Working. Class :)
on Blog From Beyond (Rwanda), 09/Dec/2009 20:31, 34 days ago
Picture fromhereWell, it was totally wonderful to see my friend Graeme again. We had a really chilled out evening, drank a lot of wine and smoked apple shisha whilst playingomweso.Then on the Saturday we went on a magical mystery tour with a distinct Christmas theme.I took Graeme over to the Forest of Dean and we went to one of my favourite places of all time:Clearwell Caves. They do a Christmas display every year and this year's was based on theTwelve Days of Christmas. Was really wonderful - there's a whole underground craft market, café and everything.Then we headed back via Tintern where we were going to get food and go round the craft shops but everything was closed! Except theAbbey, so we went round that instead - and it's absolutely beautiful. Then we had a scrummy pub lunch up the road in Piercefield.Totally excellent day out, which sustained me the three hour drive back to Northants.On the Sunday it was the anual Burbidge family gathering (mum's side). It's a big family, usually get around 50 people drop by, but down this year to about 30 as many are off doing all sorts. Aunty Patsy was recording with Swansea choire for a competition and my cousin Billy, who wonYoung Dancer of the Yearin 2008 is travelling the world and preparing to take up a place with a renowned British ballet company. We're all so proud of him, even if he is too modest to accept it :opWas a good day though and so much food I almost popped. Dad and Marilyn came too, so it was great to see them.Whilst heading down to Graeme's after the interview, the job people tried to call me, but I was driving and singing along to music silly loud so didn't hear them. Called them back Monday morning at half-nine:"Hi, you tried to call me?""Yes, we'd like to offer you the job.""That's great, when do I start?""Immediately."So I was in the office by 10:30 and I'm now gainfully employed byDeafconnect. It's a new team so nobody's been there very long and we're moving offices next week into the centre of Northampton, but I'm absolutely loving it.Due to transport issues (the car I'm borrowing may be required elsewhere for a couple of weeks) I've been working full days this week, then off most of next week and Christmas week. Everyone's really nice - only two until today when another member joined - and it's great to have a purpose again. I was turning into a bit of a vegetable and now that I'm working I've also become more productive for Tabara. I think having a job makes you value the spare time you have more - you get things done - less of themanyanaattitude.So yes, really happy but it's 15 hours a week minimum wage and only until February so I'm still, regrettably, signing on. Haven't managed to escape the job centre yet.There are a couple of full-time places I could apply for once my temping time's up but I've also re-applied to VSO. I really don't want to end up full-time in Northants if I can humanly help it. I really am loving the job but I really want to be in another country ;)Catching up on films. FoundSweeney Toddon offer the other day. That was just coming out when I left and I never got a chance to see it. I absolutely love the musical, saw it in Guilford years ago with dad and I was smitten. I ended up singingBy the Seaas part of an end-of-term showcase whilst atBRIT, bloody apron and all!I also loveTim Burtonand theDepp/Bonham Carterduo - fantastic style of work they do, but at the same point...I dunno. Itwasvery good...but....hmmm. Just didn't quite peg it completely. It went for the gore, but the stage play also went for the heart strings a lot more. I think you really have to feel the perversion of Judge Turpin and what he did to Todd's family to really connect with Todd. Live musicals also carry the power of people's voices andSondheimreally needs that - his tunes are nowhere near as catchy as something like Webber, so you have to feel them resonating around you to get totally sucked in. His music is as creepy as the characters ;)Anyway. It's funny because all the box office breakthroughs coming out when I left are now cheap as chips in the shops - old news, so I'm working my way through them slowly.Off for a meal on Friday with the localReturned Volunteersgroup. They've all been back about 15 years apparently, but it's a chance to make some new friends in the area :)