12 posts from 2007

Yep, that's the latest essay question I'm working on.

I think I mentioned before that I hate writing essays that are all based on ethics and morals. I mean, if I'd known that this subject was going to be like this, I would never have taken it.

The sun is shining outside, it's the most lovely day we've had in months, and I've been inside reading all about stem-cell research and animal rights in relation to testing.

Admittedly, it has been interesting reading. It's been fascinating to see just where our government draws the line when it comes to embryonic research (can't be created for research purposes) and animal testing (allowed, but needs to be done in an 'ethical' manner.) There's even a website set up to discuss the ethical issues related to stem cell research. I have to admit, I didn't know all that much about it when I started the essay, but I am remotely informed now!

I just wish I could have had this week off :)

What's the best gift you received this year?

My two favourite gifts this year came from my in-laws: a popcorn maker and a chocolate maker.

Popcorn is my study snack. I love Kernels popcorn, but it's a pain in the ass driving up to the shops get it all the time. As soon as I discovered you could buy the flavours online (I highly recommend the Macho Nacho, Wild Buffalo Wings and Italian (which appears to have disappeared from the site...)) a popcorn maker went straight to the top of my christmas list.

The chocolate maker was a surprise, but I heart chocolate, and it'll be kinda cool making it! The lovely lady even bought me all the ingredients I need to get started (because everyone knows that when you get something like this, unless you're given the ingredients too, you never actually use the thing!).

I got lots of other lovely gifts too (including a new stereo for my car, because mine has had a cd jammed in it for 6 months, and the radio carked it about 3 weeks ago. The stereo has never worked properly - from the day I got that car the cd player refused to play the first 3 tracks on each cd, and would randomly mute, or increase the volume of the radio. methinks my car was haunted.) but the popcorn and chocolate makers were the best (in theory anyway - lets see if they still are after I've used them... or not used them!!)

Because all our clients are overseas, the phone doesn't really ring very often. About 60% of the calls are people chasing money for the boss's other business (our accountant works for both).

At least twice a day, I have the following conversation:

Painful caller: Can I speak to *insert name of person here*

Me: I'll just see if they're available, may I ask who's speaking?

Painful caller: Jack (or some other such name)

Me: And were are you calling from?

Painful caller: It's a personal business matter

Me: I'm sorry, but I get a lot of these calls, unless you can tell me where you are calling from, or what company you are calling from, they won't take your call.

Painful caller: Just tell them it's a personal business matter.

Me: Yes, I understand it's a personal business matter, but we get a lot of calls with people trying to sell us stuff that say it's a personal business matter just to get through. So I need you to please tell me the company you are calling from, or what the call is regarding, or I cannot put you through.

Painful caller: *hangs up*

I've had the odd person get very rude and aggressive with me, at which point I pretend to try and transfer them.

Me: I'm sorry, they're not answering, can I take a message.

Painful caller: No, I'll just call back later.

Me: But you were very insistent, surely it must be important, are you sure I can't take a message and get them to call you back as soon as they get back into the office?

Painful caller: *hangs up*

I'm such a phone bitch... but I figure, if it's a legitimate, important call, then the person won't have any problems giving me their name, number and either company or message.

I've had some other shockers recently too. This woman was calling from Malaysia, trying to 'send us information' about a trade show. However, all our guys are already going to said trade show. Not only that - the trade show isn't even in Malaysia. After a couple of tries, I finally put her through to one of the guys. He ended up arguing with her for about half an hour, because she was pestering him for his email address so that she could send him information, but he kept repeating, "I am already registered, I don't need any further information."

He ended up hanging up on her. Literally 30 seconds later the phone rings again.

Hello, I just want to confirm *guy who was just on the phone for half an hour*'s email address

I recognised her voice.

Me: I'm sorry, I can't give out that information.

Her: But he just gave it to me, but I didn't hear it properly. I just want to make sure I got it right.

I had heard the entire conversation. At no point did he give her his email address. In fact, he had refused to.

Me: He did not give you his email address, I heard exactly what he said to you.

Her: But I need to send him this information.

Me: If he wanted the information, he would have given you the email address.

Her: Can you please put me through to him again?

Thankfully, I haven't heard from her for a few weeks now. But idiots really do annoy me. And part of me does know that they're just doing their jobs, and that they're just repeating what they've been told to say. Maybe I need to start asking to speak to their managers. heh.

I'm not one for new years resolutions and stuff, and there's still the week of debauchery leading up to NYE before I need to even consider resolutions, but I think I may have found something worth seriously considering.

This site has a list of things you can do to make the world a better place, environmentally and socially. I came across it vox-surfing (I wish I'd paid attention to where I found it to give credit where credit is due!) and I really am going to try and get as far down the list as I can.

Now onto a more self-centered goals, during my week and a half off, I am hoping to:

• Go to at least one yoga class. It's been way too long since I last went to one, and I really enjoy it. It's just getting off my butt to actually go that's the problem.
  
  
• Get at least one week ahead with my summer school subjects. This sounds like a shitty thing to be doing in my break, but, despite all the bitching and moaning I've been doing, I am actually enjoying the subjects. Thing is, there's a ridiculous amount of reading, and if I can get the bulk of it out of the way, it means I only have to skim back over it when I come across it later in the term.
  
  
• Read the other books in the Mist of Avalon series. I am well and truly hooked.
  
  
• See The Golden Compass. Loved the books, lets see if the movie completely butchers them or not.
  
  
• Have at least one disgustingly, trashy night. I don't go out drinking very often, but between uni and work I've become a bit of a hermit, I just don't have time to socialise. There's already one party I'm planning on going to, and a couple of others I'm contemplating, so let's see what happens. Thing is, I hate writing myself off, and then spending the entire next day in bed. It's just such a waste, and I hate feeling like I've wasted an entire day sleeping.
  
  
• Spend at least one day lazing by my parents' pool. I'm pasty this summer, and it's traumatising!
  
  
• Catch up on my emails and facefucks. I'm so shit when it comes to replying to stuff. I read, think 'I'll reply to this later when I have a bit more time' but I never seem to have a bit more time, and they then all sit unanswered.

Only 6 hours left of work for the year..... hooray hooray hooray!

Show us your holiday decorations.

Lulupoo

1 comment

Have had this cake sitting on my desk since lunch. I can't resist any longer.

Yum

Tell us about your holiday traditions. 
Submitted by Talk is Cheap.

Our family isn't really all that big on traditions, but there is one that we've managed to carry on for the last 8 or so years.... the ridiculous Santa photo. Sitting on a strange man's lap, while he not so subtly tries to touch your ass is not fun (we've been unfortunate to come across some extremely sleezy Santas over the years).

We're all at the point where we're really too old to still be having our photo taken with Santa, but our mum always did the guilt thing. To avoid our embarrassment, we started doing stupid things in the photo.

It started off with just a cheesy grin and a 'thumbs up'. It slowly progressed, and the last two years have involved afro wigs and viking helmets, hippy hair and a crown.

We're still stuck on what to do this year.... and we're running out of time!