A job

[BeebInC]

I need one

[SarahWalker]

Me too!

[Greybeard]

It's not a job as such that I need (I'm far too busy for that) ... as simply £££ cash.

In fact, sponsorship of my activities (good deeds for the benefit of mankind, etc., etc.) is all I ask.

[retroclinic]

"This isn't a job! It's a f**king adventure!"

Now what film was that from, for the life of me I can't remember!!

[MartinB]

Lt. Ray Garcia in the Rookie (1990) and what's going on here people - in approximately 2.5 weeks time I need one too

Martin

[Greybeard]

"This isn't a job! It's a f**king adventure!"

Film? That used to be my life!

Where have you been Mark? I was beginning to get worried. I'm hoping to spend some time on my Micro's again soon (like, when my hands thaw out) ... and I reckon I might need one of your famous USB devices.

@Martin ... it's the phenomena known as "Bankrupt Britain". Only the Bankers and the (public service) W*****s have any kind of security. The rest of us have to struggle on as best we can. Unless of course you happen to be a "professional" footballer, or so-called celebrity.

I can see a time ahead of a return to the basics (which gets my vote ... I can't find anything worthy about the rest of them) ... you know, barter and stuff like that. As already practised on this very forum, of course.

Also "make do, and mend" ( - ditto - ). Who knows, perhaps with a bit of general hardship, folk in the country might start pulling together again (and all the spongers, chancers and organised criminals might bugger off and try their luck somewhere else). Now, wouldn't that be nice!

Never mind Elections ... it's time for Revolution boys!

[woody.cool]

Well, I'm in that 'requiring a job' part of life (again)

[Greybeard]

I think we may all be sure that things in Britain will never return to the (so-called) Good Old Days of the status quo ante.

But as painful a transition as it undoubtedly will be (or even is), perhaps it's all actually for the best. The old boss - worker (master - slave) relationship was never a good one for a decent bloke to be part of, in my opinion. Almost by definition, there is (was) bound to be an underlying element of distrust, or tension.

The smart dude (and, let's be honest, there are plenty on this forum) does not work for "the man". Instead he works for himself, or in co-operation with others of like mind.

[sorvad]

Christ, what is this... I'm now in the needing job thread too . Is it just that all emembers of STH are losing their jobs. Bugger ! So if anyone wants to give me a great job it would be appreciated, mortgage won't pay itself.

[MartinB]

Sorry to hear that Steve, we do appear to be suffering for our STH sins

I just signed on for Jobseeker's yesterday - that scores quite low on the 'fun things to do' scale...

[sorvad]

That's a real bummer, I've got a little time yet before the elbow comes, but then I'll be doing a Yosser Hughes "Gizza a job, I could do that"

[Greybeard]

If you guys have had any sort of tenure in the past then you should count your blessings (to date, at least). For some of us, the "career" (if indeed I can call it that) has been very much one of "ups and downs"!

Stubborn pride has kept me away from signing on ... but I believe the lowest point I ever reached was back in 1991 when (following promptings from my mother), I made enquiries at the "Job Centre" in Stroud. That was followed by a second visit with my birth certificate, and all the rest. Well, to cut a long story short, I ended up being "escorted" out by the security guard after I "objected" to the line of questioning being pursued. You know, what was my ethnic background, and all that ********!

When I explained that all I wanted (despite having paid my taxes, NI and all the rest for years ... not to mention 16 years service to the Crown) was whatever an Afghan "asylum seeker" got when he came through the door. Well, as you may imagine, I was shown the door!

The following year I called in at the Unemployment Benefit Office (or whatever it was called) at Hendon. What a grim, miserable place (as my diary records it). How much lower can I sink (again, from the diary)? That hole of a place was so ******* awful that it, shall we say, jolted me back to reality ... and I never went back.

Frankly, I would rather top myself than suffer such humiliation.

But Be Ye of Good Cheer, guys ... after all, here I am ... still of humble means, but still alive 18 years later! And, I like to think, with my integrity intact.

[MartinB]

Pride nor principles ever entered my head, merely the fact that I have paid NI continuously for over 32 years. Turns out to be the worst investment I ever made

Not all bad - I thoroughly enjoyed watching the government agent excitedly type "Interceptor Radar" into his beloved Jobsearch terminal only to be greeted with a curt "0 jobs found". More enjoyable still, he seemed genuinely surprised at the unhelpful response. Curiously though, on his second attempt using "Air-to-Air Weaponry" it returned offering two posts at Primark in Blackpool.

Still, I remain hopeful. I've just spotted three tasty positions advertised in a 1988 issue of The Micro User so when I return to the JS Command Centre for my fortnightly review I shall ask him to search for "jobs in the '80's".

[Greybeard]

I must admit that I had imagined that defence related jobs were reasonably safe. Especially when our country is at war ... with "other possibilities" for armed conflict hardly unimaginable, even in the short term. But there you have it.

Of course, having just "enjoyed" my weekly fix of Prime Minister's Questions, I am reassured that we have a firm hand on the tiller (or whichever metaphor is appropriate).

From your story Martin, I yet again take away the lesson that loyalty is only ever a one-way attribute. I doubt there has ever been a time (apart from the odd isolated exception) when loyalty from employer to employees was the norm.

If we were "all in it together" it wouldn't feel so bad, would it? But at a time when so many are being chucked out of work, and so many struggling, for it to be "business as usual" amongst the "fat cats", and hand-outs to all sorts of folk who have never contributed a single penny in their miserable lives ... well, to be frank, I just don't know why the good people of England put up with it!

But remember ... there's an Election due soon. Things may not be able to be put right straight away, but let's hope that (whatever the outcome) it will be a step in the right direction (for a change).

[Kecske Bak]

Curiously though, on his second attempt using "Air-to-Air Weaponry" it returned offering two posts at Primark in Blackpool

That would be Primark FM...

[irrelevant]

lol.
I've experienced Job centres, too, albeit back in 1989. The only jobs they seem to offer are those for the unwashed masses - if it pays anything above minimum wage, then they won't have it. In the end I got off my bum, asked around everyone I knew, and found a job through an acquaintance of my dad whom it turned out was MD of a small software company (they knew each other through a shared hobby of Model Aeroplanes!) At least the job centre paid for my train back to Manchester from London for the interview ..

[MartinB]

That would be Primark FM...

Of course, In-Store DJ

The man did say that the system would apply fuzzy-match techniques to encourage diversification. It probably spotted the job description - "Strategic promotion of There-to-Wear products using subliminal On-Air customer targeting. You will be responsible for keeping Primark on the high-flying retail radar."

I shall get straight down there with a microphone and BeebSID.

[Arcadian]

I 'finished' on Friday too - and won't be doing jack on Monday!

(well, actually - I'll be working my arse off trying to get a couple of events confirmed! watch this space ...).

[sorvad]

Jeeez, it's contagious this isn't it. Recession seems to be worsening not getting better as they keep saying on the news !

[regregex]

Curiously though, on his second attempt using "Air-to-Air Weaponry" it returned offering two posts at Primark in Blackpool.

Shoplifters will be prosecuted - WHAAM!

Jeeez, it's contagious this isn't it. Recession seems to be worsening not getting better as they keep saying on the news !

If it's any consolation, unemployment figures have historically lagged behind economic contraction -- these are likely the after effects of last year.

I feel for you all and can only wish all of you the very best of luck.

--Greg

[MartinB]

Sam!

If it's any consolation, unemployment figures have historically lagged behind economic contraction -- these are likely the after effects of last year.

Gordon & Alistair have hacked into Greg's account

[Samwise]

I don't think so, Martin.

Think about it.

Ever seen them in the same room together?

*sly nod*

Sam.

[Kecske Bak]

I don't think there has been any sort of recovery at all. Quite the opposite. Particularly given we are in an economy where people of the calibre of MartinB, TomW and Arcadian are looking for work. This is a very entertaining article from Rolling Stone that explains why everything at the moment is not quite how it appears...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=17848

[Greybeard]

I'll take a look at that when I get a bit of time later on.

Meanwhile ... our so-called "government" doesn't give a damn what lies it spins out ... just as long as there enough chavs, benefits spongers, and immigrants available (and there are, unfortunately) to vote it back in at the election.

[MartinB]

An article... ...that explains why everything at the moment is not quite how it appears.

A fascinating read and very astute. Funny thing, I've discovered that unemployment is an instant cure for "True Believer Syndrome".

[Kecske Bak]

If you found that interesting, you might be interested to listen to what an economist who actually predicted this crash has to say:

http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/58530

This interview certainly answers the questions I had about what's going on with the economy at the moment.

[MartinB]

Ok, that's enough now Dave - you're scaring me and I can only echo the last posted comment on the interview...

Please allow me to summarize. We're fu*%#d. Thank you.

Now, where did I put that WD40...

[Samwise]

This is /way/ off-topic now, it's getting a new home ...

Sam.

[Greybeard]

Perhaps Britain would be a far more productive place if everyone had to "move on" more often. It's a sobering, "welcome to the Real World" experience, after all. A time to re-assess what really matters, priorities and all the rest. Not to mention (the power of positive thought) new challenges and opportunities!

Those comfortably ensconced in the Public Sector (in the National Health Service, for example) would probably whinge a bit less (and, who knows, might even be more inclined to crack on with the actual work) if they all had to re-apply for their jobs every couple of years or so.

Meanwhile, maybe times like these enable those who work to the weird on/off, opportunistic, independent, freelance model to be ahead of the game to a certain extent, used (as we are) to moving about, following the work. Needs must, and all that.

There are downsides to that mode of working as well, of course. Lack of a stable home life (whatever that is) to name but one. Which brings me to my point here:- as I'm on the move again, I shall need to have a bit of a cull of my micro's and similar.

Off the top of my head, the Risc PC700 (with 486 card) c/w scanner, printer and monitor will have to go. Plus my remaining dot matrix printers (an FX-105, an LX-80, a Seikosha SL-96 and a Panasonic KX-P1170).

Then (and with a heavy heart, no doubt) I shall need to make inroads into my BBC Micro's and Masters ... probably ending up with just keeping the one Master and a couple of good Model B's.

So ... if anyone wants to get in touch before I get this stuff listed on eBay ... please do that soon. The gear will need to be picked up from Rotherham. But if you have a wish-list, then now's your chance as I don't have too much time to faff about! Meaning ... I shall be inclined (obliged, even) to accept offers so as to lessen my load during "the move"!