Category: Personal

Maplin

Just what is it with this store? Was in there three times in 24 hours on Friday/Saturday and each time they managed to succeed in pissing me off. Firstly, on Friday, after driving 1.5 miles in an hour I got to the store and filled out a card – looking for a soldering iron and some lead free solder. Queue up and find that they’ve none in stock. What – no soldering irons I said. It was then the return of the Spanish Inquisition.

The geek behind the counter (obviously a spark) asked we what kind of soldering I was doing. Electronics I replied, just ever so slightly annoyed with his tone.

Yes, but what kind of electronics. Eh?? Twat? I replied with ‘soldering motherboard’ which got the response ‘nothing in stock for that’. What about the lead-free solder. Nothing. Twat. So a wasted journey but at least we knew Maplin didn’t have what we required.

The second visit was on Saturday lunchtime looking for solder braid. And what do we find on the shelf – tons of lead-free solder and the soldering iron we were after. Buggers! Especially as we had bought solder and an iron from B&Q. Agghhhhh!!!

The third visit hacked me off because I was issued with a free anorak for being a frequent visitor. I hate Maplin. A shop for ubergeeks.

Bad Day…or is it?

Well, one of my mates found out that his voluntary redundancy has been accepted. Two weeks from now and he’s out of work. Bummer. Or is it? Maybe its the kick up the arse he needs? Maybe it’s the change in life he needs? A new job, house, friends etc await. I guess it’s whether the glass is half empty or full.

In some ways I wish it was me moving on. New challenges, new people to meet, new geek things to learn…maybe this is the kick up the arse I need. Or maybe I should just unpack another box (still far too many lying around the house) and order some new decor.

I’ve Moved

At last, around 6 months after first looking for a new house we’ve finally moved. Even better, by the time I set-up the PC (a whole 4 days after moving!) broadband had been installed. I only needed 3 minutes of dial-up to get my new ADSL username etc and I was away. Kudos to Plusnet.

As for the house – superb – wish I’d done it years ago, but then I wouldn’t have had enough money to do it years ago. What I can’t believe is just how much there is to do in the house. Small jobs take forever. And I’m shit at DIY, although I’ve just subscribed to the uk.diy newsgroup…..as if that will help.

Even after a week I’m still surrounded by brown boxes – it’s going to take quite a while before we’re fully unpacked – months even! But I’m pleased with the chaos and the new house especially compared to the old place!

Less than 2 weeks to go

Well….things are moving apace. Two weeks from now I’ll be in my new house. Two weeks from now I’ll have no broadband! Bugger. I can only order BB once my new phone line is enabled, then it will be up to 10 days before BB is setup. Ouch. Back to dial-up.

But the mortgage is sorted, new insurance dealt with, removal firm booked, sixty (yep 60) fucking boxes arrived from Pickfords yesterday – I’ve only got a two bedroomed flat – I’m not that bad a hoarder. Still got utilities to fix and tons to pack (not 60 boxes worth though).

But I can’t wait to move.

Moving Costs

Can’t believe how much it costs to move house. Estate agent fees, solicitors fee’s, tax to govt, removal firm, mortgage arrangement fee’s……the list is endless. But still the cost that sticks in the throat most is the wasted surveys I had to pay for while trying to find a house. £200-£300 pounds for a 2 page report. Dogs.

Other costs – gas and electricity re-connections, BT reconnection, broadband connection blah blah blah.