In my life, I have met many narcissists and, to a man and woman, they were all talented, charming, attractive, witty, intelligent and ambitious.

Narcissists even walked beside me in what should have been the fairytale of my formative years.

They gently held my hand and purported to teach me how I should act on the manufactured stage of sand and badly painted backdrops they set before me…

… All the world’s a stage, I began to believe.

But I became convinced that the only truth in the script of life is a mesmerising swirl of lies.

***

In my late 30s, I was devastated to discover the new narcissist in my life was, in fact, a serial love cheat. She later spent a decade abusing me on the phone over why our great affair had ended so badly.

I didn’t change my number because I felt there might be a glimmer of truth in her gaslight.

Then I had a lasting relationship with another who made me believe she was vulnerable and broken. The tough fact was she only wanted to get married and have children so she could divorce me and steal my 19th century country cottage.

In my 50s, I went in to business with another narcissist – I thought he was my best friend.

But a narcissist can never be your best friend. He can only be his own.

***

I have to say I have always known about narcissism – at least I knew of its origin in Greek mythology … a young Narcissus fell passionately in love with his own image in a pool of water.

For him there could be no other.

What I didn’t know though, is that it narcissism means grandiose self-importance in a fantasy world of delusions. It means a desperate need for praise and admiration. It means a sense of entitlement and exploitation without guilt or shame.

It also means intimidation, bullying and the belittling of others.

In business it manifests itself in people who genuinely believe that the whole world owes them.

Today, after another day of accidentally ending up swimming with sharks, I have started to see narcissism in this way … it is like a twisted marriage which never gets beyond ‘what’s yours is mine…’

#narcissists #liars #sharks #toxic #parentalalienation

It’s a few years now since we turned into Buchanan Street in Glasgow on New Year’s Eve and were met by what looked like a band of wild men down from the mountains. Yep, we’d stumbled across Clanadonia, the world-renowned drum and pipe band who still bring their tribal music to the streets of their city regularly. And they do it brilliantly. Unfortunately, our film of them rendered itself useless for some reason … but then we found this vid posted by luclvs on YouTube … it tells the tale!

Let’s stay true to ourselves, drum up good luck and, more than anything, let’s wish everybody in the world a good New Year … and do everything we can to make it happen!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

#happy #new #year #happynewyear #clanadonia #glasgow

Join us as we fight back! This is not conspiracy, this is cold hard fact!

We are ‘old folk’ and we have proof of how utility companies are lying to us, misleading people like us and trebling and quadrupling our household bills.

On the negatively-positive side, we are howevergetting compensation from utility left right and centre!

But why don’t they just do their jobs properly in the first place? Why cause customers hell? Keep them on the phone for hours? Mislead customers? Get caught and give us a bit of dosh back?

Why do they try to make everybody pay estimates in advance and how much do they earn by having OUR SAVINGS in THEIR bank accounts?

Now we have proof ofcustomer services at E-on.Next, BT, EE and others ]blowing the whistle’ on their companies…

This is what we have records of them admitting:

1. Bills are ‘guessed’ at instead of being estimated

2. Records to base bills on are available … but ignored

3. Pre-payment meters cannot be changed for credit meters

4. A major company has not completed its infra-structure yet

5. Pre-payment meters can work out cheaper than other payment methods

Andrea spent weeks on the phone to the likes of E-on Next.

And ended up with demands for money we didn’t owe, had our electricity bill trebled by a new electric meter and were lied to or mislead.

“E-ON Next guessed at our usage of electricity – even though they knew exactly how much we used – and trebled the bill!

“How do the elderly, people on benefits and those on low wages get by?

“We have full recordings of conversations with representatives who ‘spill the beans’ on what is really happening to their customers.”

These are the questions EON’s public relations office have refused to answer:

. Has E.on Next at any stage in 2022 had a policy of NOT replacing pre-payment meters?

2. Was the infra-structure for replacing these meters in-place immediately after the takeover?

3. Why would customer service people tell customers these meters couldn’t be changed?

4. Does E.on have access to customer records of usage?

5. If not, why not?

6. Are bill estimates simply guesses?

7. Are bill records ignored?

8. If they are used, why are bills generally estimated at three times the reality?

9. What happens to the over-charges made?

10. How much customer money does E.on hold at any one time?

We have never had a response … we took our findings to OFGEM. Never got a response, hohum.

However, we are actively on ALL the cases now! Why should our major utility companies be allowed to act the way they do and yet refuse to answer basic questions?

TELL US YOU TALES OF WOE AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR US ALL!

I’m sorry, we are experiencing an unusually high volume of DISHONESTY… – The Leigh G Banks Preservation Society

MUSK DO BETTER… truth behind the internet and Britain’s rural life … – The Leigh G Banks Preservation Society

#utilities #eon #electric #phones #mobiles #gas #power #customerservices #

By Eric Lastick

 Jacklyn Strumpet is bailed out of the London drunk tank…hour of 3am, New years, less tea time, in the wee early morning—receives of her belongings…and a polite wishful, “Best in the new year, Madam May” Say of the jailer and heavy handed ring of  keys. The Caddy call of her jail mates, ms-charmed & bar bound ugliest; wave a dirty hand and bated breath whistle—– towards this hard pressed woman Strumpet… as a late night rumble with her own emotions…stumbles with her drinks, 7 & 7 ale chasers, less a man in waiting. Although some intrigue to the stranger by the name that only reads as ”Chappo’ on the bail bond ticket. First name just as ‘Rog’ ? Befuddled is Jacklyn, but most revealed to be set free, this new years early…as her first stop is back at her small flat, just outside the city. Her pillow sack and case is where she dives her money. She’ll dress the day and be the working girl she so self measurably is.

TAKING ON A NEW LEASE ON LIFE, Ms Jacklyn arrives right back at the lonely corner tavern. One last gift to the best dressed lady lush in a long legged snazzy built luscious lady, she truly is. She places herself confidently at center bar of a lone drink. Then rightfully resourced to her private section just off bar of failed dreams. The local mobs and mob scenes which pay complimentary drink at her fair circle. She is a real head turner with her hair up and pretty loaded indeed!’ She can put um down with the best of um. That indeed! And on an empty stomach none the less. She draws attention to our fair Londoner city…and any and all as she sees—–right through her glassy eyes and foggy smile…dodging the wrecking ball of any thought towards marriage…it’s plans,,,weight gains…and a place to bed a permanent home.

Restrictions no, not at all. Yes, highball drunk and deranged—with  aces of the last clasp of street touch, making her way in a cramped corridor sinking fast to the ladies room…and straight back on an outskirts view of  no exits at all…as she makes her way, a tavern tab, racing past the heckling men. The iron-on  beat ups of old rummages…card swingers. Poole hall faces of grim and losing. TV screens of owes of the race horse finish line.====right until dawn. as all glisten call on taxi grab. Subway cars…and city runs crosswalk empties…as our best dressed Lady Strumpet, choose of another Daccuri, or perhaps an extra dip of bloody Mary sip…and borrowed from an occupied stool?

SIR ROG’ CHAPPO….decides to go for a solitary stroll, this New years afternoon.

(GLASS ALWAYS HALF FULL)

—AS IF LIGHT YEARS, THE 1960’S AND 70’S, TO AN ODE, AND ADMIRABLE HITCH AND TIE OF THIS NEW YEARS, GLASS HALF FULL, HER’S HALF EMPTY.. A NEW TWIST EVOLVES! 

The trees out of Londoner walkways of a step in time, lay of the side set pubs. Pony shows and long lost dogs of latter day peace and love—high tail in salient sentences of friendly backdrops, the getaways of an old rock star, whom so long lived and styled in these cramped in corners. Crazed guests, relivingold lifestyles. Vicariously bold, in fake emboldens. Never know the rants and rave of such hill climbs, which decide the guts, and all of the glory of an English rock band called Family. Music industries suit-tree the grazing, take in  the cow tow, to bring upon a country road. A raisin fest of cockatal and Tomas,twin. Chappo saluted ofhiber shots, raised of his own law for some sort of peace and calm. Glasses and shots, the cranberries and ol’ girly smiles,as an old admirer, rock the boat, and tipsy riled. A havers club look-in for a safety raft, yet all jelly minded. Quick skirted to top. Toes polished in moths of mole-ville. High on gins and candies, yet yellow jackets sting airtight out of the old hippie nation. English swing and save, as all this, and all a good fellow wants, is a little space to stretch and enjoy a good cheer to the new incoming year. A subsequent scratch of voice once admired in it’s originality, et still quite an inspiration —-too his fine catalogue…and in it’s surrounds and merriment of the very best. Then Sir Chappo locks eyes of the Ms Pretty on the bar stool right next to him…as Jacklyn Strumpet touch full ale bottles as they meet. He, Chappo was the one whom set bail. She just senses. ”To old times’, he says.  She just thanks him with a smile and ups and leaves. His glass bottle half full, hers so half empty, the bar calls count to less many.

A mumpreneur decided to dedicate her birthday to raising money for Australia’s abused women and children.

Sara Banks, who lives in Wembley, Perth, WA, said: “I chose Zonta House Refuge because they were one of the many support services that helped me two and a half years ago years ago with their amazing program, Positive Pathways.

“Not everyone will know why I used them, but if you want to help other women and children break free from abuse even a small donation will help others to rebuild their lives.”

Sara, who owns Mammas HQ – the only hair and beauty salon with a creche in Perth – aimed to raise £100 and hit the target within hours: “ I know, having worked for charities, whilst in Perth that fundraising is so important to being able to reach everyone who needs assistance.”

Beauty boss Sara left Manchester in the UK for Australia a decade ago but her dream-come-true fell apart with her relationship with her son’s dad.

She said: “I was facing becoming middle-aged too, so I wanted to do something with my life after things started to go wrong. That’s when I decided to open the salon. It’s been difficult because of Covid but things are going the right way now. I can call myself a mumpreneur finally.”

A mumpreneur is an entrepreneurial mum, who has children of 18 or under, but at the same time is running a business.

Operating since 1984, Zonta House is a small not for profit organisation in Perth focused on the needs of women and the gaps in the community.

USEFUL CONTACTS:

Police 131 444 or 000 For emergencies.

Crisis Care Help Line (08) 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008 Is available 24 hours a day for information and support.

1800RESPECT 1800 737 732  Is available 24 hours a day to anyone impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence for confidential information, counselling and support services.

Entrypoint Perth (08) 6496 0001 or 1800 124 684 For crisis accommodation.

#oz #australia #perth #domesticviolence #womenandchildren #zonta #refuge #Mammashq

Another strange year fizzes and bows out, so let’s look to the future … we all have memories, we all have the present and we all have what is to come…

Let’s stay tough, say how we feel, believe in the truth and more than anything let’s celebrate what we have and where we are going…

Let’s spend a bit of time with some goodwill and happiness from one of the greatest artists in the world! It must be Bobby!

Happiness, love and hope everybody and let’s start looking to the future…

Bob Dylan – Must Be Santa (Official Video) – YouTube

#bobdylan #christmas #wishes #malibu #fun

We are back in the UK after many years of riding our chrome horse round Europe.

And right now we live on top of hill in a rented farmhouse in a place called Middleton Scriven … Robert Plant lives round the corner.

And so do a load of sheep!.

The nearest pub is five miles away.

But this is Merry ol’ England and I love the smell of tractors in the morning.

So, let’s visit a model railway club in a little town by the River Welland not too far from Spalding.

It’s very nice in Market Deeping. It has a couple of pubs, a couple of fish and chip shops and a BMX track.

And at the Market Deeping Model Railway Club, there are a lot of Bob Dylan fans.

But things had been a bit rocky there over the Covid years. They’d hit the buffers, so to speak. Club members were unable to meet for two years because of the pandemic.

And that was compounded when vicious vandals went off the rails and destroyed a major display.

But the ‘day was saved’ when model railway fan Rod Stewart sent the club £10,000 to rebuild it.

It took about 30 members approximately 1,000 hours to remake the train, track and buildings by hand.

And when they were done re-modelling the Market Deeping rail buffs decided to have a day out to celebrate the revamped display and the reopening of their new clubhouse in nearby Essendine.

They chose to go to the Castle Fine Art gallery in Stamford High Street to ‘meet’ Bob Dylan and his Train Tracks work in the Retrospectrum series.

Bob wasn’t there of course – like the rest of us he probably couldn’t afford the UK train fare.

But club boss Peter Davies said: ” It was brilliant after so much trouble … the paintings are truly atmospheric. It is definitely a ‘must’ to visit!”

For Market Deeping Model Railway Club visit www.mdmrc.org

#marketdeeping #modelrailways #castlefine #traintracks #bloodonthetracks #vandals #bobdylan #rodstewart

Always worth a listen, the gentlemen ranters put the world on the line, even down to who spells Marbella wrong

#Marbella #Robots #Nurses #strikes #railways

WAIT! THIS IS THE BIGGEST LIE CALL CENTRES TELL US EVERY SINGLE DAY

Call any business right now and it’s a safe bet that you will hear a pink robot saying: “I’m sorry for the delay, we are experiencing unusually high call volume at the moment.”

It is also a safe bet that they are not!

In fact if you believe the blue-rinsed voice of this Stepford Wife wannabe, every company in the world with a switchboard is so dedicated to keeping their customers satisfied that they simply can’t cope any more.

And being put on hold for a couple of hours is the least you can do to ease their worry about you.

Well, ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls and anybody else who is reading this, they are LYING to you through their artificially empathetic teeth.

Yep, LYING to you …

And it is worth noting that up to 85 per cent of them are probably at home having a cop of coffee and a Deliveroo in-front of Loose Woman while their dog licks soap suds out of their bobbly tights.

The truth is – according to experts – fewer agents are employed at any time since the pandemic.

And call volumes are about the same as it was PRIOR to the pandemic.

The truth is, cutbacks and a lack of resources for working from home have made the industry axe 25 per cent of its staff. In the UK three years ago there were more than 800,000 people employed on an average wage of about £23,000 a year.

And in India and the Philippines things are worse – entire tower-block offices were shut down because of COVID. And nobody has done anything to re-open them again.

“Call volume is not up,” said Maddy Martin, head of growth and education for Smith.ai, a US firm working with virtual receptionists. “The same number of calls per week are being fielded as last year.”

Aaron Sackett, from the University of St. Thomas, says companies have adopted “unusually high call volume” as their default position.

He also said the call volume recordings may be intended to move people online.

The problem is human service reps are just too expensive. At £23,000 a year? Really?

A recent study by IBM showed that IS businesses spend more than a trillion dollars a year on customer calls. A call handled by a human can cost a company up to $200. An automated system cost is about $1.

The underlying technology of these devices was invented by Collins Radio, Iowa, half a century ago.

And now companies hide behind robots and lies while making you hang on for nothing before you hand over your dosh.

Here we have another nail in the coffin of our financial and customer services.

It should be illegal to tell consumers that they’re the problem when the problem is actually companies perpetuating a world-wide lie.

Honesty should still be the best policy.

But lets be honest about the pink robots who work in call centres … what a life!

The moment they finish one call, another one gets routed to them.  No rest for the weary.

It’s an exhausting job.

And one that has limitations philosophically.

At the core of this big lie is leaving customers waving like the last-gasp man in a dystopian movie as the pink robots slip on their listening ears and their empathy heads and click you onto hold … forever.

#CALLCENTREBLUES #CALLCENTRES #CUSTOMERSERVICES #VIRTUALRECEPTIONISTS #LIES