Over the last few weeks I seem to have gathered quite a collection of letters from the Inland Revenue. I never enjoy getting letters from the IR. It isn't that they are nasty people, but I suspect that no-one likes paying tax. Heck, probably the taxman doesn't like paying tax either.
The letters have turned out to be a motley collection of tax codes. These, if you don't know, are the codes that loosely work out what tax you pay and when and generally get adjusted based on what the IR think you owe them. The first tax code was nice - saying that my tax free allowance had increased. Why, thank you. The next, following hot on its heels a few days later said that actually, it had reduced. Okay. Then, a week later, I had a dreaded 'K' code which means that apparently I now owed the IR a four figure sum which would be collected by taxing all my earnings at a starting rate of 20% with no tax free allowance. Today I have just received a cheque for "tax that [I] have overpaid" along with a letter that explains that in effect the last couple of weeks' correspondence can be filed in the big yellow coloured out tray that the council happily empty into a large lorry every two weeks.
As much as I love to feel that I'm important enough to get lots of post, Mr Tax man, please make up your mind.
Friday, 25 March 2011
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Weekend on the rails!
You may have been wondering why all has gone quiet over the last week. Well, I'll tell you: I was away from Friday taking my model railway layout to an exhibition in Nottingham. Those of you who have been following this blog for some time may remember that the layout, 'Grove street yard' was featured in Model Rail issue #143 as well as turning up again in pictures in last month's issue.
I went with my friend Sam on the Friday and set it up ready for the exhibition proper on the Saturday. It's quite easy to put up, as I made sure in building it that it was as simple as possible. A few bolts on a few bits of wood make up the legs and the tops just slot in and away it goes. Everything electrical is integral because I fear electrickery and consequently make it as simple and bullet proof as possible.
The exhibition was vast, with lots of stunning layouts that made me quiver at how amateur mine seemed in comparison. But Sam assured me that my efforts aren't too bad. The Friday allowed for a little wandering about to see the other exhibits. The Nottingham exhibition is one of the bigger in the UK so it was going to be busy on the Saturday and Sunday and we figured that we wouldn't otherwise get much chance to look around.
We were put up in a lovely hotel in Nottingham. Sam and I found ourselves in what appeared to be the Bridal suite on the top floor - we couldn't believe our luck. We got a good view too. You have to love a bathroom that incorporates a steam room in one corner!
The Saturday proved to be as busy as I expected. We got a good feed at the hotel and headed over for a leisurely stroll around the trade stalls. I was surprised to find that people were queuing a fair while before the doors officially opened - some people really are keen! It is quite strange to watch the rush as the doors open - it's rather akin to a tsunami made of people all hurrying to pick over the trade stands for the bargains before anyone else can get to them.
It's a long day to be stood on your feet operating a model railway. I always take a rug to stand on as you would be amazed at how much pain a solid wooden floor in a sports hall otherwise causes in ankles. It still left us both weary by the end of the day. 'Grove street' performed faultlessly with a Hornby class 08 doing almost all of the shunting work. I feel that it is important to keep something moving all of the time, as I know from my own experiences of going to exhibitions that it can get boring looking at a miniature masterpiece where nothing happens for twenty minutes or more. There isn't a timetable for the layout's running (yes, some other exhibits do run to a timetable too - following the real railways). Representing a small industrial backwater, the shunting locos can and do shuffle around just moving wagons from siding to siding in what amounts to a strangely absorbing shunting puzzle.
Pete Waterman was there all day Saturday. I had already asked permission to get the box inlay for a model of one of his locomotives signed by him. He seemed quite an approachable chap, and I gave him a signed copy of 'Bringing home the stars' just to surprise him as a thank you. I wonder if he will read it and, if he does, get in contact to tell me what he thought of it.
The Sunday was very busy too. We suffered no major calamity except for sore legs. At chucking out time it was bizarre to watch how fast fully operational layouts around us started to get stripped down and cleared. Having planned for dismantling and erection when I built 'Grove street' we were packed and away in an hour flat; that even includes the time taken to eat the sandwiches!
All in all an enjoyable weekend where I got to meet and talk to many people, including a few whom I have known online for years but only now got to meet them in person.
I went with my friend Sam on the Friday and set it up ready for the exhibition proper on the Saturday. It's quite easy to put up, as I made sure in building it that it was as simple as possible. A few bolts on a few bits of wood make up the legs and the tops just slot in and away it goes. Everything electrical is integral because I fear electrickery and consequently make it as simple and bullet proof as possible.
The exhibition was vast, with lots of stunning layouts that made me quiver at how amateur mine seemed in comparison. But Sam assured me that my efforts aren't too bad. The Friday allowed for a little wandering about to see the other exhibits. The Nottingham exhibition is one of the bigger in the UK so it was going to be busy on the Saturday and Sunday and we figured that we wouldn't otherwise get much chance to look around.
We were put up in a lovely hotel in Nottingham. Sam and I found ourselves in what appeared to be the Bridal suite on the top floor - we couldn't believe our luck. We got a good view too. You have to love a bathroom that incorporates a steam room in one corner!
The Saturday proved to be as busy as I expected. We got a good feed at the hotel and headed over for a leisurely stroll around the trade stalls. I was surprised to find that people were queuing a fair while before the doors officially opened - some people really are keen! It is quite strange to watch the rush as the doors open - it's rather akin to a tsunami made of people all hurrying to pick over the trade stands for the bargains before anyone else can get to them.
It's a long day to be stood on your feet operating a model railway. I always take a rug to stand on as you would be amazed at how much pain a solid wooden floor in a sports hall otherwise causes in ankles. It still left us both weary by the end of the day. 'Grove street' performed faultlessly with a Hornby class 08 doing almost all of the shunting work. I feel that it is important to keep something moving all of the time, as I know from my own experiences of going to exhibitions that it can get boring looking at a miniature masterpiece where nothing happens for twenty minutes or more. There isn't a timetable for the layout's running (yes, some other exhibits do run to a timetable too - following the real railways). Representing a small industrial backwater, the shunting locos can and do shuffle around just moving wagons from siding to siding in what amounts to a strangely absorbing shunting puzzle.
Pete Waterman was there all day Saturday. I had already asked permission to get the box inlay for a model of one of his locomotives signed by him. He seemed quite an approachable chap, and I gave him a signed copy of 'Bringing home the stars' just to surprise him as a thank you. I wonder if he will read it and, if he does, get in contact to tell me what he thought of it.
The Sunday was very busy too. We suffered no major calamity except for sore legs. At chucking out time it was bizarre to watch how fast fully operational layouts around us started to get stripped down and cleared. Having planned for dismantling and erection when I built 'Grove street' we were packed and away in an hour flat; that even includes the time taken to eat the sandwiches!
All in all an enjoyable weekend where I got to meet and talk to many people, including a few whom I have known online for years but only now got to meet them in person.
Mortgage refused, it appears, because of a disability?
This week has already become hassle. The mortgage provider has withdrawn the provisionally approved mortgage. Why? Because I have a gap in my employment filled by Incapacity Benefit because of a relapse in an illness I have. The illness is a recognised disability which the mortgage provider were made aware of. Apparently because of this, and not because of my earnings (which if I had earnt the same amount over the same period without the period of illness would have been fine), then cancelled the offer of a mortgage AFTER we have had an offer accepted on the house we want to buy.
We are now getting a mortgage via a broker which will be with a different provider. I don't like to particularly talk about my illness in public, but it is a recognised disability and can on occasions become a struggle. However, I was very much under the impression that refusing a mortgage to some-one in this way effectively amounts to direct disability discrimination. The mortgage broker working for the lender refused to talk to us on the telephone and we are still waiting for the branch mortgage advisor to get around to returning our calls.
Rest assured that the bottom-kicking-device will be deployed if the lender fails to respond.
We are now getting a mortgage via a broker which will be with a different provider. I don't like to particularly talk about my illness in public, but it is a recognised disability and can on occasions become a struggle. However, I was very much under the impression that refusing a mortgage to some-one in this way effectively amounts to direct disability discrimination. The mortgage broker working for the lender refused to talk to us on the telephone and we are still waiting for the branch mortgage advisor to get around to returning our calls.
Rest assured that the bottom-kicking-device will be deployed if the lender fails to respond.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
A fuller update for the weekend.
The weekend's signings in the North East went okay, though it is becoming clear to me that the recession is biting and non-essentials are being squeezed in people's purchases. Durham city was very busy on the Saturday, however all the shops seemed quiet. I got the impression that a lot of people were window shopping and were being rather more careful at budgeting what they were buying. I still did okay though in the end. I am finding though that I'm talking to a lot more people who decide in the end not to buy based purely on not being able to justify the spend. With any luck some of these people will convert into sales as they change their minds over the next few weeks.
The MetroCentre was a new venue for me. We got a good welcome, and I took the opportunity to get an hour's shopping in beforehand buying some much needed shoes. I have big feet (size 10 wide fit) so Evans is my usual place of choice. However not all Evans shops actually stock over size 8, even though as a chain they now do up to size 11. Luck was in town and I got two lovely pairs of shoes. I also got to try on a pair of size 11s and experience the rare feeling of floppy clown shoes. I think that I now know how Zoë must feel if she accidentally tries on a pair of my shoes!
The signing though was tougher than Durham had been the day before. Again, lots of people milling in the mall but no-one actually buying much. I talked to lots of people, but had the least number of sales of any venue so far on the signing tour. They do now have plenty of copies in stock though, so I guess that all the people who chatted but bowed out because of being cash strapped have the opportunity to buy over the coming weeks.
We live in strange times economically. Every time I log onto the BBC news site I see another major calamity has befallen the world. How will history remember this period of natural disaster and banker-wanker shenanigans?
The MetroCentre was a new venue for me. We got a good welcome, and I took the opportunity to get an hour's shopping in beforehand buying some much needed shoes. I have big feet (size 10 wide fit) so Evans is my usual place of choice. However not all Evans shops actually stock over size 8, even though as a chain they now do up to size 11. Luck was in town and I got two lovely pairs of shoes. I also got to try on a pair of size 11s and experience the rare feeling of floppy clown shoes. I think that I now know how Zoë must feel if she accidentally tries on a pair of my shoes!
The signing though was tougher than Durham had been the day before. Again, lots of people milling in the mall but no-one actually buying much. I talked to lots of people, but had the least number of sales of any venue so far on the signing tour. They do now have plenty of copies in stock though, so I guess that all the people who chatted but bowed out because of being cash strapped have the opportunity to buy over the coming weeks.
We live in strange times economically. Every time I log onto the BBC news site I see another major calamity has befallen the world. How will history remember this period of natural disaster and banker-wanker shenanigans?
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Weekend North East signings.
Back-to-back signings all done now. They've gone really well, and I have an extra Waterstone's branch stocking my books!
I'll do a proper post when I've recovered from earache as I've had a reoccurrence of my ear trouble that is making me dizzy and disorientated.
I'll do a proper post when I've recovered from earache as I've had a reoccurrence of my ear trouble that is making me dizzy and disorientated.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Signings this weekend.
Tomorrow from 10:30am I shall be book signing in Waterstones in Durham. Sunday I shall be signing at Waterstones in the Metro Centre from 12:00.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Is there an agenda with the 2011 census, or just incompetence?
Those in the UK cannot failed to have noticed that a census is afoot. Most people will have received the documents by now. However, question 17 has posed a lot of debate - why leave a question intentionally blank? The answer is obvious if you live in Wales - the question isn't blank, and asks about the form-filler's ability to speak and understand Welsh. But why is this question deemed only valid to those people living within the counties that make up Wales? Welsh is the other official language of this country, so why can't those who speak it but who live elsewhere get their say about it? Do they not matter to the government?
My Mother speaks fluent Welsh, but lives in Bolton and has done now for more time than she lived in Wales. I can understand a little Welsh to get the gist, and speak enough to convince non-Welsh speakers that I can speak Welsh. It smacks of there being an agenda, or at least incompetence, that officialdom seems to think that Welsh doesn't matter beyond the nominal border.
Question 17 should therefore remain on all versions of the census to get an accurate indication of how many people in the country actually do speak the other official language of the place. It seems that so many foreign languages are catered for in the rest of the country, yet Welsh is ignored. My Grandmother had English as a second language though she used it an awful lot. In later life when Dementia set in she regressed and stopped being able to understand English but could still communicate in Welsh. However at the hospitals in Bolton they had no means to provide an interpreter for Welsh though offered a dozen other language options for interpretation. There wasn't even the means to print out any documents in Welsh despite offering them in all the languages that interpreters were being offered for.
Then there's that old chestnut of religion (insert imaginary friend of choice in this box). In the last census Jedi proved a popular choice. But did the government of the day wise up to the significance? Most likely not.
I think that the "No Religion" box would have been more informative and more accurate if it had allowed the following choices:
*Agnostic.
*Atheist.
*No Religion
*Jedi (version one) making a political statement against the inclusion of this question.
*Jedi (version two) too stupid to understand the question and just thinks it's funny.
Personally I list my religion on official forms as "None of your business" and that has served me well up until now. I believe religion is a personal and private business and no-one has a right to force theirs upon anyone else. Why should an invisible friend get you different or special privileges? I thought we were all supposed to be equal these days?
My Mother speaks fluent Welsh, but lives in Bolton and has done now for more time than she lived in Wales. I can understand a little Welsh to get the gist, and speak enough to convince non-Welsh speakers that I can speak Welsh. It smacks of there being an agenda, or at least incompetence, that officialdom seems to think that Welsh doesn't matter beyond the nominal border.
Question 17 should therefore remain on all versions of the census to get an accurate indication of how many people in the country actually do speak the other official language of the place. It seems that so many foreign languages are catered for in the rest of the country, yet Welsh is ignored. My Grandmother had English as a second language though she used it an awful lot. In later life when Dementia set in she regressed and stopped being able to understand English but could still communicate in Welsh. However at the hospitals in Bolton they had no means to provide an interpreter for Welsh though offered a dozen other language options for interpretation. There wasn't even the means to print out any documents in Welsh despite offering them in all the languages that interpreters were being offered for.
Then there's that old chestnut of religion (insert imaginary friend of choice in this box). In the last census Jedi proved a popular choice. But did the government of the day wise up to the significance? Most likely not.
I think that the "No Religion" box would have been more informative and more accurate if it had allowed the following choices:
*Agnostic.
*Atheist.
*No Religion
*Jedi (version one) making a political statement against the inclusion of this question.
*Jedi (version two) too stupid to understand the question and just thinks it's funny.
Personally I list my religion on official forms as "None of your business" and that has served me well up until now. I believe religion is a personal and private business and no-one has a right to force theirs upon anyone else. Why should an invisible friend get you different or special privileges? I thought we were all supposed to be equal these days?
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