I passed!

Well, I think I've neglected this blog long enough, time for an update! I took the theory test for the bus licence, and I got like 94% I think, anyway I passed. I expected to, alot of it is really common sense stuff. On the day of the test, it kinda sucked, I did another practice on the day of the test and got the same kind of scores, so when it came to doing the test I was fine. It ended up being something like over 2 hours I had to wait to do the test though, there was some kind of problem with the computer needing to do an update. So I got to sit around a crummy waiting room for 2 hours coughing and hacking with this bloody chest infection, which I might add is yet to clear up!

So, I applied for a bunch of call centre jobs recently after a bout of desperation, so now I have an interview with an agency I worked for before and another 2 on friday. They all want to do credit checks which makes me a little nervous as I've missed 2 payments (due to misinformation on the bank's part) on my mortgage, although it's been resolved with the bank.

Ah fuck it, I don't know really how I feel about all this. On one hand I want to get back into work, being off work is driving me crazy, I've turned into a total bum, my health is suffering, my diet is just bloody awful, although I've barely been eating while I've been sick. But living at home is seriously detrimental to my health. On the other hand, I don't want to be in this line of work. I've done it for years and hated it, that's why I tried to break out into driving work. Which makes the bus driving that more appealing, BUT the problem with the bus driving is the company. I don't think I've explained it all, but they tie you in for 2 years if your a trainee. They make you pay back £2k over the 2 years to pay for the training, and if you want out before the 2 years, you have to buy out. Now, £2k for driver training is quite frankly taking the piss. My class 2 (category C) was around £700 for 2 weeks, class 1 (category C+E) training is around £900 for 2 weeks. The bus training is 3 weeks, and will be for an automatic, I struggle to see how something easier than class 2 training will be more than double the price, I call bullshit.

This company is known for their ruthlessness, they're great at undercutting the competition and driving them out. I've also been told the working conditions are pretty crap, 3 hour lunch breaks, split shifts, set holidays, set time off, you can't ask for time off. I dunno, it doesn't impress me or endear me to this company.

So I think I will likely get an offer from one of the agencies, but my parent's are as always pushing me to go for the buses anyway. They want me to take the agency work for a month or two till the buses start training in the middle of March. I'm having reservations about this, it would not be fair to a company to start working with them and then quit in the middle of their training. I dunno... I'm fed up of being stuck in this situation, thats for sure.

I had a viewer for my flat, they seemed pretty interested. A couple looking for something for their daughter who's in england just now. The estate agent's been in touch quite a bit, the guy had questions and I think they'll want a follow up visit for their daughter to see it. I really hope they buy it, I'm selling at £8k under value, and when its valued at £45k, thats a pretty big chunk off. I just need to get rid of it asap.

So, I've also met someone. I'm not going to say too much about the whole thing as I know they'll be reading this lol, but I'm pretty happy and I'm getting alot of motivation from the whole situation. It's nice to have someone on my side for a change, and hear nice things instead of insults and threats.

So, aye, I'm a bum and I stink so I'm gonna go take a shower now. Wish me luck with the interviews?

I'm sick

Yeah, that's right, I'm sick. Again. I'm not bloody impressed. It's some flu like thing, I ache all over, even my eyes hurt when I blink for crying out loud! This is not fun. I can also feel fluid in my lungs, that hurts like a bitch. Fortunately it seems to be clearing up, even if the other symptoms aren't.

My mother has been pestering me to go into this bus place tomorrow and sit a mock theory test, to prove I'm ready for the real thing. Last time I did this (before the whole scheme was suspended) I was getting 97-98% in my mock tests. I've barely read the theory book recently though. I've been caught up in the FTM UK collab channel and website I've not even thought about the book. Which is really fucking dumb, I know. Some times I lose sight of my real priorities and get lost in the fun stuff. I need to start getting the finger out and studying more. Although if I feel like this tomorrow, I dont know I'll be able to go anywhere.

My mother even agreed that I'm ill, which is really saying something, especially if you've been following my transition blog.

It was my birthday yesterday, I am now officially 28. We had our wee party on the saturday night though as my brother came through for a visit. It was pretty cool, they done alot better with my presents this time, my mother said she would make up for the christmas that she accidentally made crap for me.

So, I got, The Lost Boys, the Die Hard quadrilogy, the Beverly Hills Cop trilogy, a Bench scarf, a cool Bench hat that I'd been looking for (although not quite the colours I wanted), some chocs (which I don't really like, anyone want them?), and a 'cat in a bag' (basically a mechanised ball that rolls around in side a wee bag with a fake tail sticking out) which has amused Lola no end.

The night was quite good despite my dad's repeated attempts to be a dick. I don't need to be told to close a door behind me every time I walk through it. And if I want to take a picture of my birthday cake before I blow out my candles, I will. I dont care if the wax is running, it's not gonna spoil the cake. And was there really any need to sing 'happy birthday' quicker than everyone else and then shout at me again to blow out the candles because of running wax?

We ordered take away as a treat, and all sat down to watch a film together. My first choice was Die Hard With a Vengence (I love that film), but as my mum and dad had watched it the other night (without me) they didn't want to watch it again so soon. So I conceded and we watched Die Hard 1. After that, I suggested one of the Beverly Hills Cop movies, which my dad blatenly ignored and put on some stupid game show he wanted to watch, despite the fact I'd said I didn't want to watch it and shortly after left the room.

Even on my birthday, during my 'birthday party' this guy cannot rein himself in. What a dick.

Anyway, I saved you a bit of cake, grab it before someone eats it all.