The Bottom Line

The recession is a bit like a flood, its effect is long reaching, but only drop by drop do we realise how far it has permeated our day to day lives.

To me, this latest recession seems to have been going on forever and I wonder where it will end. My husband runs his own business in the construction industry and a few years ago things were very much touch and go. Fortunately he survived and bit by bit the business seems to be clawing its way back.

But as one area of industry turns a corner, another reaches its low point. I currently work in the tertiary education sector and due to finances and falling student numbers the course I run will be running its final academic year from September.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I have another full year’s employment but some of my colleagues aren’t so fortunate. Post graduate education is expensive and some of the people who have been hit hardest by this recession are the very people who would normally pay for their children to receive that education.

Times have changed and the college has to be a ruthless business if it is going to survive. So needs must and a lot of heads are gong to roll by the look of it.

I’ve been here before a long time ago and last time I survived. That time I had just bought a new house and was about to have my second child so the situation was far more scary. So this time it doesn’t fill me with quite so much dread and on the plus side, I have plenty of time to prepare myself anyway.

But what I do need to do is to change my lack of job into an opportunity to finally do what I want to do with my life; a chance to follow my dreams. Perhaps not an ideal time to be wanting to break out on my own but it may be the only chance I get.

I’ve got a year to prepare myself, which in itself is a gift. Now I just need to make the most of it.

Wish me luck!

PS - Sally, thanks for dropping by on my blog - I did try to reply to you but blogger isn't allowing me to leave any comments on my own blog at the moment - very strange!  Any clues anyone?I’ve enjoyed my time in my job and have always considered myself to be a loyal and conscientious employee. Sadly though when it comes to the bottom line, I and many of my colleagues are just a payroll number - a liability which needs to be slashed.

Apologies For Absence

Two reasons for being a bad blogger:

1. Half term holiday in Majorca
2. I've being trying (trying being the operative word) to edit my novel so that I can send it in to the RNA before the deadline for the New Writers Scheme expires - OK so August sounds a long way away but I would like to get it in before then.

After our wonderful family holiday in February we decided to spend a week in the sun at half term.  In the past we have visited Majorca at this time of year and had fantastic holidays, so we decided to go back.  Alas, perhaps this year was a mistake.

Rain at the airport was the first sign that this was not going to be a sun filled event. 

The next five days of intermittent rain and constant overcast skies tested the patience of all involved somewhat, along with the noise, too many people in one venue, greed and rudeness of fellow holiday makers. I'm not exaggerating honest - but this holiday made the sit com Benidorm seem positively sophisticated.

Still, I'm trying to remember my New Year's resolution to be a glass half full kinda girl and at least it was a break, I wasn't at work, cleaning, cooking, washing or ironing (but I've done all that since I've been back) and it gave me plenty of time to think.

The most important thing I want to do this year is to complete the edit on my book so that I can send it off. 

So I came home with renewed vigour and focus and promptly rewrote the first five chapters of the novel.  Quite extensively in some cases.  So, now I'm happy with the opening chapters but I've changed so much that its had a knock on effect on the rest of the plot.  I know it needed it but to be honest, my head is now in tatters and I can't work out the rest of the plot. 

I will get there in the end, I know I will but at the moment I can't see the wood for the trees!

Hope your writing week is going better than mine.