Of recent days much airtime & column space has been devoted to "shootings" & the like.
The streets of Australia are being painted as the scene of "drive-by shootings", "bikie vendettas" etc.
Rubbish! The news media should stop making things up. It is not true. These things didn't happen. These things cannot happen.
For in 1996 Australia had very strict gun laws imposed. To stop this sort of thing.
Thus the press is making it all up. Reading such poppycock is bad for the blood pressure!
***********
Or perhaps every poltician who voted for the laws, and every member of the public who supported/supports such laws, is wrong. Plain wrong.
What have gun laws achieved, except the disarming & subsequent harrasment of law-abiding citizens?
Every politician who voted for such laws, and every citizen who supports such laws, should hang their head in shame. Utter shame.
Not only for getting it wrong, but for being so blindingly stupid.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
With friends like these...........
One of the benefits of the introduction of television service to the outer reaches of the nation is the televising of the Anzac Day march. The televised march has usually been from the southern city of Brisbane, but with the introduction of multiple TV channels, we can now watch excerpts of the marches held in other (deeper in the south) cities.
Favourite part of the televised ANZAC day march?
The Military Police (or Provost Marshal's Corps, or whatever their real name may be) were preceded by a banner that accross the bottom had a slogan that read something like:
"Always with the troops, Always supporting the troops"
Leaves me speechless.
Mine Host's recommendation: The returned servicemen former M.P.s meet after the march at a pub where no other returned servicemen are drinking at.
Being as none of the marching former M.P. Anzacs looked as robust as they used to be, and they no longer have the wrath of hell backing them up.
Memories are long, and the support the provos provided to the troops will be well remembered by those on the receiving end of that (*cough*) "support".
******************************
(Footnote: The changes to blogspot? They really suck! - After over 7 years of using the same format, I was quite happy with it, and am finding the new format heavy going. Posting isn't as easy anymore, perhaps I'll change to another site, I'm not sure I'm prepared to go to the extra work that blogger is now putting me to). I run close to half a dozen blogs, & they've all become hard work.
Does anyone have any recommendations/comparisons?
Favourite part of the televised ANZAC day march?
The Military Police (or Provost Marshal's Corps, or whatever their real name may be) were preceded by a banner that accross the bottom had a slogan that read something like:
"Always with the troops, Always supporting the troops"
Leaves me speechless.
Mine Host's recommendation: The returned servicemen former M.P.s meet after the march at a pub where no other returned servicemen are drinking at.
Being as none of the marching former M.P. Anzacs looked as robust as they used to be, and they no longer have the wrath of hell backing them up.
Memories are long, and the support the provos provided to the troops will be well remembered by those on the receiving end of that (*cough*) "support".
******************************
(Footnote: The changes to blogspot? They really suck! - After over 7 years of using the same format, I was quite happy with it, and am finding the new format heavy going. Posting isn't as easy anymore, perhaps I'll change to another site, I'm not sure I'm prepared to go to the extra work that blogger is now putting me to). I run close to half a dozen blogs, & they've all become hard work.
Does anyone have any recommendations/comparisons?
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Breathing Trouble inflicted
Mine Host has lately been seething aplenty at the narrow-mindedness and obtuse stupidity of his urban TV-watching comrades from the deep south.
These are the people whose uninformed & ill-considered outcry (over cruelty they saw on their TV screen) led to the federal government mindlessly killing a productive industry. The northern cattle industry.
An industry Mine Host once worked in.
There is one universal sin in that industry. Commission of which will bring all walks of life together against you, and will have you ostracised, cast out, shunned, etc.
Cruelty to an animal.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
So picture this:
One of the men was sitting, pulling the wings off a fly. The boss, a big gruff and rough type, saw this and was troubled by the needless cruelty.
The boss roughly issued an order to the man:
"You kill that fly right now!"
The man laughed & released the fly.
The boss broke the man's nose.
These are the people whose uninformed & ill-considered outcry (over cruelty they saw on their TV screen) led to the federal government mindlessly killing a productive industry. The northern cattle industry.
An industry Mine Host once worked in.
There is one universal sin in that industry. Commission of which will bring all walks of life together against you, and will have you ostracised, cast out, shunned, etc.
Cruelty to an animal.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
So picture this:
One of the men was sitting, pulling the wings off a fly. The boss, a big gruff and rough type, saw this and was troubled by the needless cruelty.
The boss roughly issued an order to the man:
"You kill that fly right now!"
The man laughed & released the fly.
The boss broke the man's nose.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Pause to Think
There's certainly some second thoughts going on about the advisability of going on strike.
The closure of Norwich Park mine has thrown quite a scare into some of the fellers. They've got it very good, and know it. It hadn't occurred to them until BHP just up & shut the mine, that there could possibly be a downside to biting the hand that feeds them.
The closure of Norwich Park mine has thrown quite a scare into some of the fellers. They've got it very good, and know it. It hadn't occurred to them until BHP just up & shut the mine, that there could possibly be a downside to biting the hand that feeds them.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Reference Check
Mine Host's preferred industry association has a partnership with a recruiting company.
This firm phones one day to conduct a reference check on a former employee, as they have a client with a position vacant that matches this former employee's qualifications & experience.
Mine Host gives very accurate answers to the questions he is asked. This is not well received, as the answers are rather negative. (The former employee left under the... ah... most questionable of circumstances)
Mine Host emphatically does not recommend the employee, and states that under no circumstances whatsoever would he re-hire the employee.
The recruiter stops there... pauses..... then says:
"This isn't a very good reference, I'm going to have to keep calling more people on the list until I finally get a positive reference, as we have to place this person in that job!"
Mine Host makes a note to never use that firm to fill any vacancies. Ever.
This firm phones one day to conduct a reference check on a former employee, as they have a client with a position vacant that matches this former employee's qualifications & experience.
Mine Host gives very accurate answers to the questions he is asked. This is not well received, as the answers are rather negative. (The former employee left under the... ah... most questionable of circumstances)
Mine Host emphatically does not recommend the employee, and states that under no circumstances whatsoever would he re-hire the employee.
The recruiter stops there... pauses..... then says:
"This isn't a very good reference, I'm going to have to keep calling more people on the list until I finally get a positive reference, as we have to place this person in that job!"
Mine Host makes a note to never use that firm to fill any vacancies. Ever.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Rafferty's Rules
As will be known by every employer who has sponsored migrant workers, the dept of immigration is very arbitrary in the approvals process.
The people of Australia quite likely have a (reasonable) belief that there are a clear set of immigration rules and standards, which each and every employer sponsored migrant has to adhere to.
Ha ha haha hahaa...........
There is not. Each application is handled by a case officer.
There are rules, yes, but it is up to the case officer to interpret them how they wish.
Mine Host has often had the experience of having three concurrent migration applications lodged, each handled by a different case officer, and having to meet three entirely different sets of standards. Each of the three applications will require entirely different paperwork, with almost no documents in common.
Believe it or not, the case officers pretty much make it up as they go along.
They will change the rules as the application progresses. Arbitrarily.
Or they will not. It is all up to the case officer handling the application.
If the public knew how capriciously administered the immigration process was, they'd be marching on parliament house, armed with flaming torches and accompanied by baying hounds!
The way the immigration dept handles the various employer sponsored immigration programmes is a joke. Heaven knows where the blame lies, ministerial incompetence, or perhaps disinterested leadership.
The people of Australia quite likely have a (reasonable) belief that there are a clear set of immigration rules and standards, which each and every employer sponsored migrant has to adhere to.
Ha ha haha hahaa...........
There is not. Each application is handled by a case officer.
There are rules, yes, but it is up to the case officer to interpret them how they wish.
Mine Host has often had the experience of having three concurrent migration applications lodged, each handled by a different case officer, and having to meet three entirely different sets of standards. Each of the three applications will require entirely different paperwork, with almost no documents in common.
Believe it or not, the case officers pretty much make it up as they go along.
They will change the rules as the application progresses. Arbitrarily.
Or they will not. It is all up to the case officer handling the application.
If the public knew how capriciously administered the immigration process was, they'd be marching on parliament house, armed with flaming torches and accompanied by baying hounds!
The way the immigration dept handles the various employer sponsored immigration programmes is a joke. Heaven knows where the blame lies, ministerial incompetence, or perhaps disinterested leadership.
Friday, April 06, 2012
Simple Directive
In the office with the Manager, for a stern interview, Mine Host starts the conversation in as offhand a manner as he can.
There is only one point of discussion, the major item. The matter of the manager's daughter being shacked up in the presidential suite with a boyfriend, both of them eating their heads off at Mine Host's expense. None of it paid for.
The subject is not addressed head on, for Mine Host is crafty.
Mine Host has noted that one other staff member is permanently housed in guest accommodation, as are other staff temporarily, from time to time.
Mine Host issues a directive that "All guest rooms are to be made available for the use of paying guests. It matters not if a guest does not check into that room and the room lies vacant for a whole year. The purpose of guest accommodation is to house paying guests, and that is the business we are in."
Rather than carry out this directive, the manager chose to summarily resign their position.
This was somewhat unexpected.
Mine Host stated that if this was the manager's considered position, then all he could do was give the manager as long a notice period as they wished.
The manager announced that they would work out one month's notice.
Stand by for the next, and most unusual, development.......
There is only one point of discussion, the major item. The matter of the manager's daughter being shacked up in the presidential suite with a boyfriend, both of them eating their heads off at Mine Host's expense. None of it paid for.
The subject is not addressed head on, for Mine Host is crafty.
Mine Host has noted that one other staff member is permanently housed in guest accommodation, as are other staff temporarily, from time to time.
Mine Host issues a directive that "All guest rooms are to be made available for the use of paying guests. It matters not if a guest does not check into that room and the room lies vacant for a whole year. The purpose of guest accommodation is to house paying guests, and that is the business we are in."
Rather than carry out this directive, the manager chose to summarily resign their position.
This was somewhat unexpected.
Mine Host stated that if this was the manager's considered position, then all he could do was give the manager as long a notice period as they wished.
The manager announced that they would work out one month's notice.
Stand by for the next, and most unusual, development.......
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Fearless Prosecution
Being as his attacker was identified and spoken to at the scene by police, bar manager is keen to see the culprit charged.
How do the police go about this?
Try this:
When he attends the police station, the investigating constable informs him that they are "unable to take a statement in the police station" and makes an appointment to attend his home to take a statement.
The police do not keep the appointment.
Bar manager phones the police the following day, and is informed that police will attend his home at 3pm, to take a statement.
The police do not keep the appointment.
Bar manager attends the police station to try to get things happening, and is informed that police will call at his house "sometime tonight" to take a statement.
Police do not turn up at his house.
He rather emphatically makes his views known at the police station. (Days have now passed). The investigating constable has a chat, using lots of phrases along the lines of "Do you really want to do this?" and "He won't like it if he is charged, are you sure you want to rock the boat in this manner?" and so on & so forth......
Mine Host has a chat with the constable, who obtusely states that she is "unable to comment about an ongoing investigation" and tersely notes that Mine Host is not a complainant in the matter, and thus isn't entitled to know anything!
Oh boy, greenhorn Constables..... So Mine Host has an informal chat with one of the police Sergeants. The Sergeant points out that no complaint has yet been made, thus the police are unable to investigate.
This gives a good starting point to the informal chat. Mine Host makes it plain, (in the course of conversation) that members of the public who cannot even get a complaint heard by the police, let alone have their attacker charged, have considerable resources at their disposal.
The Sergeant doesn't miss this implication. He is aware that a complaint about poor policing, driven by Mine Host, will not only go direct to the correct authorities, but will be very well worded and will likely have maximum effect upon the Constable's career.
Stand by for a sudden reversal of policing policy.
How do the police go about this?
Try this:
When he attends the police station, the investigating constable informs him that they are "unable to take a statement in the police station" and makes an appointment to attend his home to take a statement.
The police do not keep the appointment.
Bar manager phones the police the following day, and is informed that police will attend his home at 3pm, to take a statement.
The police do not keep the appointment.
Bar manager attends the police station to try to get things happening, and is informed that police will call at his house "sometime tonight" to take a statement.
Police do not turn up at his house.
He rather emphatically makes his views known at the police station. (Days have now passed). The investigating constable has a chat, using lots of phrases along the lines of "Do you really want to do this?" and "He won't like it if he is charged, are you sure you want to rock the boat in this manner?" and so on & so forth......
Mine Host has a chat with the constable, who obtusely states that she is "unable to comment about an ongoing investigation" and tersely notes that Mine Host is not a complainant in the matter, and thus isn't entitled to know anything!
Oh boy, greenhorn Constables..... So Mine Host has an informal chat with one of the police Sergeants. The Sergeant points out that no complaint has yet been made, thus the police are unable to investigate.
This gives a good starting point to the informal chat. Mine Host makes it plain, (in the course of conversation) that members of the public who cannot even get a complaint heard by the police, let alone have their attacker charged, have considerable resources at their disposal.
The Sergeant doesn't miss this implication. He is aware that a complaint about poor policing, driven by Mine Host, will not only go direct to the correct authorities, but will be very well worded and will likely have maximum effect upon the Constable's career.
Stand by for a sudden reversal of policing policy.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Grassfed!
A randown snapshot, taken during service in the kitchens of the Wayside Tavern.Note the yellow fat. This beef is grassfed!
Friday, March 30, 2012
History!
Taken in the bar last Saturday night. Election night in the mighty state of Queensland.Look at those numbers accross the bottom!
Target: 45 ALP 6 LNP 75 Oth 4 ALP -45 LNP +44 Oth -2
ALP -45 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll never see anything like this on a TV screen again in my life.
The really good news from election night?
Margaret Keech lost her seat! (fantastic)
The bad news from election night?
Fiona Simpson held onto hers. (oh well, I can't win 'em all)
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Skitch 'im Bluey!
Bar Manager is out of hospital. He's shaken, but back at work.
He was beaten, and also kicked several times in the head.
In addition they sooled a dog onto him.
The man has dog bite marks in several places.
It transpires that he was accompanied by one of the chefs, who is sporting even better dog bite wounds, now turned septic.
The chef's dominant memory is of one of the attackers continually commanding the dog to attack.
Turns out they extracted themselves from the attack & made it inside the house. The attackers then set to work to break into the house, stopping only when a nearby resident recognised them and spoke to them by name. So the door is only half kicked in.
The police were phoned, and before agreeing to attend, gave one of the better quotes you'd hear: "We won't come if there are any more than two. How many of them are there? Only two of 'em eh? That's alright then, we'll send someone, but there had better not be any more than two of 'em when we get there!"
He was beaten, and also kicked several times in the head.
In addition they sooled a dog onto him.
The man has dog bite marks in several places.
It transpires that he was accompanied by one of the chefs, who is sporting even better dog bite wounds, now turned septic.
The chef's dominant memory is of one of the attackers continually commanding the dog to attack.
Turns out they extracted themselves from the attack & made it inside the house. The attackers then set to work to break into the house, stopping only when a nearby resident recognised them and spoke to them by name. So the door is only half kicked in.
The police were phoned, and before agreeing to attend, gave one of the better quotes you'd hear: "We won't come if there are any more than two. How many of them are there? Only two of 'em eh? That's alright then, we'll send someone, but there had better not be any more than two of 'em when we get there!"
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Equal Before the Law
Bar Manager is unable to make it to work.
He's in hospital. Beaten up.
Returning at midnight to his home, from an evening excursion, he was set upon in the street by a gang of youth. The gang were all south pacific islanders. In between punces/kicks (etc) they screamed out that tonight they wanted to "smash up a whitey".
The bar manager made it into his houseyard, where for some reason he believed he'd be safe.
Heaven knows where he got this idea, for this is where the worst of the flogging occurred. They came into the houseyard, where they really set upon him.
The police know who the perpetrators are, and will "pick them up" later on.
This being a "race hate" crime, the perpetrators will have a raft of extra legal pain to wade through.
Naturally.
They will be charged with lots of extra "race hate" things. Won't they?
The Magistrate will throw the book at 'em? Surely?
He's in hospital. Beaten up.
Returning at midnight to his home, from an evening excursion, he was set upon in the street by a gang of youth. The gang were all south pacific islanders. In between punces/kicks (etc) they screamed out that tonight they wanted to "smash up a whitey".
The bar manager made it into his houseyard, where for some reason he believed he'd be safe.
Heaven knows where he got this idea, for this is where the worst of the flogging occurred. They came into the houseyard, where they really set upon him.
The police know who the perpetrators are, and will "pick them up" later on.
This being a "race hate" crime, the perpetrators will have a raft of extra legal pain to wade through.
Naturally.
They will be charged with lots of extra "race hate" things. Won't they?
The Magistrate will throw the book at 'em? Surely?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Buyer's Remorse?
You know that part of a wedding ceremony where the bridal party signs the register?
Important tip: If you are a soloist playing the wedding music, it is this section of the ceremony that will bring you unstuck:
For if you have only a tune or two of the sort of soft trilling music to play during the register signing, & are (like me) wondering how you'll cut it short without sounding you just stopped in mid-note, worry not. No matter how many tunes you have ready, you'll play them all and be halfway through them all again before the register is signed.
No matter how many times it has been rehearsed & planned etc etc et-blanking-cetera, on the big day an incredible amount of fussing around will occur at this point in the ceremony, and quite an amount of time will be used up (sort of like a teenage girl in the shower) for what should be a half dozen or so quick and much rehearsed signatures.
Paint dries more swiftly.
Important tip: If you are a soloist playing the wedding music, it is this section of the ceremony that will bring you unstuck:
For if you have only a tune or two of the sort of soft trilling music to play during the register signing, & are (like me) wondering how you'll cut it short without sounding you just stopped in mid-note, worry not. No matter how many tunes you have ready, you'll play them all and be halfway through them all again before the register is signed.
No matter how many times it has been rehearsed & planned etc etc et-blanking-cetera, on the big day an incredible amount of fussing around will occur at this point in the ceremony, and quite an amount of time will be used up (sort of like a teenage girl in the shower) for what should be a half dozen or so quick and much rehearsed signatures.
Paint dries more swiftly.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Single Bill
Australia's major telephone & internet provider, Telstra (its 3rd name during Mine Host's dealings with it) a few years ago spent really really big on advertising the fact that they now offered "Single Billing":
All your telephone & internet services could be put onto the one bill. For your convenience.
With something like thirty-five telephone lines & at least ten adsl internet connections, and just about all of them on their own individual monthly bill, the office at the Wayside Tavern was in a constant state of "pending" bills to Telstra.
Single Billing certainly appealed to Mine Host. Get it all onto the one bill. Get rid of all the confusion, and make it easy to see if Telstra is slipping in any extra services.
Single Billing hasn't happened yet. There have been several false starts over the past few years. Anyone who has had the experience of being a Telstra customer will know what I mean. They start a project, in this case consolidating your phone lines onto a single bill, then several months later when you enquire how it is coming along, they have "no record" of the matter, and the account executive you asked for "left the company months ago sir".
The current attempt has been underway for almost six months. It is the most successful so far, having actually gotten most services put onto the one bill.
Some services continue to be billed individually (it seems Telstra is unable to swap everything at once!) and some services have (inexplicably) been put onto the bill of the next pub up the street.
All your telephone & internet services could be put onto the one bill. For your convenience.
With something like thirty-five telephone lines & at least ten adsl internet connections, and just about all of them on their own individual monthly bill, the office at the Wayside Tavern was in a constant state of "pending" bills to Telstra.
Single Billing certainly appealed to Mine Host. Get it all onto the one bill. Get rid of all the confusion, and make it easy to see if Telstra is slipping in any extra services.
Single Billing hasn't happened yet. There have been several false starts over the past few years. Anyone who has had the experience of being a Telstra customer will know what I mean. They start a project, in this case consolidating your phone lines onto a single bill, then several months later when you enquire how it is coming along, they have "no record" of the matter, and the account executive you asked for "left the company months ago sir".
The current attempt has been underway for almost six months. It is the most successful so far, having actually gotten most services put onto the one bill.
Some services continue to be billed individually (it seems Telstra is unable to swap everything at once!) and some services have (inexplicably) been put onto the bill of the next pub up the street.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Abortion
Anyone who has followed, even peripherally, the policital dogfights of our cousins in the USA will have noticed that the practice of aborting unborn humans is a hot issue there.
A quick straw poll of Australians, conducted just now by Mine Host, has revealed that 99% of Australians have never given abortion a thought, have no idea what (or even if) the laws on it are. Those who had given thought to abortion fell into one of two schools of thought:
Mine Host's view on abortion has been formed in the crucible of experience.
It should:
Anyone who has been present - and in a state of sobriety - when a nightclub closes, will understand & be an enthusiastic supporter of the above "abortion law".
A quick straw poll of Australians, conducted just now by Mine Host, has revealed that 99% of Australians have never given abortion a thought, have no idea what (or even if) the laws on it are. Those who had given thought to abortion fell into one of two schools of thought:
- Those who say it occurs when your cows eat the wrong type of grass, or something and,
- Those who say it occurs when your ewes eat the wrong type of grass, or something.
Mine Host's view on abortion has been formed in the crucible of experience.
It should:
- Be legal at any time from birth through to 24 years of age.
- Be decided by a spontaneous but unanimous vote of 4 sober adults who have no criminal convictions.
- Be be carried out on the spot, within 30 seconds of the vote.
Anyone who has been present - and in a state of sobriety - when a nightclub closes, will understand & be an enthusiastic supporter of the above "abortion law".
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sick Leave
Young fellow who works in the Wayside Tavern's driveway would like to have Wednesday off work.
Not on your nelly! There will be trucks to unload & several pallets to unpack, and he's told that he'd better be there!
He says that he'd really like it off, as he's having "a procedure" the evening before, and won't be feeling all that well on Wednesday.
Can't he have the procedure another day? When work won't be affected? (Wednesday is always a day of much activity in the driveway.) He'll think about that, but is excited about the "procedure" and can't wait for it.
Come Wednesday he doesn't front for work.
Thursday he turns up, & we discover the exact nature of the "procedure" he underwent.
He'd had a fully-coloured-in tattoo inked onto his entire back. His back from kidneys to shoulders was a scabbed mess. Now we know what ailed him so.
This is not reasonable grounds for leaving his workmates to carry the load for him on a busy day.
He was lucky his boss didn't clout him! (That still may happen, the driveway boss is a big man, & very intolerant of indolent youth)
He actually expected sympathy, or something.
Not on your nelly! There will be trucks to unload & several pallets to unpack, and he's told that he'd better be there!
He says that he'd really like it off, as he's having "a procedure" the evening before, and won't be feeling all that well on Wednesday.
Can't he have the procedure another day? When work won't be affected? (Wednesday is always a day of much activity in the driveway.) He'll think about that, but is excited about the "procedure" and can't wait for it.
Come Wednesday he doesn't front for work.
Thursday he turns up, & we discover the exact nature of the "procedure" he underwent.
He'd had a fully-coloured-in tattoo inked onto his entire back. His back from kidneys to shoulders was a scabbed mess. Now we know what ailed him so.
This is not reasonable grounds for leaving his workmates to carry the load for him on a busy day.
He was lucky his boss didn't clout him! (That still may happen, the driveway boss is a big man, & very intolerant of indolent youth)
He actually expected sympathy, or something.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Too Much Information.......!!
Position Vacant:
- Chef
- Duties: All aspects of kitchen operations.
- Reporting to: Head Chef
- Salary $65,000 p.a.
- Location: Outer Barcoo (where churches are few..etc.)
- Staff Accommodation & meals available.
- Majority of roster will be nights
- Roster will be 2/7 weekend work.
The above is not a real job ad, it is an example of a job advertisment.
Anyone who is able to read this advertisment & process all Eight bullet points will be ahead of most, if not all, of the applicants.
Most job applicants are able to process only Two, perhaps Three of the above points. Or less if the advertisment is laid out as a paragraph instead of simple bullet points.
Inability to absorb at least Five of the Eight simple points is bad enough.
The really good bit:
Most applicants will absorb the 2 or 3 points they like, & fill in the rest of the "blanks" themself.
Example:
The above will attract applicants who may well have copied & pasted the ad into their job application, and then during their Third or Fourth interview (by phone or skype) will lose their temper (yep, rudely blow their stack) upon discovering that the job is located on the "Outer Barcoo".
"I only want jobs in Brisbane, I wouldn'ta applied if I knew it was in woop-woop, you've wasted my time!)
Or: "I wasn't looking for a job that included weekend work (chef job?), You shoulda told me this, You have wasted my time!"
Or: "I was looking for at least $100,000 per year, if I knew you were offering less I wouldn'ta applied, you've wasted my time!"
Happens every single time, EVERY single job ad I run gets otherwise qualified or suitably experienced applicants, who clearly do not read the job ad, and then conduct themselves in a most rude manner.
Surprisingly the incidence is greater among ethnics, Australians of NESB, & international applicants.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Breakfast
With the manager booked in for a stiff interview, Mine Host is having breakfast whilst pondering the matter.
Earlier that morning, a stroll past the Presidential Suite (where the manager's daughter is recalcitrantly well dug in) had revealed that the place looked "lived in".
What appeared to be mundane domestic laundry was drying on the balcony - not a good look for a premier accommodation property.
However Mine Host's eagle eye was drawn to the dominant item on the balcony. A well used weights bench. This is not something one would associate with a girl living alone. She is living with her boyfriend.
Inwardly seething at this, Mine Host strolls on. The forecourt of the outdoor bistro, carefully decorated with bamboo & the like in waist-high pots, is instead the domain of the boyfriend's work car, the decorative pot plants having been pushed roughly aside (probably with Mine Host's forklift).
This settles it. This business is being run for the benefit of the manager's family. No employee can take such liberties & expect to keep their job, or get a reference.
It is now just a matter of how to end the manager's tenure with the minimum of disruption.
In the middle of breakfast, Mine Host is startled to see the boyfriend, clad in Y-fronts & pyjama shirt, strolling into the restaurant - with one hand down "there" engaging in a good scratch. He ladles Two plates high with food, then strolls out, carrying the Two plates.
The morning staff didn't bat an eyelid. Clearly this is common practice. Oh boy, it just gets better & better!
Mine Host questions the girl in charge of the floor: Was there anybody who had breakfast this morning without paying?
Earenstly she shakes her head, oh no, everybody pays.
Mine Host gets her to confirm this by asking a second time. Yep, everybody who ate paid for it.
"That lout who came in before, the one who hadn't bothered to wash & acted like this restaurant is his personal pig-sty, did he pay?"
*silence*
"I don't know who you mean" (Her face is now going red)
"The fellow in his underwear, who took Two plates piled with food, he didn't pay, did he?"
*pause*
"... That was a staff meal...." (She affects confidence)
"It is not a staff meal. Staff meals, such as they may be, are strictly to not be taken away, furthermore staff meals are available only to staff. Whoever that fellow is, he isn't staff."
"....That is ....Paul" (I didn't think the human face could turn a colour redder than beetroot, but she is proving it can)
"Hmm, the question was: Did he pay?"
"Breakfast is part of his deal" (her confidence is faltering)
"What deal?"
(NB: There has only ever been one "deal": "No money = no drinkee/eatee"
"......Well.... he lives here...... with Maxine........."
"So he just comes in, dressed how he pleases, & carries away any food that catches his eye?"
"........It is part of his....... package deal" (She is now so red she is turning black)
This is enough. The interview with the Manager is going to be quite something.
The outcome of the interview isn't in doubt, only the amount of disruption that will be caused.
Mine Host is going to try for an orderly change of manager, we'll see how the interview pans out.
Oh brother, is the boyfriend onto a good thing. Living with a cute young girl, set up house for free in the Presidential Suite of a premier hotel, eating like a Lord for free in one of the best restaurants north of Sydney.
Oh brother, hasn't the manager booked themself in for the high jump!
Earlier that morning, a stroll past the Presidential Suite (where the manager's daughter is recalcitrantly well dug in) had revealed that the place looked "lived in".
What appeared to be mundane domestic laundry was drying on the balcony - not a good look for a premier accommodation property.
However Mine Host's eagle eye was drawn to the dominant item on the balcony. A well used weights bench. This is not something one would associate with a girl living alone. She is living with her boyfriend.
Inwardly seething at this, Mine Host strolls on. The forecourt of the outdoor bistro, carefully decorated with bamboo & the like in waist-high pots, is instead the domain of the boyfriend's work car, the decorative pot plants having been pushed roughly aside (probably with Mine Host's forklift).
This settles it. This business is being run for the benefit of the manager's family. No employee can take such liberties & expect to keep their job, or get a reference.
It is now just a matter of how to end the manager's tenure with the minimum of disruption.
In the middle of breakfast, Mine Host is startled to see the boyfriend, clad in Y-fronts & pyjama shirt, strolling into the restaurant - with one hand down "there" engaging in a good scratch. He ladles Two plates high with food, then strolls out, carrying the Two plates.
The morning staff didn't bat an eyelid. Clearly this is common practice. Oh boy, it just gets better & better!
Mine Host questions the girl in charge of the floor: Was there anybody who had breakfast this morning without paying?
Earenstly she shakes her head, oh no, everybody pays.
Mine Host gets her to confirm this by asking a second time. Yep, everybody who ate paid for it.
"That lout who came in before, the one who hadn't bothered to wash & acted like this restaurant is his personal pig-sty, did he pay?"
*silence*
"I don't know who you mean" (Her face is now going red)
"The fellow in his underwear, who took Two plates piled with food, he didn't pay, did he?"
*pause*
"... That was a staff meal...." (She affects confidence)
"It is not a staff meal. Staff meals, such as they may be, are strictly to not be taken away, furthermore staff meals are available only to staff. Whoever that fellow is, he isn't staff."
"....That is ....Paul" (I didn't think the human face could turn a colour redder than beetroot, but she is proving it can)
"Hmm, the question was: Did he pay?"
"Breakfast is part of his deal" (her confidence is faltering)
"What deal?"
(NB: There has only ever been one "deal": "No money = no drinkee/eatee"
"......Well.... he lives here...... with Maxine........."
"So he just comes in, dressed how he pleases, & carries away any food that catches his eye?"
"........It is part of his....... package deal" (She is now so red she is turning black)
This is enough. The interview with the Manager is going to be quite something.
The outcome of the interview isn't in doubt, only the amount of disruption that will be caused.
Mine Host is going to try for an orderly change of manager, we'll see how the interview pans out.
Oh brother, is the boyfriend onto a good thing. Living with a cute young girl, set up house for free in the Presidential Suite of a premier hotel, eating like a Lord for free in one of the best restaurants north of Sydney.
Oh brother, hasn't the manager booked themself in for the high jump!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
the Law that Never Was
An underage person is caught using a faked ID to attempt entry to the Wayside Tavern.
The fake ID is confiscated and the police are called. (This is what the rule book says we must do).
Two constables (humourless slender females) attend & deal with the matter in a most perfunctory fashion. They keep the fake ID, but show little to no interest in the underager who attempted to use it.
However the constables do show considerable interest in the pub. They point out a person at the bar who has "obviously" had too much to drink, and warn that we had "better not serve him any more tonight" (the bar manager resolves to ignore this directive, as the fellow has barely arrived, is probably so sober that he'd pass a roadside breath test, & is exhibiting the same outward behavioural signs as a department store mannequin.)
They then take a look around & decide that the pub is "too full" of people & order the doors closed.
The bar manager gets this message straight to the office, thus Mine Host countermands the order before it has a chance to be implemented.
This provokes the ire of the constables, who storm along to the office. (here we go again)
The spokesman of the pair demands to know what Mine Host thinks he is doing.
Mine Host calmly enquires which piece of legislation they were invoking when ordering the pub closed. (There follows a bit of to-&-fro.)
Knowing they have been caught bluffing, the mood of the constables gets worse.
The more simple minded police cannot cope mentally when their actions are challenged. Their usual response is to arrest or write a ticket.
Neither a fine nor an arrest are options which are available to her in this case, as the woman is trying to enforce a law that doesn't actually exist.
This sends her into near apoplexy.
The taller of the pair whips out her notebook and with pencil poised, demands in her most arrogant voice:
"And what is your name sir?"
This question is apparently meant to intimidate Mine Host.
This woman is so dim she doesn't realise how much she is compounding her foolishness.
Mine Host is a publican. Not only are our names & place of business the subject of strict licencing requirements, we have passed government probity checks to a level that equals that met by judges.
Compared to us, schoolteachers, army officers, lawyers & government officers are fly-by-nighters.
Mine Host is well aware of his station in the community.
And this woman is cluelessly asking my name as a (failed) tactic of intimidation, knowing full well who I am (she's known me for years.)
All because she is powerless, having been caught trying to enforce a law that does not exist.
The fake ID is confiscated and the police are called. (This is what the rule book says we must do).
Two constables (humourless slender females) attend & deal with the matter in a most perfunctory fashion. They keep the fake ID, but show little to no interest in the underager who attempted to use it.
However the constables do show considerable interest in the pub. They point out a person at the bar who has "obviously" had too much to drink, and warn that we had "better not serve him any more tonight" (the bar manager resolves to ignore this directive, as the fellow has barely arrived, is probably so sober that he'd pass a roadside breath test, & is exhibiting the same outward behavioural signs as a department store mannequin.)
They then take a look around & decide that the pub is "too full" of people & order the doors closed.
The bar manager gets this message straight to the office, thus Mine Host countermands the order before it has a chance to be implemented.
This provokes the ire of the constables, who storm along to the office. (here we go again)
The spokesman of the pair demands to know what Mine Host thinks he is doing.
Mine Host calmly enquires which piece of legislation they were invoking when ordering the pub closed. (There follows a bit of to-&-fro.)
Knowing they have been caught bluffing, the mood of the constables gets worse.
The more simple minded police cannot cope mentally when their actions are challenged. Their usual response is to arrest or write a ticket.
Neither a fine nor an arrest are options which are available to her in this case, as the woman is trying to enforce a law that doesn't actually exist.
This sends her into near apoplexy.
The taller of the pair whips out her notebook and with pencil poised, demands in her most arrogant voice:
"And what is your name sir?"
This question is apparently meant to intimidate Mine Host.
This woman is so dim she doesn't realise how much she is compounding her foolishness.
Mine Host is a publican. Not only are our names & place of business the subject of strict licencing requirements, we have passed government probity checks to a level that equals that met by judges.
Compared to us, schoolteachers, army officers, lawyers & government officers are fly-by-nighters.
Mine Host is well aware of his station in the community.
And this woman is cluelessly asking my name as a (failed) tactic of intimidation, knowing full well who I am (she's known me for years.)
All because she is powerless, having been caught trying to enforce a law that does not exist.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Taking it to the Top
Having been stiffed by his law firm, with a bill for a .... rather aspirational amount, and not having got much sympathy from his lawyer, Mine Host has an idea.
He goes to see one of the law firm's senior partners.
The partner is caught unawares by the matter. Which is pretty much how Mine Host felt when he got the big fat bill.
The meeting is productive. Mine Host obliquely drops a reminder about the size of his legal bills and makes an even more obscure reference to how much he enjoys being a client of the firm & looks forward to a productive future relationship etc. etc.
This message is not lost, not on a firm that is losing clients & is having to retrench staff.
Mine Host now feels that the matter will be resolved in an adult manner.
The meeting ends with the partner assuring Mine Host that the matter will be looked into.
Actually it doesn't. The meeting ends with the senior partner chatting on for Twenty minutes or so about how much he'd like to take Mine Host along with him on his next overseas trip.
(Mine Host & the senior partner have a common background, one that is shared by very few - if any - lawyers or publicans).
Still, this is a most surreal ending to a meeting during which one has more or less accused the firm of cheating a client.
He goes to see one of the law firm's senior partners.
The partner is caught unawares by the matter. Which is pretty much how Mine Host felt when he got the big fat bill.
The meeting is productive. Mine Host obliquely drops a reminder about the size of his legal bills and makes an even more obscure reference to how much he enjoys being a client of the firm & looks forward to a productive future relationship etc. etc.
This message is not lost, not on a firm that is losing clients & is having to retrench staff.
Mine Host now feels that the matter will be resolved in an adult manner.
The meeting ends with the partner assuring Mine Host that the matter will be looked into.
Actually it doesn't. The meeting ends with the senior partner chatting on for Twenty minutes or so about how much he'd like to take Mine Host along with him on his next overseas trip.
(Mine Host & the senior partner have a common background, one that is shared by very few - if any - lawyers or publicans).
Still, this is a most surreal ending to a meeting during which one has more or less accused the firm of cheating a client.
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