Monday 27 September 2010

A nice, welcome change

Well, today was my first day of training for my new job withing the company. Myself and another guy who has moved from the same department as myself both agree, its like a big weight has been lifted off our shoulders. A weight I have been trying to shift for over 4 years now. A lot of what we covered, actually the majority of what we covered I already knew seeing as I have been at that company for nearly 10 years now but still was good to go through it with new people. D said that this morning when I left for work, I looked more relaxed and wasn't the normal 'oh my god, do I really have to go in?' type of attitude that I have before setting off to work. Mind you, I found it hard to get up when it was still dark to be at work for 8.45am.
The trainer, to a couple of us looks like, and to a certain extent, acts like Michael McIntyre, the comedian. Only thing missing is the running skip that Michael McIntyre does on stage. I swear, if he does that in class, I will wet myself laughing. This is what I mean. If it doesnt work use this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OKY2jyBm4w

Sunday 26 September 2010

She never ceases to surprise me

My o/h, shocked me today by saying she wanted to start her own blog. She's never shown any interest in the past.
Well good for her, she's started it tonight. It's at thedizzylifeofageordiegirl.blogspot.com




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Saturday 25 September 2010

Looking forward to a nice day off

After being at work for 1 day today, I'm off tomorrow then in training for 2 weeks for my new job as mentioned on the previous post.
Today, at work has been so boring. I just wanted the day to end. Its probably because I was so looking forward to the day being over. I had to empty my drawers. Its surprising how much rubbish you gather when using the same set of drawers for about 7 years. My car boot has 3 full bags to be sorted.
Well tomorrow, weather permitting, we are going to Newcastle quayside to mooch around the market there. I love doing this. Looking for bargains. We normally end up at a nice little coffee shop at the end of the market and have a couple of cup , or in my case large mugs of filter coffee. We sit outside, not just you can smoke but also, I love just people watching and taking a few photos. People are great to watch. The clothes, the mannerisms, expressions, the whole package. See some funny people out and about. I'm sure I will have some photos to post.

Friday 24 September 2010

Back to work

Its back to work tomorrow for me after 3 weeks off work. I've had a lovely week at Haggerston Castle, a rather painful trip to Donington Park and the rest of the time chilling and relaxing. Although the last week has been spent more in pain than relaxing.
I am going back to my normal job for one day, having one day off then into training for my new job. My new job is really just going back to the department I came from originally so its just a case of retraining. So will going from speaking to people trying to get everything for nothing on the sales dept to listening to people complain because their bills are wrong or they can't pay. Hi ho. At least it will be a change of department and I wont be threatened with my job for not hitting targets every days. I'm sure I can do better than so of the so called customer service staff that work there. especially from non UK call centres. I certainly have more confidence to do the job than I had when I was first on that department.

New look, new name

As you must be able to see, unless you can navigate the web with your eyes shut, my blog has a new mae and a new look. Ive called it Laid Bare as that is basically what I will be doing , laying my daily life bare for all to see. I will post about all sorts, whether good or bad. Happy or sad. Saying that, that's what the idea has been all along since my blog started.
I had planned to put a slide show at the side but the widget wasnt picking up on my account so was showing someone else's photos instead.
I have also included a contact me page. If anyone wants to drop me a line about anything at all, suggestions, ideas, complaints or even compliments if you like my blog that is, please fill in the form. It doesnt give me the option to reply, but if you leave you email address on the mail, I will reply to you.

Kind regards

Steve

Thursday 23 September 2010

Ideas for my blog. Where are they?

I have been sitting thinking about what to write in this blog so that I can get more followers and make it interesting for people to read. I have scanned Google for ideas but still cant get the old grey matter working. What subject to blog about, what to say, how to word it. Its all very frustrating. I want to write about my daily life and what goes on, and my thoughts and views on things. Some people seem to have very successful blogs and a good following. Whats their secret? How did they get people interested in their blog? I wish I knew. I'm not looking to have the most successful blog ever, just one that has a following and is interesting and one I'm happy with.
If anyone has any ideas or can point me in the right direction of a good site to instruct me, please let me know.

Wednesday 22 September 2010

What a disappointment

After months of waiting, myself, Paul and Rob went to Donington Park to watch the BTCC. Great, I hear you say. Well, yes, apart from 2 days before I put my back out yet again. This time, all I did was turn round and felt it go. It goes as easy as that. Once I did it just brushing my teeth.
Anyway, I was still able to walk, although slowly, so I decided to still go. After all it was Donington Park, where I had wanted to go for the last few years.
Paul turned up at about 05.15. We packed the car, just. Wasn't much space left. Then set off on our journey.
After stopping at Woodall Services in Yorkshire, we arrived at Donington Park. I helped get the tent built
After doing that we decided to go to the track for free practice and qualifying. I had only got a few yards from the tent when my back gave way again, forcing me to drop my camera bag and chair. Rob went back to the tent and got my hiking stick and Paul carried my stuff. It took ages for us to walk the short distance to the track itself. I kept having to stop because of the pain. We walked, slowly round the paddock area and checked put the infield, then headed for Redgate corner where they sat me down to be more comfortable. Paul and Rob went off to take photos down the Craner curves.
At lunch time we went back to the tent for food. I decided to stay back as I didn't think I could cope with the pain much more.
After having a good night sleep on my airbed I was awake at 06.00 and decided to stay up. Later on after Paul and Rob woke up, we all had breakfast and I decided I would stay back at the tent again. Paul and Rob would of rather I went to the track but understood when I explained how I felt. At one point I stepped in a divot and had to grab Paul to stop myself falling back. Hope I didn't bruise his arm.
It was a long day by myself.
At the end of the day they came back and packed everything away and started the journey home. We, again stopped off at Woodall services for a McDonalds this time. When we got home, I was so pleased.
I have to say that Paul and Rob were brilliant. They were so understanding about my pain. I felt like I spooky the weekend for them but they say I didn't. I am so thankful to them.
It's certainly one trip away I won't forget.
Our campsite



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Thursday 16 September 2010

Flickr

This is a test post from flickr, a fancy photo sharing thing.

An image from our trip into Berwick

On the left edge of the image is a chip shop with a great little cafe. Its not your normal 'trendy' cafe. Its like a 70s / 80s  style cafe with dayglo card signs on the walls etc. I loved it there.

Sunday 12 September 2010

Watch you fingers


Watch you fingers, originally uploaded by SG68.

Mildred the Mute Swan getting fed whilst we were on holiday at Haggerston Castle. I will miss her. Hope she is still there next year.

Mack


Mack, originally uploaded by SG68.

This is Mack. He was the horse G rode on the day after her birthday at Haggerston Castle.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Our hols continued

We've been having a great time so far. G has been to the kids club, also living it up on the dance floor each night.
We have been to the swimming pool each day. It's been lovely. G loves being in the pool and always complains when it's time to get out.
Yesterday we went into Berwick. A town on the border of England and Scotland. I haven't been for years. I got so scotch meat pies from a highly recommended butcher. Can't wait to try them. I may get some haggis to go home with.
While in Berwick, we all went to this cafe we found down a side street. For anyone in uk, you may be able to picture this. It's the type of cafe you would find in most towns in the 70s and 80s. No frills type of place. Price lists on the Walls we on dayglo card. It's like we had stepped back in time. A greasy spoon type place. The food was lovely. I much prefer these type of cafe's rather than the trendy over priced modern bistros etc.
This is the exterior.


This is the interior.




And finally a couple of shots of Berwick main street.






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Sunday 5 September 2010

First day at Haggerston Castle

Arrived at Haggerston Castle caravan park to blazing sunshine. It was nice to relax after the stress of packing and getting sorted. The caravan we have rented is amazing. It's like a house inside. A good size living room, a nice kitchen, a bedroom with 2 beds for G and a doble bedroom for myself and D with an en-suite. Even before unpacking we had a cup of tea on the decking and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
At night we went to the show bar and watched a live band who sung loads of 80s song so I loved that. I was singing my head off. The reps did a little show called party in the dark. Basically the lights were turned down and all the kids danced with their light up toys and glowsticks that they had bought while the reps danced on stage dressed head to foot in glowed items like flashing wigs, flashing glasses and necklaces etc. It looked really good seeing all the lights moving around. The cynical side of me couldn't help but think that it was a good scam to get the kids to buy these toys to join in the dance.
All in all, a good first day was had by all at Haggerston. Georgia slept like a log. D and I didn't have the best night sleep due to the type of mattress on the bed. But still, nice to be here.
This is the view from our decking. Georgia was feeding ducks this morning.



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Wednesday 1 September 2010

Update

Just been to the docs for G's sore foot. Looks like she just has a case of tendinitis. She's been given given a course of medicine to take for 2 weeks. Glad it's not a plaster cast job.


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Just before our hols

A few days before our holiday and I am having to take G to the doctors to have her foot looked at. Over the last few days she's been complaining of a shooting pain on the underside of her foot. None of us can think of when or where she hurt it. Let's hope that it doesn't turn into a trip to the X-ray unit as well or worse still, a plaster cast. She, actually all of us would be gutted for her as she is so looking forward to her hols.
I will keep you updated.



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