Fun

Well, I took the plunge and started doing a little mystery shopping. Having worked for Asda and been subjected to the mystery shopper on a number of occasions, I thought it'd be a little fun and moderately profitable to have a go myself.

I think the interesting thing here is that as part of the job, you get an insight into the internal practices of the client that you are shopping. For example, if you buy a pub meal, do you know how long you should expect to wait? Probably not, but as a Mystery Shopper you need to know this so that you can report back whether or not a service standard was met.

So far I've done seven shops, and it's pretty hard work, albeit good fun in the process. Sadly, a couple of my reports have been critical in that the client didn't meet their own high standards. I'm a little concerned when I'm critical because it makes me sound like I'm a whinger, but at the end of the day, I'm not there to make friends or gloss it up. I'm just there to express my view, and objectively assess performance.

If you have the odd weekend free, I suggest you have a go at this. Great fun.

Not really that much to blog for a while I'm afraid. Sky+ was installed on Monday, and I'm wondering why I never had this put in before. Absolutely brilliant. I went geocaching yesterday - first time in ages, and had a lovely wander around Clouts Wood near Wroughton. Aaah.

And who said that TV people never reply.... :)

I spent much of Sunday taking it easy, watching trashy TV, and YouTube. I started watching "House of Carter's" on YouTube, as I somehow got referred to it.

Having enjoyed some of the Backstreet Boys music over the years, I watched this programme as I was interested as to what happened to Nick Carter, especially seeing as his solo album didn't do too well, and the BSB have been a bit quiet since.

I never really realised what happened between Nick, Aaron and their mother. Although the first episode of this documentary didn't put too much emphasis on the past, I think that the general gist was that the Mum managed both of the children until they were 18. Whilst neither Nick nor Aaron are specific, they both allude to the mother either siphoning money off as their manager, or doing something she shouldn't.

To add insult to injury, their Mum and Dad divorced, which hit all five kids hard. Nick decided that he would sort out a large house in LA, and have all five kids (Nick, Aaron, Angel, BJ and I can't remember the other name) live together for the first time in ages as a family.

It was interesting to see how Nick was trying to balance being everyone's big brother, and almost a father figure at the same time. He tried to emphasise that he was big bro, but at the same time, his siblings all seemed to half expect him to play Dad. Also, it showed what a nice guy Nick is, and what a completely screwed up kid Aaron is.

I'm going to try and find the second episode to see what happens next, and I'll report back.

Negotiations furiously continue with various hotels for a stay during the Helsinki Eurovision Song Contest. Which hotel will be awarded with douze points, and which will be sent with a slap across the face nil points. Keep a look out, and see where the Hazzanet lot will be staying for an awfully euro-popped holiday.