Cal Laird

Today in ADHD:

Turns out my work phone does indeed erase itself when you enter the password wrong too many times.

I thought it was bluffing.

Trying to find a new ceiling light fitting that doesn’t show a bare bulb at most angles, yet is in the style or colour I want, is turning out to be very hard.

Can you just let me be autistic in peace?

Sundays are for shaving your head whilst listening to The Deep Blue Okay by @selfesteem.music-social.com at full volume.

Usually when I run a workshop participants steal my sharpies. It’s always the sharpies.

Not today though. They stole my scissors!

After losing weight I told myself I’d cut down on the jumper of jackets, fleeces and hoodies I own.

I know have at least double the amount. WHY?!

I’m a big fan of innovation (duh) but if it isn’t broken, why “fix” it?

As a seller, eBay’s “Simple Delivery,” which you must now use for most items, is the least “simple” thing I’ve ever used.

May I suggest it is renamed to “eBay Stressful Delivery” or “eBay Delivery Experience That Replaced a Perfectly Functional Delivery Experience That Wasn’t Broken Delivery”

Is this dark UX? I think this is dark UX.

I’ve let an insurance policy auto renew before because I forgot to turn auto renew off. Got most of my money back but minus an admin fee. Nightmare.

I've seen a handful of Service Design roles at Admiral recently... I'm with them for my car insurance - renewal price was nuts. The process of turning off auto renewal took about 15 clicks and I had to answer a bunch of questions.

Please don't make it this hard to turn off auto renew. ARGH.

… that I’d entirely missed. And I’ve been to that practice for years!

If they included something with the tubes they handed me, I could’ve avoided this and I’m sure many who’ve had to re try would be happier.

I’m sure it sounds trivial to many but it’s important, especially at a time of anxiety

Oh goodness. Communication and clear content goes a long way in situations like this, especially with things of a sensitive nature.

I had to hand in a sample to my GP practice. Dropped it off at 2pm, turns out they had to be in by 12. Receptionist pointed out the 3 separate signs on the wall…

Good idea. I don’t have the patience for that shit though 😂 I guess I will have to be a bit more methodical!

My underwear brand is the same. I love it. Need more of this

Please tell me I’m not the only one?!

Selling a lot of my old clothes on Vinted due to weight loss but also realising lots of them are missing their label, because sensory issues.

Also remembering how many times I’ve yanked a label off in anger when the feeling has driven me nuts and I’ve then had to sew up the seem on the side…

Thanks for sharing this because I've actually been using those words interchangeably and I had no idea. I do now!

Totally, I'm just being grumpy today. I love it when there are other options, just find it such a nuisance having to switch apps or the million notifications that appear on all my devices when I get an email!

Does anyone else hate passwordless sign in using email?

Passkeys are fine but whenever I have to use sign in via magic link through email my heart sinks

The cost. The time taken to print, stick it in an envelope, post. The environmental impact. The nervous wait!

The fact the letter arrived when I was away on holiday and I’d already waited over 7 of the 14 days I had to respond before they send a reminder letter.

Not everyone wants to receive these by email, of course, and we have to consider those who don’t have digital access/skills. However, there were many opportunities where I could’ve said “I’d like to receive this letter by email.” Or even other formats.

I feel a blog post coming…

First touchpoint was the letter saying I was at the top of the list and to call to book appointment.

Next was the phone interaction with booking team.

Latest is another letter confirming my appointment details.

I surely can’t be the only one who sees opportunities for improving efficiency?

My referral letter came through from my local NHS board the other day. A physical letter, of course.

Phoned the central booking team. Made an appointment. Person on the phone said “no problem, I’ll send an appointment letter in the post.”

It got me thinking…

Submitted my Self Assessment Tax Return well before the January deadline. This is the first time I’ve managed to do it MONTHS before.

Thanks Elvanse.

If you have been chasing some kind of neurodiversity diagnosis on the Scottish NHS for years, you might be interested in filling in this government investigation into why waiting times are so long.

www.parliament.scot/about/news/n...

Weeknote 2 — Callum Laird | Service Designer • designwithcal | Dundee Volvos, midsommar and reflection

Weeknote 2 live: designwithcal.com/weeknotes/2

Volvos, midsommar and reflection

Looking good Ryan. Hope you and Allan have a nice time—sorry to not be there. Perhaps I’ll join you guys next year?

Weeknote 1 — Cal Laird | Service Designer • designwithcal | Dundee Heatpumps, socialising and squeaking

Inspired by so many folk who are writing weeknotes, I've joined in!

I used to write them in my last job but never shared them publicly. I wanted to get back to informally reflecting on things, found it really useful for myself.

This time: they are public.

designwithcal.com/weeknotes/1

@octopus.energy Hello! Octopus customer here. Have you guys thought about integrating with Samsung to take advantage of their AI Energy features?

Imagining something akin to Octopus Intelligent Go but for home appliances? I think that would be quite cool ;) happy to help work with you as well…

Glad I could help ☺️

My two modes when I have an appointment are either far too early or late and manically stressed.

Why can’t I be in between the two? Why?!

This looks like the arrow label option! You can double click the line to type in it and add a label. I think you can turn it off in the toolbar that pops up when you select the line?