Rough Justice
13 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in General Blog
I know… Almost halfway through the month and just one solitary blog to my name (well two if you count this effort). So much for the hopes and aspirations I might actually blog more regular during 2012. I want to believe me but the situation work wise has made it impossible.
If you don’t know, I won’t reveal who I’m currently working for albeit via an agency. After being laid off for almost two weeks over Christmas and New Year, I proceeded to indulge in a wave of mass overeating and alcohol consumption. This – somewhat predictably – was followed by a spot of feeling sorry for myself coupled with man flu. Not a great combination. Nothing got done. I purchased a copy of the latest football manager game; further dampening any chance of the creative division of my soul getting any work done. Some things never change! At least my Cambridge United side are impressively sitting top of the Blue Square Premier League with an 8 point cushion!
Unlike the real team who are currently experiencing mixed fortunes on the pitch. Two wins, two defeats is more akin to mid table form than a side who can make the play offs. I been missing quite a few home matches recently due to late work finishes so was delighted to attend Tuesday’s home match against in-form Grimsby Town. I was not so delighted when the Mariners deservedly triumphed 1-0; inflicting a first home defeat since August.
With four senior players shipped out already this transfer window and one solitary replacement (an on loan back up keeper… bout as useful as a chocolate fireguard unless number one Danny Naisbett does pick up an injury or suspension!) so far; on Tuesday night’s evidence the team is looking a little short right now. However reading the club message board us long-suffering supporters will be presently surprised with forthcoming signings to bolster the squad. Even at the toilet level of football I passionately follow, you can still be surprised and delighted with certain signings.
For once I’m not complaining about the football on show this season. We’re still in the hunt for the play-offs and there is some exciting talent at the club. First time in three years I’ve sported anything near to a smile on my face regarding football save the unreality planet of football manager. Jez George has done a quite remarkable job since taking the reigns almost a year ago. That 4-0 humping at Bath City swamped in freezing wintry conditions still brings a shudder down my spine! Almost as much as enduring the talentless wittering of Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes on Radio 2 during the journey home followed by Club Classics on Heart. Since I wasn’t driving I had no say on the choice of music. My protests fell on deaf ears.
Anyway the league is put to one side tomorrow as we have FA Trophy action against AFC Telford. The unpredictable nature of my current job means I really don’t know if I’ll make the game. I possess mixed feelings regarding the trophy. On the one hand it’s an opportunity to enjoy a stress-free no pressure day at Wembley. On the other hand there are a lot of games between where we’re at in the competition (2nd Round) and that day out inLondon. Even a two-legged semi final to negotiate! So will take it one game at a time.
I expect a poor crowd at the Abbey tomorrow despite reduced admission prices. A third of the ground will be closed (where I usually stand an all) and these matches never generate much atmosphere whatsoever. Still hoping I can make it but it depends on the damn job.
I took today off for the sake of my sanity. One advantage of being an agency worker is you can take a day off when you see fit! Quite simply since returning the way the staff have been treated is shocking to say the least. Evidently struggling in the current climate in an extremely competitive market (mind you what market isn’t competitive apart from niche areas?), the powers that be have made the not so radical decision to cost cut.
They’ve obviously been taking stock of how the coalition handled saving a few quid. Sweeping changes are being made on an almost daily basis. Morale – which was pretty decent before Christmas – has hit rock bottom. People have walked out the building in tears. The same level of work is present but with significantly less staff to man (or woman!) operations. Customers are getting extremely pissed off as these sweeping changes are making the service they provide much worse. And our job practically impossible.
I was at the end of my tether when I got the most welcome phone call of my life offering me a full time job with Royal Mail. This is subject to security clearance so still not a done deal. I can’t think for the life of my why I would not pass being a law abiding citizen type of chap. Well these days anyways! Unless they count bankruptcy against me which I’m sure I declared on my application form.
This will take a couple of weeks so am torn between a rock and a hard place. Part of me is tempted never to darken the doorstep of my current workplace again. But what if I failed the security test? I’ve decided the best course of action is to carry on regardless and do the job to my best of my ability but chucking in the added bonus of having a really don’t give that much of shit attitude. Those two 16 hour days almost killed me. I’m not afraid of hard work and going the extra mile but the pressures brought upon me and my colleagues – a good bunch of people – is going way beyond any call of duty. It wouldn’t surprise me if this company goes bust in the near future if they continue to practise in this manner.
I want more out of life than simply working and sleeping. Not too much to ask. The new job is the perfect scenario. A more sensible and manageable 35 hour week as opposed to the 70 plus I currently do. No wonder come Saturday night I do nothing more than slouch in front of the computer armed with excess booze posting irrelevant comment on the net!
I know I got to blog more and here’s hoping this might spur me into some blogging action, the creative division has been dormant too long and is in need of some action!
