It's like Hoth out there!
Along with most of the UK I woke up to a very snowy scene this morning. One thing I love about snow is that it brings out the kid in most people. Unfortunately for me I had to go to work but on the upside it was decided we could leave at 3pm which was nice. What I find funny is how we as a nation grind to a halt when weather hits the extreme and ‘big freeze’, as this is being called, seems to cause more havoc than most weathers.
I understand why this happens as aside from perhaps northern Scotland most of England and Wales rarely see continuous snowfall. What’s disappointing however is that we never seem properly prepared. Many councils and local authorities are reporting grit shortages or in some cases that they’ve completely ran out. Before Christmas there was plenty of drama on the Eurostar caused by the weather which was fortunately resolved before we departed. The main issue for the roads is that the grit we use is no longer stock piled but also that the gritting lorries are rarely on standby as we choose to trust forecasting which while helps isn’t 100%. Bristol for example was caught out just before Christmas because as far as the forecast said, we were’nt due any snow.
I know that it’s expensive to keep lorries on standby and drivers out at the wee small hours but then again they get paid more as, like refuse workers, it’s not exactly a desirable job to some people. However with clear roads people can get to work, lorries can reach their destinations and the industries that drive Britain’s economy can keep ploughing on despite the weather. Now I appreciate that even with all the preparation it can still be dangerous and we can’t make every road clear but reading about people trapped/stranded on various roads is a sad thing to read. I feel lucky that I work so close to home that, even if I did have to abandon the car, I can still make it home within the hour. Schools also suffer when snowy weather comes around. When I was at school in North Yorkshire I can remember having several snow days as many of the schools’ pupils lived in the Moors and were completely cut off. Still as a kid having a day of to play in the snow is no bad thing!
I think we’re lucky to have snow as some people elsewhere in the world have never seen snow let alone mess around making snowmen or having snowball fights. I guess it’s just a shame that it causes so much havoc when it occurs and like many things we’re unlikely to learn from it. We’re not going to produce/import more salt or allow local authorities to stock pile it nor are we likely to stick drivers on standby 24/7 through a forecasted cold snap. We’ll cast it aside and think it won’t happen again but it will and we’ll be as unprepared as ever; oh well.
The question really relates to the fact that whenever I end up looking for a new job I always wonder if it’ll be better than where I am. Not only that but I fear that it won’t be. In the situation I am now I have little choice because unless something magical happens by August I will be out of work. It kinda sucks to know this but at the same time I’m thankful that I have a couple months to sort things out, better than a week. I’d like to think I stand out and am employable but at the moment I feel that I am, along with X hundreds of other people, guess a recession does that to a job market. I’m not worried yet but I will be if August grows near and I’ve nothing lined up.
Work is a funny thing, there are things which make you wish you were somewhere else and then there are things or people that make it the best job in the world. For me, I know I’m somewhere good when, no matter what’s happened at work, I can go home and leave work at work. If work comes home with me and I find it affects relaxing at home with Cati then I know something is up. It’s only ever happened the once and I moved on from that environment and since this is one job out of the many I have I’m confident that these are rare occurences but that doesn’t stop me fearing it. Work is a necessity for most people and unless you marry into money or win the lottery you’ve got many years hard graft ahead of you. Therefore for me I’ve got to enjoy what I do, like the environment I work in and feel that what I do makes a difference and I have progression ahead of me. I have ideas of what I’d love to do and when I can I apply for those roles but at the same time I’m acutely aware that I may need more experience for them.
Aside from hunting for jobs I’ve got game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals to watch when I get home. Please don’t spoil it for me as I don’t know the result. I had to avoid a tweet from Wil Wheaton this morning as it mentioned his thoughts on it. I’m hoping Pittsburgh tied the series but at the same time Detroit owned us on their home ice so who knows. I think since it’s back at the Igloo we’ve got a good chance but Detroit are a strong team. Continuing the sport theme cricket has been fun. I’ve bowled more than I’ve batted, in fact I’ve only faced one ball so far this season (not out btw!), and have got 2 wickets so far. I’m enjoying it as always and am looking forward to my next game on Thursday, will let you know how it goes.
Oh and before I forget our bathroom is being re-fitted. Currently we only have a loo that works by bucket flushing. Not glamourous but better than no loo. I used our neighbours shower last night but I’m hoping ours will be up and running tonight. Still it’s looking good and will be cool having the new suite in. Our Landlord was very kind and let us select the suite with a budget in mind and they’ve organised the fitting. The same is going to be done with the kitchen too which is pretty cool as storage space is the number one priority there. Haven’t been advised of a budget on that yet so holding tight I would assume till the bathroom is done but it’s all go at the moment. Four days was the estimate so I’ll put a pic or two up when it’s done which should be Thursday as work started on Monday.
So to close things off things are in flux I guess. The grass is looking greener but only because I have no option right now. I’m hopeful right now of securing a new role but at the same time worried that as far as the IT market is concerned I’m just the same as the next guy.
Hopefully it ain’t no monster, I was struggling for a meaningful post title. I’ve gone a little quite on the ‘post about meaningful stuff’ front not sure why but there you go. This isn’t to be one of them, I just felt like posting and now seemed like an opportune moment. Life seems to be levelling out though there’s been a couple dips recently but I can’t overly grumble as I realise more and more than I’m lucky to be in they situation that I am. Yes I have money issues, but who doesn’t and yes I have bad days but they’re par for the course. In the grand scheme of things I’m quite well off and I’m thankful for that more and more. That isn’t to say I walk around with a blissful smile on my face but when things take a turn for the worse it helps put things in to context.
Which is exactly what is currently going on in general, in my life. My contract at my current job is coming to an end and will most likely not be renewed. To make it a little more annoying I’ve been told today that my hourly rate is to be cut by 10% from next month (my last most likely). Which means with more haste than I have been doing so to date will have to start applying for jobs. I’m not overly worried I still think that despite the current climate I’m pretty employable and should be able to secure a job before my time at my current post comes to an end. Still wasn’t a cheery way to start the week. Couple that with paying for 3 new tyres from last week and an MOT today (not heard from garage yet) and my week is shaping up nicely.
I have already applied for a job but the actual close date for applications was a couple weeks ago and I only got it in last week, the same day that I saw the ad. Interviews were from today onwards so I think I’ve missed the boat. It’s a shame as it was an ICT post at a school, something I’ve applied for before and I really would like to work in a school doing IT. I’ll keep my out for more of those but my other train of thought is to try and apply for 2nd line roles as to be honest I’ve grown tired of first line/service desk support. That’s not to say I wouldn’t continue here if they offered me the chance, I would, but that’s down now to the team as I enjoy working here. The atmosphere is good and we get along with good banter and fun memories. What I don’t want to do is move to a similar role, have a inferior experience and constantly compare it to my current job. I know the flip-side could happen but it’s unlikely. I’ll keep you all posted (eh.. see what I did there!?) on the latest, here’s hoping it’ll be a short look for a new job.
So it’s been a wee bit quiet here of late. Life has been moving on pretty fast and recently I’ve tried to stary away(ish) from the net away from work as much as possible. Aside from playing Football Manager Live I’ve pretty much been off the grid. I think this may have a lot to do with work but not overly so, I just have the feeling of late I should be doing something more after work. Speaking of which I went to my first Wing Chun class last night. It’s been something I’ve been meaning to do for a while after learning that a friend went to those classes. I’d completely forgot about it till Wednesday night, at this friends birthday, the topic came up again and I decided I’d go along. The class was friendly, fun and I’d like to think I did pretty well for my first lesson. I’ll certainly be going back and seeing how things progress.
It’s not the first time I’ve been to a martial arts class though. When I was younger, I think around 11 or 12, a couple friends of mine were talking about their Aikido class. Being young and thinking anything martial arts like was cool really wanted to attend. So I went along, borrowed an outfit (I think), and did so for a few weeks. I don’t really remember why I stopped going, I either go bored, as kids do, or something else which I fail to remember. I do remember some of the classes and two students in particular who seemed intent on doing the moves but then pointing out ways to defend it and showing us that rather than letting us practice as we were told. It was fun though, what I remember, and last night at Wing Chun was no different. It will hopefully mean a more active me, Lindy Hop on Monday and Wing Chun on Thursday with running and cricket in-between.
Anyway, I should really get some sleep, I have a friend visiting this weekend. I’m kinda anxious in so much as I’ve not spent time one on one with this friend. Most of our meetings have been at social engagements and although I get on very well with him I just hope I’m not too boring or whatever. Yet another of my silly worries that I tend to have these days but there are good reasons for it, especially related to friends which is a far too in-depth conversation topic for tonight. All I know for sure is it will involve a Casino this weekend, possibly a cinema visit and some good food.
So I received an e-mail in my inbox today (one of many after my host had issues on its cluster servers) one of which was from Number10.gov.uk. Now I’ve put my name down on a few petitions that have been posted using Number10’s unique service. This particular one, though oddly worded, was with regards to having a public holidy to celebrate St. George’s Day. For those curious Number10’s response can be found here. The response, as ever, was half answering and half not but 100% political if you know what I mean.
The first thing to note is that the UK comes bottom when it comes to public holidays and annual holiday entitlement. Now some may say that the difference is only a few days, how can that matter? Though as someone who has worked for long periods of time without a break holiday, even just one day, makes a difference. I thought that one for St. George’s day would be quite apt as there are other countries which have days off to celebrate things of national pride and importance. America for example has President’s day and celebrate the 4th of July so a day to celebrate St. George’s day is just the same. I’d also go so far as saying there should be others for the other patron saints of the other home nations. I just don’t know why it’s so hard to make allowance for 2 or 3 more public holidays. A suggestion that was mentioned in Number10’s reply was one just after Remembrance Day another I’m also in favour of.
I think it’s key to have days which are central to a countries identity as ones to celebrate, in the case of the Remembrance Day it would give the country time to reflect on those fallen for the liberties we take for granted. The problem may come from those who are overly politically correct and feel that celebrating ones like St. George’s day would alienate those who have come to call the UK home. However I feel those fears would be mis-placed. Firstly no-one would complain with an extra day off even if it’s to celebrate a patron saint they have no attachment to. Secondly, one which many feel is a little right-wing but it’s the argument that those who choose to live here should adopt the customs and holidays into their lives. This view isn’t extreme, to me, it’s reasonable. If I were to emigrate to another country (which I am in the process of doing) I would try my hardest to adapt and adopt the customs and practices of that country into my own life, join in the celebrations. The sore point is on those which are religious in basis and I can understand peoples reluctance to adopt those but this isn’t about that. I wouldn’t make any person of another religion adopt that of their new host country, that is extreme. However to ask them to join in celebrations of their new homes patron saint is that of showing pride in the country in which they now live.
So the question is, will the UK Goverment impliment any of these ideas? Off the bat I’d say it’s unlikely I don’t think there’s enough cause for it. It’s not like we had so many and then had them taken away. Some quarters would say it’s people wanting more time to slack off not dedicated to hard graft and working for a living. Personally I hold out a hope that they will purely on the basis that we are the most taxed country we should at least have a couple more days off, surely it’s only fair.
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