Not too hopeful...yet.

Today I went to a little meet & greet thing at the residential nursing home nearby. They have an opening for an assistant post that I am interested in. I think it went pretty well, given that I don't have any qualifications with the demographics at the home.

Hopefully next week I will get a call about that or one of the other posts I've applied for this week.

I would really like a total career change. I need to do something more nurturing and giving back. It's not in my nature to engage in activities or jobs that just take from everyone.

Have you changed career? How did you do it?

I feel like an actor that has been typecast in a role that is so foreign to me, I can't even relate.

Searching...

I have two appointments later with the job agencies in town. I have realised that I would like the following:

1. A casual dress code

2. Less restrictive timesheets (accounting for each 5-minute increment of your day for 7.5 hours is the best way to take the joy out of a job. Promise.)

3. I need to be able to get to work by walking, minimal public transport or cycling.

4. If I can work from home, that would be perfect.

5. Also, would like my salary to be close to what I was earning previously.

That's not too much to ask, right?

What's that you say? Pigs will fly?

I am sure I can meet three of those five. Probably not all of them. If I can find a job that meets three of the five and provides me with some job security (i.e. I am there temporarily and know it or I sign a contract for a year), I will be extremely happy.

One benefit to this whole redundancy thing has been more time with C. Also, it's summer. And England is in the midst of a heat wave! Sunny days, warm weather, loud music...I got it made.

Despite everything, there really is a silver lining to this unemployment.

I'm still alive.

Today, I was made redundant. The Americans would say I lost my job. Well, I did lose it. The job, that is. I didn't really do well in the work, I was not so suited to an office atmosphere, but at the same time, the management also took my job from me.

I was told that I am a hard worker, they appreciated that I was always willing to take anything they asked of me (however menial) but that I was not suited to the profession. They didn't feel I was taking on the work out of enjoyment. Which is true. But still hurtful and sort of humiliating.

I cleared my desk. Told my coworkers. Left early, understandably.

Called the requisite people-parents, C. Decided not to wallow and got my stuff together for a bike ride.

Went to meet PM for the ride and trail clearing we had arranged. Got half-way to the meeting place...and broke my bike. The chain was sucked back since it wasn't shifting gear properly. It was stuck between my rear mech and the spokes.

Carried my bike as far as possible and found PM. Trying to fix my bike in a field with no tools. That was interesting.

Some of the exchanges with passersby:

'That looks bad.'
(Well...yea.)
'You should probably get some tools.'
(Really?! Hadn't thought of that, Captain Obvious.)
'Do you need me to call for help? Yanno, like a paramedic?'
(How is that going to help? Do paramedics now fix bikes?)

Finally, PM and I decided that he couldn't fix it in the field and we would have to go back to the flat. C was out and I didn't know where to find the necessary tools, so just told PM to find what he needed and fix it...

30 minutes later...I have a twisted rear mech hanger, sheared spokes and frayed nerves. But the bike is fixed.

We decide to scrap the ride. Pub sounds good. A drink later, some laughs. The day is almost passing as acceptable.

Off to jump into the unemployment pool. Til tomorrow.