Scottish Nonsense

A bit behind the times on this but job hunting has taken priority!

Can someone explain to me what the MSP's are thinking? There are motions being put forward to try and reduce the alcohol problems that seem to be prevalent north of the border. This has to be applauded as an honourable plan and, before I have my rant, let me say that I have no idea what the answer is to the problem.

However, I am utterly bemused by the solutions that are being proposed. It seems that a large number of options are being put forward but, on the TV yesterday, one MSP stated the following (my apologies for the paraphrasing) - Whilst the proposal for minimum pricing per unit of alcohol is unlikely to be approved, we are hopeful that a ban on multibuy promotions will be passed and see this as a very positive step.

Now, I might be being naive here but, if they are going to ban promotions such as 'Buy one, get one free' but not enforce minimum pricing, surely the retailers just have to offer half price alcohol? Isn't that the same thing????

No wonder I could never get in to politics!

Job Hunting

Well, another day dawned, I got ready for work with the usual thoughts of what the day may bring. I had to stop off at the local postal depot to pick up a recorded delivery on my way to the office and the sky was blue. How quickly your outlook on life can change!
Having picked up my recorded post, as it was a letter, I decided to open it before I continued my journey. At this point, my day took a major turn for the worse.
My letter was the notice of intent to make redundancies. Whilst this might seem a bit broad brush to worry at this stage, the letter was written in such a way as to make it totally plain that I was the only member of staff to be facing this.
Gloom descended for the rest of the 90 minute journey but I filled in the time by contacting some old contacts.
Having got to the office in an understandably bleak mood, I decided to pre-empt the situation and look what is out there in my field. Not a lot is the answer but, after re-creating my CV and uploading to a job search website and applying for three jobs that seemed to fit the bill, I had two call backs from the agencies handling the jobs within 30 minutes! One has even stated that it is likely I would be interviewed tomorrow or in two days time if the client liked the CV!
Now, I know that it is much too soon to be thinking positive but it certainly lifted my day!

3am Eternal

I have to ask, why is 3am such a popular time for waking people up? When there has been a perfectly adequate 15 hours since rising the previous morning, why is there a need to either 'talk', demand answers or just generally discuss what is wrong with your life??

Currently, I work at home two days a week and in an office three days. The office drive is between 90 minutes and 2 hours each way (on occasion longer such as yesterday took 2 and three quarters). On days that I work at home, I could in theory stay in bed until 8.45am and still be at work before 9. Which mornings do the 3am chats take place? Without fail, on days that I have the long drive!

Weekends seem to be exempt from these events despite the opportunity to sleep longer. Is this a conspiracy? I don't know but, what I do know is, after only 1 week back at work following a 2 week break, I am shattered. All I want to do is go out to the car park and tip the seat back and sleep. Do you think anyone would notice? If I wore sunglasses would they not recognise me? Sadly, I think not.

So, for now, I shall keep knocking back the black coffee and taking brisk walks down the corridor to wake me up. I must be teh biggest bloody doremouse in the world.

The Truth Mirror

Have you ever noticed that, no matter what size you get there are a umber of 'versions' of you?
1. This is the view you get as you look down at yourself - Sure, you've gained a few pounds but, if you suck everything in, it doesn't look too bad considering.
2. This is when you look in the mirror - not and special mirror, just your usual home type mirror. In this, you realise that perhaps you are not quite the 'racing snake' physique of old but still, with a little suck here and there, it's still not too bad.
3. The final horror - The photo!!!! Suddenly, it all becomes crystal clear. In my case, I look generally like John Goodman and, in recent times, with sideburns for a play, I look like a cross between a fat Wolverine and a fat Ray Dorsett (look him up).

Twitter Guide to Amateur Dramatic Groups Part 3 - 'I could've been a professional'

Now, this one might come across as very negative but, I would like to say from the start, whilst this 'type' really gets on my t*ts, they are usually a stalwart of a group and can end up appearing in other groups when needed.

I have only met this character on two occassions but I feel sure they would be recognised far and wide. The warning signs can be spotted very early on:

1. At the read through, they are usually over effusive in greeting new faces (whether or not they are the 'new' faces!) and, if they have members of their own family in the group as well, you be given the grand tour of introductions.
2. During the read-through, they will have already researched the part and start with full characterisation (including accents whether necessary or not) in the full assumption that they will be getting a specific part.
3. After the first few rehearsals when basic moves have been plotted, they will argue at every opportunity with the cast and even the director about where they should be. This can be very difficult for the director if they want to change anything.
4. Should you ever have the temerity to mask them (block the audience's view) from even the smallest angle, you will receive a glare (for the first offense) right up to a shove (for repeated offenses).
5. Should you ever have the temerity to suggest that they may be masking you....see above.
6. Should you ever have the temerity to give an incorrect cue line....see number 4.
7. Should you ever have the temerity to suggest that they may have given you an incorrect cue line, after a 5 minute diatribe upon the subject @don't you realise how many lines I have to learn and, besides, I am rehearsing for two plays at the moment so I am bound to get some wrong'.....see number 4.
8. The final sacrilage to any of this type is when, for reasons of practicality, a scene has to be moved from its original position on the stage. This can prompt the outburst that 'but I've leant it here, if we move over there I will be completely thrown'.
9. And, for those of you who thought this remark only came from semi-professional actors/actresses that are up themselves, I have actually heard one of these say the immortal line 'What's my motivation'!!! What makes it even better is it was to do with bringing another character a cup of tea!!

Oh what fun we have sometimes :)

Memories - The Solution (see previous post)

Having discussed my previous post with an old friend who understands psychology (he is actually qualified in this field - and yes, I do know people who are that clever. Oh, and yes, they do acknowledge that I exist!).

It turns out that the most likely explanation is that the particular piece of music is actually connected with several different memories rather than a single person, event, time or feeling. Because of this and the fact that all these memories have been filed as having equal importance, the brain handles it by telling me that there are definitely memories but, at this particular time, it is not willing to favour one over another.

Personally, I just wish my brain would bite the bullet and actually make a decision for a change. Hmmm.....procrastination, not making decisions.....where have I heard that before?

Memories - Real, Imagined and Forgotten

Strange thing this morning - heard a record on the radio that stirred memories. Trouble is, I can't figure out what those memories are. There is something in the back of my mind that is sticking up a hand and waving but, as soon as I turn towards it, the hand disappears.

I have had records trigger memories before - Michael Jackson's Beat It brings back an old school friend pretending to beat aggs in a bowl(!?), Soft Cell's Tainted Love is Parties at the Royal (a local pub to my childhood home), Peter Gabriel's Games Without Frontiers is a former girlfriend (long story). But this time I am stumped. The track in question was The Rolling Stones' Under Cover. It is still going round in my head and an image, as if seen out of the corner of my eye, keeps trying to come through but my mind is having a Douglas Adams moment and, every time I get close to seeing it, my mind sticks up a diversion notice and I end up in some dead end, dark recess of my memories where I really don't want to be! Who knows what lurks there? That way (as they used to put on maps) There be dragons!

How do I get by this trickery and catch up with the lurking memory? Should I try? Does it want to be found? If it doesn't want to be found, why is it teasing me?

???