Posted: Tue 11 November, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: Animals, Domestic, Work-related |
This week, Herself is tiling the floor of the main bedroom at home. It’s a job that’s been waiting a while to be done, and it’ll be good to have it completed. (As has been said before, Herself is bloody good at tiling – she’s even had offers of tiling work from the various builders and plumbers we’ve had at the house, and when we were in Bracknell)
Because of the upheaval at home, and the general levels of work (along with having the out-laws helping Herself) it’s easier for me to bring Hound in the car to the office again. She loves it – sleeps most of the day, sitting up every so often for a look around – and gets taken out for quick walks/leaks etc. when I can get out of the office.
This time, because it’s a big car park, I’ve had to let the Reception desk know that I’ve got Hound in the car, that all’s OK, and she’s not been abandoned in a sealed up car. No-one objects, it’s just better all round to let people know, so there’s no silliness.
As it is, Hound has had several admirers when I’ve taken her out while on breaks or lunch – Hound may be anxious, not great with strangers and a general pain in the arse, but she is also beautiful, and gets more than her fair share of attention. It’s just that we have to be careful with not letting people stroke her, or putting Hound into situations where she’ll do something stupid.
All told though, it’s a good way to be. When I first got to know Herself, there’s no way I’d have been able to do this – Hound would have scratched the car to shit, and been a real pain in the arse. Now though, she sees the car as a place of safety/relaxation – things that stress her out when she’s not in the car (thunderstorms, fireworks, sneezes, etc. etc.) are all handled fine when she’s in there.
Bizarre beast – but at least we’re still seeing progress with her, which has to be a good thing.
Posted: Mon 10 November, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: Cynicism, D4D™, Domestic, Work-related |
For at least the first part of this week, updates may be a bit thin on the ground.
Monday and Tuesday I’m in a work-sponsored course on basic project management. Should be a laugh – although amusingly it’s being run by a local company whose website I developed last year, and who I’ve done some more stuff for this year.
Anyway, that’s all day Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday night is the photography course – and don’t even ask about how badly I’ve screwed up this week’s assignment for night photography. (Suffice it to say that for once I’m not even going to be taking in any prints)
Wednesday work rolls back to semi-normal, except for a half-day meeting to show what’s been developed for one section already. And that’s still got a couple of bits that *ahem* need to be completed. Most of it’s working, it’s just the last-minute additions that are going to knacker me on that one. And then in the evening I’m at a social thing for local business people.
So all told, it’s going to be at least Thursday before normality resumes.
Posted: Fri 7 November, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: Cynicism, Work-related |
I can so identify with this…
Coworker #1: How did your project team get out of having to wear a tie every day?
Coworker #2: They took them away so we don’t hang ourselves.
(via Overheard in the Office)
Posted: Thu 6 November, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: D4D™, Five Year Plan (now Ten), Getting Organised, Own Business, Redesign, Resolutions, Thoughts, Work-related, Writing |
So following on from yesterday’s list of plans vs. achievements and so on, this is likely the list for 2008/9. It’s not quite as intense as last year’s one, for a number of reasons. Also, I’m sure that by the end of the 12 months, there’ll be other stuff that needs to be added to it, so it’s more flexible as well.
But here goes. (And in no particular order)
- Sort out the mortgage renewal along with Herself (March/April)
- Write and Launch the two main site ideas that are in my head at the moment, and see if they can make any money
- Promote one of the other sites I’ve done, which has a big dollop of potential
- Complete the NCFE Photography qualification/course
- Redesign my photography site
- Promote the photography and site more
- Write at least one more big piece to get it out of my head at last
- Possibly redesign D4D™ a bit – I know, I’ve been talking about it now for years
Oh yeah, and…
- Lose some weight, as my plans for doing so in 2008 have emphatically failed – primarily due to zero motivation to do so, but also due to life over-riding gym etc.
Posted: Wed 5 November, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: Domestic, Five Year Plan (now Ten), Own Business, Thoughts, Writing |
- Photography
Take more photosPut the good ones in the portfolio site- Work on a couple of projects/themes
Started the work on a couple of projects, and seeing how they go
- Possibly do a redesign of the portfolio site to fit in more with ‘brand ‘image’
Couldn’t be chuffed with this one in the end, although I’m still thinking about it
- Submit portfolio site and photos to various interested parties
- Possibly make more use of Flickr, although that one’s a bit of a “don’t know”
And really haven’t done this either, as I’ve been using the portfolio site instead
- Pull more attention to the portfolio site
Again, working on it
- Business
Redesign/redevelop business website with a CMS etc.Look at sorting out a proper business bank accountKeep generating new work
As always, an ongoing process – but working fairly well so far, allbeit not having generated as much as I should have doneContinue with current work and clients
Again, an ongoing processGet new contract – the one with the current place will definitely expire in ’08, due to tax/IR35 reasons
I haven’t had any long-term contracts, but plenty of shorter-term ones, and now the new permanent role…Work on developing new sites and business ideas- Minimise outgoings, increase incoming money
Nice idea, but not all that successful due to rising costs (particularly of petrol)
- Writing
Realistically? Get one solid idea written and done, if only for the head-space
Admittedly, ‘only’ a short screenplay for a film of about 10-15 minutes, but still, completed and done, except for small ongoing edits- Optimistically? Get two solid ideas written and done.
Working on the second one (and a third, to be honest), but not completed
- House stuff
- House alterations
Bathroom- Kitchen extension/upgrade
Postponed for foreseeable future
- Extra Item :
Cavity Wall Insulation
- Extra Item : Loft Insulation
Postponed ’til ’09, due to a nightmare of work involved
- Garden alterations/work
Veg patch- Front garden/driveway
Semi-complete
- Main lawn etc.
Semi-complete
- Borders, beds, blah blah
Posted: Fri 31 October, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: Festering Season, Work-related |
I’ve just been reminded of another of the down-sides of being in a “proper” job… The Christmas Do.
Over the years as a contractor, I’ve been able to avoid even being invited to office Christmas events, and that state of affairs has suited me fine. In fact, it’s pretty much the way I plan to keep on doing things.
But today I got invites to not one but two Christmas meals in work. I don’t plan to go to either – a useful excuse being the 40 minute drive home – unless forced, but I’m sure there’ll be other things coming up.
Bah, Humbug indeed.
Posted: Tue 28 October, 2008 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: Cynicism, Work-related |
It must be half-term – there are a couple of people in the office who have obviously not been able to sort out child-care, so they’ve brought them in to the office instead.
Which, it has to be said, is really fucking annoying.
I’m not anti-child (well, not too much, anyway) but having kids blethering away in the background does not make for a decent un-disturbed atmosphere. Sorry, but it just doesn’t.