Questions and Answers - Part 3

16:08 / 24.07.07

Matt:
my postal folk confirm a Canadian International postal money order can be cashed at a US postal office with a picture ID. Have to get the international variety though.

Haus:

My ex lived for many many years without any sort of bank account by cashing his pay check at the bank it was drawn on. He then paid everything with either cash or postal money orders. Or by giving me cash and having me write a check.

Next question for you.

I need to get a the best quality collapsible umbrella (meaning the small in your luggage variety), are the Brigg's the best ones to get?

16:19 / 24.07.07

XK - Why are you even considering one of the small, telescoping ones?

Wouldn't sir prefer something a little more like this?

16:26 / 24.07.07

*ahem* - of course, I meant zir rather than 'sir'. The joy of cold steel and the naked blade isn't gender-specific.

17:03 / 24.07.07

I got him a collapsible dagger umbrella for a wedding gift and it has broken. He needs a small one to carry in his backpack and pointed out he'd like to take it on planes.

so done that been there not as grand as you'd think it. sometimes a sword umbrella is not as good as just a really excellent umbrella.

grant

18:01 / 24.07.07

John Steed would agree, I'm sure.

Tsuga

21:26 / 24.07.07

Yes, Haus, like XK said one can cash the check at the bank it's drawn from (though if you don't have an account there they may take your thumbprint), or for some checks made out by larger companies, the local grocery store will cash them. Many people do this and use cash and money orders only. Some people live entirely "under the table" (do you guys have that phrase?), being paid and paying in cash only, not paying taxes.

Triplets

21:36 / 24.07.07

"Under the table" isn't used here, T, insofar as it relates money. It usually refers to more underhanded and criminal stuff. We tend to use "cash in hand", though, as Haus says, most people get their wages directly paid into their bank accounts and I believe it's very hard to get a job without one.

ONLY NICE THINGS

22:09 / 24.07.07

(though if you don't have an account there they may take your thumbprint)

Jesus fuck.

Essential Dazzler

22:45 / 24.07.07

though if you don't have an account there they may take your thumbprint

Oh shit. Is that true?

Quantum

22:54 / 24.07.07

Your thumbprint?!

Tsuga

22:55 / 24.07.07

Oh, yes. It's true.

Tsuga

23:13 / 24.07.07

What's really sad is about the only alternative for many people are predatory check-cashing businesses concentrated in low-income areas. Actually, there are a lot of really disgusting parasitic or predatory businesses in low-income areas; those that loan an advance on your paycheck for a stiff fee, title loans, pawn shops, and rent-to-own businesses being some of the worst offenders. Though I'm sure I'm forgetting many others. Surely the U.K. and other countries have some versions of this?

23:20 / 24.07.07

Ohyeah.

10:53 / 25.07.07

Seconded, the 'cash-til-payday' cheque-cashing (with 20% commission per month) firms can really tie you in knots if you're already struggling...

14:50 / 25.07.07

you can't cash them at the bank they are drawn on in the UK?

15:07 / 25.07.07

Oh, I see. Yes.

I meant more writing a cheque, post-dated to a point at which you hope against hope that there will be money in your account to honour it, giving it to the man in the pawn shop and getting 80% of the value and a contemptuous look in return.

Good economics it isn't.

Quantum

16:15 / 25.07.07

They tend to open around the same time as betting shops, pawn shops and off licences I notice. At least around here, anyway.

Saveloy

12:50 / 26.07.07

Question

Anyone know of a simple bit of software for the PC that will allow me to do the equivalent of stop frame animation?

I want to be able to bung in a load of stills from my digi-cam and play them in a specific order at 24 frames per second (or thereabouts).

Preferably something FREE and SIMPLE.

Oh, I have WinXP, but it would be nice if it were compatible with Win98 too.

Saveloy

08:41 / 27.07.07

Answering my own question for the benefit of others who might be interested:

Monkey Jam!

Exactly what I was after. Recommended to anyone with a digital camera who fancies having a go at stop-frame animation. Dead easy to use.

09:38 / 27.07.07

Oooh fantastic!

Evil Scientist

09:56 / 27.07.07

Can anyone recommend a good nightclub near the Comedy Club in Leicester Square? Something with good tunes (dance, "indie", rock). Just need some ideas for where to go on my bro's Stag Weekend.

All Acting Regiment

11:46 / 27.07.07

Right right right. Bit cheesed off with the way my job-hunting's going. I keep getting brushed off after I've got to the interview stage, so I'm thinking that if I've got myself into the interview, performed well (I've certainly put my all into it and none of them have ever told me I was doing anything wrong) the reason I'm not getting anywhere might be my references. There's one ex-employer business I usually put down as a reference, and I've got a feeling they're blacklisting me.

Is there any way of finding this out?

And, to be honest, given that things didn't go superbly when I was working there, might I be best leaving the references box empty?

Meaning no references. And they always want references. So it looks like I'm fucked either way.

I may not be in the most logical of moods right now.

My Mom Thinks I'm Cool

12:07 / 27.07.07

I guess every application form seems to be different, but does "reference" necessarily mean "previous employer"? I often find that they specifically don't want previous employers (because they're already getting them off some other part of the form).

A reference can be someone you worked with, or someone who has known you a long time (and can in some way vouch for you being skilled or responsible.)

I'm not sure if there's a legitimate way to find out for sure if someone's blacklisting you, but an easy way to fake it would just be to have a friend call them up and pretend to be a potential employer. Or do it yourself if they won't recognize your voice/number.

Quantum

12:08 / 27.07.07

They won't usually check references until they've offered you a position, it's probably something else- do you ask them for feedback?

All Acting Regiment

12:13 / 27.07.07

Thanks for your replies, PB and Q. In the cases I'm talking about, yes, the form specifically asks for employer references (which is a bummer, because, as you say, there is such a thing as a personal reference and there are various humane individulas who like me).

They won't usually check references until they've offered you a position, it's probably something else- do you ask them for feedback?

Ah, I assumed they checked refs before offering you the position. I might have to ask for more feedback, then. Is that generally accepted as etiquette/a thing it's okay to do?

12:26 / 27.07.07

Over here it is quite normal to ask a potential ref 'do you feel ocmfotable with me using you as one?'. Most people will be honset and tell you if they would give a horrid ref or a decent one.

A trick I've used when I didn't get along with managment was to use somone I did get along with at the company. A coworker etc.

also many places will accept volunteer and teacher refs especially for younger people.

Sometimes I've put an older job on my resume because I knew they would give me a good ref. NEVER put down someone who might give you a shit ref a sit makes you look a bit stupid. Just sayin'.

12:34 / 27.07.07

Allecto, I have to hire people on occasion and my feeling is that it's often understood that the references required need not necessarily be from your last employer; the reason being that your last employer may in many cases be your current employer and so a candidate may not want them tipped off that you're looking around.

May not apply to your exact circumstances but if you do have good references from somewhere, I'd list those or try to swing it by getting a co-worker to slightly talk up their role at your last place and give you a clean bill of health, if possible.

I really wouldn't leave it blank - far too often (depending on your perspective) references aren't checked at all but an empty space will more than likely count against you.

Just my thoughts - hardly an authority.

Good luck with it, mind!

grant

15:04 / 27.07.07

Saveloy! Thank you!

17:43 / 27.07.07

I might (very very might) be going to Bosnia this winter (around Halloween). What is a cheap way to get from Barna or London to Bosnia? Not bothered about taking bus/train instead of flying.

18:05 / 27.07.07

end of october is winter for you? crazy!