Random burblings since 1999
The title is both literal and figurative.
My Gran has been in hospital for the past couple of weeks. She was taken in after the carer, who turned up to make her her breakfast, found her lying in the hallway. She’d been there all night. She’s OK though. Nothing broken.
Needless to say that gave everyone, especially my Gran, a wee scare but for the meantime she’s in the right place, getting good care, although she’s not too fond of the food…
This weekend we have mostly…
Visited garden centres.
Bought plants.
Finished digging out the new bed in the side garden (photos will follow).
Laid out new plants in side bed.
Re-arranged plants in side bed.
Went to visit my Gran in hospital (more on that later).
Re-arranged plants in side bed.
Re-arranged plants in side bed.
Watch the World Cup Final.
Gasped.
Moaned when the Italians won.
That’s the short version.
Inspired by Lisa and Rob, I’ve got a little quiz for you.
It’s simple enough, 25 lyrics, guess the song and artist. I’ve used the “Party Shuffle” mode of iTunes to pull 25 random tracks from my library, so don’t blame me… entirely..
Ohh and it’s not always the first line of the song, some were a little to obvious for that.
UPDATE: DEADLINE passed, here are the answers to all… er… 26 tracks
Honourable mentions: Adrian McEwen.
Right. Have at it people! I’ll update correct guesses when I can over the weekend. Ohh and we all KNOW it’d be easy to just Google for the answers but what’s the point in that?
A lot of blogs are filled to bursting with rants and moans about this company or that product. So today, by way of change, I thought I’d bring you a success story which, as the title suggests, is about The Oggy Oggy Pasty Company, specifically about their branch in Glasgow.
Why?
Because the staff are friendly, efficient and put the customer first. Which whilst it’s nothing particularly startling, still demands praise.
Now, take your usual lunchtime food outlet, a Greggs or local sandwich shop for example. You stand in line, and by the time you reach the front of the queue, and can finally see everything that is on offer, you MUST place your order immediately: “WHADDYA WANT?” This is usually said in a tone that suggests that if you don’t place your order in the next three seconds, somewhere a kitten will meet a brief yet painful death. Probably in a blender.
In a panic you point randomly at the counter, and blurt out “EYELLAVETHATONE”, then watch with horror as the smoked salmon, pickle and banana baguette you’ve just ordered is thrust into a one-size-too-small bag. Then, once you’ve paid and as soon as the change touches the palm of your hand, the person who served you is yelling at the next person in the queue: “WHADDYA WANT?”
Yes, I know they are busy but it would take the smallest of efforts to improve their customer service, and save numerous kittens.
So when I walk into Oggy Oggy, and I’m greeted with a smile and a hello — not a “whaddya want?” — it’s like a little ray of sunshine has entered my lunchtime. I’m given time to peruse the goods on offer, and when I’m ready to order I don’t have to spend five minutes trying to get the attention of the staff, they are right there, keeping busy but aware that I will need served.
I’m thanked for my order. When they give me my change they place the notes in my palm first, then the coins (a personal bug-bear I know), they ask me if I would like the pasty double-bagged to keep it warm, and when I leave they smile and say goodbye.
They don’t upsell (would you like the larger pasty?) or try any add-on sales (would you like a drink as well?), they just let you order what you want, safe in the knowledge that good customer service goes a long way. Or at the very least it seems like thats what they think and, as the customer, that’s all I’m bothered about.
The fact that the pasties are delicious, come in many varied flavours (sweet and savoury), and that they have a loyalty card (get your tenth pasty free) only adds to the feelgood factor. Hmmm, that’s not entirely right of course, if the pasties were rubbish then all the good sales techniques in the world wouldn’t help but, as the pasties are like little parcels of baked heaven, you get my point.
So I say BRAVO to The Oggy Oggy Pasty Company and in particular, the owner of it’s Glasgow franchise. If you are ever in Glasgow and find yourself on Gordon Street, keep an eye out for it (come out of the north entrance of Central Station, turn right and head for Borders. It’s on your left once you’ve crossed the road), or maybe there’s one near you?
Now, I wonder if they do a haggis version in their English stores?
The time has come to replace our ageing Ascom handsets. One handset has a faulty screen, the other won’t charge the batteries properly and randomly turns itself off. They are well past the point of returning to the manufacturer so it’s time to start shopping/researching.
The last time I looked the Panasonic DECT phones were getting good reviews, but as times have moved on I’m wondering if we’d be better (cheaper!) to go down the online route? Obviously we have some specific needs:
We primarily use the home phone for calling the same 5 or 6 people. We are currently with Telewest for our phone line (and broadband), and have a special deal for phoning overseas (Louise’s Dad). Other than that all calls are within the UK and typically our “evenings and weekend packages” does us fine, it’s a flat rate that means Louise can waffle away to her sister for as long as she wants as long as it’s after 6pm (which is about when we get in from work so that’s fine).
The handsets MUST have caller display as we have caller ID at the moment, this is not something I want to lose, it’s far too valuable and allows me to avoid most cold-callers – the ones that have worked their way past the Telephone Preferences Service it seems.
Now, I know a few of you have switched to Skype/online calls only, how is it? Is it more costly? Is the call quality good enough? Would you recommended it for “average” use or is it better for those with low usage?
And for those of you still on “standard” phonelines, any good deals in that area? What about digital handsets, any recommendations?
In short, has ANYONE got any advice or pointers in this area? What’s the best deal you’ve seen recently? Any websites I should check out? Or should I just email the Blue (Value) Witch and be done with it! 😉
Yours, awaiting the deal of the century,
Gordon
P.S. No, I’m not sure why this has suddenly turned into a letter…
Bit of a splurge recently, some current stuff, some not.
Muse – Black Holes and Revelations
First things first, do not let the current single (Supermassive Black Hole) sway you either for, or against, this album. It’s definitely a standout track but it’s not really representative of the album as a whole, which is more of a progression from Absolution than a “new direction” for the band.
So you can expect more grand piano moments, more wailing guitar solos and more theatrics from a band who seem to be falling just short of being REALLY huge. I’m guessing it’s because they aren’t “heavy” enough for some, and too “heavy” for others, as they veer between pounding, screeching rock to some of the lighter tracks which you could describe as “pop music”… almost. They seem to be one of those bands you either enjoy or don’t really ‘get’, but to me they are a natural extension of two of my favourite bands, Queen and Radiohead. They have the drama and theatrics of Queen coupled with the angsty introspectiveness of Radiohead… ohhh and like both bands, Muse can ROCK (not the capitals, that’s important).
I’m still only on first impressions with this album but after a couple of listens it’s already growing on me, and I’m pretty sure it’ll be heavy rotation in the coming months. Ohh and if you get a chance to see them live, grab it with both hands, they put on one hell of a show.
Howe Gelb – ‘Sno Angel Like You
Funny one this, it’s been out for a while and I picked up a copy in FOPP a while back but somehow forgot about it. Anyway, I “discovered” it last week and it’s been quietly impressing me with it’s laidback melodies and general “nice tuneness” – god, I’m the worst music reviewer ever, what the hell is “nice tuneness”?!.
The album ranges through a variety of styles, all underpinned with a simplicity and charm that slowly wheedles its way under your skin, all the while revealing another layer you missed in the last round of listening. A nice lazy day album then, coupled with some Jack Johnson, Corinne Bailey Rae, and maybe a tall, cold gin and tonic. Good stuff.
Nouvelle Vague – Bande A Part
Hmmm, if you don’t know Nouvelle Vague then this may sound very odd. Bande A Part is the follow up to their eponymous 2004 album, and continues in the same vein of providing bossanova inspired covers of well known new wave/romantic tracks. Odd, definitely. Intriguing, of course. But the appeal lies in the approach they take, which is definitely tongue-in-cheek, and slowly you find your feet starting to tap, as your brain double-takes when it realises the track it’s listening to — that slow, acoustic guitar, plodding piano and tom-toms — is New Order’s Blue Monday.
This is an ace album, an excellent background music, especially at a BBQ or something. I’ve yet to try it but I imagine half the fun would be watching people slowly realise that they KNOW that samba track that’s playing in the background.
If you snag a copy of this album give it time, it’s a real grower. The first listen may put you off but I strongly suggest you stick with it and reap the benefits of this wonderful album.
And of course next week I’ll be mainly listening to Thom Yorke’s new album – The Eraser. I’ve heard a couple of tracks already and it sounds great.