libertus

Buggeration. No success with either of the interviews I attended. The second was a disaster. I completely misinterpreted what type of programmer the firm were looking for. My skills were not appropriate and so I failed the test set for me. That was a little embarrassing but educational.

I’m going to aim higher from now on.

We may not be homeless from this weekend, hopefully.

Close to 20 hours of driving later, I’m back in Sheffield following my short jaunt up to Fraserburgh. I had two job interviews; one face-to-face with a firm in Aberdeen and the other by telephone with a firm in Nottingham.

Both interviews went well. I have been invited for a face-to-face with the firm in Nottingham on Tuesday. I’m told that part of the interview will be a programming test, which is great news. Bring it on - I love ‘em! The last firm to give me such a test hired me and we spent two profitable years together.

My family is getting more musical. My brother is now strumming and my sister tinkles the ivories once again. I’m looking forward to their gigs. Maybe I should learn flute? Or better, invent a new instrument. The music world will tremble to my cowpipe - a bit like a bagpipe but instead of one bag and four pipes you have four bags and two pipes. Just be careful which pipe you blow into.

I have an interview in Aberdeen on Wednesday. Right next door to my divorce solicitor’s office. Err… actually I got that wrong - it’s not next door. More like 2 mins walk.

If that isn’t an opportunity to multi-task, what is? ROFL

I love this channel! There are people in Afghanistan basically saying that they can solve the heroin problem by buying the opium from the farmers themselves and selling it on to produce legitimate medical opiate drugs. Presumably the price they offer will be at least as much as the evil drug dealers pay the farmers.

I’m so glad I’m up late! I can’t believe what I’ve just heard on BBC News 24. This scientist, Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, is on promoting the notion that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is somehow related to these hurricanes or something. However, the way she explains it is we can convert a small hurricane into a powerful storm. Which is kinda what happened to Rita. That’s scientific proof! Gawd bless global warming!

Umm… that’s… good, isn’t it?

She made me laugh anyway.

Still in Sheffield.

Spending as little as possible. A friend has generously allowed us to stay in his apartment until the end of September which provides free accomodation and broadband internet. A lovely music system too.

Finding a job. A little depressing. I’m following the obvious approach and looking for a .Net developer position since that’s my most recent experience. I’ve been using modern technology to find, apply for and discuss jobs. Finding and applying works fine as far as the website is concerned but so far only one irrelevant phonecall from an agent. Back to the old approach - using the phone. My CV also sucks and that can’t be helping matters.
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After a few weeks chilling out in Scotland I gleefully made the long drive to Norfolk to meet up with Liberta. Liberta being duly met, we buggered off to Leicestershire to dive Stoney Cove. Even though it was bitterly cold and quite murky, diving there was still substantially more fun than a day at the office. Not sure how often I’d be inclined to go back but we can both now say we have dived in the UK.

We’re currently back in Sheffield for a few days to visit friends.

I’ve made it safely to sunny Fraserburgh. Yes… sunny! I’m planning to chill out for a few days then get dug in to some of the things I came here to do.

Vehicle duly acquired and made legal, I’ve driven the first leg of my journey up to Fraserburgh. I’m now in Sheffield and shall spend probably a couple of days visiting friends.