Fred the Shred’s Annoyance Over Pink Biscuits
A new book, Masters of Nothing: The Crash and how it will happen again unless we understand human nature
The former boss of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) vented his anger over the pink wafer in an email titled “Rogue Biscuit” in an example of his “overbearing” management style that may help explain the collapse of the bank in 2008, the new book claims.
I find it strange that the biscuit was pink. Is there a psychologist out there, who can offer a better explanation than the obvious one?
I think if anybody had treated me like that, I’d have gone straight to my lawyer and someone like Max Clifford.
The only way you will rid businss of overbearing bullies is to stand up to them using the full force available.
Those accolytes who surrounded Fred the Shred must be partly guilty in many peoples’ eyes for the mess they allowed him to create.
And what were the non-executive directors doing? If the answer was nothing, they were failing all of the bank’s employees, customers and shareholders. And of course ultimately, UK taxpayers. Have any of those non-executive directors been disqualified? The respected newspaper calls them the Silent Nine.
I Thought He’d Given Up
I thought we’d heard the last of the Naked Rambler, but today he was arrested again outside Perth Prison according to the BBC. I suppose I hadn’t heard of him lately, as he would appear to have spent the last ten years in jail.
What I find strange is that in England, the authorities don’t seem to mind his antics, but it is bit different north of the border?
Surely, we have better things to do with taxpayers money, than use it to lock this idiot up! At £37,500 a year that is quite a sum.
Incidentally, I once had a Scot dressed in his kilt at a dinner party, prove to everybody that he was a real Scot. Did we complain? Of course not, but we never went near the hospital, where he worked.
A Plan For Tottenham Is Emerging
It would appear that Spurs are on the point of dropping their bid to take over the Olympic stadium according to the BBC.
I have looked at the plans for the new stadium and feel that the way it would be built is innovative and good project management, making the best use of all the resources.
A deal seems to be being working out with the Mayor and the Government about improving public transport in the area. As I said earlier, I believe this should be achieved by giving some or all of the Lea Valley lines to Transport for London and adding them to the Overground. The trains, track and power supplies are not the worst, but improving the stations with their dreadful access and especially the link at Hackney Downs to the North London line and to buses must be done. A point here, is that this access traps the locals in the area, whether they like football or not.
It would also help London and Tottenham Hotspur, if a large Park and Ride was built somewhere to the north of White Hart Lane station on the Cheshunt line by the M25. London and the City lacks a decent Park and Ride and parking at most stations to the north and east of London is inadequate and overpriced.
So in my view a proper modern railway run to the same reliability as the Overground would transform the whole area from Bethnal Green, through Hackney and Tottenham to Enfield and the M25.
Finally, it has always irked Spurs supporters that Arsenal have their own Underground station. So why shouldn’t White Hart Lane be renamed Spurs?
Is It All In The Name?
George Baker rode for C and myself a couple of times and he is one of the nicest and best. Even if he is perhaps a bit tall to be a jockey.
But yesterday, he won on a horse he also trained called George Baker. He didn’t own it, but it was partly owned by another George Baker. Read about it here in the Guardian.
This coincidence couldn’t have happened to a better person.
Should My Bank Pay Me Not To Have a Cheque Book?
I’ve written three cheques since I moved to London. Two were for small jobs done on the house and the other was to a friend for some tickets. In all cases I could have used cash, if I’d been forewarned, but I’d have preferred to have used a credit card, a direct transfer or something like PayPal.
Thinking about it, I have a feeling, one of the cheques hasn’t been presented to my bank yet. It’s only for a few pounds, so it shouldn’t cause any trouble.
I would be happy if my bank said that if I gave up cheques, they’d give me a small financial reward. Either as a direct payment, or perhaps a discount on charges.
I wonder how long it will be before banks give up traditional premises in many cases.
Suppose there were free cashpoints in places like Starbucks. This would get round my need to sit down to sort out everything after a withdrawal. One branch of Nationwide I use is actually next to a Starbucks anyway.
I have hardly ever seen a bank manager in recent years, but why shouldn’t they see you at a convenient location or on the phone.
The New Roof at King’s Cross Does the Business
It was raining hard tonight and the new roof at King’s Cross was keeping everybody dry as it should.
The New Roof at King’s Cross
Someone will nickname it the Kingbrella.
A magnificent station is emerging from its chrysalis.
A Sign At Euston
I saw this sign at Euston tonight.
A Sign at Euston
How many of the 37 luggage related accidents, were caused by drunks carrying trays of lager?
Only in Brighton
The Radio 5 commentators were complaining that at the new AMEX Community Stadium there are so many different teas, like camomile, nettle, ginger and mint, that they couldn’t find any proper tea.
Are they all Marxists in Brighton?
By the way they got chicken soup and fruit cake at half-time! Not very American! Although it’s probably quite quick to prepare and consume.
The Law of the Bleeding Obvious
I was talking to an old mate, who uses Stoke Newington station occasionally. Before I could ask, he told me that the problem there is the staircases.
If we two old farts can see it, why can’t Notwork Rail?
As Baldrick said. “I have a cunning plan!”
However mine doesn’t involve rats or sticking pencils up my nose.
Although thinking about it, the second idea might be good for my hay fever.
The Anonymous Widower 