One day at a time

Another stressful day, but at least Linda was back and worked with Jing. Shame Greg is leaving, he's a nice guy and mine kind of guy. I feel like I'm being bullied by Christina, I guess she's just very confident but not very flexible. I picked up my new glasses and not had any problems and made an appointment to check my contacts lenses for Saturday.

Be careful what you wish for! I'm enjoying the change and the mental challenge learning something new, but this managing people can be painful. Had one member of the team off on "sick" leave for the last few days and its caused a number of issues, impacting my work and that of the newest member of the team. At least it as forced me to make a decision to ensure there is cover for this person in the future.

Public holiday, which I spent a good part of driving between shopping centres.  Took the lamp back, only to find the replacement was as equally defective. Tried both Kmart and Target to find a replacement, but nothing I liked.  I did buy a new bath towel and some pillow cases. 

Sounds like there's one or two parties going on. I had planned to go to the gym, but my body had other ideas. Not too bad, but went on for a while.  I did have brunch with the guys at the local cafe and walked to the supermarket. 

Been a busy day and fair amount completed.  First, booked the first train trip for my UK trip. £9 from London to Nottingham seems like a good deal, but not sure what it will translate into Aussie dollars.  Went shopping with my friend Campbell, my first trip to the Bunnings in Hawthorn. Splashed out there, with bits for the bathroom and garden.  After lunch, Campbell came over and install some of the bits I purchased.  Then went to BigW and bought a new kettle.  Only issue is the new lamp which is marked. Going to take it back on Monday. 

Got the feeling that I have forgotten to do something important at work and second guessing my decision to clear out Lenore's old desk draws. In my defence I assumed anything important would have been given to me. The Aussie Day event went off well, just under 50 people enjoyed the spit roast. I went shopping after work and bought some more workout tops. I should have gone for large!!

rIy had to use my stern voice today at work, as I was getting pressured to approve a payment which I didn't feel needed to be made although it would benefit the receiptents. Stayed in this evening and did the ironing while watching a movie, but which appeared to be based on avatar. This week has been very tying mentally.

Had ny first leadership meeting as a full member and an hour meeting with Jillian. There's a lot to this managing gig. Had dinner with Campbell, although the drive there was stressful. I certainly shouldn't drive tied.

Work was interesting today, getting to grips with the new role and the personalities of the other members of the team. They are a strange bunch really. Travelled back with Ange alone, and we only just caught the train. Will be happier once they revert to the proper timetable. Received a working SIM for my Windows phone and it does work, but it's not 4G which I hoped I would be able to access. Will have to watch the data usage, there are less controls on this phone. I ordered some new glasses, mainly for use in the car so I can see the display and road ahead. My medical insurance is covering the total cost.

Not sure how I'm going with the new job, I haven't got the budget down pat yet, but feel more comfortable with it. Next test will be making the SRIMS adjustments and hopeful getting them right. EyeTV stopped recording a couple of programs early, thankfully I was watching one of them and the other is on catch up.

Has to post Sunday update twice, the first one didn't go through on the Motorola. 

Sunday was a far better day, most of it went according to plan.  Started off with brunch with mates, although we did try a new place. I doubt we will go back, the food was average and the service disappointing.  I got in some shopping before heading to the gym and did some more food shopping afterwards.  Called my parents on Skype which fell over twice. 

I had planned to have an active day, with food shopping and gym, but unfortunately my bowels had other ideas. Still I did book a hire car for Nottingham, this time from Budget and I did go shopping to Bunnings. So it wasn't a completely wasted day.

The intense hot weather has broke and the days ahead will only be in the mid to high 20's. However the hot weather has brought bush and grass fires which might mean there are more natural disasters for the State to pay towards. Took public transport home, although Metro was reporting good service on my line there were no trains to Upfield shown at the station so headed over to Moonee Ponds instead.

Had good intentions to go to bed early but spent the latter part of the evening searching for a particular music track. Another very hot day, spent most of it in air conditioned comfort, and drove myself to and from work. Was a bit out of sorts this morning, when I couldn't find any spots in my usual parking area, but ended up parking even closer to work.

Second day of 40 degree heat and first day in my new role. Bit daunting on both aspects.

First day of really hot weather. I got a lift back with Anne and Travis, which was nice to be in an air conditioned car rather than a train. Lenore has now left and I can piece together what my new role was, she left lots of information, but wasn't sure what I aim meant to be doing.

I have sort of started my new job, but I am still doing some of my old one too. Not sure I am quite ready for the management responsibilities bit will give them a go. I went out to dinner with Campbell, didn't make too much of Carnival and I enjoyed this evening, we did something different although I still don't enjoy parallel parking.

Spent the afternoon feeling sorry for myself, after discovering that people I know (sort of) had gone to Carnival but hadn't let me know. Well they had, but only on Facebook and I didn't look at it until the evening. Actually had a productive day, brunch, gym, clothes shopping, but afterwards I turned to a couch potato 😞 Called home but not really a happy chap this evening.

I drove down to see my aunt and uncle, who live on Hastings. I took my cousin with me and we took out aunt out for lunch before stopping off at Kmart to get some batteries for my aunt. Had to install the batteries into the various remote controls that she has so she can watch her DVD's again.

Went to my favourite lunch venue in the city Mrs Parma's for my farewell lunch with my current team. The servings were enormous, I still feel stuffed 12 hours later. Caught up with Campbell after work and went to Ikea which was surprisingly quiet.

I had dinner at Not Too Glassy with Dave and we both enjoyed our meals, although mine was really too big for one person.

Booked some accommodation in central London for my trip at the beginning of May in a funky boutique hotel in Paddington. The rooms sounds similar to the Stay Club, but this one is central and includes breakfast. Still over $100 per night but under $150. Still thinking about where to stay when I arrive and whether I want to stay in Nottingham for nearly two weeks. Maybe I can go and see Graham at the farm?

I went to the gym this evening and one of the guys that mans the desk was training. He demonstrated excellent form with the exercise and didn't howl, but concentrated on feeling the exercise.  I would mind getting him to do a program  the next time I renew my membership. 

Still worrying over whether I have made the right decision to go over to the UK at Easter. I guess there is never going to be a perfect time and it will be whatever I make of it.  Easter will be more expensive for accommodation and other travel with the  achools on holiday too. Maybe I spend more time in Nottingham and hire the car for a shorter time.  It will be what I make of it, so I should stop worrying and start planning. 

Didn't hang around after getting the go ahead to take extended leave over Easter. Didn't want to miss out on paying under $1500 for a return flight to London.   Flying with an airline I've used before and on a virtually new airplane. 

After brunch, I went to Ikea to replace the lamp that blew last night. Also picked up a few other bits and pieces. Meant that I didn't get to the gym this weekend. Neither have I heard from Paul, which is disappointing. Discovered that my Samsung hifi has stopped reading ipods, looks like it's the to replace that too. Posted via Blogaway

Not sure I would class my retail therapy as going mad at the January sales, but I have bought up big at Rivers and bought some cheap shirts from Myers, so I have probably spent more than a normal shopping trip.

I had almost forgotten about using email to add to my blog. Its been a while since I used it and I think it might have some features I've actually missed.

Once again managed to spend the whole day without interacting with a person, but its difficult when I don't leave the apartment. I must push myself to leave the apartment every day! This has been a very dull time, next year I should work through and take the time off later in the year. Posted via Blogaway Posted via Blogaway