Author Archive: Bob Massey
Love and Affection
Today we said a very sad farewell to Gandalf, a loving and affectionate companion for over twenty years.
Continue readingPaperback Writer
I have commented in the past about devouring books on my train journeys to and from town, and some of the writers I enjoy. While scouring the book shops, or the ‘three for a fiver’ bookstall in Chelmsford Market I’ll look out for Lee Child, Robert Crais and Michael Connelly books. I usually buy the Stephen […]
Continue readingHanging on the Telephone
Well I waited by the phone last night, but the new Prime Minister – David Cameron – never rang. Ah well, maybe next time. Seriously, when David Cameron announced, about a year ago, that he was opening the candidates list for prospective MPs, I applied. The application form ran to eight pages and included the question […]
Continue readingLiving by Numbers
the most dangerous thing in the City of London is an Excel Spreadsheet in the hands of an Aussie temp.
Continue readingWaltz Darling
It was with some sadness that I heard last night of the death of Malcolm McLaren. While I was never a fan of the punk movement, I always found McLaren’s work to be witty and well considered. My personal favourite of his was the 1989 album ‘Waltz Darling’. Following his successful 1984 reworking of […]
Continue readingBack on the chain gang
It’s been a long and frustrating year, and I’ve reported previously that I was resisting the temptation to turn this into a “jobhunters frustrations” blog (although it’s been a temptation at times), but today after nearly a year out of work I started my a new job in the City of London. Over the past […]
Continue readingLunatics… Asylum – 4
Last week having been offered gainful employment I had to go and sign off the dole. No more fortnightly ritual humiliation, for now at least! Since they’ve laid off a number of “advisor’s” you are no longer likely to see the same advisor each time, so no opportunity to build any form of rapport or […]
Continue readingThe lunatics have taken over the asylum – 3
While I’m ranting abut the general incompetencies of the whole Job Centre set up – it’s almost Orwellian doublespeak – they don’t deal with jobs, and with the best will in the world, they really aren’t equipped to deal with people seeking more senior roles. Anyway, this week (a week when the long term jobless […]
Continue readingThe lunatics have taken over the asylum – 2
Several months ago I was called to see a Jobcentre ‘specialist’ as I had been unemployed for six months. This involved some pressure to take part in ‘back to work’ training to improve my general employability. The list included Electrical Appliance Testing, Health and Safety and various other subjects. I though that Health and Safety […]
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