Back home after the training course, thank god. Today was really boring and was just totally a waste of my time. I'm sure it would be argued that I needed to have an understanding what the changes are that will affect other staff. But it really was a waste of time me being there as it wasn't relevant to my job and will forget it all anyway as I dont use anything they taught me in my job.
More annoying when I have plenty of work to be getting on with, without going on courses that are of no use. I was originally told that every member of staff had to attend them but found out today that it is in discussion as to whether support staff should attend or not and looks like they wont. Its more relevant to them than me!
Anyway its over with now, just frustrating!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Not much use
On the second day of the course and it is totally boring and to me is a complete waste of my time. It must be showing that I'm struggling to look interested as at least 4 people have asked why I am on the course.
Its dinner time, pleased there is supposedly only 2 hours left. Much longer and I will be going to sleep!
Its dinner time, pleased there is supposedly only 2 hours left. Much longer and I will be going to sleep!
Eureka!!!
I have been driven nuts the last week or so trying to figure out why my website would stop working for no apparent reason. Then I was searching the forums at ADSLGuide.
I had tracked the problem down to my router but couldn't understand what was happening as it had been working for months without any changes to it. I found an article explaining my exact problem, it ended up being Trillian my instant messaging program. I'd also been using this for ages but had only just added another account to it.
Basically Trillian constantly sends out a signal to the different chat networks, ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo and I had just added my Yahoo account to Trillian and it was this that had caused the problem. The router thought it was a Denial Of Service (DOS) Attack so closed off some ports. Which means my website wouldn't work.
I know probably no one who reads this will understand it but I am now very happy and might actually get some sleep!!
I had tracked the problem down to my router but couldn't understand what was happening as it had been working for months without any changes to it. I found an article explaining my exact problem, it ended up being Trillian my instant messaging program. I'd also been using this for ages but had only just added another account to it.
Basically Trillian constantly sends out a signal to the different chat networks, ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo and I had just added my Yahoo account to Trillian and it was this that had caused the problem. The router thought it was a Denial Of Service (DOS) Attack so closed off some ports. Which means my website wouldn't work.
I know probably no one who reads this will understand it but I am now very happy and might actually get some sleep!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Catching up
Well I didn't go for a run when I got in. Went on the computer for a while and mananged to break the router again, so can't access my website from outside the local LAN. Just gonna leave it for now, at least it stops anyone accessing it when I'm trying to work on the site.
I laid down and fell asleep at about 5, I'm absolutely shattered. Maybe if I went to bed before 2 I would feel better. Just my mind is always at its most active late at night and get more done. Although last night when it got to 1:30 my eyes were hurting and ended up with a headache but was determined to finish what I was doing, (Upgrading software on my server). I eventually got it done and collapsed into bed just after 2. I think 16 hours staring at a computer screen most days eventually takes its toll.
Kelly who is my best mate from work rang me when I was driving home from my training course. She is off on maternity leave for the next few months. She rang up as she was stuck trying to transfer pictures from her phone to the computer. It was good to speak to her and see how she was doing. I ended up taking remote control of her screen when I got home and transfered them for her. Hopefully going to go over and see her and baby William next week!!
Miss her not being at work, she is probably the only reason I'm still there, was ready to leave a couple of times in the last year. I think thats why I started this blog so I could write down stuff I was thinking instead.
Anyway think I will go and watch the Liverpool match for a change and take a break from the computer.
I laid down and fell asleep at about 5, I'm absolutely shattered. Maybe if I went to bed before 2 I would feel better. Just my mind is always at its most active late at night and get more done. Although last night when it got to 1:30 my eyes were hurting and ended up with a headache but was determined to finish what I was doing, (Upgrading software on my server). I eventually got it done and collapsed into bed just after 2. I think 16 hours staring at a computer screen most days eventually takes its toll.
Kelly who is my best mate from work rang me when I was driving home from my training course. She is off on maternity leave for the next few months. She rang up as she was stuck trying to transfer pictures from her phone to the computer. It was good to speak to her and see how she was doing. I ended up taking remote control of her screen when I got home and transfered them for her. Hopefully going to go over and see her and baby William next week!!
Miss her not being at work, she is probably the only reason I'm still there, was ready to leave a couple of times in the last year. I think thats why I started this blog so I could write down stuff I was thinking instead.
Anyway think I will go and watch the Liverpool match for a change and take a break from the computer.
Course
Sat in a course on dinner. Suppose it hasn't been too bad, although don't know half the stuff they are on about. So sat here looking very blank.
We have some exercises to do after dinner and will have no idea how to do them as it isn't really relevant to my job.
Hopefully get finished at 3 then might go for a run.
We have some exercises to do after dinner and will have no idea how to do them as it isn't really relevant to my job.
Hopefully get finished at 3 then might go for a run.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
On Training
I'm away from the office on a course for the next 2 days, normally I hate going to courses like this but I'm actually looking forward to being out of the office for a change. I was sat at my desk today and couldn't hear myself think for fans. There was 2 fans in front of me and 2 behind me, cooling other people down in the office. Not looking forward to the summer when it is actually hot.
Hopefully get some early finishes then, when I'm away, saying I'm away its only one of the university buildings in Durham, so only about 2 miles from the office. I just hope the course isn't too boring. I wont understand what they are going on about anyway.
My Website
Been having loads of trouble the last few days with my website, it stopped letting anyone access it through the internet and would only work on my internal LAN and very slowly. My new website worked internally very quickly but for some reason I just couldn't access it externally. I tried to reconfigure the router with no success, it would sometimes work for a couple of goes then stop (unless it pulled it from cache).
I was becoming totally frustrated as I couldn't see why it wouldn't work, but somehow it has started letting me access my new website, although the old (current) website is still very slow but at least it working again. I'm not sure if its something I fixed or now looking for likely it was something to do with Zen (my ISP). I will see what happens over the next few days.
While this has all happened I decided that I would make an effort to upgrade the site to the new one, so trying to get most of it done in the next week but everyone else seams to be conspiring to stop me, lol!!
I was becoming totally frustrated as I couldn't see why it wouldn't work, but somehow it has started letting me access my new website, although the old (current) website is still very slow but at least it working again. I'm not sure if its something I fixed or now looking for likely it was something to do with Zen (my ISP). I will see what happens over the next few days.
While this has all happened I decided that I would make an effort to upgrade the site to the new one, so trying to get most of it done in the next week but everyone else seams to be conspiring to stop me, lol!!
Luck
I don't seam to be having much luck recently in anything. With hassle from ex's, website breaking, no winners on the National (lol). Can't even go on the internet without being complained at or being asked to do something. So think I might just become even more of a recluse for a couple of weeks and sort some things out I want to get done for a change rather than everyone elses.
Work is becoming a real drag again, I seam to be either answering helpdesk calls again or creating templates (mind numbing). The only good bit is I've managed to go to a couple of our other offices to fit some network switches. At least its a break from the same thing all day. Found myself sitting this morning just staring at the screen in a world of my own, just couldn't concentrate on anything as there was nothing to work out or learn of any interest. Hope I'm not gonna live to regret not applying for the job at the council offices in Crook?
Work is becoming a real drag again, I seam to be either answering helpdesk calls again or creating templates (mind numbing). The only good bit is I've managed to go to a couple of our other offices to fit some network switches. At least its a break from the same thing all day. Found myself sitting this morning just staring at the screen in a world of my own, just couldn't concentrate on anything as there was nothing to work out or learn of any interest. Hope I'm not gonna live to regret not applying for the job at the council offices in Crook?
House
I rang up about the house along the street that has gone up for sale, but the estate agent has no details on it yet. They didn't know anything at all, the lady was asking me how much houses were going for. I have left my number with them and should receive a call when they have a price and further information.
I think it will be too expensive anyway, destined to be permanently living with my parents at this rate. Its about time I got my own place, it'll be a massive struggle at 1st having to foot the bill for the morgage and everything else on my own. Will see what happens...
Recently Listened To...
I have been listening to music I've had for a while recently rather than new music.
Below are some of the albums:
Iron Maiden - Best Of The Beast: This is an excellent album with most of their best songs although some of my favorites aren't on but they have so many songs you could never fit them all on. I know most people would take one look and think. Ugh Iron Maiden, but they have probably never sat down and listened to a song. I used to think the same until some of my mates started listening to them at school about 13 years ago now. This is an excellent album, although still not struck on any of the stuff Blaze Bayley sang.
Trance Nation Anthems: Another very good album, brings back some memories hearing some of these songs. Its basically an album with some of the biggest trance songs on from the last few years. Well worth a listen even if you don't think you like trance music, you'd be suprised how many you know. Most have been played endlessly on the Radio.
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk: Again another good album, which I was suprised I liked. Not normally my sort of music but most of the songs have grown on me. Some of the later songs on the album, sound a bit like filler to me but overall a good album.
Simply Red - Greatest Hits: I used to hate Simply Red when my sister used to play them all the time but in recent years I have started to really like them. I have listened to this loads in the last few months. I can get sick of hearing most albums after a while but this is a stayer. Some excellent songs on here, even some I used to hate like "Fairground" have finally grown on me.
Beatles - 1: This album I have continually listened to since it came out. It always works its way back into my car and probably always will, there is just something about Beatles songs (timeless maybe?). This is a compilation of all their number ones. Only problem with it, is becuause no single from Sgt Peppers went to number 1, it is missing anything from that album.
Below are some of the albums:
Iron Maiden - Best Of The Beast: This is an excellent album with most of their best songs although some of my favorites aren't on but they have so many songs you could never fit them all on. I know most people would take one look and think. Ugh Iron Maiden, but they have probably never sat down and listened to a song. I used to think the same until some of my mates started listening to them at school about 13 years ago now. This is an excellent album, although still not struck on any of the stuff Blaze Bayley sang.
Trance Nation Anthems: Another very good album, brings back some memories hearing some of these songs. Its basically an album with some of the biggest trance songs on from the last few years. Well worth a listen even if you don't think you like trance music, you'd be suprised how many you know. Most have been played endlessly on the Radio.
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk: Again another good album, which I was suprised I liked. Not normally my sort of music but most of the songs have grown on me. Some of the later songs on the album, sound a bit like filler to me but overall a good album.
Simply Red - Greatest Hits: I used to hate Simply Red when my sister used to play them all the time but in recent years I have started to really like them. I have listened to this loads in the last few months. I can get sick of hearing most albums after a while but this is a stayer. Some excellent songs on here, even some I used to hate like "Fairground" have finally grown on me.
Beatles - 1: This album I have continually listened to since it came out. It always works its way back into my car and probably always will, there is just something about Beatles songs (timeless maybe?). This is a compilation of all their number ones. Only problem with it, is becuause no single from Sgt Peppers went to number 1, it is missing anything from that album.
What a night :-(
What a night I've had, went to Lisas to drop some music off as she kept hassling me about it. Also hoped that it would be obvious to her that I wasn't interested in her in anyway but friends. I was there about 15 minutes and we barely spoke, so I left. She texted me saying guess she could see how I felt.
She a little later started texting me to go back up, told her I wasn't. Sometimes should learn to be more careful what I write, coz she then wouldn't take no for an answer. Told me she was gonna turn up on my doorstep then I would have to talk. Tried everything but ended up having to go up just to stop her from turning up.
I went up there and she just started to laugh, saying did I really believe she would turn up. I wasn't taking any chances. She wanted to get back together but its never gonna happen. Just nothing there between us anymore. I just look at her and see her as a friend nothing else. Told her I didn't want to get together. Its been a year since we sort of got back together the last time for a few days and that was a nightmare, knew then that it would never ever work. Just wish she could see that, hope she has now.
She is still texting me saying how she had got it wrong again and is all her fault. I still for some reason try to be nice and say its not all her fault, but if I just agreed, maybe she would get the message. Sometimes try not to hurt peoples feelings too much but end up hurting people all the more.
Don't know how the hell I get myself into these situations, try to be peoples friend too much maybe instead of just cutting all contact with people.
Wasn't sure if I should write the above but in the past I've kept too much shit to myself. I should just say "I am not interested anymore, f**k off" but that's not me and do still care enough not to want to see her hurt anymore.
So much for working on my website tonight, done about an hours work if I'm lucky :-(
Think I should just ignore all women for a few weeks I seam to get nothing but grief and/or heartache. Got loads of other stuff to write down but think I will just write this for now!
She a little later started texting me to go back up, told her I wasn't. Sometimes should learn to be more careful what I write, coz she then wouldn't take no for an answer. Told me she was gonna turn up on my doorstep then I would have to talk. Tried everything but ended up having to go up just to stop her from turning up.
I went up there and she just started to laugh, saying did I really believe she would turn up. I wasn't taking any chances. She wanted to get back together but its never gonna happen. Just nothing there between us anymore. I just look at her and see her as a friend nothing else. Told her I didn't want to get together. Its been a year since we sort of got back together the last time for a few days and that was a nightmare, knew then that it would never ever work. Just wish she could see that, hope she has now.
She is still texting me saying how she had got it wrong again and is all her fault. I still for some reason try to be nice and say its not all her fault, but if I just agreed, maybe she would get the message. Sometimes try not to hurt peoples feelings too much but end up hurting people all the more.
Don't know how the hell I get myself into these situations, try to be peoples friend too much maybe instead of just cutting all contact with people.
Wasn't sure if I should write the above but in the past I've kept too much shit to myself. I should just say "I am not interested anymore, f**k off" but that's not me and do still care enough not to want to see her hurt anymore.
So much for working on my website tonight, done about an hours work if I'm lucky :-(
Think I should just ignore all women for a few weeks I seam to get nothing but grief and/or heartache. Got loads of other stuff to write down but think I will just write this for now!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Totally Agree
I read this in a forum I was reading a couple of months ago and just came across it again. Think he is generally spot on!!
A lot of people spend a lot more time organizing tasks rather then doing the task. Its like having a meeting in an office, Supposedly everyone thinks a meeting is the best way to get things done, by communicating and freely exchanging ideas, but in the end, it wastes time and inhibits work.
There are people in our office that spend days making large graphs for software, organizing how functions relate to each other, lisiting class methods and members, outlining the amount of time each task will take etc, etc, etc. The actual writing of the code only takes a few hours, but they waste days making up pretty charts and graphs impressing each other about how much paper their tasks take to print.
What really happens is that in the process of actually writing code, you deviate from the original spec because you develop new ideas in the process, or realize original concepts make no sense and develop new ones, and in the end, those pretty graphs don't mean anything because the end product is vastly different then what you thought you needed to do.
This looks like a managerial tool, something that looks like its a good idea, but ultimately wastes time and money, just like most managers. - by Topher
A lot of people spend a lot more time organizing tasks rather then doing the task. Its like having a meeting in an office, Supposedly everyone thinks a meeting is the best way to get things done, by communicating and freely exchanging ideas, but in the end, it wastes time and inhibits work.
There are people in our office that spend days making large graphs for software, organizing how functions relate to each other, lisiting class methods and members, outlining the amount of time each task will take etc, etc, etc. The actual writing of the code only takes a few hours, but they waste days making up pretty charts and graphs impressing each other about how much paper their tasks take to print.
What really happens is that in the process of actually writing code, you deviate from the original spec because you develop new ideas in the process, or realize original concepts make no sense and develop new ones, and in the end, those pretty graphs don't mean anything because the end product is vastly different then what you thought you needed to do.
This looks like a managerial tool, something that looks like its a good idea, but ultimately wastes time and money, just like most managers. - by Topher
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Work Update
Work just isn't a nice place to be at the minute, it just seams like everyone is bitching about everyone else. I'm trying not to get drawn into it but hard when you keep hearing people slag others off. None of us are perfect!!
The moral at work for the whole area we cover just seams to get worse and worse. All day people tell me they are fed up not knowing what they're supposed to be doing anymore and just feeling a bit lost with so many changes. Think there needs to be a bit more leadership shown from top management but they are none existent and so is any direction. Maybe they also feel the same way with no direction coming nationally but it is up to them to reassure their staff or there isn't gonna be any left.
I'm not as bad as I was a couple of months ago maybe I just don't really care anymore?
I have had some ideas about what I'd like to do long term, started thinking what I liked doing the most and its getting out and about fixing peoples problems and showing people how to do stuff on a 1 to 1 basis. I read an article on the BBC website the other day about a reporter who advertised his services fixing computers in his local newsagent and received loads of calls. I am tempted to try something similar just as a test to see if I get much response. My dad does fix and buld some computers as a hobbie but there are so many people out there who need some help with basic stuff and are willing to pay a small amount for some help. Not gonna do it this month but may try it next month.
The moral at work for the whole area we cover just seams to get worse and worse. All day people tell me they are fed up not knowing what they're supposed to be doing anymore and just feeling a bit lost with so many changes. Think there needs to be a bit more leadership shown from top management but they are none existent and so is any direction. Maybe they also feel the same way with no direction coming nationally but it is up to them to reassure their staff or there isn't gonna be any left.
I'm not as bad as I was a couple of months ago maybe I just don't really care anymore?
I have had some ideas about what I'd like to do long term, started thinking what I liked doing the most and its getting out and about fixing peoples problems and showing people how to do stuff on a 1 to 1 basis. I read an article on the BBC website the other day about a reporter who advertised his services fixing computers in his local newsagent and received loads of calls. I am tempted to try something similar just as a test to see if I get much response. My dad does fix and buld some computers as a hobbie but there are so many people out there who need some help with basic stuff and are willing to pay a small amount for some help. Not gonna do it this month but may try it next month.
The week so far...
This week has been a bit different. With trying to lose some weight, not that I've done much exercise but have managed not to eat any chips or anything really fatty and have already lost the 4Ibs I wanted to. Also not been chatting much to Angelika, think she thinks I'm pissed off with her which I'm not just got loads of things to do rather than chatting all night.
A house along the street may be coming up for auction, it has just been repossessed. There's a very strange and sad story to it. The family that lived there have been married for 20 odd years and have 3 kids. It turns out that she had taken out a loan or probably several loans against the house without her husband knowing and she had supposedly forged his signature. He knew nothing about it until they were away on holiday and she said she had to go back home early for an interview but really she was going to court about the loans she hadn't paid back. Then basically the house got repossessed and he has left her. Neither can get into the house to get anything out.
But although its not nice whats happened if its true, it could be good for me if I could get the house cheap at auction. I've been reading up on it, I was worried that I would end up with a bad credit rating with them living at that address and owing loads of money but this is no longer true. A credit rating it now only given on an individual not an address :-)
Simon @ work mentioned an interesting site www.nethouseprices.com it lets you look at what every UK house has been sold for in the last 5 years for free.
I seam to of been really busy all week but I can't really think what I've actually done, just been tidying up loads of loose ends and sorting out my finances.
A house along the street may be coming up for auction, it has just been repossessed. There's a very strange and sad story to it. The family that lived there have been married for 20 odd years and have 3 kids. It turns out that she had taken out a loan or probably several loans against the house without her husband knowing and she had supposedly forged his signature. He knew nothing about it until they were away on holiday and she said she had to go back home early for an interview but really she was going to court about the loans she hadn't paid back. Then basically the house got repossessed and he has left her. Neither can get into the house to get anything out.
But although its not nice whats happened if its true, it could be good for me if I could get the house cheap at auction. I've been reading up on it, I was worried that I would end up with a bad credit rating with them living at that address and owing loads of money but this is no longer true. A credit rating it now only given on an individual not an address :-)
Simon @ work mentioned an interesting site www.nethouseprices.com it lets you look at what every UK house has been sold for in the last 5 years for free.
I seam to of been really busy all week but I can't really think what I've actually done, just been tidying up loads of loose ends and sorting out my finances.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Run
Actually managed to get up at 6:30 today and go for a run, took some getting up at didn't get to sleep until after 1. I was absolutely knackered when I got back. There was a women from around the village walking her dog down the road so I set off far to fast. So suffered on the way back.
I am gonna have to go out regularly getting, fat and very unfit. Got on the scales and was 12 stone 4. I want to be 12 stone by Sunday. Which if I keep off the chips and regularly exercise should be achievable. Gonna walk into town today and go out on the bike tonight.
12 stone 4 god I am getting fat, my aim is to be 11 Stone 6 in a month, this is maybe faster than your supposed to lose weight bu tif I change my total lack of exercise and bad diet. I should be able to do it. If I don't achieve it but feel fitter I will be happy.
I am gonna have to go out regularly getting, fat and very unfit. Got on the scales and was 12 stone 4. I want to be 12 stone by Sunday. Which if I keep off the chips and regularly exercise should be achievable. Gonna walk into town today and go out on the bike tonight.
12 stone 4 god I am getting fat, my aim is to be 11 Stone 6 in a month, this is maybe faster than your supposed to lose weight bu tif I change my total lack of exercise and bad diet. I should be able to do it. If I don't achieve it but feel fitter I will be happy.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Sexy Beast
Just watched Sexy Beast starring Ian McShane, Ben Kingsley & Ray Winstone. It was about a retired criminal and he is asked to do a job but doesn't want to but he ends up having to do it. It was a bit different so I enjoyed, The 3 main actors were excellent, especially Ben Kingsley. I gave it 7 out of 10 on IMDB.
Listening to..
I've been listening to a few albums that I've had for ages.
Purple Rainbows is a rock album with Deep Purple songs and other artists connected to them like Whitesnake and Rainbow. Not the sort of album I'd normally listen to but it sounded good in the background while I was surfing the net, 4 out 5.
Clubbers Guide Summer 2003 I had this album in my car for months, really like this series of dance albums. This is one of the best, some excellent songs on it like Shakedown - Drowsy with Hope, Andain - Beautiful Things and DJ Sammy - Sunlight. Been listening to it again the last couple of days, think I might put it back in the car. 5 out of 5, most people wouldn't give it this much I'm sure!
Jeff Waynes War Of The Worlds is another excellent album. I think most people would of heard some of this music before. Started listening to it tonight and decided I would wait till I'd finished listening to the whole album before going to bed. Still sounds as good now as when I first heard my sister playing it about 15 years ago, another 5 out 5 ;-)
Purple Rainbows is a rock album with Deep Purple songs and other artists connected to them like Whitesnake and Rainbow. Not the sort of album I'd normally listen to but it sounded good in the background while I was surfing the net, 4 out 5.
Clubbers Guide Summer 2003 I had this album in my car for months, really like this series of dance albums. This is one of the best, some excellent songs on it like Shakedown - Drowsy with Hope, Andain - Beautiful Things and DJ Sammy - Sunlight. Been listening to it again the last couple of days, think I might put it back in the car. 5 out of 5, most people wouldn't give it this much I'm sure!
Jeff Waynes War Of The Worlds is another excellent album. I think most people would of heard some of this music before. Started listening to it tonight and decided I would wait till I'd finished listening to the whole album before going to bed. Still sounds as good now as when I first heard my sister playing it about 15 years ago, another 5 out 5 ;-)
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Homeless Guy
This is a homeless guy in New York who found a computer in a bin and goes to Starbucks everyday and plugs his computer in and uses their free Wi-Fi. Read more on the story here.
Safety
Came across this video today.
A DEA agent is teaching kids about drugs and gun safety, then just after he says he is the only one professional enough to handle the gun in the room, he accidently shoots himself in the leg. Then carries on like nothing happened.
A DEA agent is teaching kids about drugs and gun safety, then just after he says he is the only one professional enough to handle the gun in the room, he accidently shoots himself in the leg. Then carries on like nothing happened.
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