The Flat Pack Project

I would like to share with you something today. Today my parents bought a Webber Spirit BBQ, everything was rosey until the box turned up, with thousands of bits, spanners and instruments. In this article I am going to share with you the stresses and strains of the flat pack process.

The flat pack idea was invented by Gillis Lundgren (and if you have ever had to put up flat pack furniture, then he is either your idea of Heaven or Hell). Gillis idea developed when he needed to fit a table into the back of his car. He then sold it onto Ikea, which love it loave it, there entire business is developed on.

Anyway back to the job in hand, ah yes unpacking the box. Inside the box there are thousands of screws, along with the misguided instructions. Who ever draws these, instructions causes endless hours of imagination, does this fit this way round, that way round. In addition to the instructions, thousands of misguided nuts and bolts, which for some odd reason you have left over.

Half way through the build process and have to say leadership and team work, (mother and son bond) are going extremely well, apart from mum is constantly on the phone to her golf hareem, so Ali has been left to the build.

A couple of nuts and bolts later, in addition to a few arguements the project is finished. Strangely enough with every flat pack project there is either too many screws, or too less and you are always left with a spanner or allen key to add your numerous collection, from your last project.

With the stresses of flat pack furniture families are pulled apart, discussions, arguments, and tantrums evolve. It makes you wonder how, that we now live in a Society where we want information on demand, broadband, sky + nad numerous laptops and computers. That we still have to be put the stresses of flat pack assembly.

Did Gillis ever think that? His legacy stands firmly in todays society. Whether you loave him or love him.

You can find the images of our exciting put together project by clicking here

A new dawn, brings a fresh start.

I would just like to share with you an new work experience role which I started yesterday for a period of 1 month. I will be working for Larch Computer Services, an IT Support and Technology company based in Camberely, doing a number of marketing related activities including Social Media and Telemarketing. To find out more about what Larch Computer Services can do for your company please click here

This should put an end on what to do now post I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. In addition I have a interview with Macmillan Cancer Support on Thursday, which if selected will be for a period of 3 months which I am really looking forward.

So I think you would agree, this sunny weather that we have been having recently is definantly made a change to my fortunes in the job market.

Optical Illusions

My blog mainly contains text (You can probably see that), I have decided to input a bit of colour today with the addition of some optical illusions. Opitcal illusions are defined by the wonders of wikipedia as images that differ from objective reality. In normal sense what you see, maybe completely different to what someone else see's.

To explain a little clearer I have attached several optical illusions to test your brain. What is that you see? I look forward to your comments.

A Red Indian or an eskimo looking in the dark?


Scary Stuff! What do you see an Skull or two victorian women drinking at a table


How many legs does this elephant have, only your mind will decide



A rubber duck or a cute rabbit.

Coolopticalillusions.com

What are your plans for the summer?

The summer is finally here? Well depends where you live of course, but out the window I can see rays of the summer sunshine peering through. The Met Office predicts the highest temperatures of the year so far for later this week. Central and southern parts of England could see temperatures reach 26C (78.8F) by Friday.

But is this really going happen. Every year the Met Office always predicts that the UK will be braised in summer sunshine, remember the floods of 2007? but how accurate are their predictions?

According to the BBC "The weather beyond about a week ahead stretches even the most experienced weather forecaster" So why should we believe them? The chances of having a warm summer based on previous records e.g. data from the last 5 years suggests mild summers with a few days of sunshine.

I general not many people can predict the weather way in advance and to be truly accurate. In general the British Population should be prepared for some rain sometime over the summer as the UK weather gets even more difficult to predict.

Have a Happy Summer.

How Old is Old?

Having turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, I am now the legal age to drink in United States Of America, legal to drink in most if not all UK Bars on the weekend and of course my insurance premium will now come down. But it made me wonder how old is old?

Old is described as having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age; "his mother is very old". But is 21 classified as old?. The old phrase comes back doesn't it: you are as old as you feel?

But with the older generation now living longer and remaining more active, then how is this classified as old? Because you feel like you can play the same activities e.g. golf, tennis at the same age say ten years ago doesn't mean they are classified as old.

Of course, you only realise how old you, when you reach that "ripe old age" and it matters also when you are around other people. Being student most of my peers are the same age as me, so I wouldn't classify myself as old amongst my peers.

In conclusion then, it doesn't matter how old you, as long as you feel that you can do the same activities as when you were younger and furthermore age age is nothing more than just a number.

New Website Launched Today!

I would just like to inform my fellow followers, that today I have launched a new website @ www.alistairdolphin.com. Here you can find more information about me including recent photos and more about what I am interested in.

Hope You Enjoy and Look forward to your comments.

Junior Apprentice Series 1 - Episode 1

The first episode of the Junior Apprentice kicked off last night and I have to say I rather enjoyed it. I am not surprised Jordan was first to get fired. Although I was quite impressed with his Background, starting his own Consumer Electronics company at the age of 12 is quite impressive, but in the end, his attitude and lack of communication within his team let him down and he was the first one to be shown the door.

Whilst watching the apprentice I was impressed with the level of experience shown by some. Some 17, who started there own vintage clothing businesses. Today we live in an environment where entreprenuers are starting up every second and it won't be long before the next Lord Sugar or Sir Richard Branson is round the corner.

I am looking forward to the next episodes, but I hope it doesn't evolve like previous episodes in to a more trivia programme. What I would really like to see is the apprentice teaching people new skills and helping you to develop your own skills, in recent years there has been too much tabloid press surrounding breakups, relationships and arguements. This year I hope the junior apprentice will breath new life into young buddying entreprenuers so you can hopefully learn from there experience.

Stay tunned into the next episode of Junior Apprentice on BBC 1 next Wednesday @ 9pm. You're Fired!

What to do next?

Firstly and foremost sorry for the belated posting. I got a bit carried away with everything over the past week, moving my stuff out of a rented house and of course it was my birthday bonnaza weekend. Wow 21, how old! Scary stuff, but I am sure my mum will be more scared, her little boy turns 21, roll on LA, America, Freeeedoooomm.

Slight Problem

Ah yes, no money. So what I am going to do know. I have just completed an Internship at 1000Heads a Word Of Mouth agency in Picadilly. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it there learning the different areas of the Industry.

However I am now stuck with a dilema, what to do next?

I have 4 months before I go back to University and want to cram is a much as possible. The more experience I get the more, the more chance of securing a graduate role when I graduate. I have a few offers which I hope to turn into concrete over the next couple of days or so.

So stay tunned and find out what Alistair is upto in the next post.

1000 Heads

Many of you may know, this past month I have been working at 1000 Heads. A Word Of Mouth communication agency, based in picadilly. I was selected to write a blog about my experience as an Intern, as I am finishing my role this week.

You can find my blog post at http://bit.ly/329LlN

How car boot sales have defied the recession?

During the recent bank holiday weekend, myself and my girlfriend went to car boot sales nr Winchester. Although it meant getting up at the crack of dawn, I have to say that it was well worth it. But it made me wonder, how have car boot sales done so well?

In total we made close to £70, which for 4 hours work seemed pretty good. Its amazing what people will people, you don’t find a use for it I am sure another person will, from keyboards to mice to books and clothes we sold quite a bit of stuff.

Car boot sales then, are great for getting rid of stuff you don't need anymore. Pay your fee (£6) which conicendently goes to charity, so your doing your bit for charity, and off you start selling, there isn't a limit on the number things you sell. People bartter with you over prices £1,£1.50,£2.00 it is all money, trying to get the best value for money. I didn't realise how many people still go to car boot sales for things like clothes, books, stationary, and other household items. I now know wonder why most of the high street stalls are standing empty, I now know it's because business, companies and people are finding new and different channels to buy and sell there goods.