Things that ur happy about

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I might be wrong but I think there is a more realistic chance of me being made redundant after having been to a meeting today with the powers that be where I work. As I want to be made redundant this is making me feel happy. In fact, a lot happier than I've been of late.

As I am duty bound (they'll class it as me having resigned if I don't do this) to apply for one job that's on offer out of about thirty jobs available, I am going to apply for a role for which (i) I think they've really got someone already earmarked for and (ii) I have very little experience of. All that remains then is the process of a presentation, interview and exam. I intend to be imbecilic in all three. You're off to a head start I hear you all cry! The question is do I start drooling during the presentation or do I wait for the interview immediately after? lol

[Spindles]

Do it trainspotting style? A wrap of speed and you'll be guaranteed to fail to impress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6bWb7oEuE

[eFestivals]

Happy or Sad? I dunno, the Gidiot hasn't been specific for me to know.

Either i've just had another year added to my working life before I get a pension or I haven't.

How can they announce a change but not say what the change is?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Do it trainspotting style? A wrap of speed and you'll be guaranteed to fail to impress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6bWb7oEuE

I'd forgotten all about that. God, I'd love to go for it. Oh, it's too too tempting. Thanks for reminding me of that clip Spindles.

PS. Interviews aren't until January. Might get some practice in before then.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

You probably already know this Yog, but be careful about being "obviously" shit. If they wanna be arsey, and they can argue you didn't try to get the job on purpose, they can class it as you doing yourself out of a job and therefore a form of resignation.

Appreciated, thanks Scruffy . It had occurred to me that they could think like that. I think they could also claim that I wasn't competent enough for any of the roles, and would fail to continue my employment without giving me a wedge of redundancy cash. There's nothing for it - I'm going to have to go for the Spindles option! lol

[lost]

Happy or Sad? I dunno, the Gidiot hasn't been specific for me to know.

Either i've just had another year added to my working life before I get a pension or I haven't.

How can they announce a change but not say what the change is?

Its been linked to life expectancy so based on the current trend will probably will rise to 68 in the mid-2030s, 69 in the late-2040s

[kaosmark2]

Yeah lets all vote for corruption...

[Spindles]

Remind me again why those pillars of our world, the banks, are currently paying fines for corruption, repaying us for ripping us off with everything from payment protection to unfair contracts.

No, silly me, the key indicator to success in life is gathering together a pile of money and sitting on it like Smaug.

[eFestivals]

Its been linked to life expectancy so based on the current trend will probably will rise to 68 in the mid-2030s, 69 in the late-2040s

yeah, but the exact date they use for the change makes a big difference to me.

It's quite possible that I'll be caught for having to work for an extra year, but not only caught by it, I'll be caught by it by just 5 weeks. That 5 weeks might have me work an extra year.

I don't have too much of a problem with the idea that retirement ages need to change (tho I do have some issues with some of the general factors around that, such as many people's ability to keep working when they're not fit enough to), but at I'd at least like them to tell exactly how it stands.

How can they make a decision to change things but then not say what the decision actually is by specifying the exact details?

[Spindles]

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/workers-carrot-to-remain-slightly-out-of-reach-2013120581726

[lost]

yeah, but the exact date they use for the change makes a big difference to me.

It's quite possible that I'll be caught for having to work for an extra year, but not only caught by it, I'll be caught by it by just 5 weeks. That 5 weeks might have me work an extra year.

I don't have too much of a problem with the idea that retirement ages need to change (tho I do have some issues with some of the general factors around that, such as many people's ability to keep working when they're not fit enough to), but at I'd at least like them to tell exactly how it stands.

How can they make a decision to change things but then not say what the decision actually is by specifying the exact details?

yes they need to make it clearer when the review panel sets the new dates based on life expectancy. I've read that if the trend continues people born today will now be working till 77. I really don't know how I feel about this as although science is increasing the time we have on the planet, the quality of life people have during those extra years seems very mixed.

[eFestivals]

yes they need to make it clearer when the review panel sets the new dates based on life expectancy. I've read that if the trend continues people born today will now be working till 77. I really don't know how I feel about this as although science is increasing the time we have on the planet, the quality of life people have during those extra years seems very mixed.

yep, there's all sorts of issues. Would the likes of your average dustman, for example, be in a fit state for those few extra years? Probably not.

And the factor they've not considered is the unexpected consequences - because if you're going to have to work that extra year, the chances of reaching retirement age is deceased, and so the incentive to pay into a pension is reduced. If I actually had one ( ), I'd now be reducing my payments.

[LondonTom]

And the factor they've not considered is the unexpected consequences - because if you're going to have to work that extra year, the chances of reaching retirement age is deceased, and so the incentive to pay into a pension is reduced. If I actually had one ( ), I'd now be reducing my payments.

I was thinking this was the whole idea behind the changes, that basically the working class would work until death while the rich get a little top up on their investments as they enter the normal "retirement" age for the plebs as they end up living longer due to access to better healthcare, less strenuous jobs and just generally a better quality of life.

Edited December 6, 2013 by LondonTom

[eFestivals]

I was thinking this was the whole idea behind the changes, that basically the working class would work until death while the rich get a little top up on their investments as they enter the normal "retirement" age for the plebs as they end up living longer due to access to better healthcare, less strenuous jobs and just generally a better quality of life.

thing is that's nothing new. Suddenly in the eighties there were loads of people suddenly retiring at 50, while the plebs had to keep working for another 15 years.

Those early retirees are still living today, 30 years into their retirement after first having done (just) 30 years of work.

Now you know that financial crisis we've just had, when suddenly the world realised that all the money had disappeared? Wanna take a guess at where it went...?

[feral chile]

Happy or Sad? I dunno, the Gidiot hasn't been specific for me to know.

Either i've just had another year added to my working life before I get a pension or I haven't.

How can they announce a change but not say what the change is?

I'm sad. It won't affect me, but that's not the point. They're slowly phasing out the state pension, by the look of it

[feral chile]

Compared to when ? Its a fact we are al living longer than in the past so you could argue today's pensioners are on a right piss take compared to previous and future generations...

I think the chances of me making it to 65 let alone 68 are slim to fucking none Its you woman who cost the country a fucking bomb with your long arse life spans

My husband's parents died in their fifties. My mother died at 51. My father was 69. My maternal grandparents died in their seventies, my paternal grandparents in their eighties, my great grandmother was 97.

It's no comfort that statistically people are living longer when your genetics say different.

Edited December 6, 2013 by feral chile

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I am now off work for a week on annual leave. I'm going away to stay in a property on the coast of Wales on Monday, and will be staying there for several nights. I am going with my girlfriend and another couple, who are friends. It's going to be great getting out of the city for a bit and forgetting about work. The property has an open fire so I'm going on a forage for wood today. We've bought all the food and drink. Now we've just got to get our other 'provisions' in. The other couple have already sorted it out that we meet the request made in this video;

In addition to the above, something which was a mere environmentally friendly idea a few days ago has come to fruition. It looks like the product does not require the intensity of labour to create it that I initially thought would be necessary. That said, I've only just made it about 2 hours ago and will need to road test it.

I've been a bit down of late. The above two things have lifted my spirits significantly, so that's what's making me happy today.

[feral chile]

I am now off work for a week on annual leave. I'm going away to stay in a property on the coast of Wales on Monday, and will be staying there for several nights. I am going with my girlfriend and another couple, who are friends. It's going to be great getting out of the city for a bit and forgetting about work. The property has an open fire so I'm going on a forage for wood today. We've bought all the food and drink. Now we've just got to get our other 'provisions' in. The other couple have already sorted it out that we meet the request made in this video;

In addition to the above, something which was a mere environmentally friendly idea a few days ago has come to fruition. It looks like the product does not require the intensity of labour to create it that I initially thought would be necessary. That said, I've only just made it about 2 hours ago and will need to road test it.

I've been a bit down of late. The above two things have lifted my spirits significantly, so that's what's making me happy today.

Hope you have a nice time in Wales, the reason that I'm happy this morning is that I went to watch BFMV last night in Cardiff, and while I was feeling a bit old and cranky, and the music seemed too heavy and aggressive, my spirits lifted because of the contagious good spirits of the lead singer, especially when he brought his mum onstage and got us all to sing Happy Birthday to her.

Edited December 7, 2013 by feral chile

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Thanks feral. I'm sure we'll have a nice time.

Listening to heavy metal would be torture to me, but each to their own. Nice to hear that you are happy today too though.

[feral chile]

Thanks feral. I'm sure we'll have a nice time.

Listening to heavy metal would be torture to me, but each to their own. Nice to hear that you are happy today too though.

Yes, it was to keep my friend company as her daughter wanted to see them, so my friend's BF took her daughter to the front of the stage, while we chilled out on the balcony, and complained like those 2 old codgers from The Muppets - 'is there any need for that kind of language?' 'They're going to do themselves a mischief headbanging that hard' etc. etc.

I'm not a heavy metal fan, so the highlight for me was this person that I'd perceived as some big macho aggressive guy, suddenly showing how much he loved his mum.

Edited December 7, 2013 by feral chile

[kaosmark2]

I'm happy because I'm happy. Circular logic notwithstanding, I'm really glad that I'm remembering how to laugh and smile and be pleased with what's good in my life instead of sit around thinking about every failure in it.

In addition, it's one year since I got back on the booze, and throughout that time I've managed to be really sensible about it rather than relapse back into alcoholism. As a former "8 pints is a typical midweek night" drinker, being able to have a few sociable pints and celebrations without caning it or having any need to touch the stuff more than about twice a week is really satisfying. I'd been kinda expecting that casual drinking would be more difficult than not drinking at all, and I'm really pleased that a year in I've proved that I can cope with it.

[feral chile]

I'm happy because I'm happy. Circular logic notwithstanding, I'm really glad that I'm remembering how to laugh and smile and be pleased with what's good in my life instead of sit around thinking about every failure in it.

In addition, it's one year since I got back on the booze, and throughout that time I've managed to be really sensible about it rather than relapse back into alcoholism. As a former "8 pints is a typical midweek night" drinker, being able to have a few sociable pints and celebrations without caning it or having any need to touch the stuff more than about twice a week is really satisfying. I'd been kinda expecting that casual drinking would be more difficult than not drinking at all, and I'm really pleased that a year in I've proved that I can cope with it.

It might be circular logic, but our brains have circular logic circuits. Being happy makes you smile, smiling makes you happy. Trite but true.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I'm happy because I'm happy. Circular logic notwithstanding, I'm really glad that I'm remembering how to laugh and smile and be pleased with what's good in my life instead of sit around thinking about every failure in it.

In addition, it's one year since I got back on the booze, and throughout that time I've managed to be really sensible about it rather than relapse back into alcoholism. As a former "8 pints is a typical midweek night" drinker, being able to have a few sociable pints and celebrations without caning it or having any need to touch the stuff more than about twice a week is really satisfying. I'd been kinda expecting that casual drinking would be more difficult than not drinking at all, and I'm really pleased that a year in I've proved that I can cope with it.

Nice to hear you are also happy today kaosmark2. I used to be a very heavy drinker too. My midweek daily consumption was a bottle of whisky or three bottles of red wine. Basically I was trying to destroy myself because deep down I was so unhappy. I had no idea why I was unhappy. I had loads of questions eg was it that I was unfulfilled creatively, was it because my job was dull, was it a person I wanted, was I just born to be miserable etc etc. I went to AA meetings for over a year. I'd leave the meetings and go to a supermarket and buy a bottle of whisky.

I thought I was totally dependant on alcohol. I could see no way of cutting down because the minute I had a drink I was off on it. Fortunately for me someone then came into my life. She was (and unfortunately still is) a heavier drinker than I was. Suddenly with her I was as happy as Larry. When I realised this, I no longer had any urge to drink myself into oblivion. I had thought that taking just one drink would have set me off because I was an alcoholic. Turns out I'm not an alcoholic after all. I can take or leave the stuff like you mentioned you can too now. I was just unhappy, that's all.

Life's not all a bed of roses. Never will be, but it's far better than it was. That said, me and my girlfriend had a bit of bad news yesterday. I had to go with her to a liver specialist at the hospital yesterday morning because she's having constant abdominal pains. The consultant she saw said he'd have to do tests to confirm it but that she's probably fucked up her liver. We kind of knew this already because of the pains and because the whites of her eyes have gone a bit yellow. She only woke about two hours ago in pain again. She told me about 20 minutes ago that she's going to try not to drink today. We are getting married in May next year and she's told me that she is also finally happy in her life because of me. I just hope she can crack it like I have. That she too can realise that there's no need to drink the way she does.

Anyway, I've gone way of course and am rambling now. Despite the serious nature of the later part of what I just mentioned I am happy to hear that you, who also suffered, are happier today.

[kaosmark2]

Nice to hear you are also happy today kaosmark2. I used to be a very heavy drinker too. My midweek daily consumption was a bottle of whisky or three bottles of red wine. Basically I was trying to destroy myself because deep down I was so unhappy. I had no idea why I was unhappy. I had loads of questions eg was it that I was unfulfilled creatively, was it because my job was dull, was it a person I wanted, was I just born to be miserable etc etc. I went to AA meetings for over a year. I'd leave the meetings and go to a supermarket and buy a bottle of whisky.

I thought I was totally dependant on alcohol. I could see no way of cutting down because the minute I had a drink I was off on it. Fortunately for me someone then came into my life. She was (and unfortunately still is) a heavier drinker than I was. Suddenly with her I was as happy as Larry. When I realised this, I no longer had any urge to drink myself into oblivion. I had thought that taking just one drink would have set me off because I was an alcoholic. Turns out I'm not an alcoholic after all. I can take or leave the stuff like you mentioned you can too now. I was just unhappy, that's all.

Life's not all a bed of roses. Never will be, but it's far better than it was. That said, me and my girlfriend had a bit of bad news yesterday. I had to go with her to a liver specialist at the hospital yesterday morning because she's having constant abdominal pains. The consultant she saw said he'd have to do tests to confirm it but that she's probably fucked up her liver. We kind of knew this already because of the pains and because the whites of her eyes have gone a bit yellow. She only woke about two hours ago in pain again. She told me about 20 minutes ago that she's going to try not to drink today. We are getting married in May next year and she's told me that she is also finally happy in her life because of me. I just hope she can crack it like I have. That she too can realise that there's no need to drink the way she does.

Anyway, I've gone way of course and am rambling now. Despite the serious nature of the later part of what I just mentioned I am happy to hear that you, who also suffered, are happier today.

Sorry to hear of all those problems, but glad to hear you're making progress and are both happier.

[feral chile]

Nice to hear you are also happy today kaosmark2. I used to be a very heavy drinker too. My midweek daily consumption was a bottle of whisky or three bottles of red wine. Basically I was trying to destroy myself because deep down I was so unhappy. I had no idea why I was unhappy. I had loads of questions eg was it that I was unfulfilled creatively, was it because my job was dull, was it a person I wanted, was I just born to be miserable etc etc. I went to AA meetings for over a year. I'd leave the meetings and go to a supermarket and buy a bottle of whisky.

I thought I was totally dependant on alcohol. I could see no way of cutting down because the minute I had a drink I was off on it. Fortunately for me someone then came into my life. She was (and unfortunately still is) a heavier drinker than I was. Suddenly with her I was as happy as Larry. When I realised this, I no longer had any urge to drink myself into oblivion. I had thought that taking just one drink would have set me off because I was an alcoholic. Turns out I'm not an alcoholic after all. I can take or leave the stuff like you mentioned you can too now. I was just unhappy, that's all.

Life's not all a bed of roses. Never will be, but it's far better than it was. That said, me and my girlfriend had a bit of bad news yesterday. I had to go with her to a liver specialist at the hospital yesterday morning because she's having constant abdominal pains. The consultant she saw said he'd have to do tests to confirm it but that she's probably fucked up her liver. We kind of knew this already because of the pains and because the whites of her eyes have gone a bit yellow. She only woke about two hours ago in pain again. She told me about 20 minutes ago that she's going to try not to drink today. We are getting married in May next year and she's told me that she is also finally happy in her life because of me. I just hope she can crack it like I have. That she too can realise that there's no need to drink the way she does.

Anyway, I've gone way of course and am rambling now. Despite the serious nature of the later part of what I just mentioned I am happy to hear that you, who also suffered, are happier today.

Sorry to hear of your girlfriend's health worries. Fingers crossed they can sort things out for her. There are liver problems in my husband's family, too, and my husband has a fatty liver, despite not drinking.