Does anyone else find that annoying? It's usually only small things that really aggravate in this way.
Recently I paid for a service in advance using a credit card. Yesterday I received an e mail asking for prompt payment otherwise the service would be withdrawn.
"I've already paid, you numpties" is what I want to say but instead I check through my credit card statements to establish that yes indeed I have paid this bill. Then I either have to waste my time firing off an e mail or making a telephone call. And I might even have to scan in proof of payment and send it off and all because something goes wrong that I have no control over.
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I always say that many people are not what they seem.
I watched a documentary over the weekend about the friendship between John F Kennedy and Frank Sinatra and their connection with the Mafia, the Mob and organised crime.
It was interesting and enlightening and, whereas Sinatra was primarily a popular singer, JFK was what is generally described as "the most powerful man in the world."
The Kennedy family was/is one of the most powerful dynasties in America. JFK's father made his fortune from illegal insider dealings and also for importing alcohol during the years of prohibition and passing it onto the Mob.
Kennedy Junior and Sinatra had a lot in common primary amongst which was being womanisers. Kennedy's life has by and large become the stuff of legend. The young, handsome hero, all American boy, but an all American boy who might not have been quite what he seemed.
Of course the Kennedy legend grew and grew with the assassination both by JFK and his brother Bobby who as attorney general went after the Mafia.
In today's climate Jack Kennedy would surely have been investigated on numerous matters, not the least of which would have been the connection with organised crime. The interesting thing is that rather than support them, when he became president he supported his brother's efforts to stop them. It was a very interesting documentary.
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Ok I'm going to mention the C word again.
I'm always suspicious of Christmas music albums being brought out by all and sundry. It happens every Christmas. A celebrity does the round of magazine programmes on television and radio or, in these modern times, in podcasts and blogs, explaining how they were suddenly enthused and inspired to make a Christmas themed record as if their version of Silent Night is somehow going to be unique and different to the thousands of other versions available. They never admit to simply jumping on the festive bandwagon.
The justification for yet another Christmas album is usually paper thin and hides the two main reasons which are 1/ to re- invigorate an ailing career and 2/ to make short term financial gains with a record with a very short shelf life ie here this Christmas and gone in January.
I've always had a certain regard for Gregory Porter. Maybe it's the silly hat he wears but more likely it's his voice. I can't say that I'm a particular fan of his style of music, it being a little too close to jazz for my liking.
But there's something about him that made me listen to his Christmas album yesterday as it was promoted on Breakfast Television.
I guess it's mainly that he seems like a regular guy, so I looked a few things up about him. He grew up with an absent father but a very supportive mother who cherished and encouraged his singing and he told a lovely story about the Christmas when his mother prepared a lavish feast for Christmas Day for him and his siblings. They didn't eat it but took it to a group of homeless people. They returned home with what was left and that was their Christmas dinner.
Of course we have to take this story at face value.
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Let the train take the strain, or so they say. I have an alternative version.
Let the train increase your strain.
The other threequarters took off to visit senior son in Eastbourne last Friday. She delayed setting off on Thursday due to the storms. Her train from Wymondham to Cambridge was half an hour late due to some problem or other. So she had to run to get her connection, only just making it.
On the way back her train from Cambridge to Wymondham was delayed by over an hour due to a problem with a level crossing at Attleborough.
It would be okay if these were isolated incidents but they aren't. The train from Wymondham to Cambridge then goes on to Stansted Airport. Sounds like an excellent way of getting to the airport without having to drive or pay extortionate car parking fees you might think. But what are the chances of significant delays that could end with you missing a flight? Very good I would suggest.
Was having a chat with a lady on the platform who was hoping to get to Norwich for a 4 pm connection for London. But her train was stuck at Attleborough with the other threequarters on it. So she crossed the track to get the train to Cambridge and change her route, but that of course was being held at Norwich due to the problem at Attleborough and if that all makes sense you are a better man or woman than me Gunga Din.
And as I sit here on a cold station as darkness begins to fall we have that idiotic message coming over the station tannoy "if you see something that isn't right report it. Remember see it, say it, sort it."
The only thing I can see wrong is the train service itself. I can clearly see it, I can clearly say or report it but I doubt very much that it will get sorted.