Overpriced

Towards the middle of last year I ordered a BT network circuit for a new site we were commissioning at work. I won't go into detail but lets just say the order was for less than £20k.
It turned out to be a very convoluted job and the work itself took months to complete, involving the digging of roads etc. All along though we were confident in the knowledge of a bill to be less than £20k.
That was until November when this bill arrived at work for £671,606.38 !!!!
After half an hour spent nervously laughing about the fact that it must be wrong or a couple of us would be out of a job, the bill was queried with BT.
The person from BT was also surprised at the large amount but said she'd have to check it out and get back to us. She eventually called my boss back and knowing that he'd be bricking it, decided to wind him up..! She asked if he was sitting down then said it appeared the amount was indeed correct! PRICELESS, - they make and error of over £650k but still manage to keep their sense of humour.
Everything worked out fine in the end thanks to a rather substantial credit note arriving, but still thought it was a story worth sharing.
N.B. Obviously I have stripped all data from the bill apart from the amount.

Look out Trevor McDonald!

My Dad being the opinionated bloke that he is, is known for ringing Radio stations etc to voice his opinion when ever he feels like it!
In early December he rang Mike Parr, during his daily Radio Newcastle Breakfast Show phone in. (I think the subject at the time was bank charges or something). Anyway, once the show had finished the Producer rang my Dad back to say they liked what he had to say and the way he put himself across, and invited him to be a guest on the show!!
He readilly accepted (as you'd expect if you know him!), and was on the show yesterday morning (Thurs 3rd Jan '07) between 9am and 10am. I didn't warn to many people before hand, in order to not give him any added pressure, and I didn't listen at the time. - It all seemed a bit too cringeworthy to be listening to my auld man on the radio! Jen did listen via her phone radio at work and rang me near the end to say it all sounded ok.
I recored the show via a DAB radio, so we'd have a copy to keep and possibly add to, seeing as he's also been asked if he'd like to return again in the future...!!
He really enjoyed the experience, and to quote him, "he is now available for autographs"!!!
(If there was ever a time I wished we didn't have the same name!)

Button's Latest Scan

Been a very stressful couple of weeks for us with Button as most of you will know. (Won't be going into that here).

We're back on track now, and the timing couldn't have been better. The best Christmas present we could have asked for :o)

This scan was taken after 15 weeks and 5 days but we've kept it to ourselves until now.

Christmas Games

Jingle Bells & Present Drop

Button Flickr'd

I've created a new photo set on Flickr of Button's progress so far.....:o)

"Button" Scan pic

Here's a pic from Jen's recent scan at 12 weeks and 4 days into the pregnancy. It's probably worth mentioning at this point that the baby has been code named 'Button' from Day 1!!

Scanning Technology

As most people reading this Blog will know, - we've a baby on the way :-) !! (I'll post a 12 week scan pic on here soon).

From speaking to Mam's (and Ganny's!), it's obvious that the normal ultrasound scan technology has advanced massively within the last few years leading to much clearer images. There are also now numerous companies offering a 3D scan, and they provide you with a DVD of the event. I thought they were as impressive as it could get until I came across this article about Animals in the Womb.

Ok I guess some of it sounds obstrusive by implanting camera's etc, and is no doubt something reserved definitely for animals, but some of the images are amazing! The Dolphin staring directly at the camera is my favourite;