Diary Friday 2nd December 2016
@arthurchappell (44941)
Preston, England
December 3, 2016 11:56am CST
A full day at work today with no early finishes and quite gruellingly busy, with a fairly routine morning but lots of stock moving in the closing two hours.
I did some shopping afterwards and checked my first wages have been paid in OK (yes) so with my final welfare payment of 2016 paid a few days before, my account is at its most buoyant this year but I daren’t go on a spending spree as January and February will be very quiet again.
A new pub has opened in Preston, though I got its pub sign photo months ago. I had a quick beer in there to check out the place and I can confirm that The Hearts of Oak is a great pub.
Back home by 4pm, I looked in on my neighbour to see how she feels after her dangerous fall down the stairs last night due to her excessive alcohol intake – she feels much better and she thanked me for my support which was nice of her.
Arthur Chappell
11 people like this
10 responses
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 16
I know a few people who work for the royal mail and apparently you have to be pretty spotless in terms of character to be hired.
Now you've been hired by royal mail that'll boost your CV a lot...it'll look way better than mine
After the temp job finishes, or before, find a decent employment agency and they'll get you all sorts of work and you'll never have to be on benefits again.
As an ex crim with no references, and no job for nearly ten years, I got a job pretty fast and it pays all my bills with some to spare so you'll be ok for sure.
After the temp job finishes, or before, find a decent employment agency and they'll get you all sorts of work and you'll never have to be on benefits again.
As an ex crim with no references, and no job for nearly ten years, I got a job pretty fast and it pays all my bills with some to spare so you'll be ok for sure.3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Dec 16
@Mike197602 certainly making use of doing the post office work - done it before, two years ago in Manchester too - most agencies are sadly not so decent at present unfortunately
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Dec 16
@Mike197602 thanks - glad you got something for yourself - hoping not to have to move again, - my ideal job would be as a writer - warehousing work suits me as it is easy but much of it is now mechanized or has impossible hours / transport issues - got some voluntary work for early next year
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 16
@arthurchappell A writer, that's outside my experience and I'd say more of a self employed gig than paid...at least at first.
My honest opinion of you is of a guy of a certain age that is somewhat in the benefits trap.
You need to get out as if you're on benefits they control you.
So you want to be a writer, what about trying for care type jobs in the mental health area where, in my opinion, you could make a difference.
Something in me is saying you need to go down the care route.
Maybe at first as a volunteer and keeping your benefits but that could lead to a job.
You seem a caring type person so maybe just have a little look at this type of job.
For me I'd go back into care in a minute but due to my record I need to wait at least another year or two...but it can be extremely rewarding.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
5 Dec 16
I am glad you have the extra money there, and hope you manage to sneak a bit more income in, or prepay some bills or whatever makes it easier for you!!
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
6 Dec 16
I hope so too though the reduced hours of the last few weeks mean money is still tight
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
7 Dec 16
@arthurchappell yeah, I can see that. well I hope in the meantime something either better comes up, or it picks up massively
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
4 Dec 16
I can tell you work conscientiously and aren't the one whose money burns a hole in the pocket.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
5 Dec 16
@arthurchappell don't worry about it,things will work out well.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
4 Dec 16
@changjiangzhibin89 I have high debts and big bills to pay so the money doesn't stretch too far sadly
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Dec 16
@valmnz yes, like is refreshingly hectic just now
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
3 Dec 16
@arthurchappell I like refreshingly hectic
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Dec 16
@TheHorse A reference to our welfare state benefits system - money for the unemployed, disabled, housing benefits, etc - cutbacks and beurocrasy mean most in need don't get enough to live on
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Dec 16
@TheHorse ours is also often called social security, aka, the Dole and its current official title, Universal Credit
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Dec 16
@arthurchappell I think our disabled receive Social Security benefits here.
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
4 Dec 16
I have often wondered what these seasonal Royal Mail jobs are like. Reading your diary all week has been an eye-opener.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
5 Dec 16
@asfarasiknow I am in my mid-50's and yet still find temping work easier to get than permanent roles
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
4 Dec 16
@asfarasiknow they are not bad jobs - the staff are friendly and it is more physically than mentally demanding but the hours are bad and of course, it doesn't turn into permanent work
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
4 Dec 16
@arthurchappell I suppose one of the pros of the ageing population is that people can still change direction in life in their 50s and go into new fields, eg care, and so not rely so much on temporary jobs.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Dec 16
Nice to hear you got your first wages at least that is a step in the right direction. I like the name of the pub. Tell your neighbor to be careful with those cocktails otherwise she'll really get seriously injured. Glad you were there to give her a helping hand.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Dec 16
@RasmaSandra she works as a trained councellor for others affected by such issues - not much I could advise her sadly
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 16
Always nice to find a new bar. Especially a good one!
1 person likes this
