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Sunday, December 12, 2010In the middle of summer when I decided I no longer wanted to work at the pub I was at in Fulham and wanted to branch out a bit; I had no idea this is where I was going to end up.
Now, I work in a busy pub in London's West End just off of Soho. I'm currently in the process of being trained up as a Supervisor with possibilities of even further promotion.
This week I could end up throwing all of that away because of one principle -- and I'm not sure what to do.
In all my jobs I've had in the past I have never taken any time off for myself unless forced to. Some call that being a workaholic, I call it passion.
Two weeks ago I asked my manager for some time off, mainly because I'd been working 50+ hours a week; but more because the whole time I'd been working I'd missed, not only my sister's entire pregancy (possibly a blessing in disguise if I'm honest) but also the birth of my first niece.
However, management have now said that my request may not be possible because someone else booked theirs a few months before me -- which is fair enough. What I don't understand though: is why I was told when I booked the time off that it was OK and not that someone else had already asked for the same time period off.
The whole time I've been with the company I've just felt like certain advantages have been taken out of me and that I'm being used. It's very disheartening and makes me feel like a complete sucker.
I've sought advice from lots of different people about what my next move should be with a varied mixture of opinions -- one of which being incredibly illegal (I wouldn't know the first place to get a nuclear bomb, anyway...) but some being quite wise thoughts. I know I can't leave two weeks before Christmas, that would be madness. The flip side being, though, I can't stand to be there anymore at the moment -- I honestly believe it's corroding my brain...
I guess I'll just have to ride this week out and see what the result is come the end.
Labels: christmas, headfuck, holiday, musings, work
Published by Simon Clauson at 9:04 pm.0 Comments
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Who did you vote for?
Friday, May 07, 2010Today was a huge milestone in the history of my life.
It marked the first time I actually voted in an election. I'm not going to lie: it was an experience.
However, while in the pub watching the exit polls on the TV I got talking to someone who was moaning about a certain party being on top. Politely I asked him if he'd voted and who he voted for (adding that he didn't have to tell me if he wanted to keep it a secret).
He told me that he hadn't voted because he didn't believe in it.
We then got into a mild disagreement (read: me laying into him) because, quite simply, I felt that as he'd not voted and was complaining that said party was taking the lead he wasn't entitled to feel the way he did. He'd been given the chance to have a voice and totally wasted it. I told him so and walked away from him.
I do hope I was actually in the right...
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Festivals
Thursday, July 17, 2008
What a crock.
The only thing I have to look forward to this year, festival-wise, is the One Love Festival (15th-17th August) which I still need to get a ticket for.
Is it strange that all I want to do this year is get drunk on Cider and sit in the mud?
I should really buy that ticket...
Labels: cider, festivals, glade, mud, one love
Published by Simon Clauson at 9:03 am.1 Comments
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I've been trying recently to put my finger on some of my favourite things/things I am obsessed with in my life.
I really suck at analysing myself but thought I'd give it a go anyway. See if you can spot how many of them are web based as well.
They are, in no particular order:
Totally obsessed with Twitter. Been using it for over a year and can not leave it alone. There are days when I have nothing worth saying (and days I do I normally just spout a load of shit) but I still check it to see what the people I'm following are up to.
It's an excellent utility that a lot of celebrities are on to now, including Gordon Brown (well, his web management team at least).
I also use it to send out updates whenever I make a new blog post.
By the way, following me?
Tea
I start and end my day with a cup of Tea, as well has having many during the course of the day, too.
I also have an obsession with Chai (which I think can fall under this category as well).
BBC News 24
Often when I'm sitting at home doing nothing except sitting on the computer or reading I'll have BBC News 24 on the TV in the background on mute; so if I get bored of what I'm looking at I can turn round and see what's going on around the world.
I'm not even going to go into this, just read the post I made about it.
Last.fm
I love it, not as much as Facebook, but I love it.
Guinness
It's the most beautiful drink in the world.
I have Guinness T-Shirts, socks, posters, squeezy balls, coasters and St. Patricks Day hats.
There are probably a thousand more things I could add to this list (like shoes, shopping, films, Star Trek etc); but there's only so much I can talk about 'me' without driving myself mad.
(yes I did just post this for the sake of posting a blog, sue me.)
Labels: BBC News 24, facebook, Guinness, last.fm, Tea, twitter, Web 2.0
Published by Simon Clauson at 12:39 am.0 Comments
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Retro Gaming
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Like a lot of people I got mine for the sole purpose of playing Goldeneye 007; which, to this day, remains my #1 favourite Computer Game.
It is the only first person shooter worth mentioning in the history of first person shooters. It stays true to the story (despite the Silo level), brilliant graphics (for its time) and an unrivalled Multiplayer mode.
But, this isn't a review of an eleven year old game.
I was bored on my day off the other day and decided to browse through eBay looking for junk to buy that I didn't really need (as you do) and something sparked in my head that made me go looking for N64 Systems -- just to see how much they were going for these days.
I was very impressed to find they are very reasonably priced; the best one I saw being the console in its box, plus 2 controllers and 4 games (2 of which were Goldeneye and The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, another favourite) - all of which came to around £30-£40.
It took a lot of restraint for me to not ask to borrow someone's credit card and buy it!
I lent my old system to a friend of mine who sold it; something I will never be able to forgive.
I get paid soon and am giving some very serious consideration as to whether or not I need an N64 in my life again. It would prove to be a very useful time consumer!
Labels: 007, console, games, gaming, Goldeneye, N64, Nintendo
Published by Simon Clauson at 1:17 pm.0 Comments
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All your base are belong to us!
Labels: all your base, are belong to us, Zero Wing
Published by Simon Clauson at 11:47 am.1 Comments
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Consumed by Social Networking
Thursday, July 10, 2008
What caused this realisation? I was awoken by a text message from Facebook telling me that I had been poked by my friend Terry.
I'd set up Facebook Mobile on my phone a few weeks ago without giving it much thought, just so I could be up-to-date.
Had I known at the time how pathetic this was in the first instance I would have never done it.
I'm blaming companies like O2 and Vodafone who offer free connection via their WAP services to Facebook (yes, I'm looking for someone else to take the fall for my own short-comings).
I poke Terry back (I pwn at Poke Wars!)
I update my status
I reply to messages
all via SMS!
Just thinking about it, I also have a very large dependency on Facebook... I don't go to peoples parties, out clubbing, to gigs or remember people's birthday's without being reminded about them by Facebook!
I even have this Blog imported onto it (as well as on Twitter, too)!
Openly admitting that I have an addiction to Facebook is very relieving; but I don't want to give it up...
Labels: addiction, facebook, social networking, Web 2.0
Published by Simon Clauson at 3:21 am.0 Comments
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Bad Wolf
Friday, July 04, 2008
I'm going to presume that you've watched it now, if not then prepare to have the whole thing spoiled!
I have a love hate relationship with this episode; I love it for the content I hate that it ended.
I was in total shock with the way it ended as well. The BBC along with the cast and crew have done very well to keep it hush-hush.
I've read many things online on other blogs and forums (everyone has an opinion on what is going to happen) and have discovered nothing conclusive.
I hate myself for looking instead of being patient and waiting for tomorrow, but after a cliffhanger as shocking as that... temptation was too strong.
Luckily I didn't find anything definite and some very stupid predictions.
I can't wait now until tomorrows episode. The only annoying thing is I have to work while it's on. So will have to catch it on iPlayer when I get home!
It better be good!
Labels: bad wolf, billie piper, catherine tate, daleks, david tennent, davros, doctor who, John Barrowman, rose tyler, Sarah-Jane Smith, Torchwood
Published by Simon Clauson at 1:00 pm.0 Comments
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Wait... that's not how it happened, is it?
I'm sure it had something to do with us being the honourable fellows we are and giving them civilisation and words like colour, authorise and aluminium and letting them totally cannibalise them...
However it happened; Happy Fourth of July, chaps!
Enjoy the day off on us!
Labels: Independence Day, July 4th, Will Smith
Published by Simon Clauson at 9:08 am.2 Comments
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Viva la Vida or Death And All His Friends
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I've found that after looking at A Rush Of Blood To The Head and X&Y (the only two Coldplay albums I have at the moment) then trying to compare then to 'VLVODAAHF' it's very hard not to notice certain similarities between all 3.
AROBTTH, I think, was the album that gave Coldplay the success they have today (despite the fact that Parachutes had Yellow on it).
X&Y for me was a powerful album; but it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi.
VLVODAAHF, however, has that definitive Coldplay sound, it sticks to the band image and it sounds like they've found what was missing.
When I first saw them perform Viva La Vida at the MTV Movie Awards 2008 recently I knew I had to have it.
A result of which now means that Coldplay are Number 1 on my most listened to artists for the past 7 days on Last.fm!
I love the symphonic sound and the lyrics delivered so expertly by Chris Martin.
The band, along with Brian Eno, has done well to produce such a masterpiece as this. They get brownie points for such a unique title, album artwork and track title choices.
I'm definatly going to have to remove an album from my iPod to fit this on!
Labels: album, Coldplay, new release, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Published by Simon Clauson at 9:00 am.0 Comments
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