Overweight sedentary lifestyle

One of the things about office work is the fact that you're sat down all day and getting very little exercise.  I get up, drive to the office, sit all day, and drive home.

Last night I walked Bubba, but most nights I don't do much in the way of exercise.

Although I'm currently on Lighter Life so it's easier to avoid eating rubbish at work, when I'm back on food I fear it's going to be difficult.

Just a few feet from me is a box full of chocolate and crisps for sale (proceeds to charity), and I'm surrounded by colleagues who seem to be constantly eating something - the young lad next to me gets through at least 2 packets of crisps, 3 chocolate bars and about 7 cans of Pepsi Max (he says he doesn't like the test of water) in a day.

Most of the women in the office who are over 40 are overweight - and I'm just praying I can control myself.

The other 'new' girl (she's actually just moved department within the company) appears to be quite sporty, she runs and owns a horse - when I finish the diet we plan to start doing a half hour run each lunch time (there are showers in the building).

Tomorrow will be a test of my resolve - every Friday morning at 10am everyone has a bacon sandwich!!!

First day

I'm not going to say where I work, or exactly what I do as I want to be able to talk about work on here; suffice to say my job title is 'project coordinator' and I'm based in an office driving a desk/computer.

Today was my first day, nothing earth shattering happened - which I'm seeing as a good thing!  I've got a shed load of computer systems to learn, and today was mainly spent reading compliance and policy documents.

The small team I'm working in are all female and various ages; everyone seems very nice and has been very welcoming.

I'm going to have to learn to block out the sound of others talking, we're in an open plan office and it's going to take some getting used to.  The kitchen is near my desk, and there's a larger kitchen with microwave, TV and table and chairs downstairs.  We get an hour for lunch, but to be honest I don't know what I'll be doing with it as there's nowhere to go and nothing to do - I might have to go for a walk just so I get some fresh air and alone time!

I think I'll enjoy working there, I'm not sure how long term, but so far it's nice and I'll not be looking for anything else for a while.

Anyway, I've put my picture up on my desk!

            

New day, new job

This is me sat in my car about to drive to my new job - the first proper 9-5 office job I've had in over 15 years!!

I'm nervous! Not really of the job, but the thought of having to stay in one place for 8 hours a day, with the same people! I think I only get half an hour for lunch, which isn't enough to go out, and anyway the office is on a big industrial estate on the edge of town.

This could be the most challenging job I've ever had!

When I've settled and understand a bit ill tell you what I'm doing, at the moment I only really know that I'll be a project coordinator at a multinational IT company.

Wish me luck!

Recommendations

So, I'm currently unemployed (work atthe  university has dried up for a while), and looking for work.

These days I'm told it's important to have an upto date LinkedIn account, so I have.  There's a facility on there for colleagues to 'recommend' and 'endorse' for different skills.

You need to ask for recommendations, but have no control or say over what people actually write (although you can choose not to publish it to your account).

Every now and again I ask for recommendations, some people ignore them, others try to pass the buck (I've repeatedly had a message off someone who says they will ask my ex line manager to write it (but that never happens) - not really understanding that I'd like 'their' recommendation - they worked with me too!).

Anyway, the two above have recently been written, and they made me feel good.

I just wish I had confidence that prospective employers actually read these things?  

I hate interviews

I've just had the most mortifying experience and royally fucked something up that I really cared about.

I had an interview, for a job that I'd really like, and that I know I'd be really good at.....

The whole thing was a bit stressful anyway as it was in the middle of nowhere just outside Barnsley, so I needed a car to get me there - so I arranged to borrow John's.

But then things blew up over Peter and John needed me to be back by 1.30 so that he could take Peter to an appointment in Halifax.  But that was okay, my interview was at 11.30, and they told me it would be an hour, and then it's a 15 minute drive back to John's house.

I was also stressed as I knew there would be a test on Excel and Word - I'm only a basic user of Excel, but I knew that the Word but would be fine.

On arrival I was told they were running late so would put me on the tests first and then interview me afterwards. 

I took one look at the test and knew I was stuffed, lots of formula which I've used but don't know well.  I got in a right state when I realised that meant that I also couldn't do the word test.  The tears started.

Then I sat, and sat, and sat, and realised they were running so late I'd have to leave so I could get the car back to John.

Luckily the interviewer saw what a state I was in and offered to move the interview to later in the afternoon - so I could take the car back.

I said that I'd only come back if he was comfortable with the fact that I couldn't do the Excel - he said he was, which I guess is good.

So now I'm at the station getting the train to Barnsley, then I'll need to get a taxi to the interview.

I just need to stay calm.

Postscript: I went back, the interview went very well, but I didn't get the job - they gave it to someone who had worked on the system previously (I couldn't compete with that).

As usual

I've found in life that something often comes along just at the right moment, just when I need it, and that stressing blocks that.

So, although I've been worried about not having a job, I've not been stressing about it (although the fact that I still have a little savings to pay the bills has helped with that!).

In the last week I've got a job, and as seems to be the way these days it wasn't through applying, more due to knowing the right people!

Sophie (who I met when I did my post grad) emailed to say that she'd given my details to an academic in the info school who was looking for a part time research assistant.

I emailed him on the Thursday, met him on Friday and started work on Monday!  It's not perfect, 15 hours a week and just casual (no contract), but it's for four months and I can work from home if I like (although I'm saving heating costs by working in the department as they've given me a desk and the chance of gettin more work from othe academics is better if they see me about!).

It's a bit strange as he just gave me a spreadsheet and told me to get on with it!!  I'm researching 'smart cities', basically looking for evidence of The Internet of Things and digital connectedness for 11 cities across the world.

It's interesting but I have to take regular breaks as staring at the computer screen for hours gives me a headache.

About the same time as getting this job I got invited for an interview for a job that I'd forgotten I'd applied for!

I really wasn't sure that the pay was enough, especially since it was based in Leeds, but the organisation was interesting and a job is a job!

As it turned out it wasn't right for me in anyway - firstly, although they advertised the wage as £17,500 to £19,000 - when they phoned to tell me that I hadn't got the job they told me they couldn't afford me at £19,000 (which I'd have had to get to justify the travel) - so why advertise at that rate!???!

The job was essentially as PA to their regional director, and about 10 minutes into the interview I (and they) realised that I was over qualified and over experienced for the post!!

When they phoned the next day to tell me I didn't get the job, I was pleased and not at all surprised.  What did annoy me was that she admitted that they got someone a lot cheaper than me who had used the system they use before - then why the hell did they waste my time and money interviewing me?

Anyway, I now have another interview - for a job I really would like, I just have to convince them that I can do it (I can, but I've got got the relevant qualifications - but I spoke to the manager and he said he wasn't bothered by that).

It's as an information officer for a local charity (well, Barnsley actually).  I'd be working on a new records/information system, and training staff on how to use it.

No so blue monday

According to some PR company employed by a travel company, today was supposed to be 'blue Monday' - the most depressing day of the year, and so we should console ourselves and book our summer holiday - what a load of pseudo- science bollocks!

I've had an incredible day!

Starting with Niamh coming round to trim my hair and teach me how to do 40s/50s hairstyles now my hair has got longer - John isn't keen on the look but I want a tidy style for interviews and when I want to dress up.

The photo doesn't do it justice but I was pleased, of course I'm going to have to practise.

Just as she was leaving I got an email from an academic in the department I did my postgrad in.  I'd heard he was looking for a couple of research associates, and so had messages him to say I was interested.

I got his email at 12.30, inviting me for a chat at 1.30!!  Headless chicken mode!  Niamh helped me choose what to wear, black blouse with white birds on, black pencil skirt and bright pink loafers!!

So I met with Alex, and he told me all about the project, I asked lots of questions and we discussed possible issues and challenges - and then he offered me the job!

He said that he'd interviewed 8 people, and I'd been the only one who'd said even close to the right things and that I obviously have the required skills.  He offered me 15 hours a week, but when I told him I was also looking for full time work, he said that he would check with the office and get back to me as he would like to give me full time too!

So I've got a job!!

From there I went on to my little job with a local vicar - yep, you read that right - a vicar!  She's overwhelmed with admin, and had asked a friend of mine to help, but Vicki didn't have the time so passed it on to me - a couple of hours a week if we can make it work.

So today I spent an hour going through her emails with her deleting and dealing with stuff - including forcefully making her say no to things!!

The other fantastic thing that's happened is that Hotrod has been picked for the Team England training squad - 30 of the country's best skaters - from which the team who go to the World Cup in May will be picked!  I'm so pleased for her, she's lovely and totally deserves it.

Oh! And on the bus home the driver tried to chat me up!! That was a nice ego boost!!

Leaving again

Yesterday I left work for the wonderful world of unemployment (via China).  There wasn't a big fanfare as everyone thinks I'll be back again - this is the second time I've worked there!

But it was so different to last time.  Before I was sorry to leave as it was such a nice place to work, everyone enjoyed their jobs and the management appreciated the extra mile that most staff went.

Now don't get me wrong, management still appreciate it, but with all the cuts, lack of funding and stresses, it seems that management don't have the time to show or communicated how they feel to the staff.  This would be okay (sort of), but for the fact that it was once so good - the difference is noticeable.

The two projects I worked on were a nightmare, but I know that I did the best I could under the circumstances.  I came to hate the town with a passion, but that was more because I had to stay over there (rail fares are crazy prices).

So, I was pleased to leave this time.  I'll miss some of the people (although some of those I really got on with have already left and others won't be long following them I'm sure).  I'll hopefully keep in touch with Sue B, Jo, Kath and those who have Facebook. 

Maybe one day if the right project comes up I'll go back, but for now I think I need something closer to home.

Another interview, another rejection

I've had another interview, and failed to get another job.  This time the job was perfect, home based working as a regional coordinator for a national cancer charity.

I had to do a 10 minute presentation, then the interview - according to the feed back I did both well, but I didn't have enough experience of setting up and working with grass root groups.

I'm beginning to really worry about finding another job that pays me enough to cover my bills, and that I enjoy.

There just seems to be nothing around.

Working together

It's well over a year since John and I have worked together on a photography job but Cat and Peter weren't available and I need the money with unemployment on the horizon.

So, we find ourselves at a hotel in Huddersfield for an afternoon of photographing employees of a large haulage firm - it's their annual charity bash.

John does the photos and I print and take the money.  

12 hours we worked without a break, the organised kindly bought us lunch but we had to carry on working whilst we grabbed mouthfuls!

We raised £200 for the charity (a percentage of our takings), and just as importantly for me, I earned a couple of hundred pounds - which will go towards the cost of repairing my Nikon'd shutter.

I'm so tired that I actually don't know what to do with myself!

Noon

I helped Jo put together a poster for some events we are running, she asked me to proof read it and check it over.

We have to do these things in a stupid corporate online programme which is very restrictive.

I thought that the times of the event were a little lost as it just said "12-2",  I suggested changing it to "12noon - 2pm" so as to be clear.

She asked if it was okay if we lost the 'noons' - I protested, but she said that I could have the noons - and wrote them down for me!

Bake off

I've never seen 'The Great British Bake Off' or any of the other ridiculous baking tv programmes, but I am aware of them.

Lucie at work is obsessed and loves to bake, if you've been reading this blog for a few years you might remember that she's got a reputation for enthusiasm and not skill.

Today at work we had a bake off, lots of us made something and then we all rated each others for 'appearance', 'consistency' and 'taste'.

There were some amazing entries - and even I entered at cake - chocolate and walnut bites.

I have to say the voting was a bit weird and because of the way we did it someone who'd made rice crispie cakes won despite only getting two votes!!

I came about 7th, people liked mine but they tended to go for the high sugar chocolate ones!

Lucie did brilliantly, she came 3rd with her malteaser cake.

God and Abba

Friday was a weird day. I usually work from home on a Friday, but this week there were a couple of things going on that I felt I should attend so I swapped my days round.

Firstly was the carol service organised by work. Despite being in a church, I like a good sing song, and anyway usually there is isn't too much god bothering. This one was not as I expected, firstly there was more god bothering than I'm used to, with an annoying female speaker (she wasn't the vicar) giving a long confusing ramble that I couldn't make head nor tail of.

Then the thing that really spoilt it for me, the carols were accompanied by the school orchestra - who obviously were terrified of going wrong so e--v--e--r--y--t--h--i--n--g moved very s--l--o--w--l--y.

It was more depressing than being at a funeral - what a shame.

Back at work it was announced that since it was the work Christmas do (my second reason for being there), we would finish at 4.30pm. This meant that I could go to the gym (I'd already register my second Pure Gym as Stockport), do a workout, how a shower and get ready and be at the venue for 7.30.

When I booked the ticket (£24!!!) I hadn't asked many questions - I won't make that mistake again! Terrible Christmas dinner served to the 20 or so large tables listening to a DJ play music I didn't know. It seems that we'd bought three tables at this event, with the finale of the evening being a bad Abba tribute band (one of the women's voices kept slipping from a Swedish accent to Welsh!).

Luckily I'd had the foresight to borrow the works van to drive home and so could make my apologies and escape not long after we'd finished eating (by which time most of the people in the room were wrecked).

Next time I'll work from home.

Work

I'm loving my new job - but then I knew I would!

Everyone at work is so lovely and I'm enjoying planning the way the project will run in the future.

I'm finding managing the volunteers to be a real challenge and that is possibly set to get worse as we start to make changes to the service and the way they work.

I know that Clare will help me when she can but she's so busy I'm just going to have to get on with it and learn as I go.

Gee says that both her and Clare have notice that my confidence is not as it was, and I'm not sure why that might be. I think it could partly be a I'm worried about doing the wrong thing and upsetting someone, or contravening some policy or other (there are lots of rules and ways of doing things that weren't in place when I last worked there).

There I only one draw back to the job - the travelling. I try to get the 0709 or 0735 train to Stockport, although it gets me there really early it means that I can get the train home just before 1700 and have an evening! But it also means that I have to get up at 0600.

Working from home

I know I've written about this before but it is something that really annoys me, and has come to my attention again in my new job.

As part of my contract it was agreed that I would work one and a half days from home - much of what I do involves email and phone calls and to be honest I could probably do 90% of the job from home - but it's nice to be in the office, and there are things I have to be there for. Those teo days at home save me £30 a week in rail fares (and that's with a student railcard!).

So I get really annoyed when colleagues make snide remarks about 'working from home' as if I spend the day in bed or shopping in Meadowhell.

Just because that's what they would do given the chance. But my work doesn't go away just because I'm not in the office.

When I'm at home I tend to be at my desk by 8am and I'm still there at 6pm, usually having had my lunch sat in front of my computer (just as I do in the office). I don't stop for numerous fag breaks or to gossip with colleagues about last nights tv.

I get much more done at home and work longer hours but I know that there is a perception that 'home working' means slacking. What annoys me is that instead of ignoring the comments I feel the need the need to work more and longer hours to 'make it up' - but in reality I have nothing to make up - I already work more hours than I'm paid for!

Also, I could skive on my days at home, but I never would as that would be wrong.

Sorting photos

It's Easter holidays, and while most undergrads will be sleeping or partying and most postgrads are sleeping or studying, I'm working for a few days.

I do have an essay to write, and a website to do; but for three days this week I'm actually sorting out photos in the archaeology department. For my dissertation I hope to use some aerial photos from the department to see if crowdsourcing can identify archaeological features in them - but first the collections needed a damn good tidy up.

The main collection of photos is massive (c8000), but luckily the person who gave it to the department also left a pot of money, so they have been able to use a little bit of it to pay me to sort the whole lot out.

When I say sort, what I mean is tidy the two filing cabinets and numerous boxes into order - actually working out what is missing won't be possible as the database is terrible.

Anyway, I'm enjoying it no-end, and I'll be sorry when it's done in a way. But I do have that coursework to do, and I would like to do a bit of sleeping!

My photos used

At the beginning of the year I forgot to post about my photos being used in a calendar for Age UK Stockport.  I'd done some photography for them a few years ago, and they decided to make a 2012 calendar to sell to raise funds.

Although I don't think I'm credited as the photographer (despite requesting it), and not all the photos are mine (about 80% are), I'm very pleased with it.

New Years Eve

Since I don't really drink much New Years Eve has never really been of much interest to me - it's not that much fun watching lots of other people get pissed.  Also, I don't really like big crowds so going out isn't really something I'd want to do.

This year was different to most, usually I go to bed early (sad I know), but instead this year John and I worked.

We set up for photos at a dinner in a hotel in Ilkley, guests could have their photos taken professionally against a white backdrop, and then we print them for a fee.

It takes us two hours to set up, and then just as we'd had a sandwich and a drink the guests started arriving at about 7pm.  By 8pm we'd photographed non-stop for an hour, and I seriously questioned that we'd have another customer.

I was right!  They had their dinner (which smelled lovely), listened to a band (the second singer really was bad, but the band themselves were good) and danced.  The only people we saw again were a young couple who had got rather drunk and wanted some silly photos - they spent £20.

So after the initial rush we sat around surfing the net (or in my case reading an article) and chatting from 8pm til half past midnight when we packed up!

A different new years eve, but not one I'll be in a hurry to repeat, I prefer going to bed early!!

Two interviews Two weeks

My job comes to an end in a couple of months time, so I really need to find something else to be doing, and of course some other way of paying the mortgage!

So, I've been job hunting recently, but there really isn't much about at the moment - well, not that pays enough or that I could possible hope to get an interview for.

However two came up at the same time. One for a local community organisation, the other for a national charity but a similar position.

The local one came first, and I got offered an interview - on the same day that the second job application was due. It went well and I knew that I could do the job. There were a few issues, the pay was terrible and the project only ran for five months (then I'd be out of work again) - and with my need to give a months notice it would actually mean that I'd only have four months to complete - not enough.

I didn't get the job. I was disappointed, more so as the manager, who I've known for about five years didn't even phone to tell me - she wrote me a letter.

So, on to the next. This was to be a similar project but the pay was better, the contract was until March 2013; so a better prospect for me. I've just had the interview and I don't think it went well. I feel that I waffled, that I answered in circles and that I don't have enough experience for them

Postscript: I didn't get the second job either, I've just had an email. They haven't said why so if i'm feeling strong later I'll email and asked for feedback.

I'm not disappointed as having been for the interview there were some elements of the job I didn't really like - mainly that they seem to have already decided what they'll get from the project!

Post-Postscript: I have asked for feedback - but nothing has been forthcoming!

Showing off in Yorkshire

I've spent the last two days at the Great Yorkshire Show, the organisation I work for had a stand, so along with the boys I went to help staff it.

It must be at least 20 years since I've been to an agricultural show, and things seem to have changed somewhat, but it could just be my memory playing tricks on me.

It certainly appears that the main aim of going to the event is shopping, and boy are there a lot of shops! Obviously it's possible to purchase tractors, horse boxes, farm machinery, and other specialist equipment, but the is so much more. All the main supermarkets not only had shops, but also promotional areas with demos and giveaways. Every type of food was available, but also local (Yorkshire) makers, yoghurt, cheese (lots of cheese), fruit, ice cream......

I'd say that a high proportion of visitors came to shop and weren't at all interested in the animals.

Hundreds of stands or stalls in marquees of handmade goods, but also hundreds of clothing sellers - mostly country style such as boots and tweed.

I'd say that a high proportion of visitors came to shop and weren't at all interested in the animals.

The country set certainly have a uniform, and most of it is very expensive! Leather boots (a bit like wellies, but costing upwards of £150), jodhpurs or leggings (cords for the men), and then polo shirts (or checked shirts for the men) and lots of tweed.

It all reminded me of Gloucestershire and the people I knew during my childhood. It has also made me think about Dad a lot - although he wasn't a countryman, he did like to dress and act as if he was!

Our stand was next to the BBC bus and marquee, and the red Audi Quattro that appeared on the programme 'Ashes to ashes'.

We spent the two days giving out leaflets and talking to people - exhausting. Of course we also had a good laugh, with challenges being set - when I arrived on Wednesday the boys had failed their challenge from the day before - to get their photo taken wearing one of the judges' bowler hats - didn't take me long!

There was great excitement on Wednesday, Prince Charles and Camilla were on site, but I didn't see them - I did see the crowds (and the press!).

In fact on Thursday I was pleased to see more of the press as I ended up with a press pass - not that I would be using it to gain entry to anywhere except toilets with a half hour queue!

Most of the boys are sunburnt, I ended up buying a hat to keep the sun off as I think I was getting sun stroke on Thursday morning.

Speaking of ill, Chris (the youngster of the team at 24) managed to make himself rather ill on Wednesday night by eating 7 chillies in one mouthful - he threw the whole lot back up (after I'd gone to bed thank Bob).