HMRC

25 minutes and still holding for one of their advisers, after having to go through pages and pages of 'Press 1 for this, and 2 of that.....perhaps a Press 9 to stop this ridiculous games and put me through to a human being!!

I'll admit I'm not the most patient man when it comes down to phones and call centres.  I want an answer and I expect the person at the other end to be able to help or at least me polite, but the endless waiting on the hold builds my stress levels to a point I will probably vent out to the poor sod who answers the phone.  It's not their fault but they seem to be the sensible person to vent at!!  But what are the alternatives - browse the website, it took me 10 minutes just to find the number.  Tax doesn't have to be taxing - just getting an answer!!!

You may have guessed I'm still on hold.  May I suggest some better music at a level people can hear just to keep some amusement.  Thank god for hands free phones least I can be productive during this time, even it is to pour out my boredom to all those who will listen.

That's 30 minutes now and my bladder is filling up fast, I can guarantee if I leave this desk they will answer and hang up on me!!  But I'm making a break for it................................ OK still on hold - does anyone work at HMRC.  I'm almost waiting for the message ' Sorry it's lunchtime now please try again later'!

Should I open a book on how long I'll be holding for?

Result 36minutes on hold 1 minute phone call but good news she had the right answer.  Right back to my day


Argh now on hold with a reputable insurance company from Norwich - looks like an early grave for me!!!

Living with Anxiety

This is just my wonderings & thoughts, I have no medical knowledge beyond infrequent trips to the doctors, and my knowledge of anxiety is from reading on the internet & seeing the impact from someone on the outside looking in.

No fault can be placed - no one choses to have or live with this affliction but when it happens it is extremely debilitating.  From my perspective the anxiety in our household comes from the fear of another attack - there are good and bad days but it does mean that all times we need to be ready to go if the confidence is there - and that could be the key CONFIDENCE, trust in your own bodies ability to cope and go for it (yes the words of a non sufferer but it's impossible to understand).  Unfortunately perfect conditions do not occur with any regularity - and with anxiety repetition is required to build up that confidence and use as a stepping stone for large challenges.  I find there is always an excuse not to do something, sometimes these are genuine reasons but often they appear to merely excuses but at what point do you stop accepting these excuses and just get on with life?

Everybody has their own way of coping, and try as you might it is impossible not to add your suggestions into the pot as to how the situation might be improved:-

• Drugs (not the illegal sort)
• Active Lifestyle (exercise)
• Surrounded by friends (socialising)
• Occupied mind (hobbies)
• Relaxation (hypnosis CD's, or holistic therapies)
• Buried head in sand (possibility not the best idea but we have to cover all the bases)

It's entirely possible that you will need a combination of this options to finally get to the other side, although you may never be the same you life will return.  For my mind you will need a little of everything mixed in there but often you have to find an understanding group of people to accept you as you are and work with you. 

For most people the first port of call with be the doctor who will work through the various drug options, and try these.  But whilst this can be an effective solution it may only prove to lessen the effect of the anxiety but not to a level that anything can be achieved.  At this point it's on to a counsellor or support worker who can help with the medication but use it in a combination of the other suggestions - this is of course is extremely frustrating because doing this from the outset could have saved years of piece meal assistance - you can't blame the doctors they are doing their job to the best of their ability, and from experience in a very understanding matter, but anxiety cannot be sorted out in a 15 minute consultation every 4-5 weeks, you need regular contact to monitor progress, and to point out other options to reaching a 'normal' life.

This is not a self help guide it's just a way for someone living with anxiety to get things off his chest, and if you like you can do that same - it does help because you are helping no one by bottling everything up and getting frustrated with the situation.  For two years I have been suggesting activities, socialising etc with out much success now the support working is involved apparently taking up activities and socialising are good suggestions and might make a noticeable difference!!!!!!!!!  Share your experiences between us we might all find something we have haven't tried that does work

John Grisham - The Confession

Grisham at his best again with lots of twists and turns, looking forward to the next one now.  Also completed 11th Hour by James Patterson in a rush to get it back to the library.  Excellent as usual but I think the time has come to get back to my different selection of authors so welcome Gregg Iles!

Table Tennis 2011/2012

OK it's unshamed boasting about Table Tennis but hey it's my blog!!

PLAYER	TEAM	RATING	P	W	L	%
HOLIDAY, Mike	HILD	2628	53	51	2	96.2%
ROLES, Barry	HILD	2589	21	20	1	95.2%
COLEMAN, Trevor	LARC	2615	40	35	5	87.5%
HARRIS, Dan	LARC	2561	45	39	6	86.7%
PENNING, Chris	LARE	2533	45	39	6	86.7%
SHEPPARD, Mike	HILD	2572	55	44	11	80.0%
SMITH, Steve	LARD	2602	49	38	11	77.6%
O'BRIEN, Martin	BARE	2596	42	32	10	76.2%
HART, Rob	LARD	2594	40	30	10	75.0%
YAU, Tung	LARC	2497	45	32	13	71.1%
BASHFORD, Richard	TROB	2533	54	38	16	70.4%
RICHARDSON, Tom	COXD	2486	51	33	18	64.7%
BYERS, Chris	LARC	2462	48	31	17	64.6%

For more information on the league you can visit www.maidstonetta.co.uk. The result of this solid season by my team Hillreed D is promotion into Division 2 - going for successive promotions to get into Division 1 (I think not - survivial comes first).

But the final table for Division 2:-

POS	TEAM	PLD	WON	DRAW	LOST	PTS
1	Larkfield C	20	17	1	2	155
2	Hillreed D	20	16	3	1	146
3	Larkfield E	20	13	3	4	115
4	Barming F	20	11	5	4	113
5	Larkfield D	20	7	5	8	110
6	Trosley B	20	10	3	7	101
7	Barming E	20	7	5	8	95
8	MWMC E	20	5	4	11	82
9	Sutton Valence B	20	3	2	15	72
10	Sutton Valence C	20	5	1	14	71
11	Coxheath D	20	0	0	20	40

I'll avoid boring you all with the full breakdown of results - this time!!

Vince Flynn - American Assassin

Looks like a Lee Childs, and reads like a Lee Childs, but it's not a Lee Childs. Found this very easy to get into, but was a little let down by the abrupt ending - however this is the introduction of a character so I'll try the next one see where it leads.

I would recommend this book to others, esp those who enjoy Lee Childs.

Next book on the list for me is The Confession by John Grisham.

Valueable Lesson Learnt

OK not learnt, but reminded of. Whilst looking to the future never forget to live in the moment, before you know it the moment is gone and you'll never get it back. (not bad for 7am!!)

After playing with an unblemished record of 37 wins and 0 losses I was looking forward to the 39th game against one of the top players in the division - stupid me lost the 38th game without even winning a leg!! As it turns out the 39th game was a bit of an anti climax but the winning record was gone.

Pld 39 Won 38 Lost 1(arghh!)

Maidstone & District Table Tennis League (Div 3)

Every cloud has a silver lining I can really enjoy the remainder of the season without the pressure of being unbeaten. Roll on next week - slight change of pace from third place opponents to ninth place opponents (who won't be under estimated!!)

Behind the Lens

An insight on the people behind R L Surveys (so not just me!!) However I'm here now so I'm looking for some suggestions. Last year my new years resolution was to vary my reading so I embarked on an A-Z reading test. I'm trying to read a book authors whose names start with different letters of the alphabet - the list is at the end of the blog. A you can see the easy ones are covered but I'm moving into the areas I've never been before so I'm looking for ideas........... you never know I might even get round to reviewing the books I've read.

These blog entries will be short and to the point - I'm not into lengthy crusades, just little insights.