Katherine Mansfield

Visited the cemetery where New Zealand author Katherine Mansfield is buried in Avon, near Fountainebleau. Quite a touching moment. Her headstone was written in English too. Nice touch.

Downhearted

I'm flat out job hunting, printing and posting CVs and filling out online job applications. Unfortunately I'm getting absolutely nowhere. Few replies and certainly no positive ones. Brittany is not the best region of France to be in the job market ; bugger all around. It's seriously getting me down, especially as I have 'money issues' and debt collectors knocking at my door 

I have set myself a goal. Keep trying to find a job in Brittany up until the end of January. If nothing crops up I will look into jobs in the UK, trying to avoid London having already lived there for four years.🇬🇧 So if anyone knows how to get into the UK job market please send me some site details or contacts.

In other news, as soon as my invalidity money comes through, Weasley my cat is going in for the unkindest cut of all. Just though you'd like to know. 🐱

Lecture

An appropriate read considering the passing of Carrie Fisher.

Bonne année

Bonne année à ma famille et à mes amis.  Happy New Year to my family and friends. It was a quiet night for me, but this old bugger did manage to stay awake until 2am!

I've decided to try and resurrect this blog and see if I can keep it going throughout the year.  I'll write about anything and everything; my battle with depression and bipolar, my attempt at staying on the wagon for the entire year (that's going to be a tough one but I'm determined to give it a crack), life in France, grief and the love of my son and ex-wife, tech and gadgets, my stamp collection and general bachelor life.  To be honest, I'm quite enjoying being on my own and have absolutely no intention of searching for a new partner.  I'm enjoying life in my bachelor pad especially as my cat is not here marking his territory (he's in for the chop as soon  as I can raise the cash).

Job hunting will be my main occupation at the beginning of the year.  Enough is enough. I need to work.  I've been on sick leave for over 2 years now.  Serious cash flow problems which need to be remedied ASAP.

So, I've made a resolution to keep this blog running. Watch this space.

The Blues...

Feeling really down. Can't cope with financial, health and family issues. Totally swamped. I'll try and write about it tomorrow. Time now for an audio book read by Stephen Fry. Lulls me to sleep without fail. Highly recommended. Hanging out for my next Audible credit.

Until tomorrow...

Searching.

Well, I'm still job hunting. I even got turned down by McDonalds; obviously too old. I do prefer KFC though. It's becoming a real problem and I just today received a letter threatening repossession. Scary!

With regard to job hunting, I'm at a little bit of a loss as to where to turn now. Taking a leaf out of my cousin's book, I sent CVs to Avis and Hertz in the hope that they require English speakers (Bilingual). I also posted one off to Navix which is the cruise boat company offeriing tours of the Gulf de Morbihan. It's not really the right season however it's worth a crack.

I seem to be on top of my depression and Bipolar which is a major positive. I'm finding myself with a lot more energy & capable of getting a crack on doing as many administrative jobs, housework (heaven forbid. It is a bachelor pad after all) and job hunting. I also have a good relationship with my ex wife and see her and my son several times a week. I couldn't ask for more. Our 'family' Sunday lunches are very enjoyable.

I just need a job so that I can begin paying of my debts. Once they've gone life will be so much better; stress free and enabling me to make even more progress dealing with my mental health.

Anyway, time to 'push my bum' as my ex would say and get on and do some jobs. Hell, I hate saying 'ex'. I'll call her F from now on in.

Cheers.

Job hunting... Or not.

This job hunting is doing my head in and is now beyond urgent. I have never been without a job (except for 3 months in 1998). I'm seriously stressed and having a bit of trouble coping. Nothing in the fridge for at least another week. Am I complaining? You bet your bottom dollar I am. Scared shitless to be honest. I'm selling as much of my stuff on eBay as I possibly can, but then have problems paying for stamps. Please let things improve soon. This situation is not helping my depression/bipolar. Doing the hard yards.

And yet I lie

Bereft of food sauf petits pois carottes. And yet it is nourishment. One can't complain. We will saddle up and continue our journey on the morrow. Long that it may be.

The beginning (hopefully not of the end).

I write to you this day, the 6th of October, the year two thousand and sixteen. All is not well chez Greg. I am cursed by the blight of debt to the local elite. Money is lacking. I am struggling to fed my cat for he is all that is left to me. Indiscretions & ill advised investments have found me in a right pickle (as Edith the fishmonger advised me to say). I dread, and yet must, write of my misdeeds and cock ups (words from Ilvana the Mistress of all things delightful). I hope to update this journal as candle light permits. Tallow is rare these dark days. Until the next time. May your God's, whomever they may be, keep you safe and in peace.