Adrian Phelan

Giving blood | Working at The Card Factory | Banter with Ryan Tubridy | Banned from WhatsApp 

Welcome to my first post.

I’m conscious if you’re reading this you could be my future boss or my parents so the content is drafted accordingly. The editor’s cut will be available privately one month after the successful completion of the probationary period of my next job.

I’m Adrian, 49 living in North Hertfordshire and currently job seeking. This weekly blog will simply hold a mirror up to how my last seven days have been. So if it’s not for you, scroll on, but hopefully something will resonate and you’ll stick around. Part of it will be about the highs and lows of job applications but it will be more general than that, so I hope you enjoy it.  

Gizza job

The job hunt is going well, but the job kills not so much. I had a first interview for a comms role at a high profile organisation last Friday but didn’t advance beyond that stage. I also didn’t progress beyond application for two other roles I thought I was a strong match for so hearing those outcomes brought low points. But you lose a match on a Wednesday, there’s another one on Saturday to be ready for so you can’t afford to dwell too much. And indeed, this blog is being written between applications.  

I’m at a stage financially where I need to keep an open mind. Substantially I’m a senior communications and engagement manager mainly within the NHS but my last application was for seasonal work at The Card Factory. And since I hit ‘submit’ all I can think about is how excited I am by the prospect of inflating helium balloons. I’ve also applied for driving jobs, which should go fine as long as I never need to parallel park or reverse into any kind of space.  

Happy Birthday to me

But despite the knock backs, it’s been a good week. I had my 49^th birthday on Monday and treated myself to a trip to the cinema to see One Battle After Another starring Leonardo di Caprio, which was very good. This completed a trio of good movies for me following Stephen King’s The Long Walk and I Swear, about Tourette’s sufferer and campaigner John Davidson. The high of the week came when my review of I Swear featured in The Irish Post. It’s about 20 years since my last film review so it’s great to be a published writer again, especially in a national newspaper.  

Welcome to The Ryan Tubridy Show

My love of film led me to an unusual place on Tuesday when I found myself disagreeing with Ryan Tubridy’s appraisal of The Long Walk. He didn’t like it and I did, so I contacted his Virgin Radio show. In fairness to him, he read out my message, took my view seriously and was glad listeners could hear both sides before making a decision about seeing it. However, at the time of writing it’s Friday afternoon and he’s just doubled down on his disdain for the film, so without a voice, he wins those airwaves. I say go and see it.   

Why oh Why WhatsApp?

I’m very risk averse when it comes to posting on apps which is why I sit here completely baffled that I have been banned from WhatsApp for not following their terms of service. I have no idea what it relates to as they don’t tell you. The only thing I can think of is that there is a rule about being too boring. I’ll update next week how I get on with that.  

I’m a stand-up guy

I’m taking the opportunity during this transition period (while I’m on the scratcher) to revisit things that used to motivate me, and I’ve put my name down for a charity stand-up comedy gig called Ultra-Comedy (you know the boxing equivalent) which will take place in November. I’ve no idea at this stage how it will go but there is training leading up to it. I have an obligation to sell tickets so as the weeks go on with this, perhaps you might come and see me and support a worthy cause.  

Do good well

‘Things for good causes’ time and I gave blood on Tuesday. I was such a wuss, moaning internally about how discomforting it was. I felt the needle a bit more this time, but it wasn’t exactly childbirth. If you can donate, do, and talking about things needle-related if you are eligible for the flu, COVID-19 or any other vaccines this winter do go and have them. I will tirelessly campaign for that. Last for the do-gooder paragraph is a plug for Best Before cafes. Please raise awareness of these if you have one near you. They offer full bags of food for just £3, reducing so much wastage. It really is a good thing.  

So that’s me off the mark. Blog 1 done. Look out for the next Adrian’s All next Friday, 10 October.  

Back to the job hunt!