I don't have a particularly high pressure job; I'm not a doctor or a teacher, you don't need any specific qualifications or skills - but I can't wait to not be a manager any more.
I hate the petty questions I'm asked, where I think, if you actually took the time to use your brain for all of two minutes, you could've figured that out yourself. I'm not talking about genuine I-don't-get/know-how-to-do-this questions. I'm talking about people who have been there more than three months and ask me 'Where does this go?' Well, it's broken, so it goes in the box to be sent off. But that's not the end of it - I have to make sure they follow procedure and put the right sticker on it, save the barcode and log it. Thing is, it's all things I've been though before and you've only got to use your noggin and look around you to get your answers half the time. Just listen to me the first time I tell you, or have a go and then ask me if you got it right.
I hate that no-one wants to work, whether that be their scheduled shift or to come in and cover a sickness. That's a lie actually, there are a select few that always will, and I love them for it, but it's not fair on them. Why should a few people work twice as hard to help others out, yet never get the same back? I worked a thirteen hour shift the other day because someone phoned in sick and no one would cover because they had something going on. I then asked the person who phoned in sick if the could help me out and do a shift in a few days time. They agreed, then text me later saying they couldn't do it because of a family thing. How many family things do these kids have going on?! More like, it's a Sunday morning shift, you want to go out Saturday night but don't want to worry about work the next day. How about you face up to your responsibilities, stop complaining that you never have money, and help some people out for a change.
In Oz, I'll stick to the simple life, thanks.
Friday 30 May 2014
Thursday 22 May 2014
Unsociable
I don't like people.
Not in a every-now-and-then kind of way. Not when someone's been mean or I witness or hear something that's not very nice. I generally just find human beings irritating.
I used to describe myself as a people person. Pfft. You would think that working in retail, you know, where I have to recruit and manage people; where I have to communicate to all levels of the company as well as cater to the needs of customers non stop on a daily basis, that I'd have gotten over this. In actual fact, I think it's working in customer focused roles for so long that's made me this way - oh yeah, and being with Nick. I'm so glad I found a fellow hermit.
If you saw me at work, or how easily I make friends, you wouldn't guess that I feel this way at all. I think I hide it quite well, but sometimes I'm simply tired of talking to people, and not just strangers either, it could also be my best friends or family. Which is awful because I should be spending as much time as possible with them. I still love them all to pieces though, and I've got a lot better in this aspect.
You would see it most if you were out in a public place with me, or stuck with the same people in the same environment for a long time. When people get comfortable with you, they can get a little spiteful with words - silly digs and comments, along with a poor attitude will get you nowhere in life.
I seem to attract strangers (I must have an approachable face! Ha!) so, for example; me, Nick, his sister and sister in law were all on a little Spanish bus the other day going into the pueblo, where the roads are really narrow and hilly. The bus driver stops on this massive steep hill (I thought we were all going to be chucked off because he couldn't go further), opens the door, and chats to his friend sitting at a cafe. We obviously found this amusing, and a woman sat in front of us turned around and said, 'You wouldn't get that in England, ay?' I think Nick's sister answered her, but all we offered was a tight lipped smile, and I shit you not, Nick actually moved closer to me in his seat. Rule number one when we travel - we don't make friends.
Nick's dad, when coming out the airport, found a friend to chat to before we even reached passport control. We had to wait for him whilst they pulled their suitcases, ambling along like they couldn't bear for their friendship to end. I don't think he takes 'Stranger Danger' seriously enough.
On the other hand though, you could probably use all the friends you can get whilst travelling. Think of all the things they could lead you to - a cheap place to stay, a party, a secret little cove on the beach, a soup kitchen when you've run out of food and money. It's definitely worth making friends, but I'm not sure I can muster the effort.
I think I'll make a promise to myself; every time we make a friend whilst travelling, I will write down the story of how we meet and why we became travel buddies. They will be very special people.
This day next year - I keep thinking that we'll be in Europe this time next year, so I think I got my last past wrong; we'll be in Oz by now! We've been looking at flights but they're not quite up for this time of year, although it looks pretty certain that it'll be cheaper to fly to Thailand first, so we might have an additional stop (and more friends) to make.
Not in a every-now-and-then kind of way. Not when someone's been mean or I witness or hear something that's not very nice. I generally just find human beings irritating.
I used to describe myself as a people person. Pfft. You would think that working in retail, you know, where I have to recruit and manage people; where I have to communicate to all levels of the company as well as cater to the needs of customers non stop on a daily basis, that I'd have gotten over this. In actual fact, I think it's working in customer focused roles for so long that's made me this way - oh yeah, and being with Nick. I'm so glad I found a fellow hermit.
If you saw me at work, or how easily I make friends, you wouldn't guess that I feel this way at all. I think I hide it quite well, but sometimes I'm simply tired of talking to people, and not just strangers either, it could also be my best friends or family. Which is awful because I should be spending as much time as possible with them. I still love them all to pieces though, and I've got a lot better in this aspect.
You would see it most if you were out in a public place with me, or stuck with the same people in the same environment for a long time. When people get comfortable with you, they can get a little spiteful with words - silly digs and comments, along with a poor attitude will get you nowhere in life.
I seem to attract strangers (I must have an approachable face! Ha!) so, for example; me, Nick, his sister and sister in law were all on a little Spanish bus the other day going into the pueblo, where the roads are really narrow and hilly. The bus driver stops on this massive steep hill (I thought we were all going to be chucked off because he couldn't go further), opens the door, and chats to his friend sitting at a cafe. We obviously found this amusing, and a woman sat in front of us turned around and said, 'You wouldn't get that in England, ay?' I think Nick's sister answered her, but all we offered was a tight lipped smile, and I shit you not, Nick actually moved closer to me in his seat. Rule number one when we travel - we don't make friends.
Nick's dad, when coming out the airport, found a friend to chat to before we even reached passport control. We had to wait for him whilst they pulled their suitcases, ambling along like they couldn't bear for their friendship to end. I don't think he takes 'Stranger Danger' seriously enough.
On the other hand though, you could probably use all the friends you can get whilst travelling. Think of all the things they could lead you to - a cheap place to stay, a party, a secret little cove on the beach, a soup kitchen when you've run out of food and money. It's definitely worth making friends, but I'm not sure I can muster the effort.
I think I'll make a promise to myself; every time we make a friend whilst travelling, I will write down the story of how we meet and why we became travel buddies. They will be very special people.
This day next year - I keep thinking that we'll be in Europe this time next year, so I think I got my last past wrong; we'll be in Oz by now! We've been looking at flights but they're not quite up for this time of year, although it looks pretty certain that it'll be cheaper to fly to Thailand first, so we might have an additional stop (and more friends) to make.
Sunday 18 May 2014
Sunshine
It was meant to be raining here in Spain today, and it looked pretty certain to happen judging by the clouds and wind from last night - but it's not! It's beautiful sunshine! I can't wait to get to Oz and be 100% sure in the knowledge that even though we'll have the odd crappy day in terms of weather, there'll always be another fifty sunny days to that one.
I'm gonna go get me some vitamin SUN!
Saturday 17 May 2014
L'España!
We've been really busy with wok lately and, to be honest, there's not been much to update - but today's a special day; it's my Birthday! Yippee! I figured it would be best to take down a snapshot of this birthday to compare with my next - they're going to be significantly different.
I guess it's obvious that we're in Spain at the moment. We flew from London Southend yesterday, which is the teeniest, weeniest, commercial airport you've ever seen! You had none of the whole dedicated-lane-to-each-terminal stuff when you pulled in - literally just took a turning off a roundabout and there you were! It had the whole feeling of a very big train station, or a medium sized shopping mall, hence there wasn't much to do once you were in there. So you can imagine our joy when the board notified us that we had delays - a whole five hours of them. Long story short, we only had a delay of two and a half hours in the end, but our entire flight time was two hours, and so was the drive when we landed, so you kind of spend the time thinking, 'We could have landed/picked up the car/got there by now.' Still, we got here didn't we? Better than nothing. It did make me think though, when we backpack Europe and have three or four connections to get to our next country, we're bound to experience delays and cancellations; it's going to put us right out, a proper pain in the arse, especially when you're already tired and fed up of trains. I am not looking forward to this aspect of travelling.
Our villa is absolutely beautiful though, I'll see if I can get some pictures up on a later post. Mojacar is a really lush little seaside town and with Spain being quite hilly, we have some amazing views from all of our, like, fifty balconies! Seriously this villa has so many places to stand and stare out at the waves, y'know, just in case you need a reminder that you're not in the UK anymore. I don't understand why the people that own these places don't just live here - I wouldn't want to trust strangers with my furniture and electricals and pool and stuff! We're soaking up the luxury whilst we can though, there'll be no private villa this time next year; there'll be no horse riding, quad biking or ice cream parlours everywhere we go, we'll be too busy counting our pennies (or cents) for lunch in our hostel.
So where are we going to be this time next year? We'll be somewhere in Europe, that's for sure. I'm guessing we'll be about half way round, so more than likely in Germany or Austria. Hopefully it'll be nice and sunny. We'll see.
P.S. I've posted this a day late. I started typing it on my actual birthday, but then was called away to my party. It's a difficult life for writing!
I guess it's obvious that we're in Spain at the moment. We flew from London Southend yesterday, which is the teeniest, weeniest, commercial airport you've ever seen! You had none of the whole dedicated-lane-to-each-terminal stuff when you pulled in - literally just took a turning off a roundabout and there you were! It had the whole feeling of a very big train station, or a medium sized shopping mall, hence there wasn't much to do once you were in there. So you can imagine our joy when the board notified us that we had delays - a whole five hours of them. Long story short, we only had a delay of two and a half hours in the end, but our entire flight time was two hours, and so was the drive when we landed, so you kind of spend the time thinking, 'We could have landed/picked up the car/got there by now.' Still, we got here didn't we? Better than nothing. It did make me think though, when we backpack Europe and have three or four connections to get to our next country, we're bound to experience delays and cancellations; it's going to put us right out, a proper pain in the arse, especially when you're already tired and fed up of trains. I am not looking forward to this aspect of travelling.
Our villa is absolutely beautiful though, I'll see if I can get some pictures up on a later post. Mojacar is a really lush little seaside town and with Spain being quite hilly, we have some amazing views from all of our, like, fifty balconies! Seriously this villa has so many places to stand and stare out at the waves, y'know, just in case you need a reminder that you're not in the UK anymore. I don't understand why the people that own these places don't just live here - I wouldn't want to trust strangers with my furniture and electricals and pool and stuff! We're soaking up the luxury whilst we can though, there'll be no private villa this time next year; there'll be no horse riding, quad biking or ice cream parlours everywhere we go, we'll be too busy counting our pennies (or cents) for lunch in our hostel.
So where are we going to be this time next year? We'll be somewhere in Europe, that's for sure. I'm guessing we'll be about half way round, so more than likely in Germany or Austria. Hopefully it'll be nice and sunny. We'll see.
P.S. I've posted this a day late. I started typing it on my actual birthday, but then was called away to my party. It's a difficult life for writing!
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