Author Topic: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant. (Read 1627710 times)

Somnolent · « **Reply #3325 on:** 02 May, 2013, 10:42:10 am »

Dear SW Trains
I booked a journey on your site today, with ticket to be collected from the nachine at my local station.
So far so good, reference number provided etc.
I thought... I'll get that reference number texted to me so I don't have to print a copy of the reservation and waste acres of forest.
Certainly ... that'll be 25p !

25 p? Five sodding shillings ? Surely it must cost them about 5p (or maybe 10p if they are lousy at negotiating with their mobile provider)

clarion · « **Reply #3326 on:** 02 May, 2013, 01:58:00 pm »

So, to the architects who decided to replace the bridge to the London Bridge concourse with escalators up to the very windy sterile space beneath the Sh~~ite~~ard, how do you feel now? One escalator breaking (what? It's not been open long!) screwed up a lot of people's journeys last night, and meant the subway was rammed.

Perhaps some steps would have been an idea...

Greenbank · « **Reply #3327 on:** 02 May, 2013, 02:19:31 pm »

Quote from: PpPete on 02 May, 2013, 10:42:10 am

Surely it must cost them about 5p (or maybe 10p if they are lousy at negotiating with their mobile provider)

Bulk SMS rates (to UK mobiles) start at ~5p and go down to ~3p (and lower) if you buy enough (100,000+).

Quote from: PpPete on 02 May, 2013, 10:42:10 am

I thought... I'll get that reference number texted to me so I don't have to print a copy of the reservation and waste acres of forest.

Or just add it as a note/memo in your phone. It's only 8 characters or so to type in.

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #3328 on:** 02 May, 2013, 03:42:01 pm »

My kids' primary school. During a recent disciplinary process you were extremely fastidious about following protocols and procedures with extreme rigidity to make sure you got rid of a perfectly decent employee. One governor in particular was very fastidious.

Now I get a letter home from you asking for £12 to send my kids on a trip. This trip forms part of the curriculum and is entirely within school hours. As far as I'm concerned, you are not entitled to charge for it. You CAN ask for a voluntary contribution, but you have to make it clear from the outset that "voluntary" is the operative word. Your letter makes no mention of this and assumes payment.

Given recent history, I am going to be an awkward bugger and not pay. Let's see what you do now, as you are not allowed to exclude my kids on that basis.

Protocols and procedures are great, aren't they?

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #3329 on:** 02 May, 2013, 03:56:48 pm »

That trick really annoys me, AWL. I've seen a few schools do it and it is utterly unfair as people will assume that they have to pay (even when they are very short of money).

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #3330 on:** 02 May, 2013, 05:02:24 pm »

The eldest AWL Jr's secondary school makes a very impassioned plea for contributions to the school fund. That really is blackmail, especially the way they word it.

Ham · « **Reply #3331 on:** 03 May, 2013, 11:16:17 am »

It's a balancing act. AWL is perfectly right in the detail, and it should always be stated as a voluntary contribution. However, when it gets to a point in a class where there are too many of people exercising those rights for whatever reason, the only alternative to the school is not to arrange trips that will cost the school money if the voluntary payments are not received.

LindaG · « **Reply #3332 on:** 03 May, 2013, 11:57:10 am »

Having a tidy house is lovely. Not being able to find any of my stuff - less lovely.

Karla · « **Reply #3333 on:** 03 May, 2013, 12:13:53 pm »

One day before the biggest inter-varsity sporting event in Europe, we've had our MTB track disallowed due to some birds that everyone knew was there way in advance, and we're being asked to help the groundsmen rake rocks off the road track - yes that's the 1km track we were promised weeks ago, on which we could really have done with some practise laps before the point when we're meant to be tapering for tomorrow's race! If they had the faintest doubt about whether it was going to be ready, they should have told us so we could submit a notification for a road TT in the requisite time.

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #3334 on:** 03 May, 2013, 01:53:27 pm »

Quote from: Ham on 03 May, 2013, 11:16:17 am

It's a balancing act. AWL is perfectly right in the detail, and it should always be stated as a voluntary contribution. However, when it gets to a point in a class where there are too many of people exercising those rights for whatever reason, the only alternative to the school is not to arrange trips that will cost the school money if the voluntary payments are not received.

Yes, I agree. However, the wording of the message that we got home is so far removed from the DfE guidance on the subject as is possible. The word "voluntary" is not mentioned and the form to fill in assumes payment will be made, further undermining the voluntary nature of the contribution. There is also an element of "up yours" in my attitude, which is not very constructive, I have to admit.

tiermat · « **Reply #3335 on:** 03 May, 2013, 01:54:52 pm »

I am a fucking idiot!

I have waited 3 months for a new appt with my ENT specialist.

Then I go and forget all about it (it was at 09:20 today!)!

IDIOT!

David Martin · « **Reply #3336 on:** 03 May, 2013, 02:00:04 pm »

Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 03 May, 2013, 12:13:53 pm

One day before the biggest inter-varsity sporting event in Europe, we've had our MTB track disallowed due to some birds that everyone knew was there way in advance, and we're being asked to help the groundsmen rake rocks off the road track - yes that's the 1km track we were promised weeks ago, on which we could really have done with some practise laps before the point when we're meant to be tapering for tomorrow's race! If they had the faintest doubt about whether it was going to be ready, they should have told us so we could submit a notification for a road TT in the requisite time.

Is this in a certain south yorkshire city? The verdict from the Uni club is that that particular entity would have problems finding their ass with both hands, let alone organising anything involving consumption in a venue where production occurs. Maybe we should have put in a bid

BUCS hill climb, 10TT and road race all in sunny scottishland on well tested and testing courses.

Karla · « **Reply #3337 on:** 03 May, 2013, 09:38:18 pm »

Quote from: David Martin on 03 May, 2013, 02:00:04 pm

Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 03 May, 2013, 12:13:53 pm
One day before the biggest inter-varsity sporting event in Europe, we've had our MTB track disallowed due to some birds that everyone knew was there way in advance, and we're being asked to help the groundsmen rake rocks off the road track - yes that's the 1km track we were promised weeks ago, on which we could really have done with some practise laps before the point when we're meant to be tapering for tomorrow's race! If they had the faintest doubt about whether it was going to be ready, they should have told us so we could submit a notification for a road TT in the requisite time.

Is this in a certain south yorkshire city? The verdict from the Uni club is that that particular entity would have problems finding their ass with both hands, let alone organising anything involving consumption in a venue where production occurs. Maybe we should have put in a bid BUCS hill climb, 10TT and road race all in sunny scottishland on well tested and testing courses.

No, it's a certain city in North Yorkshire, The good news is that after the first day's hostilities, we have a slender lead over our ancient foes.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #3338 on:** 03 May, 2013, 10:13:27 pm »

Cough. Plz to be farking off nao? No, really.

hellymedic · « **Reply #3339 on:** 04 May, 2013, 01:09:54 pm »

Dear Postman,

Do you know how and when to use a doorbell?
I know there's a knocker on my front door but you used it rather softly; it's actually quieter than the letter box, to which we attend at our leisure. I was upstairs in the bathroom and David was asleep when you came and thought there was post but no knocking.

As a result of your failure to use the doorbell, the foreign currency I ordered for David's trip abroad will not now arrive until after he has left, meaning we will have wasted time, trouble and money. David will now have to get cash elsewhere, at less favourable rates.

Thanks a bunch!

Gattopardo · « **Reply #3340 on:** 04 May, 2013, 05:11:03 pm »

Where is my get up and go?

Bought a cheap pair of cycling shorts in halfords, now the security tag is still on it. So thats got to go back. Have a list of things to do and not doing any of them. Have absolutely no energy/will to move. When I do brave the outside world it seems to go overcast and windy. The weather does not like me

Oh and ebay - filled with people who cannot read.

barakta · « **Reply #3341 on:** 04 May, 2013, 11:11:46 pm »

We used to have a "please use doorbell" sign on the door when we lived in Sheffield cos otherwise they'd either knock & run which we didn't hear or just not bother. Something weird about Sheffielders where no one used doorbells.

I used to send RM some right old grinks advising them that there was a SIGN, and that when doorbell was used it triggered off a computer which made the lights flash and other things because I'm deaf, their staff failure to use it is an accessfail and I could DDA them. It usually solved the issue till the next postie changed or we got the holiday postie.

I hope David is able to find some money at not too unfavourable rates before his trip.

hellymedic · « **Reply #3342 on:** 04 May, 2013, 11:21:01 pm »

Thanks! I'll have to change money back, which is also a hassle (I think RBS do it free, thankfully) but getting to a bank is not that easy. Mum doesn't know of David's plans; otherwise I could offer her the currency as she visits Denmark fairly frequently.
I'm just miffed that postie CNBA to use the doorbell.
It appears from Facebook that my experience is far from unique.
David is only going away for a few days so he won't need much cash; I suspect convenience will now trump thrift.

Eccentrica Gallumbits · « **Reply #3343 on:** 05 May, 2013, 11:04:15 am »

There's a burst water main in the Pleasance and as a consequence, there's very little water coming out of the taps. I was going to have a shower before I went out for lunch, but now I won't be. I will have to stick my head under the tap at least though - my hair looks like Woodstock.

Biggsy · « **Reply #3344 on:** 06 May, 2013, 04:56:09 pm »

On a rare day out without a bike: W9 bus driver near on a north London hail and ride section totally blanked me when I tried to hail his bus. If it was not an appropriate to stop for any reason then at least he could have waved, shaken his head or mouthed something, but, no, he just stared ahead as if he'd not seen me on the edge of the pavement with my arm sticking out. Rude!

phantasmagoriana · « **Reply #3345 on:** 06 May, 2013, 06:58:09 pm »

Schwalbe Blizzards!

One puncture on Thursday, then two in one ride (one for each wheel) today! You're going in the bin, I'm afraid, lest I ever be tempted to retrieve you from the shed again.

clarion · « **Reply #3346 on:** 06 May, 2013, 07:06:54 pm »

Durano.

Andrij · « **Reply #3347 on:** 06 May, 2013, 07:35:47 pm »

Hotel restaurant closed at 7, as they go into Sunday mode for bank holidays. I found this out at 7:20.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #3348 on:** 06 May, 2013, 07:50:40 pm »

Quote from: Andrij on 06 May, 2013, 07:35:47 pm

Hotel restaurant closed at 7, as they go into Sunday mode for bank holidays. I found this out at 7:20.

Bummer!

Andrij · « **Reply #3349 on:** 06 May, 2013, 07:58:42 pm »

TBH, missing a meal won't damage me.

I am compensating by taking sustenance in the form of Guinness.

Author Topic: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant. (Read 1627710 times)

LindaG