Job Centre Plus messing me around, again.
The weeks when I get part-time work, I have to notify the Job Centre as it affects my Jobseekers Allowance. It's an easy process in theory, declare you have had work and send them a copy of your pay cheque/invoice, and sign a form on your next visit to the Job Centre when signing on.
I call the Job Centre the day after I worked as I normally do. After three attempts, all being on hold for over 20 minutes each time, I finally get through to someone. I'm told "oh no, do not worry, you need to declare when you next sign on which is a week on Monday". A week and a half pass, I go to sign on, and I''m told "you have to call the phone number to declare that you have had work".
A couple of days pass as I was working in London the day after, I call the number and I'm told I cannot declare over the phone, I have to do this at the Job Centre. So, an appointment is made a week later, where everything should have been sorted.
Over a week later I receive a letter. It is from a Decision Maker at the Wolverhampton Benefit Centre. He knows I completed form A15C, but he has not received it from Dudley Job Centre. I have three days to return the form enclosed or else I will be sanctioned. Sanctions can be from 4-26 weeks of no benefit pay <highhorse>(Job Seekers Act states that only one week is the maximum limit for sanction of benefit pay, but the DWP like to work above the law)</highhorse>. However, no form was enclosed with the letter!
So, I call the Benefit Centre as soon as possible, took three attempts over two days, twice I gave up after being on hold for 30 minutes, and I finally get through to someone today. It's still not sorted, I have to wait for the Decision Maker to contact me.
No wonder people benefit cheat!
Yes Morrison’s have gone bananas!
I response to http://renee.vanbaar.net/2011/05/morrisons-gone-bananas/
Time to loose some weight!
My weight goes up and down like a yo-yo. I'll put on 6kg, then loose it. Usually put weight on when I'm not my happiest self, so have put on plenty of weight lately. Time for some self discipline, not going to exercise, just change my diet, more of the fruit and veg and less of the takeaway food.
I'm starting at 77.11kg (that's 12.2 stone in old measures), I'm 1.76m (5'8") tall, which gives me a BMI of 24.9! Borderline overweight. Target is BMI of 22.6, so the maths is 22.6*(1.76^2) which is 70kg (11 stones).
I have made a quick Google Doc form for me to update every morning. You can keep track of my progress.
Mer Hybrid Wax – My Review
My 50mL sample of Mer Hybrid Wax arrived this week, and it was perfect weather so I gave it a go. It's main selling point is it protects for up to 6 months.
£13.99 for 500ml , £19.99 for 1 litre. You can't really go wrong.
I washed the car down with AG shampoo, and then polished with SRP to give the wax a decent surface. I didn't clay, most of the paint sounds silent when you pass your hand on the surface.
The wax is quite thick.
So thick it ends up gunking up your pad. I can see this being hard to use with machines too.
A major problem is it sets pretty quick. By the time you buff it on its goes hard within seconds, you can't spread it evenly and then streak it in the direction of the bodywork. I started to get worried I wont have enough to complete parts of the car.
Oh, no, I was wrong. I had enough to cover the whole car.
It was then time to remove all the wax. It's hard work, very hard work. It is also very dusty and gunks up your microfibre cloth in no time. Those who do not like AG products because of the dust, this Mer product may not be for you.
A quick inspection of swirls, I was quite impressed.
I still had some wax left in the 50mL sample pack. So I ventured on. Gave the first coat half and hour before I applied the second. A relief, as I was worried I may have missed parts as the thickness of the wax made it hard to get a good even coverage.
I tried some of black plastic, to see if it leaves any mark afterwards.
The 50 mL sample was enough to do the whole car, twice. Huzzah!
Swirl test after second coat.
And the final images.
My verdict.
Ease of application: 3/10
Ease of removal: 6/10
Removing swirls: 7/10
Depth: 9/10
Gloss: 9/10
Beading: I'll review this part next week when I do the next wash.
It's far better than UDS for shine and depth, almost as good as HD Wax. It's dripping wet to the look, all the bodywork has static electricity feel all over it. It's far better than SRP + Blackhole + EGP too. Definitely one for the weekend car cleaner. No replacement for good quality wax though, but they cost an arm and a leg.
EDIT: Some others have said they have no problem removing it. My microfibre towel clogged up, could just be my towel. Adjusted 'ease of removal score' than that of my original review at Detailing World.
The Typescreen for iPad
http://www.spinninghat.com/product/typescreen
Tablet computing is the way of the future. But unfortunately for those cursed with normal sized fingers, these technological advancements can become burdensome lifestyle obstacles and usability nightmares. Like many, we have often wished for the convenience of a touch screen interface with the ease of a traditional typewriting keyboard.
After 16 months of intense product design and laborious research and development we are proud to say that our wishes (and hopefully yours) have finally come true! From texting to web browsing, the new Spinning Hat Typescreen™ gives you all modern functionality of an iPad with the sleek classic feel of retro typewriters that we all miss so dearly.
As an officially licensed Apple product, the Limited Edition Typescreen™ offers all the style and quality that you’d expect from Apple with the playful design and innovation expected from Spinning Hat. Compatible with both the iPad and iPad 2, the Typescreen™ will help add a “touch” of class and sophistication to any living room.
Every generation creates a few items that change the way we live forever and help us reinterpret who we are as a society. We are proud of the new Spinning Hat Typescreen™ and are excited to watch its trajectory towards greatness. You’re welcome world!
Due to the scarcity of materials and the bespoke nature of this product supplies are limited, so order now.
Babies for sale at Boots
Baby order point.
- Choose from this guide
- Fill out an order form
- Pay at the till
Funny – Wheelmate Laptop Steering Wheel Desk
I will just give the link to the Wheelmate Laptop Steering Wheel Desk at Amazon. Customer images and reviews are well worth checking out.
Rebecca Black ‘Friday’ – There is actually one thing awesome about her song!
Rebecca Black, the new Internet meme. Why, because her song 'Friday' has awful lyrics, whiny voice with auto-tune throughout, and that cheese grater smile? Yep, pretty much covers all the bases.
However, Friday has one thing going for it - It has dynamics. ~11dB of average dynamics!
The song is quite catchy - It's quick and snappy in pace. Could the dynamics have anything to do with its success? Can you think of any other real catchy song that has great dynamics? Comment after the post. 
Click for larger version
This also brings me on to Dynamic Range Day 2011. Please visit the web site for details, and give support on the 25th of March.
Axis of Awesome – 4 Four Chord Song
Question is, who sues who for copyright infringement for using the same 4 chords?
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