There was also the brilliant BBC2 documentary ‘Who Gets The Best Jobs’, presented by BBC journalist Richard Bilson on Wednesday night. And then there was the retro 80’s movie ‘Wall Street’. Plus, the huge added bonus of a mid-week ‘Match Of The Day’! …But what have all these television programmes got in common?
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| "Episodes" BBC 2, Monday's at 10pm Not belly-achingly funny, but very good. ...in a "The Office" kind of way. |
I’ve spoken much about the lows and lowers of being out-of-work over the last month, but there’s also a surprisingly pleasant side to all this additional free time. In normal circumstances, I don’t watch a great deal of television, but being home-alone all day, every day does allow one have so much more ‘extra’ time in the evening.
I watched all the programs listed above this week, (...and am only including the indulgences of Monday to Thursday!), but I don’t feel guilty and really enjoyed them all too. In all, I reckon that I’ve watched at least 70% more television than I would’ve done in a ‘normal’ regular working week.
Readers of this blog will also be aware that I spent the best part of two days last week setting up a brand new laptop and updating my iTunes library. I’ve also had the time to do some of those itty-bitty jobs that I’ve been meaning to do for ages, such as setting up Skype, downloading apps, and de-cluttering files. I’ve put nick-nacks in the attic, cleaned all my shoes and the ironing pile is virtually non-existent. (Although, this is hugely helped by the fact that I’m not wearing a clean work-shirt for every day at the moment!).
I’ve had the opportunity to take regular runs, nip into town whilst it’s quiet and even help my sister with her home-work. Of course, I’ve been able to improve my CV and take the huge chunks of time required to give my undivided attention to a plethora of job applications and online tests.
When I come home from work usually, it’s all-go. By the time I’ve been to the gym, had my tea and washed-up, I’ll be off out to Lindsay’s or to run an errand. Even if the TV is on, it’ll only be to accompany a pile of ironing, or I’ll forever be distracted by the internet whilst catching up on e-mails, banking or doing a bit of shopping.
To that end, I’ve realised that I never ‘properly’ relaxed or re-charged the batteries and I’ve really enjoyed watching all that tele this week. I’ll definitely learn from this experience and when I do land a new job, I’ll be sure to take much more time to do absolutely nothing in the future. No laptop. No iron. No iPhone. …Just the TV or a book.
Things finally seem to be looking a little clearer today. I got a phone call from RD at JD Williams this afternoon to ask how I was fixed next Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, I need to sign on at 9:50 on Tuesday, but obligingly, RD simply asked me to get there as soon as I could.
This was later followed by an e-mail assuring me not to worry about Tuesday, and to go along for my trial on Wednesday and Thursday instead. I really couldn’t ask for any more than that.
I’ll be briefed on the FashionWorld brand and then I'll be tested on my copywriting capabilities for covers, opening catalogue spreads, customer letters, promotional flyers, fit & shape stories and stylist tips amongst others.
RD has made it clear that I am welcome to spend as much time as I’d like at the offices, so perhaps I'll show willing and head into Manchester on Friday too?
After a heavy dose of confidence bashing though, a little bit of self-doubt has inevitably crept in. I’ve done copy-writing elements in all of my previous jobs, but I’ve never been a fully-fledged full-time copywriter, so over the coming days I’ll be familiarising myself with the FashionWorld brand, its current marketing strategies and checking out how their rivals come across.
All of a sudden, the pressure of finding a job has been replaced by the pressure to perform. Not only do I want to prove my worth to the Marketing Manager and his team, but it’s also imperative that I justify the faith RD has shown in me. i don't want to let him, or myself down.
I’ve never had a trial period before either, so it’s going to be a totally alien experience and a very different kind of pressure. Nevertheless, it’s a pressure that I would gladly choose any day of the week over trying to find work.
I’m off to the cinema now to watch ‘A Little Bit Of Heaven’ - a rom-com with some food for thought! The lead character is a fun-loving and successful professional (she’d have to be!) who is diagnosed with cancer. She is then faced with an opportunity to fall in love and turn her life around after a chance meeting with God.
Sounds like just the kind of escapism that’s needed to get away from the real world. Meanwhile, the unavoidable economic predicament of unemployment means reality will be entwined into my night out, as we’ll be taking our own supermarket pick ‘n’ mix and some home-made carrot sticks to go with our gallon-cups of ‘diet’ coke!
Today’s blog began with the small screen and ended with the silver screen. But, best of all, it ends with clearest picture yet.
Enjoy your weekend and many blessings.
Jason
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