Today is the second annual Cabbage Nozzle day, a time to sit down and reflect on what Cabbage Nozzles mean to us. Speaking personally I was in a very dark place before Cabbage Nozzles entered my life and am eternally greatful their invention has enabled me to put my life back together. I will be raising a glass to Cabbage Nozzles this evening and invite you to do the same. To those who are still in that dark place I implore you to get involved in the Cabbage Nozzle movement and put your life back together.
Ladies and gentle readers, I'd like to mark your card about a TV series I discovered recently called In The Flesh. It is a gorgeous little drama hidden away at 10 PM on a Sunday night and its a crying shame barely anyone knows about it. Take a look at this trailer:
If I had to break it down into a sentence I'd describe it as Emmerdale with the cast divided between humans and zombies. Yes you read that correctly - Zombies! However this is a world away from the likes of The Walking Dead (which this blogger also recommends), this series deals with the aftereffects of a zombie cure and the effects reintegrating them has on the village of Roarton.
Set after "the rising" the undead have been cured with injections (which they need to take to prevent them going feral again) and given contact lenses and makeup and repatriated back into their homes. As opposed to zombies they are labelled PDS (Partially Deceased Syndrome) sufferers. This is very much a drama so don't go coming in expecting action but it does what the BBC does best creating original British Drama. 'also a thinly veiled Ukip allegory in a radical pro living party called Victis, with the MP Maxine Martin being the best TV villain of the moment.
Anyway, give it a view as its must see if rather unknown TV...
Good afternoon ladies and gentle readers, you'll notice things have been a tad quiet on the blog this month, this is down to me throwing myself into getting back into employment. If you'll indulge me for a moment you may remember a blog entry from last year where I went into detail on my ongoing adventures with HR and recruitment personnel, for this blog I'm going to go into depth on my ongoing relationship with a particular recruitment firm over the past few months. Due to the fact I don't want my potential employers reading this and suing me I'm going to refer to the company in question as Nile and the recruitment agency as Abacab.
In late January I was going about my daily routine working for Nile and I asked my area manager if I could speak to HR. I had some ongoing issues and I wanted to speak to someone officially about them (actually these issues weren't work related, they were personal and I felt it was only fair to inform them), the manager said he'd send a message to my gun later in the day when he could spare me. So towards the end of the shift I got a message on my gun to come down to the desk, stood there was a woman I'd never seen and she said she was taking me up to HR. So off we toddled up to the meeting room which was empty, I asked if it was her or someone else I was having this meeting with and she replied "oh I'm not apart of HR I'm a site rep for another agency, I just brought you up here to be released because your agencies site reps were on a break." Needless to say I was shocked, I'd been meaning to talk to HR about being made permanent after six months of target hitting brilliance from myself and here I was being let go.
After being released I hung around the canteen to have a word with the Abacab site rep, when he saw me he came over and said "don't worry, I was shocked when I saw you were on the release list too, your one of our top guys we're going to get you back in here asap and hopefully within six weeks so you can keep your bonus." Reluctantly I exited the FC after putting across how disappointed I was that no site reps from my agency told me, were not even at the meeting and didn't back me up when I stated my case to the Operations Manager over why I shouldn't be released. The following Monday I took the train to the Neath branch of Abacab to hand in my locker key, boots and hi viz. I had a chat with the recruitment consultants and made sure I was placed at the top of the rehire list then proceeded to sign on.
I then spent the next few months applying for various jobs always calling Abacab once a week. By 12/04/14 I was still looking for work and noticed an advert for Nile on line. I gave them a call again on the fourteenth, the girl I spoke to asked when I'd have my tests (drugs/aptitude/alcohol) done and I informed her I hadn't even been in for one. She then asked how I knew they were a recruiter for Nile and I informed her I had been registered with them for 18 months. We then scheduled my tests for two days time although for some reason which I wasn't told I'd have to go to the Swansea branch. So two days later I walked in to find I wasn't taking the tests and I was being registered as a brand new agent. I was then told that the Neath office had been closed down and for the past few months instead of sitting atop the rehire list I wasn't on the Swansea branch systems and my physical paper file was in a filing cabinet they'd had sent from the Neath office which hadn't even been opened yet. After proving I was an existing agent of there's they said they'd get my tests done asap which turned out to be fourteen days later on the 28th.
After these tests Abacab have one month to register and started with Nile, I gave them a ring to check for news twice the following week and eventually got a call on 09/05/14 saying I'd be starting the following Wednesday. To save money buying food on site I popped to the supermarket where my friend Tes goes and bought two weeks worth of work lunches. The following Monday I popped along to the job centre to sign off, mere yards from entering I got a phone call from Abacab. Apparently "Nile lowered the order they placed" and my spot on this weeks income had been cut. Rather than swear down the phone I laughed it off and then asked them to confirm I was now top of the rehire list and get the next spot in Nile that becomes available. Nile tell the agencies how many staff they'll be ordering, as I post this blog its just gone end of play Friday 16/05/14 and after a phone call I made to Abacab earlier this afternoon I have heard nothing. A week after being told I was employed I am unemployed and sadly nobody else is even responding to my applications.
I hope this goes some way to explaining my contempt and loathing for recruitment companies and recruitment consultants. I'm off to boot next doors dog up the bum, here's a video of Abacab by Genesis:
Hello ladies and gentle readers, as I mentioned last month I am on a mission to catch up with the Big Finish Doctor Who releases having dropped to over 100 releases behind the current output. So anyway here are the releases (plus a bonus) that I listened to in April:
Medicinal Purposes
Now this is a proper dark story, starring Colin Baker as the sixth Doctor and Maggie Stables as his companion Evelyn Smythe. For those of you who don't know Evelyn is a Big Finish created companion and a lovely middle aged history teacher whose become something of a personal favourite. However this team of regulars has been put through the ringer a bit in their last few stories, actually come to think of it bar one or two amusing romps this team has been put through hell for the majority of their stories: Gallifrey invasions, vampires, doom laden alternate realities and now a story set in the back drop of nineteenth century Edinburgh during the Burke and Hare grave robberies.
Its very much an atmosphere piece as the majority of the story takes place in a bar surrounded by murderers and prostitutes. There are a few twists and when the plot gets going it turns into a right little thriller, when the general mystery clears and things go in a certain direction it gets more engaging as the villain of the story emerges played by the wonderful Leslie Phillips. I liken this to a thriller akin to something Conan Doyle would have written, after the mystery is resolved things get down to a battle of wits between the Doctor and Knox in a style very similar to Holmes against Moriarty. Definitely a story I'd recommend as for long time viewers it feels like this TARDIS crews plot line is going in a certain direction and for people who dip in and out its a powerful atmospheric piece to hold your attention. Also as I tend to go into the story knowing nothing there is a surprise in the cast list and I for one am kicking myself that I didn't recognise that person.
Unregenerate!
Blimey another dark one with this one having the feel of a proper thriller and a rather good central mystery and plot to get the teeth into. Starring Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Mel this story sees the season 24 team in a story worlds away from their TV days. Whilst enjoyable I felt it was rather so/so and a bit wishy washy, theres a lot to enjoy here and a good bit of mystery however I thought the mystery aspect was a bit obvious. While there are other aspects of the plot away from the mystery that I found interesting I felt they took forever to get going and then rather stop. IMO what we have here is a lot of very good potential that never gets near the fruits of what it promised. Its very much Bonnie's story as the Doctor is part of the mystery the listener and Mel are trying to solve for the majority of the story. I recommend it but urge the listener not to get their hopes up or engage the brain as if you don't see the cliffhangers coming its very good stuff on offer otherwise you will be waiting for things to happen.
The Hexford Invasion / Survivors in Space
I also listened to the Hexford Invasion / Survivors in Space as I'm a fair way from reaching the Big Finish fourth Doctor output I felt the urge to hear some Tom. Its very much a laid back romp of a story bringing back memories of Stones of Blood and Android Invasion with the fourth Doctor getting into trouble in the English countryside with a Doctor Who twist thrown in. Its very much parts four and five of the Serpent Crest series but it feels distanced enough from the earlier parts to be listened to in isolation. It is a sedate pace with a few twists here and there, Tom is Tom so you know what your going to get and he's ably supported by an excellent cast. Paul Magrs is a wonderful writer and I never fail to howl with laughter at his books or audios. Highly recommended, also keep your ears peeled for a certain character who was a surprise on the initial release and I'll refrain from spoiling.
A quick entry to mark your cards that one of my favourite TV series Rev is coming to an end tonight at 10 PM on BBC 2. For those of you who don't know Rev stars Tom Hollander as Adam Smallbone, the reverend in an inner city London church. Up to this point Adam has been struggling to find the funds to keep the church going, after being investigated and cleared of unprofessional conduct Adam finally resigned in the previous episode. Last weeks episode ended with the church being closed and a lovely cameo from Liam Neeson as god, I have no idea what will happen tonight but I have a feeling its going to be a bitter sweet ending.
I will say this though, I've noticed that the theme of this series seems to be "the passion" based on the following:
Adam loaned a cross to a nearby church for a procession and proceeded to carry it himself while being taunted by passers by akin to Christ.
Colin denied knowing Adam as Peter denied knowing Christ.
Adam was betrayed over a kiss and by the church treasurer.
The Bishop washed his hands after delivering last weeks verdict.
I'm sure there are more but I didn't spot them, anyway lets raise a glass to Rev and hope it ends on a high...
1. The following sentence is perhaps the most cringe worthy opening PR gambit a manager has ever come out with. "Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one," In some parallel dimension the media would have dubbed him "the arrogant one." I wish I lived there instead of here.
2. His shushing of Liverpool fans in the 2005 League Cup Final, no José we will never shut up.
3. He never laid the Smack down on Shane McMahon.
If Mourinho had jumped over the rails, thrown McMahon into the corner and performed the Drogba Dive on him it would have been the best piece of TV ever. However he just sat there and took it...
4. After a Champions League match against Barcelona Mourinho claimed Anders Frisk was in cahoots with Barcelona resulting in Frisks family getting death threats and causing Frisk to retire.
5. His attraction to odious players such as Ashley Cole, John Terry and Goran Pandev. 6. José Mourinho is an eye gouger:
Wow, if its not enough that he went for the eyes he attacked Tito Vilanova from behind. 7. After years of defending Didier Drogba's diving while he managed Chelsea he came up with this gem when he was managing Inter Milan, "I am no longer Chelsea coach and I do not have to defend them any more, so I think it is correct if I say Drogba is a diver." Well that's "two faced" added to his list of characteristics. 8. At Inter some of his comments had to be heard including his "Zeru Tituli" rant.The phrase that now dons thousands of t-shirts around Milan. This was an attempt to goad his rival coaches' lack of silverware and slam what he called their “intellectual prostitution” in the media. 9. The 2010 Uefa Champions League Final which saw Inter Milan kill the match in order to win. 10. His pathetic attempts to downplay Chelsea's chances of winning the league over recent. Seriously José, this is how it works: if I put a tenner on a team to win the league the team that nets me the lowest profit is the favourite. Got it? Good... 11. Wining the Champions League is a unique moment, I expect anyone whose won it feels a level of bliss and joy. Rather than sharing an emotional moment with the fans José headed straight for the ITV interview camera and started pimping himself for future jobs. 12. He inspired Chris Moyles to produce one of the worst parody songs of all time:
Its certainly no "Will Mellor." 13. No 13 due to Tory cutbacks and being grateful for teaching Brendan Rogers everything he knows. 14. Inspiring this:
Stop the world I want to get off... 15. His treatment of Juan Mata, why would you ship him out? José walks back into Chelsea to find a menagerie of new players and he doesn't play him then transfers him. Seriously this is a player who actually made Chelsea look good the past two season. 16. The fact he has developed a following outside of football, people I know who don't follow football or even support a team have started taking an interest in teams just because José Mourinho is managing them. I was once at a female friends house who turned the TV on after a match just so she could watch his interview. 17. His smugness, I'm not pinpointing this down to one incident as its like his aura is composed of self lust. His self indignation when a decision goes against his team. The fact that he's so jammy when being interviewed yet when he's been beat he doesn't want to come out and perform for us as seen in the recent Villa match. 18. His style of play, he stopped Madrid being sexy, his Inter team made my eyes bleed and even when his teams get a high scoring victory I find myself nodding off. 19. "Parking the bus" yes the most loathed of all the football match descriptions, when a team pack the midfield and defence in an attempt to strangle the game and get away with a 0-0 draw. Who coined the phrase? José Mourinho... 20. The media's obsession in him, I rarely read papers these days or watch TV analysis, one of these reasons is the obsession over personalities and in particular managers. Seriously, from a match report I want to read how a team played and not get an attempt by a journalist to do some cod psychology on anything José came out with in a pre-match interview. When I turn on a match all I want from the pre-match build up is to know whose playing and what formations. I don't want to know "what José is thinking" or Jamie Redknapps opinion on what José will say after the match. Plus after the match give me some highlights of the goals, show me some of these "exciting new angles" not close ups of a manager stood beside the pitch as the goal goes in. Don't give me all that "he gives us something to talk about" crap, quite frankly I'd rather talk about the game.
Good evening ladies and gentle readers I hope I find you suitably relaxed and in the mood for some top TV tips. Anyway the first recommendation I have for you is:
24: Live Another Day, yes ladies and gentlemen in case you were not aware every ones favourite counter terrorist agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is making a comeback.
I for one am very excited about this as I'm in the firm belief that not only is 24 mold breaking TV it is one of the best TV shows of the last 15 years - also I implore you to give the season 1 box set a go awesome TV. Set in real time usually over the course of a day Jack Bauer inhabits a world of action, intrigue and bladders made of steel where people only go to the toilet to make phone calls. Only 12 episodes this time but hopefully this will lead to another series and a condensed season actually sounds intriguing.
Another recommendation is Arrow usually found on Sky 1 at 8PM on a Thursday. Arrow is the story of Oliver Queen who after being stranded on an island for 5 years and his father dying becomes a vigilante - rather like Batman albeit with a fixation on Robin Hood as opposed to flying rodents. Approaching the tail end of the second season this is a highly consistent TV show and is approaching top gear as it heads to its season finale. Very much an ensemble show including elements of Smallville and Lost its very much a sleeper hit and will hopefully explode onto a wider audience soon.
