mishap on the train

Damn!  This is what happens when you fall asleep on the train back from Newcastle - you end up at desolate Northallerton railway station and have to change trains and head back up to Darlington so you can drive home.
I was fast asleep when someone sat next to me, which woke me up.  It's a good job they did, as l would have ended up in that there London.  The train was actually in Darlingon station when l woke up, but by the time l'd grabbed my bag and ipod, the train had set off again, with me muttering curses and profanities under my breath at the firmly closed door.
I knew l was tired, but not that much. They're working me into the ground, but I suppose l should be grateful l wasn't covered in drool, and l hadn't wet myself while l was sleeping.  That would have been just a teesie bit more embarrassing, but l'm sure l will eventually end up doing that as well, it's only a matter of time, as my senility takes over and l finally lose what is left of my marbles.

toodle pip

training at newcastle

Damn!!!  I'm certainly not used to this.
Having to drag myself out of bed at silly o'clock so l can drive to Darlington and catch an early train to Newcastle each day, because l have got six days of training at the University, and have to be there for just after 9am.
I'm used to lying around in bed in the mornings, not this kind of nonsense!
I know most people live in the real world and have to get up early five days a week, but that is exactly what l have been trying to avoid for god knows how many years.  Luckily for me, the training is spread out over a couple of weeks, so l've got three earlies this week, two next week, and then a final day on the following Monday.
It also involves looking at computer screens most of the day, and much as l love computers, it's too much for my tired eyes when l am meant to still be in bed.
Still........Two days just completed, not back there till Friday, so it's back to late nights and lie ins till then (and l'll be watching the 'glorious' Manchester United tomorrow night).
Hurrah!!!!

toodle pip

political power at work - meet the staff at cellular solutions

I don't know how Cellular Solutions had the nerve to put this out, as l can't believe it will be doing their image any good.
Call me cynical by all means, but I bet there have been a few office affairs over the years as well.
Abuse of power?  No way!

toodle pip

out and about recently

 Newcastle trip out to see the dentist, partake in the odd ale, and do some shopping at the Chinese supermarket

 Colburn Gym.  Not for me (I couldn't be more perfect), but work related

 Darlington hospital tapestry.  Once again, a work related trip.

 More from Darlington hospital (exciting stuff!)

 J.T's bar at Catterick

 The Parkmore hotel just outside Yarm.  The venue for some Moving and Handling training.

The Percy Arms pub in Newcastle, where l discovered their is a regimental get together each month for ex soldiers, who l got into conversation with.

Out and about recently.  It's all go around these parts.

Saying that, l'm of to see a Slade tribute band in Darlington on Saturday, and the Gravity film in 3D next week, so the excitement levels will be set to stun mode. 

I was meant to be going to see the film last night, but the weather was atrocious, so we ended up putting it off until next week, and hit The Wine Bar instead, then back home to annoy Mr Parrot.

A wise move.

toodle pip

first day of office training

A novelty day at work today, as myself and another employee provided training for Fire Safety and Safety of Vulnerable Adults.  We had both done in house training before, but this was the first time either of us had to hire an office / training room, and then present the training there, using power-point and white boards.  All went well, and everyone went away brimming with enthusiasm, and with their heads full of knowledge, clutching their hard earned certificates as they disappeared into the sunset, skipping gaily. We on the other hand, went to the pub (I was persuaded to go).
I would however, like to point out that the above training picture IS NOT ME!! (I am much cooler)

toodle pip 

the sky on the way home from work

The rather impressive sky during my drive home from work this evening.  It's the end of days!!!!

toodle pip

top talent (again)

I know l'm a natural at my job, and here's some written proof from the powers above me.  I have now been declared 'Top Talent' for the last two years (it's only been going two years), and l am the only person from where l work to even achieve 'Top Talent', so money will be thrown at me if l want to develop (because l am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fabulous!).
Trouble is, l can't really be bothered at the moment, and am happy enough with my job as it is.
That's not to say l would turn down a lottery win or anything (I'm not completely mad), but while l have to work, my job is just fine and dandy, thank you very much.

toodle pip

depressed? cheeky sod!

When l was out and about yesterday at work, the person l was supporting was given this leaflet by a passing member of the public (female).
What on Earth was she trying to hint at?
It's about finding a way out of depression by following the path of the Lord, but was she assuming the person l was supporting looked depressed?
Needed assistance from a higher power??
With me supporting them???
I'll have you know l am fantastic at my job thank you very much.
How very dare they (as Edith used to say)

toodle pip

I'm back!! (again) - this time from menorca

Well, at long last, l'm back again.  It's been a strange old time and l have just returned from Menorca (through work), but should be back in sunny Catterick until at least September, so the blog is now back on.
I'm really brown, I've now got two cars, and l have seen the Spanish Elvis (who was so bad, it was excellent).  Stone me - what a life.

toodle pip

fun with washing machines

People that know me, will know that l will avoid all hard manual labour at all costs.  Sadly, our washing machine has given up the ghost, and the verdict of the expert  l called out was - "It's fucked" (said within 5 seconds of him examining it, at a cost of £10 for callout).
Luckily Dazzer and Louise (brother and sister in law) had a spare machine in their garage, but this meant giving Dazzer a hand getting the old one out, bringing the new one in , and then taking the old one to the tip. Much lifting and shifting ensured, accompanied by my moaning and complaining.
However, when we arrived at the tip, it was closed on Wednesdays.  Seeing as this happened on Wednesday, it meant the old washing machine had to come back on the trailer, but much to my gratitude, Dazzer said he would take it to the tip himself the next day, as l was at work.  Hurrah!!
Unfortunately, the bastard fates conspired against me (as they usually do), because when l was driving home from work the next day, l changed my mind about the journey home, and decided to go through Tunstall.  Disastrous error on my part, as l had to pause to let a car through traffic, and it was only Dazzer heading to the tip, so l felt obliged to turn around, follow him, and give him a hand there.  Which l did.  Only now the trailer had lumps of turf in it as well, which resulted in me assisting in unloading it, and working much harder than l intended..
I feel faint just thinking about dirt and the labour involved.  Time for another soak in the bath to wash away the bad memories.
Manual work....Certainly overrated in my book.

toodle pip

out in the boro (again!) - and mink

As it was Good Friday and it was a holiday for most, l went through to Middlesbrough for a lads night out with Robbo, Danny and Matt.  We drank copious amounts of ale,  talked a load of crap, and chilled out, all happy to have a break from work.  We hit some of our usual pubs around the Linthorpe road area, but ended up going to the Mink bar, by which time, everyone was pretty drunk (except me of course).  It was the first time l had been in there, and it was my kind of bar. Dark, plenty of people, live music, and a handy tattoo parlour if the hankering for an immediate tattoo strikes you (and it has me in the past). By then,we were also on the double Jack Daniels, Matty disappeared completely, Danny was told by the bouncers he was going to be thrown out and was refused any more alcohol, and he also disappeared as soon as he went outside. This left me and Robbo as the last men standing (bloody amateurs).  Afterwards, us two got a taxi back to Robbo and Kerry's, which we then had to stop so Robbo could get out of it to throw up, so only one of the hardy crew remained in one piece after the rock and roll madness - me.  l was rather amazingly, up pretty early (7am!) to get some coffee down before heading home, as l have work today and Sunday.  I had also been entrusted with the front door key by Kerry, as she didn't want Robbo losing the key and waking up her, Gill, Cairan or Chloe on our return, which was a success, but l ended up coming back to Catterick with it, as l left it in the back pocket of my jeans afterwards (oops). The girls are going out tonight (sounds like a Take That song), but I'm not sure if the FPO is going through or not, as we have a lot on this weekend.  Mink will certainly be visited again in the future, but l think there may be less Jack Daniels consumed next time.  Oh - Chloe has also taken a bit of a shine to me.  I'm a natural when it comes to youngsters.

Me and Robbo in the taxi home - like a pissed up old married couple (in this case, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton)

toodle pip

danny's artwork

I work with a girl who's partner does artwork as a hobby, and is pretty damn good at it.  Here's one of his works, a black and white pen picture of Charles Darwin.
Impressive stuff, and l'm madly jealous of his talent.

toodle pip

the retarded and god

I was at a training course on Monday morning, so l had to drag myself out of my pit early for a change, and try to stay focused while l was there.  As it was a refresher, l remembered most of the stuff from the last time, so l can't really say it was that exciting.  One the other hand, times have certainly moved on for the better.  I would not like to pass too much judgement on this book, 'Helping the retarded to know God', as l am guessing there will be plenty of judgement contained within, but l can't imagine the contents to be level headed, or something that l would like to practise. I could be wrong, but somehow, l doubt it.

toodle pip

out and about at work

One of the great things about my job (apart from the free holidays), is that l get to drive around the area and have a break from the usual routine.  When the weather is good, life can certainly be sweet. These were taken around the Masham area last month.

toodle pip

that's it - l'm off to egypt

This is where l will be in a few hours - Newcastle Airport, as l am on a work trip to Egypt.  It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it, and that somebody is usually me. Apart from setting off to the airport at 5.30am, l'm looking forward to it.  If l don't get blown up by the terrorists (always painful) l'll be back next week.  As for now, time for a power nap.

toodle pip

walking around jervaulx abbey

I haven't seen the model of Jervaulx Abbey, even though l have parked next to the Tea Rooms where it is kept  (I might go and see it next week).  I did however, walk all around the abbey itself last week, as these photographs will testify.  As you can see, it was quiet - very quiet. I didn't see anyone else at all while l was wandering around.
The things you do when there is spare time from work to kill.

toodle pip