bookmark_borderEfficient for no reason

Today was a busy day. It wasn’t manic, but I was on the go (still am) and got a lot of stuff done. The things that didn’t get completed were properly rescheduled and a plan put in place, and I also managed to move some things off my plate.

Which is good.

Thing is, I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’ve had such an efficient day. Just happened that way, and could quite easily have gone the other way and been another day of adding to my task list, rather than DOING stuff.

No complaints. Just, well I’d like to know why/how so I can repeat it again tomorrow!

bookmark_borderInstructions and ethics

Two things are currently making me GRRRRRRRR quite a bit. One is a minor annoyance that crops up frequently, the other a fairly fundamental gripe with a certain profession.

In reverse order then, my main gripe is with the current batch of moaning politicians who are saying that it isn’t fair that they are having to pay back monies claimed because the rules have been changed and … well it’s just not fair. Cue stomping of feet and many huffing noises (no, not that kind of huffing), like the spoilt children they are.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it is slightly unfair to change the rules NOW and apply them retrospectively. I get that. The thing is, regardless of any rules, if we are all honest we’ve all broken a few rules in our time and WE KNOW WE ARE DOING IT.

So whilst they may have been able to claim for redecorating their kitchen in this seasons fashion, or getting that custom bookcase built to store their precious historical parchments, deep down they must’ve known they were taking the piss.

If they didn’t then it’s worse still, they are completely immoral.

So, yes changing the rules isn’t fair, and whilst I might try and claim a few extra pounds for a taxi ride here and there (on my yearly trip outside of the office), I wouldn’t think “you know what, it’d be much quicker to hire a helicopter, so I’ll do that” and presume that that was ok.

My company, like most, will pay for your dinner if you are away on business. I COULD order caviar, lobster, the finest champagne and finish off with half a bottle of exclusive brandy. I don’t though because that’s just taking the piss. Yes there are other reasons, ones I would like to see reflected back on to the way politicians expense claims work, such as having the knowledge that ultimately I’m spending my own money (the company pays me after all), but ultimately I am presumed to be professional about these things.

Shame we can’t say the same for our politicians.

Ohh and that other thing? Well it’s about places listing ADDRESSES on their website but forgetting that I don’t know what the building is like, nor the fact it’s one door with unclear signage above it. A photo of the premises would help LOADS!

Phew. That feels better.

bookmark_borderAt the conference

Morning, in a short while I’ll be delivering my presentation, trying to keep everyone awake whilst I waffle on about why blogging is the best thing ever and WHY AREN’T YOU DOING IT?? Or words to that effect…

Don’t worry though, dear reader, you can view the presentation and read through some of my notes although without my dulcet tones you’ll only be getting half the ‘experience’ (the best half, granted).

Although there is a small chance my session will be recorded so you may yet be able to get the full experience, I’ll confirm that later though (and depends on whether it can be edited as well!).

Wish me luck!

bookmark_borderRoll up, roll up

Get your sensationalistic TV viewing here!!

First we heard that an abortion will be seen on TV for the first time, now we hear that Christopher Alder’s death will be shown tonight.

Christopher Alder, 37, died at Queens Gardens Police Station, Hull, in April 1998.
An inquest concluded Mr Alder, who had been arrested for breach of the peace, was unlawfully killed.
In the criminal trial that followed, all five officers were cleared of manslaughter and misconduct in a public office.

I don’t watch much TV to be honest, and no doubt I’ll miss this programme tonight but I fear that these kinds of programmes are leading us further down a path of… well I’m not sure ‘of’ what.

Sex sells, and we have it continually pushed down our throats. Graphic imagery is more widely available than before – just buy any ‘lads’ magazine like FHM or Loaded and not only do you get several pages of pneumatic blondes but frequently the latest ‘gross out’ pictures that are doing the email rounds. We seem to be developing into a society where even the most horrific images are no longer shocking.

Dulled by television and the internet, everything is fake and we can no longer tell the difference.

Yes, I’ll admit that I’ve fallen prey of this creeping phenomenon, and no doubt there are studies of it being conducted as I type, and no doubt that study will come up with a “No shit, Sherlock” conclusion. We’ll all laugh and point and forget instantly about it. However the mere fact that these types of studies are being conducted and are suggesting ‘cures’ that we all seem to know and agree on suggests to me that, whilst we KNOW what is best for us, we sure as hell ain’t DOING it.

I’m going to stop there as I’ve disappeared into the blackhole that is my own logical reasoning. If I emerge I’ll update this…