tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38604782011-04-22T03:48:56.331ZMan the LifeboatsThe is the Blog site of Roger Cruse. As they say in all the best films... Man the Lifeboats!Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1158645435028351832006-09-19T05:41:00.000Z2006-09-19T05:58:39.356ZSplash!Last Wednesday, the long awaited annoncement was made and the look on most people faces said a lot.Many of them seeing this as the end of the world. Not me, just the start of another adventure and time to "Man the Lifeboats!"Well, to be truthful, a holiday first as we're off for two weeks to Crete.The timetable of events for the next 6 months should follow the tried and tested route, highsRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1148907611238167072006-05-29T12:57:00.000Z2006-05-29T13:43:24.750ZAfter a simple question from by wife about RSS and required a demo, I noticed I hadn't posting for a while, so...CarFinally arrived in December 2004. As it was a brand new model, driving around and getting strange looks plus the very rare sighting of another Peugeot 407 SW.I still enjoy driving this car with-it's huge sunroof and gadgets.Holiday - VeniceA couple of days in this wonderful city - Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1097931191014697712004-10-16T13:05:00.000Z2004-10-16T12:53:11.013ZAs I hadn't blogged for nearly six months, I've just re-read my earlier entries... apart from the odd typo, it reads quite well.
So, what's been happening -
We've replaced the flooring at home.
Let me first of all say, this wasn't our original intention. But when the dish-washer that we'd had for nearly 10 years started to play up, it seemed natural to order a replacement. However, as I had to Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1079994129725577392004-03-22T22:22:00.000Z2004-03-22T22:30:50.000ZJust a quick update.
As my previous blog said, I've now got a "proper" office setup at home, so I should be more able to blog, but...
We've just returned from a week over in Ireland. We managed to watch the England v Ireland rugby in a bar full of locals all supporting their home team. They started quietly, then became noisier as they began to realise England weren't playing at the top of theirRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1075673090282403062004-02-01T22:04:00.000Z2004-02-01T22:09:46.746ZWow, doesn't time fly, it's been just over a month since my last "confession".
What have I been up to?
Well, as I mentioned previously santa didn't quite get me want I wanted, so I had to go shopping for myself!
I've finally got my home office sorted. I now have a proper desk, a proper chair and I've finally gone completely wireless!
Yeap. I checked the shops, internet, etc and got myself a Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1072819711905185022003-12-30T21:28:00.000Z2003-12-30T21:30:02.496ZAs you can imagine, I've been very busy over the past few weeks and simply haven't had time to write.
It sounds like nearly everybody that was "overboard" is now safely "on board" somewhere. So, we should all have fatter bank accounts and a chance to put the past year behind us.
I've finally decided to get my three year old organiser sorted (it was that or get another!) I've got the screen & Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1065767971585128342003-10-10T06:39:00.000Z2003-10-10T06:43:36.620ZAfter one or two complaints that I seemed to have stopped blogging, here's my latest blog.
The main reason for not blogging is... I've been on holiday!
Yes, I know that I've been to New Zealand & Cyprus and I've had plenty of "garden leave" to soak up the fine British summer. But, I figured I was due a holiday!!
We had planned to take three weeks, to drive over to southern Spain - staying at Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1062739631490387092003-09-05T05:27:00.000Z2003-09-07T19:21:02.040ZSorry that I haven't posted for a while, what with the new job and my computer being send away to be repaired (yet again!), I haven't been able to find both the time and a computer.
Of course, while I've been "off-line", the world and his wife have been having fun with the Blaster / SoBig viruses. I've been unaffected, until now!
Yep, I spend a couple of hours on Thursday night, trying to Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1060538227110565672003-08-10T17:57:00.000Z2003-08-10T17:57:06.940ZNew job started on Monday... introduced to lots of people that I haven't got the faintest chance of remembering and I've been reading documentation.
Yes, documentation.
I know, sounds very odd, but what else am I expected to do...
The biggest problem I have is that it isn't flexitime... so it's start at 9 and finish at 5.
Personally, I prefer to start early and finish early...
There are two Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1059730117275555272003-08-01T09:28:00.000Z2003-08-01T09:28:37.186ZI'm home.
Didn't get much of a chance to access the internet in Singapore, so this is the final entry of the NZ bit. I'm back to a weekly update from now.
I'm in semi-zomby mode at the moment - it feels like I'm on a boat that's bobbing up and down on the water - it's sort of OK, but I won't be going too far today.
I've got to get some pictures loaded and check on the finances... busy, busy, Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1059613877369684272003-07-31T01:11:00.000Z2003-07-31T01:11:42.200ZThe long journey home has started. I'm now in the Air New Zealand lounge at Auckland airport - they code-share with Singapore Airlines - after a long drive of two hours and a short flight of 30 minutes.
It's raining and, as I'm dressed for travelling and don't have anything warm, it's cold!
Managed to get my 34 kg of baggage on the short flight without any grief and even got these checked in Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1059536141857560182003-07-30T03:35:00.000Z2003-07-30T03:35:41.740ZWell, I'm still in Ahipara. I'm using the Mark's computer.
Yesterday, went off to visit Gum Diggers Park - this an area where gum or resin from the Kauri tree was extracted from pits and used as a sealant on ships, etc before man-made alternatives became available about 75 years ago.
The Kauri trees are slow growing trees and live for over 2000 years. So, its at the opposite end for the scale Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1059356825429921152003-07-28T01:47:00.000Z2003-07-28T01:47:05.290ZBusy weekend.
Been down to Whrangarei, Tutukaka & Piahia. Buying up nearly every T Shirt, diving the Poor Knights & eating pies respectively.
The Poor Knight dives were fanastic - plenty of life and clear blue water. OK, the water was cold (16C) and lumpy, but worth it. Definately, worth coming back to when the weather is warmer.
Managed to watch the All Blacks beat the Aussies in a typical NZRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1059009390537573382003-07-24T01:16:00.000Z2003-07-24T01:16:30.343ZAfter my trip into town yesterday, today was out of the Quad-Bike and a trip along the beach.
I probably need to explain that the "town" has a centre of a couple of streets and nearly everything you want can be purchased there. Or, to be more precise, everything you can get is there.
The beach is empty by UK standards in both directions for about one hundred miles, by NZ standards, it's a busy Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1058919024252831722003-07-23T00:10:00.000Z2003-07-23T00:12:16.420ZI've been here three days or is it two?
During the day it can get quite warm, so it's T-shirts & Shorts, but as soon as the sun starts to set (about 5 o'clock) then it's jumpers and track-suit bottoms quick!
Managed to meet nearly everybody in Ahipara and consumed more beer than is probably good for me!
People are really friendly and are prepared to help in all sorts of ways such as using Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1058665721734171012003-07-20T01:48:00.000Z2003-07-20T01:48:41.696ZWell, I've arrived in NZ... they should do something about passport control - over an hour!
The Singapore / Auckland flight was sthe same as the Heathrow / Singapore flight. Good.
After 36 hours, I feel a bit tired and I'm probably a bit smelly.
Only another 3 hours and I can "freshen up".Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1058607144607021062003-07-19T09:32:00.000Z2003-07-19T09:36:33.323ZOK, I'm now in Singapore Airport.
The flight wasn't as good as flying BC with Qatar Airlines, but it went quick enough.
The food selection was very good - separate courses served on proper plates (with plastic knives & forks!) - and the staff able to attend to everybody in real time (that is, no sitting there with a food tray from three hours ago!).
Singapore Airlines have their new SpaceBeds Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1058605763520744112003-07-19T09:09:00.000Z2003-07-19T09:24:47.826ZThis entry was meant to have been logged yesterday, but the stupid computer at Heathrow Airport wouldn't let me!
Heathrow Airport!. When did that happen?
After the job thing was sorted and a start date agreed, I realised I had another three weeks of doing what I'd been doing for the past months - waiting.
A few phone calls including permission from my wife and I was booked on the Friday flightRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1057901234016313792003-07-11T05:27:00.000Z2003-07-11T05:34:28.170ZSorted!.
Monday went very well, I noticed one of two former employees in their visitors book. And yesterday an offer was made!
OK, OK, now what should I do?
Yes, that's what I think and I start in two weeks!
Also, earlier this week.
Attended a usergroup meeting in London. The heat & humidity on public travel isn't funny anymore!
The missing kitchen cupboard arrived - this is to box in the Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1057610824201740982003-07-07T20:47:00.000Z2003-07-07T20:47:04.030ZYet another busy week.
I've setup a MSN Group - DSGLifeboat - for all the boys and girls thrown overboard by DSG. I'm afraid that membership is resticted to former employees only... so you know how to join!
I've also been playing with a bit of html and javascript... so who knows, I could get a job in computing with these skills.
Managed to get to Hemel last Tuesday for a Curry with a few Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-1056877648396787552003-06-29T09:07:00.000Z2003-06-29T09:17:19.746ZFinally managed to pick up my personal copy of HP5 on Monday morning and finished reading it at 02:00 Tuesday morning!
OK, I'd borrowed my wife's nephew's copy and read about a third of the book, would have read more, but he wanted to read it himself - some people!!
I had to "pull up" in the Borehamwood Half Marathon. Partly because of the heat and partly because my training had tailed off Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-958865102003-06-21T06:27:00.000Z2003-06-21T06:27:02.530ZOh No!
I ordered my copy of the latest Harry Potter in January from amazon.co.uk and, as usual, selected Hemel as the delivery address... doh!
Only realised this when I got an email telling me that it had been dispatched. Now, the earliest that I can pick up the book will be Monday as the post-room doesn't open over the weekend!
What makes it worse is that I could have changed the delivery Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-957179502003-06-16T14:58:00.000Z2003-06-16T14:58:11.443Z Sorry, but I've been so busy that I almost forgot to post to this BLOG!
Last week was the last full week of the 90-day garden leave and also quite warm... so spend a couple of hours in the hammock!
My wife went off for a couple of days and left me "in charge". So, again, the hammock was in use while the sun was shining.
That is, apart from locking myself out of the house. I couldn't get hold Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-954369682003-06-08T21:27:00.000Z2003-06-08T21:28:50.000ZAfter so many busy weeks, last week was quite quiet.
Running on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Doesn't look too good for the Half Marathon in Borehamwood in two weeks time. I'm way behind in my running schedule. I'll probably still run, but my time won't be too good.
I don't know how many people know, but McJobs (aka EarthWorks, the people now developing the new branch system) are advertising Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-951177272003-05-31T12:15:00.000Z2003-05-31T12:24:11.000ZWhat a week!
It's so hot and sunny. I'm glad I'm not struck in an office!
Finally, and I mean this, finally finished the wardrobes - look at the pictures in the "Home" collection - now have loads of space. The glass for the bedside tables should arrive by Friday. The problem now, is that I can't find anything is because it's not where it used to be.
I'm now able to get running again, and Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-949292962003-05-27T06:40:00.000Z2003-05-27T06:44:47.000ZWell, I'm glad last week is over.
After my morning run on Monday, it was time to get the bedroom ready for the wardrobes being delivered on Wednesday. This seemed straightforward - empty this, move that - but to where?
Anyway, a day out on Tuesday - France to top up the drinks cabinet and to eat some a bit of horse. And again, where to put these cases of wine and packs of beer?
Wednesday Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-945337532003-05-18T12:47:00.000Z2003-05-18T12:49:10.000ZLast week was, yet again, another busy week.
My housework continues to improve... I can now tidy the Kitchen and run around with the hoover... who said I couldn't be domesticated?
My running is getting back into it's groove with the problems with my left ankle appearing to subside. So, I'm now concentrating on improving my speed and I'm able to do a six mile run in under an hour.
Another Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-941032792003-05-10T13:51:00.000Z2003-05-10T13:51:41.216ZAfter my Watford 10k run, I was looking forward to my name appearing in the Watford Observer on Friday. But... It wasn't there!
I contacted the organisers who apologised and said they missed me (and a few other people) and are reviewing their procedures. So, for my �10 entrance fee I got a medal with the wrong date on it and a drink half way round the course.
Oh well. Better luck on the next Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-938122572003-05-05T17:58:00.000Z2003-05-05T17:59:37.000ZHaving just completed the Watford 10k run this morning, I'm feeling a mixture of elated, tired and slight drunk... well, you need to replace the liquids!
Managed to see Nick before and Anthony after. If I missed you or you missed me, then why not look for me on the Codicote run?
After my trip to Swindon last Sunday, I then spent a few days with two of my sisters in Weymouth. This didn't help myRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-932925132003-04-26T12:26:00.000Z2003-04-26T12:26:57.300ZNow that Easter's been and gone, it's time to get working...
Another busy week, so busy that I didn't have time to visit Hemel.
My running continues to improve, up to 40-45 minutes each day with the first objective - 10k run in Watford on Monday 5th May - in less than 10 days. So, if you not busy that bank holiday monday, dig out your camera and try to find me!.
Then there's another 10k run Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-928810162003-04-19T09:04:00.000Z2003-04-20T19:51:13.000ZAfter all the sunshine, this week was taken up with getting my hammock out of the shed and giving it a pre-season checkout. Yeap, ready for the summer!
I'm re-visiting Harry Potter at the moment by listening to Stephen Fry doing HP1 on CD in the car, HP2 film on video (promised myself that I wouldn't buy another DVD until the job thing is sorted, so this was borrowed!) and more Stephen Fry with Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-925938912003-04-14T17:27:00.000Z2003-04-14T18:53:28.000ZYet another busy week - I'll be glad to get back to work and have a rest!
We've only just returned after a weekend away to see my brother-in-law who lives near Manchester. We went to the local theatre on Saturday to see an interesting play called "A Load Of Old Women And A Bit Of A Slapper". This was well supported and enjoyable, With it's title it reminded me of the Branch Programme!
The Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-920340952003-04-05T10:04:00.000Z2003-04-05T10:04:57.856ZThis week has again been busy with the 2 day "Self Marketing" course taking up much of my time. Both in terms of the course itself and the stuff it teaches you. I now understand what a CV really is!
I've also started on the long list of things my wife's always nagged about - tidy up to shed, fix the hoover, etc. I've also started running again, every morning!
By the time I'm back in full time Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860478.post-916128612003-03-29T18:57:00.000Z2003-03-29T19:00:47.000ZWell, that was an exciting week!
As I've been saying to everybody who's asked, I'm not upset, angry or anything.
I think John O was a bit surprised that I didn't explode when we told me on Monday. But I had an idea when I realised that he wanted to see me at 08:30 and he's never in that early...so I'd cleared my desk before I went to see him!
Not having filled in a CV or going to a job Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913693013013604172noreply@blogger.com0