Well I could not think of a better opposite to reunited. Is it a sad day when a web site like Friends Reunited has to close down because it is unable to cover its running costs? I am not sure. i have never been a subscriber to web sites, unless they are offering something cheaper than I am buying regularly in the shops. On-line newspapers are the obvious items as far as I am concerned, and if a group of you subscribe to different ones and share the log-on then the price is pretty much rock bottom.
I visited Friends Reunited quite a lot in the early days to see what my classmates were up to, and to look up a few ex-girlfriends and neighbours. Nothing much of outstanding interest to be fair, although it was reassuring to see there were no deaths posted. That might have changed now though.
One of my next door neighbours is now the chief fashion buyer for Marks and Spencer although I think she is keeping a low profile given the decline in their non-food sales.
I continue to keep my LinkedIn profile up to date although, again, I do not subscribe to the Premier service. I do hear from old work colleagues from time to time so it serves its purpose.
Otherwise its good old e-mail, text, telephone and face to face discussion which keeps me abreast of developments. The tried and trusted processes are still the best. Must dash, I think a pigeon has just flown into the loft with a message!!
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Thursday, 14 January 2016
Going, going, gone....
The auction season started again yesterday. I could have made a New Years resolution not to buy so much rubbish this year, as 2015 was definitely the year of the dross. I have been lucky with some items i have purchased, and made a reasonable profit, but quite a bit of it remains downstairs ready to be utilised at the car boot sales when they start in March.
I would like to think my luck has been hard earned as I do have an eye for what will sell, I just occasionally pay too much for it!!
Yesterday I purchased a golf flight travel bag for £5 which retails for about £60 so I will keep that for my own use, as it purports to carry two sets of clubs, so saving air freight charges with EasyJet et al.
I missed out on two rather nice piano stools which went for £45 each which I think was all the money. I did get a pile of pictures though, in which I thought there were a couple of hidden gems. They are on e-bay at the moment so we will see how they fair. It's commission which does the damage though. You pay it on what you buy in the auction, plus occasionally VAT. You then pay commission on e-bay and a handling fee if your payment option is paypal.
Apparently it costs £20 to submit an item into the auction to sell and there is sellers commission as well as that of the buyer. I know they have to make their margin somewhere but it all needs to be considered when trying to make a few bob on whatever you buy.
I have fishing bits ( but not your type of stuff, Dick) Pepper Pig xylophones, modelling tool kits, a few artifacts and a good range of pictures so far in the car boot box, I might have a clearance sale just to get rid as its all spent money so anything I make will be straight into the beer kitty.
I would like to think my luck has been hard earned as I do have an eye for what will sell, I just occasionally pay too much for it!!
Yesterday I purchased a golf flight travel bag for £5 which retails for about £60 so I will keep that for my own use, as it purports to carry two sets of clubs, so saving air freight charges with EasyJet et al.
I missed out on two rather nice piano stools which went for £45 each which I think was all the money. I did get a pile of pictures though, in which I thought there were a couple of hidden gems. They are on e-bay at the moment so we will see how they fair. It's commission which does the damage though. You pay it on what you buy in the auction, plus occasionally VAT. You then pay commission on e-bay and a handling fee if your payment option is paypal.
Apparently it costs £20 to submit an item into the auction to sell and there is sellers commission as well as that of the buyer. I know they have to make their margin somewhere but it all needs to be considered when trying to make a few bob on whatever you buy.
I have fishing bits ( but not your type of stuff, Dick) Pepper Pig xylophones, modelling tool kits, a few artifacts and a good range of pictures so far in the car boot box, I might have a clearance sale just to get rid as its all spent money so anything I make will be straight into the beer kitty.
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Escape from Entebbe
Day 4 in the naughty house was tense. 5 juries were listed for selection and I knew if I got one that would be my Friday snooker becoming a no go, and a second week of court time booked in.
It was more tense as one jury got called and two cases pleaded. Then out of nowhere we all got discharged never to return. Apparently it had been a mixed up week and they had not used as many jurers are they thought. With a new intake on Monday they could let us all go.
One scheduled trial starting next week may last three months. They will select a pool of 50 juries for that one and work through them until they have twelve who can sit that long.
If you have never seen the Hancock Half Hour - Twelve Angry Men, it still stands the test of time.
It was more tense as one jury got called and two cases pleaded. Then out of nowhere we all got discharged never to return. Apparently it had been a mixed up week and they had not used as many jurers are they thought. With a new intake on Monday they could let us all go.
One scheduled trial starting next week may last three months. They will select a pool of 50 juries for that one and work through them until they have twelve who can sit that long.
If you have never seen the Hancock Half Hour - Twelve Angry Men, it still stands the test of time.
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Day 3 in the naughty house
Much like days one and two. Defendants keep pleading guilty so of eleven potential cases only three have needed juries.
Good news is if I am not called tomorrow, I get Friday off. There is snooker and a lunch at the golf club so fingers crossed.
Now where didI leave that black handkerchief?
Good news is if I am not called tomorrow, I get Friday off. There is snooker and a lunch at the golf club so fingers crossed.
Now where didI leave that black handkerchief?
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Day 1 in the naughty house
Jury service is off and running....200 potential jurers sit around until 2pm when first 15 are called, and I am one of them.
Joy turns to frustration as I know one of the barristers so I am kicked back to the holding area. No second chance today, so lets see what day 2 offers.
I think that's all I can say!
Joy turns to frustration as I know one of the barristers so I am kicked back to the holding area. No second chance today, so lets see what day 2 offers.
I think that's all I can say!
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Oh yes I did.....
Spot on, it's panto season so off we went to see Dick Whittington at the Empire in Liverpool. No real stars. A girl from Eastenders who is currently in Still Open all Hours, and a chap from Emmerdale together with Pete Price a local Liverpool DJ who must nearly be a Nonagenerian himself.
The dame was very good as was Dick's cat Tom. The whole production though was greater than the sum of it's parts, a really good afternoon out. There were lots of Dick jokes for the adults, and a 3D screen to scare the kids. All in all very good value of money.
We went with number one granddaughter and her mate and they seemed to have a good time too, and did not cost us much for drinks, sweets and ice creams. The theatre was pushing 'Pie Face', a cult game at the moment, and seemed to be doing a good trade. Maybe the board game is making a comeback?
Today we saw two friends who were over from Hong Kong on family business so we did a bit of research for our Sevens trip in early April, then it was take the decci's down time. That's all done now and the house looks a tad sparse. There may well be demand for a set of 'not Christmas' decorations to use from January to November for a bit of sparkle. That may be a bit chav though on reflection!
My jury service starts tomorrow and I will be blogging what I am allowed to as the weeks progress, although with a barrister and solicitor in the family I can see me being dumped on several occasions as not being suitable jury material. I have my black handkerchief ready as needed though.
The dame was very good as was Dick's cat Tom. The whole production though was greater than the sum of it's parts, a really good afternoon out. There were lots of Dick jokes for the adults, and a 3D screen to scare the kids. All in all very good value of money.
We went with number one granddaughter and her mate and they seemed to have a good time too, and did not cost us much for drinks, sweets and ice creams. The theatre was pushing 'Pie Face', a cult game at the moment, and seemed to be doing a good trade. Maybe the board game is making a comeback?
Today we saw two friends who were over from Hong Kong on family business so we did a bit of research for our Sevens trip in early April, then it was take the decci's down time. That's all done now and the house looks a tad sparse. There may well be demand for a set of 'not Christmas' decorations to use from January to November for a bit of sparkle. That may be a bit chav though on reflection!
My jury service starts tomorrow and I will be blogging what I am allowed to as the weeks progress, although with a barrister and solicitor in the family I can see me being dumped on several occasions as not being suitable jury material. I have my black handkerchief ready as needed though.
Friday, 1 January 2016
Nonagenarian
Happy New Year to all my readers. Many it give you everything you wish of it. SWMBO and I had a pleasantly quiet one. We saw off our final guests of the festive season and then went off to spend our Christmas vouchers. Shirts, shirts and shirts were my choice as, after many years, my favourites are wearing out.
We then hit the Red Fox for a late lunch and got home for Bridge of Spies, Joles
Holland and grand firework courtesy of our neighbours! I found out at my regular Christmas lunch that the son of my mate Bob is a regular in The Shrewsbury Lodge for New Year. What a small world.
The last few months have all been geared to my mother's 90th birthday. It was a rare chance to throw her a 'do' and also to have all four children together. We held it at Wallasey golf club who were excellent in their organisation and execution. The private dining room was ideal for the grand kids to charge round without mathering anybody.
It was a surprise for her and she was initially overwhelmed by it all but soon got into the swing of it.
So with that behind us we can start the clearing up process. Its a bit messy as the family cat hung itself on the decorations on Boxing Day and as SWMBO is such a traditionalist at this time of year, we can't cut it down until Epiphany. Ho,ho ho.
We then hit the Red Fox for a late lunch and got home for Bridge of Spies, Joles
Holland and grand firework courtesy of our neighbours! I found out at my regular Christmas lunch that the son of my mate Bob is a regular in The Shrewsbury Lodge for New Year. What a small world.
The last few months have all been geared to my mother's 90th birthday. It was a rare chance to throw her a 'do' and also to have all four children together. We held it at Wallasey golf club who were excellent in their organisation and execution. The private dining room was ideal for the grand kids to charge round without mathering anybody.
It was a surprise for her and she was initially overwhelmed by it all but soon got into the swing of it.
So with that behind us we can start the clearing up process. Its a bit messy as the family cat hung itself on the decorations on Boxing Day and as SWMBO is such a traditionalist at this time of year, we can't cut it down until Epiphany. Ho,ho ho.
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