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Anyone using google’s new web browser called Chrome?

I installed it whilst over at ‘A’s earlier today and it seems to run faster than Firefox or Interet Explorer.

At work we have Internet Explorer v7 (which I *hate*) but the IT dept are very strict and you can’t change it. At home I use Firefox as I like the add-ons (such as dictionary - no more typos!)

I watched a programme on BBC4 this evening about the ‘big bang’ experiment soon to take place at CERN - the largest atomic laboratory in the world and something that has taken decades of preparation. They are recreating the big bang in 6 days time on 10th September.

How do you build a “Big Bang Machine”? That was the challenge which scientists at Cern began to ponder in the early 1980s, when the idea for the Large Hadron Collider was born.

Cern’s governing council wanted to build a kind of time machine that could open a window to how the Universe appeared in the first microseconds of its existence.

(Click the pic to see it fullsize)

They are in search of the ‘God particle’ otherwise known as Higgs-Boson.

Morally I’m not sure how I stand. I’m also not sure if it’s safe (they say that theoretically it is) but surely one big bang was enough.

An interesting read on the BBC I thought.

In stark contrast to last night’s optimistic precursor - I found today’s interview a real let-down. This was not helped that I was made to wait 20 minutes (I’d got there 5 minutes early). So I was seen 15 minutes after my actual interview time which is shoddy when I’m on a lunch break and have travelled from the City to the West End and obviously have to get back.

The woman was singularly unimpressive and totally pedestrian - think ‘KwikSave supervisor’. The people I had met last week were impressive and I’d actually enjoyed the meeting and had come out enthused. The time I spent with this woman was, on the other hand, totally uninspiring.

Having done 7.5 years in the industry working for two of the top players (in Mayfair and St James’) the writing should have been on the wall that anything east of Tottenham Court Road (which is where they’re located) was going to be distinctly second rate. And it was.

I don’t know if she’d over-dosed on neuro-linguistic-programming but this woman would not look away from me throughout the interview; like she was scrutinizing really hard and trying to suss me out. I know that holding someone’s gaze is important and all the rest of it. I know that often I look away, even with friends, but I found it distinctly off-putting. It’s not uncommon knowledge that my last company had some really tough years but when she said “ohh, you worked there. Is it still on its knees?” my only response was “I beg your pardon??”. She then came out with some bilge about “oh come on, it’s well known in the industry that…. blah blah blah”. Her outfit had never and will never be a competitor to where I worked before. I had a female CEO in my last place who absolutely exuded power, glamour, style and authority (those with long memories will remember I posted about her once on my last blog using a picture of Crystal Carrington from Dynasty - which is what she looked like; not least because she was American).

Thus, I knew from very early on that I had lost all interest in the job as its evidently second-tier status (I’d not heard of it before anyway, which really says it all) would never meet my aspirations. They’re a niche player and they’re not a bad outfit; but not for me.

The absolute icing on the cake came towards the end of the interview (we were very much still in interview mode, i.e. it hadn’t finished, and she was making notes) and she shot out from left-field “do you live in London?” Fine - thought I. “Yes” I said. “Which bit?” she asked. I told her. “Do you rent or own?” she said. Excuse me???? I felt like saying!!! I actually said “I.. own, and have done for 6 years”.

Then… and this really, really is the kicker… she came out with “And are you married…?”. I hesitated, totally gob smacked. “A partner then?”. I was by now incredulous. “No” I stammered, “I’m single”. “Hrmphh”. The nosey cow retorted. The singular irony of her asking me these questions is, well, just that. Someone in her line of professional services asking such inappropriate questions left me totally gob smacked.

Imagine if I’d said “No I’m not married, not straight either, in fact I’m as queer as a three dollar bill!!!” and were then to be told by them a week later I hadn’t got the job. Guess what I might do? I might have sued. And I’d have been within my rights to. The silly bint is evidently so unprofessional there is not a cat’s chance in hell I would work for someone like that. Honestly.

So the whole thing left a mildly bitter taste in my mouth though I’m extremely relieved I now know it’s totally inappropriate. I came back to my current place and was actually relieved to see how corporate it all is - from the building through to the people - on re-entering. Yes, I do want another job. But I have standards to maintain and I sure as bloody hell won’t be dropping them.

I don’t actually believe in banning marriage. In fact, I really like weddings.

This song, however, is from my favourite Indie Canadian folksy gay rock band, The Hidden Cameras. The track is called ‘Ban Marriage’ and I love this tune.

Second interview tomorrow. With the firm I met last week. I liked them. Their office is a double fronted Victorian town house in Bloomsbury. You know, the kind that has a blue plaque on it. So, so, so far removed from where I work at the moment. They were nice, genuine, decent people. They asked me back this week to meet their CEO. I meet her tomorrow; at lunchtime.

They’ve finally sent me the job spec also. It’s more senior than my current and prior role. It’s a Head of XXXXX role which is a step up for me. It’s in the industry I worked in prior to my current role (which I was in for 7.5 years). It has line management responsibility. I daren’t allow myself to get too excited in case I flunk it and it doesn’t go anywhere. I have to be more strategic this time; much more.

I’ve always believed in fate and the opportunity of this role came through a very tenuous connection (friend of a friend).

Nothing may come of tomorrow. Then again - it just might. It may just be my salvation. Will keep you posted. It’s at lunchtime.

These are my books at bedtime:

I’ve almost finished Dirty Havana Trilogy which is crude, gritty and very readable. A real insight into Havana and its people. Made up of short chapters and strongly autobiographical. Note this is actually my daytime ‘commute’ book and I don’t read it at night, generally.

Am really into the Romans having been to the British Museum last weekend; I bought the book to accompany the major Hadrian exhibition currently on. It’s very readable and I’m finding it - and him - fascinating.

Icons of Photography a colleague at my last place bought me for my birthday. Each double page focuses on a famous photographer and a main photo from their repertoire that embodies them. It’s great for bed-time as you can read as little or as much as you want without getting stuck in a long chapter.

Photo magazines can usually be found by my bed. Again, perfect for 10-15 mins of reading before I put the light off.

A History of Modern Britain I really enjoyed, but… I haven’t got round to finishing it and it must be pushing 1 year that it’s been by the bed now. The chapters are long and though I’m genuinely interested, stuff like that can be a struggle at night. I may take it to Egypt to read by the pool/sea. Probably ideal for that.

Dirty Havana Trilogy will soon be finished so I’ll need some more reading material. Recommendations?