Nataly

About $194,000. Boo hoo.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Shit.. I've thought about this and I really can't remember!! I had a slightly odd introduction into the sport.. I was sort-of seeing a guy that had been in the sport for like 10 years. I remember being really impressed by his passion for the sport & I think that was sort-of contagious.. Overall, though, I was usually pretty bored by all the videos he used to show me.. Maybe it was more his attitude than the sport that attracted me?? I seriously couldn't say if I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about, or if I had a personal desire to try something different, and I don't know if I was scared even!! Man!! How could I not know this??! I do know that on my 14th jump was the first time I looked down and I thought "FUCK!! I could FALL OUT OF THIS AIRCRAFT!!!" And that scared me shitless - until I realised that was sort of the point and I just got over it & jumped!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yeah, but $45K is not that much when you think that it doubles up as your own private aircraft!!! It's COOL!! I *want* one!!! Edit to say: Wait.. I was talking about the second option.. How much does that cost?? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Wow!! You lucky girl

You have to license your TV? Holy crap, that's going too far. See why we revolted 230+ years ago. Not any different to paying for cable, really!! Except that you don't get refunds. Apparently "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I just found out that when you pay for a TV license over here, you have to get one for 1 year. And their policy on refunds if you cancel/move within this time is that basically you'll never see your money again. There are limited exceptions, but I'm not one of them, apparently. When I called to find out about getting a refund, the guy told me "don't bother". When I asked to speak to his manager, he said "I am the manager and you're not getting a refund". When I pointed out that I was paying for a service I wasn't going to use, he replied "you didn't pay for a service - you paid for a TV license". I think that pretty much summed it up!! D'oh. So, pet peeve = poor customer service / no customer service!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Aww man.. I'm an accountant and even *I* don't like stats!! Not calculating them, anyway!! I feel your pain.. As the great Zoolander once said: "Words can only hurt you if you try to read them.".. I suppose the same principle can apply to Maths - numbers can only hurt you if you try to calculate them!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Oh noooo!!! Ha ha ha!! I still laugh at the big grin on her face, like she had really done me proud!! But at least she didn't decide to get creative with the stuff "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Someone commented on their nephew pooping his pants.. Which reminded me of something that happened over Christmas.. I was babysitting my niece, when I suddenly realised that she hadn't gone to the loo all day & I started to worry.. She's just turned 3 btw and no longer wears nappies.. So I kept asking her - do you need to pee pee? "Nope!" I asked her again and again until I really started to worry. Then out of the blue, she grabs my hand and takes me to the loo - thank god!! But I had NO IDEA what to do! I just plopped her on the seat and braced myself to catch her, should the inevitable happen & she falls into the toilet.. And then she said "now GO AWAY!" FUCK! So I waited by the door and after like 10 seconds she said "all done!" I walked into the bathroom again & she looks at me & says "pee pee, poo poo" And I asked her: "do you need to poo poo?" Her response: "Already poo poo

Oh, and another one that really made me laugh.. Again, not *strictly* speaking a pet peeve, but funny.. My ex's sister called the internet provider to let them know she had no connection.. They told her to send an email to their customer care email.. And she's like.. But I *can't* send an email - *that's* the problem!! "Yeah, yeah.. Put the whole story down in your message.." Sheesh!!! Edit to correct spelling!! (Yes, I *am* a geek!) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Not sure if it's a pet peeve.. But one thing about living in a place like London is that you keep making friends, and they keep going back to their home country :( Hope it's not because of me But hey.. Can't really complain too much, because someday I'm going to go back to Canada!!! After 4 years of living here, I've met a grand total of *1* person who was originally from London and still living here!!! Until a couple of weeks ago, I really believed that nobody *comes* from London - everyone just ends up here!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Not sure if I agree - he does similar shit over here.. He seems to enjoy getting a reaction from unlikely people. He's managed to wind-up some big-wig politicians with his "Ali-G" character. I'm not sure he makes fun of people at their expense.. I think it's just for a laugh. I personally didn't find myself laughing *at* americans.. Just thought the situations / reactions were fucking funny!! And he just seems to know how to wind people up!! I really *loved* when he interviewed posh & becks.. They were good sports and that was fun as well :) I think the man is actually a genius!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Ah ha ha!! Aww.. It's not all bad.. I do work in the beauty industry, and live in London.. Both of which can attract some pretty "interesting" characters.. And anyway, she's not really the co-worker from hell.. It's quite possible she just wanted the job & it had less to do with *me* than with that.. Still disheartening when you work so hard and someone sucker-punches you like that. But yeah.. I don't want to live my life like that. I think I'd prefer to be respected even if I didn't make it as far as a result. But hey - I'm human.. I still *hope* good things will come my way!! I could definitely stand to be more mellow & less stressed, but it's hard right now because it feels like everything's hitting me at once. On the plus side, I do have some really loyal friends, my family really cares about me, I've got a job and a roof over my head.. It's not all bad!!

I've never heard that one before!!! Ah ha ha!! I didn't get it the first time I read it "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I have always had a difficult time working in environments, where the focus was only making money and not contributing to the world in a more positive way. Yeah.. There's certainly a little bit of that going on. Truth be told, the *huge* majority of my work colleagues are really fantastic, *super* talented and incredibly good at their jobs. I suppose anywhere you go there is bound to be the odd person that causes trouble.. And you probably can't escape politics anywhere in life.. Just wish I had more stuff in my life right now that was satisfying and brought a smile to my face.. I kind of know I have to start making a few key changes.. I just don't even know where to start.. I feel quite down at this point and something like this comes along and makes me feel like all my hard work isn't a complete waste.. But it also reminds me that I'm in the wrong place if things like this is happening *and* it's upsetting me so much.. I know the world doesn't revolve around me, but it *does* sort of feel like a small victory that my hard work is recognised. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I just mean it's too bad in the sense that it didn't work. And I think I've earned a good reputation on the basis that I just do my job and focus on doing that to the best of my abilities. But you know, I do worry that this doesn't always get noticed You just don't know what people will believe.. I don't think I have the attitude you are describing.. It's precisely because I *don't* suck-up that I feel really pleased in this case. I've been passed up on many occasions. But then there are always lots of people who are better at what they do than you are.. It's quite hard to just keep your head down and not get upset when people do stuff like this to you.. I'm just happy that people know me and know I'm a solid worker. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

OK.. Here is the challenge.. I have just found a new place and it's totally unfurnished. At first I was really excited and the thought of creating my own space.. Then I realised I'm an accountant and have *no* imagination!!! So I thought I'd throw out a challenge.. I have a space that is essentially a large rectangle. I'm not there at the moment, but am guessing room dimensions are roughly 16' by 25'. The kitchen is separate from this space. So I would like to "section" it off so I have a "bedroom" area, a "living-room" area, and a "study" area. It's a blank slate.. Can anyone give me some ideas??? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Well, at first I was pretty horrified.. Cause I always worry that it's pretty easy to lose a good reputation.. And I think truthfully lots of really great people *don't* get ahead (not saying I'm "great" or not getting ahead ).. So in the back of my mind there was a real fear that her tactics would work. I don't know if it was out of dignity or just cowardice that I didn't fight back.. I'm just relieved. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Awww.. Poor little bugger *really* tried!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Ah ha ha!!! I stand corrected - sometimes sucking *can* be in both people's interest!!! That really cheered me up - thanks

Is it bad form to reply to your own post?? Seriously, though.. I can tell by all the hints that I'm not coming across overly well in some posts.. I think it's worth bearing in mind: - I going through a really rough time, and I'm feeling excessively cynical at the moment - I don't always word things in a fluffy way, and on email that doesn't always read very well - I'm really a very nice person - honestly. But yeah.. Sorry if I've annoyed anyone with my incessant complaining.. I *am* trying to improve things & I hope this will result in a cheerier Nat.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I found reports I had created that had been "modified" by her (you can see who last saved the files). Someone also forwarded me a heated email she sent where she said some pretty unforgivable lies about me. Edit to say: I still think I'm in the wrong kind of environment on a number of fronts.. It's just not supportive and warm/fuzzy, but much more cut-throat.. I see what's happening.. I don't like it.. And I don't want to play that game.. Maybe I should move to la-la-land, where people are friendly and everything is pink & fluffy!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yeah!! She might be an improvement on the current house-mate!! Seriously, though, re the housemate, in many ways it's hopeless because she can't change who she is. But good news on that front as well - I found a new place that's a studio *and* cheaper!! Yippee!! I think I really need big changes in my life.. I'm finding that more and more I'm surrounded by people who don't have my interests at heart.. So clearly the fault must ultimately lie with my life-choices, no? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Ah ha ha!! Yeah - that obviously helps!! My ex's father once told me you always get the best deals when you: a. have nothing to lose b. don't really want it in the first place "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

My theory is that people suck up to you only out of their own self-interests.. I further propose that their self-interest is usually not in *your* self-interest.. Case in point: my colleague has been unusually nice to me over the past couple of weeks.. She doesn't like me, hence why it was "unusual".. And I knew exactly why.. I got offered a promotion and was told "if you want it, the job is yours". I knew many people in the office were vying for this position, including this colleague of mine. I didn't apply for it - it was just offered to me. Today I found out she's been trying to persuade the big bosses that I'm not the right person for this big promotion and she tried to sabotage my work to prove her point. Ahh.. Office politics.. Too bad for her I've been there long enough to establish a good reputation I didn't need to defend. Meanwhile, she has her own reputation that she has gotten by doing just exactly this sort of thing. I've just signed my new contract