"I'm only working here 'cause I need the fucking money," sang Frank Turner on the Million Dead track To Whom It May Concern. And for nearly two years now, that song has begun playing in my head every Saturday morning as I walk in to work, often continuing throughout the day. However, recently, that hasn't been the case.
Thing is, as I write this, it's been exactly 39 days since I last got paid and, after talking to my manager earlier this evening, it looks as if it could be another 39 days until the money starts trickling in again. Allow me to explain - as I'm currently contracted to work at two different stores depending on whether I'm at university or at home, each time I change stores it's up to the personnel department to transfer my details to whichever one I'm due to be working at. After Christmas, though, one store decided that they weren't going to transfer me back. Better still, they thought they'd remove me from the company's books altogether.
So, after over 18 months of loyal service in the world of shelf-stacking, I was (and still am) left with nothing. Well, I still have a place to live and clothes to wear and everything, but all my hard-earned privileges, such as my discount card and, most importantly, my monthly payslip, are no more.
Apparently this isn't the first time it's happened either, and it's a good illustration of just why so many people dislike shop work. Sure, the job is tedious (for a basic Customer Assistant, at least), the customers are a pain in the arse and the pay is far from remarkable. But the biggest kick in the proverbial three-piece suite is that, more often than not, you end up working for a bunch of brainless twats who hate their jobs just as much as you, if not more. And how can you honestly entrust someone who can't stand their own job with the task of making someone else's easier?
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Water Boarding continued...
Right well I’m not really sure where to start…apart from the fact that I’m absolutely wrecked and struggling to keep my eyes open in front of a computer.
I’ve spent most of the day typing up scripts and copy stories and editing clips in front of a computer screen, dealing with the build up to the Budget. I also went to interview a farmer who’s only answer to the prospect of increased tax on the 4x4s he uses on and off his farm is to use the tractor instead…I’m sure that’s going to help C02 emissions and fuel consumption at 5 miles per gallon…great foresight from Mr Darling…again.
Oh the water boarding update…well you wont believe it but I had a bit of a Sherlock Holmes type discovery last evening…
I was chatting in the pub…yes another thing us students sometimes do, although it was the first time I’d been in one since the Rugby World Cup…anyway I was chatting, and as I retold my watery nightmare there was an uncanny recognition coming from one of my listeners. The similar experience of rainy awakenings…a mirror image of my sleepless nights…how could this be??? Well it turned out that mine was not the only tale of watery woe to come from the exact same location…only a year previously the same story had unfolded and the same action by the occupant had been taken.
Now I should probably explain what happened yesterday evening…before the pub outing…it was a busy day, what can I say…a gentleman of senior years came to inspect my leakage problem…well I say he was of senior years, I didn’t actually meet him as I was at Farnham Health Clinic being told it was now time for an implant, but that’s another story for a different day. This was recounted to me by one of my flat mates.
So the fellow in question apparently said: he couldn’t see where the water was coming from…it might be coming in from a vent somewhere…it probably wont get fixed for a while and he couldn’t get up his ladder to have a look because it was too windy.
VENT!! The only ventilation going on is through the multiple holes in my bleeding ceiling…aaaaaggggghhh
Introduction to yours truly postponed again…
I’ve spent most of the day typing up scripts and copy stories and editing clips in front of a computer screen, dealing with the build up to the Budget. I also went to interview a farmer who’s only answer to the prospect of increased tax on the 4x4s he uses on and off his farm is to use the tractor instead…I’m sure that’s going to help C02 emissions and fuel consumption at 5 miles per gallon…great foresight from Mr Darling…again.
Oh the water boarding update…well you wont believe it but I had a bit of a Sherlock Holmes type discovery last evening…
I was chatting in the pub…yes another thing us students sometimes do, although it was the first time I’d been in one since the Rugby World Cup…anyway I was chatting, and as I retold my watery nightmare there was an uncanny recognition coming from one of my listeners. The similar experience of rainy awakenings…a mirror image of my sleepless nights…how could this be??? Well it turned out that mine was not the only tale of watery woe to come from the exact same location…only a year previously the same story had unfolded and the same action by the occupant had been taken.
Now I should probably explain what happened yesterday evening…before the pub outing…it was a busy day, what can I say…a gentleman of senior years came to inspect my leakage problem…well I say he was of senior years, I didn’t actually meet him as I was at Farnham Health Clinic being told it was now time for an implant, but that’s another story for a different day. This was recounted to me by one of my flat mates.
So the fellow in question apparently said: he couldn’t see where the water was coming from…it might be coming in from a vent somewhere…it probably wont get fixed for a while and he couldn’t get up his ladder to have a look because it was too windy.
VENT!! The only ventilation going on is through the multiple holes in my bleeding ceiling…aaaaaggggghhh
Introduction to yours truly postponed again…
Money, money, money...
It seems strange that once again I start with part of a song, it must be that DJ in me!!!
I called student finance today to find out what was happening with my claim for the childcare grant. The fees are 135 pounds a week. I received 48 pounds from the tax credit office and 30 pounds from the child benefit office. It doesn't take a mathematician to work out that I just don't have enough money. I know that it's something that all students complain about but shit, I've got a family to feed. It makes me question whether my decision to return to studies was a good idea, or a little self indulgent.
My application to the student finance department was sent before the deadline, but, they needed more information, which I sent, as soon as they requested it, but; my postage was six pence short and, the information was returned. Damn that new postage system, what the hell is it all about anyway?
I then sent it by registered post, take away almost five pounds of my already low budget, it arrived but, after ringing the office three times to find out what was happening, I was told today, that my claim hasn't been updated as yet, and, it could take a few weeks.
Hey, no worry, there is always a solution......
I could just sell the kids!!!
p.s I did have some for sale photos but this damn computer doesnt have firefox!!
Money, money, money it's a rich mans world...
I called student finance today to find out what was happening with my claim for the childcare grant. The fees are 135 pounds a week. I received 48 pounds from the tax credit office and 30 pounds from the child benefit office. It doesn't take a mathematician to work out that I just don't have enough money. I know that it's something that all students complain about but shit, I've got a family to feed. It makes me question whether my decision to return to studies was a good idea, or a little self indulgent.
My application to the student finance department was sent before the deadline, but, they needed more information, which I sent, as soon as they requested it, but; my postage was six pence short and, the information was returned. Damn that new postage system, what the hell is it all about anyway?
I then sent it by registered post, take away almost five pounds of my already low budget, it arrived but, after ringing the office three times to find out what was happening, I was told today, that my claim hasn't been updated as yet, and, it could take a few weeks.
Hey, no worry, there is always a solution......
I could just sell the kids!!!
p.s I did have some for sale photos but this damn computer doesnt have firefox!!
Money, money, money it's a rich mans world...
The eye-opener.
Isn't it crazy how much university can change a person?
Until coming to Farnham I was pretty sheltered. I grew up in Cornwall, spending long days lazing in fields, carving my knackered long-board up and down the coastline and spending my evenings sat on the veranda of a local pub, facing out to sea, mingling the salty smell with my own clouds of tobacco, surrounded by people I've known and loved for years.
Being uprooted in any kind of situation creates a strange concoction of emotional cocktails; from the classic being nervous yet excited, to the lesser extent of being completely befuddled yet entranced by this new-found independence. I can't begin to imagine how people adjust when coming from beyond the borders of this country, to study in this brand new place, where everyone seems to drink tea and talk weird. I found the Cornwall-to-Farnham transition unnerving.
However, it seems that no matter what kind of situation you're thrown into, you're going to find a group of people to relate to, who will soon be playing a very important role in your life. My house-mates have become my extended family, and I've found someone beautiful who turned my world upside-down within three days of getting here. Five months on, I have fallen in love over and over again with people, places, concepts, genres of music, and several different authors.
This is one learning curve I'm going to take time to appreciate in every possible way. I'm just waiting for the rain to stop...
Song of the day: Chick Habit by April March.
Until coming to Farnham I was pretty sheltered. I grew up in Cornwall, spending long days lazing in fields, carving my knackered long-board up and down the coastline and spending my evenings sat on the veranda of a local pub, facing out to sea, mingling the salty smell with my own clouds of tobacco, surrounded by people I've known and loved for years.
Being uprooted in any kind of situation creates a strange concoction of emotional cocktails; from the classic being nervous yet excited, to the lesser extent of being completely befuddled yet entranced by this new-found independence. I can't begin to imagine how people adjust when coming from beyond the borders of this country, to study in this brand new place, where everyone seems to drink tea and talk weird. I found the Cornwall-to-Farnham transition unnerving.
However, it seems that no matter what kind of situation you're thrown into, you're going to find a group of people to relate to, who will soon be playing a very important role in your life. My house-mates have become my extended family, and I've found someone beautiful who turned my world upside-down within three days of getting here. Five months on, I have fallen in love over and over again with people, places, concepts, genres of music, and several different authors.
This is one learning curve I'm going to take time to appreciate in every possible way. I'm just waiting for the rain to stop...
Song of the day: Chick Habit by April March.
One is the lonliest number...
It’s Tuesday and I’m sat here been miserable because my boyfriend left last night after spending the very wet and windy weekend here. It’s always fantastic when he comes down because not only does it save me the train fare (selfish I know) but because we can spend the weekend exploring London like proper tourists.
Actually this weekend when he was here was a bit different because we’d be asked to housesit by a family member who has an ‘apartment’ in central London. I say apartment because it was a mansion, in fact it was my dream home (wooden floors and one of those massive corner sofas) but also because there was a swimming pool. A SWIMMING POOL!!! We didn’t go swimming though because I’d not brought my swimming gear and didn’t really fancy skinny dipping in someone else’s pool- and no I am not a prude.
There’s one thing I’ve noticed since I got here people are always asking how we keep our relationship going when we’re so far apart but they don’t realise that we’d been going out for over 2 years when I started uni and he was my friend before we started going out, so we know each other so well that we don’t need to worry about each other all the time. We’ve always been independent too which I think really helps because it gives us something different to talk about everyday. He’s into his rock and metal music (too loud for me) and I’m into my fashion so when we talk every night (god bless Vodafone and its cheap calls) we always have something to tell each other and I think that it keeps our relationship interesting!
Love from
North of the Border
p.s We went to see Diary of the Dead and it was awful, I mean really really bad. Do not waste your money on it!!
Actually this weekend when he was here was a bit different because we’d be asked to housesit by a family member who has an ‘apartment’ in central London. I say apartment because it was a mansion, in fact it was my dream home (wooden floors and one of those massive corner sofas) but also because there was a swimming pool. A SWIMMING POOL!!! We didn’t go swimming though because I’d not brought my swimming gear and didn’t really fancy skinny dipping in someone else’s pool- and no I am not a prude.
There’s one thing I’ve noticed since I got here people are always asking how we keep our relationship going when we’re so far apart but they don’t realise that we’d been going out for over 2 years when I started uni and he was my friend before we started going out, so we know each other so well that we don’t need to worry about each other all the time. We’ve always been independent too which I think really helps because it gives us something different to talk about everyday. He’s into his rock and metal music (too loud for me) and I’m into my fashion so when we talk every night (god bless Vodafone and its cheap calls) we always have something to tell each other and I think that it keeps our relationship interesting!
Love from
North of the Border
p.s We went to see Diary of the Dead and it was awful, I mean really really bad. Do not waste your money on it!!
All a Student Needs
My internet has down since Friday last week. I have deadlines that I need to keep. I telephoned my service provider AOL for the 100th time to ask when they will rectify the problem. They have a recorded answer phone that is saying they are aware of the problem and not explaining what the problem is. But this does not help me in any way; I have not been on Facebook for four days! And no music downloads! I woke up early this morning so that I can call AOL to cancel my contract but no chance they say I am bound to the contract until next year April 2009.
Anyway thank God for friends. I called my friend who just lives down the road so that I can use her internet. So, here I am writing this blog.
Development in some cases can only take place when you walk with the right people. Forming relationships such friendship is so difficult especially when you move to a new country and out of your comfort zone.
I have made a few friends at uni and I find that we have clicked despite having different cultures. I have come to appreciate that my friends are not clones of me and that they do things differently. I accept the differences and embrace what we have in common.
Friends I have made at uni did not talk to me out of pity or because I am from a different culture, which interests them. It is not difficult for me to communicate my thoughts to them and they seem understand my accent. I feel I can always express what I wanted to say.
I may have made friends easily at uni but where I live it is a different matter, I do not know my neighbour. I don't know small things, like whether my neighbour would like it if I went and visited her without taking an appointment... do you know what mean?
Anyway thank God for friends. I called my friend who just lives down the road so that I can use her internet. So, here I am writing this blog.
Development in some cases can only take place when you walk with the right people. Forming relationships such friendship is so difficult especially when you move to a new country and out of your comfort zone.
I have made a few friends at uni and I find that we have clicked despite having different cultures. I have come to appreciate that my friends are not clones of me and that they do things differently. I accept the differences and embrace what we have in common.
Friends I have made at uni did not talk to me out of pity or because I am from a different culture, which interests them. It is not difficult for me to communicate my thoughts to them and they seem understand my accent. I feel I can always express what I wanted to say.
I may have made friends easily at uni but where I live it is a different matter, I do not know my neighbour. I don't know small things, like whether my neighbour would like it if I went and visited her without taking an appointment... do you know what mean?
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