The R Word

Its been a tough week at work. Found out that a number of my work colleagues are to be made redundant. These are Cat dealer people that I've worked with since I changed jobs at the start of the year. Not that long but still its tough. Especially since I know how hard some of them have worked, how they've got families to support etc. Sometimes it seems like there's not a whole lot of justice when it comes to redundancies. Some of the hardest workers lose their jobs while slackers slip under the radar, not noticed.

10 years ago I went through this when I lost my sales job- first job after uni. It was a total shock to the system. Came in on a Friday morning and without warning I was hauled into a room and read out a letter to the effect that "there was a risk that your position could be made redundant." You feel angry, bitter, confused, worried, indignant, helpless and even bemused (can this really be happening) to name just a few of the emotions. Even though it turned out to be one of the best things that's happened to me in my work life (forcing a career change to get out of sales), it not an experience I'd wish on anyone (obviously). On the other hand, if you're going to look for positives (and you do need to look for positives), it does give you a reality check. From the big questions (What am I doing with my life?) to the little observations (why did I act like my office cubicle was an extension of my home?).

So, this has got me thinking a little about what I might do if this happens to me again. This time its a litle different. I have 2 kids (fortunately not yet going to school) and arguably fewer options. Would I re-train? Could I find a job in the current economic climate? Could I go and drop out for a couple of years and come back when the economy is more stable? These days you barely blink at the news that another 5000 people are going to lose their jobs. Yet these are people with families, kids to support, bills to pay, entire communities being devastated. How can we be so complacent? I guess we sort of switch into self-preservation mode. As long as it doesn't happen to me... While this is totally natural its also a terrible indictment of our society, how egocentic it has made us.

Conclusions? Only that while all this is going on I need to do everything I can to help those around me. Also, probably need to focus less on work and more on the things that matter- like spending time with family vs. living to work.

An hour to spare...

Its now 5.04 am and I have a spare hour due to the clocks going back. OK, yes I know its all an illusion because I'll lose an hour in 6 months so its all swings and roundabouts but I feel I ought to record this rare moment for posterity nonetheless. So, I'll write something here. Never mind that I probably shouldn't be up this early on a sunday morning and that I was woken up at 2.09 am- or should that be 1.09 am, probably yes, by son #1 telling me that it was time to get up. Kind of him to let me enjoy the first 9 minutes after the clocks went back in bed I thought.

But what else could I do with this extra time? I need to spend a whole lot less of it on Facebook that's for sure. I can't exactly go for a walk outside- since its still dark and wet. Could have a Quiet Time I suppose. That would indeed be more productive than blogging. Then there's the tax return- which I still need to do and get back to the tax people before the end of the month if I don't want to pay the £100 fine. Yes that would be good too but somehow I don't think that's what Robin Williams's character meant by "Carpe Diem".

Its now 5.22 am which goes to show how slowly I write. Granted, I did spend a couple of minutes looking for an image for this post. Couldn't find anything new so I settled on an old favourite which I deem rather appropriate given the triumphant quality of my prose. Right, am I going to say anything mind-shatteringly poignant or shall I just babble on for the next 35 minutes...

OK, if nothing else, here's a great tip- go and listen to Rachael Yamagata's song Elephants. Its wonderful, if a little melancholy. I like melancholy. I also like raking leaves btw. Yesterday I took 3 car loads of leaves from my garden to the dump. It was very cathartic plus reasonably good exercise so I took a break from being patronised by the wii fit trainer yesterday evening. mmm... ok this is a little random but perhaps becase I've only 27 minutes left and I hear one of the boys waking up. Memo to myself- need to buy a quiet keyboard (especially since the letter p is stuck down on this one).

OK, well I feel that's suficient material for a single post. Need to keep these things snappy or else I'll just bore myself to sleep (in addition to any potential readers). Not sure if there was any unifying theme but that's probably appropriate.

although winter may be everywhere
with such a silence and such a darkness
no one can quite begin to guess

(except my life)the true time of year

How to annoy your facebook friends...

The problem with Facebook status updates is that anything you write can so easily be misinterpreted. This evening, for instance, I was going to write that I had had a busy weekend- had car serviced, travelled 300+ miles, got a new passport, a new wii (incl. wii fit), a gas bbq, and tickets to see Ray Lamontagne. Trouble is that it sounds a lot like I'm boasting which makes me look arrogant, self-obsessed etc. So I just settled with a sarky comment about the new bbq which is wholly acceptable given its mid-October and I live in Leicestershire.

The thing I am most excited about though is the Ray Lamontagne concert. OK, so its not till next Feb but here's the thing. This is the first gig I'll have been to this Millenium!! Sad but true. I know this makes me sound like I don't get out much (which is fair comment btw) but its more the case that when we do get out we tend to go to food or film related stuff. Interestingly I have never been into centre of Birmingham before- which is pretty odd when you think I currently work just near Solihull. So perhaps the fact that this is a double first might help account for my enthusiasm on this one. Or maybe not. Anyway, at least here I feel like I'm allowed to gloat.

Result: Blog 1 Facebook 0

How to be a domestic cod...

Right, I've noticed that a lot of bloggers seem to focus on food, cooking and generally being domestic godesses. Being somewhat new at this blogging thing I'm feeling all this peer pressure. Trouble is my cooking skills are pretty minimal. Undeterred, I would like to share with you all a classic dish- Yes, that's right, Fish Fingers & Oven Chips. Had to look this one up mind you.

Ingredients

10 X Bird's Eye Cod Fillets, McCain Oven Chips

To Prepare...

Tastiest when grilled straight from the freezer.
Medium Grill: 15-20 mins
- Pre-heat grill.
- Turn occasionally.
- Cook until crisp and golden.
Alternatively, oven bake: 15 mins - 230° C - Fan 210 °C - Gas Mark 8
- Pre-heat oven.
- Hottest part of oven on baking tray.
-Turn once.
- Cook until crisp and golden.

-DO NOT re-freeze after defrosting.

Some Great Yodelling...

Not sure whether Yodelling has one or 2 l's but that's sort of irrelevant. The point is that we really we need more of this kind of stuff in our lives. Perhaps we could even get political candidates to do a yodelling session instead of these tiresome debates. I can highly recommend yodelling in the car- works for me on the way into work on a monday morning as I sit in the traffic on the M42. It really puts you in a great mood- You have to try it!!

A Classic Yodel

me me me

as if I don't ramble on enough with facebook, I've decided to extend my musings in the form of a blog. Not sure what I will write about but I've lots of ideas so its more about where to start...

Probably won't be heavily political or heavily anything but more about the random stuff going on in my life and in my head. Yes, its egotistical and narcissistic and lots of other "istic"s as well but hopefully it'll keep me amused. More to follow...