Friday. In celebration of getting a job, and in commiseration that the kids are on Jim and I went drinking around Chambers and Skuba followed by a lovely meal in the Portofino restaurant on Sandgate Road. Delicious!

Saturday, we made a random visit to my Nan up in Snodland followed by an afternoon drive by of my Mum's place in Stanford.

Sunday, we headed to Mum's again to meet... Nan... again. Plus Uncle Graham and his girlfriend Rebecca (pregnant with yet another cousin of mine). Was nice to see everyone, although slightly ruined by my 14 year old sister phoning constantly to shout at my Mum. Eventually I took the phone and after finishing the phone call was physically shaking with anger. She shall be getting a sound speaking to when I see her next. Honestly, I don't give a shit about what's going on between her parents. She needs to start treating them BOTH with respect (rather than just one) or she'll have this big brother making her life an absolute misery. For her own good.

Monday. First day of work, involving finding out Ben lookalike didn't get a job and discovering I had to wear painful safety shoes. Followed by a trip to Sandgate in the evening for "Liberal Drinks" in the Providence Inn. Lovely.

Tuesday. Health and safety. Found out, too late, I didn't have to wear painful safety shoes as long as I always had them with me. The blistery damage was done. Also had a security briefing, a tour of the port, and a return trip to France.

Wednesday. Ouch. My feet! The two mile journey each way is HORRIBLE with blisters! But after just a day and a half of training (yesterday didn't count) they let me start taking calls! Hurrah.

Now I sit here in the living room hoping my feet stop hurting soon.

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Jae Gets A Job

Obviously, Dear Constant Reader, you are my good luck charm! I've finally got myself a job offer after yesterday's adventures in Dover.

I got a phone call from the employment agency who contacted me about it originally and they were very circumspect, asking me if I thought I'd like to work for the company etc. I confirmed I would, at which point they said they'd offered me the job but "were concerned I might not want it". Mum had warned me that people might not be offering me jobs because they were worried I was "overqualified" but I hadn't really believed her. Now I do, and I'm just grateful they offered me the job despite thinking I might not want it!

Currently it looks like I'll be starting on Monday, I'm just waiting for a confirmation in the post. Good times! And not a minute too soon, as my bank account has been bled dry.

Now if I can start to sort my finances out I'm one step closer to another plan I've hatched during my blog silence... starting an Open University course!

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Adventures At Dover's East Dock

I had an interview today for a cross channel ferry company at Dover's East Dock. I arrived at their ticket office and collected my pass and together with another interviewee (who looked uncannily like Ben (see June 2002 blogposts) was sent off into the docks, unsupervised, with vague directions to the building we were to be interviewed in. After several wrong turns, a stay in between the French and British passport control stations and a wander round a large but incorrect building we eventually arrived. Seems like a small team, a good group and thus I'm hopeful I get this job.

In other news... I have wearing interview clothes!!

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Gone Fishing

Today we all headed down to the fishing shop on Tontine Street where we spent quite a long time getting kitted out and trained up by the very helpful guy there. Newly furnished with rods, reels, tackle and bait, we walked across the old Rotunda (a bittersweet experience, seeing the marks in the ground where the Ghost Train and the go-karts, used to be) and set up our rods on the beach there. 

We didn't catch anything but a lot of fun was had anyway. 

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The Kids Have Landed

So three of Jim's kids arrived yesterday and allowed us to be even more childlike that usual with Finding Nemo on the TV and playing frisbee down the beach. Posts may be erratic this week... 

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A Job Prospect!

After a couple of dry weeks with no interviews or leads, I've arranged a job interview on Wednesday for a cross-channel ferry company. My experience at Eurotunnel should serve me well, and I've got my fingers crossed for success! I don't care how much they pay... anything's better than nothing right now. 

Christopher de Chavez

Today was "cleaner day" meaning Jim and I made ourselves scarce while she got down to business. Went into Gamestation where Jim discovered some games and I discovered some cute guys who work there. Trebles all round!

Also saw the Leas Lift in action for the first time since it reopened. It was really nice to see and great to see people using it in some numbers. Long may it continue!

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Another Gay Sunshine Day

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. As I'm sure you know Proposition 8, California's anti-marriage equality voter initiative that amended the Californian Constitution, was struck down in a federal court. By no means is this the end of the fight but it's certainly worthy of a smile and, if you are so inclined, a song.

So day 532 of the job search, or thereabouts. Any news? Nope. Keep getting phone calls enquiring as to my interest in a job but they never seem to amount to anything. *sigh


Starting to get concerned about heading up to the third floor when Jim is there now, following two worryingly similar incidents that occurred last night. The first involved him forcing me to sing “Always On My Mind” by the Pet Shop Boys. The second was a duet on “Happy Ending” by Avril Lavigne. I tell you, this is a crazy house! Damn karaoke in the games room...

If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist

Being A Jobless Bum

So since the beginning of May I have been without paid employment. The first month was spent on moving stuff. June was spent looking for a job, interviewing, etc. I did get a couple of job offers but had the luxury of turning them down. Jim has been great in backing me up on those decisions as he wants me to have a job that doesn't depress me.

See, part of the reason I gave up blogging on here was because of how I was feeling at my last job. I was stressed out and depressed. I'm not going to go into the reasons why as they are too numerous to discuss. I stopped having a social life, lost contact with friends and just spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself (your lack of shock, Dear Constant Reader, is hardly a surprise!). So needless to say, I'm being picky about what jobs I accept, if not what jobs I apply for.

In the meantime I have absolutely no money and rely on Jim for all my needs. He has been very good about it (mainly because he's awesome but also because we knew it was a risk giving up my job in London to look for one down here) but it's obviously not an ideal situation and right now I just want to get myself a job so I can settle into life here in Folkestone again and start pulling my own weight.

Fingers crossed I get one soon so we can have the age old, new job phase of blogging which, I think, is generally the most interesting stuff you'll find on here. The crush on some cute guy, the new friends and new adventures are always worthy of comment! :)

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I Really Have Missed You

I suppose it's my long tradition of keeping a diary that leaves me to feel incomplete without one. I didn't really notice that feeling until I reopened my blog last night. But as soon as I had, I felt complete once again. It's as if talking to you, Dear Constant Reader, has become part of my conscious.

Why did I stop? For some very sensible reasons. New prospects, new employment in particular, meant I felt the need to hide my diary to be discreet. And Jim, I think, prefers me not to keep a blog for his own reasons (very sensible one's they are). But really all I was doing was hiding who I am from the world, in order to perpetuate a lie: that I am not me. Just to sell myself. And I think that goes against several of my "Prime Directives". So, yes, I'm back... for another couple of years until I have another hissy fit or change of mind. However, you needn't worry too much. I'm always back for more at some point.

To cement my return... here's a whole new (for me and probably you) pic of Charles Dera!

So, other than Charles Dera, what are my current obsessions? Politics, I'm afraid, has reared it's ugly head in my life again since I was last around. And, in related obsessions, marriage equality. All this can be seen at my other place. Otherwise, I'm too busy worrying about getting a job to bother with much else. Once the money starts flowing in again, I'll return to more geeky (i.e. expensive) pursuits.

And I must get myself a social life, reconnect with friends, make new one's etc. But I just can't seem to be bothered until I have some money to make it worthwhile to them to spend time with me (there's only so much sitting round my house they can put up with, even if Jim has constructed us a "games room", i.e. putting a telly and his games consoles into one room with a cheap sofa bed). Oh didn't I say... we have plenty of rooms! It's like a palace, just set above a shop that has lots of "Break free of porn" posters all over it. :)

Anyway I feel much better having you back again... fingers crossed for some adventures soonish.

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Hello Once Again, Dear Constant Reader

It's been a while. It seems whenever I swear off blogging on here and abandon you, it's only a few months before I return. This month is the ninth blogaversary. Prepare yourselves!!

So what's new? I'm living in Folkestone once again above a xtian shop (code is because I know how strong your pagerank can get!). I'm still with the ever so lovely Jim. I have no job. I'm in love with seagulls. Mr Gibbs has been sulking for two months now. And I suppose that's about it.

So this is just a heads up. I'm back. Proper blogging will return tomorrow... Until then...

If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist