Monday 28 February 2011

Music Monday - Best of British

Don't tell me any country in the world produces better music than us Brits. Here are 5 classics, ok they are golden oldies but if you don't like them get your ears syringed.

The Beatles "The Long and Winding Road"


Procul Harem "Whiter Shade of Pale"


Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin"


Feetwood Mac "Need your Love so Bad"


Small Faces "The Autumn Stone"

Sunday 27 February 2011

NO - Had to eat more than plan this weekend, could feel a bit of gout in my foot which sometimes happens if I under eat, was hoping for a good week so back on track now as I seem to have sorted it before it inflames.

NO - Cleaned my golf shoes and think they are splitting and will leak, will have to buy some more.

NO - Leeds lost, played like they've never seen a football before.

Saturday 26 February 2011

Yes

YES - My new trousers are here, got in them ok a slightly tight but could wear them but hell I've come down a size and reckon they'll be perfect by my holiday. Had to buy a new belt because mine is in the first hole with nowhere to go.

YES - Got my first round of golf this year on thursday, course was a bit muddy in parts but played well only one above my handicap which isn't bad seeing I ain't picked up the Clubs for 6 months.

Thursday 24 February 2011

Hello Operator

HELLO, OPERATOR

These are said to be actual call center conversations!
Ever had experiences like these?

Customer: 'I've been calling 700-1000 for two days and can't get through;
Can you help?'
Operator: 'Where did you get that number, sir?'
Customer: 'It's on the door of your business.'
Operator: 'Sir, those are the hours that we are open.'
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Samsung Electronics
Caller: 'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about.'
Caller: 'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that
I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and
Telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the
Number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I think it means the telephone plug on the wall.'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RAC Motoring Services
Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am
Traveling in Australia ?'
Operator: 'Does the policy name give you a clue?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while traveling in Europe )
'If I register my car in France , and then take it to England , do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Directory Enquiries
Caller: 'I'd like the number of the Argo Fish Bar, please'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, there's no listing. Are you sure that the spelling is correct?'
Caller: 'Well, it used to be called the Bargo Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off.'
------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?'
Caller: 'Yes.. That's what it says on the label -- Woven in Scotland ...'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator: 'I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on.'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop.'
Customer: 'OK.'
Tech Support: 'Did you get a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No.'
Tech Support: 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No.'
Tech Support: 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?'
Customer: 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'.'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: 'OK. At the bottom left hand side of your screen, can
You see the 'OK' button displayed?'
Customer: �Wow! How can you see my screen from there?�
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I just realized that I need it. So, if I turn my system clock back two weeks will I get my file back again?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This has to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department..............
Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for 'Termination without Cause.'

Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.
(Now I know why they record these conversations!):

Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect .'
Operator: 'What sort of trouble??'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared'
Operator: 'Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing??'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen?'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type..'
Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV.
Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where
The power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Opera tor: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's
plugged into the wall..
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that
there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one? '
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and
find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into
the back of your computer..'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'OK. Well, can you see if it is?'
Caller: 'No..'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?'
Caller: 'Well, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark?'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is
coming in from the window.'
Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't.'
Operator: 'No? Why not?'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it
licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and
packing stuff that your computer came in?'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet..'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it
up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to
the store you bought it from.'
Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too damned stupid to own a computer!'

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - No Gain No Loss

Think my scales are stuck, lol.
Yes this weeks weigh in sows I'm exactly the same weight as last week so that means I'm now just on target not a pound ahead, so 15 weeks gone 15lbs lost. Need to oil the scales or I'll be behind target next week.
Seriously I'm thinking maybe I need to kick on with more exercise so I'm upping the walking and hopfully it'll be dry enough to get on the golf course soon. Of course spring is approaching and a few hours working in the garden will help I hope, thats the plan anyway.

Here are the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 223lb
Weight Today - 223lb
Gain/Loss this week - 0lb
Gain/Loss from start - -15lb
Todays Target - 223lb
+/- Target - olb

Monday 21 February 2011

Music Monday - Money

Well this week I'm dedicating my music post to money mainly because I could do with some (couldn't we all).
Last night I checked my money and worked out this month I had a surplus so decided to order a couple of pairs of moleskin casual trousers and a leather belt from M & S online, I'd seen them in a store a few weeks ago and liked them and with the recent weight loss I've dropped a waist size so need them. Reckon maybe they'll be a bit tight but perfect b my holiday.
Still feeling slightly flush (financially) went into town this morning and got my Euros for my holiday, ok its 8 weeks away utgot a decent exchange rate.
Anyway got home thinking that leaves me slightly tight for the rest of the month but I'll manage then the mail arrives and my bloody car insurance is due, so now I'm skint.

So here is some songs about money :-
Abba - "Money, Money, Money"


Dire Straits - "Money for Nothing"


Flying Lizzards - "Money"


The Jam - "Pretty Green"


Spinal Tap - "Gimme some money"

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - Another pound

To be honest was a bit worried about this mornings weigh in just had a negative feeling my weight would be up. However I was delighted to find I'd actually lost another poundthats 15 in 14 weeks so I'm still just in front of target. Anyway I've just treated myself with a cream cake to have with my coffee this afternoon, what the hell.

Here are the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 224lb
Weight Today - 223lb
Gain/Loss this week - -1lb
Gain/Loss from start - -15lb
Todays Target - 224lb
+/- Target - -1lb

On Sunday I was about to start my morning walk when I felt a few spots of rain so decided to clear my wardrobe out. Dug out a bag with a lot of shirts in, some put in there because they were too tight, well the good news is I found 6 that now fit some of which i plan to take on holiday. Also sorted a fewthings to go to the charity shop including couple of shirts that there only fault is been too baggy.

Monday 14 February 2011

Music Monday - Valentines Day for Singles

Well it is Valentnes Day and not a great one for us singles so I'll dedicate todays post to all of us that are on our own for whatever reason.

We'll start with Roy Orbison "Only the Lonely"



Of couse we are all looking for our dream partner so here is Wreckless Eric "Whole Wide World"



Of course we can't forget all those that hve been cruelly Jilted so here is Jilted John with "Jilted John"



Ok it can get worse (not the music quality) here is Etta James with "Stop the Wedding"



Of course we can't leave out those of us that have lost the person we love so here is Led Zepplin "Stairway to Heaven"



RIP Jane its been a long 18 months since I lost you but will never forget.

Sunday 13 February 2011

If you get robbed - Pin reversal

If a robber ever forces you to take money from your account this information could be important :-

If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM
machine, you can notify the police by entering your PIN # in
reverse. For example, if your pin number is 1234, then you would put
in 4321. The ATM system recognizes that your PIN number is backwards
from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still
give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the
police will be immediately dispatched to the location.
All ATM’s carry this emergency sequencer by law.

This information was recently broadcast on by Crime Stoppers
however it is seldom used because people just don't know about it.

Wednesday 9 February 2011

For all those born between 1920 & 1979

I posted this sometime ago but after reading a post on Sandiis blog I decided to re-post.

THOSE BORN 1920-1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chatrooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn'thad to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave(and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Weigh in Wednesday - Still on track

I'm pleased todays weigh in reveals a 2lb loss keeping me inside my target as again think I've done well with the eating. I suppose its a bit of a milestone as its a full stone lost since I started my latest campaign.

Yes I had a few beers at Pool on Monday but thats in my plan gotta have my occasional treat from what I call my devil food list. Thats the list of foods I should cut out but don't they are my treats when I'm doing well and I know if I start to fail its something I can cut back on (or out altogether) to get back on track.

So these are my top 3 devil foods :-
1. Beer
2. Cheese
3. Chocolate

Trouble is all 3 can be so addictive, when you start its hard to stop, what are your devil foods ?

Here are the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 226lb
Weight Today - 224lb
Gain/Loss this week - -2lb
Gain/Loss from start - -14lb
Todays Target - 225lb
+/- Target - -1lb

Monday 7 February 2011

Music Monday - A Great Yorkshireman - John Barry

Sadly last week arguably the best modern day music composer John Barry passed away aged 77.
He was one of our own born and brought up in York as John Barry Prendergast in 1933 and became known as the man who wrote the James Bond songs actually writing the music scores of no fewer than


Of course it wasn't only Bond movies he wrote the music for, in fact he wrote for hundreds of films winning 5 oscars for the folowing :-
1966 Best Original Song for "Born Free" from Born Free
1966 Best Original Music Score for Born Free
1968 Best Original Music Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) for The Lion in Winter
1985 Best Original Score for Out of Africa
1990 Best Original Score for Dances with Wolves

And Grammys for :-
1969 Best Instrumental Theme for Midnight Cowboy
1985 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band for The Cotton Club
1986 Best Instrumental Composition for Out of Africa
1991 Best Instrumental Composition Written For A Motion Picture Or For Television for Dances with Wolves

As well as the film music from the likes of King kong, Zulu, the cotton club, etc. Barry also wrote the music from many TV series and had a number of chart hits with his orchaestra.

Barry was awarded the "Order of the British empire"

He was inducted into the songwriters hall of fame in 1998.



John Barry RIP

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - Lost battle but winning the war

I was disappointed to find at this mrnings weigh in that I've actually gained 1lb this week but on a good note I'm still on target so reckon its a case of losing a battle but still winning the war.
To be honest I can't explain why I didn't lose this week, thought I'd eaten ok, exercised and expected a slight loss. Hopfully its just a blip and I'll lose some this week.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 225lb
Weight Today - 226lb
Gain/Loss this week - +1lb
Gain/Loss from start - -12lb
Todays Target - 226lb
+/- Target - olb

Went to the dentist for a filling this morning and my tooth is a little sensitive at present so hopfully it'll settle down. It also makes a hole in your pocket when paying for it.