All Entries In Family & Personal Category
For the first time in absolutely ages I was headed to the regular Saturday afternoon rpg last Saturday when I decided to pop to the bank and get some money out. Mainly so that I could pay Scoot the money I owe him for the Rammstein and Machine Head tickets that he purchased. I got to Paul's and realised that my wallet was missing. As I went back down to the car to see if it was in the car I slipped on his bottom step and went over on my ankle. Anyway, the wallet wasn't in the car so I went back round to the bank and it wasn't there either. So, I went to the police to report it lost, returned to Paul's to let them know I would have to give the game a miss and went home so that I could call the bank etc to cancel cards and such.
I got up Sunday morning and went to the hospital to get my ankle checked out. It turns out it's not broken just sprained. But, it still hurts like ****. Anyway, I got home and about an hour or so later a guy calls at the house with my wallet. He had found it in the car park outside Paul's flat. So, it must have dropped out of my coat pocket when I got out of the car the first time the night before. The money had gone but everything else was still inside it.
For the past 13 weeks I've been working in an administrative capacity at Northside Community Centre. The position has been a New deal work placement organised through BTCV Enterprises. My placement ended on Friday when my New Deal programme came to an end.
Luckily, I have a brand new job to walk straight into; sort of.
The community centre had previously managed to secure funding for a part-time position that was due to run from August 2009 until July 2010. However, the place has never been filled; mainly due to the fact that the funding cheque wasn't received until the end of November. After entering into discussions with the funding provider it was agreed that rather than funding a 16-hour per week position and have it run into 2011 we could use the funds for a 32-hour per week position that would run from January until July.
So, I will be doing more or less the same job; but with added responsibility for the project the funding is intended for. My official start date is Monday 11th January 2010 and my contract will run until Friday 9th July 2010.
We have already started the process of trying to secure extra funding to extend my tenure further.
I've been unemployed for almost 2 years now and the Job Centre have sent me on a course with BTCV Enterprises; the enterprise arm of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. For the next 13 weeks; well 12 now, I will spend 4 days a week in a work placement and 1 day a week doing Jobsearch with BTCV. I have been placed with Northside Community Centre Ltd and am doing a lot of their administrative work. The centre serves 360 properties on a fairly large council estate to the north of Workington and runs various programmes, including a youth club. They also have a number of halls and rooms that they hire out. I've enjoyed my first week and am looking forward to the rest of my time there. The only shame is that even though a fair percentage of the people that come through BTCV get full-time jobs with their placements I probably won't; mainly because of the fact that I'm working with a charity that will only have limited funds in place. However, I'm enjoying it and my CV will be updated with some current work experience.
Today marked the 4th anniversary of my mam's death. Dad, Catherine and I took some pink roses up to the Chapel of Rememberence at the local crematorium. It's nice and peaceful up there and I had an opportunity to spend a couple of minutes in quiet reflection.
Whenever I'm in Egremont and feel a bit peckish I tend to gravitate toward JJ's Cafe; which is on the main street, a couple of doors away from Gregg's. Chrissy and I tend to visit it a lot for lunch whenever I happen to be through; especially on Wednesday. Anyway, we were heading off to Keswick yesterday and decided to have lunch in JJ's first. However, unbeknownst to us they were closed; Rupa and JJ had family visiting. Luckily Chrissy discovered that they were going to hold a Taste Of Asia evening today. After consulting with Geoff she booked a table for 5.
We went to the later of the 2 sittings this evening and had a wonderful time. Rupa, JJ and his two daughters put on a fantastic event. The food was superb and the atmosphere was brilliant. We were treated to an excellent selection of dishes and enjoyed singing and dancing after the meal. I can honestly say I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm not sure if they plan to hold a similar evening anytime in the future but I would be very keen to attend if they did.
If you ever have occasion to be in Egremont please do visit JJ's Cafe. It's such a nice, small, intimate place to enjoy what you could happily describe as a delicious home cooked meal.
I've been at Chrissy's for most of this afternoon. We've been making Chocolate Cookies and Truffles. Amazingly easy to make and the truffles are decadently rich.
Today has been another busy day. I had lunch in Egremont with Chrissy and whilst Geoff took her to Carlisle for her pain clinic appointment I picked up their kids from school. After having something to eat it was off to the swimming baths for her daughter's swimming lesson. Her son was extremely disappointed to discover that he wouldn't be swimming; although his activity book calmed him down somewhat. Geoff and Chrissy turned up at the swimming baths just as the lesson was ending. I took my leave and headed homewards.
I've almost just crippled myself by falling out of the bath. I was stood up in the bath removing the last of the soap suds off my legs prior to starting to dry myself when I slipped and ended up falling sideways out of the bath. Luckily, I managed to brace myself on the sink before falling all the way to the deck but ended up stumbling halfway across the bathroom before regaining my balance. I've skinned the bottom knuckle of my left thumb and have badly grazed the rear of my right knee. But, aside form the embarassment factor, it could've been much, much worse.
Off out to Mark's tonight for a few drinks with him and another old friend; Roy. I haven't had a chance to sit down and natter with Roy for the best part of seven years at least. And although I've known Mark for well over 30 years we rarely get a chance to sit down together either. Maybe once or twice a year. I'm taking a bottle of Glenfiddich Special Reserve with me and it's unlikely that any of it will survive the evening.
I happily managed to get all my Christmas shopping done in one go today; and managed to grab a couple of bargains into the mix. However, that won't be the end of the shopping. I will probably have to do some last minute shopping next week for my Dad. He always leaves things to the last minute.
It was Chrissy's daughter's Christmas Play last night, and she was playing the title role of the Sleepy Shepherd. It was a lot of fun and for five year olds it was a very credible performance. Highlight was undoubtedly the dance routine of the three kings. Like I said, lots of fun.
I spent today babysitting Chrissy's kids for her whilst she's in London on business. I picked her son up this morning, and after having lunch in JJ's Cafe in Egremont we watched Ratatouille on DVD before going and picking up Chrissy's daughter. The kids watched Hoodwinked on DVD when we got back to the house whilst I prepared snacks for them. Geoff arrived back home just before 5pm and I left for home just about 5:30pm. The kids were pretty much quiet and no real bother.
My sister-in-law, Susan, is pregnant again; with her fourth child. No exact date yet, other than Summer 2009.
With Dad's hospitalisation and subsequent period of recovery I've been doing the shopping for the last couple of months. However, Dad arranged with Michael to actually go and do the shopping himself today. It gave me a chance to get an early bath and catch up on the latest couple of episodes of Dexter.
I'm physically and mentally exhausted.
I had my interview/assessment for HMRC today. I entered the building at 3:15pm and left at 5:55pm. There was a computer test, then an interview and finally a roleplay. I made a couple of mistakes but overall it seemed to go okay. I should find out whether I have reached the next stage; the merit list, in a fortnight or so. Appointments will be made strictly in order based upon the merit list.
Anyway, I am now going to go and unwind a wee bit before settling down to watch tonight's Champions League game between Aalborg and Manchester United.
After recently completing an online application form and subsequently completing an online assessment and data entry test I have been invited to arrange an interiew with HM Revenue & Customs for the position of Contact Centre Adviser in a new local tax office that is opening in the near future.
After checking the available slots I have selected 15:30 this coming Tuesday. Apparently the interview will last for at least 1½ hours and will include some more assessments and roleplay of potential situations.
Dad was released from hospital this afternoon. He seems quite chipper at the moment and is already planning changes downstairs. I'm staying upstairs; well out of the way.
After having a couple of Occupational Therapists visit the house last Friday they arranged for Dad to come home today on a home visit to ascertain how well he is going to be able to cope when released from hospital. The visit seemed to go well and it's now just a matter of time until they decide to release him.
Dad's surgery went quite well apparently. My sisters went up to see him this evening and they've reported that his blood pressure is a bit low and that his pulse is up over 110. He's also receiving blood transfusions; which I would assume is to help bring his volume back up and raise his pressure. No word on anything else and they seemed relatively calm about things, suggesting that there's been no problems.
They decided to hold off on Dad's surgery until this morning. After a consultation with the surgeon last night the plan is apparently to amputate through the knee in an effort to offer as much mobility after the operation as possible. However, the surgeon did mention that it may not be possible to do so and he would only know for sure once in theatre. If amputation through the knee proves to be a non-starter then he will attempt to amputate above the knee whilst remaining as close to the knee as he possibly can.
Dad has had problems with his foot for quite a while now and has been waiting to go into hospital to get it sorted. Well, he was due to have an assessment with a nurse this morning before having a meeting with a surgeon tomorrow. Anyway, as a result of this morning's assessment, they have decided to admit him and operate. I was told that the original plan was to amputate his toes at the very least tomorrow. It now looks more than likely that he will be operated on this evening.
A friend was kind enough to pass me some Manchester United memorabilia earlier this year; as thanks for some work that I had done for them. However, I now find myself in the position of needing to raise some cash to fund a trip later this month and have taken the unfortunate decision that the memorabilia may help raise the necessary funds. I would really have liked to keep them but needs must.
If you're a Manchester United fan then please check out what I'm selling on eBay.
Sorry for the dreadful pun.
Anyway, with all the warm weather we've had recently, even when it's been wet, I've cropped my mop. Quite severely. It's down to a uniformed number 8; which means it's about an inch long at most.
I've also shaved off the Van Dyke.
So, short-haired and clean-shaven again.
I had an interview this morning for a Medical Lab Assistant with the Pathology department of the local hospital. I thought the interview went okay and the interviewer mentioned that they were unlikely to make a decision today. However, I've just received a call to say that I didn't get the job; and I have a feeling that my honesty about the circumstances surrounding how I left my previous job may have cost me. In the long run I'd rather be honest than lie to get a job.
I feel pretty good today. No major headache and no major pain anywhere.
I was feeling rather tired yesterday evening so ended up going to bed just before 9pm. I woke up just after 1am and couldn't get back to sleep. I decided to get up, have a wee snack and watch WWE Raw. By time that finished at 4am I was feeling tired again. I went back to bed and got up just after 10am this morning.
Ankle feels a wee bit sore, my back is feeling a lot better than it has been in a while; just a twinge between the shoulder blades at the moment and I have a wee bit of a headache at the back of my head. All in all, a lot better than I tend to feel.
Like I said; I feel pretty good.
My kid sister was released from hospital today. They've diagnosed IBS with a swollen bowel. She never said if they'd prescribed any medication or if she has any follow up appointments to attend. She's still in a bit of pain but seems to be a lot better than she was on Friday night.
Catherine, my kid sister, was admitted to hospital on Friday night suffering from abdominal pains and vomiting. She has been examined and they really aren't sure what's up with her. They've finally managed to stop her vomiting and are keeping her in until Monday at least; when she will get a scan. This is the second time she's been admitted to hospital with abdominal pains over the last couple of years and they weren't sure what the problem was previously either.
I've had a splitting headache all day. I had planned on getting some serious work done on a friend's website today but only managed to get 4 or 5 pages converted before giving up. I've taken some tablets for the headache but to no real avail and ended up going for a lie down about 3pm. I woke up briefly as a thunderstorm rumbled outside with rain pelting down, before falling back asleep. I finally woke back up just before 6pm to discover bright sunshine splitting the curtains and just a slightly damp ground to suggest that any rain had actually fell.
After having some problems with the bank incurring charges for unpaid Direct Debits I cancelled all my direct debits and have been paying my bills via my debit card. Unfortunately, since losing my job I've been struggling to meet bill payments, especially since I've been on hardship payments for the last 3 months, and have not paid my O2 contract bill for those 3 months. It had always been a case of I'll try and keep some money back and make a part payment with the intention of settling the full amount once I had the cash available. However, events have conspired against me time and again and I have been unable to do so.
Anyway, I received a letter the other day from the above company regarding my O2 account and the outstanding Airtime Balance and Remaining Contract Charge. The total amount comes to just about £132 and they wanted payment by 2nd July; today. After getting my benefits payments stopped for the last 3 months or so I am only now back to receiving £121 every other week and cannot meet this full payment. I phoned them earlier today to try and come to some arrangement regarding making a part payment when I next get paid and get the 3rd degree regarding payments I make for lodge, contents insurance, the internet, the normal phone bill and Sky. I was more than willing to make payments every payday to ensure that I resolved this debt as soon as I felt comfortable.
To be honest, I can't really afford to continue making payments for an O2 contract at close to £40 a month when I can just use an old O2 sim-card and top up with credit as infrequently as I like. However, after saying that I couldn't afford to pay the whole amount and that I couldn't afford to just pay the Airtime Balance and get the phone reconnected the woman on the other end of the phone wasn't interested in anything but getting half the payment today and the remainder by next Monday; going so far as to ask if I could get my Dad or other family member to loan me the money to make the payment. She even suggested making a £5 payment today and then paying the remaining amount in full next Monday. Sometimes I wonder what kind of Dream World they live in.
I probably could've made a payment today to cover the Airtime Balance but only if I didn't pay other bills due this week and next; when I don't get paid. However, this would have a knock-on effect for the rest of the month and I would potentially end up in a worse position than I already am. I felt under pressure the entire length of the call and got more and more worked up as she continued to try to get a payment out of me rather than help me come up with any sort of agreement moving forward. I eventually ended the call by telling them to take me to court.
I have since calmed down a little bit and used their online system to make an offer of paying £40 a month. If they don't accept that they can take me to court and see how they will like getting paid £10 every other week for nine months or so rather than 3 payments of £40 or so.
Although, knowing my luck recently, the court would probably end up ordering me to pay the amount in full or go to prison.
In his own words, Dad got some bad news and some good news today.
He had a follow-up appointment at the hospital today concerning his toes. Apparently, just removing the affected toes isn't an option. The consultant has informed him that they will need to remove his remaining leg. That's the bad news. The good news is that Dad can decide when to go in and get it done. They're not going to force him into doing it at the first available opportunity.
It wasn't my idea but we have a new puppy. She is only 7 weeks old and has been named Petra.
She is every bit as cute as she looks in the picture but I'm just not 100% certain that I'm ready for a new dog so soon after losing Tasha.
I'm becoming really disillusioned with the entire job hunting process. It's been almost 6 months since I had my previous employment terminated, and in that time I've probably made close to, if not over, 200 applications and only had 4 interviews; 3 with the local NHS Trust and 1 with the neighbouring borough council. A lot of the applications I've made haven't even been acknowledged by the employer. I'm beginning to wonder if the prospective employers are even looking past the fact that I was fired to see what sort of qualifications and experience I can offer or if they're just looking at the fact I was fired and then dismissing my application out of hand.
However, I will continue to soldier on. I still have a couple of applications out there; including 1 that really excites me.
Since losing my job in November I've been receiving Jobseeker's Allowance but as of 22nd March 2008 that has been stopped due to a doubt on my claim.
When I originally made the benefit claim one of the questions on the form is why you lost your job. I lost mine through misconduct and said so on the form. I'm not going to go into the details, suffice to say that the company viewed my actions as misconduct.
In the middle of December I received a letter from Carlisle BDC stating that there had been a doubt and they were waiting for a reply from the employer. I spoke to my advisor about it and she informed me that the company had a month to reply. I spoke to her again at the back end of January and she informed me that the doubt seemed to have been resolved in my favour because the company had not responded.
In the middle of February I received a letter back from Carlisle BDC stating that the doubt had been reopened after they had received a reply from the company and that I had a month to reply with my comments. My advisor recommended that I take the full month just in case the decision went against me. I did so and sent my comments back in the middle of March, stating that I had been upfront from the start and was disappointed in the amount of time the company had taken.
Anyway, I've now received a reply from Carlisle BDC stating that they cannot pay me Jobseeker's Allowance from 22nd March 2008 until 13th June 2008. I also won't be awarded National Insurance Contributions for the same period. The letter then goes on to state that they cannot pay Jobseeker's Allowance from 14th June 2008 either. They cannot pay me because my entitlement based on Class 1 National Insurance Contributions has run out. It makes me wonder why I was paying National Insurance Contributions for the last six years.
The letter states that if I'm looking for work and intend to dispute or appeal against the decision I should still provide signed declarations on my ES40. Damn right I intend to dispute/appeal. How am I supposed to live, pay bills, buy food etc? I know I live with my Dad but he's retired now and receiving pension credit and disability living allowance. I can't expect him to pay for me as well. On top of everything else I'm not totally convinced they can legally stop the payments. When I first made the claim, and more recently when the amount went up, I received a letter from the DWP that stated the amount I was receiving was the minimum the government said I needed to live on. Doubtless, there is something in the provisoning of benefits that give the department the right to withhold payment.
I will be going to my local JobCentre Plus office on Monday to lodge an appeal against the decision and to also make a claim for Hardship payments.
One of the pieces of advice I was given when I had my toes done was that I should refrain from having a bath whilst they were still healing. The information suggested at least 2 or 3 weeks as a minimum. I've gone 2 months. Now, before you go 'ugh' I've not gone 2 months without any form of bath/shower. I've had regular showers during that period. Although we don't have a shower my sister does and I've been popping round to her house regularly in the last 2 months.
Anyway, I've obviously been paying close attention to the state of my toes whenever I've soaked them and changed the dressing. I had planned to go round to my sister's house yesterday evening but her shower is now broken; apparently the pipe from the unit to the head has come away from the shower itself. I decided that my toes were sufficiently healed and I had a bath instead. It's quite remarkable how you can miss something as simple as a bath. It felt so relaxing just lying there and having a soak; and my toes came out of the process relatively intact. I even took the opportunity to tidy up some of the scabbing when the scabs were suitably soft. Now you can go 'ugh'.
My Dad was released from hospital earlier today. Apparently, it wasn't gangrene in his toe after all, and it's responding well to the antibiotics they've given him. However, he's not totally in the clear. He has really bad circulation in his leg and they are calling him back into hospital next Monday to operate. They're going to use some small balloons to try and open up his veins to improve the circulation.
Perhaps a bit harsh; but, in this case, true.
About a month or so ago he started to develop some blistering on his foot; more specifically on his big toe. At the time we told him to go and see a Doctor. He ignored us, and it's gradually got worse. Finally, today, he went to see a Doctor.
Too late.
They've told him that it's gangrene. They've taken him into hospital and whilst at first they had said that they were going to put him on antibiotics and see if that helped; it now transpires that they're likely to need to remove his big toe at the very least.
I received a phone call this morning stating that I had been unsuccessful in my application for the Clerical Officer position with West Cumberland Hospital's Pharmacy department. Normally, the hospital just tends to inform successful candidates by phone and informs unsuccessful candidates by post.
However, I apparently impressed them enough; I was in the final three, that they thought I might be interested in applying to join the local Hospital Pharmacy Technician Training Scheme. This was probably as a result of my answer to "Where do you see yourself in four years?" I mentioned that I hoped to still be with the department perhaps with a view to studying towards some sort of qualification to help me progress on a career path with them.
The scheme doesn't commence until September and will involve on site training and day release to Preston once a week. My only concern is that although they said that I easily meet the qualification requirements I'm a wee bit concerned that it lists English, Chemistry & Biology as 3 of the 4 subjects required at grade C or above when my Biology was a grade D. The saving grace may be that it states a dual science award would be considered which gives me hope that they may take my Physics grade into account instead.
Anyway, In the meantime I still need to keep looking for a job, even if it only temporary, and hope for the best with this application.
Spotted the above vacancy with the Forestry Commission. Wages are on a par with my previous job but it sounds really interesting. The post is permanent and is located at North West Region Office, Peil Wyke, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria.
They are looking for somebody to provide efficient administrative support to technical field officers in processing grant schemes and felling licence applications from landowners and agents, and also provide administrative support to field based Woodland Officers in processing England Woodland Grants, (EWGS), Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS), and Felling Licence Applications (FLA) from landowners and agents throughout the application process.
The duties listed include:
- Administer grant payments associated with Forestry Commission grant schemes and Contribute to the team’s requirement for data capture and information management.
- Assist Woodland Officers manage existing business through the closed grant schemes. Also support them by occasionally attending site visits in cases of alleged illegal felling and assist in the information gathering and report preparation of the same.
- Occasionally, carry out GIS |(Geographic Information Services) mapping work as required. (Training will be given)
- Undertake general administrative duties to the wider team including IT support, answering telephones, filing and dealing with visitors to the office, also helping other members of staff respond to Freedom of Information requests.
- Take part in the annual Outreach Programme to inform our customers through regional seminars, events and workshops.
I've emailed them for an application pack.
Not only am I heartbroken but I also feel like a complete bastard.
Was unsuccessful in my interview at the hospital last Friday. The search goes on...
Had an interview this morning at West Cumberland Hospital for a Ward Clerk's position. It's a part-time position for 19½ hours per week. I think the interview went okay and will find out if I've got the job by the end of next week.
Got home and I've got a letter inviting me to an interview for a Medical Laboratory Assistant (Bacteriology) position at the same hospital in the New Year.
Lost my job on Tuesday. Currently looking for a new one.
I've got two weddings to attend on Saturday.
Feeling more than a little bit delicate today.
At last!
For the people who've been worried with the fact that I ain't been about much lately.
I'm still alive.
I'm outta here for the weekend.
Was supposed to go to a friend's for dinner last night. However, she had to work.
Picked up my new glasses today.
Less than a month after my Mom dies and both my sisters have ended up on the same ward.
Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of children.
- William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811 - 1863
My mom passed away this morning.
I thought I had a handle on it until I wrote that line...
My uncle died today; he was in hi mid-60s.
I hope not.
Amanda stayed for the weekend, what with it being Valentine's Day yesterday and all.
A couple of people have asked for an update on the Amanda situation, and to be honest it hadn't occured to me. So, anyway, here it is.
Amanda phoned...
I'm seeing her on Tuesday night...
I'm an uncle again; for the 6th time overall.
It's been a week since my last entry and to be honest it's been a really long week. It's not even as if I've had a really busy week that I can reveal details of, it's just been once of those weeks where the days seem to merge in to one another. I'd orginally thought that I could take advantage of Amanda's holiday and try to catch up on a few things. I should have known that was never going to happen.
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