Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas 2008

Posted by Martyn

Happy Holidays

I am currently all wrapped up and Ill which is crap really. I hope I am better tomorrow as its New Years Eve and I can’t be stuck in bed!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. I woke up around 9am and went downstairs to greet my sister who had already opened her presents with Lee and had come round for breakfast. We ate our breakfast then opened our presents before heading around our aunties for Christmas dinner which was so nice.

We stayed around there for a while and opened some more presents, it was fun watching my Auntie and Dad open theirs from my nans as they always get childish things.

After all that we went home and I watched Lee Evans on DVD before falling asleep.

It was a nice Christmas but I would like to do something different like go abroad one year.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Holiday Inn Update, Trip to the Physio

Posted by Martyn

Hello, I don’t know if anyone is reading these anymore but I will keep on posting as it gives me a chance to let some stuff out and I find writing a blog helps with stress or I just like writing about my day’s no matter how boring.

First off the Holiday Inn has paid me back my money hooray! It took a while but the money is back off my card and I have now cancelled that bad boy and ordered a new card. Also as a apology they have given me a voucher for a free room in any of their hotels world wide and they upgraded my room when I stayed there last Thursday.

Second our Work Christmas party was cancelled so one of the guys arranged a trip to a local all you can eat Chinese restaurant. It was nice to catch up and chat to everyone out of work I just wish there was more too it. Luckily the company ended up paying the bill for food and drinks but it cost me £12 for a taxi back to the hotel!
Not that I mind after everything else was paid for and also I got a free bottle of champagne in our annual meeting and a tube of Smarties ;P

Today I made a trip to the Physio in Frenchey hospital Bristol. This was just a consultation for us and for them to try and identify the problem or problems in my case! First off I have a long term injury on my left knee. The pain was caused 2 years ago when running for the half marathon and ever since I have had issues with it. The second was a groin injury I picked up at football 4 months ago that has stopped me running and playing footy. I had two people to assess me a young guy from university and an older lady. I had to strip down to my boxers while they walked around me and prodded and poked me and put me in weird positions for about an hour +. It was very interesting the different things they looked at and checked pretty much everywhere as they thought the pain can be caused from somewhere else on the body and where the pain is, is my body overcompensating for that pain.
They checked my posture and how I bend and walk, also how I lye and genuinely move.
In the end they gave me 5 exercises to try out and I have to go back in 3 weeks in the New Year. I really hope they can sort me out as I said to them that my goal out of all this was to run the London Marathon.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Holiday Inn – Reading (South)

Posted by Martyn

You Bastards!

Ok so you know I stayed there back a few weeks ago well they swiped my card as protection for themselves and when I left on the 20th they cancelled everything on my card and my company paid for the whole bill. Now two weeks later they charged my Credit card for a room at £137. I called 6 times on the Friday to sort this out and once on the Monday 08th Dec.
When I tried to sort this out on the Tuesday (Yesterday) I found out that they charged my account again on the 4th December for another £137.
My company have finally got involved and my credit card company (Barclays) will sort if needs be but it will take 1/3 a year.
The hotel have used an excuses saying another company had come in with my card details but that’s bullshit because the only errors on my card are both charged to the Holiday Inn Reading which so happens to be where I stayed back on the 18th and I hardly use my credit card anywhere else.

So I think it’s the hotel’s issue and the hotel’s fault and they should do more then refund my money as I have had to make so many calls as well as being stressed and now worrying about my card so I want to stop it and get another one and I need it as It’s Christmas!

So Holiday Inn in Reading South, Avoid it!
P.S. I have to go back tomorrow night

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Christmas Time

Posted by Martyn

Hello and welcome to my blog, again not much to chat about, last one was about football so I think this one should be about…….um…….Christmas!
As Christmas is only in 3 weeks today I want to discuss what it means now. I remember when I was young I would stay awake until 2pm excited and in the morning me and my sister would wake up early and sit on top of the stairs because we were not allowed downstairs and into the lounge where all the presents were. I used to wake up and see a filled stocking at the bottom of the bed and get excited and wake everyone up saying he’s been lol
Now days I get home about 2pm pissed out my face and I can’t be assed to get up in the morning either that or I sit up and play a game :D
It’s a shame you lose that excitement as you get older and the magic has gone, its something I really would like to pass over to my children if/when I have some. I think that’s the next step about getting excited at Christmas. I already find it better watching others open my presents rather then opening my own, anything I want I can or have already bought so I don’t expect much anymore and it really is the thought that counts rather then get things I want.
I also love seeing my family, ok I can see them whenever but there is something good about all being together around the table having a laugh, helping out and finally sitting down and relaxing.
We have always been around either my Nan’s or my Auntie’s for Christmas day, when I was younger all I wanted to do was get home and play with all my new toys and gifts but now I want to soak up the day and enjoy the company of my family. The only bit I don’t like is having to open presents in front of them because if there is anything I didn’t want my face can always show it :D

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Saturday is Football Day!

Posted by Martyn

Not much to chat about on this blog as I have pretty much done nothing but Games, Football, Gym and work which is pretty much all I ever seem to do!

Today is football Saturday which is now my favourite day of the week. Being a big fan of football I love match days, waking up watching soccer am for 3 hours then playing some Fifa before heading off to watch Bristol City, This of course only happens when we are playing at home. I do attend away matches normally 3 to10 a season but I have failed this season so far but I will be travelling to Reading and Birmingham this season as they are close.

Today we are away to Presten but it is being televised on Sky so a trip to the pub later and also tomorrow there are 3 good matches but I will miss the Swansea V Cardiff match as I will be at the gym. The other two are Man City V Man Utd and Chelsea V Arsenal so It will be all day in the pub drinking :D

Friday, November 21, 2008

To Reading and Back!

Posted by Martyn

I have decided to bring in three blogs into one as I have not been around for a while. First off I have been away training in Bracknell for the past 3 days and our company kindly have given us a hotel for two nights with all food paid and some drink paid for. Everything was very costly in the hotel and I do get a sense of guilt whenever I am staying away with the company. In the past I have even ate outside the hotel and found somewhere cheaper for that reason alone but every manager I have spoken to said that I as long as I don’t go out and get hammered and charge it to the company then just eat and have a few beers and that will be fine.
So me and Matt stayed two nights at the Holiday Inn in reading which was £125 a night each and breakfast was not included in that price so that was £15 each standard price no matter what you eat which is so expensive. Our lunch cost £50-£60 inc. service charge between us and a round of drinks was £7. Things were expensive but I am trying not to think guilty of it as it was the company that signed us into that hotel anyway. I did pick up the PS1 pad in my room and play for 5 minutes before I thought the game was shit so turned it off and then £2.95 service charge was added to my bill. £2.95 for playing 5 minutes of a game……WTF? I could by destruction Derby on the PS1 for that, so today I wrote to Karen and told her I would pay for that bit.
The only thing that annoyed me about the time away was when I dropped off the hire car had a dent in the front which my Dad spotted. I know it was not there before the car went out and I know 100% that I never hit anything so someone must have hit it in a car park as I always park back end first because it’s easier to get out that way. We will see what they have to say about that.

Working in Bracknell is always nice because it gives me chance to work with my group and I almost feel part of a team. In Bristol I feel isolated from everyone else but I spoke with Paul and he said it was a good idea to come more often and I might get a Laptop instead of having to take my main PC base with me.

Hire Cars V’s My car!
When I used to get Hire car’s I loved it as it was a chance to drive something better then what I had. These days I am just driving something newer then my car but it makes me appreciate how good my car actually is. This time I had a Ford Mondeo, and I have only ever had one of those which I have liked and that was a 2.5lt Turbo one I had to go to Dover in!
Every Car I know get is a lot slower then I am used to but it’s not just that, my car has better breaks which I notice as soon as I get back in and more comfortable and above all it steers a hell of a lot better and its this which makes me realise how good VW build their cars. My car is now 6 years old and if feels better then a 08 Mondeo!

Little Big Planet
I would just like to show off my new character; here he is in the flesh!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Books and me!

Posted by Martyn

Don’t judge me but from time to time I love to open up a children’s book and have a quick read. It has occurred to me that while I am at home or at work it doesn’t really bother me that much but I will never start reading them anywhere else. At the moment I have decided to run through the Narnia Chronicles as we had the book club down and they had a box set for £6.99. Ok the book has lots of pictures in and if I was a little honest I do feel a bit childish when reading them but they are great stories. It’s the same with Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (but without the pictures) they are easy to read and I honestly enjoy reading them. What I do find strange is one minute I am into autobiographies, next I am reading Narnia then I am reading something from Stephen King.
My favourite book would either have to be The Beach by Alex Garland or The Shining by Stephen King. I would have to thank my Tanya for getting me to read a lot when I was with her and even though I don’t read as much I as I used to it has been nice from time to time to sit outside and read a good book.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Late Nights & Early Mornings

Posted by Martyn

I have never hidden the fact that I am a gamer and I have had times where I stopped playing for a while and did other things or get drunk, now I have fun with both of these options but I tend to do either one or the other because it’s down to money!

I need to find a happy medium where I can go out with my mates and also have some game time. I blame the fact I am playing so much at the moment because of the amount of good games that have been held for a Christmas release and I feel I need to rush through them to get on with the next. I don’t think forum’s are helping because everyone is talking about the next release and you feel you have to be playing them the same time everyone else is.
It would be great to get back to the way things were and taking my time playing a little here and there instead of playing till the early hours of the morning.

As you know I love going to the gym and as it’s to busy in the evening I go on the mornings before work but lately I have been trying to rush through Gears of War 2 so I am playing until 12-1am and getting up at 6.30. My eyes feel a little disorientated at times and I feel a bit dizzy. I think I really need to finish earlier and get a proper night sleep. So even though my friends are busy tomorrow night I am going to go to the local anyway and have a few beers before having an early night and lye in.

I am looking forward to when I eventually move out so I can have the TV in the living room and I am not sat so close to the screen.

I must add that it's not helping that I still have a torn muscle in my groin which is stopping me running and playing football so I have more time on my hands!

Also I sometimes feel really tired!

It amazes me that as we grow up with our parents making these silly noises at us until we are in our teens to fireworks. But I think there is something in us that takes this onto our kids. As I stand around the firework display I went to last Friday with lots of people crying out their oooooooooooooooo’s and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh’s I just laugh to myself. It’s acceptable to do it to anyone under 10 but I have been to firework displays where there have been only grown ups and they still do it to themselves. What is it that makes us do it I ask you?

Talking about fireworks I don’t think I will be amazed by any more since I spent most of my childhood watching fireworks in the States that go on for about an hour……….and it’s warmer…………….and no rain!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Martyn on BMW Drivers

Posted by Martyn

I was going to stay away from ever writing this blog and I know I touched upon it in an earlier blog about bad drivers but it’s time these idiots get their very own section so here it is. Martyn on BMW Drivers!
It puzzles me as to why BMW drivers are the most inconsiderate drivers on the road.
When I get cut up or someone is parked across two spaces at the supermarket I hardly have to even look at the car because I already know it’s going to be a BMW. I drove home at lunch today and two of them managed to annoy me in the short space of 2 miles.
1st one is a guy who went round the mini roundabout as I was coming to it. No indication so like any normal person I thought he was going straight on but noooo he wanted to go all the way round the mini roundabout. Needless to say he got an earful!
Second was a women…………..Ok so there is nothing bad about that, I have already said my peace about most women drivers earlier on (I know there are some very good women drivers out there before you all start moaning at me!) but this is a BMW section and the driver before was a Guy anyway. Anyway, I was following her, not to close but she kept breaking and I couldn’t understand why? But eventually we came to a junction and she wanted to turn right. Now normally three cars who wanted to turn right could be behind each other and I could still fit through and go left but not this driver, she chose to wait in the middle of both lanes while waiting for all the traffic to go by and so did I because I couldn’t fit around her!
This is just today of course but I have lost count of the times I have been cut up by a BMW or here’s a good one. Image you are sat in traffic because of roadwork’s, you have all moved into one lane like the 5 signs before you have told you too as the road narrows into one. You look in your side mirror and there is one single car coming in the outside lane to the very end and forces their way into the front of the queue. 9/10 it’s a BMW!
I have stopped letting them pull out in front of me now because they never thank you. Half of them are on the phone while driving and all have a face of importance……………..but their not they are morons!
The funny thing is that once they leave their cars they turn back into normal rational people!

P.S. this is not all BMW drivers just 95% of you!

While looking up BMW stuff I found this statement given to new BMW drivers from the dealership.

“Thank you for purchasing this BMW car. With it you show discernment of choice and are obviously a person of substance. To show our gratitude we would like to give you a free bonus: THE ROAD.”

What the hell? Is this brainwashing BMW drivers thinking well the dealership said the road is mine; I don’t have to share it with the rest of you! I can change lanes without indicating and I no longer have to stop for red lights!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Sorry Mr Postman!

Posted by Martyn

First off I would like to say sorry about my post yesterday, Mr Posty was just very late for the first time (Must be a cover postman as ours is normally very good and friendly). So my copy of LBP arrived and so did my eBay purchase. Good Times!

Had a dentist appointment this morning, it always feels like I am waiting around for ages before I am seen. I was first to arrive but the two people who came in after me went in before me? Maybe I should turn up later! I hate sitting outside with constant sounds of the drill being used, I swear they just leave it on to annoy you :D

Anyway my teeth are all clean and healthy......Yey me!

P.S. My god of war Sackboy looks cool

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Where the &%@$ is my post?

Posted by Martyn

I popped home today to see if my post had arrived an not only was I disappointed that my copy of Little Big Planet wasn’t staring up at me with big eyes and arms spread out in need of a hug but there was no post at all???? Now I know GAME sent my copy yesterday and some people have already got their copies but I ordered something off ebay and the guy said he posted it on Saturday……….SATURDAY. So I expected that yesterday but as it never arrived I thought ok maybe today but nothing. Not even a bill! So my guess is either A: It’s still sat at the PO because the posty was sick or something. B: Very Late post or C: some sod’s nicked it!
Let’s hope it arrives tomorrow huh!

Rant over!

Monday, November 03, 2008

The Weekend I got Angry (Not really)

Posted by Martyn

First up my team lost to Reading and that’s not a really bad thing but the people I work with are all from Reading so I got some stick! Then and this is the worst. Dan managed not to make the bottom two of X-Factor. That was the biggest load of crap! He’s a nice guy but he can’t sing as well as the others and he is only there because he has the sympathy vote!
I watched Bond on Sunday with my dad and as I am a big Bond fan I don’t think it’s as good as Casino Royal but its still a good film. The action is good and Craig plays a good bond as before but I felt the story was weak compared to CR and I have to compare it as it’s a follow on from that film.


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

RIP Sarah

Posted by Martyn

Day's are just merging into one these days and Christmas seems to be sneaking up on me so quick and I can't see it coming.
Just think, this Friday is Halloween already and it's only just starting to get cold now!
I am trying to get back on track with visits to the gym but gaming has kept me up late so when I try and get up at 6.30 it does not happen.
Today I have received some bad news, my best mate's girlfriends sister pasted away today after a long fight against brain cancer, Although I never really knew her that well I feel for Claire and Mark and her family at this tragic time. We all knew it was only a matter of when but it's still hard.
There are so many people already I have either met or know that have had cancer in some form or another which is why I will always sponsor someone more when they have it as a charity.
RIP Sarah

Friday, October 24, 2008

Sorry I am back now!

Posted by Martyn

Sorry to everyone who read's these well I mean sorry Kate :D
I am going to try and get back on track with my blogs now, I suppose you don't want to read about the shit I have gone through with my ex, I try not to talk much about is hence why I have been so quiet on here. I will also add a few (yes a few) Game reviews on my other blog too so please check them out if you have time and you are into games that is.
So things with me......um well I have been looking at houses to buy but due to the credit crunch I have put this back until early next year. Apart from that I still go to the gym lots and I still love my gaming. Long live the Sackboy!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Quick Note

Posted by Martyn

Two weeks until I am 30, wow that is scary.

Most of this week so far I have done nothing, I really have been boring lately. Most of this is down to paying out on my car and that has crippled me for the month as well as paying for my away ticket to Sheffield United.
4 more games until the end of the season and it looks like City will fall into the play offs now which means more games. I need to rebuy my season ticket this week before the price goes up.

Cait if you are reading this remember that The Apprentice is on tonight :)
Also I need to come round and watch DOA with you, I will make you watch that film lol

Sorry for the really boring Blog but I really have done sod all.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Hospital Update

Posted by Martyn

On Tuesday morning I went to have a scan on my stomach for gallstones but again nothing was found. I never for one second thought that is what I had but I guess as some of my family have had it they are just covering all avenues.
I was straight in without waiting but I was in there for 20 minutes while the nurse ran the scanner over my chest over and over again.

Yesterday I took the day off to get my car serviced and also find out why the front of the car was banging every time I went over small potholes. The service was a full service which cost £220, the problem was both the front axel bush’s, parts were £10 but then add £80 of labour costs and that really bumps up the price not to mention that my tracking was yet again out. All in all a costly day but it could have been worse.
They lent me this W Reg Audi A3 which had 170k miles on the clock, the gearbox was shot to fuck and it was dirty and smelled.

In the evening Cait invited me round for a few games, it was a nice change as we have not seen each other for ages now. We played some PS3 which yet again I kicked her ass on that Duck game and then we played a bit of Wii sports and found new ways of playing the bowling game :)

Was very funny and I think I have Cait hooked on the apprentice now!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Quick update on my life

Posted by Martyn

I must say sorry as I have not updated anything for a while, getting pretty slack this year.
I am due in hospital tomorrow for a scan to check for gallstones even though I doubt that's what it is that is still causing me pain in my stomach. All the doctor can tell me is that it should go away, well thanks doc!
Anyhow, I am drinking again but not heavily as it only takes four pints to get me pissed. I only have to take the tablets when it hurts so that should save me money buying a new packet every month.

Not much else going on, I will be the big 30 next month, work is ok and I am still going to the gym 3-4 times a week. I really would love to start running again but I don't feel my knee is up to it.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Got myself a Wii

Posted by Martyn

This week has bee mostly a football week for me. Went to Charlton away on Tuesday to see us dominate the second hand to secure us a draw which keeps us top of the championship and I will be travelling to Leicester City on Saturday to do it all again.
I traded my old 360 in for a wii which I can not say I am overly impressed with. The control system is nice and everything works well as you expect with Nintendo but it just feels like there is not many games out that are just for the wii.
Mario Galaxy Preview : http://rubix78.blogspot.com/
I have now set up my console online so I can use the internet on my TV screen which is quite cool for watching Youtube video’s and going on facebook.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Hospital Appointment 28/02/08

Posted by Martyn

As most of you know yesterday I went to hospital to have a camera inserted into my stomach to try and locate a problem I am having with stomach pains. The pain I get is where the rib cage ends at the bottom in the middle and comes on stronger when eating spicy food.
Yesterday my appointment was at 8am but I did not go in for ages. I took the pussy option and went for sedation which is a weird feeling. What the sedation does is make you semi continues, even though I was aware and awake at the time the camera went down I can’t remember any of it. It’s weird not being able to remember the 5 minutes it happened because I can remember being wheeled back to the recovery room and then laughing and joking with the nurses while having a cup of tea.

When I got home I felt wide awake so I put on the TV and then I was out like a light. This went on all day yesterday, I would wake up for 10 – 30 minutes then fall back to sleep for 30mins – 1 hour and when I was awake I was very groggy.

Today I have a sore throat and I can feel where the camera has been.

The form that I was given to by the nurse which I never remembered having until 6pm yesterday says that everything looks normal and I have to keep taking tablets and carrying on with what I have been doing and make an appointment with the doctor in 7-10 days to discuss what to do next. Great more waiting!

The nurse did not want me to go to work today but I didn’t want to take another day’s holiday so she said that I could go in but not until 24 hours after the sedation was injected.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Finally I am going to the Hospital

Posted by Martyn

After months of waiting tomorrow I am finally going to hospital to have this camera shoved down my throat. I am not really worried about it as I am going to be sedated so after I expect I will be asleep for the rest of the day J
Not much other news, I started going to the gym before work now on weekdays, it is much easier to get everything I want done because it’s empty but it is a bitch getting up at 6.30am.
Sorted my bank and credit cards out also need to book my car in for a service which looks like it will cost between £240 and £310 depending on what needs doing. Still have that annoying banging noise coming from the right driver’s wheel which I will get them to take a look at and pry that it’s not costly.
Hopefully when I travel to Charlton next Tuesday I won’t be alone on the coach up as one of my other friends should be getting a ticket to travel with me.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

New Game Review Added

Posted by Martyn

Not much has been going on, Been canning Crisis Core which I have now finished and writen the review for

http://rubix78.blogspot.com/2008/02/final-fantasy-vii-crisis-core-review.html

Work has been busy and nothing much else has been happening.

Bit of a quiet one.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Big companies, Football and My Week so far!

Posted by Martyn

So far this week I have managed to contact Frenchay hospital and agree an Gastroenterology appointment at the end of this month after waiting nearly 6 months (NHS who else) when I called It sounded like I was forgotten about and it took a call from me to get things moving along….. Thanks NHS I enjoy being in pain and not drinking!
In other news my car flew through MOT but there is still a knocking on the driver’s wheel which I will need to get sorted out soon. I have also found an insurance company which is £100 cheaper but when I called Direct Line about it they wouldn’t reduce my insurance and were happy just to let me move on.
The same has happened with Vodafone, I remember when these companies would fight for your business and pretty much give you what ever you wanted just to keep your custom but these days it seems like they have enough business not to give a shit!
Which is why new customers will always get a better deal then long standing ones!

The Premier League is now looking to add 10 extra games to be played outside the UK saying that they are doing it for the many foreign fans that do not get a chance to see their favourite English teams play. Yeah ok! More like they are doing it for the money with the £625m TV rights alone. If they cared so much about the fans they should use some of that money to reduce Season tickets and gate costs.
If this gets the go ahead I feel it will separate the premier league from the lower leagues even more.
There is too much money in football these days and most of that is down to companies like Sky.
Taking games away from this country will no longer make this the English premier League!


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7232390.stm

Monday, January 28, 2008

Boooooooooooooored

Posted by Martyn

Another Monday and another day my mind is blank. I really do want to post on here more but there really isn't anything I am doing that people would find interesting if you even are reading. (apart from Kate honey I know you come here :) )

Ok so the weekend........hmmm my parents went to Canada to spend a few days with my Grandad as it's his 80th. I went to watch Bristol City beat Blackpool 1-0 and then played Buzz around my uncles house. Ever played buzz? it's no way a solo game but quite fun for the family :)
Sunday I went to the gym as normal then chilled out playing Final Fantasy XII and watching 24.
By the way I think a quick plug of my gaming blog deserves a mention

http://rubix78.blogspot.com/

Today at work I was busy now I am at lunch doing nothing, going to pop home in a bit as there is something I need to get and sort out. I did however go and make my selection on FHM.com of my 10 top sexy women for this years 100 Sexiest women, if any lads read this let me know what you think.

Jennifer Ellison
Gemma Atkinson
Eliza Dushku
Hilary Duff
Elisha Curthbert
Keeley Hazell
Fearne Cotton
Katie Melua
Lucy Pinder
Sarah Michelle Gellar

Monday, January 21, 2008

Protecting your property

Posted by Martyn

This story in the news about that guy who was beaten to death by three teenage children got me thinking. The guy was only defending to property of his neighbours after these kids were smashing car windows and stepped out to have a word. These days it takes a lot to step up to people. If a guy comes and tries to mug you, you used to be able to fight him off without worrying, these days you don’t know if they are carrying knives and you could end up dead!
Same goes for if you see someone being attacked! I always thought if I seen something like that I would rush in and help them out but now I have to think twice and would I end up dead?
I get a lot of road rage and will shout at other drivers, my mind takes over and I never think about my actions but again this has backfired for a lot of people where they have been badly beaten or in some case killed.

All this talk of anyone breaking into your house and the homeowner defending themselves then the robber prosecutes the homeowner when he gets a good kicking is bullshit, IMO if they come into your home you should be able to defend your home and family as much as it takes.

If you seen someone getting into a fight would you help them out?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Work not a great start to 2008

Posted by Martyn

Before I go into the whole work thing (by the by if you are on my Facebook I would rather this not be mentioned on there) I would just like to mention that thanks to last nights running around I have pulled a groin injury and on top of that my stomach is hurting again…….Yippie!!!

Work: I get the feeling that we are not wanted in Bristol. I and Matt both work in the Bristol office, Les works out of Birmingham and everyone else works in Bracknell. Last year a job was introduced for Senior Controller. I replied right away and worked out of my own time at home on a presentation. This interview got delayed and delayed for months until finally they had the interviews this year. I admit I am not a yes man and I will say whatever is on my mind and if I feel like there is a better or easier way of doing something I will always say. I don’t think that is the type of person that they want. They want someone who will just say yes and go along with whatever is said. A big problem with English football managers is they are being controlled by the press and FA and not doing what they feel is better.
From the moment of this interview I always thought they would not want someone in charge (while the supervisors are out of the office) from outside Bracknell. I think they were surprised at our Christmas meeting when I stated that I did not feel part of a team and that we were not close as a team. Everyone else stated this as their strong point of the year.
I hardly hear anything from my manager and if I need something escalated I have to chase it up.
Anyway back to the job, I never got it and it went to a guy in Bracknell who has worked there for less then a year. To be fair the guy is a strong worker but I have been here 10 years and know most of the systems and work like the back of my hand. They told me I don’t seek out work well this is because I am so busy doing my own work that I don’t have any other time. Also at Christmas they gave an award out for the person who did the most work. It was only a bottle of wine but it’s the principle and I do not think that they way they calculated the work right as mine and Les’s job takes 4 times longer to do then the rest.

Anyway rant over just wanted to get that off my chest. I do not feel wanted in this company and I do want to progress but I do not feel I am given the chance and if I did want to progress I would have to move to Bracknell.

Monday, January 14, 2008

2008 Already???

Posted by Martyn

First off I would like to wish anyone reading this a happy new year if not a couple of weeks late. (time flies huh!!)
I spent Christmas mostly with my family as Jenna had to unfortunately spend Christmas and New Years in hospital.
For NYE I went to my local but all through the night it felt like there was something missing and that played on my mind all night. The one person I wanted to be with on this day I couldn’t and that made me sad. It was nice to see all the local’s out and I spend most of the night playing pool. I even had a couple of drinks god forbid!

Since the New Year I have gone back to not drinking at all until the hospital contact me which should be soon but I have heard nothing. I spend most my time in the gym and only seem to go out on a Friday night. I want things to change but I am prepared to wait plus I have no money this month.

Hopefully soon I can make 2008 a better year for myself and Jenna.