Adrian Phelan

Post 4

Downton Abbey movie| New job | Reflections | Presidential election | Do Good Well | Feedback and thanks  

You can always go, Downton 

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m proper posh. I’ve never watched Downton Abbey, but I went to see the film the other night, and I came out thinking, ‘Where have you been all my life?’ I would totally fit in there; my major stress being managing luxury. And I’d look great in the clobber. I think I heard an Irish accent among the cast. It should have been me. I’m going to talk a bit more like Pierce Brosnan for a while as part of the job seeking strategy so bear with me if I bump into you in Waitrose.  

How can I help? 

Some news on the job front. It looks like I’ve landed a customer services role at a council for the next three months (ink not quite dry). I’m not sure what the sensitivities are so I won’t expand on it for now. However, for those looking, I went to a job fair on Wednesday at a Job Centre Plus and had a good chat with the Royal Mail rep. It looks like there’s quite a bit of work going for delivery drivers including a bit of postie work so if you’re looking, consider it.  

What a few months it’s been – the serious bit  

Now that I’ll be starting work again, I’ve been reflecting on my emotional journey since I found out I was leaving my last job and here are my thoughts. I had five weeks’ notice to the end of my contract. That was five weeks where I had to deliver in the current role alongside pondering/worrying what will happen when I finish. However, when I finished, all the pressure of delivering in the role was lifted and I just had the one focus, finding a new job. I was walking around with half the weight on my shoulders gone. From that point I also had autonomy over my days, and although I had a job to do to find that next opportunity, I was my own boss. It remained vital to performance manage myself, but sod it, if it was 2.30 in the afternoon and 25 degrees outside, I also owed it to myself to go down to the local lido and make the most of it. I could then work that little bit later into the evening. I need to be employed and I know that, but I will leave this phase grateful for the chance to be ‘me’ a bit more. ‘However, as Dolly Parton sang, ‘Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living’. So onwards and upwards. (I know it’s been a hundred years since someone said that).   

Setting a president  

I didn’t want it to be overly obvious that I am Irish, but I think it was given away with the whole filim thing. Anyway, Ireland chooses a new president this week. The voter turnout will be interesting (In fact everything about proceedings will be interesting) and I am curious as to who wins. With two female candidates the forerunners, the likelihood is that the winner will be female. Our current President, Michael D Higgins (Google him now) will be a hard act to follow for a number of reasons, but whoever wins I wish them well.  

Do Good Well 

I had a tremendous response to the Big Issue picture I posted, so carrying on that vibe. The vendor I bought from didn’t want to be photographed which is fine but perhaps I should have asked before I suggested we did a video of the two of us singing ‘I’ve Got You Babe’. That would have been classic.  

It’s Black History Month and if I was still working part of my day would have been promoting this so as we’re approaching the last week of the month I want to give it a quick plug.  

Feedback and thanks  

Next week’s post is likely to focus on the fact that the clocks have gone back an hour. Even though I know it’s coming, I won’t be able to believe it’s happening. However, if among the confusion you get a minute, do let me know your thoughts on the blog. You can contact me about this or anything  at adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk