Categories
NLP Thoughts

Don’t cry over spilt milk

Continuing my getting rid of stuff, in English we my say “clearing the decks“, it was time to let go of some of my connections.

These connections were telephone lines and internet services.

Prior to ADSL, cable, high speed internet connections, when dial-up internet was the only way to get to the world wide web, I decided that I would have to install two telephone lines, and that was basically supplied by one company, BT.

This coincided with a new supplier entering the communications arena, TeleWest, later to become Virgin Media, installing for the first time their infrastructure, cables and services into the area, giving telephone, internet and TV in one package, via high speed cable.

I went with the new supplier TeleWest, having two telephone numbers,  0208 286 9554  and  0208 286 9553 . Great numbers for my business, especially to have two numbers following. I could use one for landline (telephone) communication, and the other for data and fax.

The new suppler also gave internet access at a reduced price with the package. Always glad of an offer, a bargain, I installed their internet, knowing I would gain in access speed to the internet.

But I retained my old BT number, I had too many associations to it. People knew the number, I had web sites giving that number for my business, my internet was connected through it.

The ISP also housed my web sites.

I was very comfortable with the arrangement.

This meant that I had two services, two telephone lines, two internet providers, and two bills (invoices) to pay.

I was still comfortable with the situation. It served my purpose.

My special telephone number  0845 130 6213  for my business was directed to the first installed BT telephone. This is useful, as my business and private life were kept separate.

My Slingbox TV service, which allows me to access British TV via my home TV, live from where-ever I am in the world from my PC and the internet, was on the old internet (ISP) connection.

But it has come to a time when I needed to sort myself out. I had paid too much out.
 
The old ISP had associated with another ISP, sold out. No consideration of how I felt.

Did I need the hassle?

It meant work, to transfer services from one telephone system to the other, to reinstall services I had been using on the old internet service to the new.

Some of these services needed passwords, log-in names, keys. But during my clearing out, my shredding of paperwork, I must have disposed of this information.

Oh Poo Poo. BIG OH POO POO.

I hit the roof. My temper boiled over. I swore. My blood pressure hit new highs.

That was the reason I never throw anything out. Paperwork, nuts and bolts, screws, old manuals, anything. They will be needed in the future, and here was the example.

Then I realised what I was doing to myself, getting worked up was making the situation worse. It was not solving the problem. I needed to calm down.

With the help of the NLP technique I call “Fred“, “Antonio“, “Mustapha“, I took control of my state, I became calm, strong, and was able to workout a new strategy.

I realised that it was no good crying over spilt milk.


Do not cry over spilt milk

Crying over spilt milk is a loverly saying which I describe as the following.

Take a carton or bottle of milk, take the top off, and take it to the sink in the kitchen.

Pour the milk down the drain, and watch it disappear, leaving the empty carton or bottle.

The milk has gone. Finished. It is no good crying over it.

The clock still ticks away, time does not stop for anyone.

Once I stopped beating myself up over what was gone, what I had lost, I was able to sort myself out in a rational calm way, and approaching the problem from a different view point, I soon had everything sorted.

No more paying out for something that was no longer needed. The suppliers were happy to take my money, doing nothing for it.

It takes a lot to let go of what you are comfortable with, but there comes a time when things no longer fit the purpose, their services are no longer appropriate, it is then time to say good-bye, move on.

Categories
Thoughts

Weatherseal Windows, do you think I am stupid?

Back in January 2008 I wrote a blog about Weatherseal Windows titled Did I upset you? Unwanted telephone calls. I was receiving telephone call after telephone call after telephone call, trying to sell me more replacement windows, a patio door or a conservatory. Very useful for the flat, especially as it is on the 2nd floor.

Today they started again. A telephone call.

The caller with a French accent, told me that I was due a rebate on the windows that were installed in 1999.

After nine years? I asked.

That was because they placed a sign outside when they were installing the windows, and from that Weatherseal Windows had four recommendations, and thus I was entitled to 5% commission.

Well I know no sign was place anywhere, and no photographs were taken by Weatherseal Windows, and I certainly would not recommend Weatherseal Windows.

But no, the salesman was adamant that I was entitled to 5% commission, and that I would get a letter in the next week confirming this.

Come on Weatherseal Windows I was not born yesterday. What’s the catch.

All the salesman wanted me to do was if in the next few years I wanted anymore work done, a patio, a conservatory, new door, please PLEASE consider Weatherseal Windows.

OK I would consider you Weatherseal Windows if I wanted to put a conservatory half way up the side of a building.

Being nice I did not say that, but on being asked if there was something I might consider in the future, I thought why not a garage door. I have not got a garage, but perhaps in the future I may get one for my Mazda RX7 car.

He admitted that they did not make garage doors, but perhaps I could have a normal door plus a patio door.

Are you stupid Mr Weatherseal Windows salesman?

OK I said.

Then I was asked, had I seen the brown Weatherseal Windows vans in the area today?

No.

Well they are in the area, and they would like to visit me this afternoon to give me a quote.

        “Sorry I am going out NOW.

Then this evening?

        “No, I will not be back until 11pm.

We will be with you at 9am tomorrow then.

        “No I will be catching a 6am flight.

THE CRUNCH CAME.

Then you are not eligible to the 5% commission.” and the telephone went dead.

Weatherseal Windows take me off your data base, I do not like your sales tactics, trying to get a salesman into my home.

Oh I am getting grumpy in my old age.

Categories
Travels

Ouch a Papyrus Painting

Whilst throwing ever more stuff out, I ventured into a storage cupboard where my tools were stored, electric drills, power tools, old tins of paint and paint brushes, jars of screws, nuts and bolts, reels of masking tape, old computers and rubbish.

It was the dark abyss. I did not want to go there, face the mess. Light had not reached this place for many a long day. It was going to be an unpleasant experience.

But face it I must.

With a bold heart I dived in, and decide there could now be no hesitation, the end had come to all the trash I had stored.

Out went the squash and badminton rackets, no chance I will use them again. They last time they saw the light of day was in the 1970’s.

Out went an inflatable bed. It had a puncture, so if you slept on it you tended to get a sinking feeling, did not want that. No way was I going to mend it now.

Out went the various sizes of pieces of wood. No way would I build that shelf now. I have spare shelves after dumping loads of paperwork.

Out went all the screws, nuts and bolts. I will not need them to repair the computers I have just dumped.

I have to keep up-beat, happy in heart. Forget what I would have done, must look forward.

Then when I was sorting through the stuff, I came across a large envelope. Looking inside I saw a papyrus painting I purchased whilst traveling through Giza in Egypt, the home of the Pyramids, in 1984.

Why did I do it? Why did I purchase it? I must have been stupid.

Well not really.

It gave me great pleasure when I got it, and although it has not been with me, in my sight for some time, it is with me now, and I love it. No way will this go into the black plastic bin-liner.

I hope you like it.

Ré PaPyrus, from the Holiday Inn Sphinx hotel, Alexandria Desert Road, Giza.

Oh, the original price was 23 Egypian Pounds. A lot to send, but worth it now.

Categories
Eating Out Thoughts

Today has been about communication

It has been as if nobody loved me. No communication for a long time. The today. Wham.

I have had long conversations with people in Turkey, colleagues in the training field, a couple of participants. From China an old friend and colleague. Across to the USA, two contacts, Bahrain a long email from colleagues, here in the UK more contacts.

It has been good to catch up with news. What people are doing. What has been happening in their life. What has not happened. Hearing about new friendships, old failed relationships, new jobs, new opportunities.

We have made plans for the future, courses, meetings, presentations. Loads of discussions.

I do not expect that the plans will all be completed on the dates set down and agreed upon, perhaps they will never happen.

As other situations crop-up, courses have to be rearranged, meetings rescheduled, but then that is the nature of my work, and in some cases it is the good side of my work as I never know what I am doing.

But it can also be the downside.

There are times when I have made plans with people, only to find out that because of circumstances the plans cannot be put into action. It could be due to health, the weather, other conflicting courses, lack of participants, lack of suitable venues, holiday periods, other peoples problems, many possibilities can interrupt plans.

When this happens it leaves me empty, not only in my timetable but also my lets say in my heart. If it is me, then have I lets my colleagues and clients down. If it is my colleagues who have had to change plans, why did it happen, did I do everything I could have.

But when we get back in touch and communicate, things can be sorted out, it is then that I know somebody loves me.

Ahhhhhh. Life is good. Tomorrow another plan, a very early start at 5:30 am, another trip away.

I can then go for a relaxing cup of hot chocolate, and watch the world go by.


Relaxing Bentals shopping center Kingston upon Thames

PS. Thank you Deniz for telling me off, I deserved it. And Zümrüt, I hope your visit to the UK is all you hope for.

Categories
Uncategorized

Basil Diner Kingston open again.

Some time ago I wrote about a local restaurant called The Basil Diner here in my home town, Norbiton, Kingston upon Thames. See The Basil Diner, Kingston upon Thames – More Food. Sorry. 

This restaurant was a Chinese/Malaysian cuisine, but perhaps due to lack of customers, the restaurant closed.


  Chinese/Malaysian cuisine

It was like loosing a friend, a lover, a pet, something dear to the heart. Each time walking passed the empty restaurant which was getting more and more dirty from the passing traffic, only reminded me of the great food and service.

It is when something is removed and it is unavailable, that we tend to miss what was, regretting the passing.

Some of us may stay in this state, being remorseful, sorrowful, depressed, wishing for the clock to be turned back, to be as things were. Others of us will welcome the chance for change.

We have saying here in the UK, examples are “Wait and See.  & All good things come to those that wait.“, which I described and you can read in a previous article.

This week I noticed cleaners in the Basil Diner, cleaning the windows, painting, placing interior decor. I noticed food being delivered. What was happening?

Tonight, Saturday, the Basil Diner was back, and after a walk, the new Basil Diner went under a test.

The management is new, the staff are new, but the name and signage is the same.

The food is now Hong Kong cuisine, which is probably more acceptable to the western palate or taste buds.

The menu has more than 278 choices, from starters, soups, main dishes to extras. There is a wide choice to make up a satisfying meal for all diners.

There is also a take-away service, plus a home delivery service free for orders over £10 within a 3 mile radius of the restaurant.

Orders can be telephoned in, on UK 0208 546 6888 or 0208 546 7088. I am sure it would be better if the menu was available on the internet, so I will publish it for residents of Norbiton and surrounding areas in the coming days.

The Basil Diner needs support in the coming weeks, so try it you might like it.

MENU (click on thumbnail to view) as at 28/8/2008

                          
click to view

NOTE this the Basil Diner as of mid 2009 has closed again.
sorry.

Categories
NLP

Congratulations, a new life

Congratulations on the coming of a new life.

Lily Cohen has become a Grand Mother today, and it is with great joy and happiness that I offer you Lily my best wishes, and especially your daughter Effie.

Lily and Lynda, (Lily Cohen and Lynda Wells) are two lovely ladies which many NLP’ers in Turkey and the rest of the world will have had contact, have been trained by.

I have many happy memories in Istanbul with both of you, especially with your little dog, and how you got the translator Halil (Halil Ibanoglu) to carry him around in the little bag. I always knew there was a job in life for Halil.

I hope we can share more time together in the future.

        
Lily Cohen             &           Lynda Wells

Categories
Thoughts

Car for Sale

Any one want to buy a car?

Now that I expect the Mazda RX7 sports car will be back on the road, and I will have no need for the other car a Mecedes-Benz C230 Elegance first registered in 1996, I have decided to sell it.


Mercedes-Benz C230 Elegance

In the end there was no sale, no-one wanted to buy so I gave it away.

Categories
English Courses

Helping hand

I had contact from a Turkish lady I had met whilst giving courses in Turkey, and this course Learning English with NLP.

When I first met her, her English was quite poor, she would sit in the corner, her head lowered, and would not say much at all, although her loverly personality shone through.

She is a lady that takes care of her appearance, her looks. Her choice of clothes are well co-ordinated and of high quality. Whereas others would be in jeans and tee shirts, she would not be. She must have taken time in considering what to wear.

Her hair, long and blond, must have taken a long time to do in the morning.

Her makeup was like her clothes, carefully considered, matched with the whole appearance.

I initially thought that she would be a problem, one that perhaps did not really want to learn, was there for another reason. But as the time went by, I noticed that she really did want to learn, and that she was putting into practice what I was teaching, not only that, she was helping others to do the same, not by force, but by example.

I taught the my RAM (click for more) principle from my Memory Course. R to be relaxed, A to give attention, M to be motivated.

She attended all my sessions, including my relaxation sessions, or should I say hypnosis sessions, trying to be first to be able to get the bean bag cushion, or a couple of smaller cushions so she did not have to sit on a chair.

Whenever I spoke, in a session or at tea/coffee break, she hung on every word I said, and I could tell when she was having difficulty understanding, so that enabled me to modify my language content, so that she could understand me.

She knew what she wanted. I know she had a plan, she could see the outcome, she knows where she wants to be.

To continue her learning, she is to attend a course in England, in the south coast seaside resort of Bournemouth, starting in the next few months, and is due to last for six months.

In her messages, she asked for information. What is Bournemouth like, do I know the school she will attend, but especially, do I know anyone that can be available to help her if she needs it?

Well Bournemouth is a popular seaside town, especially in the summer months, but also popular with people at the end of their life, who retire there, as the air and temperature is good and warm most of the time.


Bournemouth in summertime, with steep cliffs to the rear.

Built on cliffs, there is a lot of climbing to do, from the beach with the walks and relaxing sea air, to the well appointed shops and restaurants in the town center, via well kept gardens, with plenty of seat to look at the views and to rest those tired legs.

Although there is a higher than the national average of “old age pensioners” in the town, there is also a growing number of students, which means there is good entertainment, nightlife, disco’s, bars. There is also an out of season influx of business people who will attend conferences in the well appointed hotels.

Like many south coast towns in the UK, schools and colleges have opened to cater for the worldwide appetite to learn English, some are small, some belonging to universities. There are thousands, so I do not know any to recommend or to talk about.

Unfortunately or fortunately, I will not be in England that much as I give courses around the world, and the pending departure to Malaysia. But, I do have a cousin near by, and friends and acquaintances in the area, perhaps one may volunteer just to be there, to give a helping hand.

Of course, I will be always available, albeit at a distance, to help, and if we find ourselves in the same town, I hope we can meet up, and have a drink or two. That is what friends are for.

Good luck Anit (tweety). Contact me if you need anything.

Categories
NLP Thoughts

I will get my own back

Today I am still throwing away loads of stuff. Every day I seem to get rid of such a lot of stuff, and yet I find more and more.

As I was filing my old tax returns, I came across this drawing I did in 1986, and it got me thinking.

I have had some bad news. I have had some bad things happening to me. I have had people taking advantage of my better nature. I have had people not telling me the truth. Loads of Oh Poo Poo experiences.

Yes I feel hurt.

Should I take offense? Should I seek revenge? Should I get my own back?

No. It will only get me even further into a depressed state, enter into the dark abyss.

The drawing made me laugh, to see the funny side of life.

Just accept what comes to us, smile, life goes on. So make out of it what you can.

Good luck and enjoy.  See more jokes at http://blog.ohpoopoo.com/ (click to view)


Drawing by Phillip Holt 1986

Categories
Thoughts

Still a boy racer in my RX7

My early introduction to cars as seen in the previous article My early introduction to racing cars had and still has an influence on me. In Saudi Arabia I had a Nissan 280ZX sports car, not very good for carrying diving equipment and driving in the desert. I replaced that car with a Toyota Celica. Still a little sporty, but I could just about travel in the desert with it.

Phillip Holt Nissan 280ZX
My Nissan 280ZX in Saudi Arabia.

It was my intention, my dream whilst working in Saudi Arabia to own a Mazda RX7. I wanted to drive the car from Jeddah, all the way back to the UK. That was not to happen.

But, syncronicity, the first garage I went to on my return to the UK looking for a car after years of working in the Middle East, was a Mazda dealer, and they were selling their managing directors wifes RX7 car, she had owned for six months and hardly ever used.

The car is still mine, all mine.

I have not used it, and it has not moved for nearly five years, as I have a Mercedes to carry all my sound equipment about in, but today I got the RX7 back on the road, taken it to a local garage for a full service, in the hope that I can drive it once again.

Phillip Holt Rotary engine Mazda RX7
Phillips’ Rotary engine Mazda RX7

Mazda introduced the RX7 in 1978, although my car was first registered in 1988. It has a twin rotor rotary engine, also known as a Wankel rotary which it had licensed from NSU-Wankel, rather than having the conventional piston engine.

The rotary Wankel engine, with few moving parts, is quite and smooth, so smooth that Mazda had to put a buzzer alarm in case drivers over-reved above 7000 rpm. But it is very costly in petrol, only achieving some 18 miles per gallon. *

Very few RX7‘s, styled on the Porsche 944 but looking more like the Porsche 928, were produced, and have since been replaced by the RX8, still with the rotary engine.

* 1 mile per gallon = 0.425143707 kilometers per litter

site index