Tuesday, 29 April 2014

contemplate

Because I'm generally obnoxious and spiteful to all things that don't make sense, here's my critque of "The North West Bus Blog" - run by people who really should be in mental institutions at worst, or in a padded cell at best. The bravado of these "children" is quite astonishing - they'll probably be running the country in ten years time! Anyway, here's their introduction and my snideful shite...

The blog posts at The North West Bus Blog are of an enthusiast based nature. The blog is run and maintained by enthusiasts for the benefit of like-minded enthusiasts, people who are passionate about buses and the current bus scene in the North West of England and North Wales.


"Enthusiasts" really doesn't do these people any favours. They're deranged sociopaths who's best shot of life is to sip happy juice in a quiet room for the rest of their days.

We are dedicated to provide quality up to date blog posts located in one easy to read place. We don't measure success by the amount of noise we make, we believe quality posts that are bursting with relevant information and photographs are, by far, more interesting than a load of drivel no one wishes to read about.



Take note that the majority of "information" they provide is based purely on speculation and rumour derived solely from another website / forum where most of these enthusiasts post on. "Quality" - my hairy Scouse arse.

Our blog posts are primarily focused on the current bus scene in the two large conurbations of Merseyside and Greater Manchester, with feature posts from elsewhere in the United Kingdom. It was originally started in 2009 by Tom Harrison as The Merseyside Bus Blog, readership numbers substantially grew within the first year of posting bus related sightings, news and other related posts.



The readership grew because Tom, the brains behind the operation, got weak-minded social outcast teenage boys, who with nothing better to do than contemplate their belly-buttons, to do most of the legwork while he pulled in the plaudits.

With that Tom decided that after a year of running the blog, it called for some much needed improvements, included the addition of social media pages as well as a new broader title for a wider audience, and not forgetting the introduction of contributing team members.



"Team members" - this isn't a branch of McDonalds???

The North West Bus Blog's second birthday was celebrated by members of the team in Chester in December 2013, we chose Chester as an easily accessible location for many of our members. We celebrated in an English-derived style with Chocolate Cake, Potato Crisps and a good old cuppa as well as a general chit chat about the local bus scene.

Tom chose Chester because it's near to where he lives, and it was up to his philanthropist-chums to make their own way to wherever Tom told them to be. Tom ate all the Chocolate Cake before anyone else got there, and left half a bag of Walkers Worcester Sauce flavoured crisps for the rest of the devotees to scramble over. 

So there we have it. Go see their website at your own peril, and contemplate the world we are leaving these people to take care of...........


Monday, 7 April 2014

troublemaker

It's estimated that over 60% of employers will scan through social media, such as Facebook, when considering potential employees.

Which is their want I suppose? I guess there's a method to checking that your new work "colleague" is as  normal as they were during their interview.

In my case, here's a quick in-depth glimpse into my inner-psyche.......

"I AM AN UNRECONSTRUCTED SOCIALIST. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES WILL SOON BE AWARE OF MY PARTICULARLY LEFT-WING POLITICAL VIEWS AND, FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW, I WILL BE CONSIDERED A TROUBLEMAKER EVEN THOUGH I'LL  JUST GET ON WITH THINGS."

That telephone interview I had the other week came to nothing. The bloke basically asked the same questions that were published on the online application form, and I was buggered if I could remember what I'd written down. I was asked about my strengths and weaknesses. I hate that sort of question. I'm far too humble to say what I'm good at, and my "weaknesses" could probably fill a book. I told him that. Not my best move.  But I was only going for a job that I'm pretty much doing at the moment - it's not rocket science, you just need to be awake (most of the time!) and help the customer out to the best of your ability.

When I went for the interview for GB Fasteners back in 1996, I sat there for half-an-hour with Vince and we talked about each other's holidays. I got the job. What's changed in the meantime is quite frightening - the business is so fundamentally sales-focused nowadays. The human side is on its' last legs. Companies like Screwfix and Toolstation do the engineers' merchant trade a huge disservice. We take the time to try and get the customer the right screw for the job - we're experienced and if we can't help you, we  probably know someone who can.

These new companies are only interested in sell-sell-sell. You can't get specialist advice. Their catalogues are works of art, but tell you very little. I was in Screwfix one day, and a guy was asking a member of staff about an item. Staff member didn't have a clue - "it's all in the catalogue"  is their stock answer. And in my experience, Screwfix have very little on stock, it's all next-day.

Toolstation are slightly more up the evolutionary scale. I applied for a job with them once, and filled in every section of the application concisely with detail. There was piss-all I couldn't answer. Their answer was deafening - they didn't want to know. 

What's the point? Maybe I was TOO qualified, but the reality is I know next to nothing. It's just experience that comes in handy every once in a while. I don't even think about sales, it's just helping folk out.....

Friday, 4 April 2014

insulting

Yes, it's that time of year again when Aintree Racecourse opens its' doors to every wannabe, delusional person who thinks they look good.

And there's horse racing on too.


The thing is if folk want to dress up in their "best", go out and drink themselves senseless then who am I to argue? That's just a typical night out in Liverpool. Just without the telly cameras.

The real issue is the horses themselves. I find it completely abhorrent that these beautiful creatures are raced for profit. And the higher the stakes, the less the welfare of the animal is considered. I took Bella for a walk up to Fazakerley Sidings yesterday, and the path runs concurrent with the racecourse and the infamous "Beechers Brook" fence where so many horses have lost their lives over the years. Not the greatest feeling walking past, if anything I get a cold chill.

It's not unnatural for horses to want to run and jump in as suitable environment as possible. But using them as tools for financial gain is morally unjust and should be criminalised. End of. Our general attitude towards our fellow dwellers on this planet is downright insulting.