A Spot of Gardening & Leisure

Last night I went to see The Constant Gardener, at Cineworld (formerly UGC). It's based on a novel (by John Le Carre), and stars Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. It's a powerful and evocative film, with a serious underlying message about how large pharmaceutical companies exploit Africa, using it as a testing ground for new drugs, which may not be safe. I'm not going to bore you with the plot here, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, not least because it's directed by the director who brought us the sublime City of God. The trademark colourful cinematography with unusual angles is used to great effect.

Jobwise, I don't start my new job until Monday, and so my plan was to work this week in the call centre (Tue-Fri, 1-9pm). I got up and showered etc with the best intentions, and headed on into Bath St. Once I got up to the 3rd floor, I couldn't find where I was supposed to be working. I went to where I thought I was supposed to be, but there was this small group of people in the corner I didn't recognise. I was supposed to be in today with 3 others from the training group, but not one of them was in sight. I knew Gerry had been sacked, but no sign of Grant or Elaine. I knew Grant was waiting for the results of another job interview, and so I guessed he'd maybe got the other job. Elaine, I don't know. Anyway, anyone I could've asked was busy taking calls, so after some thought I concluded: "They don't particularly need me here and I don't need to be here", and promptly left the building.

Thus ends my call centre career (I hope). It's fitting that it should end exactly a year on (6th Dec) from when I started my career, in Scottish Power. It's strange, as it seems like only yesterday but at the same time a lifetime away.

Basically I've decided to take the rest of the week off. Perhaps I could do with a weeks wage, but once I start the new job my bank balance should hopefully get back up to speed. All going well my bank account will be treated to a nice juicy salary in a couple of weeks. So, financially I'm not too concerned and feel I can afford to take the next few days off. It's not like unemployment, as although I've not yet started the job, I've no pressure whatsoever over the next few days and can take it easy. I suppose it's like a preliminary holiday. Who knows, this might be my last ever period of "complete freedom"! Today, I've just been walking about town and doing some minor things on my "to do" list; e.g. get strings for my 12-string guitar, enquire about the interest I was charged on my "interest free" overdraft, arrange for someone to come and check my radiator etc. Nice day for it as well, as the weather's been great! Another big bonus is that I can actually watch the Champion's League later on :)

For the next few days I'm not sure what I'll do to pass the time, but the main thing is to keep a regular sleep pattern.