Weblog Quotes

Or somewhat.

Over the past five weeks I have been in full time employment at a hotel / restaurant / bar; where I am working as a Chef.

The time has been enjoyable; but it has impacted on my already lack of sleep. So much so the past three days have held very little hours of shut eye. This has caused me to stress out a little; with the added fact that on Fridays I have to peel and quarter three large bins of potatoes and one bin of carrots for Sundays. This is repetitive; tedious; and takes four hours.

For some un-known reason tonight; I have realised every single one of my issues relate to my on-line activities. I no longer have issues in my life, other than being single I suppose. Because I’ve already mentioned it three times to three separate people, I’ll just paste it:

I have a large number of projects that I will just never finish, yet I don’t want to ditch. I was happier giving support as a member, but if I leave the bl00s, I will leave for good. I only visit two sites frequently (support and hnz). Having to put up with the odd argument, or Nicola’s “oh, I have a job so I can’t do this” posts every three days is getting to me. There is little to no communication from the three reds I volunteer my time for; and have done for the past four years. It basically holds no significance anymore. I feel the internet is just not important.

Re-reading that, I’m tempted to correct the icky grammar. But I won’t. It’s authentic; un-edited; and what I said originally.

All of the issues I had with Zathyus Support shortly after the promotion still stand now. And I’m still disappointed.

Since I am now working, any projects I have started will be on hold, and I likely won’t finish them any time soon. Thank you to those of you who have emailed me, but I have to apologise again. The website and weblog won’t be up-dated either. And the community forums will just continue to die. My newest foodie board won’t be going anywhere I would like it to .. basically everything will stop. If it’s linked from here, or my profiles, don’t expect any changes.

Well it must be true what they say, Chef jobs open up during the summer.

So far I have had two interviews this week, the first on Monday, and the second today. This mornings chat was nice and in-formal, but I still wore a shirt.

To see how I cope within a busy kitchen, the Chef has asked me to work this coming Sunday, which is the busiest day of the week. Well I’m all for that. And I earn myself around £40 for the trouble.

If taken on full-time, I will be required to assist in any one of their other businesses; such as a seasonal restaurant in Whitby. That means mini missions trying to find a parking space. .. I will have my petrol paid for though, so if anyone’s in the area . . .

It’s likely, now that I’m almost in a job, that other places will start responding to my letters; and I’ll have to look into which one I’d like to work for and train with.

Either way, I’m still planning on college part-time again for my pastry course.

Whaaa? That’s right! I have a job interview! :D :D

Oh my gawd!

This is my first this year. When I had loads last year. This recession thing is getting old now.

There are, I think, four other interviewees tagging along for the same job, which is a massive shame; and really stupid. I also have transport to the interview, which sucks. I would prefer to drive.

I’m taking my recent certificate with me, to show it off; and will be mentioning my return to college for a Pasty Course in October ¹.

Wish me luck if you see this before I leave, at 2:20pm.

1: when I en-roll.

I have since been referred back to Pertemps by the JobCenter, and have noticed a difference in how things are handled.

The first time was great, and I actually felt like going for each appointment; but this time, it’s not so great. In fact, it sucks. Maybe it’s down to the thirteen weeks they now give us, due to a stop in funding towards the end of the year; or they’re just shoving us into the system like everything else.

I just can’t be bothered with it if they’re not going to treat us fairly. Yes, maybe I don’t have a job, but that’s no reason to think I’m not worth the effort. Given the right support and an opportunity, putting learning difficulties aside; I can do most things others can do.

During my appointment on Friday, I managed to strike a deal with one of the staff. They would write up a letter for me, which I can read over and see if I like it; and I have to find two hotels or restaurants each week to post the letter to.

Hopefully I can have my so-called-adviser help me as well; and try like f00k to get into work. All I want to do is wash pots for several months¹, before moving up on-to prep, or cooking.

Argghhh, it sucks when you know your money is quickly running out.

¹ Who wouldn’t employ someone to do that?

I haven’t mentioned college in a while. I guess it falls under the lack of blogging full stop though.

The course is going well, I enjoy this a lot more than any other course I have done, which is brilliant.

My log book is almost complete, and I still have a few items to tick off for last week. I haven’t really done anything meat based yet, but that should come soon, hopefully.

Chef took a list from us a while ago on what we needed to do, and of late it’s been fish based and baking in the skills lesson.

Each of the tests we get are pretty easy, and we have the opportunity to bring them home; since we just rule.

I have learnt quite a bit about cooking, and have re-sparked my time spent in the kitchen. I now cook more than I eat. Whether that means I cook too much or eat less I don’t know, but it’s fun either way.

Half term soon; I certainly look to be beating my education record.

I’m a little angry! My work trial at seaview nursing has been extended another week. I was due to either be taken on for three months probation; or be let go, but the manager hasn’t been about all this week so never had a chance to let me know and what-not.

He asked if I could do an extra week, in which he’ll discuss the job with me and make a decision on my employability etc, to which I found slightly annoying due to not being paid for the past four weeks.

I’ll have a talk with my advisor and see what strings she might be able to pull, if I can get a little monies to sustain myself. I still get my benefits but it’s not sufficient, especially when someone’s getting over 30 hours hard graft out of me for no wage.

I’m off this weekend so that’s good news, then I’ll only be working next Wed; Thur; Fri unless taken on.

With working at college in the kitchens aswell, on Monday’s and Tuesday’s, I’m becoming really tired a lot more. It used to be due to not having any sleep, and now it’s a bit of the old and a bit of working daily.

Getting up in the mornings is a lot harder now aswell, by the time I fall asleep it’s time to wake up.

Oh well, hopefully I can post up some better news next week.

Yay, applying for jobs has finally paid off for a while. Sea View Nursing contacted me earlier in the week asking if I was interested in starting a trial period with them, allowing me to see how everything works; how I fit in; get to know everyone; and gives them a chance to see me and how things go.

I’ve been in twice this week, Wednesday and Thursday, and spent most of that time washing the pots. As I shouldn’t actually be doing anything, due to a health and safety inspection being needed before I start, it was the safest thing for me to do.

It’s also one of the important jobs too, as no-one would be able to have any food unless it was from off the table directly.

During the work trial I shall be prepping vegetables and preparing certain food-stuffs like soups; sandwiches; salads; fruit; etc as well as loading the food trolley’s.

To go on top of this, I will help out in other areas when needed as everyone chips in throughout the day. This breaks jobs up so it doesn’t become tedious.

My time at college will help me learn a few things to transfer into the job, so that’s great. I’m not yet sure on what day’s I’ll be working but may end up with four days a week, with two at college. My timetable may be changed from Mondays and Tuesdays so we’ll have to see.

I’m looking forward to starting, and can’t wait. It’s a shame I won’t be getting paid though.

Having been unfortunate at finding employment in various fields I have decided to head back into education, this time going back to college.

I’ve decided to gain an NVQ 2 in Professional Cookery, whilst studying at the new Middlesbrough College, in Middlehaven.

I haven’t officially started the course yet, that’s next week, due to it only being part time. If my job prospects hold out, I shall be employed shortly as well. Cool.

Being a cookery course, I need to wear a fancy chef’s outfit complete with scull-cap and apron. I will also have a full set of professional knives for the course, how cool is that. I’m not sure when I’ll have these items as I need to apply for assistance in buying them, but the college won’t release funding until the end of the month so I’m slightly stumped.

I’ve also tried to apply for the Adult Learning Grant, but the college has no forms available. Phoning the company directly leaves me ringing and ringing and ringi… you get the idea.

Driving up to college means I also need a parking permit. Guess what! Yep, the college doesn’t have any of those either. I’m starting to think I shouldn’t have bothered. I’m bugging my brother (well, I asked him) to get me a permit from work so I can park in the multi-story car park. These need renewing every three months though.

What is it with parking permits? I have to send proof that I actually have a car to get a permit to park outside my own house, that I’ll never be able to do due to other people parking there for two hours, as it’s also a public bay for up to two hours. *screams* I need too, with all this rubbish going on.

I had myself another job interview this morning.

I was informed yesterday at about 3:20pm that I was put forward for it, so had to go through some techniques; head to college to pick up my food hygiene certificate to take it with me; and run through town before the shops closed to get a suit for impressing purposes.

It’s a nice suit, black pin striped with a nice pair of shoes. The shirt was a bit iffy, so I just wore one I already had with a nice tie. It all made me look like a mob boss. I knew there was a reason I was named Tony.
The interview today turned out to be a pre-screening, to work out who should be put forward for the job and not waste the employers time. There where eight of us, spooky, but I was told one of them wasn’t too bothered. So that leaves six to compete with.

Let’s hope my swexeh suit impressed.

I should hear from my adviser over the weekend as to whether I have a second interview with the actual employer, where the hard part begins.

Although there are two positions available, so I may be in with a good chance. I’ll also be able to go back to college to gain a qualification that will help in the future. Yay!

Well what an eventful week. I shall be writing a series of entries over the next two days about everything that has happened.

Fourth topic: Employment attempt.

For the past five days I have been trying to contact a potential new employer about a cooking job.

This employer doesn’t seem to know what callback means. I was informed last Saturday (31/05/08) that he would ring me on Monday (02/06/08), Monday was a busy one for me.

Having received no phone calls I rang back a day or two later, to which I was again informed he would contact me. It’s now Thursday night, and no-one has rung me.

I’ll contact them again tomorrow and state I would like to apply for the job and can they send me an application form. That way at least I can get something in instead of trying to speak with someone who doesn’t want to speak with me to ask the same question.

I’ll let you all know how it goes.