You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition
Lisa wrote: " went to the first day of the Cheltenham Festival yesterday which was my 30th birthday present. What an experience! Amazing racecourse, great atmosphere and fantastic racing."Sounds like fun, Lisa! Glad you enjoyed it!
Peggy, our afternoon radio was all about how Geert Wilders flopped. Well, picked up 4 seats but nothing like what was predicted. Also about how the Greens quadrupled their seats.
Yes, it was not as bad as expected! It's unfortunately still a right-wing party that is the biggest, but I'm mostly very glad that Wilders didn't end up with most votes. It seems the events in the UK and the US had a positive effect on the Dutch :)
You can breath a bit easier now with that result, although it could be better.
Rus - In the US some places have unions and some don't. Not all workers can join a union. Others have the option.
Glad the election turned out in your favor, Peggy.
Peggy wrote: "Yes, it was not as bad as expected! It's unfortunately still a right-wing party that is the biggest, but I'm mostly very glad that Wilders didn't end up with most votes. It seems the events in the ..."Indeed! Wilders worries me a lot, so very glad he didn't end up with the votes they predicted.
Kristie wrote: "Rus - In the US some places have unions and some don't. Not all workers can join a union. Others have the option."Sorry, this isn't my crazy leftie coming out, this is literally I do not understand. Why can't all people join a union if they wish?
Not all jobs are affiliated with a union here. It's not something that is offered everywhere. So, you may join a company that just doesn't have a union to offer. I think I've only had a union affiliated with my job once or maybe twice in my life. Some companies have unions and you have to pay whether you choose to join or not. Not everyone here likes unions. Trump would love to get rid of them completely.
Just thought of this - My nephew works in construction. I think he does foundations. He recently left his job, which he held for several years for a 'union job'. It was a big decision for him. We actually call jobs with unions offered "union jobs". I think the company he worked for before was smaller and didn't have a union.
Maybe the confusion is how we are unionized. In the US, a company's employees vote as to whether or not they want to have a union represent them. Then, they agree upon a union. If that happens, when new employees join they have a choice whether or not to join the union. If the employees originally vote not to join a union, then it is not offered to new employees. So not all companies have unions.
What Kristie said. Living in the Southern United States, unions aren't very popular. Other areas of the US, they are much more common. Going to work for a union affiliated company is, like Kristie said, a big decision for some people. I don't think you actually are required to join, but its a foregone conclusion that you will if you are working for a union company. A lot of businesses chose to operate in the South because there are so few unions and they therefore have more freedom in how they want to run the business. There are still laws in place to protect employees and governmental agencies that make sure the laws are being followed. Non-union employees with problems would contact those government agencies for support.
I'm only familiar with with one union so I'm not sure if there are different types but in my case, I belong to the union at my specific workplace, we are independent, as in we negotiate our work contracts (or collective agreement as they are called) for the entire workplace with our employer, in my case, the local city exempt (not union) staff who work at the elected officials direction. We then are part of Local 458, a larger body of public employees in the area, we aren't part of their individual negotiations, though what the bigger cites get in wage increases tend to have a trickle down effect.
Beyond that, we are also part of the provincial branch and also the national branch. I doubt this is applicable to all unions but I am in the Canadian Union for Public Employees so it's big, and thus has more clout when the federal or provincial government tries to change the rules. Though, this has not stopped the government mandating that school teachers are essential services so they are not permitted to strike, or dragging out negotiations for years with the ambulance service because they are also essential service and can't strike.
Only about 30% of employees are in a union job in Canada.
Also I don't have an option, I have to belong. It goes with the job.
Travis sivarT wrote: "Roz. Should have been in the heart of the mess as well. I agree Cherie"Actually, here on the north shore of Long Island we only got about 6 inches or so. Unfortunately, we got freezing rain (sleet) as well, that made it all worse. I took Tuesday off because I was afraid I'd have trouble getting home. Hubby was at work at 4 am and managed to get home by 7 pm but had trouble getting into the driveway (Mr. Plowman didn't get to my house until 9 pm on Tuesday). My dog kept wanting to go out and would come back in covered with ice pellets. I think she was surprised each time (short term memory issues?) All in all it was a mess, heavy, wet snow, lots of ice, cold. It's just not going away. But I'm glad it wasn't the 18 inches they predicted.
Well. Busted. I almost never watch the news. The morning of the storm was the last time I watched it. Never looked at after effects. Although I'm not big on ice. I'd rather have 4ft of snow
Ah ha... thanks for all the explanations. I see the difference now.See here, as I say it's up to the individual to join. And if you work for the same organisation, you can join different unions depending on you and your individual job.
For example, I said before I was in the Community and Public Service Union as I was an administrator in the Public Service. But we had carpenters and metal workers who worked for the same organisation but built our exhibitions in the museum, so some of them joined the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, and some of the actors were members of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
So you can join what suits you, your job, your needs, your priorities, or join nothing if you wish. So that's why I was confused. The concept you guys mention of a unionised company and how that works does not happen in Aus, and it is illegal to make someone join, or not join, a union.
Currently looking for a new laptop as I think mine is going to die any day. It's frozen 3 times in the last month (two in the last two days), always at a crucial moment as you'd expect with technology, and I've not been able to CTRL+ALT+DEL out and had to shutdown. I am in the midst of doing coursework for the course I'm on and I'm constantly backing up my stuff to google drive. But now I'm getting worried about doing more coursework in case it freezes again in the middle of it. This one has lasted me well. I have no idea what good makes of laptop are anymore. I don't like HP, weren't keen on my Dell, I really like my current Fujitsu though. I see a lot of Acer and Asus laptops in my searches but I've not had either of those before and I'm not sure about them. I'm currently on Windows 7 but I know whatever I get will have Windows 10 on which I've not heard good things about which is a little frustrating. I much prefer desktop buying as I can just buy the components I want and make it myself and I don't have to have all the crappy software that normally comes with of the shelf builds. I don't get to do that with laptops though unfortunately so I'm at the mercy of the manufacturers and the retailers. I fear this could take me some time.
Can't help with laptops, but can report Windows 10 is much better than Windows 8. 10 isn't too bad once you turn off all the ads and Cortana. But agree, it's much easier with a desktop.
Rusalka wrote: "Can't help with laptops, but can report Windows 10 is much better than Windows 8. 10 isn't too bad once you turn off all the ads and Cortana. But agree, it's much easier with a desktop."
That is good to know. I will have a read around about brands etc. I don't want to spend a fortune on a new laptop but I equally don't want a crap one.
My laptop is a Dell, and my last two were HP, and I loved them all, so I guess we don't agree on this, Sarah. :) I can't help you. But I agree with Rusalka that Windows 10 is better than Windows 8.
Sandra wrote: "My laptop is a Dell, and my last two were HP, and I loved them all, so I guess we don't agree on this, Sarah. :) I can't help you. But I agree with Rusalka that Windows 10 is better than Windows 8."I used to work for the IT support call centre for PC World/Currys briefly, and these were the ones we got the most calls for with issues. Them and Packard Hell. I used to own both and I wasn't impressed with their longevity. Now I've been googling, I can see that Acer own Packard Bell so I've struck them off my list too. lol.
It is hard to choose a laptop, I agree. My husband switched to apple a while ago. He uses his computer A LOT to work.
My work laptop is HP (I had no choice in it, but to be honest I don't know anything about them so I wouldn't have known what to pick anyway) and so far, so good. It's not even a year old though. Two of my colleagues who have the same had problems with them very soon after they got them. My previous work laptop was Lenovo. Worked very well, never had any issues, except that it became incredibly slow after 4 years or so. But I'm not sure if that was the laptop's fault.
If I could have a desktop, I would as I like that you can swap out a dud part if something goes wrong. Not so easy with a laptop. We have no space on our boat for a desktop though, laptop all the way. I rely heavily on it for work, my course and of course YLTO. Generally, I wait until my laptop stops working before buying a new one but I am preempting it this time around. I don't want to be without one at all.
Yeah we quit dealing with Cortana and switched to Firefox as a browser. Since then we've had no trouble with Windows 10
I use google chrome as my browser as internet explorer went a bit crap on my laptop when it updated one time. I'm guessing Cortana is the new internet explorer?! Mt dad got a new PC with Windows 10 on recently and has no idea how to use it. My mum bought him an early father's day present of "Windows 10 for Dummies". I get the feeling I might have to flick through it at some point.
Cortana is kind of a Siri.
What I've came to understand about computer brands in general, is what was good a few years ago is crap now and what was crap a few years ago is good now. I used to hate HP's, but my current work computer (laptop) is an HP and I've had no problems out of it that aren't caused by the network I'm connected to. I have a Lenovo laptop at home and it has been good except I've had to get used to Windows 10. Like other have said, it is MUCH better than Windows 8. But I still prefer my Windows 7 I have at work. I researched brands and prices before I settled on the Lenovo and at that time (more than a year ago now), they were rated highly for the price range I was looking at.
I honestly haven't noticed much difference between 7 and 10. Besides what I mention above. Cortana is like a more persistent version of the old word paperclip.
I never really set up Cortana, but I love the search box "ask me anything". I have a gazillion folders and files on my computer. If I need a file, I just type the file name into the search and it's there instantly. I don't have to click - documents, bbos, not-simply,client name, etc etc. I am a Dell fan. I've only purchased Dell over the last 15 years. Never had an issue. The only thing is, this last laptop has a big stress crack in the case.
I have a Lenovo laptop too and love it. I love the IBM keyboards, they have a nice action to them.My work PC was upgraded to Win 10 (without my permission - lol). I hated it at first, but have got used to it now... it's actually ok.
Janice wrote: "I never really set up Cortana, but I love the search box "ask me anything"."I use it in the same way. It makes things easier for sure.
I finished my first two job application letters. I'm very excited about both jobs! One is a research scientist for Philips, where your job is to translate findings from cognitive and behavioral psychology into technological applications that can be developed and tested by Philips. All in the field of promoting health and well-being. The other is coordinator of a pre-bachelor program for refugee-students. The last one is only 16 hours a week and a bit far away, but it sounds like a great job so I'm going to apply anyway.
I agree! They both sound so interesting.
I think you have a point KimeyDiann. I think my knowledge of laptop/PC brands is outdated. It was 12 years ago now that I worked in the IT support centre. lol. I have just found a HP one which looks pretty good. Illhave a think on it.Those two jobs sound really interesting Peggy. Good luck with them.
I have used several Lenovo laps at my work over the years, Sarah and loved them all. The last forced upgrade was to a HP Elite Book and I have to admit, that I am really liking it, enough to consider buying one for myself. With the upgrade, I was forced to move from Windows 7 to Windows 10, and that took some serious brain cell activity, to work out, but I am getting along just fine now.
Don't know if anyone is familiar with Canadian Rockies band The Trews. But I'm at a show seeing them. In between sets. They come here a lot I don't know how well they're known nationally. Canadian bands come here a bunch since we're so close
They were pretty big up here about 10 years ago, don't hear about them much anymore though. The song 'Not Ready to Go' got some major air play.
No wonder they come here so much. We give them a lot of radio time down here. As we do all bands who show us love
Peggy wrote: "I finished my first two job application letters. I'm very excited about both jobs! One is a research scientist for Philips, where your job is to translate findings from cognitive and behavioral psy..."Good luck, fingers crossed; -)
Peggy wrote: "I finished my first two job application letters. I'm very excited about both jobs! One is a research scientist for Philips, where your job is to translate findings from cognitive and behavioral psy..."Sounds good, Peggy. All the best!
Sounds like two really interesting jobs, Peggy. Good luck!
Anyone else feel like they need to watch back to the future after chuck berry just died. Michael j Fox does that great performance of Johnny b Goode
That never crossed my mind Travis but I did wish I knew how to do some rock n roll dancing so i could dance to all the songs they played on the radio over the weekend. Although there isn't much room on the boat. Lol.We had a productive weekend working on our bathroom. Making a lot of progress now. Still lots to do but it's all starting to look more like a bathroom, and nearly functional at that.
Need a swing dancing lesson or two Sarah?
Rusalka wrote: "Need a swing dancing lesson or two Sarah?"It is a BIG thing around the Bristol area. A friend of mine is in a band (gypsy swing jazz folk type fusion thing) and there were loads of people swing dancing which I've never seen before at a gig. It does look fun and I've often thought about giving it a go. It's just convincing my partner. He's a good dancer generally so I reckon he probably would go for it.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Proof: The Science of Booze (other topics)The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (other topics)
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (other topics)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (other topics)
The Little Prince (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Michael J. Sullivan (other topics)Joe Hill (other topics)
Kazuo Ishiguro (other topics)
Kazuo Ishiguro (other topics)
Kazuo Ishiguro (other topics)
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Sorry, I don't understand this. In Australia, I as a worker can join my relevant union if I wish. For example when working for the Government I was a member of the Community and Public Service Union. Working in a uni now I can join the National Tertiary Education Union. It's a personal decision, and any time I want advice, help, representation, or all hells breaks loose I can call the union for that. It may come in advice over the phone, someone to come with me to meetings with management as an observer and personal support, or to help represent me in large disputes. And you can approach a union for some of this without being a member. Usually they help while encouraging you to join, but are a resource for workers.
But it's to do with me and my choice to be a union member. I don't get the "We are not unionised"? Does that mean in the States it's not your choice whether you can join a union or get support?