June 29th, 2006 by 0lly

Ok, so i didnt lose my phone as such. I use my phone as an alarm clock, like many people do i expect? Anyway, i had left my charger at work and my battery was running really low. It got to about 11:30pm and it was about empty. So as a safety net, i sent maddsy a text message telling him to ring my house number at 8:00am in case my battery had died.. Just as i pressed send, 2 seconds later and *ding dong* it turns off..

Did maddsy get my text message?

Was i going to be late for work after id had a crap day the day before and been humiliated in front of my boss? 

I had to find a solution, so i looked about for any old phones i have. I have got a couple, and knew where one was straight away. I tried my sim in, and i coudnt get the phone to turn on. I tried for about 10 mins and gave up. I then had the idea of using my ipod wired to my pc speakers - as it has an alarm function on.. I set that and went to sleep panicing i wasnt going to wake up in the morning.

8:00am came around fast like usual, and maddsy did ring me so he had got the text. I got up and went to work as normal, only when i got to work and charged my phone up for a bit, i noticed there was a black cross on the signal icon. Oh fuck. Sim card!

I went home at lunch time to see if i could find it, and couldnt. I got home after work and i  turfed my bedroom upside down but its managed to escape me completly. So i sat down and started the process of ringing orange up to sort out my little dilemma.

After the automated jungle..

“Hello your through to orange how can i help?”

“Hi yes, ive lost my sim card in my room somewhere, i need a new one”

“Ok, have you got a crime number?”

“Erm, i lost it in my bedroom luv”

“Yes i heard you, but you still need a lost item reference number”

“And what happens if i dont give you one?”

“Well we’d have to charge you £15 for a new sim card”

“…”

The phone call got pretty heated after that, although i did keep appologising, and telling the poor woman that i knew she just worked there. I ended the phone call quite abruptly, and sat bubbeling away for a few minutes..

I then thought to myself, fuck it, ill waste the police’s time and get a pissin crime number. After one unsuccessful attempt of being put through to the right department, i got through to someone at the police station and was talking to her for about 15 minutes..

“where was the last place you saw your sim card?”

“err, next to a sock”

It was a complete waste of police time, and my time, but was totally necessery if i was to get a free bloody sim card. I got back through to orange with my poxy number, and a pretty helpful guy who sorted me out, asked me more pretty stupid questions about if people could of been in my room and shit.. Total bollocks..

And now i have to wait ages to get a new sim card. The only way they can redeem themselves now is if that sim is here tomorrow. Cos ill say this for nawt.. Orange has just lost one of their customers.. And ill never go back to the bastards either..

It feels like my arm has been ripped off tho, im totally cut off.. i hate it…

June 29th, 2006 by 0lly

I have never felt so close to walking out of work as i have today. The morning was fine, everything was going to plan. Although most of the work i had done was re-work as id messed a load of stuff up the day before.

Just before lunch me and craig went to newark to put up some marquees round the back of this newly-renovated club called “Time”. We got there sound, nice and chilled thanks to the volvo’s air con.

Anyway, to cut a long and quite boring story short - I got back, and the work i had done still wasnt right. Only this time it wasnt my fault. So ive had to do the fucking prints for the 4th or 5th time now..

I just get to the stage where i want to smash everyhting up. I want to bite, snap, kick, punch and generally destroy everyhting around me. I have a box down stairs that i chuck bits of paper in etc.. I kicked the fuck out of it.. Now it has two enterance holes..

I have come to the conclusion that im only happy when im not doing my mmx3 work. Nothing against the company, they are brilliant.. Its just me. I have far too many distractions.. Far too much to do on internet.. to be sat here all day slaving away for some other fucker..

Ive been here before, and was talked out of it. My boss has just spent £10,000 on new equipment, and i feel almost pressured into staying.. As soon as i can work the new shit properly im gonna have to hand my notice in. TBH i owe it to mmx3, as they deserve an mild tempered hard working employee. Not someone sho scrapes by and costs them too much money and blows up everytime something fucks up…

June 28th, 2006 by 0lly

We invaded the Ravensdale Pub in mansfield this evening - about 40 of us in total. All there for a nice cheap curry and a pint to celebrate claire (big cab) birthday. Its become quite a tradition. It makes me feel so good knowing 90% of the people were there because of something me and dave started all those years ago. Its crazy, when im at events and i see evryone flying the flag and all being a group - it gives me this amazing feeling of accomplishment.

I think of high flyers at school, and think about the amazing things they were all destined for. And i know that none of them have felt the things i have. They havent walked round shows with 50+ people all around them flying a flag they created. None of them can say something they created has brought couples together that are now either married or are getting married. None of them have had a letter written in the chad by a 10 year old kid, wanting to thank them for putting on a free event in a car park next to a football ground - as they had such a fantastic time. I have… And that alone makes the stress and hard work all worth it..

I just want to thank everyone involved in maxxd.com, either being a member, staff, or just someone that turns up to the events..

You make it what it is. We just give you a flag to fly.

Roll on the future!

June 27th, 2006 by 0lly

Well, we arrived at court quite nervous. It had kinda hit home during the day that we were actually going to be in court for this whole fiasco. We walked into the main door and were directed upstairs by a really normal office looking woman who was blatently from round here. That in itself calmed me down straight away - they were real people in here, not crazy strict scary people
We walked up the short flight of steps to the top floor, and were greeted by a visitor book, and two oldish lookin security guards. We signed in and were scanned to see if we were carrying anything metal. I didnt have a thing on my, not even a scrap of paper. We sat down and dave automatically started fumbeling through the massive folder of papers he had brought. Hes always been the foundations for things, sorting money and paperwork. So he had brought every bit of paper that had ever had maxxd written on it.

We sat chatting about various things, and got into a small conversation with the two people sat next to us - there was 1 manly woman there for a case to do with some old guy tryin to con her, and her mate - and the woman who was calling people into the rooms. They were all sound people and were setting us both at ease. I took daves book of papers off him as he was pissing me off forever lookin through stuff, and we sat just watching the clock tick past.

It got to about 5 to 2, and we were starting to think he wasnt showing up. But unfortunatly he did. He looked quite scruffy, like he had run the last 100 meters because his bus had made him run behind schedule. He walked in and sat down with his back to us both, kinda nodded to me before doing so, and then joining us in the waiting game. About 10 mins later the woman who had come supprting the lesbien lookin chick offered us both a mint, and not danny - that kinda made me smile. Oh yeah sy didnt turn up. I think its because he didnt want to have to lie in court.
It got to half past two and we were called in. It was nothing like what i expected, one guy and a tape recorder. Dave and I sat on one side of the table, and a nervous danny sat on the other side all by himself. The guy got our names, and started getting a picture of what was going off. We stated from the outset that we did not dispute owing danny for these teshirts - and that Maxxd LTD was liable for them, we just couldnt sell them. He started wading through the dodgy paperwork, there were holes in it that he found and quizzed danny about straight away. And he generally got everyones side of the story and got to a point where he offered danny two choice’s.

His first offering, was to strike a deal with us. He was very keen on danny taking this option - we would sell the tees at a discounted rate or something over the duration of a few months, at least gettin him some of his money back. This way hes not as broke as he was and can start gettin on with shit. His other choice was to continue and go for the full amount. If he chose the second option then a CCJ would be filed aginst Maxxd LTD and we would have to pay the full amount - that totalled over £1300 by now!

Now the judge was really pushing danny to strike a deal, as he warned him that Maxxd LTD has no assets - or money - and the 2nd choice would probably lead to him getting nothing. I kind of kelt signalling to dave to shut up as i could see he had built up a profile of us all by now. He kept saying things like;

“So what is the exact amount Maxxd ltd owes you mr simanis”

“Err, its about..”

“no what is it exactly”

“erm,”

“come on this is your trial you should know this”

“er, no this is their trial”

Anyway, danny kept saying things that just seemed to be really quite stupid - and topped it at the end after a “Have you got anything further to add mr simanis..” promit from the judge with..

“Mr hartshorne always runs away from his problems, he hides bla bla bla”

What the fuck danny? This trial was about us not paying you for some teeshirts not about dave and his apparent way of dealing with things. If he honestly believes dave moved away cos of this trial then i think hes obviously been taking it all a hell of a lot more serious than we have! He took things to a personal level and it didnt do him any favors. The judge even praised us up in a way for our approach to the whole thing, and ended it with saying he would get things sorted and get back to us all with the relevant bits and bobs.

Maxxd LTD was set up in 2004, so that we were ready to do tax stuff for when we opened our online shop. That never happened, and all we have been using it for, is for when we order teeshirts, and for paying charity money into so we can send them cheques not cash.

Now as Maxxd LTD has nothing, it means we will probably be forced into liquidation. Which is no big deal at all for us really, it means we lose, err.. Well. the name “Maxxd LTD”.. Never mind.. And the only assets we actualy have are the teeshirts.. Which we cant sell anyway, so they might be taken from us to be sold off.. Ummm.. Ok..

So basically me and dave are totally unaffected. Danny is left with nothing - well he might get a hundred quid after the teeshirts are sold at auction for 50p each. He really should of taken the blue pill dont you think?

Its a shame danny, as we would of been more than happy to try and sell them for £5 each to get you some money - just as the judge dude suggested. But your bad business sence, stubbornness and general lack of common sence has forced you into a position where your probably gonna end up with nothing.

Its shown me how much dave and myself have learnt since we started out on our business journey. Danny stated in the hearing that sy was the best thing that maxxd ever had, and it had gone downhill since he left. Now all this is out the way i think its time to show the world what me and dave are capable of.

Woh, sorry for all that…
Id like to thank everyone that wished us luck. Your combined chi was with us and helped us keep our cool and make everything go right. And i just want to say how gutted i am that it seems ive lost two friends over something that is just so stupid. Its definatly a lesson in life. Do NOT Do business with friends. Me and dave as a business partnership have experienced every downfall business owner’s can possibly encounter. We have learnt by our mistakes, and this whole fiasco has made us much wiser. I think we will be ok working together now. But i wouldnt advise it to anyone. Money makes people ugly.
Anyway.. Thanks danny.

June 27th, 2006 by 0lly

To go get ready for court. Im really not looking forward to it. I hope sy doesnt go in a way, as if he does he’s just gonna lie and say he definatly witnessed dave and danny argeeing on a price etc - when i know thats not the truth.

I dont know what ill do if he is jsut stood there lying through his back teeth.

I guess the worst possible outcome is that were gonna have to give him £x a monthm until we’ve paid it all. Its pretty shit as we cant really argue about who ordered them, and we cant refuse to pay due to the fact we cant actualy sell the teeshirts (as they aint good enough quality) These issues are related to this, but we are only being taken to court on “Non payment of teeshrits” Which we are guilty of.

Best possible senario, is the judge looks at the evidence, listens to what we have all got to say and then tells us all to grow up, tells danny that he shouyld ensure he runs his business properly to avoid this happening again - and tells us to make sure desicions within “Maxxd” are thought out properly before being put into play.

Either way, i aint shelling out any of my money. I have done nothing wrong. And to say sy and danny used to be considered some of my best friends? What happened there then?

June 26th, 2006 by 0lly

Helen has just left after another wonderful evening - and im sat here just finishing the last remains of my soggy toast. Mmm. Anyway, while i was eating it a question popped into my head, and its one that probably pop’s into many peoples heads at many different times of the day.

What is the best munchie bustin’ food?

What food, or consumable item/substance is best - and healthyest for me and every other stoner/midnight feast sufforer to eat late at night?

I know fatty shitty foods are bad, in fact i bet most foods are bad for you at night cos you just lay there and dont burn any of it off. I guess grapes, or fruit would be good. I might buy some grapes, or something easy to eat on wednesday when i get paid.

Ive eaten toast with fake butter stuff on, err margerine (sp?) - anyway its doughy and the butter is probably not good for me. Saying that when i first moved out i ate toast and drank coffee all day every day and that didnt kill me. I lost about 6 stone, lol.. i did look quite ill to be fair..

Anyway, what im gettin at is that i really need to start eating healthy. Its gonna be hard to quit smoking weed right away, so if i improve my diet, keep doing a bit of fitness bits and bobs, untill i can do loads and loads of pressups and support my own bodyweight enough to be able to move onto doing some breakdancing. I will be breakin’ by next nationals. I can rap, but i will choke in front of a audience. So i will learn to breakdance instead!

Watch this backflippin’ space homeboys and girls!

Holla! ahaha

June 26th, 2006 by 0lly

I managed to get 90% of the amen site done, showed it him today nd he really liked it. SO just got to tidy it up add the maps n proper address and it can be launched! Woo car tax money!

June 25th, 2006 by 0lly

I was working saturday daytime, and inbetween patrols and shit i managed to get 90% of the amen corner site done. Im very pleased with it, and with myself. Im gonna show it him tomorra and hope for the best! IM also gonna try and tart up karls site that i have done for him. Then if i can get them two done, i only have the ghettro one outstanding.

Im not taking on any more total build jobbys again for a while, and definatly never 3 at the same time - whilst trying to upgrade maxxd. Ill be glad when ive done them all, i will be abel to sleep easy!

I havent had chance to see helen much this weekend, but shes coming round tomorrow evening. Im looking forward to it as ive been thinking about her a lot. As human beings we need company from the opposite sex - and especially people from the opposite that you like a hell of a lot.
Lsom went pretty well to say the football had been on. I think we need to pull some strings for the next one tho, and make it MASSIVE!

Sleep now, ttfn.

June 23rd, 2006 by 0lly

I got home and did quite a bit of tidying and sorting. I made my food for tomorrows shift, and i started my washing. I was doing this while i was waiting for helen to come pick me up to go to the pub. We were supposed to be going out alone, but there has been some recent disruptions in a relationship that kinda directly affects helen, so we had a friend of helens join us for the evening. I had no problem with that at all as i know how difficult things like that are and it turned out to be a really good night.

I feel a bit torn right now. A different good friend of mine has confided (sp?) in me recently. I have been helping him deal with some issues that are occuring in his life. I rate him as a very good friend, and tongiht i learned there may be things going off in the background that he doesnt know about. I want to tell him, but then i also want his partner to speak to him about it, as it would be better coming from her rather than a third party. I hate it when a “maxxd couple” has disputes, as it always causes friction and upset on the forums, and its always unpleasant for more than just the two main people involved.

I have got to be up at 5:30 in the morning, so i best not stay awake too much longer.

But all in all i had a great night, i just wish it had lasted longer!

June 23rd, 2006 by 0lly

I have a post-it note on my desk that makes me sad everytime i look at it.

Yes thats right, me and dave are being taken to court by someone who used to be our friend. There was a mix up and some te-shirts got ordered and made by an old friend - danny - for maxxd.com. Now both dave and sy deny ordering them, and danny is siding with sy when he says dave ordered them. But my problem with that is dave worked for PnP for about 5 years, and KNOWS how much promotional clothing should be. The fact that the cost of these was about twice what we would normally pay - makes me think dave really did have nothing to do with it. And although sy has been known to tell a few porkies, the last time i checked he was a pretty sound guy and even he wouldnt be stupid enough to order nearly 2 grands worth of shit with no way of paying it back.

So that makes me think danny kinda took it on himself to think of the quantity? All we could ever get out of them in regards who ordered what, is “dave said he had sold 50 of them” - But that doesnt mean order 130 does it!

Anyway, i dont know if im looking forward to the court hearing or not. In my eyes me and dave have done nothing wrong, and have been lumbered with another one of Sy’s fuckups - becasue deep down he has to be to blame. After all it was him who designed them, and gave the design to danny to make. Even if he didnt tell him how many to make in my eyes he still had the most involvement in the situation.

I guess we’ll see on tuesday. Im gonna go in and tell the truth. As i have nothing to hide. I just hope Sy doesnt testify against us - TBH i dont think he would be able to do that. If he does then i must of got to know the wrong sy for the duration of our 18 year friendship. Kinda makes me feel sad knowing 18 years of being mates has been thrown down the pan becasue of a few fucking teeshirts.

I guess me and dave should make sure we have everything we need prepared for the court hearing. As we dont want to go in there unprepared like im hoping danny is.