Category Archives: Work

The Old Dog

Several years ago, I called into the Old Dog, in Preston. It was a bit of a dump, but I didn’t intend to stay for more than one drink. 

I may have written about this at the time, but the landlord (who was still in his 20s) engaged me in conversation. We mostly talked about music, finding that we only had Rufus Wainwright in common. Or was it Devendra Banhart? 

Anyway, on learning this, the friendly landlord went upstairs to his flat, returned with a Rufus Wainwright (or was it Devendra Banhart) album, turned the jukebox (which was playing at the time), removed a CD and inserted the Rufus Wainwright (or …). He then played the whole thing and gave me more beer, for which he wouldn’t accept payment. 

Fortunately, my sensible head prevented me staying until closing time. 

I suspect that the pub has since changed hands a few times. I do have a point though. The Blue Bell, as I learned earlier this evening, had replaced a demolished Old Dog. So, at some point in the late 1800s, a new Old Dog must have been built. 

Ye Olde Blue Bell

After a bite to eat this evening, I walked in the direction of the hotel. And then turned around And walked in the opposite direction. I had coke with the meal, so thought a walk to the Blue Bell was in order. 

I only had a pint of stout, since I need to be coherent at work in the morning, but it would have been wrong not to take the opportunity to visit a Sam Smith’s pub. And I’m quite fond of this particular pub. 

While there, I learned more of its history. It opened in the early 1700s, on the site of the Old Dog. There have been two related murders, the first a landlord’s daughter the the mid-1800s, the second more recently in 1944. 

The landlord’s daughter wasn’t actually murdered in the pub; the act was committed in a nearby pub, over a glass of lemonade. By her fiance en route to their wedding. He cut her throat with a razor. 

It didn’t end too well for the fiance either; he was hanged, with a 9ft drop, in Manchester. The latter murder did occur in the pub though. An American servicemen had made comments about British forces. And a British soldier wasn’t impressed and stabbed him. The latter was court martialled, but his fate wasn’t stated. I may need to carry out further research. 

It was an educational pint of stout. 

My old boss

I took a half day today because an old boss of mine is retiring and is doing a sort of a farewell tour. She (her name’s Helen) was the best boss I’ve ever had. 

She won’t ever read this, so I could say anything I like, about her being rubbish, and she’d never know. But she wasn’t rubbish and is genuinely the best manager I’ve had. And she’s a lovely person, with a pretty decent taste in music too. 

What more could anyone want from a boss? 

Annoyed

I’m annoyed with myself. I’m now on my way to work for the second time. My first attempt was aborted when, halfway there, I realised I’d forgotten my bag. 

I could have managed without my notebook and laptop at a push, but the prospect of starvation (I can’t buy a vegan sandwich at work) forced me to return home. 

I’m going to be ridiculously late for a busy day. 

Staff discount

My second in command has used her staff discount for the first time. And she did well. 

A room with a view. Half price at the bar too.

Arm protection

Thinking about getting one of these for my second in command. 

It’s a kevlar anti burn/cut sleeve. She rolls her sleeves up at work, so is prone to cuts and, mostly, burns. 

She’s resisting, but surely a yellow arm is better than damage. 

Jesus & Gordon

Gordon’s chair in the garden. It hasn’t moved since he last sat in it a week ago. He was only here a couple of weeks, but it’s a little empty here since he left. 

Changing the subject, I’m now home after watching the Liverpool-Barcelona game in the Tuns. My second in command was extremely happy with the 3-0 score, although I was mildly disappointed that no one was bitten. 

We left with five minutes (plus lying down time) to go, but my significant other was feeling tired (early start) and hungry (she’s experimenting with vegetarianism, so can’t pick while at work). 

I’m now, as can be seen above, sitting in the garden with a bottle of Beck’s (correct use of the apostrophe). While we were out, our beer was blessed by Jesus. 

Is this the way to Amarillo

Or a Moretti. I’m back from a retirement do at Heworth golf club, a bloke called Neil. A nice bloke. he’s only a year older than me. Which makes me realise that, when the mortgage is paid off in six months, I could afford to do the same. 

But maybe not, since I need to pull together some funds for the Sodhouse Bank Brewery (the shed). 

The end is in sight though. 

In my local for a nightcap. 

New glasses

Well, I finally gave in and bought a pair of varifocals. For work mainly, since I sometimes struggle to read small print in meetings. I bought them from an online shop; a good price and decent quality.

Next time I order glasses, though, I shall do so when sober. I may have purchased glasses with red frames.