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The state of me

Sep. 16th, 2010 at 12:53 AM

I haven't felt like posting lately; though I have been keeping up with the flist and commenting. But when it comes to updating my own journal, I don't feel I have anything to write about. I'm still out of work, have been for 4,5 months now, and have no hope of this situation changing any time soon. I've applied for 50-odd positions so far, have had only 5 interviews, and no offers at all. The rejection e-mail/phone call invariably states that I 'do not fit the profile' which is the accepted euphemism for 'too old/too experienced/too expensive' - I can't even get a call centre job or sign up with an agency. The benefit I receive barely covers my mortgage and insurance payments, which means that in addition to stressing over the fact that I'm out of work, I'm constantly stressing over my finances as well. To add insult to injury, everything keeps breaking on me: the loo, the central heating, and the kettle (I've replaced the kettle; but how am I going to sort the other two?), and the weather's mostly been cold, grey and wet since July (I'm currently wearing two cardies over my top, and a vest underneath), affecting my mood as well. For the second time in my life, I've been contemplating the idea of entering the religious life, get myself to a nunnery...but the lack of a genuine calling leads me to believe I won't fit the profile there, either.

I'm gaining weight 'cause I can't stop comfort-eating. I've become addicted to playing match 3 games on the computer. And after having watched S1 and 2 of Being Human on YouTube, I can't wait for someone to upload S3 as well, and soon.

Current Mood: depressed

Tags:

unemployment

Comments

( 27 Speak Like A Child — Shout To The Top )

enigmaticblues

Sep. 16th, 2010 12:08 am (UTC)

*hugs* I hope something turns up soon.

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Sep. 17th, 2010 11:12 am (UTC)

Me, too.

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desdemonaspace

Sep. 16th, 2010 12:20 am (UTC)

Ach! I have been thinking about you.

You're too capable a woman for this to go on so long.

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Sep. 17th, 2010 11:10 am (UTC)

Let's hope so. I can't give up, no matter how demoralised I may get.

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missmurchison

Sep. 16th, 2010 12:36 am (UTC)

I'm sorry things are so tough. Don't give up. There is an employer out there who needs you and will recognize your worth.

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Sep. 17th, 2010 11:07 am (UTC)

I sincerely hope so - I'll just have to keep on looking, I suppose.

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empresspatti

Sep. 16th, 2010 12:38 am (UTC)

Just stopping in to tell you that I'm sorry life is so cruddy right now and that I hope it turns around soon. I don't understand a world where smart, capable people who want to work don't have the opportunity.

Hope things get better quick.

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Sep. 17th, 2010 11:06 am (UTC)

Thank you. I'll just have to carry on as best I can.

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Sep. 16th, 2010 01:14 am (UTC)

You'll read this in the morning your time, I know.

Apart from the injustice of the situation, which is obvious, I want you to get out and go for a walk, or a ride on your bike. Doesn't matter where, as long as it takes more than 40 minutes. If you have an errand, so much the better - do it at the same time. But don't stay in and mope, regardless of the weather (it's been shitty here all winter, I'm just hoping spring arrives SOMETIME in the next month because there's been no sign of it yet).

What's wrong with your toilet? Some problems are surprisingly easy to fix.

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Sep. 17th, 2010 10:36 am (UTC)

It's the cistern; it just keeps running. Normally, I'd give the floater a wipe-down and that'd sort it, but it hasn't this time...so I'll probably have to replace it. I'm more worried about the central heating: there's a rattling noise in the pipes and the pressure gage has dropped out of the green zone.

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Sep. 18th, 2010 07:25 am (UTC)

Replacing the cistern may at first glance seem like a difficult job - and it is a challenge. But certainly possible, I've done two. They come with instructions and if you get stuck there's always the internet to consult with. Good luck!

I dunno about the heating though. Hopefully you won't need it for a while yet?

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Sep. 18th, 2010 08:38 am (UTC)

Apart from 3 glorious weeks in June, we haven't had much of a summer; July and August have been complete wash-outs, unseasonably cool and very wet. Sept so far hasn't been too bad, there have been a few dry days, but the temperature doesn't exceed the 16, 17 degree Celsius mark, and falls below 10 at night. So I will need to get the heating fixed pronto, or risk freezing to death come November.

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Sep. 16th, 2010 06:15 am (UTC)

I'm sorry that things aren't good and I second Suze's comment. The situation is depressing and you need to try and keep mentally and physically fit. Could you do some volunteering whilst looking for that job?

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Sep. 17th, 2010 11:05 am (UTC)

I've looked into that; unfortunately, I'm not allowed to volunteer while receiving benefit the first year, though I may be allowed to for a limited number of hours a month the second.

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curiouswombat

Sep. 16th, 2010 12:52 pm (UTC)

I keep hoping to read an 'I have a job!' post - it seems so unfair that someone who is intelligent and knowledgeable finds it so hard to get a job because they are intelligent and knowledgeable.

Sadly I can't give any good advice about toilets :~(

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Sep. 17th, 2010 10:58 am (UTC)

it seems so unfair that someone who is intelligent and knowledgeable finds it so hard to get a job because they are intelligent and knowledgeable.

I wouldn't have believed it myself a couple of months ago, but I've since found out that my story is all too common these days. The economy may be recovering slightly, but employers aren't taking any chances and prefer hiring young people straight out of school if they're hiring at all. They cost less and will be easier to ditch if need be.

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vegmb

Sep. 16th, 2010 03:56 pm (UTC)

[hugs] What everyone else has already said has covered my feelings. (However, I may be able to give advice on the toilet.)

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Sep. 17th, 2010 10:51 am (UTC)

Thanks, but I think I can sort it by replacing the cistern (it keeps running, you see; and cleaning the floater has done nothing to stop it). I do hope they come with instructions, though, as I've never had to replace one before.

Now that the temperatures outside have fallen to the low to mid teens, I'm more worried about the central heating system, which was put in in the 70s. There's a loud rattling in the pipes (or there was before I shut it down a few months ago) and the pressure gage has dropped out of the green zone quite a bit. I'll have to get someone in to take a look, and hope they won't charge an extortionate amount to put it right again.

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vegmb

Sep. 17th, 2010 01:33 pm (UTC)

I've had to replace the internal workings of my (and others) toilets several times. None of it is too difficult and it should come with instructions. Heating problems I'm no help with. A couple of years ago when our central heat went out in December, I had a portable heater that would keep the back bedroom area of the house decent during the night and we carried it from room to room with us during the day until I could get the central fixed.

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Sep. 16th, 2010 08:39 pm (UTC)

That just sucks, sweetie. I really hope things turn around soon.

I'm not sending virtual hugs because I'll be able to give you hugs in person soon.

(I'm in Netherbits Oct.2-12, but some of those days I'm with the tour. We'll figure something out)

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Sep. 17th, 2010 11:18 am (UTC)

I may have something on on the 7th (I'm still hoping to be able to wriggle out of it), but I'll try and keep my diary clear for the duration of your visit.

Bring warm clothes and a mac. It doesn't look like an Indian summer's all that likely this year.

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Sep. 17th, 2010 12:42 pm (UTC)

Don't worry about the 7th on my account. I'm with the tour group that day anyway.

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kassto

Sep. 19th, 2010 01:37 am (UTC)

I'm really bloody sorry! Sounds like a scenario where I'd be comfort eating too...

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Sep. 19th, 2010 12:09 pm (UTC)

Thanks! Now that I'm aware I'm doing it, I'm making every effort to stop. If only celery stalks could release endorphins as effectively as chocolate, I wouldn't have such a problem...

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kassto

Sep. 19th, 2010 08:22 pm (UTC)

I'd like to say that everything happens for a reason, but that may sound really trite and unhelpful.

Chocolate is good.

Kathy xx

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viciouswishes

Sep. 19th, 2010 02:45 am (UTC)

*hugs* I'm sorry things have been down for you and not even the weather is sunny. (Seattle's been the same way all summer too.) PM me if you want easier ways to get those episodes.

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Sep. 19th, 2010 12:12 pm (UTC)

I believe the weather's been off kilter in most parts of the world, if people's LJ entries on the topic are anything to go by. Maybe that's another fine mess Iceland's got us into...

PM on its way.

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( 27 Speak Like A Child — Shout To The Top )