Monday 28 February 2011

Monday (evening)

Hello my spitters and swallowers.
So I've worked from home today. Jakes mum wasn't around so I had to be here to send him off to school and for when he came home. Although it's still work it is nice not having to commute.
Which brings me onto some news. I have successfully passed the first stage interview for my new job. This means that if I pass the second stage - a technical test - I will hopefully get an offer.
The technical test is to create a small application in the new language I will be using to show I can pick things up and cross train. I've looked at the spec. and although I don't want to tempt fate I think it'll be quite straightforward so I've allowed myself to get a little excited.
I even bought a new laptop (my current one is about 4 years old now) so I have a proper work one for whe... if I get the job. And I've been looking at office chairs in Ikea. The problem is I want to work on this technical test all the time rather than my current job but that would be completely unprofessional and as I've said before I may be a lot of things but unprofessional isn't one of them. I'm just going to restrict myself to after-hours coding on this and see how I get on. But I do want to finish it asap so I can get cracking on my new career. I'll let you all know how I get on.
In other news, I downloaded Beady Eye's new album today - first listen seemed quite good but I'll be more into it at work tomorrow. No other plans this week...
That's all for tonight. Have a nice evening and a good day tomorrow.
Peace.

Friday 25 February 2011

Friday

So, what was so secret today that I didn't want to share it with you, dear listeners?
I had a job interview today. Not too special on it's own granted, but this job is a bit different. It's still in I.T and still a development role but it's using different technologies to Java, which means cross training. Which I love. It's for a small up and coming company which means I have a massive impact on the business, which I value as important. But the big thing for me is it is home based. Yes, working from home every day.

I didn't want to spill the beans until after the actual event - I'm not suspicious as a rule but jinx's DO exist and I didn't want to risk anything. I really want this job and throughout my life when I really want something, there is usually an event or person that f*cks things up for me and I lose out. Jinx's can also do this, so hence my reluctance to spill the beans too soon.

How did it go? Well I haven't heard anything today (too soon for feedback) and I'm normally not a cocky or over-confident person but I think it went well. Getting this job would change my life so much for the better... It's not the money it's my quality of life that I value.

So I'll be keeping my fingers crossed over the weekend and we'll see what next week bring.

Have an awesome weekend all. I'll be tweeting over the weekend so if you don't follow me yet I can be found at @SimonMolloy.
Peace.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thursday 24 February 2011

Thursday

So my mum arrived safe & sound today. She doesn't drive so she gets the train everywhere which she doesn't mind but it's a son's worry that she gets here ok.
Managed to convince the office I needed to leave at lunchtime to collect her from the station which was good. She's quite capable of making her own way here but you know, a son's duty etc.
She'll be looking after Jake tomorrow as he's on half term while I'm at work.
I have... something... on tomorrow afternoon so will be leaving at lunchtime again. I don't want to say what yet. (I have my reasons). But I will fill you all in soon, promise.

Finally just a quick plug for a new blog. It's done by someone I follow on twitter, it's his first blog and if his funny tweets are anything to go by it'll be a good read.
Check it out at RichNanks Ramblings. Peace out.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Wednesday

There are things afoot with regards to my working career. I want to tell you all but it's not quite the right time yet.

This week, my mum is coming up to stay for a few days. I haven't seen Jake since last Thursday and he's coming back to me tomorrow evening and I can't wait to see him.

What with one thing and another, I'm only working tomorrow until lunchtime, and then Friday until lunchtime, and then I am working from home on Monday. Awesome.

I must do something about my weight. You know you're overweight when you're sitting at your desk and your stomach feels uncomfortably tight... and not in a good, slim, six-pack way. Curse my injuries and the lack of ability to exerise at the moment. Suggestions of diet food please, but NOT salads as I honestly can't eat them.

Monday 21 February 2011

Monday

A quiet weekend - Sunday I played football again for the first time in a couple of weeks. My fitness held up OK but my achilles tendons... by Thor's Hammer they were sore. We came from 1 - 0 down to win 2 - 1 so that's obviously a good thing but by the end of it and later that evening I could barely walk. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about it unless I rest properly - which would mean not playing football for the rest of the season. I honestly don't know if I can do that or not.

This week I am hoping to hear back on a really exciting career opportunity. I don't wanna say anything just yet (the ol' jinx again) but I am quite excited about it.

Thursday 17 February 2011

Thursday

A good journey to work this morning - Thursdays always seem to be quieter on the roads in the morning than the rest of the week, although I have no idea why this should be the case.
After dropping Jake of with his mum until next Thursday :-( I put the radio no (Radio 2 - Chris Evans) and the first thing I heard was Prince's "Kiss" - which instantly put me in a bopping dancing mood. A good start to the journey.
There is a problem thought - I have that 'up' feeling again this morning so I'm waiting to see what hits the fan and splatters me with excrement.

I have an idea for a story / short story. Well, it's a title really, but it's been rattling around in my head for ages and I can't work out what to do with it.
The title is "The Man Who Forgot How To Walk Down Stairs".
I have a very rough idea of what the story will be about but nothing concrete. The sort of stories I like are those where something happens to someone out of their control and it turns into some sort of nasty, scary situation. The quickest example I can give is that film "127 Hours" (or is it 172? Whatever...). For those who don't know what it's about *SPOILER ALERT* it's about a man who falls and gets trapped by rocks on his arm and has to cut his own arm off. It's not the self-mutilation I find interesting (I ain't a freak!) but its the fact that a simple fall whilst out walking can turn into something that hiddeous. So this story idea I have wants to be something like that.... but where do I go with it?

(Later) Every Friday we have 'Friday Chill' here in the office. Basically everyone turns up in the big meeting room, there's food, and if any announcements need announcing then it happens there. The problem is that each 'team' within the company (i.e each dept.) is expected to take it in turns to buy the food (using company cash of course) for everyone. And I just remembered tomorrow is our turn. And as the last time this dept. did it I managed to avoid getting involved it is actually MY turn to go to the shops and buy the stuff. Shit. Really don't wanna do it. *sigh*

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Wednesday

It seems I'm being inundated with job opportunities. Now this in itself is no bad thing as I do want to move on from my current role but the annoying thing is, why couldn't I get these calls a few months ago?!
I was out of work for about five months and was desperate for this kind of attention. I just hope something positive comes from them.

Jake is performing at the Palace theatre tonight and I have to go collect him at 10 o'clock tonight. Obviously pleased that Jake is doing something he loves but going out at that time of night is something young people do(!)

Speaking of Jake, tonight / tomorrow morning is the last time I'll see him until next Thursday. What with half term etc. he's going to be spending the time with his mum. I'm gonna miss him.

I want a new pair of boots. Like doc martins but not as 'brutal'. Suggestions?

Have a nice rest of Wednesday / Thursday listeners.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Daily journal type post

Lying awake at about 5:00 this morning (curses) I got to thinking about a How To guide for myself... as in, How To Be Simon Molloy. Wired Magazine do a monthly segment on a few How To... guides varying from "How To Win At Guitar Hero" to "How To Market Yourself Successfully".
I then realized that to do it for myself would be a massive article so boycotted the idea.

Drove to work in a really positive frame of mind this morning which is usually a bad sign... something will cock up today but I can't predict what yet.

iTunes really does rock, doesn't it? Today I downloaded three new albums... Bright Eyes new one, PJ Harvey's new one and a classic - John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band. It's things like this that make me wish I was Jake's age again - imagine just becoming a teenager and having all this technology & everything available to you. Brilliant.

(Later) I didn't get the job I went for. Great big dangly bollocks. Told you something would cock up as I was in a positive mood, didn't I?

(Even Later) I don't learn do I - but I have to tell you that I've just been told about another possibility job wise that sounds awesome... fingers crossed.

Monday 14 February 2011

Can I do daily posts?

I'm (re)reading "Microserfs" by Douglas Coupland at the moment. For the uninitiated its a fictional journal by someone who starts out working for Microsoft circa 1992 and then leaves with some of his work colleagues to form their own company. I can understand those of you that are now thinking "how boring" but the way it's written (Douglas Coupland is a very good writer) and the subject matter make this a really good read. Anyway, that fact that it's written as a journal has inspired me to really put more effort into blogging daily.
Some of the 'posts' in this book are quite small or inconsequential and some are big and important with something major happening... so why don't I try doing that with this blog?
So first of all a catch up of what's happened over the past few days:
Had an interview for a new job on Friday - more details will follow but not before the 'jinxing' window has passed!
Sunday was spent doing 'me' stuff until bedtime.  So from tomorrow (or maybe tonight when I get home) there WILL be a daily post of either events, thoughts, ideas or opinions. Promise.
Oh, Happy Valentines day too everyone x

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Something needs to happen

See, this is why I haven't posted for ages - there's bog all going on in my life that's actually worth posting about. Yes number one son continues to be a source of strength, inspiration and frustration(!) but that's about it.
There are one or two things going on with my working life at the moment that I can't really comment on yet for fear of shooting myself in the foot or pissing off the wrong people (if they read this) but that really is as far as it goes - getting by day to day.
This week for example I have no plans apart from having Jake tonight and Thursday night. That's it. I'm not training at the moment until my achilles tendonitis clears up and there is no match at the weekend.
The only long(ish) term plan I have is to start looking around to see what properties are available to move in to. This isn't a reflection on my neighbours (!) or anything else other than the house I am in is too old and I want somewhere a bit more modern. Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy just yet (and my financial / employment status is still in a state of minor flux) so I will be looking to rent again but it will be another 2 bed house in the same local area, so Jake can still see his friends etc. Nothing definite yet, just putting out feelers and seeing whats out there.
If there is anyone still out there reading this and they have any ideas about what they'd like me to write about then please let me know - your idea could be my inspiration!
Peace.