h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was looking forward to today. I had the day off, and I managed to get rid of most of the stuff that 'had' to be done on Monday. I always have *something* to do, but it's nice to be able to get on with things at a leisurely pace rather than filling my day with stuff that I really should be catching up on.

I didn't get up as early as I'd planned, but that was fine. My plan was to finish the proposal for my access work for next year, something I've put a lot of time and effort into as a volunteer (with, of course, half an eye on making sure I was well-placed for next year).

And I was bloody glad I hadn't got up nice and early.

By the time I'd had a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich, I'd had an email telling me that there wasn't the money there to pay me for next year, and probably not the time to analyse my results even if there was.

I'm gutted. I spent the whole afternoon slobbing on the sofa eating biscuits. After blowing my best chance at getting a job in an outdoor ed centre in the spring, I've now lost my best chance of working with the Wildlife Trust regularly.

A lot of people have lost their only jobs, so I feel a bit guilty about moaning about a job I didn't need to do and did mainly because I believed it was a worthwhile use of my time. I guess it isn't really the job - it was a project I'd invested a lot of time and energy into and something that would have brought the WT a good income within a couple of years.

So I suppose that's pretty much the childhood dreams over. I'm a hotelier, just as was apparently predetermined (see previous journal for definition).

That's how I feel, anyway. But is there a point at which one should give up? I make a decent living at the hotel and don't really need to do anything else, but it isn't very challenging and, without wanting to sound immodest, I think I've got a decent enough brain to be doing something better.

Yeah, I'm fed up.

Oh, and my spellcheck is knackered. Sorry about the title - I checked the rest...

You could always do what my cousin did with his father's farm... Get a grant and convert much of the land into (your choice) forest and gain the benefits of the grants... becomes green belt then, and is protected!!!

MMF

o/`

It's a good plan, but presumes that one owns a bit of land in the first place, doesn't it?

You've had a kick in the gut, and you're winded. But I can't see you giving up for good. I suspect sooner rather than later you'll be back in the saddle with another kingdom you're planning to conquer.

But other than that, I'm not going to be chirpy, cheerful, and try to cheer you up. Because nothing is as irritating as that - imagine being locked in a room with any Eric Idle character and you'll see what I mean. And while it's good to have any means of making a living, you don't have to resign yourself to one as unfulfilling as that seems to be.

Yep, gotta agree with the sentiments above. Take some time, regroup, reassess, find something new. I don't see you sitting idly by for too long.

I'll third KB - it's a kick in the gut and no point 'happying' it up! But there are always bigger and better plans and ideas. As the rest have said, you're not going to sit around so try and move your ideas into another project or look in another direction.

I'm sorry to hear this, Rich.

Your enthusiasm for the great outdoors seems to come flooding out whenever I read your journal. As soon as you meet someone with a real job to offer you, then I'm sure they'll recognise it, too. Don't give up, but use your job stability to make some longer-term plans.

Icy

Well - it could be worse. I took the title literally until I read Skanky's first post!

Trust me, your job isn't half as frustrating as mine.

Fancy a beer and a curry at half-term?

B

That's terrible, but as someone else said once you get over this, I'm sure something else will fire your imagination again

Give yourself some wallowing time, and then move on...

I have always felt you (your talents) were wasted as a hotelier.

"That's how I feel, anyway. But is there a point at which one should give up? I make a decent living at the hotel and don't really need to do anything else"

No. There's never a point you should give up. Life poops on you, again. It happens to us all. A decent living, is that enough? I've had plenty of jobs that gave me a decent living - they were normally the ones I had a strange sense of relief when I left. In fact, some jobs I've come away from singing and cheery, even though I was earning more than a decent wage.

It must be worse for you, because there can't be many jobs around of the sort you're looking for, while I seem to change my mind to fit what's around at the time, but keep going! Eat biscuits, drink beer, mope to Lainey, and remember the recession is apparently ending, so there may be more money the year after next.

Sorry to hear that, Rich. The trouble is, you're a man of so many talents that you could do anything, so you have to fight not to settle for something you're merely good at, but don't enjoy.

Thanks for all your kind words, folks.

I don't feel much better about this at all, but I've got used to it. Good to know you guys were out there listening - it was really intended as a sounding board for some chaotic and depressed thoughts,k and I really wasn't expecting such supportive and inspiring comments.

B - if a miracle happens, I'll be up for a curry. Looks very unlikely at the moment as it's an insanely busy week, stag do hopefully coming up etc etc, but you never know. A night at the Horse and Groom would make a fine alternative.

We're always here for you

It's one of the mainstays about hootoo for me, comforting and inspiring in equal measure.

this week and

Ouch!

But I'll echo the others. You'll find something.

TRiG.

Rich, you are still young, and I am sure your dream job will come along one day, perhaps when you least expect it. Don't lose heart.

Is there a chance the funding might be available the next time? I am sure somehow all your work won't be wasted even if it seems so now.

BTW, so sorry I couldn't oblige with an article. Son has been over to help husband with some jobs that are beyond him now, and I have had to make full use of the time to get things done. Wish I could have obliged but the computer and my other life has lost out to RL for the moment. I have only just managed to check my messages!



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