I missed a week and as a result I am a little disorientated as to what happened and when!
So lets see...
EPOS is installed and the mammoth task of data download has begun. 1500 items complete with the 4000 of Jaytrim about to be uploaded albeit without prices and other useful information. Still its a beginning.
I have been pretty much focused on this project for some time now and the team are working well in both stores. Val has stepped up a bit as she gets used to the changes despite Alicia being invalided through trying to lift a grumpy old woman in a wheel chair.
Today I get that plan completed for 2011... maybe even a stab at the budgets but I have a week before they need to be completed.
On other issues... SL has been pretty non-existent so low score there but we are planning a trip to FC on Saturday so things should improve there.
Halloween came and went and my Costume was quite frankly awesome.
We went to a comedy club in Ipswich on Sunday and saw Adam Bloom. He was very good and did well to wake up the sleepy Ipswickians. All good fun.
Short on exercise this week with a quick cycle ride on Sunday but no climbing again. SJ working shifts are beginning to take their toll on me. I have to start thinking single again if this carries on. I am beginning to stagnate at home. I have to stop the rot!
So a quick blog covering a longer period and a low score to boot...
Next week must see improvements on all fronts.
WORK 9
REL 6
CRE 4
SL 1
FUN 6
TOTAL 26
Way too low.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
The Tate, the tassels and feeling the pressure.
This week started well.
SJ and I went down to London on Thursday, primarily to check out the "Textile Forum". This is a small scale trade show for "higher end" fashion wholesalers to market their wares. I guess the main audience is designers and haute couture fashion houses but they don't have an aversion to the odd retailer coming over and taking a look. I found two new potential suppliers and am looking forward to seeing them again in the near future.
Afterwards we went to the Tate modern for the Gaugin exhibition. The art was great as we expected but the overwhelming amount of people who had come to see it spoiled the enjoyment. To appreciate a work of art it needs time for contemplation.This is difficult when there is the noise of the crowd and your having to jostle for position to get a decent view. The rest of the gallery for the most part allowed for that and was as inspiring as ever.
We walked back from the South Bank to Liverpool St, during which time a call to Simon signalled that his marriage was all but over and he was more worried about the ramifications for re-enactment rather than his son. I guess this is where the pressure started to build.
On the downward journey I wrote a piece for craft Business magazine. I enjoyed that. Its something I certainly do well and should do more of. Lesson relearned.
Friday we went to a night of burlesque in town. Quite enjoyable spending time with a different crowd of folk. And its always good to see semi clad women bumping and grinding.
Sunday saw me do 37 miles on Speedy and get drenched in a heavy shower in the process. But I recovered pretty quickly. (Last nights climb was cancelled do to apathy)
Work... Well a tale of two halves. Its the busy season but not as busy as last year and we are still leaking funds. It doesn't help when we are being given poor service from the PR company who have now failed twice to get my company on to an awards short list.
On the up side EPOS is installed next week and the momentum builds again at Colchester.
Val is still causing concern. I cant have a manager bursting into tears and demanding more money every time I try and raise the bar. I am going to have to bite the bullet soon.
Even as I write this she has sent a long e -mail listing her frustrations. At last I can understand where she is coming from.
At home the baby question has come up again and I am so confused I don't really know what to write. This is a topic for next week
So to points
Fun 10
SL 4 very weak again
CRE 6 A finished ruff and a written piece
WOR 10 I put my heart in to this this week and its causing pain right now
REL 7
total 37
Good but I feel low. (Ironic)
SJ and I went down to London on Thursday, primarily to check out the "Textile Forum". This is a small scale trade show for "higher end" fashion wholesalers to market their wares. I guess the main audience is designers and haute couture fashion houses but they don't have an aversion to the odd retailer coming over and taking a look. I found two new potential suppliers and am looking forward to seeing them again in the near future.
Afterwards we went to the Tate modern for the Gaugin exhibition. The art was great as we expected but the overwhelming amount of people who had come to see it spoiled the enjoyment. To appreciate a work of art it needs time for contemplation.This is difficult when there is the noise of the crowd and your having to jostle for position to get a decent view. The rest of the gallery for the most part allowed for that and was as inspiring as ever.
We walked back from the South Bank to Liverpool St, during which time a call to Simon signalled that his marriage was all but over and he was more worried about the ramifications for re-enactment rather than his son. I guess this is where the pressure started to build.
On the downward journey I wrote a piece for craft Business magazine. I enjoyed that. Its something I certainly do well and should do more of. Lesson relearned.
Friday we went to a night of burlesque in town. Quite enjoyable spending time with a different crowd of folk. And its always good to see semi clad women bumping and grinding.
Sunday saw me do 37 miles on Speedy and get drenched in a heavy shower in the process. But I recovered pretty quickly. (Last nights climb was cancelled do to apathy)
Work... Well a tale of two halves. Its the busy season but not as busy as last year and we are still leaking funds. It doesn't help when we are being given poor service from the PR company who have now failed twice to get my company on to an awards short list.
On the up side EPOS is installed next week and the momentum builds again at Colchester.
Val is still causing concern. I cant have a manager bursting into tears and demanding more money every time I try and raise the bar. I am going to have to bite the bullet soon.
Even as I write this she has sent a long e -mail listing her frustrations. At last I can understand where she is coming from.
At home the baby question has come up again and I am so confused I don't really know what to write. This is a topic for next week
So to points
Fun 10
SL 4 very weak again
CRE 6 A finished ruff and a written piece
WOR 10 I put my heart in to this this week and its causing pain right now
REL 7
total 37
Good but I feel low. (Ironic)
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
it's my Birthday
And I have the usual array of presents. Clive who likes to go the extra mile has carved a wooden box for me to take to re-enactments. Mum and Dad got me a years membership to the National trust, and SJ a years membership to the Tate. It seems that those those closest to me feel that I should get out more! Perhaps they have a point.
So to my week...
I don't feel that I have been particularly productive over the last seven days but have allowed myself to drift along again. I wish I could get my self over this indolence. It does piss me off sometimes. I'm doing it now for Christ's sake|!
I spent good time thinking the future through, plans for 2011 etc.. I set up a schedule with Phoebe regarding the website and helped the girls at Felixstowe to move a few tiny steps forward but this October is proving to be poor. I think that the constant media attention on cut backs has affected the RAS of the public and folk for the most part are not spending. There have been some small successes. We have our first complete window treatment well on the way. We have cleared the decks as far as dead stock is concerned pretty much completely now and can now restructure the stock to suit the trends much more quickly. Tomorrow sees me in London to find more exciting suppliers.
On the SL front... well we are back to low points again. I have so lost my libido. I must have left it somewhere around.
SJ and I did get to climb this week. that was great. Going to make sure i do plenty of that over the next weeks and months. I am sure to lose this gut that way. Combine it with some work at the gym to keep my cardiovascular at a good level and ease off on the mince Pies, this Ugly duckling has the potential to be a very dapper 50 year old swan.
Kimball came to visit on Friday as we battled for the top prize in the village quiz, but alas we fell at the last with poor knowledge of chocolate wrappers and came a close third.
not achieved much on the creative front either.
I need to review and plan more at the beginning or end of each day.
Points
Work... 6
Fun... 9
Sex... 2
Cre...2
Rel...9
Too much time spent on others again.
total 28 (poor)
Ah well Happy Birthday Bobby.
So to my week...
I don't feel that I have been particularly productive over the last seven days but have allowed myself to drift along again. I wish I could get my self over this indolence. It does piss me off sometimes. I'm doing it now for Christ's sake|!
I spent good time thinking the future through, plans for 2011 etc.. I set up a schedule with Phoebe regarding the website and helped the girls at Felixstowe to move a few tiny steps forward but this October is proving to be poor. I think that the constant media attention on cut backs has affected the RAS of the public and folk for the most part are not spending. There have been some small successes. We have our first complete window treatment well on the way. We have cleared the decks as far as dead stock is concerned pretty much completely now and can now restructure the stock to suit the trends much more quickly. Tomorrow sees me in London to find more exciting suppliers.
On the SL front... well we are back to low points again. I have so lost my libido. I must have left it somewhere around.
SJ and I did get to climb this week. that was great. Going to make sure i do plenty of that over the next weeks and months. I am sure to lose this gut that way. Combine it with some work at the gym to keep my cardiovascular at a good level and ease off on the mince Pies, this Ugly duckling has the potential to be a very dapper 50 year old swan.
Kimball came to visit on Friday as we battled for the top prize in the village quiz, but alas we fell at the last with poor knowledge of chocolate wrappers and came a close third.
not achieved much on the creative front either.
I need to review and plan more at the beginning or end of each day.
Points
Work... 6
Fun... 9
Sex... 2
Cre...2
Rel...9
Too much time spent on others again.
total 28 (poor)
Ah well Happy Birthday Bobby.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
The Electronic piece of success
The electronic piece of success or more accurately Electronic point of sale system is now ordered and semi-paid for. Jokingly dubbed at the Colchester team meeting it ill cease to be known as the "Electronic piece of Sh**"
The install happens at the beginning of November. It's a huge change and will affect every part of the business. I have pushed the snowball down the mountain and nothing will stop it now.
Myles and Maria came to visit. It was really lovely to see them. Away from games or Stourton for the first time it was great to get to know them better after so many years of just being part of a crowd of people to see them on a one- to- one basis. Myles very kindly took me through his mapping process in order to show me the way forward in problem solving a defining the vision completely.
We took them to the "Warehouse" for a lovely meal. Its good to have a decent restaurant in town again and then lunch at the Alex on Saturday.
In order to accommodate them SJ and I managed to get the Map room habitable. I must say it looks like real fun in there now.
Back at work, things have gone smoothly but not fast. I am behind in many small areas and a couple of big ones but I don't feel bad about that. I worked hard and crammed a lot in. All good.
SJ and I have not been doing as much sexually as possible and although she dressed in Rubber last night I wasn't bothered about acting on it. I need to apply some of my work ethic here. Stimulation is becoming lost. I will rekindle my ardour for her somehow.
On other things... The ruff hasn't worked out and I don't have a costume for Halloween. Dean has been tres poorly and I am not convinced he will get it together in time. Good job i have a plan B. Unfortunately the reasons that Plan B's are plan B's is because they aint quite as good as plan A's!
Took the bike for a 40 mile ride but a puncture and split tyre put paid to that. A second outing on Monday helped tho. A decent morning tomorrow sees me out and about again.
A quick blog this week as i am short of time.
Points
Work 8
Fun 10
Rel 6
Sex 3
Cre 7
Total 34
The install happens at the beginning of November. It's a huge change and will affect every part of the business. I have pushed the snowball down the mountain and nothing will stop it now.
Myles and Maria came to visit. It was really lovely to see them. Away from games or Stourton for the first time it was great to get to know them better after so many years of just being part of a crowd of people to see them on a one- to- one basis. Myles very kindly took me through his mapping process in order to show me the way forward in problem solving a defining the vision completely.
We took them to the "Warehouse" for a lovely meal. Its good to have a decent restaurant in town again and then lunch at the Alex on Saturday.
In order to accommodate them SJ and I managed to get the Map room habitable. I must say it looks like real fun in there now.
Back at work, things have gone smoothly but not fast. I am behind in many small areas and a couple of big ones but I don't feel bad about that. I worked hard and crammed a lot in. All good.
SJ and I have not been doing as much sexually as possible and although she dressed in Rubber last night I wasn't bothered about acting on it. I need to apply some of my work ethic here. Stimulation is becoming lost. I will rekindle my ardour for her somehow.
On other things... The ruff hasn't worked out and I don't have a costume for Halloween. Dean has been tres poorly and I am not convinced he will get it together in time. Good job i have a plan B. Unfortunately the reasons that Plan B's are plan B's is because they aint quite as good as plan A's!
Took the bike for a 40 mile ride but a puncture and split tyre put paid to that. A second outing on Monday helped tho. A decent morning tomorrow sees me out and about again.
A quick blog this week as i am short of time.
Points
Work 8
Fun 10
Rel 6
Sex 3
Cre 7
Total 34
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
the world in my bedroom
Well... the spare bedroom actually.
After 5 years of procrastination and avoidance, SJ and I have finally completed painting the "Map room" Walls, floor and ceiling are all now adorned with maps of the world. Spurred on by a visit from Myles and Maria we have completed a good(ish) job. I would have preferred more prep work to have been done on the surfaces before we had started but way back when S got the urge I didn't want to discourage. She can go very "D" when motivated.
I began the Ruff for the Halloween costume but Plan "A" was disappointing so work to do there. But the prosthetic is ready for gluing and I am very pleased with the way it has turned out.
I nearly completed a 40 mile trip on Speedy and would have done but for a split rear tyre and puncture requiring me to get S to pick me up in the Van.
I entered Mo's Poker tourney at the legion but didn't make the final table this time around. I got blinded out.
At work... the battle of the remnants is won.
We have issues with staff at Colchester. Tina on long term sick but well enough to go to Paris, Janet down under and the systems not working without constant vigilance from Val. CD is still finding things wrong and not right with the girls, which isn't helping matters but he had to accept the numbers with regards to remnants and I should be able to generate another £500 a month profit rather than the £500 drain they have been.
Colchester is running smoothley. phobs has the website back online and sally is still working well. The reaction to the changes we made have been positive and i am happier there.
I have been working on the master plan, with a big to do list and a series of action plans. i just need to organise my time well. My problem is creating Absolute deadlines! I will discuss this with Andy later today.
Liz asked me for a chat about Mick. she is thinking of leaving him. She feels that she cant trust him and is becoming insecure and de-feminised because of it. I gave her what advise I could. You know, I don't really think I fancy her any more, so it's good that I can be a close friend without the urge to hump constantly getting in the way.
Sally also came to me for advise over Rene. Again she left feeling more positive and stronger. It really is good to help in those situations, especially as in both cases they came to me.
Points... I suspect I shall score well.
Fun... 7
Sex... 5
Cre... 10
Rel... 10
Work... 9
total 41
After 5 years of procrastination and avoidance, SJ and I have finally completed painting the "Map room" Walls, floor and ceiling are all now adorned with maps of the world. Spurred on by a visit from Myles and Maria we have completed a good(ish) job. I would have preferred more prep work to have been done on the surfaces before we had started but way back when S got the urge I didn't want to discourage. She can go very "D" when motivated.
I began the Ruff for the Halloween costume but Plan "A" was disappointing so work to do there. But the prosthetic is ready for gluing and I am very pleased with the way it has turned out.
I nearly completed a 40 mile trip on Speedy and would have done but for a split rear tyre and puncture requiring me to get S to pick me up in the Van.
I entered Mo's Poker tourney at the legion but didn't make the final table this time around. I got blinded out.
At work... the battle of the remnants is won.
We have issues with staff at Colchester. Tina on long term sick but well enough to go to Paris, Janet down under and the systems not working without constant vigilance from Val. CD is still finding things wrong and not right with the girls, which isn't helping matters but he had to accept the numbers with regards to remnants and I should be able to generate another £500 a month profit rather than the £500 drain they have been.
Colchester is running smoothley. phobs has the website back online and sally is still working well. The reaction to the changes we made have been positive and i am happier there.
I have been working on the master plan, with a big to do list and a series of action plans. i just need to organise my time well. My problem is creating Absolute deadlines! I will discuss this with Andy later today.
Liz asked me for a chat about Mick. she is thinking of leaving him. She feels that she cant trust him and is becoming insecure and de-feminised because of it. I gave her what advise I could. You know, I don't really think I fancy her any more, so it's good that I can be a close friend without the urge to hump constantly getting in the way.
Sally also came to me for advise over Rene. Again she left feeling more positive and stronger. It really is good to help in those situations, especially as in both cases they came to me.
Points... I suspect I shall score well.
Fun... 7
Sex... 5
Cre... 10
Rel... 10
Work... 9
total 41
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
The week went and I don't know what happened
Apart from Ed Miliband getting the top job in the labour party that is...
I have worked pretty hard this week. We reorganised the Colchester shop ground floor again this week end and pulled the bulk of the haberdashery out from the little alcove area at the back. The general response has been good so far but it will still need a few little tweaks.
On more day to day matters, I introduced the "team ladder" for managers to gauge the performance of their team by ranking them on a series of categories. Both V and T welcomed the idea and could see how they could use it to improve short fall in their team. I have also started to ask the right questions of them with regards to the KPI sheets and they are both beginning to get it! AT LAST!
Sally seems happier and results are improving in her department. Dad is still fighting for remnants but the battle is almost won now. We just have to decide the best course for getting shot of the rest. My feeling is that a donation to all of the local senior schools would make sense. How can we turn these remnants into a marketing piece?
I started to look to see what is out there as far as blogs are concerned for sewing and knitting nuts. It seems that there are plenty but so far I have yet to find a central point for people to gather. disparate communities do exist but as yet no web to link them. This will be a big part of 2011. I can see 2011 being the year that all this work came together. Rewards will start to come quickly.
At home... two thwarted attempts and recommencing climbing with S, but improvements in bed after a visit to the F club.
On the creative front, I have successfully created a prosthetic for my Halloween costume and am ready to continue.
Speedy has been neglected for as few days now as I spent Sunday sorting out the shop, but my new winter cycling gear arrived and I will be sure to be back in the saddle for a long ride on Sunday!
Points this week...
Work 10
Fun 8
sex 6
Cre 7
Rel 8
Total 39
Highest so far!
I have worked pretty hard this week. We reorganised the Colchester shop ground floor again this week end and pulled the bulk of the haberdashery out from the little alcove area at the back. The general response has been good so far but it will still need a few little tweaks.
On more day to day matters, I introduced the "team ladder" for managers to gauge the performance of their team by ranking them on a series of categories. Both V and T welcomed the idea and could see how they could use it to improve short fall in their team. I have also started to ask the right questions of them with regards to the KPI sheets and they are both beginning to get it! AT LAST!
Sally seems happier and results are improving in her department. Dad is still fighting for remnants but the battle is almost won now. We just have to decide the best course for getting shot of the rest. My feeling is that a donation to all of the local senior schools would make sense. How can we turn these remnants into a marketing piece?
I started to look to see what is out there as far as blogs are concerned for sewing and knitting nuts. It seems that there are plenty but so far I have yet to find a central point for people to gather. disparate communities do exist but as yet no web to link them. This will be a big part of 2011. I can see 2011 being the year that all this work came together. Rewards will start to come quickly.
At home... two thwarted attempts and recommencing climbing with S, but improvements in bed after a visit to the F club.
On the creative front, I have successfully created a prosthetic for my Halloween costume and am ready to continue.
Speedy has been neglected for as few days now as I spent Sunday sorting out the shop, but my new winter cycling gear arrived and I will be sure to be back in the saddle for a long ride on Sunday!
Points this week...
Work 10
Fun 8
sex 6
Cre 7
Rel 8
Total 39
Highest so far!
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
A week end of wine and walking
Had the trip to Staffordshire with Kimball et al this week end. Shared a room with Chris W. Deflected all references to William Hague with ease. B and B was more of a hotel and jolly nice although I was rudely awakened as an elephant took a shower in the room above and water leaked on to my face. I dealt with situation by simply shifting my pillow to the other end of the bed.
We ate very well at a pub in Colton. Fillet steak the first night and Sea Bass the next. most excellent.
We walked around the Hawkstone follies and through caves and cuts and a quite fantastic landscape. Very good for LRP or enigma type events. Shame that the place has to put up with MOP's!
Myles has offered to help with some deep insights into problem solving using the same techniques he adopts for the government. He and Maria are therefore to visit in October. I suspect they will be a little surprised at this humble abode.
Work... I had the meeting with Val. I think it went well. She at least stayed calm and took the criticism in her stride. I had a stroke of genius in asking her to check her job description. She had not referred to it since I gave it too her and it came as no little surprise to see that she was not performing according to it. Deadlines for tangible improvement have been set.
On other levels, I did not really complete those things on my focus sheet but with successful home visits and other events my brain feels much more focused than it has in some time. In short I feel pretty darn good.
Sex needs a lift though.
On the creative level, I moulded the mask for Halloween.
Points
Work... 5
Sex... 2
Cre... 6
Fun... 10
Rel 10
total 33
We ate very well at a pub in Colton. Fillet steak the first night and Sea Bass the next. most excellent.
We walked around the Hawkstone follies and through caves and cuts and a quite fantastic landscape. Very good for LRP or enigma type events. Shame that the place has to put up with MOP's!
Myles has offered to help with some deep insights into problem solving using the same techniques he adopts for the government. He and Maria are therefore to visit in October. I suspect they will be a little surprised at this humble abode.
Work... I had the meeting with Val. I think it went well. She at least stayed calm and took the criticism in her stride. I had a stroke of genius in asking her to check her job description. She had not referred to it since I gave it too her and it came as no little surprise to see that she was not performing according to it. Deadlines for tangible improvement have been set.
On other levels, I did not really complete those things on my focus sheet but with successful home visits and other events my brain feels much more focused than it has in some time. In short I feel pretty darn good.
Sex needs a lift though.
On the creative level, I moulded the mask for Halloween.
Points
Work... 5
Sex... 2
Cre... 6
Fun... 10
Rel 10
total 33
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