It has been pointed out to me recently that this blog has quickly become a space negative, angry ranting; that my original aim to chronicle a year spent accumulating diverse experiences and making the best of everything has been overwhelmed by the despair inspired by long tiring shifts and an apparent paucity of decent jobs to move into. For my concerned friends and anyone reading who is considering a similar year, here are the reasons I haven’t gone crying back to the department of psychology and begged them to reinstate me for a PhD:
1. Relative freedom. Whenever I am not at work I am free to do what I want. This includes reading, watching films, visiting people, drawing and painting and, of course, hashing out my ideas in cyberspace.
2. Bar hours. Yes they are antisocial and yes it is depressing to work until 3am and then get up for a 9.30 start but when they are good they are very good and they currently allow me to do things like volunteer for Refugee Action, who hold most sessions during the working day and undertake work experience at BBC Nottingham, where I am writing this (heehee).
3. Experience. I have bar experience already but it never hurts to get more and I am encountering aspects of life and Nottingham I never previously had access to. What is more, I have met some interesting people who have done interesting things.
4. The people. Most of the staff are my age and they give me some good ideas for what to do with my life. Rhidian went to France to do his degree, Natalie has been a TEFL teacher for 4 years and is living proof of the efficacy of that line of work for improving language skills.
5. Lack of responsibility. Similar joy to 1. when I am at work I don’t have to look all that smart, can chat to the customers (friendly and interested can lead to tips) and can always remind myself that noone really cares how conscientious a barman is so long as he doesn’t fuck up too big.
6. Comedy fodder. Most of my angry rantings have been in the name of comedy and have been fun to write. Furthermore, how can you see corporate inspirational slogans like this and not laugh with relief because you realise you are one of the last sane people left alive: “Imagine a world where we all strive to exceed our shared objectives.” Ha.
7. Departure. I am planning to leave just as soon as I get a better paid job. Imagine the satisfaction of handing in my notice to people who think it’s funny to make me clean mats. I only have to work a week’s notice and I can leave without any repercussions.
1. Relative freedom. Whenever I am not at work I am free to do what I want. This includes reading, watching films, visiting people, drawing and painting and, of course, hashing out my ideas in cyberspace.
2. Bar hours. Yes they are antisocial and yes it is depressing to work until 3am and then get up for a 9.30 start but when they are good they are very good and they currently allow me to do things like volunteer for Refugee Action, who hold most sessions during the working day and undertake work experience at BBC Nottingham, where I am writing this (heehee).
3. Experience. I have bar experience already but it never hurts to get more and I am encountering aspects of life and Nottingham I never previously had access to. What is more, I have met some interesting people who have done interesting things.
4. The people. Most of the staff are my age and they give me some good ideas for what to do with my life. Rhidian went to France to do his degree, Natalie has been a TEFL teacher for 4 years and is living proof of the efficacy of that line of work for improving language skills.
5. Lack of responsibility. Similar joy to 1. when I am at work I don’t have to look all that smart, can chat to the customers (friendly and interested can lead to tips) and can always remind myself that noone really cares how conscientious a barman is so long as he doesn’t fuck up too big.
6. Comedy fodder. Most of my angry rantings have been in the name of comedy and have been fun to write. Furthermore, how can you see corporate inspirational slogans like this and not laugh with relief because you realise you are one of the last sane people left alive: “Imagine a world where we all strive to exceed our shared objectives.” Ha.
7. Departure. I am planning to leave just as soon as I get a better paid job. Imagine the satisfaction of handing in my notice to people who think it’s funny to make me clean mats. I only have to work a week’s notice and I can leave without any repercussions.
posted by huwtube at 11:30 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home