The grumpy thread

[michael1703]

The gusset of my wranglers has chafed through, my right testicle now only has pant material to shield it from the coldnessness of late winter/only spring.

 

On the plus side, the weather is getting milder so I wont have to get er indoors to darn my nether regions up until november, hopefully it doesnt get to large

[chaseracer]

 

[Negative Creep]

My potato masher has just broken, I only bought it in 1983 (from Woolworths) does nothing last anymore?

 

 

Go back to the store you bought it from and demand a refund

[pogweasel]

The gusset of my wranglers has chafed through, my right testicle now only has pant material to shield it from the coldnessness of late winter/only spring.

 

You're probably kidding, rite? But I've got -quite a few- pairs of jeans like that. Draughty.

[CIH]

My potato masher has just broken, I only bought it in 1983 (from Woolworths) does nothing last anymore?

 

 

Go back to the store you bought it from and demand a refund

 

Especially if it's a Dixons or something now.

[Negative Creep]

Job seeking woes. Spent all day browsing online jobs and despite looking at over a thousand in total I couldn't find a single one that made me think "yes, that's what I want to do with my life". Kinda feels like I'm at a crossroads in that if I don't find a decent job now I'll be stuck on minimum wage for the rest of my life. Yet looking through all those descriptions it feels like it's the only thing I'll get. Makes me think I should have just left school at 16 and not bothered getting a degree as it doesn't seem to be helping

[MrDuke]

The Audi-driving cnut behind me at the mini roundabout this morning, who after waiting in line for at least 0.75 seconds, decided to speed things up by blaring his horn at the woman in front of me. How exactly does a large, shaven-headed man signal through a misted windscreen to someone that he's not the impatient fucktard that he so obviously appears? To add to the fun, she then panicked and pulled straight out in front of an oncoming car.

In a rather angry mood, I then stamped a leetle too hard on the throttle while driving sideways into work and nearly obliterated 2 more cars and 3 pedestrians, before tyre-squealing myself straight again. What a twat.

 

 

 

I couldn't find a single one that made me think "yes, that's what I want to do with my life". Kinda feels like I'm at a crossroads in that if I don't find a decent job now I'll be stuck on minimum wage for the rest of my life. Yet looking through all those descriptions it feels like it's the only thing I'll get.

I hate to break it to you, but your 'feelings' are absolutely right. Gone are the days when you could be employed in a great job just because you have the quals (or even experience). The only way you will ever get a truly satisfying job, is by starting your own business doing something you genuinely enjoy. You'll probably never be well-off, but at least you won't be fighting suicidal urges every morning.

[pogweasel]

Got a degree but no direction in life?

 

Step this way, sir...

 

Sorry.

[Lord Sterling]

Job seeking woes. Spent all day browsing online jobs and despite looking at over a thousand in total I couldn't find a single one that made me think "yes, that's what I want to do with my life". Kinda feels like I'm at a crossroads in that if I don't find a decent job now I'll be stuck on minimum wage for the rest of my life. Yet looking through all those descriptions it feels like it's the only thing I'll get. Makes me think I should have just left school at 16 and not bothered getting a degree as it doesn't seem to be helping

 

I feel your pains NC and Brammy. I'm in the same boat, I'm bashing a few CVs and filling out daunting application forms only for either no replies or; 'Dear John, you aint got the job because we feel your face doesnt fit' type letters.

 

Alot of employers I feel have risen the 'requirements' bar. A year back you could walk into a stacking shelves/cleaners job. Now, you are 'required' to have all sorts of unheard of training certificates, CSCS cards, 10 years experience within the last few months etc.... Its a cynical exercise played by employers. When unemployment is high, employers will raise the bar so they can pick and choose from the best. Job seekers will be desperate to find a job and this way employers can 'filter out' those who dont posses the new added skills/experience the employers are now asking for.

 

Usually what I would do is find a temporary job, anything, even part time and look for a better job whilst there. Sadly there doesnt seem to be many temporary jobs in my local area going.

[Negative Creep]

Experience seems to be the killer. Problem is there are so many specific degrees or qualifications nowadays that it effectively rules out a lot of careers. I've mainly done sales and customer service , just as temp work or whilst at uni. I hate doing it and don't want to get dragged into it long term. Working with cars (not a mechanic) would be ideal but nothing available

 

I also don't get this reference so don't feel insulted

 

Got a degree but no direction in life?

 

Step this way, sir...

 

Sorry.

[pogweasel]

You know what makes me grumpy?

Whining 'victims' who can't help themselves to find work.

Need a CSCS? GET ONE. Costs feck all to do, gets you on most building sites or civils projects.

Applies for all certs etc.

 

I got made redundant (3 times in two years, so stick that in your whinge pipe), but I kept all my certs up, CSCS, PTS, LUL etc. Late confirmations on big projects means companies cannot carry masses of full time staff any more, so when work is up, they sub out. If you have the right certs, you are free and the money is right you can be working within hours, for better money than you'd get on PAYE and more time to do your own thing as well. Sure, it's not 'secure', long term etc, but IF you are prepared to work hard, work smart and work well you will not be short of jobs.

[eddyramrod]

Working with cars (not a mechanic) would be ideal but nothing available

 

Me too. You'll be comforted to know (or possibly you won't) that Cyprus is exactly the same, with the added fun of needing to speak Greek (and for practical purposes needing to actually be Greek) in order to get work. Which will then be sub-minimum wage, by some distance. I'm still looking for that elusive recovery-truck vacancy. Or perhaps a car museum to be curator of. Yeah, that would be good, I could live with that. Somewhere on the north side of Paphos, say... yeah, perfect.

 

As if.

[Mr Lobster]

I hate to break it to you, but your 'feelings' are absolutely right. Gone are the days when you could be employed in a great job just because you have the quals (or even experience). The only way you will ever get a truly satisfying job, is by starting your own business doing something you genuinely enjoy. You'll probably never be well-off, but at least you won't be fighting suicidal urges every morning.

 

^ Very, very true.

 

When I finished my A levels I had no idea what I wanted to do. So I went into construction partly because both my dad and grandad had done it and I thought it must be ok. Wrong. It was awful. So I quit.

 

I thought about what interested me (cars) and went into the motor trade, gradually worked my way up to be branch manager with a fairly big and reputable (ha!) outfit. And as time went by I realised that what I had once naively thought of as a career was nothing more than a job. I realised I couldn't face doing the same thing in ten years time and that I was heartily sick of working for other people who tbh didn't give a toss about me or any other staff. So I quit.

 

I've been self employed since and whilst it can be VERY hard work and long hours, not having someone over me who has been promoted way beyond their level of competence is great. I have a far better quality of life and get to spend a lot of time with my son (although when he starts pulling leads out of the computer as you are working its a bit of a pain). Plus I know that however much hard work and long hours I put in, its me that gets the reward.

 

I wouldn't think too much about a career or something you'll spend your life doing tbh. Try find a job you will enjoy / are interested in and take it from there. It might work out really well or you might hate it after five years and do something else. You've got to try a few things before you know whats right I guess.

[eddyramrod]

I wouldn't think too much about a career or something you'll spend your life doing tbh. Try find a job you will enjoy / are interested in

 

+1! You spend far too much of your life at work to be unhappy there. I know, I've done it. Do something that will give you a smile a day, even if the money isn't up to much. Seriously, it's worth it. And don't "live to work" as the big companies want you to do. That's not a life.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

t I kept all my certs up, CSCS, PTS, LUL etc.

 

I try to keep my LULZ up to date as well though sometimes i forget or can't be arsed.

 

Whats a CSCS when its at home then?

[Mr Lobster]

I'm off to the kitchen. Need to update my OM NOM NOMs.

[pogweasel]

CSCS = construction skill(Z0RZ) certificate scheme.

Basically a graded level of competence for everyone in construction, from micks with a wheelbarrow & shovel up to construction management.

I am on the white card type (don't start with your white zone shit again)

http://www.cscs.uk.com/types-of-cards

[Negative Creep]

I wouldn't think too much about a career or something you'll spend your life doing tbh. Try find a job you will enjoy / are interested in

 

+1! You spend far too much of your life at work to be unhappy there. I know, I've done it. Do something that will give you a smile a day, even if the money isn't up to much. Seriously, it's worth it. And don't "live to work" as the big companies want you to do. That's not a life.

 

 

Very true, you should work to live instead. Sadly the reality is that most people don't enjoy their jobs as it's not something they're interested in - if it were there would be more people driving formula 1 cars than working in call centres. Even if you do find a subject you are interested in, there's still the small matter of getting an interview, let alone the job. In all the places I've worked there are those who obsess over the job and let it rule their lives. I used to avoid going to work socials as all everyone would do was talk about work

[Pillock]

Also keep an eye out for apprentice positions..... by definition they ask for very little experience, and it's all about enthusiasm and willingness.

We took on 50-odd apprentices for electrical repair, ranging from 18 years old to just over 50. I hand-picked them all based on how they performed in an assesment centre but we didn't even ask for experience. They're getting £16k and an NVQ in Electrical Servicing, rising to £22k after 18 months if they make it through.

If you're desperate for work, it doesn't really matter what the role is. It's work - worst case is you finish it and look for something else, best case is the random job tickles your fancy.

[Claypole]

From my recent life as dole scum the only job I even got a reply about was the one I have for now (part time but no income tax so it's a start).

 

That reply was because a girl I knew from a previous job worked in the same companies HR department(same top boss of both as it were) sent my CV to the manager and

I am pretty sure she put something there about knowing me etc.

 

Everyone else's cv's for the job went in the bin while I was having an informal chat with the manager - not what you know but who you know.

[MrDuke]

The only thing that stops me going it alone at the moment, is that my job is so depressingly SAFE. I was one of the last people to get a permanent contract (around 6 years ago) and as there are a huge number of staff there on rolling 3-6 month terms, I've no real fear of losing it. That makes me sound like an incredibly ungrateful cnut, I know, as there's probably several hundred thousand people who'd gladly do it, but it's truly spirit-crushing stuff, especially for someone like me who has serious 'people' issues

I've had several ideas about what I'd like to do, although anything which allows me to work alone would be a vast improvement. I guess the best way, would be to start something as a part-time evening/weekend pursuit, and try to gauge how well it would work as a main source of income. An apprenticeship would be ideal, however it's very rare for an employer to take apprentices over 25... I would dearly love the chance to go down that road again with the benefit of experience behind me.

[Station]

I'm paying 600 quid for a 2000cc Astra GSi on insurance. As I sold the the car, I made the decision to massively downgrade on engine size for cheapness on fuel, and HAHAHA - INSURANCE!

I get a quote on my existing insurer for a 1.4 Metro.

£1400 on the Metro for a year on 1 year NCB!

"It's the way cars are grouped, etc," he says. The Astra was group 14 while the Metro is a group 5 - 6. How can the little Metro of lesser value be more than the Astra? What drugs are these twatting insurance companies on for fuck's sake? 1400!!!

[M'coli]

When I went from Cavalier Gli to £150 worth of Metro diesel back in 2003 the proportion change was identical - they said "It's a much newer car, much more expensive" despite having less than 50% of the power...

[binhoker668]

MOT FAILURE ALERT.

Dammit.

Waitin' on a call back from the garage to tell me the damage to fix it all.

OSF CV joint,

NS Brakes binding,

Front brakes imbalanced.

 

No chance of me bein' able to do owt on them as am A) Crap, and Working every day from 7am....

So.

Let's break out the price guesses!

I say 200 clams. (including the mot itself).

[Pete-M]

Many moons ago I went from a three or four year old Escort RS2000 Mk5 (Gp15) to a 7yr old Sapphire Cosworth (Gp 20) because the Cosworth was half the price to insure.

 

Never could figure that out.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Insurance companies charge what they like, and groupings are largely meaningless?

 

MOT FAILURE ALERT.

Dammit.

Waitin' on a call back from the garage to tell me the damage to fix it all.

OSF CV joint,

NS Brakes binding,

Front brakes imbalanced.

 

No chance of me bein' able to do owt on them as am A) Crap, and Working every day from 7am....

So.

Let's break out the price guesses!

I say 200 clams. (including the mot itself).

 

The brakes should be easy; clean the calipers up, lather the sliding surfaces in copper grease and fit some new pads.

Is the CV joint itself fuggered? Cheapest way to fix it would be to acquire a scrapyard driveshaft with good joints, even if you don't fit it yourself.

[Station]

Many moons ago I went from a three or four year old Escort RS2000 Mk5 (Gp15) to a 7yr old Sapphire Cosworth (Gp 20) because the Cosworth was half the price to insure.

 

Never could figure that out.

 

It does seem a bit random, I'm dreading to find out what my other 1.4 car is going to cost me, trade insurance would be 1,500 p/a for me which is a bit steep but makes sense as I'm paying 1,300 for two cars at the moment which is going to be constantly revolving.

[Negative Creep]

Many moons ago I went from a three or four year old Escort RS2000 Mk5 (Gp15) to a 7yr old Sapphire Cosworth (Gp 20) because the Cosworth was half the price to insure.

 

Never could figure that out.

 

It does seem a bit random, I'm dreading to find out what my other 1.4 car is going to cost me, trade insurance would be 1,500 p/a for me which is a bit steep but makes sense as I'm paying 1,300 for two cars at the moment which is going to be constantly revolving.

 

 

In my experience insurance companies give you a good deal when signing up but rip you off when changing your car midway through a policy

[Guest]

Drivers on the M53. Do they put smack in the water or something?

 

Came off the M56 onto the M53 to Birkenhead at 75 on the outside lane of the sweeping right hander. 60 is a bit excessive for this bend so I wasn't exactly hanging around. Checked the mirror and a black Audi A6 was clamped to my bumper so closely his xenons were illuminating my dashboard, trying to move me over. I couldn't run wide because there was a car in the inside lane. I then watched him roar up the outside lane near Junction 6 and tailgate three other people very aggressively before disappearing from sight.

 

Why do these people never come to grief? Why is there never a nob head traffic officer wanting to make examples of twats like this? I hope he understeers off the Runcorn bridge and crashes head first into some corrosive ICI chemicals.

[Rocket88]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I've found that a quick illumination of ye olde brakelights cause these muppets to back off fairly rapidly..................