Just like waiting for a bus

Although those that know me will realise that I know very little about that to which this title relates. In the last twelve months, the number of times I have caught a bus could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The only reason I caught them then was because I was somewhat incapaitated after breaking my foot (fifth metatarsal if you must know. Apparantly there are footballers who seem to be famous for little other than breaking the same bone). Don't get me wrong, I have nothing in particular against buses if you have no other means of transport or indeed if it is convenient for you. However, I can walk in to Gloucester from where I live and if I want to travel further I own a bicycle and a car which leave at the time I want them leave; from where I am and go to where I want to go not to somewhere vaguely nearby and I never have to get off my bike or out of my car to wait around for another one.

Anyway, I digress, what is like waiting for a bus? Interviews. You wait for ages then two arrive at once.
During my redundancy, apart from successfully applying to train to be a driving instructor (see earlier blogs), I have applied for a number of fairly diverse jobs and this week I have two interviews. First, on Wednesday, I shall be off to Royal Mail to find out if I need to change my name to Pat for the Christmas period. Strange as it may sound, I have always said that if I were redundant over the Christmas period I would love to spend it working as a Christmas relief postman or otherwise Royal Mail employee. I can't explain why, sorry. On top of that, If I can get night shift it might well work well for me.

Second job is a little harder to explain. It is with the NHS. If you are anything like me, you will browse some obscure websites, although in this case I refer to directgov and subsequent links, some of it makes for interesting reading. On this occasion, I found myself on the NHS job pages. I like the NHS. For all its faults, the NHS is, in my opinion, a marvellous organisation and I would be proud to be a part of it if only until I qualify as a driving instructor. So what is odd about this? I hear you ask. I found the job on the website and thought it looked kind of interesting, however, I'm not really sure what the job is. Could be an interesting interview that one. Keep watching, you may read more about it later in the week.

On another note, my busy week just gets busier, I shall be back at Job Centre Plus again on Tuesday to sign on. The ongoing highlight of my unemployment; Yosser Hughes eat your heart out.

I have had a new experience this weekend, one that will possibly live with me for ever. Life changing you could argue. Tina and I have been discussing for some time about hiring a tandem to try. Whilst in Brecon, it came to my attention that Mike and Cat own a tandem so, Saturday night, we rocked up at their house partly to be sociable and partly to have a go. Everybody should try this at least once in their lifetime, I can't remember the last time I laughed so much that wasn't at somebody else's expense. Just one word of advice, if you are on the back of a tandem and your handlebars are attached to the front seatpost, don't try and straighten the bars on the move. Other than Tina trying to kill me, it was a truly enjoyable experience and if anyone has or knows someone with a tandem for sale remarkably cheap, please let me know.

Finally for today, Jayne read my last blog and got unnaturally excited about a mention, so Jayne, this whole paragraph is for you. I don't know how you're going to contain yourself.