Work

The last few weeks have been a bit slow at work. Lots of the people working on the contract with us are on holliers and things natually slow down during the summer.

Today is a particularly slow day. It started well and I worked away from the first few hours but now the day is dragging. It could be safe to saw that I'll work for a total of around 3 hours today and that's all.

Now I know what it feels like to work in the Civil Service on a permanent basis.

I hate smoking

There I've said it.

I hate smoking. I really, really do. I always have hated it. When I was young my Dad, who was a smoker of Major, would light up and I'd open all windows and doors regardless of what time of year to 'air' the place. I used to tell him that he could kill himself but not to kill me. I harassed him until he stopped because of an ad that used to be on TV.

The ad showed a Dad in the back garden smoking and coughing. The young daughter looked up the coughing in a book and showed it to her Dad and it was about lung cancer. That struck a chord with me and I didn't want my Dad dying like that.

I just find it amazing that in this day and age people start smoking with the dangers that are there. It really amazes me. It's just such a horrible thing in my mind. I always say that I have no trouble with anyone doing anything as long as it doesn't affect me. And smoking does.

I was down on Dollymount Strand on Sunday and Monday and there were people smoking. No problems as its out in the open and the smoke wasn't near me as I could avoid it. Put they threw their butts in the sand. You think that's OK? Its dirty.

Smokers in the main are also unbelievably selfish and its a very selfish addiction. I got off the Dart the other morning and no sooner had everyone got off and some people sparked up literally as they stepped off the train. And didn't care where their smoke went. People will quite happily blow smoke anywhere. Well I don't want the smoke in my face but I had no fucking choice in the matter. As I had to walk the way they were going to leave the platform.

I've seen people get of the dart and smoke as they walk through the station with the fag lit up. But that's OK in their minds as they are only in walking through and not stopping. Bullshit.

I know people will come on here and have a go but I don't care. I hate smoking. If I ever ruled the world I'd ban it. It's disgusting. If it didn't affect me then shoot but smoke goes everywhere and the smell of people who smoke is foul.

You try to walk into pubs/shops/restaurants/clubs or anywhere nowadays and there are people outside smoking and you have to walk through veils of smoke to get in. It gets on your clothes, in your hair, on your skin and more importantly in your veins.

So please go ahead and kill yourself but leave me alone.

Crowded House

A few weeks back, my wife and myself headed for the Crowded House concert in the Ambassador in Dublin. To be honest, other than their chart music I know nothing about Crowded House. I have never listened to any album and I would admit to not liking them as an ex-flatmate in college played Tim Finn stuff non stop.

However, they were fab. Really fab. They are excellent performers and actually looked like they were enjoying themselves on stage. They interacted really well with the crowd (which was not a sell out by any means) and really buzzed of the intimate atmosphere.

They played all the classics and even played some Police music on a Cello that was at the side of the stage. Now, I'm a fan.

However, there was one thing that really did annoy me. And that was people talking.

There were these 5 people behind us who talked almost non stop for the entire concert. The little fat chick seemed to think that people came to hear her and not the band. She talked, and talked and laughed very loudly and talked again. She was so fuckin irritating it wasn't funny. Once she went "Oh I love this song" and stopped talking for about 5 seconds after that comment.

I suppose some smart arse will come on and say why didn't I move but why should I? It just shows that some people have more money than sense. Three of the five had their backs turned to the stage for most of the concert so really you have to ask why go? Do people really have €60 odd to throw away to go out for a chat and a few beers? That's just wrong. There were loads of people around us who were all listening to the band and these people annoyed them - you could see with the stares that were being thrown in their direction. These people also placed themselves in the middle of the crowd and not an an extremity and so annoyed the maximum amount of people.

You are tits. Please fuck off and never go to concerts again unless you plan on actually giving the band some respect by listening to them.

Still, the band were great (did I say that already?) and would love to see them again. Now off I go to get some of their music...

NTL

Really, need I say more than the title? So many people for so long have been giving out crap loads about NTL and their customer service and so I will add my little tuppence worth me thinks.

It all started last Friday when I arrived home from work at 7.40pm to find that their was nothing happening on the telly. The box at the bottom of the screen which tells you what is on now and what will be on next were frozen at 4pm. This type of crap has happened before and usually switching of the decoder and putting it back on again usually works. This time it asked for an activation Pin which the engineer didn't leave.

Being late and knowing that NTL close at 8pm I called straight away.

At 7.56pm the call gets answered. I gave my name, address and telephone number, as we haven't received out customer number yet, and they verified me. The rest of the conversation went something like this:

"Yes, there is a problem in the Raheny area at the moment. We expect the engineer to be out in the next hour to fix this."

"OK. But can I have the activation pin please so I can check it?"

"I'm sorry, the department that deals in those pins is closed at the moment so we cannot help."

"OK, but when the TV comes back will that message be removed?"

"It might be."

"It might or it will?"

"It may be removed but if not then the other department are open at 9am and they can help. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No thanks. Bye"

The TV did not come back that night.

The next morning at about 12pm I decided to check the TV again. The message was still displayed and no sign of it moving. Flucker. So I called NTL again and I must stress that I went through the exact same options as the night before.

"Hi. There was a problem in the Raheny area last night and our picture is still not back. Is the fault still happening?"

"Hang on till I check for you. Nope, it should be resolved."

"Ok, can I get the activation code please for the TV?"

"Yes, one second please. The codes for Dublin are XXX, XXX and XXX. Can you try those please?"

Now none of the codes worked and I went through the reboot process with her (amazing how she had the codes and a collegaue last night couldn't get them?? Another department me hole). None of the codes worked. She advised she would send a signal down the line that might take 15 minutes and to try then. However, she would book and engineer visit just in case to ensure a speedy recovery. This was Saturday morning at 12.20pm. The first available engineer was Wedneday morning. Yup, Wednesday.

What she stated next really startled me to be honest. She told me that 9 times out of 10 when an engineer goes to fix a fault like the previous evening's it usually results in some people losing their reception and NTL need to revisit the location and fix the fault again. Yup, that's what she told me. Can you believe that? Its unreal. Their first time fix rate is shite. Really, really shite.

Anywho TV came back last night at 8.30pm some 4 days after it went down. I was assured that if we noted how long we were without the service we would be refunded in the bill but lets wait and see.

To be honest if there was any other way of getting TV without using NTL or Chorus I would but fucking management companies wont allow dishes to be installed unless it's one of those shared ones. I do wonder what they would do if you installed one on your balcony??

Fanny Waters

You really should go to this amazing blog. Fanny Waters is so full of wisdom and he is imparting this to us. Go and gorge on this...

Kevin Myers v Kieran Allen

I was listening to 'The Last Word' (or the Mulley show as it's known in some quarters) on Today FM and there was a debate between Kevin Myers (journo from the Irish Independant) and Kieran Allen author of "The Corporate take over of Ireland". It was with regards to the recent Irish Rail strike in Kent station in Cork.

I missed the start of the interview but apparently Mr.Allen personally attacked Kevin Myers on his views and background and not about the issue in question. Allen was stating that the guy in Cork had every right to do what he done because he was asked to do something that wasn't part of his job by management.

Lets look at this last statement: This one guy, brought down the whole rail network in Cork because he was asked to do something other than his norm. And he affected over 2000 rail users. Although his colleagues joined him, he alone is the cause why people had to find other means of travel. This one guy. Allen was saying that you can't let management get away with these things and he is right....to a point. There are ways and means of venting your frustration and making your point. In this case he could have called his union rep and acted.

But no. He went on strike and brought down the rail network. That is what Kevin Myers was arguing about and I agree with him. I don't often agree with him but in this case he is right.

There has to be an accountability in any line of work and the unions have done nothing for the public who are affected by these inexcusable strikes.

Some guy wrote into the show and stated that what happened to cause this strike was that an agreement was reached before Xmas between the Labour Courts, management at Irish Rail and the unions and this agreement was breached. That is wrong but so is the strike. The unions have no trouble stating what caused the strike was wrong but never, ever admit when their members are in the wrong and act on it.

And this needs to start happening. Soon.

Why this country is going to shit

I was reading Twenty's post about the HSE slashing budgets in our hospital's which makes so much sense. Where else would Mary Harney get the money for food?

It made me think of this letter that was in the Metro newspaper this morning. Everything in this letter show's what is wrong with Ireland and why everything run in the public sector and civil service is in total and utter crap. What I write here is taken exactly from the letter:

"So us poorly paid civil servants will have to endure more hardship and financial struggles after the disgraceful benchmarking report?

On my journey home by train on Thursday I listened to the intense criticism of public sector employees. How easily they forget that without civil servants they will not be able to sign on and collect their social welfare payments when the tiger finally dies.

I had time to sit back and consider my futur employment prospects in a full-time pensionable job with six months paid sick leave, seven uncertified sick days each year, flexi-time, free educational courses, paid study leave, free car parking in the city, 23 days annual leave, two priviledge days and a requirement to work a massive six hours 57 minutes each day.

Then I remembered that when decentralisation is completed I will have a five minute walk to work. So, private sector slaves do you honestly believe I'm worried about the three per cent pay increase. Your criticism is falling on very comfortable but deaf ears.

Happy civil servant by email".

We pay for this gobshite to work? We pay for them to have 25 days holidays and all that sick leave (and they probably take most of it too)? How can they justify all those perks for civil servants for very little work? I mean, this person says they have to work 6 hours 57 minutes per day. Do they actually work any more than about 2 hours in reality.

I hate this dude/dudette. An utter prick. If the tiger dies, I hope you are the first person made redundant you insensitive bollox.

Another Irish Rail Strike

I heard yesterday on the news (yes, I'm a bit behind everyone else) that an unofficial strike had been averted in Cork. However, services between Cork and Dublin and the commuter lines in Cork were affected by this strike. Yet again, it was the rail inspection and maintenance staff that caused this stoppage.

I ask - when will this crap stop? It was unofficial. No stoppage should have occurred. Why do the ordinary people suffer because of a disagreement between management and workers? Why is it that when people are in a union and have a gripe, rather than talking properly over the issue downing tools is their first action? And if deemed wrong NOTHING EVER happens them.

If this disruption was wrong I want to know what will happen the man who caused the problem. Why is it, that one man can cause trouble for 100's and get away with it? Why does his union back him? Answer: Unions in Ireland are weak ass bodies who do nothing at all expect cause people pain. Period.

Please, oh please something needs to be done to ensure that unofficial strikes and disruptions to people does not occur.

Irish Rail apologised for the inconvience caused. Nothing from the unions or the prick who caused the problem. I'm sure those affected who were late to meetings, late home, or had to fork out for taxis or other methods of transport are really grateful for the apology.

I hate unions.

Dirty fuckers..

I heard about VHI on the radio and couldn't believe it and then I see it on Damien's blog so it must be true.

Dirty robbin feckers.

I mean, if its not enough for them to make all the Vivas and Bupa/Quinn people pay for another crap service they now want their own customers to pay more. I can imagine the letter:

"Dear Mr/Mrs Fucked-Over,

In honour of you being such a devoted customer of ours over the last few years, we want to reward you by charging more for the same service.

We are sure that you will agree that giving us extra wages is much more important than lowering the cost for you as we have houses, boats and large cars to keep (not forgetting keeping up with the Jones's at number 47 - 4 holidays they had last year the bastards).

Anywho, you can send a donation cheque also to show your gratitude.

Love,
your €500k per year manager"

Lovely.

The "Now" culture

This is something that has been seriously pissing me off for some time. Its the "now" culture that we possess and are completely and totally to blame for. Regardless of age, sex, religion, colour, postcode or country there are shitloads of fuckers who want everything NOW !

No waiting, no asking nicely, no realising that sometimes quality takes time.

Take this story for instance.

Lovely lady (LL) running a coffee shop. In the window it states (only related day chosen),

"Opening hours:
Tuesday - 9am - 6pm"

Two fat, oldish American ladies (AL) walk in at 8.50, tables and chairs still to be moved outside and machines in the process of being switched on made ready.

AL: "Can we get two latte's to go?"
LL: "I'm sorry, we open at 9am and I need to get all these tables and chairs outside before then. If you wait until I move these I can get you your coffee's?"
AL: "Thats no good to us. We have a train to catch"

And with that, out the door they went. And good fuckin riddance. See, what part of 'Opening @ 9am' did you not get? Can't you read? Don't you understand that businesses need to get ready? Probably not. Your part of the 'now' culture. No more waiting, no more queues, no more take your time.

I could rant for ages about this 'now' culture but it just makes me angry and I was in a good mood all day after hearing Groove Armada's "I see you baby" song. In fact..here it is:



I like I will rant about this at any stage.

People who are fuckers No.8 - Driver of 06 C 5474

You are some stupid bitch. Do you not know the rules of the road? For fucks sake.

Here, especially for you, are the rules of how to navigate roundabouts.

As there is only one exit lane from the roundabout entering Eastgate you cannot and should not be in the right hand lane you fuckin bitch. READ THE RULES. And then just cutting right in front of me, with no use of indicators and then having the nerve to try and blame me!!

For fuck sakes.

I have a good mind to print out the roundabout rules and go to your place of work and give them to you in Eastgate Business Park on the same road as O'Briens.

People who are fuckers...Ter Lynch?

Ter Lynch, from LinkMap fame, wants to be added to the "Fuckers List".

However, I do not have enough reason to add Ter to same.

If you have reasons for Ter to be added to a Fuckers list comment here and if I get enough suggestions then Ter will be added. The juicier the story, the more likely he will be added.

Let the games begin!

A 'Hell' of a surname

This is a fantastic story from the Examiner today.

A Catholic school in Australia refused to admit a new pupil because of his surname which is....wait for it....Hell!!

Yup. Class.

Driving hints.

From driving into work and from Niall's blog post, here are some top tips for those dipshits on the road.

1) On a dual carriageway (in Ireland), the right-hand lane is called an "overtaking" lane. You should only enter this lane for a) turning right at the next junction (which should be close and not 3 or 4 fuckin miles away, b) you are overtaking. If you must overtake, indicate, move out, overtake and move back in. Do not move out and sit beside the car you are overtaking. Do not just sit in this lane because you are too fuckin thick to move into the left-hand lane.

2) Indicate BEFORE turning - indicators are not to help you turn but rather to advise other drivers of your intention, Indicate early enough to warn the poor fucks behind you.

3) If you have to slow down, use your brake. Don't just lift your foot of the accelerator. The brake lights at the rear of the car are to warn the drivers behind of what you are doing. Also, there is not need to brake on every corner or when a car is passing you on the opposite side of the road.

4) Using your mobile phone in Ireland while driving is illegal. Why the fuck do so many thick fuckers still do it? It causes problems. I saw a guy suddenly brake quite hard, then pick up and answer his mobile. No hands free for him. Cunt.

5) Use your mirrors. They are there to be used and not for checking makeup or for aesthetic purposes. Be aware of who and what is behind and around you.

6) Bicycle's and pedestrians have as much right on the roads as you. Give them space.

7) If you want to drive at 30kmph then do it in a 30kph zone. Not in a 60kmph zone. If you want to drive a fair bit under the speed limit then have the common courtesy to move in and let the vehicles who want to drive close to the speed limit pass. You do not have sole rights on any road.

Roll on the expected abuse...

Underground Dart

So, the powers that be have decided that the answer to Dublin's transport issues are to build an underground Dart (read here). It seems to be like this is, again, a really, really, really fucked up and stupid idea.

Why didn't they think, a few years ago before the Luas, of maybe just making an underground system in Dublin and forget about the Luas. This, to me, would have made more sense. If they can do something now then why not before.

However the one thing that they have finally thought about is that it will link up with the Luas and existing Dart lines.

I bet ya that feck all will use it though as you will have to pay through the nose to get on them. The government need to realise that by dropping prices on public transport, introducing more carraiges and times, then more people will use it.

Personally, I dont think this will happen.

I wonder what they are going to do for the rest of the country though??

Praise be there is some sense in the world.

Saw this over on UnaRocks and all I can say is thank fuck there is some sense in the world sometimes. MSNBC presenter Mika Brzezinski I salute you for this (as well as for being quite fit)..

Why the fuck does that cuntin geebag Paris Hilton get so much coverage? If she is a role model for the youth of today we are all abso-fuckin-lutely fucked.

If she ever gets any sort of foothold in anything worthwhile I will ask Twenty for some assistance in my demise.

I think she might make my fucker's list...

I'll remind the deputy..

I thought the "verbal spat", as they are calling it, in the Dail yesterday between John 'The Gunner' O'Donoguue and Michael Ring was fantastic.

I am just waiting for gunner's "I'll remind the deputy" words to be put into a techno tune.

I read today that deputy Ring will not withdraw his statements and really why should he? If that is what he thinks is he not entitled to freedom of speech and opinion? Or are the Failers, sorry, Fianna Fail members going to gag the country now?

Listen here.

Vote for Damien

Have a look at Damien's blog and the following issue he had with Sky Handling Partners.

Now someone in there has signed him up for dating agencies and when he called to complain the management don't want to know.

What amazing customer service.

Go over to his blog to read the story and then DIGG it here.

They may make my fuckers list....

People who are fuckers No.7 - Filippo Inzaghi

Its been a while since I added a fucker to my list but this guy really is one in my book.
Filippo Inzaghi.

I really do hate this fucker and always have. It's not just because he scored the two goals that gave Milan the Champions League against us, but rather I just hate players like him.

A little touch and he dives. He constantly moans and whinges at refs. He celebrates every goal like it's the last thing he will ever do and the way he waves his hands and roads at the goals makes me just want to shove a spear or something down his throat to shut him up.

I dont know of any fans who actually like him and I think he is vastly overrated.

A real fucker in my book.

Broadband? What's that?

You may remember me saying a few weeks ago that we would be getting broadband at home very soon. Well that dream didnt last long.

I checked on Eircom's website today and it states that my line is not suitable for broadband. Lovely. Even though the rep that called said they tested this and it was.

We also got a letter telling us that the Universal Account Number we gave was incorrect (ED Note: The rep took down details directly from a bill AND also took the bill header with said details on it. As Damien noted on a previous blog, its always the customer's fault). I did advise the rep that we had instigated the move from Talk-Talk to Perlico a few days previous and she advised that they would sort that out. They didnt. A now Eircom said we have to wait to get the UAN from Perlico, call them and then wait another 25 days from then. This is AFTER already waiting 21 days to hear this!

Customer service? My arse.

I sent them a letter asking them to cancel the order (I will spare ye it). Truly we are lucky to have such incompetent fuckers as our national phone service.

Oh, and one other thing. They can't even get my name right. They had a copy of the bill, my name printed by both myself and the rep and they have my signature and they still had S. Boyne on the letter.

Sweet Jesus how do they stay in business.