'Tis the season to be jolly...

..... Yes, it's the holiday season! No, not that holiday, my summer holiday, and I'm very jolly about it indeed! Tomorrow, I'm off to the Lake District with Karen for a few days, and then off to Corfu with the boys for a week. It's going to be a relaxing, albeit busy, and thoroughly well-earned break.

Now, onto the issues raised in my previous post. Firstly, the interview. It went really well, I thought I presented myself well and came across as a strong, confident young man, an ideal candidate. Unfortunately, they didn't agree, and within two days I received a letter saying "Thanks but no thanks." On with the hunt!

As for the car, well it finally got fixed and passed it's MOT, just in time for me to renew the road tax on the day it expired. I was messed about somewhat by the garage, as always seems to be the case with these sorts of things. I was told that the relevant parts would arrive Monday or Tuesday of last week (28th/29th June), and that the car would be fixed immediately. I called the garage late Tuesday afternoon, as I had not heard from them, and I was assured that the parts would arrive Wednesday morning, after which I could pick the car up Wednesday evening. Sure enough, I received a phone call Wednesday morning telling me the parts had arrived and would I like to book an appointment. Confused, I informed them that the car was already with them, and that I had been assured it would be seen to that day. Their reply? "Well, Mr. Farrar, we can fit you in next Tuesday (6th July)" I was flabbergasted, and argued. They then suggested they could "squeeze me in" on Thursday, the following day. The cheek! Why didn't they say that in the first place? I grudgingly accepted, and returned to work. Then, at lunch time, I received a final phone call saying the car was ready for collection! Looks like it was some sort of automated computer balls-up or something. "I'm terribly sorry Mr. Farrar, we can't fix your car on Wednesday, as we are working on a car for a Mr. Farrar..... Wait a minute..."



Someday I'll get to Amarillo....

MOTs and rescheduled interviews

So, firstly, my care work interview was rescheduled for next Tuesday, so that's not happened yet. I am still quietly confident that I'll at least be offered the job. Whether I'll take it or not remains to be seen, the conditions, wage and hours have to fit, so we'll see.

My car had it's service and MOT yesterday, which it failed, on account of the rear wheel bearings. Not sure what that means, but apparently it's a fairly common problem with Hondas, which explains why Honda are covering the cost of it being fixed, which is a relief. Unfortunately, the results of the service suggest that in the next two to three thousand miles, I should replace both driver side tires, and at some point in the next few months I should replace the clutch! Tires, no biggy. Clutch, big biggy! It's going to be pricey, somewhere I've got to come up with six hundred pounds, which is going to be interesting...

On the plus side, this coming Monday marks six months with Karen, which is rather marvellous. I was going to take her to a surprise location, but due to the afore-mentioned car trouble, that's going to have to wait. So we're going for a picnic in the park instead! Excellent.



Someday I'll get to Amarillo...

A bespectacled interviewee

Well folks, I've got my glasses, and I look... ok. I'm wearing them a lot at the moment, just to get used to the sensation of assisted eyesight. I do look more intelligent, or rather, to quote my sister more precisely, I "look smart now." Now. So I didn't before?

In better news, I have an interview with the care work people on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to gaining more experience in an interview situation, but as to whether I'll a) be offered the job ans b) take it, well that remains to be seen. It could end up being only late afternoon/evening and weekend work, which doesn't suit me very well due to my Scouting commitments. However, if they have OAPs on their books who need care, that might work better. Ideally, I'd rather work with kids though, I think it would be more entertaining! The only negatory about the interview is it clashes with the England match. Ah well, I'm sure I wouldn't miss much anyway!


Someday I'll get to Amarillo...

News...

I have news... Not job related - as far as that's concerned, the application's sent and it's the waiting game now.

My actual news - I had an optician's appointment this afternoon that confirmed my quietly whispered fears that I am actually in need of some glasses. It's not too bad, just a bit long sighted. I was told I'd only need to wear them when driving, using computers, watching television, reading and generally where concentration is involved. So that's pretty much all the time then! Unless I become like a really old man.. I receive a text and then, before I read it... Hang on, let me just get my specs! Maybe I should get half moon glasses and perch them on the end of my nose. The real question on my mind is will I look more intelligent or just a little bit silly? Only time will tell.



Someday, I'll get to Amarillo...

Heh... tipsy post...

Ok, so I've had one or two drinks. Been down to the pub with friends (including Karen, my girlfriend). Discussion was good, amusing, cordial and heated, depending on the the topic in question. Needless to say, I lost, as I often do. It doesn't matter though, I always go to sleep safe in the knowledge that even though my opinion is not often considered valid by others, I am still within my rights to express it if I so wish... so either way I win! Sort of...

Ah well, in more substantial news, this evening I applied for a job in care work, ie. caring for elderly and children with disabilities. Now, this is a field that, over the years, people have always said I'd be well suited for. It's something that was always brought up in careers meetings at school. However, up until recently, I have deliberately steered clear, as I was afraid that caring and supervising children (in particular) during the day would lead me to going to Scouts thinking "Oh no, more work." But, a friend of mine drew my attention to an advert in the local paper asking for care workers, then spent a good few minutes telling me how perfect I would be for the job, so I've applied.

Well, I say applied... I sent an email with a CV attached! If nothing else, interview experience is extremely valuable, so hopefully, I'll at least get that far.


Someday, I'll get to Amarillo...

A new journey

Well... it's been a long time since I last did any blogging. I got bored this morning, so I thought I'd start again. Here is a place where I can rant about work, muse about happenings and tell the world about little things going on in my life.

So what's going on today? Well, there's a day off work for starters. Lunch with Karen (my gorgeous girlfriend!), then a trip to the bank to gently remind myself how utterly skint I am, followed by Scouts tonight. I'm a Scout leader you see, having been involved in Scouting for about 17 years.

So nothing much to tell as yet, but there's work tomorrow, so there may be an entertaining rant for you to read... watch this space!



Someday, I'll get to Amarillo...