Working a bit more at the moment, which is good, got a full-time contract going on, which is nice. But in just over a month that finishes. Still doing bits and pieces elsewhere too, so that's good too.
That's it I guess.
Ok, in another area of my unsettled life, there's something I'd like to see happen. All the signs seem to say it's not going to (or at least not imminently), but over the last few days, I've been feeling like it's something I want to fight for. I don't know if it's a good or a stupid idea. Any thoughts?
Saturday 10 October 2009
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Something to think about...
We are in the house group I go to looking at Amos, and started from looking at how the people of Israel were adhering to the religious rituals, were failing to please God in the way they were acting in their day to day life. God's message to them is 'Go Away' as the injustice and oppresion of the poor are making the Israelites offerings of tithes and worship displeasing to Him.
MWe moved onto thinking about this issue in our settings, and didn't get very far, as we considered the challenge that just being diligent in our work (turning up on time, putting in the effort required) is not really getting to grips with God's call to fight injustice and to help those in need. It does not set us apart from other diligent people in the work place either. We considered the impact that Christians had upon matters of social justice in Britain 100 or so years ago, such as abolition of the slave trade, the introduction of universal education and others.
What we couldn't get to grips with was what this might actually mean for us as individuals in our varying contexts and to some extent as a church.
I'd be interested in hearing comments on this,
MWe moved onto thinking about this issue in our settings, and didn't get very far, as we considered the challenge that just being diligent in our work (turning up on time, putting in the effort required) is not really getting to grips with God's call to fight injustice and to help those in need. It does not set us apart from other diligent people in the work place either. We considered the impact that Christians had upon matters of social justice in Britain 100 or so years ago, such as abolition of the slave trade, the introduction of universal education and others.
What we couldn't get to grips with was what this might actually mean for us as individuals in our varying contexts and to some extent as a church.
I'd be interested in hearing comments on this,
Sunday 10 May 2009
"Get on the f***ing path, you d***."
Not my words, but that of a passenger in a car as it passed me on a hill in the early hours of this morning. I was approaching a junction at the top of a hill on my bike on the way back from work. I wasn't going that fast as you might expect, but at that time of night I'm not going to delay people that much, as with less traffic it's easier to overtake.
I hate this attitude that cycles belong on the pavement, and as far as my memory of the Highway Code and road law is concerned, cycles aren't supposed to use pavements unless designated as a cycle lane, whether segregated or shared use. I consider that as a confident adult cyclist with a suitable bike (and lights etc.) you are safer on the road than on the pavements as you can see more and be seen easier because of your road position, less risk of coming across pedestrians, and in theory level surfaces. Also it gives a major advantage in terms of journey speed, as you don't have to slow down and give way at every side road, or slow for pedestrians or people coming out of houses and so on.
I hate this attitude that cycles belong on the pavement, and as far as my memory of the Highway Code and road law is concerned, cycles aren't supposed to use pavements unless designated as a cycle lane, whether segregated or shared use. I consider that as a confident adult cyclist with a suitable bike (and lights etc.) you are safer on the road than on the pavements as you can see more and be seen easier because of your road position, less risk of coming across pedestrians, and in theory level surfaces. Also it gives a major advantage in terms of journey speed, as you don't have to slow down and give way at every side road, or slow for pedestrians or people coming out of houses and so on.
Saturday 18 April 2009
Music at work
Just read this BBC News story about the PRS fining Wiltshire Police for listening to music and not paying the royalties. A PRS spokesman is quoted as saying:
I can understand a strict policy where copyrighted music is played in public areas, such as shops, and gyms and of course in connection to live performances and radio. But I'd be reasonably surprised if a police force is playing music in this way. More likely having the radio on in the canteen or a CD player in an office for quiet night shifts etc...
So what does that mean for other businesses. I was unpacking boxes the other day for my friend's workplace. As we were doing this away from other people working and it is a fairly dull task, we tuned into Radio 2. Are we putting our employers at risk of a fine? Could a business be fined for its employees listening to their generic mp3 players to aid concentration? Will professional drivers have to turn off their vehicle radios, at least when on a business site?
The PRS generally do a valuable job for musicians and songwriters in this country, but pursuing any organisation that owns a CD player strikes me as petty and unenforceable.
Any use of music in a business or commercial premises requires, by law, a licence from PRS.It also states that the fine is for a period following a warning about the use of music.
I can understand a strict policy where copyrighted music is played in public areas, such as shops, and gyms and of course in connection to live performances and radio. But I'd be reasonably surprised if a police force is playing music in this way. More likely having the radio on in the canteen or a CD player in an office for quiet night shifts etc...
So what does that mean for other businesses. I was unpacking boxes the other day for my friend's workplace. As we were doing this away from other people working and it is a fairly dull task, we tuned into Radio 2. Are we putting our employers at risk of a fine? Could a business be fined for its employees listening to their generic mp3 players to aid concentration? Will professional drivers have to turn off their vehicle radios, at least when on a business site?
The PRS generally do a valuable job for musicians and songwriters in this country, but pursuing any organisation that owns a CD player strikes me as petty and unenforceable.
Working Dolly's Shifts
This has been a good week. Certainly much better than expected.
On Monday I got a call in the afternoon saying did I want to cover a shift on Tuesday. On Tuesday I got a call from a friend asking if I'd work at his office on Wednesday, On Wednesday he asked for Thursday, and Thursday for Friday. So having been expecting to do 2 hours work this week, I've done about 40 now. And probably more next week...
For my friend I'm doing IT type work, which is something that I have little experience of above individual user. (And it's been a while since I've used Windows much). I have to be told how to do everything, but the tasks are pretty repetitive, so once I know what I'm doing I can just plough on with it, meaning the more skilled people can plough on with the more challenging work.
As for searching for more permanent work, it's not going well, my laptop is damaged which is an excuse for not doing as much as I should, along with being busy. I've seen a job, in a role I'm not overly keen, but reasonably paid, and permanent. Problem I have with it is that it's half an hour away from my parents (by car). Moving back to that area is in mind very much a backward step for me, and chances are I'd spend a few months at parents as well. My parents are really the only link I have left in that part of the country, and while it's not a million miles from where I live now, I'm beginning to feel settled here...
On Monday I got a call in the afternoon saying did I want to cover a shift on Tuesday. On Tuesday I got a call from a friend asking if I'd work at his office on Wednesday, On Wednesday he asked for Thursday, and Thursday for Friday. So having been expecting to do 2 hours work this week, I've done about 40 now. And probably more next week...
For my friend I'm doing IT type work, which is something that I have little experience of above individual user. (And it's been a while since I've used Windows much). I have to be told how to do everything, but the tasks are pretty repetitive, so once I know what I'm doing I can just plough on with it, meaning the more skilled people can plough on with the more challenging work.
As for searching for more permanent work, it's not going well, my laptop is damaged which is an excuse for not doing as much as I should, along with being busy. I've seen a job, in a role I'm not overly keen, but reasonably paid, and permanent. Problem I have with it is that it's half an hour away from my parents (by car). Moving back to that area is in mind very much a backward step for me, and chances are I'd spend a few months at parents as well. My parents are really the only link I have left in that part of the country, and while it's not a million miles from where I live now, I'm beginning to feel settled here...
Wednesday 8 April 2009
My budget
Ok, so I've just received my pay from mt casual work over March. £837. I have to make that last last till 8 May. (Well I'm expecting about £40 come in from some work elsewhere too). I'm not very good at budgeting.
I don't know how to do it, but I've promised my parents that this month I should not need bailing out. It really does not help that my biggest expenditures are towards the end of the pay month (rent and a loan repayment).
Having had a run of busy days I've spent an awful lot on grabbing food on the run. It's hard to prepare food when you're home for less than 6 hours a night. But I must get this sorted....
I don't know how to do it, but I've promised my parents that this month I should not need bailing out. It really does not help that my biggest expenditures are towards the end of the pay month (rent and a loan repayment).
Having had a run of busy days I've spent an awful lot on grabbing food on the run. It's hard to prepare food when you're home for less than 6 hours a night. But I must get this sorted....
Friday 20 March 2009
Ow
I hurt quite a bit, cycled both to and from work yesterday, and had a pretty physically intensive day. Now having had not enough sleep (despite not hearing the noisy alarm that resides a foot from my head), I've got to go through it all again. Except I think I'll get the train in.
I'm confused though, with the combination of more physical stuff and less rubbish food, I'm sure I should be getting thinner...
I'm confused though, with the combination of more physical stuff and less rubbish food, I'm sure I should be getting thinner...
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Working for free
I'm getting increasingly frustrated with the number of jobs in the entertainment business for which don't pay a proper wage, and the expectation that in order to get anywhere you need to be willing to sacrifice pay for 'experience', especially when starting out. This seems to be true whether you are creative, performing, production or admin staff.
I'm not picking on those groups of students or young actors who club together to put on a show, and accept to do it on a basis of sharing the box office takings after paying for the production costs, after all Britain's fringe festivals would be less exciting if this was the case.
My issue is organisations who attempt to carry out their business with out raising the correct funding to do so. My view is that if they are actively recruiting specialist staff or talent, they should also be actively seeking the subsidies or financial backing to pay for those staff. Some are using interns or work experience placements to effectively fulfil what should be a staff role on a low paid or unpaid basis.
I am even more insulted when I read adverts carry the 'no money, but it'll look great on your CV' or 'be a way into the industry and give you contacts'. I'm not particularly convinced by these claims. I'm not saying it's of no benefit, but I'd imagine it to be of a significantly lower benefit than a professional position. Imagine the quality of those contacts if they're all working for gratis.
Looking at a couple of job sources from the last day or so, here's what I see:
Maybe those in the industry should seriously consider stopping working without being paid a living wage, and see if the industry can then find that money they should be paying...
I'm not picking on those groups of students or young actors who club together to put on a show, and accept to do it on a basis of sharing the box office takings after paying for the production costs, after all Britain's fringe festivals would be less exciting if this was the case.
My issue is organisations who attempt to carry out their business with out raising the correct funding to do so. My view is that if they are actively recruiting specialist staff or talent, they should also be actively seeking the subsidies or financial backing to pay for those staff. Some are using interns or work experience placements to effectively fulfil what should be a staff role on a low paid or unpaid basis.
I am even more insulted when I read adverts carry the 'no money, but it'll look great on your CV' or 'be a way into the industry and give you contacts'. I'm not particularly convinced by these claims. I'm not saying it's of no benefit, but I'd imagine it to be of a significantly lower benefit than a professional position. Imagine the quality of those contacts if they're all working for gratis.
Looking at a couple of job sources from the last day or so, here's what I see:
- Arts council email: 20 paid jobs, 12 unpaid/volunteer.
- Theatre website: 5 jobs listed today, all low paid or unpaid.
- Film website: 5 paid jobs listed today, 10 low or unpaid
- Film website: of the last 20 jobs posted only 2 are marked as paid.
- Music website: better than most... couple of the last ten ads where payment isn't mentioned (mainly audition calls), but presumed and one internship.
Maybe those in the industry should seriously consider stopping working without being paid a living wage, and see if the industry can then find that money they should be paying...
Tuesday 17 March 2009
Just a quick update
Had a busy couple of days, so no blogging. Ok not that busy, but not that inspired though either. I've not really acheived much in the way of applying for work either.
Saturday was camp reunion, which proved an interesting day.
Sunday had a good day at church.
Yesterday had an interview woo! But made the awful mistake of blanking out a chunk of work I've done that was pretty relevant to the job I was going for. I've emailed them about it, slightly embarassed...
Also had house group where we watched and discussed Deborah 13:Servant of God (link won't last forever). It's really strange, this girl's been brought up in almost total isolation in a Christian household. She's been evidently trained up by her parents in a certain brand of evangelism which is not so common in the British church nowadays. Her conservative values clash quite significantly with those she met in the video, especially when visiting her brother at uni. She also doesn't seem able to build relationships with others very well, although she can deal confidently with people from the outset.
We also looked at the story of Mr Genor (or Jenner).
Saturday was camp reunion, which proved an interesting day.
Sunday had a good day at church.
Yesterday had an interview woo! But made the awful mistake of blanking out a chunk of work I've done that was pretty relevant to the job I was going for. I've emailed them about it, slightly embarassed...
Also had house group where we watched and discussed Deborah 13:Servant of God (link won't last forever). It's really strange, this girl's been brought up in almost total isolation in a Christian household. She's been evidently trained up by her parents in a certain brand of evangelism which is not so common in the British church nowadays. Her conservative values clash quite significantly with those she met in the video, especially when visiting her brother at uni. She also doesn't seem able to build relationships with others very well, although she can deal confidently with people from the outset.
We also looked at the story of Mr Genor (or Jenner).
Thursday 12 March 2009
Travel
One of my friends made a suggestion that I should go to Australia, I've no idea where it came from. Ok she's not long back from a stint in New Zealand herself, but still.
So I've been thinking a little about it, not so much it's been my main distraction, but I've been thinking about it.
I would quite like to see Australia and New Zealand, and America. I won't be young and single for ever, maybe it's now the time. Ok, not right now as tickets will cost a few hundred at least, but could I make it my focus for the next few months, to raise enough to go on a trip, by just doing any job I can. Then travel, take time to review, maybe work my way around, then consider a career change on my return.
What do you think? Feel free to comment
5-a-day: 2 so far, maybe I should try and do at least one more.
So I've been thinking a little about it, not so much it's been my main distraction, but I've been thinking about it.
I would quite like to see Australia and New Zealand, and America. I won't be young and single for ever, maybe it's now the time. Ok, not right now as tickets will cost a few hundred at least, but could I make it my focus for the next few months, to raise enough to go on a trip, by just doing any job I can. Then travel, take time to review, maybe work my way around, then consider a career change on my return.
What do you think? Feel free to comment
5-a-day: 2 so far, maybe I should try and do at least one more.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Playing around
Developed a new look for the blog, because that's something that really needed to be done. Well of course not. I've also created some grids to help me monitor how I'm performing in terms of looking for jobs, and keeping on top of those things that are so easy to ignore (like admin). That's slightly more useful.
5-a-day: 3/5 - Ok, need to do a couple more before bed time...
5-a-day: 3/5 - Ok, need to do a couple more before bed time...
Tuesday 10 March 2009
5-a-day
The government health department, and the bandwagon riding supermarkets, push the 5 different fruit and vegetable portions a day as an aid to sensible eating, to ensure you get the right nutrients and so forth.
Maybe the DWP/Jobcentre should take a lesson from them. I recently signed on for a week or so, as casual work had dried up, they required me to:
So my 5-a-day is to try and actively pursue 5 potential lines of employment for 5 days of the week. That's 25 things a week.
My aim is also to try and explore different options, and potential new careers. So I'm going to try to aim to keep something of a balance between applying for these five types of work opportunity:
5-a-day: Bad day, 0/5.
Maybe the DWP/Jobcentre should take a lesson from them. I recently signed on for a week or so, as casual work had dried up, they required me to:
- Write to at least 2 employers a week
- Phone at least 2 employers a week
- Contact Jobseeker Direct at least 1 time a week
- Ask family, friends and people I have worked with before
- Look on the Internet daily and in an industry journal weekly.
So my 5-a-day is to try and actively pursue 5 potential lines of employment for 5 days of the week. That's 25 things a week.
My aim is also to try and explore different options, and potential new careers. So I'm going to try to aim to keep something of a balance between applying for these five types of work opportunity:
- Positions that closely match my usual role in the Entertainment industry, typically in response to adverts.
- Casual positions within my area of expertise in the Entertainment industry, typically these will have to be cold contacts.
- Medium term to Permanent positions, probably away from my usual role, but remaining within Entertainment.
- Casual, Temporary or Short-term work outside the industry. (e.g. Agencies and McJobs)
- Medium to long-term positions outside the industry, with a view to a potential long-term change in career direction.
5-a-day: Bad day, 0/5.
Smart (Price) Shopping...
Yesterday I had a days work, quite physical day, having had a pretty quiet week. I have a big scratch on my arm, and more suspicious marks and scratches dotted on my person...
I had a break of a few hours, and wasted an hour of it by trying to beat the next train to the next station on foot, missing the train (which is hourly on Sundays) and managing to fall into mud rather spectacularly. I had about an hour at home after I walked back and showered and rinsed my shorts, before I had to head back. To tail off a pretty physically demanding day, I cycled back in the cold. I got into bed, and laid there for a while, struggling to return to a sensible temperature. I ended up dragging out my sleeping bag.
Today was pretty much a write-off, spent the day on the sofa with a duvet and e4, really nice and has to happen occasionally, but I can't allow myself too many of those. This evening was house group, and we looked at 'lost things' in Luke 15.
House group night is the usual shopping night for me. The local 24-hour ASDA being in the same part of town. I'm having a bit of an issue with food, the eating and buying of it. With my finances being in poor health, I do have to be careful with how much I spend on everything, including food. I have though managed to develop that into a mentality that I have to suffer in my eating, I think some of that is punishing myself for wasting excessive money on food (e.g. take outs and dining out) previously. Last week I was so determined to not spend money that I did a weekly shop for £2.43. It bolstered the existing contents of my fridge and cupboards enough for most the week, but didn't make for a nutritionally strong menu by the end of the week. Maybe that's why I got so run down after yesterday.
This was in my mind when in Asda this week, and so spent a little more. Yes it was still largely white and green packaging on the conveyor belt ( aside: also take a look at this ), but I had a basket full of stuff rather than just three items. I conciously made sure I had protein and sugar, as well as quick-win and snack foods, as I'm aware that these are the things that will help me keep going.
Sadly unable to get the veg I was after though. The veg aisle was cordoned off for some lighting maintenance, so I was unable to pick up carrots or potatoes. I was also after a bag of value peppers, thankfully they reside in another aisle, sadly they weren't in stock though. Anyway, perhaps I shall take the opportunity to check out the market in town.
So today's total was £11.82, and has hopefully given me some more sensible and nutritious options for the week ahead.
I had a break of a few hours, and wasted an hour of it by trying to beat the next train to the next station on foot, missing the train (which is hourly on Sundays) and managing to fall into mud rather spectacularly. I had about an hour at home after I walked back and showered and rinsed my shorts, before I had to head back. To tail off a pretty physically demanding day, I cycled back in the cold. I got into bed, and laid there for a while, struggling to return to a sensible temperature. I ended up dragging out my sleeping bag.
Today was pretty much a write-off, spent the day on the sofa with a duvet and e4, really nice and has to happen occasionally, but I can't allow myself too many of those. This evening was house group, and we looked at 'lost things' in Luke 15.
House group night is the usual shopping night for me. The local 24-hour ASDA being in the same part of town. I'm having a bit of an issue with food, the eating and buying of it. With my finances being in poor health, I do have to be careful with how much I spend on everything, including food. I have though managed to develop that into a mentality that I have to suffer in my eating, I think some of that is punishing myself for wasting excessive money on food (e.g. take outs and dining out) previously. Last week I was so determined to not spend money that I did a weekly shop for £2.43. It bolstered the existing contents of my fridge and cupboards enough for most the week, but didn't make for a nutritionally strong menu by the end of the week. Maybe that's why I got so run down after yesterday.
This was in my mind when in Asda this week, and so spent a little more. Yes it was still largely white and green packaging on the conveyor belt ( aside: also take a look at this ), but I had a basket full of stuff rather than just three items. I conciously made sure I had protein and sugar, as well as quick-win and snack foods, as I'm aware that these are the things that will help me keep going.
Sadly unable to get the veg I was after though. The veg aisle was cordoned off for some lighting maintenance, so I was unable to pick up carrots or potatoes. I was also after a bag of value peppers, thankfully they reside in another aisle, sadly they weren't in stock though. Anyway, perhaps I shall take the opportunity to check out the market in town.
So today's total was £11.82, and has hopefully given me some more sensible and nutritious options for the week ahead.
Saturday 7 March 2009
In the end...
I didn't clean the bathroom, but eventually did put in one job application. It's for a company I've applied to before, although for a different role, so opened up the application form from last summer and had it alongside while I completed the one for this job. Last time I didn't get shortlisted for an interview, and today, looking at the application form, I can kind of see why. So hopefully this one's a bit better, and I'll have a trip up to Yorkshire.
Application forms aren't my favourite things, especially the open questions, where you have to 'draw on your experiences to illustrate how you match up to the requirements as laid out in the job description', sort of thing. I never really know what to put down, and how to present it. I do think I'm beginning to improve my approach, but still don't know how close to getting it consistently right I am.
The other thing is finding all the information... A lot of detail isn't on my CV, as it would be very cluttered if it was, so today I was Googling for the addresses of a couple of my recent employers.
Aside from that I had a good play of my piano this morning, and well I'm not sure what else I actually acheived today, apart from about 100 refreshes of Twitter, Facebook and regular checks of my RSS feeds. Oh and a Moogle Gap of 10-mile, 20-mile, 30-mile and 40-mile walking radii from my home.
I'm working tomorrow, and because I'm trying to not spend so much money at the moment, I made extra pasta and sauce for lunch to take with me. My pasta sauce is absolutely gorgeous, if I do say so myself.
Application forms aren't my favourite things, especially the open questions, where you have to 'draw on your experiences to illustrate how you match up to the requirements as laid out in the job description', sort of thing. I never really know what to put down, and how to present it. I do think I'm beginning to improve my approach, but still don't know how close to getting it consistently right I am.
The other thing is finding all the information... A lot of detail isn't on my CV, as it would be very cluttered if it was, so today I was Googling for the addresses of a couple of my recent employers.
Aside from that I had a good play of my piano this morning, and well I'm not sure what else I actually acheived today, apart from about 100 refreshes of Twitter, Facebook and regular checks of my RSS feeds. Oh and a Moogle Gap of 10-mile, 20-mile, 30-mile and 40-mile walking radii from my home.
I'm working tomorrow, and because I'm trying to not spend so much money at the moment, I made extra pasta and sauce for lunch to take with me. My pasta sauce is absolutely gorgeous, if I do say so myself.
Down the pan...
Right, so with all the tabs of potential job opportunities that has been open on Firefox pretty much since Monday, the 'draft' CV that has been open on my desktop since Tuesday morning and the ad from the local free paper that I ripped out yesterday... Where shall I start?
I think I'll clean the bathroom...
I think I'll clean the bathroom...
Friday 6 March 2009
Be the best?
I'm watching too much TV, an almost inevitable by-product of not having much work to go for, and little money for doing 'fun' things outside the house.
Two adverts have pretty much dug themselves into my conscious, largely against my will:
It'd be a big shift in career, clearly, but would give me structure, a steady income, accommodation, training & development opportunities, a pension... All pretty good things, and things I would value, a lot at the moment...
However things like having to conform and being in a job where I might be required to kill another person (and be at significant risk myself) is probably not something I would actually go for, I have though, been on their website.
But how big a shift could I be prepared for? I've been thinking if I was to change my career, as opposed to picking up work on a 'temporary' basis outside of entertainment, or exploring other options within entertainment.
Could I be a Police Officer? Would I enjoy working in Public Transport? Is there a role for me in Retail? Might I find Ambulance work rewarding? Have I got a hidden passion for Teaching? Am I fit enough to be a Fireman? Really, how boring would I find Accountancy? Is it too late to pursue a career in IT? What would I do on a Building site? Are any of these "Sales Opportunities" genuine?
Most of these are things I've genuinely considered as possibilities in the last couple of months... and none of them have felt right, but conversely very few of them have felt wrong to pursue...
How do I pick which one (or more) to pursue? Do I really want to change career permanently at this stage? Am I even in the right place to decide on a long term change?
Two adverts have pretty much dug themselves into my conscious, largely against my will:
- The F.A.S.T. Stroke awareness adverts
- Army recruitment ads
It'd be a big shift in career, clearly, but would give me structure, a steady income, accommodation, training & development opportunities, a pension... All pretty good things, and things I would value, a lot at the moment...
However things like having to conform and being in a job where I might be required to kill another person (and be at significant risk myself) is probably not something I would actually go for, I have though, been on their website.
But how big a shift could I be prepared for? I've been thinking if I was to change my career, as opposed to picking up work on a 'temporary' basis outside of entertainment, or exploring other options within entertainment.
Could I be a Police Officer? Would I enjoy working in Public Transport? Is there a role for me in Retail? Might I find Ambulance work rewarding? Have I got a hidden passion for Teaching? Am I fit enough to be a Fireman? Really, how boring would I find Accountancy? Is it too late to pursue a career in IT? What would I do on a Building site? Are any of these "Sales Opportunities" genuine?
Most of these are things I've genuinely considered as possibilities in the last couple of months... and none of them have felt right, but conversely very few of them have felt wrong to pursue...
How do I pick which one (or more) to pursue? Do I really want to change career permanently at this stage? Am I even in the right place to decide on a long term change?
Lent
Various people seem to be thinking about lent on the blogs, or making references to it on Facebook or so on. I thought I might jump on the bandwagon.
I can't help thinking giving up chocolate, or sweets or so on, it's pretty trivial.. Especially when it was instituted as a proper fast...
I'm not sure I've got my head around it, and it's something I've not really observed, even in the not eating chocolate sense... But I've been thinking about 40 days... a little bit...
It's significant in the Flood, and in the giving of the law to Moses, and in Jesus' testing I'll be keeping an eye out for it in the rest of my chronological Bible.
I guess there's some thinking to do...
I've also got this book to read which is a challenge split into 40 chapters...
So my lent:
I'm doing some general reappraising, hence this blog, some of this is, I hope, allowing me to get closer to God, and to be more aware of His leading on my life. Gotta be a good thing, if it happens as it should.
So while I've not consciously decided to 'fast' for lent, I realise I'm trying to give something up. I'm not going to give details, but it's an aim for more than just lent.
I should read this book...
This will probably mean lent won't be for me the 40 days set in the church calender, but a time of re-evaluating, going through challenges and hopefully having something 'new' at the end of it...
Welcome to my blog ;)
I can't help thinking giving up chocolate, or sweets or so on, it's pretty trivial.. Especially when it was instituted as a proper fast...
I'm not sure I've got my head around it, and it's something I've not really observed, even in the not eating chocolate sense... But I've been thinking about 40 days... a little bit...
It's significant in the Flood, and in the giving of the law to Moses, and in Jesus' testing I'll be keeping an eye out for it in the rest of my chronological Bible.
I guess there's some thinking to do...
I've also got this book to read which is a challenge split into 40 chapters...
So my lent:
I'm doing some general reappraising, hence this blog, some of this is, I hope, allowing me to get closer to God, and to be more aware of His leading on my life. Gotta be a good thing, if it happens as it should.
So while I've not consciously decided to 'fast' for lent, I realise I'm trying to give something up. I'm not going to give details, but it's an aim for more than just lent.
I should read this book...
This will probably mean lent won't be for me the 40 days set in the church calender, but a time of re-evaluating, going through challenges and hopefully having something 'new' at the end of it...
Welcome to my blog ;)
Thursday 5 March 2009
An Introduction
Hello
Welcome to my blog. Please wipe your feet or take your shoes off as you come in.
Somethings about who I am:
I'm in my twenties, and have been working in live entertainment for the last few years. However, at the moment I'm "between jobs" or "resting" as it's also known in this industry.
Life is getting pretty hard for me, I'm gradually running out of what money I have, as the little I'm earning from bits and pieces of casual work isn't covering rent and my other monthly costs. For about 4/5 days over this weekend I was completely unable to spend anything due to being out of cash, having a maxed out credit card, and my debit card while not at it's overdraft limit, a pre-authorisation meant I couldn't withdraw on it.
Yesterday I was able to get a tenner out of the cash machine, but am concerned that I've got to survive on that and the canned food and staples found in my cupboard.
My parents have been great and bailed me out a few times, and there's always a bed and well-stocked kitchen to retreat to, but that's not an option I'm wanting to resort to.
I trust God to look after me, and family and church are two ways he's supporting me already.
That's it for now I guess...
Welcome to my blog. Please wipe your feet or take your shoes off as you come in.
Somethings about who I am:
I'm in my twenties, and have been working in live entertainment for the last few years. However, at the moment I'm "between jobs" or "resting" as it's also known in this industry.
Life is getting pretty hard for me, I'm gradually running out of what money I have, as the little I'm earning from bits and pieces of casual work isn't covering rent and my other monthly costs. For about 4/5 days over this weekend I was completely unable to spend anything due to being out of cash, having a maxed out credit card, and my debit card while not at it's overdraft limit, a pre-authorisation meant I couldn't withdraw on it.
Yesterday I was able to get a tenner out of the cash machine, but am concerned that I've got to survive on that and the canned food and staples found in my cupboard.
My parents have been great and bailed me out a few times, and there's always a bed and well-stocked kitchen to retreat to, but that's not an option I'm wanting to resort to.
I trust God to look after me, and family and church are two ways he's supporting me already.
That's it for now I guess...
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