Thursday 22nd September 2011

Today I learned...

...that sometimes even with money (vouchers) in your pocket, you can't find anyhtign to buy in Marks and Spencers.

That Trafford Centre store is rubbish. Terrible layout and unpleasant store design. Will go to Deepdale instead.

John Lewis never disappoints though, and I loved what's in Next at the moment.
Debenhams - as usual, I got to the entrance, looked at the jumble sale of perfume/bags/toiletries and then luggage/cafe/homeware on the other floor, and just decided not to bother. I have only been round that Debenhams once and that was with Mum. It's a truly dreadful layout. Did they just hire the worst designers for the Trafford? Did the real designers spend all their time on Bluewater and Cribbs causeway?

Enjoyed my initial John Lewis coffee very much and that was what I always look forward to the most. Thank you, John Lewis Espresso bar!

Wednesday 21st September

Today I learned....

..that I was not required in the meeting which had been my original reason for travelling up to Newcastle in the first place. Very annoying and another symptom of this work/team/management issue that I can't quite put my finger on. Something is not working, but what? And why do i feel guilty about the idea of mentioning it?

Is it me?

I know it's not me. But what can we do? We seem to have lost our voice. The person who might be our voice is busy with their own things, and does not seem interested.

How to fix it?

Tuesday 20th September

Today I learned....

...that it is very pleasant to sit eating a nice meal reading an absorbing book by Jeremy Clarkson. Again, not so much a revelation, more a confirmation. I chuckled all through my meal which must have been off putting for the Dutch/German business man sitting at the next table.

Monday 19th September 2011

Today I learned....

... that a dreaded things is rarely as bad as you thought it would be. The customers were very nice even when things weren't working. It hasn't fixed any of their big issues though. But hey, I was not asked to because no-one responded to my messages asking about the purpose of the visit. we did very well considering and once again I was able to pull some rabbits out of hats. Not everyone can do that you know. Imagine if I was 'just' a trainer.

Still worried about it, and slightly despairing of this customer achieving what they need.

Oh - and I also learned that if you miss a turn in Liverpool city centre, it's a very long way round in a city you assume you know quite well but in fact have never paid that much attention to in terms of one way systems and no entry signs. Started late on site. Sigh.

Sunday 18th September 2011

Today I learned....

....that you should not wait 2 weeks to create a blog post about a Sunday when you have no prompts to remind you what you did. We may have gone to the Delph, or to Heskin Hall, or just Tescos. I cannot remember.

Saturday 17th September 2011

Today I learned....

... that of course lots of bulbs are poisonous. Not the hard way, thank goodness, but it had not even occurred to em that going to the garden centre to choose spring bulbs would be anything other than relaxing and fun. Instead, the usual world of hazard and danger everywhere.

Never mind, job done.

Friday 16th September

Today I learned....

..that I am bad at sticking to a plan to take the baby to the park, because I know I don't have the willpower to stop her running to the swings and just have a lovely run round instead. Instead we did pot-washing in the garden. Not too bad in baby-enjoyment terms and actually useful. Hurrah!