White Lion of Whipsnade

Learnt something new at The Travellers Rest Pub near Whipsnade Zoo last Saturday. The White Lion, which we can see from our house and for miles around the downs, was originally for advertising the Zoo, and also to warn low flying pilots from scaring the animals. (Photo by George Mahoney).

We like the pub, although the food is expensive and microwaved.

Sodding Mayor of London and Congestion Charge

Arghghgh! Have just received a congestion charge penalty for £50 - when I have the receipt to prove I paid online. I don't even live in bloody London anymore, don't clog up the roads there, escaped as soon as we possibly could. The ONE time Paul drives into London for a meeting since the CC charge was introduced and the bastards fine me. And can I ring up and complain and get it sorted? NO I have to put a formal submission in writing. Like I have the time to enjoy doing that kind of stuff. Makes me SO cross. Admin takes up most of your free time these days in this country.

arghhgh - I hate Neff

I hate Neff. Been without an oven since last October (including Christmas lunch, try it) and finally bought a Neff oven. Did some research at Homebase and then bought it from Jewsons. None of the fuckers tell you that you have to have an expert installer, that they cannot recommend anyone. Neff's head office treated me like an idiot - they only repair them not install them. WHAT? How does that work? And finding an IEE registered electrician (about the only thing Jewsons would pass on) is TOO HARD! I just want a bloody oven! Why didn't Homebase or Jewsons say that you couldn't fit it yourself? Bastards.

Blues' Penguin Shirt is Back

Birmingham City has just revealed its new season in the premiership kit - modelled on the 1970's famed penguin shirts at last the Blues have a decent strip.

bank holiday stormy weather

Typical - a bank holiday that's stormy and cold. A tree fell down on Mentmore Road by our house and they spent ages sawing and clearing it. It is SO cold! Last Sunday we had lunch outside (for 8 hours...) and just this Thursday I caught the sun when sitting in the shade, it was about 25 degrees.

ARGGH always the way - I've bumped my car again - this time it is my fault

Why does it always happen? Two weeks ago someone reversed into my car, so with all the fiddadling with their insurance, Zurich, see previous, it is now in to be fixed next Tuesday. So this morning, running late taking Paul to the station, I reversed and completely did not see the van that the man who has come to put in a new boiler (how cheap it that?) parked not in the parking space but in front of it (we live in a mews so their is practically no traffic and no-one ever parks there) so I just didn't even see it because I wasn't looking.

BAH!

We're Blogging Addicts

GLOBAL ‘EARLY ADOPTERS’ ARE BLOGGING AND SOCIAL NETWORKING PORTAL ADDICTS

May 2007

Global citizens are rapidly becoming blogging and online social networking addicts, according to Continental/KNOTS Research’s International Convergence 2007 Report, a poll of ‘early adopters’ habits and a snapshot into the world’s technological future.

Early adopters of technology were polled in the UK, Germany, Japan and the United States. Between them, these countries account for a huge proportion of the world’s technological innovation and consumers in these countries are some of the most sophisticated in the world.

Across all countries an average of 19% of early adopters have their own blog, with the Japanese leading the way at 28%.

James Myring, associate director at Continental Research, said: “Blogs are particularly popular amongst younger early adopters; with 25% of 16-34’s (across all countries) having their own blog compared to 14% aged over 35. Early adopters clearly see these as a forum to voice their opinions and share their views with a significant number. In years to come it will be interesting to see if an increasing number attach as much importance to their online personality as they do their real life version?”

Generally involving less maintenance than a blog are personal websites. Results are remarkably similar in each country with around 30% having their own personal website hosted on online social networking and fileshare sites such as myspace, facebook, youtube, jaiku and flickr.

Personal websites are especially popular amongst the young. 44% of 16-34’s (across all countries) have their own personal website compared to 19% aged over 35.

Myring added: “Could we reach a point where for young people having their own website is almost standard, and instead of sending CVs, people may just provide prospective employers with a link to their website? Already there have been instances of employers checking potential employees ‘personal website’ to see if this matches their submitted CV. It is now possible to live a virtual, online life (distinct from ‘real’ life) complete with a wide circle of friends & even lovers. How this will impact on people’s social skills and real life experiences is yet to be understood.”

Also in the report:

Broadband, mobile phones and television as convergence platforms, including downloading TV programmes, bundling and forecasts.

For further information:

James Myring, associate director, Continental Research, 020 7490 5944

www.continentalresearch.com

still hating Zurich...

So I get into a live webchat with a Zurich person via the website, who politely tells me to give them my claim number and they would get a representive to call me.

Have they hell.

ARGHGHGHGHGHGHGHG

I still hate Zurich car insurance

And CAN I get through to the claims line (different from the original one once you have lodged a claim and have a reference number) - we apologise for the delay and are currently experiencing a high volume of calls you might want to call back later. It has been saying this all day. It doesn't even tell me what position in the queue I am so I can make a judgement call whether to hang on or not.

arghghghg

arrghhh! I hate Zurich Insurance!

I have just spent an agonising 20 minutes registering my claim against the driver who reversed his Merc into my car in a car park yesterday (seemed like a nice man, really shaken up by it, said his reverse beeper didn't go off). His insurers - Zurich - arghghgh. How not to be all Daily Mail about call centres in India? The conversations are agonising when neither side can understand the other and you have to spell every word out.

I just want my car fixed!