Kit loo training - proof! And other stuff.

For those with enquiring minds - see pic left of Neko providing evidence of work in progress. Actually we're another layer higher at the moment, so we're moving in the right direction - a bit hit and miss though, so I'm not inviting anyone to visit

I reported that the power cable for my Mac had split the skin a couple of weeks ago, so work replaced it with a new super-duper one - bonus!

Has anyone tried to give anything to charity? I wanted to give some  paperbacks away, but my back is complaining a bit at the moment, so didn't want to carry them. Having tried walking into shops to make an enquiry, I went on to telephone and email.

Pick a charity and then prepare to get passed from pillar to post, ending with a promise for someone to call. For reference, British Heart Foundation are the worst. Barnardo's on the other hand, are completely unorganised, but ever so enthusiastic and got there in the end.

Last Wednesday was a bit crappy, but mostly due to bad PMS. Scared most people, I think. Got very grumpy when super-duper new cable stopped working. No spares, so shared a power cable, alternating usage, with a co-worker who also has a laptop.

Thursday, on the other hand, was excellent. We had the annual company presentation at the Millbank Tower (right), and it was very cool that our sector (building and plumbing - two mags with websites), was the best performing. I am now officially web editor for our website, which I'm very pleased about.

No sign of new power cable.

Went to Purley for a weekend with the girls. Much enjoyed as always and watched way too many TV shows, over-analysing as we went. Because it's a fun thing to do.

Further to my comments on fog lights - when it's thick heavy rain, that's the time for fog lights. It doesn't have to be actual fog, just low visibility!

Spent Tuesday through Thursday at the Ecobuild trade show ExCel. This is now the biggest trade show for us, so we were there all three days, as well as having our own stand. It was very busy compared to other shows, and huge, taking up both north and south halls. Both good things as it's evidence that the construction industry is overall optimistic.

The Renewable Heat Incentive being delayed was the biggest issue. Suppliers have products to fit, but no one's buying until the RHI is in place, and with the Green Deal and FiT uncertain, confidence is rapidly fading, leaving suppliers with expenditure and products but little take-up, which in turn is effecting the construction sector and therefore the economy.

On a lighter note, the show map was interestingly designed - the south hall map was only of any use if one held it upside down.

Between us, boss and I saw nearly eighty suppliers in the end, which is a lot. We also ran a show enewsletter as well, which meant that we were both working well into the night from home Monday through Wednesday to get that done, but it was worth it in the end.

Getting there was an adventure. Stupidly, I went up the first day via mainline to Waterloo and took the Jubilee to Canning Town to change to the DLR. Which, by the way, is a bit like one of those rickety old wooden rollercoasters, except metal. The DLR train decided to go the wrong way to find some working points in order to cross over to the correct track, and it was while on this diversion that I noticed that Stratford features on the DLR.

The return journey using the DLR to Canning Town, Jubilee to Stratford, bus to Stratford International and superslug home was a lot quicker. Coming home Wednesday and Thursday was only about 20mins quicker as the bus dropped me off just in time to watch the superslug depart without me.

Going up on Thursday was an advanture as, after standing on the Jubilee platform for 15 mins, 3000 people were informed that the Jubilee line was suspended. 3000 people then surged towards the DLR and Central Line. I went into the DLR stream which, as Stratford is on the wrong DLR line, meant going all the way to the other end, changing platforms and coming all the way back.

I wish I'd had a map as I'm sure it would have been quicker to walk.

Friday was a full day in work, but there was the good news that our website is the UK leader in our sector. It's a bit of a bun fight and changes every day, but it's also a great place to be. No sign of power cable as IT lady is having fight with Apple.  I'm now totally and utterly cream-crackered. Going to sleep now - snxzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...