register

  • Categories

Vanilla 1.1.4 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

 

RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE DAY

General Discussions » RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE DAY (Posts 121 to 150 of 191)

  1. <
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. >
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    I was wondering if I should change my moniker to just 'Tim'? I prefer it, Timmer is just one of those Englishisms where people just have to add something to your name ( SteveO, Bobster, Bazzer etc ), I really don't mind 'Timmer' though and a few friends of mine still use it.

    Anyway, just thinking aloud.
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
    •  
      CommentAuthorplindboe
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    I like Timmer, though I usually call you Tim. I think it's good when usernames are a bit special, since I'm sure there are many Tims out there, and it would be a bit confusing if you all chose Tim as your username.

    Peter smile
  3. There are many Tims but only one Timmer!
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    •  
      CommentAuthorBregt
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Tim cannot be allowed!
    Kazoo
  5. This sounds like a member of the week slogan!
    http://www.filmmusic.pl - Polish Film Music Review Website
    •  
      CommentAuthorThor
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    What about the Timminator? Isn't that what you're called when you kick everyone's ass in snooker?
    I am extremely serious.
    •  
      CommentAuthorDreamTheater
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012 edited
    TIMMINATOR

    Holy crap! I would think twice before talking to this guy. shocked
    "considering I've seen an enormous debate here about The Amazing Spider-Man and the ones who love it, and the ones who hate it, I feel myself obliged to say: TASTE DIFFERS, DEAL WITH IT" - Thomas G.
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012 edited
    Thor wrote
    What about the Timminator? Isn't that what you're called when you kick everyone's ass in snooker?


    Indeed! biggrin

    I still get called that occassionally when I'm on blistering form cool

    Not Snooker but Pool wink
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Okay guys, I stay as Timmer beer
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Bregt wrote
    Tim cannot be allowed!


    it was this post that did it freezing
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
  11. I was looking for the 'question of the day' thread, because I have a question, and I want your opinions on it.
    But as there is no such thread, I'll post it here, and hope you guys (and girls) will give your insights...

    I'm a civil servant. As such, need to remain neutral, and keep our integrity, defenitely when dealing with commercial companies etc...
    This is of course very much needed when you are in a job that allows you to spend quite a lot of government money (through tenders etc...)...

    Now I'm a civil servant who sometimes gets to decide which equipment we want to buy, so in a way I could be 'corrupted' by bribes, but the budgets I have a say over are small and my personal sense of integrity makes me quite 'unbribable'.

    There is no 'law' at my department saying what we are allowed to accept and do and what not. There is a code of conduct of sorts, but nothing entirely clear. Well, it does state we can't accept material gifts, and if one of us gets a bottle of wine, it will be auctioned off amongst all employees. But sometimes the 'gifts are not actual physical things and is the whole thing a gray area. What if you are offered a lunch during a workshop concerning measurement techniques? What if you are offered one not during a workshop, etc etc...

    Now here is the pickle I'm in: I have been invited by such a company to go to an evening (with some food and an 'activity' which I find interesting (I'll tell you guys what it is after you answer the question)).

    I won't get anything 'material' there, but the experience of the activity (and the meal)...
    The activity has NOTHING to do with my job, so I can't say it will make me a better employee (as in it's not a workshop concerning tidal gauge measurements for instance). But it is an activity I would really like to do.
    Also as it is an evening activity, I don't need to ask for time off work, and I could just attend.

    Should I accept?

    Should I refuse?

    I asked the HR person at my job and she says it's a gray area and I should decide for myself.

    What do you guys think?

    Elin
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorBregt
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Difficult. I have no experience with this.

    You hold integrity high, you've talked about it before to me. It's part of the job status I think. On the other hand, I don't think the activity will influence your opinion/decisions later on, because of that neutrality.

    So, that didn't help at all. I wouldn't know either actually! smile
    Kazoo
  13. Bregt wrote
    On the other hand, I don't think the activity will influence your opinion/decisions later on, because of that neutrality.

    That's what I'm leaning towards as well.
    Or lets say I KNOW it won't influence me. But maybe others might think it could influence me.
    Should I not go because of what other people might think?

    BTW, your answer has put you in the position of being a potential partner to accompany me to this activity.
    I can bring a guest and I'm thinking you might be interested.
    But before I spill the beans, I want to hear what others have to say.
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    If it's a supplier: don't do it.
    Unless you have a CLEAR and unambiguous clearance from your superiors.

    Here's the thing : I agree: I don't think there will be a big impact on your opinions.
    But as a civil servant, even any SEMBLANCE of partiality should be avoided.
    Yeah, sounds ridiculous...until you're being taken to task as part of a bigger issue.
    In my experience you have no leeway in this. NONE at all. Even if you're as straight as an arrow, even if you, in your own mind, are utterly impartial and incorruptible, once you accept gifts you will always have the odour of doubt about you.

    Again: for any workshops, get clearance.
    If these workshops come with any perks that are measurable in money: get clearance.
    When in ANY doubt at all: don't do it.

    Sounds extremely black and white, I know.
    But I have seen friends of mine go down in flames because they weren't careful enough. Remember, not all circumstances are always within your control, and you never know when or how something may come back to haunt you.
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
  15. I would refuse without question. Any hint of a potential conflict could be seen a number of ways that compromises impartiality.

    I am slightly the worse for wear as a result of some midweek red wine but that may give a vagueness that distills the main issue of the predicament.

    I used to be in a position where I had to refuse everything on offer.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    FalkirkBairn wrote
    I am slightly the worse for wear as a result of some midweek red wine but that may give a vagueness that distills the main issue of the predicament.

    Synchroserendipicity! Rosé wine for me! Jolly good! By Jove! wine champagne
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
    •  
      CommentAuthorBregt
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012 edited
    Cool to hear feedback from experienced! Since Alan is in a similar position, and Martijn talks of experiences as well, Elin, I'd keep the neutrality as strong as possible!
    Kazoo
  18. Martijn, Alan,

    You raise good points.

    It's also why I went to ask the HR responsible. If we would have black and white rules, I would follow them to the T (because that's me).
    But as there aren't and it's up to me, I find it more difficult.
    I tend to 'never' allow myself anything. So now that something comes along that I would like to attend, I do ask myself what the harm of it is.

    I have until 13 June to decide, so I think I'll ponder a bit longer over it...

    The company is offering a movie evening including:

    - a mystery guest
    - a reception followed by food and drinks
    - The Brussels Filharmonic (remember the one from the World Soundtrack Awards) playing the soundtrack of 'The Artist'.

    See why I am tempted?
    Throwing soundtracks at me...
    They should know better ;-)
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorBregt
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Oh dear. dizzy
    Kazoo
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    HR is a good first step. Do you hierarchically have a superior? I'd definitely check with that person primarily (auditable, if you can: so through email).
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
  21. Good point Martijn. Try to keep a 'paper trail' of opinions and the lengths you have gone to to clarify the situation.

    Personally I would decline outright. This ensures that no gray area of interpretation crops up in the future.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  22. The HR person is kinda like the second in command of our department.
    My direct supervisor is on holiday, but should be back before the 13th...

    But still, I'm a really tiny fish, and nothing should come of it.

    Basically what the HR person said was this:

    1) We have been brainstorming on a cross-departmental level and voices from not accepting anything to being lax have come up
    2) if you go exteremely severe into all options I would say don't go
    3) There are no clear rules and policies on departemental level so far, so you could go
    4) you have to make the decession yourself while asking yourself these questions:
    - Can I stay impartial after attending?
    - Would I mind if I heard that a colleague of mine accepted such a gift?
    - Would a colleague of mine feel bad if he/she heard I attended this?

    The first question is easy (yes I can stay impartial).

    The two others are more difficult for me. The second one for me depends on which colleague. I have some that are really influenciable, or that would do or use anything to get themselves ahead in life... They kinda use all the perks (and then some). I would probably mind it a little. Either out of fear of impartialness, or because I would feel bad about never getting a good opportunity myself.
    The third one I find impossible to answer, as I don't pretend to know what other people think, and I refuse to put myself in their place. If they have a bad image about me they'll think negatively towards me no matter what I do. If they know me, they won't mind either way...

    So, I'm not realy sure what to do.

    Bregt wrote
    Oh dear. dizzy


    Can I make up from that reaction you might be willing to escort me that evening if I decide to go, Bregt? biggrin
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    I agree with Alan: I'd decline (it's a supplier. That alone is reason enough.)

    Ultimately though, clearly they leave it up to your own conscience.
    Again: make sure that IF you go, both HR and your superior have responded in the affirmative through email on your considerations. Better safe than sorry.
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
  24. Martijn wrote
    Again: make sure that IF you go, both HR and your superior have responded in the affirmative through email on your considerations. Better safe than sorry.

    I think that will be my best course of action.
    I'll talk to these people again (both in real life and by e-mail).
    If I can get their consent, I'll go, if not... Well, I'll have to console myself with the fact that: a) it wasn't a Hans Zimmer or Bear McCreary concert anyway and b) the WSA is around the corner in a few months.
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    ...but maybe Bear is the mystery guest....
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
  26. Martijn wrote
    ...but maybe Bear is the mystery guest....

    You evil you... crazy
    But I'm sure Bear would have told me he was coming to Belgium...
    But Hans Zimmer wouldn't have, so I can't rule him out...
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Maybe he didn't tell you because he wanted it to be a surprise....
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
  28. Martijn wrote
    Maybe he didn't tell you because he wanted it to be a surprise....

    You really evil you...
    And still I like you...
    Must be the masochist in me, I guess.
    Recognizing somebody else's strength doesn't diminish your own (Joss Whedon)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMartijn
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2012
    Nah. I'm just incredibly likable. Yeah. That's it.
    Wildly irresistible, even.
    Yowzah!
    w00t.
    Yeah.
    'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn
    •  
      CommentAuthorBregt
    • CommentTimeMay 31st 2012
    Skating_Lientje wrote
    Bregt wrote
    Oh dear. dizzy


    Can I make up from that reaction you might be willing to escort me that evening if I decide to go, Bregt? biggrin

    Hehe. wink

    But reading the other comments above, I would not do it. smile
    Kazoo

121 to 150 of 191

  1. <
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. >