I'm almost embarrassed to be writing this now. It's almost exactly, nay, a day more than a month since last my prose graced these pages, a whole new currency is almost upon us, and yet I've had lots to write! Still, forgive me, and I'll see what I can do...

OK, well I'll begin where I left off... that course I was giving when I wrote last was the worst example of a badly managed organisation I can come up with yet. I'm sure there are worse, but this is the worst I've experienced in this place so far. It was a catastrophe - bulb gone in the room, only sorted 5 mins before the course start, room used as a store-room and had to be emptied just before the course, the course was a 5-day course and was sold as a three-day, which means I had to talk REALLY fast, etc. I was not a happy bunny. I nearly hung a few people, was going to lambast the whole affair in our post-course report, then took a four-day holiday, and kept it under wraps. Whinged a bit to two of the managers I considered responsible, but didn't carry it further. Shame, the only person who could and would actually do anything about it is the very one they're afraid of; my boss.

That reminds me. I found an interesting article recently that describes my situation quite well. It describes "Founder's Syndrome", which is a situation some companies find themselves in when their founder continues in a controlling role long after the company has grown out of their style and grip. Ah, well. There are many suggestions for that person to take on board, now whether anyone has the guts to say it or not is another thing...

I'm going to request a raise. I very nearly attended a "High Skills Pool Fair" yesterday, procrastination and laziness getting the better of me in the end. Good thing - someone I know went and said it was a waste of time unless you were a financial whiz. Now's not the time for a career change. In fact, no time is probably the best time to change to a financial career... *hoping I'm not insulting anyone by saying that...* So in the absence of a new full-time job, a raise will have to do.

That doesn't stop me getting a part-time job though. I've been accepted as a part-time lecturer with the Open University, teaching a final year software systems development course. Pretty tough, but hopefully I'll enjoy it, and it should look good on my CV ;-) I've yet to formally accept their offer. The contract is waiting for my signature in the next room. I've been holding off for one reason - they have my mobile number as primary contact number for my students, and I DON'T want that! Unfortunately, it's the only number I can give out until I get my new number, which again is just waiting to be posted (can you see a pattern forming?). Yes, I've finally applied for a land line for my...

...NEW PLACE! I finally got somewhere to live! Not with the parents now, after nine blissful (ahem) months of sharing a room with two brothers, sharing a living space with 7 or 8 adults, dealing with an impossibly tidy mother, and all the other things we forget about within months of leaving home for the first time. It's a converted attic in a shared house, nice big room. With no internet access until I get my own phone line. Hence the application. It's relatively expensive, but hopefully will still allow me to put a little by every month to build up enough for a deposit on a real house sometime in the distant future. House prices here are ridiculous, so now you probably see the reason I'm asking for a raise and taking a part-time job.

Actually, I should say ANOTHER part-time job. As you know, I'm in a really bad band. We're playing tonight as it happens. I need a new band. So much. But this one is gigging reasonably often, once a week at the moment, sometimes more, sometimes less. Crap money, too much driving, non-musicians (well, the drummer plays drums, that's about it). Hrm. I'm whinging again.

I think that's it. Oh, my cuz just had a baby Elizabeth, and both are fine. She was once a regular reader, before she had to leave London and come back to Ireland with her increasing family. Her folks live just around the corner from me, and are quite generous with beer as it happens :-)

Well that's it for this year I think. Chances are I won't be seeing you for at least another week, but who knows...

posted by Jeremy Smyth 17:53  |