It doesn’t get much better than sunshine and 22 degrees in May in the UK. Funny thing is, I can’t take the sun like I used to do. I went out for a walk and to eat my sandwiches in the sun. Afterwards I was very happy to come back into the shade. Must be getting old…
Is it really a week since I last posted here? I can ‘t say that I’ve accomplished much. Yes I’ve applied for a few more jobs, tried to make my cv more appealing, but, if I’m honest I can’t have spent more than 6 or 7 hours altogether on that. I’ve also debugged my web code, so now at least the mail-post works (www.mark.oxford123.co.uk if anyone’s interested). But apart from that I’ve been mainly watching the odd film on television, reading my Harry Potter book in Spanish, and surfing the web for new ideas. Of course I’ve spent very little time out-of-doors, because the weather here has been lousy - constant cold rain over the last few days. Luckily it seems to have improved today and there’s only been the occasional shower. That’s more like it! I may even get the chance to go camping in May. Wahey!
It may come as a surprise to those in work, but it’s very hard to keep to a routine when one is without paid work. There’s always an email to answer, a job page to peruse, an application form to fill out, The worry is, if one stops looking, one may just give up on life. I’m trying desperately hard to avoid that scenario; I only hope I don’t have another failure in that respect (I’ve had enough in the last few years - it seems that every choice I make is always a mistake that costs me).
Anyway, in order to bring some structure back to my life I’m going to commit myself to a Thursday posting here. Let people know what is and is not happening to me. Here goes today’s entry: Still looking for a job. Decided that if the people in charge of the IT departments in the UK aren’t going to give work to someone who’s diligent and adaptable, I’d better start looking in other directions for work. So, you may find me applying for cleaning or shop work in the next few weeks. I don’t know that I’ll have any more success (after all the bosses there may feel that I’d probably leave if I found a better job, so not bother with my application) but anything’s worth a try, isn’t it?
Well it’s not working 100% compared to what I wanted (for some reason certain code doesn’t work the same on the web-host as on my computer) but it’s getting there. My new web-site: http://www.mark.oxford123.co.uk
Please feel free to visit, and to leave a comment on the Welcome entry (hint hint!) I’ve spent so much time on this, I’m beginning to wonder if I shouldn’t have just invested in some whiskey instead!
Ok, so it’s not particularly warm (maximum of 10C most days) yet the onset of longer days does make a difference I feel. It’s no coincidence that Spring cleaning takes place now (is that why it’s called Spring??). I did a bit of carpet cleaning last week and was pleasantly surprised at the difference it made. However I’ve not yet cleaned the oven - there’s job I’m not looking forward to, but it has to be done. Apart from cleaning, I’ve been continuing my self-study in German - made a lot easier with the help of the internet. Plus, I’m getting closer to the fruition of my next web-site project. I hope to have some news within the next few days.
All in all then, the last couple of weeks have been fairly productive. With the exception of the job-finding thing. Ah well, you can’t have it all, can you?
Peter Jones is not a man I’m fond of, yet I have to say his show American Inventor (of which I’ve only just become aware) is great entertainment. Ok, so it’s obviously derived from mixing The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den, but it’s worth searching out. Currently you can access it in the UK on Virgin if you have digital television, or on Youtube.
Speaking of the Apprentice, a new series is currently being shown in the UK. Again, great entertainment, but I do wonder about the motives of those taking part. If the applicants really were the cream of their business peer-group, why would they go through such hard tasks in order to join Amstrad - which, let’s face it, is probably in its Autumn stage. Still, at least they’re not auditioning to join Northern Rock, are they?
Oh, by the way, we had snow on the ground this morning (gasp!) Not quite on the Whitney scale (sometimes the snow comes down in June…) but it shows that you can never know what’s around the corner!
Have a good week!!!
When I can (ie I have a little money) I try to buy the Big Issue. I’m hoping that not only can it help homeless people get their life together, but also that someone helps me out if I end up destitute. Today I read a nice little article in the Big Issue entitled “Ten Cost-Free Ways to Stay Happy”.
Here are my ideas:
1) Try to help someone out each day. This can be as simple as standing aside at a doorway to let someone pass. I believe that helping someone else makes you feel better.
2) Moderate your consumption. The Big Issue article talks about “Don’t drink too much too often” which is good advice, but I think it applies to all we take in (chocolate, nuts, bombay mix etc).
3) Learn a new expression, quote or joke each day (if you like make it difficult by doing it in the language you’re studying). Nothing like the sense of steady achievement to make you feel better?
4) Take a long break (maybe by walking or reading a book) from the most consuming activity you have (whether it be work, housework, playing the Nintendo or surfing the web). It’s amazing how you can clear a jaded mind by changing the activity.
5) Don’t envy people who have things you don’t (eg a good car, their own home etc). Think positive on what you do have. This is difficult to do, I know full well from experience. But as they say, you should always look on the bright side…isn’t there a song about that? Besides which, you probably know people who have a well-paid job, car and nice house - and what do they do? Make themselves miserable by complaining constantly about how much tax they pay, how others aren’t working as much as they are. Possessions are not the key to happiness.
Hope you find these suggestions interesting. If you have other ideas please leave them in my comments -they’ll be gratefully received!
Not a lot going on at the moment. No job means no money which means no trips planned. Still, got my computer (and the net) to play on (as per normal). It’s turned a bit milder here (ie no frosts at night) but as it’s wet and windy, it’s still not too pleasant. I shall have to clean up my walking boots however, as the time will soon come when I’ll be able to get out in the countryside. Yippee!
http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html
How old are you (in days)?
Been confined to barracks the last couple of days - I’ve been lucky in avoiding having a cold this winter, but my luck was due to run out eventually. Still, it’s been lousy weather here, and I’ve had no job to go to, so perhaps it’s been the best time to have a cold. I’ve still felt terrible, even so.
On a more positive note, I’ve been able to update my cv (as per some advice my boss on my previous contract gave me). So, fingers crossed, it helps to get me that next job..
Currently listening to “Add Me” by these folk
http://www.myspace.com/acoustichumbawamba
