here we go then

Well,

What has been happening..or should i say...what has not been happening!!!

I guess the biggest bit of news is that I interviewed for my job..it wasn't a dead cert either as the new area manager was interviewing me..i did a good interview as well...pleased with myself..and I got it as well. Typical of the situation...asked for it to be 1st thing in the morning so i could then go straight to SHMU and do my show..about the job I had just interviewed for...bizarre.

Anyway, this means many things. It means that I have a job for another 18 months..which means I will have stayed in one place for 4 years..thinking about it...this is the longest since..actually...it is the longest...cos I was in Dudley avenue (Edinburgh) for 3 years only...crikey...on the road for 10 years..that isn't good really is it? However, the plan is to IMMEDIATELY start work on justifying the post as permanent..having done the ground work and proved it works in the last contract...using the Community Service Order work as a source of funding and matching with Forestry Commission Scotland.

Still hasn't sunk in yet but sure it will when i get back to wearing blue and earning proper money!!!

In addition to the job, maybe I can now start thinking about relationships (oh yes, I know my track record would advise against it!!)..now it may well be the case i end up here for most of my working life..what a thought!!!

On top of all this job stuff, i have been away on a business trip in my FCS role...down to Glasgow..although the office was near my flat on Dumbarton Road I managed to get lost 3 times and even ended up south of the Clyde!!!!..a total of one hour late...interesting to see how the WIAT project is ticking over there..then to see James and Gorgina in Strathaven..then John in Strathaven...then an Forest Education networking event at Chatelherault..then a meeting in Strathyre with a Trust officer with the National Park...then back up here....it was great...back in Strathyre...seeing chums and old bosses in Strathaven...and a (very wet) networking event as well..all good and on expenses with a nice FCS diesel injection Focus estate....vroom vroom!!!

I am just back from another trip south..only this time to Fife. Managed to give dad his digi frame and show him how to work it...he has managed so far I believe! Visited the Hermitage..which was nice....nice to see it is still being looked after although the half burnt out caravan kind of spoils it...dropped off hoover at flat with tenants...went for a walk with dad as well..followed by a few pints...always good on a Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday, went to a pub on the outskirts of Edinburgh to meet a classmate from Napier, her husband and children and another classmate. I felt very comfortable with them and hope they did with me..just struck me that I never intended to NOT talk to them but i guess everyone goes about their business and things take over...Donna is Jemma's daughter's God Mother but she only gets to see them every couple of months as it is...so...it happens...Donna came up from Lasswade and Jemma from Peebles...just to see me..i feel privileged for that. Now, I can plan maybe meeting people..all as a result of knowing there is a really strong possibility that I may not move again...all very strange to get your head around.

As much as i love my job, where it is and who i work with I must admit it was nice to spend some time with people who are not living in an aggressive environment and the children recognise boundaries...i found that strange to begin with...the kids aren't swearing at me or each other...nor do they seem to be aggressive or threatened...great....but back to it today though even though I am not working.

Dropped of the hire car..with minutes to spare...up at 6.30 am and on the road by 7.30 am..drop off stuff in the house...and down there for 10.15 am...phew...then to the Project only to find a 5 day trip almost leaving..so...helping with the bags into the bus and waving cheerio to the kids...to see these tough ladies greeting as their kids went off was quite touching. In fact, one guy left before they did as he was almost in tears as it was...bless!!!!

Life goes on eh?

Talking of staying in one place..well..I mean area..as i am looking for somewhere to stay other than here...sick of the filth and grief from asking to share the cleaning...pretty difficult though because anywhere semi decent costs a bomb...unbelievable...and some places are just disgusting for the same money I am paying now...so we shall see...but i would rather leave as soon as I can...I have been here almost a full year...crikey..long gone are the Gourdon days...but i bet if i went back to the pub they would still be there..shouting..as they do...and getting rat arsed!!!!

Hey ho..all good though. I haven't yet looked at all the previous posts but i am aware the road to securing this job has taken a long long time...if you're stressed reading it then try and understand how I felt!!!

Tara.

S