Sites I like
Putting 'pen to paper'
When I check my site stats, I am often ashamed that people who have read some of my reviews and articles for The F-Word have then clicked on the link that brings them here, probably expecting more of the same. Only what now constitutes my blog is the same sort of inane drivel that I used to write two years ago. Disappointing stuff, eh? Not that my writing style is that much better when I write longer articles you understand, it's just that I spend much more time planning and tweaking what goes on the screen. I also need a subject to harp on about and finding one has proved rather difficult of late.
I didn't think Sin City was that sexist (that's what film noir characterisation is like), I don't live in London so didn't get to see the leaflet of tube tips for women that got everyone in such a flap, and I've almost stopped getting annoyed at the covers of Nuts and Zoo magazines... but today, I finally found the subject for a great feminist article. Today is the 30th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act and not much has happened since to change the pay of working women compared to their male counterparts. It's a scary thought that thirty years have passed and not much has been done, especially when so many women seem to think there is no need for 'feminism' in 21st century Britain. These women will be the ones reading about 2005's skinniest celebs in Heat magazine then? Because that's what it means to be a woman these days - if you're not interested in celebrities, you must be a man. Well, just as soon as I find the time and words to express myself fully, you can count on an exciting post from me. Honest.
Posted on December 30, 2005 | Comments (1)
Happy holidays!
I've only really been feeling festive since the Christmas-eve-eve pub crawl round Bolton - which included up-chimney decorations, a midget, an Irish theme bar with no stout, a lost-and-found poster mentioning teeth, and a rock pub with a pic of the Churchill dog by the bar - but a good night was had by all, despite going for Subway and still thinking we had room for Chinese buffet food.
Now I'm sitting playing Mario Kart on my DS until it's time for (more) food and some new Dr Who. Life is good. Soon it'll be NYE and I'll have some people round to play Singstar with on my new PS2. Topper might agree to it after a few drinks though! Hope you're all having so much fun that you don't need to read this.
Posted on December 25, 2005 | Comments (0)
Congratulations are in order
To every gay couple who have, or are planning to, register a civil partnership, I wish you every happiness. Sir Elton and Mr Furnish certainly looked happy in Windsor earlier today, and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of well-wishers who'd turned out to see them. I just feel sorry for all the happy-as-we-are cohabitees who will now be getting the same mither about 'tying the knot' that us heterosexuals have been putting up with for years.
Posted on December 21, 2005 | Comments (0)
Compromise agreement
Today's post arrived with a reassuring thud on the doormat, but there were no Christmas presents contained therein. The largest envelope held my new contract of employment (fewer days holiday, unfortunately), associated info and a medical questionnaire (can anyone remember when they had their MMR/Polio/TB jabs?), whereasthe other one contained a 'compromise agreement' from the college. I've just hastily re-read a few blog entries to see if I mentioned what they offered me as, apparently, I shouldn't be talking about it to anyone except close family. I'm sure I've already told a few ex-colleagues though, as they were worried that I was being booted out with no job or money. I wasn't told at the meeting that it was confidential. D'oh. Ah well. Now I just need to find a solicitor who only charges £200 to look over this thing, as that's all the college will pay... then I'm free!
Posted on December 20, 2005 | Comments (0)
It's all a lie
Just when you thought the beauty industry couldn't get any more ridiculous, they are trying to convince men that women think wrinkles make them look old. Men looking worse with age? When did this happen? I didn't get the memo! In my opinion, the vast majority of men look better as they get older (think Sean Connery rather than Robert Redford), and I'm sure a lot of other women out there agree. So why L'Oreal and Nivea think they can get away with flogging anything more advanced than a cooling post-shave moisturiser, is anyone's guess. And I'm also unsure as to why Nivea select such freaky looking blokes for their adverts - if you look like the guy in their TV ads, I don't think an anti-wrinkle cream will solve your problems.
Posted on December 19, 2005 | Comments (3)
Hah! I win!
That's the great thing about having a crappy few weeks - things usually get better. And indeed they have for me. OK, so I didn't get either of the jobs I was interviewed for in my department, but that was probably a good thing as the stress those people will now be under is something I can do without. But to get paid until the end of the year without having to go in to work, get paid for a month's notice after that plus outstanding holiday time, and then get another job two days after getting that news... well, that's brought my smile back!
So, once my references have come through, I'll be working for Trafford Council. Same money and benefits - new challenge. So I can have a nice relaxing festive period (because I've sorted Topper's Christmas present now too) and, to top it all off, my clapotis arived too! So here's a photo of me snuggled up in it ready for the cold weather. It's soooo cozy. Thanks Pix!
Posted on December 17, 2005 | Comments (5)
More time for Christmas shopping
Well, the stress is over. I didn't get the other team leader job in our office and so that, as they say, is that. I have a meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss what happens next, but at least they've said I don't have to go back into work until then as I have two days 'garden' leave. I have another interview lined up for next week and another couple of applications still out there, so it's not all bad. At least, although my CV is getting longer, this time I have an undisputable reason for leaving!
Tomorrow and Monday can be used to take photos, buy job papers, browse the job sites and (hopefully) find Topper a Christmas present. Any ideas? I really am stuck on this one.
Posted on December 08, 2005 | Comments (2)
Two down, one to go
I heard back about that job last Friday, and it was a no. The feedback was good though - sounded like there was just someone with more experience on the list. So I went along to another interview today, feeling quite positive. This was for one of the two team leader roles available in my current department. All seemed to go well but, once again, the feedback was 'good interview, but someoe else had more experience'. I have an interview for the other team leader job on Thursday and I know the other candidate has more experiene (he is currently doing the job), so it's going to be hard to motivate myself for it. Looks like I might be temping after Christmas.
My other bit of bad news for the day was getting home to find that Royal Mail still haven't delivered the Clapotis that Pix lovingly knitted for me. Of all the things they could lose!
Posted on December 05, 2005 | Comments (3)
Christmas is coming... hide!
Yikes. Christmas is indeed on its way as we are into December and the new decorations that the Trafford Centre spent £1m on this year are already starting to burn an imprint onto my retinae. My gift shopping began in November this year, which is unheard of since I first arrived in Manchester as a non-sporting undergraduate with every Wednesday afternoon free, and so now I'm nearing the end and the cash expended is swiftly mounting up. What better way to reassure myself at this time of impending joblessness, than to rummage through my wardrobe for stuff I don't wear and try to flog it on eBay? If you want a party frock, an interview suit or some rather distinctive footwear, please take a look. If not... check out the view at the Trafford Centre - if you can't go there in person, imagine £500k of glitter encrusted reindeer and 500k of blue fairy lights. Trust me, it's not as classy as it first sounds.
Posted on December 04, 2005 | Comments (0)
The end of City Life
Thanks to the Common web badger, I have discovered that City Life magazine is to close. It was never the perfect mag, but it has always been an important part of life in Manchester for anyone who was really bothered about what is happening in this city of ours. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to have been enough people willing to pay for it to keep the Guardian Media Group interested.
Still, lt looks like something more interesting could rise from the ashes, so I shall keep my ear to the ground. An opportunity to get some of my own writing and photos published? I think not. There will be too many creative people out of work after the demise of the current mag. I wish them all well.
Posted on December 01, 2005 | Comments (2)