For me this year hasn't been the best of years personally but, it certainly has had it's highlights. I can think of several instantly. I don't want to really mention the negative things this year as they are a tad on the sensitive side for me.
Lets start with the beginning of the year shall we? This time last year I was still working at Esso and little did I know that the site was going to be brought out by ASDA. As a team of workers we all found out officially in January and it seemed very good news to everyone on board, even Cyril was ecstatic. We just had to wait until the end of February for the official takeover date and if I remember correctly the last trading day as Esso was March 1st but, only until about 9am. After that again it was a bit of a waiting game. Because we had to wait so long, my old manager suggested that we all work for him at his new site for week to help tie things over. That was an experience and a half. I'm sorry Daybrook folk, but you are not as nice as our Ilsoners, though to be fair I only worked the night shift for a week.
A couple of weeks later in the middle of March we all had our best welcome with Asda. That was a weird couple of days but, it was all very nice and relaxed. The first day we mostly went over all of the legalities and our personal details then the next day was more about the businesses four beliefs. From that point onwards, I was trained at the ASDA Long Eaton Superstore which we found out only just classes as a Superstore. We stayed at this store until the date drew closer for our little store to open up. The closer we got, the more occasionally we started to travel to Woodville to start the proper training. I say proper training because they are actually a petrol station too. It was a bit weird working in a superstore after all, I did enjoy both though. I managed to make a few friends in both of the stores that I we trained in which I still have on Facebook. We still have to help Woodville out occasionally, like for instance we recently had our Christmas meals at work so for everyone to be able to go, someone from the other store would have to cover.
In May I started going to the gym with my friend Chantelle and just a couple of weeks back my other friend Jo decided to start going too. I found out that my cousin Kerry is also a member so now it is a thing were we go together on Mondays. In June, I had a bit of bad luck as I had my first little accident in my car on a roundabout. I never did get that sorted out but, I think we both possibly learnt our lesson. On the plus side, I also got to see the Piano Guys live. That was definitely the best part of the year. I went with my mum, auntie and my friend Chantelle and it certainly is a night I will remember. for many years to come being such a big fan and all. I'm not sure if they are coming back to the UK in 2016 but, I certainly hope so!
In late July, our store finally opened. I remember posting so much about when we finally opened because it was really like the big wait was finally over. We had only been waiting about four months but, the excitement made it feel more like years. I made a separate blog to track the progress of the new petrol station which and the destruction of the old (which I'm quite proud of if I'm honest).
Since the new petrol station opened up, I didn't really do much else with the rest of the year (apart from meet Stuart Ashen, collect various figures and CD's and of course wrote a few more songs) although, I did decided that next year will be the year that I go back into education and do a University level course. I have selected a few courses that took my fancy and I have now sent off my UCAS application after months of preparing it and waiting on references. I am so relieved that it is finally sent off. Hopefully, this time next year I will be a University student. I'm planning on keeping my job still, but I'll have to reduce my hours to part time to be able to fit everything in without stressing out too much. I haven't really got much planned for this year apart from University later on through the months and I still need to sort out my finance. That should be fun.
Here's to a happy 2016!
Thursday 31 December 2015
Wednesday 9 December 2015
The Day We Met Stuart Ashen!!
First of all, I say "we" because I went with my friend, Chantelle. I was a little too nervous to go alone.
On December 3rd, Ashens book was released through the help of a crowd funding organisation that specified in publishing books called, Unbound. I didn't hear about this movement until late into the backing scheme but, still managed to pledge a grand total of £25 towards the making of the book after it had already reached the target needed. In the end, his book had reached 434% of the target they originally aimed for! (I don't know what the figure was but, by the looks of it they smashed it!)
Shortly before the books official release, Ashens announced on his social media that he will be doing a book signing tour. I immediately got excited and book a whole day off because he said he was coming to Waterstones in Nottingham on December 9th. Which he did, he didn't lie.
So, the morning of the 9th soon came around and I was very excitable. I remember deciding to go to the gym first thing to wear myself out a little but, that didn't really happen. I did manage to have a really nice long shower though, to help freshen up for later. I blow dried my hair and everything!
The book signing didn't start until 5pm and I had agreed to meet my friend Chantelle in Derby at 2pm to then go straight into Nottingham on the Red Arrow. This was a busy day. We ended up getting into Nottingham a little early so we decided to "scope the place out", you know, see if there's anything happening yet at the book store. When we first went in it was about half past three. There were already a few early birds queuing at the front. I mean, literally there was five people. They gave us some advise though which was rather nice of them. On of them realised that we were loitering a little and told us that we will need to buy on of his book from being the counter. So, we did. The gentleman behind the counter was rather nice when we asked him about Ashens book.I think he though we were being a little awkward when we said that we would like to buy two separately but, never mind. He was a nice guy. He went on to tell us that he thought this signing was going to be a popular one even though it is hard to judge.
We decided to leave Waterstones for a while and then come back later, in an hour or so. Sorry, Stuart we don't love you that much to wait an hour an a half inside.
We ended up going for a milkshake in a place that I love called, "Sobar". Its a brilliant name. They don't sell anything alcoholic. So we just chilled out in there and sapped up the free wifi. We went back towards Waterstones at about half four and by the time we had gotten back there was already a que from outside and going up the side of the store so we decided to quickly join while it seemed still possible to see him. We waited about half an hour in the cold just for him to show and then an extra hour or so to actually meet him. Figures we should have just waited earlier but then it would have been over a lot sooner and I don't like that thought.
I bought a present to give to Stuart (as you can see in the video) wrapped in Star Wars: The Force Awakens Paper., addressed to: TATMASTER. which was written on a Cheff Excellence sticky note. Spoilers: It was fake lego. I will never know if he ever had the pleasure of opening it and throwing it immediately in the bin but, generally it was so lovely to actually meet him and I think its great that he still has a really good sense of humour in person too. I hope one day he gets on the telly all good and proper. He does need his own show. I know he's done the short Ashens Tech Dump series but, we need more! Plus, I find it amusing that generally the guy is famous for reviewing absolute crap. You can literally do anything these days.
On December 3rd, Ashens book was released through the help of a crowd funding organisation that specified in publishing books called, Unbound. I didn't hear about this movement until late into the backing scheme but, still managed to pledge a grand total of £25 towards the making of the book after it had already reached the target needed. In the end, his book had reached 434% of the target they originally aimed for! (I don't know what the figure was but, by the looks of it they smashed it!)
Shortly before the books official release, Ashens announced on his social media that he will be doing a book signing tour. I immediately got excited and book a whole day off because he said he was coming to Waterstones in Nottingham on December 9th. Which he did, he didn't lie.
So, the morning of the 9th soon came around and I was very excitable. I remember deciding to go to the gym first thing to wear myself out a little but, that didn't really happen. I did manage to have a really nice long shower though, to help freshen up for later. I blow dried my hair and everything!
The book signing didn't start until 5pm and I had agreed to meet my friend Chantelle in Derby at 2pm to then go straight into Nottingham on the Red Arrow. This was a busy day. We ended up getting into Nottingham a little early so we decided to "scope the place out", you know, see if there's anything happening yet at the book store. When we first went in it was about half past three. There were already a few early birds queuing at the front. I mean, literally there was five people. They gave us some advise though which was rather nice of them. On of them realised that we were loitering a little and told us that we will need to buy on of his book from being the counter. So, we did. The gentleman behind the counter was rather nice when we asked him about Ashens book.I think he though we were being a little awkward when we said that we would like to buy two separately but, never mind. He was a nice guy. He went on to tell us that he thought this signing was going to be a popular one even though it is hard to judge.
We decided to leave Waterstones for a while and then come back later, in an hour or so. Sorry, Stuart we don't love you that much to wait an hour an a half inside.
We ended up going for a milkshake in a place that I love called, "Sobar". Its a brilliant name. They don't sell anything alcoholic. So we just chilled out in there and sapped up the free wifi. We went back towards Waterstones at about half four and by the time we had gotten back there was already a que from outside and going up the side of the store so we decided to quickly join while it seemed still possible to see him. We waited about half an hour in the cold just for him to show and then an extra hour or so to actually meet him. Figures we should have just waited earlier but then it would have been over a lot sooner and I don't like that thought.
I bought a present to give to Stuart (as you can see in the video) wrapped in Star Wars: The Force Awakens Paper., addressed to: TATMASTER. which was written on a Cheff Excellence sticky note. Spoilers: It was fake lego. I will never know if he ever had the pleasure of opening it and throwing it immediately in the bin but, generally it was so lovely to actually meet him and I think its great that he still has a really good sense of humour in person too. I hope one day he gets on the telly all good and proper. He does need his own show. I know he's done the short Ashens Tech Dump series but, we need more! Plus, I find it amusing that generally the guy is famous for reviewing absolute crap. You can literally do anything these days.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
Waiting for Friday
As Christmas fast approaches and all of the Black Friday sales come to an end, I am now very excited for the fourth. I have finally ordered what I have been wanting for ages and I get to fetch it this Friday. I've been eyeing up different iPads since not too long after I got my Mac Mini. I have an android tablet but, I just feel like it just isn't powerful enough for what I want to use it for, which is mostly games if I'm honest, but more to the point. My tablet my have a quad core processor inside it, but nothing really runs smoothly whereas on an iso device I haven't had any problems. The iPad that I have ordered is the Mini 3 128Gb in space grey, I really am so excited. I am that excited that I have already brought two cases for it.
In other news, I brought a cool controller today for the ps1/2 and it barely cost me anything. It is the transparent white edition controller and they seem to be very hard to come by these days. The ones I mostly see are solid grey ps1 controllers or solid black ps2, so I was very surprised to find it. Also, I found it in a charity shop. I can't test it out until the house gets back to normal. At the moment, the house is a bit of a mess because we are having a new kitchen and bathroom fitted which will hopefully all be finished by tomorrow evening. I don't think I can bare another week of having to keep all of my laundry in my room. Lets just say I like my floor space.
It's my mum's Birthday today but, she had all of her cards and gifts yesterday because we all work stupid times of the day. I brought her a couple of new cds, specifically Take That's new album and the latest Now! compilation and I also got her a box of smelly things and a milk tray. My dad surprised her by buying her many boxes of treats, chocolates and perfumes too because before he had said that she was having anything because of all of the work we are having done to the house. Its funny really I guess and kinda cute, but I think she has enjoyed today. I went to KFC with her earlier before work and then my dad took her out for food later on. We're hoping to all go out together closer to the weekend to celebrate together.
In other news, I brought a cool controller today for the ps1/2 and it barely cost me anything. It is the transparent white edition controller and they seem to be very hard to come by these days. The ones I mostly see are solid grey ps1 controllers or solid black ps2, so I was very surprised to find it. Also, I found it in a charity shop. I can't test it out until the house gets back to normal. At the moment, the house is a bit of a mess because we are having a new kitchen and bathroom fitted which will hopefully all be finished by tomorrow evening. I don't think I can bare another week of having to keep all of my laundry in my room. Lets just say I like my floor space.
It's my mum's Birthday today but, she had all of her cards and gifts yesterday because we all work stupid times of the day. I brought her a couple of new cds, specifically Take That's new album and the latest Now! compilation and I also got her a box of smelly things and a milk tray. My dad surprised her by buying her many boxes of treats, chocolates and perfumes too because before he had said that she was having anything because of all of the work we are having done to the house. Its funny really I guess and kinda cute, but I think she has enjoyed today. I went to KFC with her earlier before work and then my dad took her out for food later on. We're hoping to all go out together closer to the weekend to celebrate together.
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