Date: 30/1/06
Time: 8:00pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Well, it's been a while since I last posted a blog entry... Looking back, it was great timing with which I posted my last entry... It may even have jinxed it...
I got the confirmation of my job being secure until the end of Feb on Dec 8th. I printed it off on the morning of the 9th of December. I went to lunch as normal on that day, and when I came back from the break room, was called into the conference room with the two supervisors of the office. And the Operations Manager of Mistral on speakerphone. And she told me that she had misread the list, and my job was only until the end of my contract: Jan 10th... As I had been told my job was secure for almost 2 months more than that, plus the three months of bonuses, they let me go home there and then, and they kept paying me til the end of the contract. I know the job was coming to an end anyway, but it's not really the best way to find out you've been cut short. And, not wanting to sound to "up myself" or anything, but giving me the months pay was the least they could do, as I had it in writing that my contract was going to be expanded and I'd be getting the bonus. But I'm happy with what I got.
So, after that bombshell, I went to my desk, sat down in a bit of a daze, with the others in the office asking what was the matter. I told them, and a few looks were exchanged... Then a few of us went down to the pub to comiserate, and when I came back, I packed up my desk and left. I never returned from my lunch break...
So I had a 1 month paid Xmas holiday... not bad, eh?
Let's see...other news... Well, I'm off on a stag weekend to Leeds 2nd weekend of March, although my travel plans are a little convuluted... I'm flying to Edinburgh Friday morning, then catching the train with those going from there Friday pm, 2 nights in Leeds, then train back to Edinburgh, one night in Edinburgh, and fly back Monday afternoon. All to save me the hassle of travelling 4-5 hours on a train (each way) by myself...
But I'll be getting fitted up for my kilt when I'm up in Edinburgh. That's the kilt I'm wearing to Chris' wedding...
So, on the jobs front, I'm kind of half-looking still... I applied for LogicaCMG before Xmas, and I'm past the first stage. They should be getting back to me in a few days, if not, I'll be chasing them up. Its looking like it's interesting work there - mostly project based. Plus, its a graduate role, which is what I want to go into now.
Oh, finally, RyanCaps is up. I cap (when I get chance, and remember) some of the TV progs I watch - Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt; Lost S2, 24 S5, CSI S6, and I've recently started watching Scrubs S5 as well. Plenty to do...
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Date: 5/12/05
Time: 11:00am
3, 2, 1... And you're back in the room...
Well, after a rather un-brief period of being offline, ryanperry.co.uk is now back online with WebFusion. It took a bit of time organising, and then there were some teething troubles, but it should be for the best, site-wise, as it gives me a lot more room to expand the site technology-wise. I can now use aspx, and php (I think), which should mean a more interactive site.
In other news, I was made redundant and then told my job was secure until the end of February '06. Haven't had it in writing yet though, so while I'm not looking for more jobs right now, I'm not not-looking, if you know what I mean. I'd already applied for a few before I had heard that I (allegedly) have my job until Feb, so I'm gonna let those run their course and see what comes of them.
I'm actually enjoying working here at Mistral, even with the uncertain future. It's a great atmosphere here, from the guys having a laugh at the awkward callers (and there are quite a few of them), to putting people off when they are on calls by throwing the office frisbee at them, or firing elastic bands at them. Plus, we have a dedicated 512k line, which only two or three of us can access (a wireless network card is needed), so thats in daily use by my laptop...
And we got snowed in a couple of weeks back! The following pics we taken with my camera phone: Panarama! Dad struggling with a bale of hay
These pics got forwarded around the office after I sent them in (as evidence I couldn't get into work, it was a Friday), and even sent to London to the ISP (which we provide 1st line support for).
Also, I went to see the Wales v. Australia game in the Millenium Stadium - I must have been the lucky charm, as Tom went to all the Autumn series and they didn't win, I went to one and they win it! ;-) After the game, me and Tom met up with Craig and Jason in Hard Rock Cafe, and spent an hour or two in there. Then we went back to Tom's and had pizza from Domino's... A good day out was had by all!
Finally, happy birthday to Tracy for Saturday. Hope you enjoy the DVDs!
Speak to you all again, and watch out for the updates!
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Date: 2/11/05
Time: 9:30am
Well, I'm sitting in work with pretty much nothing to do...
Just a quick post to say that the ryanperry.co.uk website will be down for a few days from midnight Thursday. I've cancelled my contract (1 and1 even managed to balls that up, but thats a different story).So, I'll be switching web hosts, probably to Web Fusion, as they do .net hosting, and its cheaper than 1 and 1.
So, the site will be unavailable for a few days, but when its back, it'll be better than ever. I'm currently working on an interactive web page to show the pictures from the tour of the Millenium Stadium. Its going slowly, as I've decided to code it the long way round, and didn't realise I had done that until I was half way through...Suppose I'd better finish it now...
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Date: 2/10/05
Time: 6:30pm
All right, so I didn't post that night like I said I would. I was preoccupied.
So, the new job: Internet Helpdesk Professional for Mistral, starting on the 10th of October. I'll normally be working 8am-8pm (
), with one and a half Saturdays a month. It's a 3 month contract, which suits me fine: If they don't choose to renew it, for whatever reason, I've got 3 month's experience under my belt. And I'm not tied into a lengthy work contract. So, if there's a downside, I've yet to see it!
Went out in Cardiff last Saturday with Craig (whose floor I kipped on, and who was thoroughly steaming by the time we got back), Tom, Jason, a couple of Jason's mates, Rachel, Karen, Matthew (Karen's boyfriend) and Tracy. A good night was had by all, especially Craig judging by the after-effects!
Also, the contract for the hosting of this site is up in a month, and I will be changing hosts. The service from 1 and 1 has been less than good, well, poor to be honest, and so I will be voting with my feet and changing hosts.
Finally, I was sorry to hear the news about Tom's "little sister". I hope she gets better soon, and I'm sure having Tom to support her will be a great help.
Right, well best get on then!
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Date: 29-09-05
Time: 10:30am
Just a quick post to say I've got a new job, and will be starting it on the 10th of October. I shall post more later tonight.
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