fuck sake… What an awful Doctor. The only reason to watch was for Peri and her amazing Tardis Airbags.

Sitting in front of the TV with a Green and Blacks Chocolate egg I watched the impressive opening scene and opening credits. Not so sure about the re-hash of the famous Ron Grainer theme tune but I’ll await judgement till a later time. My friend Hiran feels that the tone was right and that Matt Smith was a natural in the role. I’d agree with that. More over I felt he was a more quirky Doctor than David Tennant with idiosyncratic behaviour that really added to the character and gave the scene energy and pace. Tennant was an amazing Doctor but his constant shouting and mockney accent were often a distraction from some amazing scripts he was given. Alas, none of those written by Russell T Davis.

The TARDIS interior was very different from the last which I really loved. This will take me longer to accept. It does look great with its stairs, raised levels but little things like Hot and Cold taps on the Console, along with an old fashioned typewriter made me uncomfortable. I want an Alien Sci-fi time machine. Not some wacky looking machine that’s made from bits found in a scrap yard. I was looking for Robert Llewellyn to pop up and say, “Welcome to Scrapheap Challenge. Build a time machine out of this old shit”. It might grow on me but sometimes I wish some things would just stay the same, however, the use of HD had much to do with any changes being made.
Overall I thought the first episode of the new Doctor Who was a success and with 8 million viewers watching, it clearly was of interest to a great many people across the nation. Time will tell if the viewing public continues to tune over the coming weeks.

Sunday, was about Formula 1 and eating and eating and well………… eating.

I really don’t think Fleur has eaten so much food in such a short time. The desire to eat so much Sunday lunch and dessert was firmly placed on my Mums great cooking. The smells and the taste are well worth not being able to stand and the need to open that button on the trousers to release the ever expanding waist line.

I’m back to work on Monday. Let’s just hope it’s busy, as there’s nothing on TV…

M

Train to coach or miss the bus…

Finally getting around to write something…

This week I attended a coaching workshop in Daventry. I really enjoyed the course and got to learn that the art of being a good coach is being a good listener and getting the coachee to realise that the answer is within them. A commitment made must be believed, owned and lived. No point taking on someone elses values, goals and objectives. These must be your own.

Thanks Amanda and Andy for a great course.

The hotel was nice and service excellent. My room however was basic, with the smallest TV since time began and a carpet that made my eyes hurt…

Also, I got the chance to hear the stories and opinions of my fellow managers around the country. The general feeling is that most are worried about the future. With the creation of more two in one stores, the company will need fewer managers and colleagues. I’m hoping that all the skills and training I’ve had will ensure my future. Otherwise I could be forced into another store or out altogether. Redundency is such a scary prospect having never been out of work since I left school. However, out of the ashes of many careers, new worlds can be forged. The future is a night light, just have to watch out for storms approaching.

On Wednesday I went along to my first residents meeting on board the boat Teresa Joanne.  It was a mix of people who wanted to heckle the volunteers who try and make things better for everyone on the estate. People who just wanted to have a social night and people who wanted things actioned.  I’m not sure much got agreed but my question was answered in the most amazing way.  I had asked that some historical artifacts were sought and placed into the estate.  As this was the site of the Harland and Wolf shipyard, the original gates have been located and can be bought, restored and placed at the entrance of Galleons Lock.  If the funding can be arranged, I would be so proud that I was able to contribute to the look of Galleons and the history of my home.

My very good friend Sam and family are off on a 3 month trip through Asia. Some might say that living near East Ham is much the same experience… A few of us met up to wish him Bon voyage and sink a few beers at the Parlour. The Parlour is a bar for city wankers. It was packed toe to toe, playing the loudest music and darker than a pub during the blitz. I must be getting old as this place just bored me. The highlight was Sonny spilling his drink on some (W) Bankers coat, the guy looks up with the quip, ” I’ll suck that out later.” Not that Sonny thought it was funny and almost started a fight again.

Having had a few beers we followed along with everything on the menu at Wahaca, Canary Wharf.

The food, beer and service is amazing and so cheap for what you get.

The star of the night was Sonny again, with his story of Sweetheart the stripper and her ability to take her clothes off and offer anger management.

Certainly a multi talanted girl…

Today finally took my poor Mini in for it’s MOT.  Given my anger at all the Pot Holes around the city, I was quite pissed off to discover that it failed it’s MOT due to a suspension fault.  I’ve not had a car fail its MOT since I bought my first old banger soon after passing.  My protesting must have been enough for him to pass it anyway with the promise of returning to get it done next week.  I’ll certainly do it.  Maybe I should send the bill to the council?

Love and Laughs,

M