Bonfire night. Wonder if the youngsters are as active as we were. A couple of weeks of ‘Penny for the Guy’ on the street and we had our little cache of fireworks. Nearest bonfire, hot potatoes, some Tizer and a lovely time. Spoilt one year when my little box of bangers was destroyed by an accidental (or purposeful) spark which set them all off.
Over several appointments in my commercial life I was the actual or de facto Personnel Manager, as well as other administrative functions. Straight forward, place an ad, sift responses, call a few forward, establish a short list, offer a job and bring them into the fold. All by letter/ phone/telex.
My wife applied for a job with Amazon – what a kerfuffle – she is a foreign national so bound to be a little more hassle. All done on line,relevant documents produced, followed by a ‘virtual interview’. The whole process went round and round, some steps appeared duplicated. We gave up in the end.
The system, like others I have encountered, was far too complex and elements were very hard to navigate. Do programmers ever test their systems? Perhaps Phil can comment – the main part of the process was set up by Deloit – must have cost them a bomb.
Too much reliance on the internet and ‘Apps’ – detest trying to complete things on a mobile phone. The only on line service I enjoy using is the DVLA site – quick, easy to use and provides information and answers without fuss. I am no Luddite but so much time is wasted – as I remarked to a client ‘HMTC could not find their collective arses with both hands.
How did we arrive at the position where a significant number of the PTB are foreigners? Rishi then Kemi, The Tottenham Turnip and on and on it goes .Shabana Mahmood, Thangam Debbehnaire, Abena Oppong Asare.
I once looked after a house for a friend and rented it to a Nigerian Couple, it was actually ok but when they asked me if I would stand guarantor for a place they were moving to I politely declined. –
Life moves on but thoughts of those we have lost are always with us, family and friends. We are lucky to have a second family among us Puffins. Jen The Blue (his enthusiasm for his team, BMWs and cross-eyed ladies, not forgetting introducing us to the Bristol Stool Chart***), Aethelbert, Goodnight Vienna, Old Trout (that Monday morning frisson for those of us where the whole thing went completely over our heads) Blown Periphery and Roger Ackroyd.And of course the partners who have passed away. R.I.P Please forgive me for those I have missed.
Maths was not my thing, although for the past thirty odd years I have made a living from book-keeping and accountancy. I spent most maths lessons looking out of the window thinking about girls and football. I remember my maths teacher(a member of the Order of Teaching Brothers) telling me I was being quietly insolent, (I do a good insolent)- I consider that a badge of honour.
*** This is serious. I lost my younger brother to bowel cancer and I think a nephew is going the same way soon. I have had two colonoscopies – the first found thirteen polyps, the second ten. I keep a close eye on what is going on; one of the significant signs is a change in bowel movements and there are other early signs. Ignore them at your peril.
I want to endorse SB’s note about contributions. I think back to the thousands I must have spent on newspapers and TV licences over the years set against the modest monthly contribution I make to GP which has far greater value. No need to dig deep,a little means a lot. You know it makes sense!
I still have most of my marbles but I sometimes find myself having difficulty with the spelling of some common words.
They are coming to take me away, ah hah!
STOP PRESS!!! DJT is back! Go Donald.
© Gillygangle 2024
