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I am back, totally exhausted and skint...I am sure the shout of How Much? could be hearding ringing out across Birmingham when I discovered that I had to pay £8 to park:mad: I went to one talk but didnt bother with the others and had a long trek back to the car when my volumous bag was filled to bursting point with stuff..I emptied the stuff into two bags that I had been given then headed back to the show. All thoughts of going again tomorrow have been knocked on the head because I am not going to pay another £8 to park.
I have made some great contacts, have managed to blag a free advert in a posh directory for events peeps:D. I had free stuff: 2 packets of pansy seeds from cheltenham, assortied sweeties and pens, a pad, a face mask thingy to use in first aid thanks Red Cross its on my car keys, a huge lollipop, I even had a dip in a non-working chocolate fountain (I was hungry:eek:), yet more lollipops this (apparenly swizzles matlow fruity lollies are good for sore throats), a fresh rose which fell off but it is now in my kitchen, a packet of biscuits. I came away with some fantastic wedding benues: the Maritime Museum in Portsmouth where you can marry on board a ship, the Eden Project who now have their wedding licence back. I have invitations to visit all sorts of places, I have help with work - I handed out around a hundred business cards. I met up with a fellow planner but she soon went home as she was laden with bags. I think she was stunned at what I managed to blag and the contacts that I made.
I now have 2 magicians, a balloon animator (a person who twists balloons into things), a real grass carpet for indoor use (no soil), a victorian fair ground, some paparazzi photographers and loads of others. I even have an events insurer who will pay me 15% commission for every sale and bearing in mind I won't do a wedding unless the person has insurance then the two go hand in hand plus I would then be a main supplier of this insurance:cool:
My shoulders ache and my feet are tired and I took the wrong turn off an island and ended up going towards a dump called Brownhills but thankfully managed to turn back on myself and go the right way.:D I even had one person who was desperately trying to push their event space in Small Heath Birmingham (Small Heath is a really cruddy place) and she made the mistake of asking me to call her...all the other exhbitors were saying we'll call you when the show has finished, we'll send you some information and Birmingham City Council said we will send you an invitation to a free VIP event, these folks were keen for my business and to be honest if I have to do the asking and the chasing then I don't really want to know:rolleyes:
I didnt think the show was as good as last year and part way through the talk all we could hear from the speakers was one two, one two, two two two, oh yeah, one two, two two...so I guessed that they were using the same sound system for the talks as they were for the band area where they featured acts that could be the next big thing...I wish them well because I wouldn't have employed any of them as they were carp.:rotfl:0 -
Hope you feel better soon tcm :-)
Blimey Horace, as usual Im knackered just reading your posts ! Glad you got rid of the leech :-)
I agree that £8 for parking is chuffin ridiculous, sounds like you crammed two days worth into one anyway and at least now you have an extra day for wedding fair preparations.
After last weeks excitement I've had nothing this week. Both wedding shops that stock my jewellery say that accessory sales are quiet at the mo.
Oh well never mind.
Have heard of perfect wedding mag- you must tell me when your article is out in the shops!0 -
Evening All - Well hasn't been much to say lately
MM - Horace does tend to have that "I've just been hit by a whirlwind" effect doesnt she :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
"H" - Even for the NEC, £8 seems a bit blooming steep for parking :eek: Glad you seem to have sorted "missy lazy" out though :T
Everyone else seems about as "quiet" as me recently :rolleyes:
I finally got through the Campaign visits, despite the many challenges in this batch - and we all got a nice little thank you note from the Company, also saying sorry for all the problems, it does make a difference to know that your work is appreciated. I've got more work booked with them for the end of the month.
I've also just heard, that the Temp position is possibly now going to continue for up to 3 months :eek: That's good news, and it will still be on "part time" hours (albeit more hours than I was originally booked for).
I'm hoping that I can use some of the "spare" hours to move my business forward (when I'm not working on Campaigns) - I'm royaly miffed at myself for not grabbing it by the horns and getting on with it. The sooner I do so, the sooner work would trickle in. I just seem to be getting so overwhelmed again with everything I need to do
I took a leaf out of your book Horace, and dug out my "How to Business Plans" books ..... but having read them again.... my head is gone to mush. I'm not stupid .... but I just don't seem to be "getting it" at the moment
I've finally started on a re-work of one of my leaflets - looking at costs I'm trying to decide whether to print them myself or try & find a very cheap printers to do it. I know that it would be better to have it done professionally, but really can't afford much at the moment.:o
Well that's about it for now
Hope you're all keeping well
G:A xx~ On the Road to Making Dreams Happen ~
January £10 a Day Challenge £ 0.00 / £750 - (Running Total £1,512.11)
52 Week Challenge £ 0.00 / £1,378
Debt Owed £23,200 / £19,251 - Mtge Owed Bal £140,000 / £130,940 - Total Debt Balance Owed : £163,200 / £150,1910 -
TCM - i've just clicked that the rugs you sort out are horses rugs (New Zealand etc I'm guessing)....omg I kept thinking you were taking in people's hearth rugs etc!!! Durrrrrr!!! Hee hee!!!
Horace - sounds like you've been busy - why aren't I surprised!!! The events show you went to sounds good.
MM and greyhoundangel - i've had a really quiet week too. After being so busy over the summer and the last few weeks this week I have ... wait for it... one client booked in on Saturday. Mind you, my DS has had a stay in hospital earlier this week so it's as well I wasn't working. He's on the mend now, thank goodness.
Luckily i'm busy again in October so I guess I should just use this room to sort things out / tidy / declutter etc. It's so much easier to sit and watch TV with my DS though! I will get up and do something though!
See you later xx0 -
Mudbath, I have been known to put hearth rugs in the machine here too, so you weren't too far away! Its not that I hate fixing rugs but its heavy work and back breaking sitting at the machine all day pulling and hauling at some of the really heavy weight ones!
Blimey Horace, you're making me feel very giddy reading about the show! £8 for parking at the NEC is a complete rip off - park at one of the hotels & walk over! The last I was there we stayed in the Crowne Plaza and the chap asked for my car registration - I said Ryanair FR66 to Dublin and he did not see the funny side!
Quieter in here yesterday, I had only £20 in the till to 4pm then the world and his wife came in. I have a Dr's appointment on Fri eve as the gloom of depression is not easing so its time to take action before I get to the really bad place again! My dr looks like a miniture schnauzer dog (honestly) and is a lovely man so although i don't like going, he makes it a bit easier!
Hope everyone has a good day
T xx0 -
Horace - £8 for parking would have had me fuming too but at least you managed to cram a lot into your 1 day.
I have been very busy which is nice but definitely could do with a weekend away soon. One of my main client's debut albums came out on Monday so that was pretty exciting, they are in the states at the moment but back on Sunday to support Paolo Nutini on his UK tour. I am not needed for this tour which is a shame but means I get to go to some shows and just relax instead of being first in,last out ad dealing with all the problems so am not too bothered this time round. Am pretty chuffed as I have had thank you's in the credits of 2 albums in the last 2 weeks!
Other than that picked up a new client last week so been beavering away doing audio typing which I haven't done in an age. Also got a call from another person in the same industry so hopefully she will send me over some work too. Got a meeting with a new band who are banghra fusion (!) on Saturday so something a bit different there!
Worked at home all day yesterday and am at home again today - am supposed to be home based but increasingly I am out and about so has been nice to be here catching up on all sorts...
Hope everyone else is having a productive day
Allison
x0 -
moneymabel wrote: »Blimey Horace, as usual Im knackered just reading your posts !
and so glad you've got rid of the leech.
The Maritime Museum venue in Portsmouth is probably the Historic Dockyard - great place - we fancied the idea of 'doing the paperwork' on the old ship, but had less than a shoestring budget so that was out. The Historic Dockyard do a Victorian Christmas weekend at the end of Nov which we thoroughly enjoy if anyone fancies checking it out, but get your tickets in advance cos it gets packed.
TCM - hope you feel better soon
FWIW I'm a big fan of Vit D3 esp from this time of year to ward of the winter blues for me - it's also supposed to help with flu etc, according to Dr Mercola site.
GA - hi - I print all my own literature, but make sure I get decent weight & quality paper - it allows me to print double sided, change information/offers on them as I need it - all have my logo on and similar style. I once bought glossy paper by mistake (only for laser printers) but have a mate with a laser printer that printed them for me.
Mudbath - I've been quite quiet for the last month, but thankfully it's starting to pick up again. I think my promotion day last week helped a lot and I'll talk to anyone about Bowen at any time.
Hope everyone has a good day0 -
Hi all...I shall try and be a bit less frenetic but can't promise anything. I was chatting on skype earlier to a fellow planner and friend/mentor down in Hampshire this morning. She was apologising because she couldnt make the show and me apologising because I wasnt going today. My back is killing me anyway:rolleyes: My friend is as frenetic as me..she has fingers in all sorts of pies LOL. I chatted to her about the leech and she recommended that I ditch her as a friend...I shall do that later when FB starts behaving itself.
Grey - I am pleased that your temp job is working out and that they have extended your contract. I shouldnt be too worried about business stuff turning your brain to mush, it has that effect on me too - I only need to see a pile of numbers and my brain switches off (I was always hopeless at maths at school and the more I got shouted at the worse I became - my parents even forked out for a private tutor, it never did any good:rolleyes:).
Mabel - accessories will pick up..the wedding season is easing a bit but the prom season will be upon us soon and then the weddings will start picking up in March. Actually, there's an idea - see if you can get your jewellery into a shop that sells prom dresses.
Muddy...I wish I lived closer as I would book in for a massage - I am in great need of one right now:rolleyes:
Ally - well done on getting credits on two albums - that must be fab. Bangra fusion sounds different..I am listing to an indie/alternative band but I have to listen to them via facebook - its a band called Drawn from Bees who are just fantastic (an aussie fb friend drew them to my attention as the lead singer is a university professor). You will soon pick up the audio typing..once learnt never forgotten LOL.
Well it is nearly lunch time and I am hungry..I need to flop in front of the telly for a while (neighbours/home & away) and then I will be fighting fit and writing up my ad for Perfect Wedding as well as my price schedule. All the time my brain will be ticking away...I am now looking at organsing wedding fairs and have received some useful tips today too:D
Have a good day all....0 -
Ally, well done on your credits - its nice to be appreciated! Your work sounds really interesting!
Mabel, I forgot to say earlier, these 2 weeks in September every year all diabolical for anyone in retail usually then things kick off again at the end of the month. I have discovered that parents have bought uniforms on credit cards then the bills have come in last week so have to be paid, then there are the school fees, after school clubs etc that all need to be paid for too in September! At least that is what I have done, hence the beans on toast for tea tonight!
Speaking of school, OH's 10 year old has "Wedneday-itis" today which made a miraculous recovery on coming out of the school gates! His teacher was crafty enough to send him home the homework she was setting tonight! He was not impressed, but homework was done & the "sick" child is now playing the DS.
I am on a mission to discover how it is that some women never look rough. Ever. I have 2 customers who come into me that I have never seen look rough. Even with hangovers they look glam. I know they do not buy expensive clothes or jewellry so I would like someone to tell me the secret please. I always look like a scruff even when dressed better! I wear jeans to work, but decent ones, I try and wear nice tops, I am not a make up fan as I forget to take it off and wake up looking like a scary, and I ususally wear heels - yes my job involves being on my feet alot and running like a baboon half times, but what is their secret. Answers on a postcard.......
T
Horace, I forgot to mention to you - if you ever get enquirys from the lovely emerald isle, there is a beautiful place called Narrow Water Castle for weddings here - it overlooks the lough at the border between North and South and is one of the most peaceful and tranquil settings I have ever been in. If I do ever decide to marry the OH (never, I hear you cry!) I would do it there.0 -
God TCM - if only we knew what makes these people look like that. I can scrub up alright if I have an event etc but my problem is 2 or 3 hours later and the effect has definitely worn off - I am like Cinderella! I see other girls in the bathroom of bars etc just looking flawless. Especially as I work in music some of the girls 'surrounding' the guys in the bands I look after make it their mission to look like that - I just hope secretly it takes them all day as that's all they have to do with their time!0
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