I AM GUTTED

To say I am pissed off would be the understatement of the century! I found out this afternoon, by telephone, that I have not been successful in my application for the new position at my workplace. This makes me feel like shit for many reasons.

Firstly, I would have thought after 2 years of service DOING the job, they could have at least told me in person.

Secondly, I was told it was based on the report I had to write as a test for them the other day. This was a 6-line summary which they told us to make brief and concise. I was told that grammer and spelling were taken into consideration [in a 6-line summary, grammar isn't always important], and I have never had any bad feedback from any report I have written previously!

Thirdly, I was already pissed off that they had advertised externally after specifically telling us they wouldn't unless they didn't get the 4 positions filled from internal applicants. I was told today that they advertised externally because they only received 5 applications internally.

Fourthly, I know of one other internal applicant who has gone one step further in the application process despite coming in for the summary section dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, unshaved and without his security pass [on top of which he has been doing the job for half the length of time that I have].

This morning, at least 5 external applicants were interviewed, presumably they completed the summary test along with the interview we were expecting as the next step.

I told the managers before applications were requested, that if I was unsucessful that I would be requesting a transfer from my present position (which would be a control room position dealing solely with building matters, which I detest. But I would be expected to cover for the position I applied for if one of the sucessful applicants were to call in sick or be on holiday!)

I am seriously pissed off and really have no enthusiasm for work anymore, and any confidence that I have built up over the past 2 years (during which time I realised that I had found a job I actually enjoyed most of the time, for the very first time in my life!) The new position would have been, very nearly, a dream job for me and I would have done it even if the money was reduced, instead of increased!

I have 1 more day at work before having a day and a half off, and I really feel like blowing out tomorrow. I have requested an interview with the human resources department to find out what my options are for alternate positions within the company.

I really do not know what I am going to do. What makes things worse is that the last few months have been really shit ones. I have basically lost my former best mate, moved to a flat I hate living in and now the job I really like is being taken away from me. Not good. [I can just imagine what my mate Deano will be saying: "Just get another job!" I wish things were that easy!]

Christian Bale

I would like to wish Christian Bale a very happy birthday today. As I can't do it in person, I'll have to do it here!! Damn!

Christian is a mere 33 years old today and, in case you don't know him he recently starred in the latest Batman film, Batman Begins, which I am ashamed to say I have yet to see, but I hear that it is fantastic. I remember him mainly from the film American Psycho, which is a great film, fantastically acted by Bale. And he is a a real hottie!!

Knackered

Yesterday, at work, I had tonnes to do and hardly stopped for more than 10 minutes at a time until 17:30!! When I got home I was so tired that I laid on my bed and fell asleep for about 2 hours. Luckily I woke in time for Prison Break, which is keeping up its high standards. Unfortunately after that I tried to go back to sleep but didn't manage it until after 02:00. I wish I could sort my sleep patterns out.

I had the first part of my application process for the new position here at work yesterday, really easy (especially as it was an exercise that we had been given before, based on an incident that I actually dealt with a couple of years ago. I just have to wait and see when they want to do the next part of the process.

Beautiful men to cheer me up

10 things I hate at the moment...

1. My flat [it is still the Flat From Hell]
2. People with hidden agendas [like some people at work!]
3. The Cillit Bang adverts [why does Barry Scott feel the need to shout all the time?]
4. Being tired all the time [mainly from boredom]
5. Wintery weather [I could do with a sunny holiday!]
6. Reality television [enough already]
7. My belly [I still can't get motivated to exercise]
8. Being single [probably because of my belly, it's obviously not my personality because I'm fabulous!!]
9. Debt [the reason why I can't have a sunny holiday]
10. Noisy people, stopping me from sleeping or relaxing at home

Work latest...

I got 2 texts and a phone call last night from my work mates to advise me of my employers latest underhanded tactics:
As I've said before I am applying for this new position at work (which is basically my current job repackaged!). My employers told us that they would take applications internally and if they couldn't fill the positions from these applications then they would advertise externally. We they have gone ahead and advertised already! So, instead of 8 possible rivals I now have infinite rivals!
My work should speak for itself, I think I am possibly one of the more competent members of the current team, but you never know with my employers, they seem to go out of their way to f**k over their staff at every opportunity! I'm sure the recent sacking of 3 supervisors was just there way of saying "watch out, you could be next!"
I have the first part of my selection process for the new position on Monday afternoon, so wish me luck, though from the description it should be fairly easy.

Just for Tim

Went out last night and met Tim and Richard for a few drinks. It was nice to see Richard again, I don't see him out very often. I was hoping that there would be loads of Aussie hunks to lust over, but I saw one guy draped in an Australian flag and that was it. It was really busy out though, we went into Rupert Street for 1 drink and couldn't move. And I had far too much to drink, as evidenced by the fact that I ended up in 79CXR, a place I swore I would never return to. Then I walked home! Thank god it wasn't as cold as it has been recently.
I stayed in bed reading until about 13:30, as I couldn't be bothered to get up and I have nothing planned for today [or tomorrow for that matter!].

Birthday meat!!

As well as being Australia Day, today is the birthday of hot American actor Dorian Gregory, best known to most in the UK as Darryl in Charmed. He is a spritely 36 years old today. Enjoy his pics.

Happy Australia Day

Today is Australia Day (and I hope to be having a few drinks later to celebrate), but I thought I would celebrate the male Australian form here for you today. Enjoy.

Happy Australia Day

to you all.

Grace Kelly

I can't express how much I LOVE "Grace Kelly" by Mika at the moment. Suffice to say that I just found it on YouTube and played it 12 times in succession!!! It is so original and catchy. I desperately want the album to live up to this impressive start. Keep up the good work Mika, I just wish I could get back my link to YouTube so I could post the video on here instead of just the link! Sort it out BetaBlogger!!

Sackings at work!!

I came into work tonight only to find that 3 supervisors had been "removed from site" meaning that the company I work for have to find another site for them to work on, because the company we are contracted to had asked for them to be removed because of low "standards". Pretty harsh, but "sackings" are fairly common where I work, for various reasons. But the guys that have gone this time are nice guys, and at least 2 are fairy hard working.
I was only joking at the start of this set of shifts when I asked the off-going shift who had been sacked while I was off!!

Birthday Boy (who I've never heard of!)

A new guy for me this, Tito Ortiz, who is a mixed martial arts fighter from California, USA who is 32 years old today and is H.O.T. Check him out...

Muscle god

Here are some pictures of a man I recently discovered: Scott Klein.

Unfortunately he died in 2003, but his legacy lives on on his web site. This man was gorgeous and had a fantastic body which he obviously worked hard on. Here are some pictures so that you can appreciate his form..

Busy afternoon

Just as we were getting into the Arsenal v Man United match this afternoon we suddenly had lots of work to do today. Our New York counterparts had made a mistake sending a message out to too many people and we had to arrange for another email to advise those who needn't act on the email. Then we had to action something else which they were unable to do (for some unknown reason!) And then we just had to monitor the situation in case our assistance was required again.
So, it worked out that we got credit for good work with something that we shouldn't really have been involved in. Fantastic. And, it made the final part of the afternoon speed by, which makes it even better.

Hunk's Birthday

Today is the 44th birthday of James Denton the American actor from Desperate Housewives. He is one of the best reasons to watch the show (along with Jesse Metcalfe and all the bitchiness too!)

Happy birthday James.

Update on work (more news)

We received an email today, late in the afternoon, as they always seem to arrive just as the management "team" head off home. It was about the new positions at work.
It basically said that everything they had described about the position before was the same including the money, but the shift pattern is better (staying as it is at the moment).

The killer is that they have only give 7 days for all applications to be in! They have been keeping us hanging around since November 30th and now we have 7 days!! Some of the eligable applicants won't be back until the day before!!

At least I have time to prepare my CV and application email. I can do it at work during my weekend shifts. Result.

Lee and Leigh

I have received a very annoying email via Lee, from his c**t of an ex-boyfriend. It read as follows:


"hello alex

its leigh writing on lees e-mail.

i will never change your opinion of me, but its been very apparent from day one that you dont like me! The strange thing is alex that i actually do like you! my opinion has not changed throughout my relationship with lee!!!

With the way you are acting recently please stop and think about things, because you are losing out on a very special friendship with lee. Lee has chosen to still be good friends with me - there is no hold over him what so ever to continue this friendship we have, except that we are still very much dedicated to each other, but firmly as friends.

i hope that you can understand this! i have always said from day one that friends are important to me and i still hold that view.

i have never stopped lee from seeing you despite what you think!

Leigh"

I have replied, TO LEE, but won't go into too much detail apart from saying that my first line was:

"I knew I would end up being the bad guy!"

And I did initially like Leigh and told everyone that I thought he would be really good for Lee. His actions since have proved otherwise to me, and to Lee, though he refuses to tell the guy to f**k off.
How many reasons can I come up with why he should be told to "go away?" Let's see:

1. He would always phone Lee on the rare occasions when I was out with him and have an arguement either causing Lee to leave early or to stop enjoying the night.
2. Or, if he was out with us, he would have the arguement in person, or storm off, causing Lee to go after him or again ruining the night.
3. He has physically attacked Lee, though Lee can give as good as he gets this is still not acceptable.
4. On receiving an expensive piece of jewelry from Lee's dad one Christmas, he accused him of trying to buy his affections!
5. He "squeeled" to Lee's dad recently to ruin a date he was on. Bearing in mind that this was months after they had officially split as a couple!
6. He has constantly belittled Lee to erode his self-confidence, though he does this when they are alone or with Leigh's friend [Lee told me this].

Only six, but there are many examples of a few of the above, and I've probably forgotten a few things too.

After reading the email and having to come up with a composed, measured response, I am now feeling like complete shit after having a great night out with Tim, a true friend at the moment. And, after rehydrating myself this morning, having a pretty good shift at work today too.

I probably shouldn't have shared all of that, but I had to get it out of my system. So thank you for your patience, to anyone who has read the whole thing. I'm gonna go and cook some dinner and watch something nice on telly.

NOT BIG F*****G BROTHER!!

Amusing games to play while on a plane.

Here is a great idea, for when the passenger(s) next to you on a plane journey are annoying you. Simply get your laptop out and click on this link, and watch their faces change. You may get chucked off the plain, or arrested, or even shot, but it could be worth it!

Another wrestlers birthday

Or should I say THE wrestler!
The ultimate wrestler in my humble opinion, is David Michael Bautista Jr., aka Batista's 38th birthday. Now I think he is a VERY good-looking man, who is very good at his job, but, again in my opinion, he has taken his body a bit too far. Just a bit. Not that I would say no, ever. He is amazing, and has obviously worked REALLY hard to achieve his look (I hope he took no short cuts!). Happy birthday Batista, keep up the good work.

Just for the hell of it....

HAVE A VERY HAPPY WINNIE THE POOH DAY!

Some men for your viewing pleasure (and mine)

April's comics from Marvel

I have just checked out the listings for the comics being released by Marvel in April:

Excellent

Firstly we have the first issue of Omega Flight and the cover confirms that Talisman (Elizabeth Twoyoungmen) will be a member in a slight variation from her original costume, which I always loved. It states it is a 5-parter, I thought it was an on-going series! Who knows?

Secondly, we have Nova returning to his own on-going series, hoorah. Hopefully he will be spending a lot of time in space instead of just on Earth, now that his powers have been dramatically increased.
Next, we have the Loners, a spin-off from Runaways with the team formerly known as Excelsior. Could be good.

Thunderbolts, this week, explores the life of Ollie Osnick, the Steel Spider.

Mighty Avengers has a female Ultron, and I'm not talking Alkhema, the War Toy either (I don't think!)

X-Men: First Class has Gorilla Man guest starring.

My favourite, another Official Marvel Handbook Update.

The Fantastic Four has Silver Surfer and Stardust guest-starring.

And Wolverine is battling, (can you guess?) ................... Sabretooth. Please Marvel give it a break already! There are only so many times you can have the same battle without people getting bored.

Not disapointed

Last night's Prison Break lived up to my expectations. It was a great episode and good to see William Fichtner (formerly in Invasion, another must watch-program from last year), as FBI Agent Mahone. Can't wait to see how the series pans out. AND, I'm very happy to see that it will be repeated on Friday nights too, in case I miss any episodes through work [or drinking].

The return of my fave program of last year

Tomorrow night sees the return to British screens of my absolute must-see program from last year.... PRISON BREAK. I loved that program and didn't miss a single episode, which is a feat in itself with the shifts I work!! The series was so well written and acted (mostly!) so I hope that the second series lives up to my high expectations.

I think that I may have, initially, been influenced to watch it by the cute guys in the cast, especially Amaury Nolasco who is one of the main characters and, although he is a criminal, seems to be one of the nice guys of the series. I would love to see him in more stuff, to find out if he is as good an actor as he appears to be.

So, don't forget to check it out: Channel 5 22:00 every Monday night.