Billy Young's Blog, page 11
April 5, 2014
5th April 2014
The rain is keeping me from doing much in the way of gardening this weekend. I was looking forwards to it after a hard week. Yeah more trouble with that supervisor at work. He is also the one I got a lift to work from but this week things got so bad that I cut of my nose to spite my face. So now I go for the bus which adds to the length of the working day though the journey is far more pleasant than it has been recently. It might cost me more financially yet it is a small price to pay to get just a little more space between myself and Norman it is well worth it.
To add to my woes this weekend I have come down with a head cold. So maybe it is a good thing that the weather is against me for gardening. Still there is a lot that needs doing around my tiny plot. The fences that were damaged during the winter storms still have to be repaired. One at the back and the other at the side. The one at the back needs a new post, while the other one needs the panel rebuilt. I'm not sure if I will fix the one at the back as there is a hedge there that I can leave to fill in. Over the years I have kept the top of the hedge trimmed as much as I can from my side of it. Where the fence was is very bare but with the sunlight it won't take long for leaves to fill the hedge in. Of course I will need to remove the remaining fence to tidy up the appearance, make it look uniform.
That might be something to do on my coming holiday. Yes after next week I will be on holiday for a week. Not that I am going anywhere, when do I ever? So I have the garden centre to go to get those plants that I still wish to grow this year, as well as other supplies that I need for a fruitful season.
To add to my woes this weekend I have come down with a head cold. So maybe it is a good thing that the weather is against me for gardening. Still there is a lot that needs doing around my tiny plot. The fences that were damaged during the winter storms still have to be repaired. One at the back and the other at the side. The one at the back needs a new post, while the other one needs the panel rebuilt. I'm not sure if I will fix the one at the back as there is a hedge there that I can leave to fill in. Over the years I have kept the top of the hedge trimmed as much as I can from my side of it. Where the fence was is very bare but with the sunlight it won't take long for leaves to fill the hedge in. Of course I will need to remove the remaining fence to tidy up the appearance, make it look uniform.
That might be something to do on my coming holiday. Yes after next week I will be on holiday for a week. Not that I am going anywhere, when do I ever? So I have the garden centre to go to get those plants that I still wish to grow this year, as well as other supplies that I need for a fruitful season.
March 29, 2014
29th March 2014
The gardening season has begun again. Last Sunday I was out in the strawberry patch dealing with the weeds. While I was there my eye caught the sight of the opening buds on one of the fruit trees. Such a simple thing though one I think we all love to see after winter has worn us down with its dark nights. As the lighter nights return it is almost as if a weight were being lifted from our eyes. With it comes the planting. I have already planted some more onions, peas and potatoes last weekend. And this week I'm planning on planting carrots as well as putting down the slug pellets. After the mild winter that we have had I expect a plague of the gastropods this year so wish to defend my seedlings from the start. Last year between local cats and the slugs I had a hard time getting started. To deal with the local pets I have netting which will also save the seeds from hungry birds. As you can tell I am already planning, as you do, what I want to grow this year. Of course I'll need lettuce for the summer salads.
Summer don't you just love it? I do. Not that there is anything really wrong with winter. It does have its moments, i.e. Christmas. But I do find winter leaves me feeling worn out. Working in a factory also means that I see little of the days during the dark months. So as the nights lighten it renews the spirit within. The sun has risen as I go to work in the warmer month of the year and is still in the sky as I go home. From November till February that isn't the case. Though I must say since being move to the nine till five shift I did see the day showing face as I headed to work. Sadly though it isn't till the middle to the end of February that I see daylight as I head for home.
Still now I can start to look forward to the garden and again get out into it. It may be small but it still gives a great amount of pleasure.
Summer don't you just love it? I do. Not that there is anything really wrong with winter. It does have its moments, i.e. Christmas. But I do find winter leaves me feeling worn out. Working in a factory also means that I see little of the days during the dark months. So as the nights lighten it renews the spirit within. The sun has risen as I go to work in the warmer month of the year and is still in the sky as I go home. From November till February that isn't the case. Though I must say since being move to the nine till five shift I did see the day showing face as I headed to work. Sadly though it isn't till the middle to the end of February that I see daylight as I head for home.
Still now I can start to look forward to the garden and again get out into it. It may be small but it still gives a great amount of pleasure.
March 22, 2014
22nd March 2014
Work was a lot less stressful this week. The supervisor was taking all the pressure from his job and dumping it on the nearest person. Though he still did snap out at us a little it wasn't nearly as bad as it has been in the past few weeks. I have no idea if this will continue but do hope it does though in truth I think that it will depend on how much of a load he get from the office as well as how well things go work wise. As you can guess the labelling machine ran a lot smoother. I think this helped the supers mood as he did grumble when it did play up. Luckily we managed to get it working properly rather quickly so avoiding the explosive mood swings that have made things so bad of late. Sometimes you would believe that he thought we were responsible for it. Of course it is really down to the machine being old and so, as you would expect, it has its foibles. Try to run it as the supervisor does throws its setting off a little at a time till things start to go wrong in a big way. It doesn't help when we mention that things are starting to act up as that is when he begins to get in a tad most of all. Of course if we don't say anything he is worse. Yeah its a no win situation but as I said this week has been better.
On the home front my son is now looking for another job after losing the one he had. He didn't really enjoy it as he has also been facing the angry face of a supervisor. Unfortunately for him when he complained by going over the supers head he got the sack. It didn't help that he hadn't been there that long so it was easy for them to just let him go. He had been looking for another job sadly though he hasn't found anything before he bit the bullet. Still he is looking at going back to college which is a good way for him to broaden his appeal to future employers he might apply to in future. If it helps him back into work it is a good thing.
On the home front my son is now looking for another job after losing the one he had. He didn't really enjoy it as he has also been facing the angry face of a supervisor. Unfortunately for him when he complained by going over the supers head he got the sack. It didn't help that he hadn't been there that long so it was easy for them to just let him go. He had been looking for another job sadly though he hasn't found anything before he bit the bullet. Still he is looking at going back to college which is a good way for him to broaden his appeal to future employers he might apply to in future. If it helps him back into work it is a good thing.
March 15, 2014
15th March 2014
The labelling supervisor was off yesterday. Oh, what bliss. No-one shouting abuse or giving sexist remarks to the only female working in labelling. Instead calm reigned. Work went in a steady fashion with smiles all around. When the machine acted up we sorted the problem without fuss or pressure unduly thrown in. And though we were that one man down it didn't slow us up by much. In fact I would same we got through as much work as normal. Such a pity that we couldn't have that same atmosphere when the supervisor was there.
It is the last of the Six Nations this weekend. All the games are on today. England won their game against Italy. While we Scots lost our match to Wales though I must say we played we with a man down. Yes Hogg got himself sent of for dangerous play and he deserved it. Now France face Ireland with the game due to start in a moment. I think this could be the best game of the day.
I was hoping to get some weeding done in the garden this weekend but the weatherman says that might not be possible as they expect rain. Though today has been reasonably dry I have been as you know watching sport. Which now I am off to watch the best game. France has just scored.
It is the last of the Six Nations this weekend. All the games are on today. England won their game against Italy. While we Scots lost our match to Wales though I must say we played we with a man down. Yes Hogg got himself sent of for dangerous play and he deserved it. Now France face Ireland with the game due to start in a moment. I think this could be the best game of the day.
I was hoping to get some weeding done in the garden this weekend but the weatherman says that might not be possible as they expect rain. Though today has been reasonably dry I have been as you know watching sport. Which now I am off to watch the best game. France has just scored.
March 9, 2014
9th March 2014
Another week and I am late posting. Why? Simply I was watching the rugby yesterday and by the time it was finished with Scotland getting beat I just wanted to lose myself, which I did in Skyrim. As you can guess we lost. It was a good game though and for some of the game we even led. It just wasn't to be though. The French are never an easy side to get a victory against even when they aren't playing at their best as was their performance yesterday. Still it was a good game as was the Italy v Ireland. Though the Irish did dominate the game Italy still put up a good fight of it. Today we have another classic game to look forwards to, England against the Welsh.
Work continues to be stressful. Mainly as the supervisor in labeling isn't good at dealing with the pressures of the job. When the labeling machine acts up, as it does a lot, he starts shouting and blaming anyone standing close. That is usually me as he has me working to put the cans down the labeler. He is of the mind that someone has to blame and acts as if everyone has it in for him. We don't but that makes no difference when he seems so convinced of it. Even when we go on our breaks he is certain somebody has messed with the machine settings when we come back. The labeler is old, being built in the nineteen-sixties, so is an old lady that has her turns. Still with some patience she can have her good days. I'm sure the supervisor understands this but just can't seem to use it to control his temper. I sorely wish he could as it would make work-life far less wearing.
Work continues to be stressful. Mainly as the supervisor in labeling isn't good at dealing with the pressures of the job. When the labeling machine acts up, as it does a lot, he starts shouting and blaming anyone standing close. That is usually me as he has me working to put the cans down the labeler. He is of the mind that someone has to blame and acts as if everyone has it in for him. We don't but that makes no difference when he seems so convinced of it. Even when we go on our breaks he is certain somebody has messed with the machine settings when we come back. The labeler is old, being built in the nineteen-sixties, so is an old lady that has her turns. Still with some patience she can have her good days. I'm sure the supervisor understands this but just can't seem to use it to control his temper. I sorely wish he could as it would make work-life far less wearing.
March 1, 2014
1st March 2014
It has been a big week for the Bitcoin markets this week. As you would have heard on the news, maybe, one of the biggest exchanges crashed and burned this week. Of course I was one of the ones trading through MT Gox. Yes I lost the coin I had invested but I had already lost most of my investment through bad discipline. I got caught out last summer. Yeah June was a bad month in speculation for me. It didn't help when I missed my footing in the last bubble as well. In total I was able to turn four bitcoins into point seven five. What can I say? Not a lot the figures show I'm not very good at speculating though it is fun. Anyways I have begun again at another exchange but I have started with only point one as I still wish to keep what little I have left.
With Mt Gox going bankrupt a lot of people have lost a great deal more than myself. I at least didn't lose any real cash as such as the coin I had invested was mined. Unfortunately many how have lost actually put real cash into bitcoin. Not that I am not saddened overt my own losses but it is a gamble which I have known from the start. Therefore I can only blame myself on losses as I would have taken any credit if I had made a profit. Of course by registering with another exchange and taking the gamble again might show that I haven't learnt much over the past few months. Or it might tell you something else about me. I have a thick skull, hehehe.
As I said above I made bitcoins through mining them but with mining difficulty having increased I was unable to do this any longer. It was for this reason I first got into speculating on Mt Gox. I do wish I had the money to afford some of the mining hardware that has come to market over the past few months. Unfortunately the asking price for a descent amount of power to make a profit is well above anything I could afford. Not a lot I can do about that then.
With Mt Gox going bankrupt a lot of people have lost a great deal more than myself. I at least didn't lose any real cash as such as the coin I had invested was mined. Unfortunately many how have lost actually put real cash into bitcoin. Not that I am not saddened overt my own losses but it is a gamble which I have known from the start. Therefore I can only blame myself on losses as I would have taken any credit if I had made a profit. Of course by registering with another exchange and taking the gamble again might show that I haven't learnt much over the past few months. Or it might tell you something else about me. I have a thick skull, hehehe.
As I said above I made bitcoins through mining them but with mining difficulty having increased I was unable to do this any longer. It was for this reason I first got into speculating on Mt Gox. I do wish I had the money to afford some of the mining hardware that has come to market over the past few months. Unfortunately the asking price for a descent amount of power to make a profit is well above anything I could afford. Not a lot I can do about that then.
February 22, 2014
22nd February 2014
I'm halfway through watching the rugby. Scotland won their match earlier. Now England is scrapping with Ireland and have a three point lead. Mind the second half could see that change. It isn't as good a game so far as the Italy v Scotland game but still plenty of action with more promised to come.
Another stressful week at work. I'm still working through at the labelling and the supervisor relieves his stress on those under him. Not the best management skills but common in low paid work. Not a lot we can do about it, other than request to be moved, which I have. Sadly their are few who wish to work in labelling because of the supervisor. When things are running smoothly he is fine and even cheery. Just don't let anything go awry.
As I'm writing this Ireland have just gotten another penalty putting them ten three ahead.
With the lighter nights starting to come around again I have begun to think of my garden again. Last weekend I did some tidying up. That was mainly removing the broken back fence. It will need a lot of work to repair. The first job will be to replace the post which snapped in the high winds but the fence panel will also need work to some rotted strappings. Of course it won't be till my Easter break, weather permitting. Well it is something to look forwards to in the next few months.
Another stressful week at work. I'm still working through at the labelling and the supervisor relieves his stress on those under him. Not the best management skills but common in low paid work. Not a lot we can do about it, other than request to be moved, which I have. Sadly their are few who wish to work in labelling because of the supervisor. When things are running smoothly he is fine and even cheery. Just don't let anything go awry.
As I'm writing this Ireland have just gotten another penalty putting them ten three ahead.
With the lighter nights starting to come around again I have begun to think of my garden again. Last weekend I did some tidying up. That was mainly removing the broken back fence. It will need a lot of work to repair. The first job will be to replace the post which snapped in the high winds but the fence panel will also need work to some rotted strappings. Of course it won't be till my Easter break, weather permitting. Well it is something to look forwards to in the next few months.
February 15, 2014
15th February 2014
No rugby this week sadly. Though after Scotland losing so badly last weekend maybe it is a good thing. It will be next weekend before we're out again. With any luck we will play better than we have.
Work has been stress filled this week. A grouchy supervisor can make life a pain. That is what I have been dealing with all week. One of the labellers is off on the sick so I have been sent through there to help out as they are short handed, understandably. Anyway every time the labelling machine plays up the supervisor throws his frustration out at the nearest individual as if it was their fault. Unfortunately that has been me on most occasions over the week. At first I just snapped back at him but as the week wore on we both got to that strained silent phase. You know the one where you only speak to each other if you really have to. Not the best working environment. Still it was better than the corrosive word play of earlier in the week. I was just glad to get home on time on Friday evening. And to think I will have it all to go through next week again as the work off won't be back for at least another week. The joys.
Magz loved her Valentine's gifts and laughed at the card I got her. As usual it was of the funnier variety. I prefer them to the lovey-dovey ones most go for. Nothing wrong with a bit of innuendo. This year the message on the front was "What's around seven inches, great to hold and can stand on its own." Yeah your think with the lower half, hehehe. The answer of course inside reveals that it was the card, hehehe.
Work has been stress filled this week. A grouchy supervisor can make life a pain. That is what I have been dealing with all week. One of the labellers is off on the sick so I have been sent through there to help out as they are short handed, understandably. Anyway every time the labelling machine plays up the supervisor throws his frustration out at the nearest individual as if it was their fault. Unfortunately that has been me on most occasions over the week. At first I just snapped back at him but as the week wore on we both got to that strained silent phase. You know the one where you only speak to each other if you really have to. Not the best working environment. Still it was better than the corrosive word play of earlier in the week. I was just glad to get home on time on Friday evening. And to think I will have it all to go through next week again as the work off won't be back for at least another week. The joys.
Magz loved her Valentine's gifts and laughed at the card I got her. As usual it was of the funnier variety. I prefer them to the lovey-dovey ones most go for. Nothing wrong with a bit of innuendo. This year the message on the front was "What's around seven inches, great to hold and can stand on its own." Yeah your think with the lower half, hehehe. The answer of course inside reveals that it was the card, hehehe.
February 8, 2014
8th February 2014
Went down town early today to get Magz Valentines card and gift. While I was at it I got her birthday covered as well. Tammy went with me, mainly to spend my cash, hehehe. Yes she is a typical teenage daughter as she loves spending her dad's cash which means mine. She did leave me bus fare so I shouldn't complain, hehehe.
The rugby is on this weekend again. Ireland just beat Wales and with some confidence. Wales just seemed to struggle to get into the game. Of course this will only make them more determined in their next match. I only hope that is true for Scotland who face England next. After the disappointment of last week that is. really though I think Scotland will have one good half before falling under the weight of the English forwards. We will see as the game starts soon.
There was more overtime this week. Luckily it wasn't a lot. Still I wasn't paid for the half hour I was held back the week before. I will need to see the office on Monday as I didn't check my payslip till I got home. Hopefully they will just add it to the two and a quarter that I did this week. I don't see how there should be a problem unless they try to put us back on taking time back. That is a real possibility regardless of how unfair it is. I'll just have to wait till Monday to see.
Well the rugby start very soon so I will leave you here.
The rugby is on this weekend again. Ireland just beat Wales and with some confidence. Wales just seemed to struggle to get into the game. Of course this will only make them more determined in their next match. I only hope that is true for Scotland who face England next. After the disappointment of last week that is. really though I think Scotland will have one good half before falling under the weight of the English forwards. We will see as the game starts soon.
There was more overtime this week. Luckily it wasn't a lot. Still I wasn't paid for the half hour I was held back the week before. I will need to see the office on Monday as I didn't check my payslip till I got home. Hopefully they will just add it to the two and a quarter that I did this week. I don't see how there should be a problem unless they try to put us back on taking time back. That is a real possibility regardless of how unfair it is. I'll just have to wait till Monday to see.
Well the rugby start very soon so I will leave you here.
February 1, 2014
1st February 2014
The Six Nations started this weekend. Tammy and me have just finished watching the first game. Wales against the Italians which the Welsh predictable won. Though Italy did put up a great fight especially towards the end. France v England tonight. That should be a great game and tomorrow Scotland will face the Irish in the Emerald Isle.
I hadn't realised that the rugby was back on till this week. Big Jim at work mentioned it in passing. That was on Tuesday. I was stunned at how much I have messed with all the overtime that I have done over the past month or so. Time has raced by. If it wasn't for markers like Christmas and New Year I think I would have no baring on what day it was. They all seem to have merged one week into another. Weekends almost vanish, swallowed by the working week.
I suppose that is what life is though for the majority of us. Work sucks up most of our time. Those short times of rest are never quite enough to completely shake the grind of work.
Yet when we do get a couple of weeks off it doesn't take us long to find boredom. Maybe because at work someone else tell you what to do which isn't so true when left to our own devices. Even though we might have to organise our own work load to some extent in our professional life, at home we can often become very disorganised.
Maybe that is why we turn to hobbies, gardening, diy, etc,etc, so we can recreate some of the organisation we find in our working lives.
Anyways the next game starts soon so I'll be off to lose some time watching the match.
I hadn't realised that the rugby was back on till this week. Big Jim at work mentioned it in passing. That was on Tuesday. I was stunned at how much I have messed with all the overtime that I have done over the past month or so. Time has raced by. If it wasn't for markers like Christmas and New Year I think I would have no baring on what day it was. They all seem to have merged one week into another. Weekends almost vanish, swallowed by the working week.
I suppose that is what life is though for the majority of us. Work sucks up most of our time. Those short times of rest are never quite enough to completely shake the grind of work.
Yet when we do get a couple of weeks off it doesn't take us long to find boredom. Maybe because at work someone else tell you what to do which isn't so true when left to our own devices. Even though we might have to organise our own work load to some extent in our professional life, at home we can often become very disorganised.
Maybe that is why we turn to hobbies, gardening, diy, etc,etc, so we can recreate some of the organisation we find in our working lives.
Anyways the next game starts soon so I'll be off to lose some time watching the match.
