All industries have their own jargon and liberally splatter their communications with acronyms and initials. My own industry, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has a reputation for being amongst the worst but having spoken to some of my colleagues in finance I’m not convinced that this is fair. Acronyms do trip off the tongue very … Continue reading Jargon busters
Olive tree
An olive tree and a free terracotta pot for less than fifteen pounds had to be good deal and when I saw it advertised on the television my eyebrows were raised and my interest piqued. I even had to check it on line just to make sure. The picture on the web page showed a … Continue reading Olive tree
North Shields
The stiff breeze is pushing the clouds across the sky and a patchwork of light and shade appears on the water in the harbour. In the Low Lights, cars are parked facing the high tide that kisses the tiny yellow beach and the grey boulders that hold it back. The water is swollen and small … Continue reading North Shields
Fifty things to do
The National Trust has put together a list of things that every child should have done before they have reached the age of eleven and three quarters. Their aim is to encourage children to have a better relationship with the outdoors than most have nowadays. Of course I couldn’t help looking to see how many … Continue reading Fifty things to do
Another meaningless statistic
The media in this country is fascinated by reporting on events that on the face of it look shocking but which are difficult to put into context. No doubt these sell newspapers or increase viewing figures and so make it worth their while. Today there has been a story about the number of people that … Continue reading Another meaningless statistic
In a meeting
I’m in a meeting, another meeting, a meeting in a day of meetings. I feel like I’ve been here for hours, sitting in the same red chair with the chrome legs, leaning on the same light wood conference table. I have been here for hours, in one meeting after another. It’s warm and it’s getting … Continue reading In a meeting
North / South divide
In this country of ours there is a definite North / South divide, not the difference between the affluent south and the more impoverished north but rather the difference between the softer rolling countryside in the south and the more rugged lands of the north. Exactly where this divide is has been a matter of … Continue reading North / South divide
Hands
What do you do with your hands when you are waiting with her in the shop, standing a respectful distance behind her while she is rummaging through whatever it is that she is looking for? What do you do with your hands so as not too look disinterested in what she is after? They are … Continue reading Hands
Thanks for your wait
‘Thanks for your wait’ is what the sales assistant said to me at the checkout or at least I think that is what she said. I’m pretty certain she wasn’t referring to the size of my waist or the gravitas that I had brought to the situation. What a strange thing to say as I … Continue reading Thanks for your wait
A trip to the post office
A trip to the Post Office on pension day is something to behold and probably best avoided as it is awash with pensioners withdrawing their money to keep them going for another week. I’m not sure if there is a collective noun for pensioners but there should be. There are some unsavoury suggestions on the … Continue reading A trip to the post office
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 