I hear voices

Thanks Phil for pointing out my moment of weakness; that is, in a moment of career doom, considering making the focus of my posts more specific to the one 'problem' area in my life - the career. My thinking was that the NHS job hunt is likely to be a dominating area in the coming months and that many posts would chart the highs and lows of being at the sharp end of yet another industry recession in my working life. However, I s'pose it would have been a little contradictory to devote my personal cyber-space to employment given that I spend an awful lot of time trying to convince myself that 'life' is more important than work .. to me. Anyhow, I guess you may be wondering what on earth I am talking about as you probably hadn't even noticed the change in text as did hawk-eye Phil?? how do I know this? Well, having recently investigated ClustrMaps after seeing it on Jake's site, it appears I don't have a single reader, anywhere in the World! And that's including the four of you who do maintain an interest! Que Pasa? Not that this worries me, I am not doing this for an audience .. it really is for the kids! and of course the 'inner circle'.

So what's the voice thing I've added all about? Well interesting technology for a start, and - i thought - a good way for me to save money on the mobile and time, by not having to type. But the angle that really piqued my interest, is that I thought it would be a great way to share i) recipes (I get Jo to record her meals into my voice recorder so I can try to imitate her innovative veggie cooking - and this could be a way to spread the love .. I just play-back while the MyChingo thing records it). Secondly, there are tons of incidents where I see something amusing or of interest in papers and tear it out, meaning to share - but can never be arsed to type it all out. Using this MyChingo device, I can just speak it into the PC, give it a relevant 'Name' and make it public. Cool or what? Well, time will tell.

To coin the phrase brother Tom's has started using recently, "Adios Muchachos"!

'Losers that Lunch'

After 2 days at home since returning from France/ Spain, I am having to get to used to the idea of *not* having university as an excuse for .. well sitting at home. I have applied for 5 NHS jobs so far - bouyed by the news, perhaps, in my industry rag that only 67% of my class of qualifying Physios' are now yet to find their first post! This is of course appalling, but better than the 93% out of work that I read about a few months ago.

Nothing has come up in London yet, but interestingly 4 in the West Country and South Wales so, it could be worse as both are areas that Jo and I have identified as places we'd very much consider moving to if we decide to leave London, but stay in England. Early days as there will doubtless be many hundreds of applicants, many of whom will have the driving license requested (I don't .. yet).

Likely to be enrolling on an 8 week evening class tomorrow, for accreditation/ diploma in "on-site massage". Physio pals reading will see this, possibly, as a major cop-out and discredit to the degree. And they might have a point, but what's a man to do? I gotta eat - and I have it on authority from a friend of Toby's that this on-site massage thing pays 30GBP/ hr and beyond, so if at the very least I can get in on some of this kind of work on a temporary basis, it will be better than sitting at a desk, a la my old working world. And if the NHS can't offer me anything, I'd be a mug to sit at home crying about it, right? So the course costs 300GBP and I will be using cash generously offered by Mum and Dad 6 months ago - cheers Mum and Dad xx

So there is the potential, while sitting at home waiting for the temp work to roll in (revised CV out this morning), to stew and fester and let depression or sloth creep in ... so I have devised ways to keep my mind fresh and alert. Here's my first exercise .. to memorise England's Kings and Queen's since 1066! Here's the list* .. so when you see me, feel free to test:

The Rulers of England

1066 - William I (the conqueror)
1087 - William II
1100 - Henry I
1135 - Stephen
1154 - Henry II
1189 - Richard I (the Lion-heart)
1199 - John
1216 - Henry III
1272 - Edward I
1307 - Edward II
1327 - Edward III
1377 - Richard II
1399 - Henry IV
1413 - Henry V
1422 - Henry VI
1461 - Edward IV
1483 - Edward V
1483 - Richard III
1485 - Henry VII
1509 - Henry VIII
1547 - Edward VI
1553 - Mary I (Queen of Scots)
1558 - Elizabeth I
1603 - James I
1625 - Charles I
1649 - Commonwealth (I assume this means Cromwell?)
1660 - Charles II
1685 - James II
1689 - William III & Mary II
1702 - Anne
1714 - George I
1727 - George II
1760 - George III
1820 - George IV
1830 - William IV
1837 - Victoria
1901 - Edward VII
1910 - George V
1936 - Edward VIII
1936 - George VI
1952 - Elizabeth II

Now I bet you didn't know that!?!


* This list can be found on my "Rulers of England" ruler, bought at the souvenir shop, at Kenilworth Castle near Coventry, during our weekend there visiting Mike and Chris in December 2006.

Excuse me Mr Officer

Have been admonished by Jake, for being remiss with recent postings - Happy New Year Jakey! - however since I have not been anywhere near a computer for the better part of 3 weeks I would have to say that my last post on Dec 18th means I am right up to date in terms of my posts:at a PC ratio.

Alors, Bonne Annee! Je suis en France maintenant ou Je reste a la maison de mon vieux ami Robert et sa femme Fabienne.

Highlights from the last 3 weeks include:

- Meeting new nephew Louis for the first time.
- Spending our 3rd family Christmas in a row at Marloes Sands, SW Wales.
- Getting my first pair of ethical, chemical-free shoes from Jo.
- Travelling overland from London to La Manga, SW Spain by train.
- Applying for 2 NHS jobs in my target areas (SW England/ Wales) ... i didn't expect to see any come up at all for a good few months.
- Lounging on Robert's sun-drenched patio in the South of France, from whence i write this post.

Lowlights:

- Knowing I have more chance of winning the lottery than I do getting an NHS job interview in the current climate.
- Missing Joanna after 2 glorious weeks on our train odyssey to Spain.
- Putting on 5 (yes FIVE) Kilos - that's 11lb!! - over the festive period since last weighing myself about 6 weeks ago.

Have had a great time out of London and have not missed anything, but looking forward to getting home on Thurs 11th Jan, and finding out (figuring out?) what the next stage of my life has in store ...

A Bientot mes Amis!

xx