Sunday Walk

 Upon finding that my gym closes at 4pm on a Saturday and then doesn't open again until Monday morning, I decided to go for a walk around the East part of Hastings which I don't know all that well.

 I'd say I was jogging/running about a third of the time, usually up hills whilst feeling macho. I probably looked pathetic!

 I walked almost 4 miles in all, didn't time myself and just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery.

Click here to see my route

 I was listening to BBC Radio 1 using the FM radio tuner in my mobile phone and found the beat of the latest pop songs motivated me along quite nicely.
This song, which has been the UK's Number 1 for three weeks now, really got me going. I like the video too, with a Japanese girl becoming more and more spooked out by western faces popping up throughout her neighbourhood... Am I interpreting this correctly?

 The highlight of my walk was probably when I got to the top of the East Hill and stood steady with the high winds rocking me back and forth while I looked out towards the sea.

The sea was rough and the winds were high

 From this vantage point, I was able to listen to some French pop radio stations using the FM tuner in my phone. I listened to NRG, RTL and RTL 2. One of them had a pretty cheesy competition for Brittany Ferries which was funny because they would speak all this French language quickly and then slowly say 'Brittany Ferries' in English.

Photos are my own

Getting Fit

6 weeks to go!

This year I did something stupid. I did something that I am beginning to regret and whenever I tell people about this thing they always ask "Why?".

I signed up for a half marathon.

Yes, that's right. On Sunday 23rd March I will be panting my way around a 13 mile course along with my mother (55+) , sister (23) and maybe my girlfriend (25) just for the hell of it.

I have joined a gym and have started going, but I know that I'm not doing nearly enough yet. Hopefully, my age will be in my advantage and I'll be able to get into shape quickly.

Whenever I do go to the gym, I tend to stick to the cardio machines. I really like the cross trainer, and had a great session on it last night whilst being motivated on by Queen songs. I'm not really a fan of Queen, but it was really motivating!

My gym instructor says that I need to work on my 'core', whatever that is. I haven't done any research on that yet.
Care to comment below and let me know what that's all about?


So, I'll try to keep the fitness posts to minimum. I really don't want to be one of those people who have to brag about their workouts of Facebook all the time.

Photo Credits: 1. womensrunninguk.co.uk 2. Unknown.

Looking for work

You wait all day, and then suddenly...

Well, it's been a mad week for me. After months of sending out application letters looking for work, the interviews all flow in at once. It seems that hearing back from potential employers is a lot like waiting for buses.

Last week, I attended two interviews for jobs.

Not quite doing this, but similar

Job One is to work in hospitality. This is not an industry I had previously considered but I felt like challenging myself in a demanding environment.

I went for an interview with the manager and I think it went pretty well. He invited me for a work trial 2 days from the interview. I accepted.
The work trial was good, I was shadowing the senior receptionist and picked up the internal booking system quite well. She went back to the manager after a couple of hours and I was offered the job.

I should have accepted then and there, but I had just been offered an interview with a large insurance company. The insurance company was a big local employer with lots of young people working there and monthly bonuses available.
I told the manager that I would give him an answer within 7 days, I wanted to see if the insurance company would offer me a job first as there was much higher earning potential there.

High pressure, about 70 calls a day

Job Two was for a large insurance company, being a 'Customer Representative'. What this really means is 'be another voice in a large call centre'. I knew the job would be tough and possibly brain-damaging, but I pressed on.

I went to an Assessment day where I had to do an exam, engage in a group activity, have a telephone role play exercise and finally a formal interview.

I thought I did pretty well, but not brilliantly. I know I said a couple of things in the interview that I wanted to retract straight away, but that didn't stop the interviewer's pen from moving.

I received an e-mail the following evening telling me that I was unsuccessful.

Gutted.

Now I have been trying to get in touch with the manager of Job One to accept his offer.
I tried calling him twice yesterday and e-mailed him. No response.

Today, I decided to just go straight in there and give him my references. I did, and when he appeared he just took them in a nonchalant way without any idea of a confirmation or start date. "I will wait to talk to the senior receptionist" he said. "When will that be" I asked, "I do not know. I will have to check the rota and get back to you". Then he walked away.... Cheers.

So, Now I play the waiting game. One of my all time favourites. The waiting game has got to be one of the most exciting games in all of human history. Just thinking of the many hours and sleepless nights human beings have endured whilst playing this game throughout the ages, really illustrates the perpetual appeal of the waiting game and how it's legacy will last forever and ever Amen.

One of Hasbro's most unsuccessful titles.

Photo Credits: 1. litaupa.lt 2. Guardian.com 3. recoilmag.com

Welcome

Hello Readers and Welcome To My Blog

I am a 25 year old man living in a town on the south east coast of England called Hastings. I am interested in Radio, International News, UK Politics, Internet Issues, 90s Alternative Music and Film, UK Culture and Fitness.

I have decided to write this blog as my friends don't always share the same interests I have in the above subjects. I am reaching out to you, dear reader, as someone who I can have intelligent discussion with about these topics and maybe find a shared interest.

As I wish to remain anonymous, I have assumed the identity of Alan Partridge a fictional radio DJ from Norwich. I may change this character, or relinquish my anonymity in the future if I see fit.

I hope you enjoy my posts and become a regular visitor. I am always open to suggestions on topics to cover and debate about, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment under this post and I will get back to you as soon as possible.