Firstly, I've been to the pub which means I'm back from the pub now. So I'm a little tipsy. I've not been drinking in a long time.
I saw my mate and his girlfriend from Strabane. Which was apt considering it's an English Irish rugby match today. Last I saw Ireland were up on us.
Anyway. Today, was my last day at Puntey, south London. I will not have to travel down there again. So I left with, as usual (refering to leaving home to go to China, then leaving china, then going to Italy and leaving there), mixed emotions. I'll miss the guys, but not the hours.
It happena, don't it.
I probably shouldn't be writing whilst half drunk, but there we go. Such is life.
But, on the way home today on the train, I sat opposite the mayor of London. Yes, him. Ken Livingston. He doesn't live to far from me as it turns out.
He was wearing this neck warmer thing which obscured the bottom half of his face. I was sat there, opposite him thinking, I recognise that person. In fact, I'm sure that's old Ken himself. It was. He was trying very much to cover his face and keep his voice down whilst he spoke on his mobile. I'm assuming to his wife. He mentioned "I'll be home soon love." Or words to that effect.
So a brief brush with the boss of london town as it were.
Anyway, I shouldn't be writing whilst half drunk. But I've not had a drink in ages. It was nice though. I've not done that in a while. Even if it was over in the blink of an eye.
I'll get back to you tomorrow, when I'm sobererererer.
Saturday 24 February 2007
Thursday 22 February 2007
Teething troubles.
I popped into my new work of residence yesterday, I had a few questions. The male manager, nice bloke, over weight, mid to late 20's I'd say, was there. He said it was really weird, because he was just writing up all the stuff for my transfer over.
There was another lady there who was very nice too. It was reassuring for me. Nice people = nice place to work. So I was pleased.
Anyway, I covered two of the three things, I got round to the third.
"I need to find out about my holiday. I wanted to check with you as to what dates I could take in March?"
"Well, according to the system you've taken all your holiday time."
!
I looked at him blankly.
"I haven't taken any holiday at all since I started. Carol and Mitch said I had ten days holiday to take before April."
He looked a bit resigned to it.
"Well, we'll probably make a special exception for you then. We'll talk about it when you come in on Monday" He said, possibly to placate me, I don't know.
Although, I'm hopeful this might work out to my favour. I might get a full ten days. But, I might be able to drag them over to the next fiscal year. So, whereas now down where I currently work, I'd have to have them all before April, I might get some of them added to the next fiscal year.
Which will suit me down to the ground.
But we'll see.
Also, will I get to call work, work and not blerk. As I'm currently doing. Will things improve enough for me. I suspect so.
Also, my new work will have me doing other work. Namely counting the cash for the tills and making sure that they have money and stuff. Cash admin esque stuff. Don't know what the title would be for that and I also don't care.
Anyway, I'd do the cash bit downstairs until 11:15 then have my break, then upstairs for the busy period of the day on tills. No problem. Me likey.
Get some dull stuff that keeps you away from pesky customers, avoid doing any shelf filling and stock nonsense. I'll also be learning new skills, which will make me a more valuable employees.
Excellent.
Firmly getting more roots down in the soil and less likely to be uprooted for whatever reason.
It's all good. I just want a week off next month so I can go to Ireland and see my mate. That would be nice.
But I suspect, in the long term, this arrangement will pay dividends.
Time will tell.
Ciao.
There was another lady there who was very nice too. It was reassuring for me. Nice people = nice place to work. So I was pleased.
Anyway, I covered two of the three things, I got round to the third.
"I need to find out about my holiday. I wanted to check with you as to what dates I could take in March?"
"Well, according to the system you've taken all your holiday time."
!
I looked at him blankly.
"I haven't taken any holiday at all since I started. Carol and Mitch said I had ten days holiday to take before April."
He looked a bit resigned to it.
"Well, we'll probably make a special exception for you then. We'll talk about it when you come in on Monday" He said, possibly to placate me, I don't know.
Although, I'm hopeful this might work out to my favour. I might get a full ten days. But, I might be able to drag them over to the next fiscal year. So, whereas now down where I currently work, I'd have to have them all before April, I might get some of them added to the next fiscal year.
Which will suit me down to the ground.
But we'll see.
Also, will I get to call work, work and not blerk. As I'm currently doing. Will things improve enough for me. I suspect so.
Also, my new work will have me doing other work. Namely counting the cash for the tills and making sure that they have money and stuff. Cash admin esque stuff. Don't know what the title would be for that and I also don't care.
Anyway, I'd do the cash bit downstairs until 11:15 then have my break, then upstairs for the busy period of the day on tills. No problem. Me likey.
Get some dull stuff that keeps you away from pesky customers, avoid doing any shelf filling and stock nonsense. I'll also be learning new skills, which will make me a more valuable employees.
Excellent.
Firmly getting more roots down in the soil and less likely to be uprooted for whatever reason.
It's all good. I just want a week off next month so I can go to Ireland and see my mate. That would be nice.
But I suspect, in the long term, this arrangement will pay dividends.
Time will tell.
Ciao.
Wednesday 21 February 2007
Artificial life.
I've been doing an exhaustive search all evening and I have found some interesting downloads.
http://aiplanet.sourceforge.net/
There are some other interesting things, but I'll get round to those later. I need to go to bed now. Sleepy...
http://aiplanet.sourceforge.net/
There are some other interesting things, but I'll get round to those later. I need to go to bed now. Sleepy...
New Scientist.
If you don't read it and you're interested in all things related to science, the World and the Universe. It's for you.
It is a staple of my reading diet and gives my brain a much needed perk every week.
I like it namely because it covers some very diverse topics, both on the fringe and within main stream science.
It's written in a language that is reachable by all. It isn't too heavy going, keeping things within any ones grasp.
What's prompted me to write here now is an article about how "humans take control of evolution". Probably like me, your mind jumped to genetic manipulation at the hands of scientist. In terms of cloning or injecting jellyfish genes into mice. That kind of stuff.
No, more mundane than that.
The article starts by saying "call it unnatural selection", "we've turned the world into a vast and uncontrolled evolutionary laboratory". It then goes on to talk about how we are threatening our evolutionary heritage, because there is no shortage of species that haven't evolved in response to human interference.
They give an example of Yearling Pacific Chinook Salmon in Snake river, Idaho are now 20 millimeters smaller than they were 50 years ago. As a probable result of dam construction.
Also that the longer humans keep certain endangered animal species in confinement, so that they may be released again into the wild, the more that species will adapt to being confined. Nature finds a balance in other words.
Just as people are taller, healthier and live longer than several hundred/thousand years ago.
The sum of the article is that we are "damaging" (a consideration) the environment in yet another way, by changing the environment to suit us.
Although, I would argue, that in all that we can know and understand, we are simply acting in a way that has always happened. That this result of something we've done should not be viewed in terms of, "unnatural" damaging behaviour, but seen in a broader deeper context. That we simply cannot see beyond our own spotlights. We only illuminate so much and that change, regardless of how it happens, comes about, is just change. It isn't right, or wrong as some consider it to be. That whatever happens, if we, the human race were here or not. Change would happen. Life survives. Because it changes. Which is the most important thing of all.
Also, one day, many many many years from now. Once we've mastered genetic manipulation, we will be able to recreate anything, from any period of any time with as much ease as drawing a picture of a dinosaur.
Change then, will not matter, life will take on other importance's. We will be unconcerned with change caused through our behaviours because whatever we do, however we act or be, we create and effect the very environment by being here.
Even if it's simply one extra organism, taking one extra breath of air. It has an effect, even if imperceptibly and quite easily dismissively small.
Life is change, it is the only eternal thing.
Change is going to happen with or without us. So I suppose the thing we should really think about, is how to simply be in this world. How to see our life from a deeper perspective and not be too caught up in trivial things.
We all know that if humans were wiped off the face of the Earth, the animals would change yet again, because we were gone. The animals will change if we aren't wiped off the Earth.
But what gives us the authority to go around and interfere with life? Nothing. But, we do not realise that we are. We are ignorant by and large of what impact we have.
Just as you can't see what happened to that other car you pulled out in front of after you've you've turned the corner and lost sight of it. We can't know until we've done something. We always lag a step behind. Always. We will therefore never have the foresight or the true power to not effect our world. It's impossible.
We simply need to relax more and pursue a way of life that is gentle and measured, one that doesn't have us worrying about what impact we are or are not having.
It wont matter in a thousand years. Why? Because things will be different.
That's like saying what we have now shouldn't be because it effects the dinosaurs. It doesn't, their dead and long since changed, because things changed.
We have our time, our place. The real question shouldn't be, not how we are damaging the planet, but where do we want to go and how do we want to live this life we've got, however it is that it came about. Such as the Chinook Salmon that are now smaller than they were previously.
where do we fit in? How do we fit in? What is it about? Not, we should change the wrong we've done. Not we are bad.
Life will tick along, long after we're gone and one day, we will all be gone.
Sorry, a bit long and rambling, but I felt my point of view needed to be shared.
It is a staple of my reading diet and gives my brain a much needed perk every week.
I like it namely because it covers some very diverse topics, both on the fringe and within main stream science.
It's written in a language that is reachable by all. It isn't too heavy going, keeping things within any ones grasp.
What's prompted me to write here now is an article about how "humans take control of evolution". Probably like me, your mind jumped to genetic manipulation at the hands of scientist. In terms of cloning or injecting jellyfish genes into mice. That kind of stuff.
No, more mundane than that.
The article starts by saying "call it unnatural selection", "we've turned the world into a vast and uncontrolled evolutionary laboratory". It then goes on to talk about how we are threatening our evolutionary heritage, because there is no shortage of species that haven't evolved in response to human interference.
They give an example of Yearling Pacific Chinook Salmon in Snake river, Idaho are now 20 millimeters smaller than they were 50 years ago. As a probable result of dam construction.
Also that the longer humans keep certain endangered animal species in confinement, so that they may be released again into the wild, the more that species will adapt to being confined. Nature finds a balance in other words.
Just as people are taller, healthier and live longer than several hundred/thousand years ago.
The sum of the article is that we are "damaging" (a consideration) the environment in yet another way, by changing the environment to suit us.
Although, I would argue, that in all that we can know and understand, we are simply acting in a way that has always happened. That this result of something we've done should not be viewed in terms of, "unnatural" damaging behaviour, but seen in a broader deeper context. That we simply cannot see beyond our own spotlights. We only illuminate so much and that change, regardless of how it happens, comes about, is just change. It isn't right, or wrong as some consider it to be. That whatever happens, if we, the human race were here or not. Change would happen. Life survives. Because it changes. Which is the most important thing of all.
Also, one day, many many many years from now. Once we've mastered genetic manipulation, we will be able to recreate anything, from any period of any time with as much ease as drawing a picture of a dinosaur.
Change then, will not matter, life will take on other importance's. We will be unconcerned with change caused through our behaviours because whatever we do, however we act or be, we create and effect the very environment by being here.
Even if it's simply one extra organism, taking one extra breath of air. It has an effect, even if imperceptibly and quite easily dismissively small.
Life is change, it is the only eternal thing.
Change is going to happen with or without us. So I suppose the thing we should really think about, is how to simply be in this world. How to see our life from a deeper perspective and not be too caught up in trivial things.
We all know that if humans were wiped off the face of the Earth, the animals would change yet again, because we were gone. The animals will change if we aren't wiped off the Earth.
But what gives us the authority to go around and interfere with life? Nothing. But, we do not realise that we are. We are ignorant by and large of what impact we have.
Just as you can't see what happened to that other car you pulled out in front of after you've you've turned the corner and lost sight of it. We can't know until we've done something. We always lag a step behind. Always. We will therefore never have the foresight or the true power to not effect our world. It's impossible.
We simply need to relax more and pursue a way of life that is gentle and measured, one that doesn't have us worrying about what impact we are or are not having.
It wont matter in a thousand years. Why? Because things will be different.
That's like saying what we have now shouldn't be because it effects the dinosaurs. It doesn't, their dead and long since changed, because things changed.
We have our time, our place. The real question shouldn't be, not how we are damaging the planet, but where do we want to go and how do we want to live this life we've got, however it is that it came about. Such as the Chinook Salmon that are now smaller than they were previously.
where do we fit in? How do we fit in? What is it about? Not, we should change the wrong we've done. Not we are bad.
Life will tick along, long after we're gone and one day, we will all be gone.
Sorry, a bit long and rambling, but I felt my point of view needed to be shared.
Monday 19 February 2007
Rested.
I slept well, I slept long. I needed it. I'm now sat in my very very very very dark blue dressing gown on my black swivel chair.
It's not a very bright day today, it's a little bit cloudy and blurgh. But I'm looking forward to my upcoming holiday and I'm looking forward to shifting workplace closer to home.
My life, hopefully, will be much freer after the 26th.
It's a bit like running a defragmenter on my life, I'm soon to be reorganised into a much more efficient time saving place. Wonderful.
I'm joyfully awaiting all the important benefits I'll gain from this move. I was also lucky, as I've been informed.
I'd walked into the food office in shop and wanted to ask a question to my line managager.
He was there with the big manager of the shop, a decent down to earth bloke.
"Oh, did you know we are losing red robin?" My line manager mentioned.
"No I didn't, are you leaving the company?" He asked.
"No, I'm being transfered closer to home." I replied.
"That was lucky, you usually have to be in the company for six months for that to happen."
Oh, I thought. It was lucky then. I'm keen now to see where it all leads from here.
There is still the little matter of getting used to the change in working environment. But two weeks is all it takes. I'm already used to the things we sell, so it'll be easy to get used to the physical layout of the new shop.
Anyway, I'm thinking about friends this week. My mate's in town from Ireland. So hopefully I'll see him sometime this week. But, that really doesn't matter as I will soon dash off to Ireland for my holiday. I've not seen the old boy for ages.
He also has an xbox 360, so there will be much playing on consol next month. Can't wait.
I miss my xbox, can't believe it died in Italy. But it was the way it had to be I suppose. Although I can afford to by a 360 now though. But I'm still going to wait a little while longer. I need more money first. Which takes time.
I've probably got about 40 years of life left in me I reckon. Not much.
That's only 40 summers and winters.
Not that that's important, today matters, just the present. I'm in no rush to be at any other place in my life right now.
Till later...
It's not a very bright day today, it's a little bit cloudy and blurgh. But I'm looking forward to my upcoming holiday and I'm looking forward to shifting workplace closer to home.
My life, hopefully, will be much freer after the 26th.
It's a bit like running a defragmenter on my life, I'm soon to be reorganised into a much more efficient time saving place. Wonderful.
I'm joyfully awaiting all the important benefits I'll gain from this move. I was also lucky, as I've been informed.
I'd walked into the food office in shop and wanted to ask a question to my line managager.
He was there with the big manager of the shop, a decent down to earth bloke.
"Oh, did you know we are losing red robin?" My line manager mentioned.
"No I didn't, are you leaving the company?" He asked.
"No, I'm being transfered closer to home." I replied.
"That was lucky, you usually have to be in the company for six months for that to happen."
Oh, I thought. It was lucky then. I'm keen now to see where it all leads from here.
There is still the little matter of getting used to the change in working environment. But two weeks is all it takes. I'm already used to the things we sell, so it'll be easy to get used to the physical layout of the new shop.
Anyway, I'm thinking about friends this week. My mate's in town from Ireland. So hopefully I'll see him sometime this week. But, that really doesn't matter as I will soon dash off to Ireland for my holiday. I've not seen the old boy for ages.
He also has an xbox 360, so there will be much playing on consol next month. Can't wait.
I miss my xbox, can't believe it died in Italy. But it was the way it had to be I suppose. Although I can afford to by a 360 now though. But I'm still going to wait a little while longer. I need more money first. Which takes time.
I've probably got about 40 years of life left in me I reckon. Not much.
That's only 40 summers and winters.
Not that that's important, today matters, just the present. I'm in no rush to be at any other place in my life right now.
Till later...
Sunday 18 February 2007
Sleepy, yet restful sunday.
I've been to work, done what had needed to be done and am home again. Starting early is the best thing in the whole world.
It was great to leave the shop at 10:50am this morning. Really good.
I'm tired now for having woken up before 6am, but no problem. Soon this will be a regular occurence and my body will adjust to the new timing. Just like jetlag.
In about 40 minutes I'll be off down the road to see my mate and watch 'Hot Fuzz' at long last. I've been paitiently waiting for this movie since 'Shaun of the Dead'. They did a great job then and I'm sure a fantastic job now.
Oh yes and after that I'll be popping into town to meet my friend for food. He's invited a few of us actor types out for a nosh. Looking forward to it.
The best part of the week this is. It's early in the day, I've things to look forward to and hopefully all will go well onward from this point in all things of my life.
Lets have the weeks horoscope, see what's in store for me. Thanks to Jonathan Cainer an excellent astrologer.
Every so often, people decide to publish a paper containing only good news. It sounds like a great idea. We all want cheering up, don't we? There is too much gloom in this world, isn't there? Such enterprises only ever attain limited success. We may all claim to enjoy uplifting, inspiring stories but we have a morbid interest in dismay and disaster - especially when it is happening to someone else and not to us. That is why the world is full of terrible tales - and why we therefore come to assume that encouraging developments must be few and far between in anyone's lives. This week though, your news will be very good indeed.
Phew... Right I'm going to have a wee kip before I nip out again.
Ciao.
It was great to leave the shop at 10:50am this morning. Really good.
I'm tired now for having woken up before 6am, but no problem. Soon this will be a regular occurence and my body will adjust to the new timing. Just like jetlag.
In about 40 minutes I'll be off down the road to see my mate and watch 'Hot Fuzz' at long last. I've been paitiently waiting for this movie since 'Shaun of the Dead'. They did a great job then and I'm sure a fantastic job now.
Oh yes and after that I'll be popping into town to meet my friend for food. He's invited a few of us actor types out for a nosh. Looking forward to it.
The best part of the week this is. It's early in the day, I've things to look forward to and hopefully all will go well onward from this point in all things of my life.
Lets have the weeks horoscope, see what's in store for me. Thanks to Jonathan Cainer an excellent astrologer.
Every so often, people decide to publish a paper containing only good news. It sounds like a great idea. We all want cheering up, don't we? There is too much gloom in this world, isn't there? Such enterprises only ever attain limited success. We may all claim to enjoy uplifting, inspiring stories but we have a morbid interest in dismay and disaster - especially when it is happening to someone else and not to us. That is why the world is full of terrible tales - and why we therefore come to assume that encouraging developments must be few and far between in anyone's lives. This week though, your news will be very good indeed.
Phew... Right I'm going to have a wee kip before I nip out again.
Ciao.
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