Shorthand World looks useful!  Will investigate - and thanks for digging out the info for me.

I've recently been asked to take notes of interviews in another department - it transpires that I'm one of the very few people in my organisation that actually do shorthand.  Although I managed OK, it brought home that my speed's slipped - there is very little use for it in my normal work.  That said, I wondered if there were any speed exercises available online - does anyone know of anything for download?  I write New Era, if that's any help.

I can only think of one truly bad experience with a temp.  She wasn't criminal, or spiteful, just .... hopeless.   Whilst she could type, being able to strike keys in the right order does not a secretary make.  Her letters were badly laid out, and the filing she did on the computer left a great deal to be desired.  After two days the team were demanding someone who had more than the vaguest clue of what they should be doing.

But one bizarre thing she said to me still sticks out in my mind.  She asked me if I came from Lowestoft.  I don't; I've never been there, and it's miles away from where I was working.  Apparently I had a lisp, just like her friend from Lowestoft 

As ever, we'll be having an employee-only Christmas lunch on site.  There is a school within the grounds; that will have closed, and we'll use their dining facilities and staff.

Various departments will arrange their own Christmas festivities too - the building I'm in has arranged an evening meal for staff and select senior management 

Maybe a drinks party somewhere as well - glass of wine and nibbles.

Presents - not a lot really.  I don't exchange with anyone else in the office, as I work very much on my own.  Maybe a bottle of something alcofrolic from my boss though!

Hope it goes well!

I will (probably) be acquiring a new boss in the New Year - my job description has been reconfigured and basically if he wants me, I'm his (within limits - I have a number of other projects which have to take priority).  So my aim is to make his running-in period as smooth as possible.  Also, this is the year that Big Bossie will do things in a timely fashion - 'cept he doesn't know it yet!      For the past year he's been carrying a couple of roles, and using his busyness as an excuse for prevarication.  It's not going to wash any more .... (looks menacing)

Obviously Christmas is a big thing at my place of employ!  There is one major Christmas lunch for all staff (we have a boarding school on the premises, so we use their facilities after the children have gone home for the Christmas break); departments can organise their own lunches/dinners as well.  Offices are decorated, but it all has to be relatively tasteful.  Gift-giving - I've got something from my two main bosses each year; as I'm really just a department of me, there's no-one else to give to/organise a Secret Santa with.

Apart from the usual regular round of services, there are all the Christmas ones to be slotted in.  Two major public carol services this year; one each on the 23rd and Christmas Eve.  

Spotted this on the Dumb Little Man blog - a site aimed at helping one's productivity and efficiency.

http://dumblittleman.blogspot.com/2006/11/free-long-distance-calling-from-google.html

Thought it might prove useful to someone!

No.  It wouldn't be appropriate in my line of work!

Given my line of work (in a cathedral) I have to cover up!  No deep-cut necklines or short skirts - not that I'd wear the latter anyhow, as it would just scare people :-)  Trousers are absolutely fine, and I do wear them a lot.  

I'm not a fan of makeover shows per se, but get very ticked off if I miss Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.  I think it's something to do with Kyan, the grooming guy, who is just ...... sighhhhhhhh

(goes off for a cold shower and a little lay down to recover)

Can't think of any real favourites, but QI (Quite Interesting) with Stephen Fry is coming back shortly, and that's always worth watching.  I do like quiz shows, but I do like to have my brain tested!  Mastermind and University Challenge come to mind.

Am thoroughly bewildered by, but fairly keen on, Lost, which is coming to the end of its second series in the UK.

I know the Napoleon XIVth version very well (and a number of his other ditties), but don't recognise the other at all.  Nor could I find it by googling for a snatch of the lyrics.  Anyone got any idea who it's by?

In the past very rarely.  My workload is quite specialised, and I worked in an entirely separate building to Big Cheese, Really Big Cheese and their PAs.  However, I've now been moved into the same building since my manager's departure, so I suspect I shall be called upon to deputise at some stage.

At the moment, it's visitors to my new office.  They want to ask how much stuff I've squeezed in (it's smaller than the last one); can the office dragon around the corner see in (not unless she sticks her head out the window); do I like it (not I b****y don't - it's poky and incredibly hot) .... I could go on.  shutting my door gets the response "Don't you want to talk to anyone then?" to which the answer is frequently a resounding no!  I have work to do!

Bah!  The big course I administer is always in late July into August (it has to coincide with American academic holidays), so no way.  However, we don't have children, so aren't tied to school holidays ourselves.  This year, we're just taking a week to chill at the end of August, having had some time away earlier in the year - in Newcastle of all places!

In my last job (working for a team of salesmen) I made it quite clear that I didn't like swearing for the sake of it.  I certainly utter the odd cussword from time to time, but I don't drop them into everyday conversation.

Hence, on the one occasion that I swore at one particular manager, I rendered him speechless!  He'd been messing about, demanded that I stay late to finish something and ten minutes later still hadn't given me whatever it was I was supposed to be doing.  At that point I got up, picked up my bag, and informed him that in a week's time I'd be gone (I was working my notice) and wouldn't be around to wipe his "backside" any more, so he'd better start sorting out his "flipping" working methods now in readiness for my replacement.  And with that I walked out with my head held high.  Contrite didn't even begin to describe him the next day.