Buddhist

My contract has been extended by another two weeks for the time being. HR asked me if I wanted to apply for a permanent job (I think they are pretty sick of temps by now, judging by the problems that have gone before) but I told them it didn't suit my circumstances (as a burgeoning writer and all that) however I could stay on until December or January. It doesn't sound like they'll keep extending my contract by more than two weeks at a time, probably because I'm replacing someone on the long-term sick who might come back at any time.

This is all good. I'm feeling quite Buddhist about the whole situation - if I stay on until December or longer, great; if not it means I can start editing sooner, which is also great. Whatever happens I'll have a least one months' wages in the bank so I won't starve.

Realised yesterday that the next weekend is a long one, W00t!

Writing vs job

It's Friday, which means I've finally made some money! W00t! Am just about to make a big batch of spag bol with the ours - we'll have some for our dinner with a nice bottle of wine and final of The Restaurant, and the rest we'll freeze. Anything that keeps me away from restaurant and fast food is a good thing at this stage.

I've been told at work that they want me to stay on, I'm not sure how long they are thinking of but it might be several months. I really want to work up until Christmas because I need the money, but I'd also like to get cracking on my second draft. I'm starting to realise that I will not get far if I work a full day and then write in the evenings. I just find it impossible to do; kudos to everyone who can, I have the utmost respect for you but it is beyond me. I stopped working jobs with overtime several years ago because the long hours took their toll on my physical and mental wellbeing, and it's become apparent to me that writing after work would have the same effect.

I can cope with not tackling my novel until after Christmas, but if they ask me to stay on longer it will be difficult to turn them down. I don't have much experience as a legal secretary so the longer I can stay in one place at first, the better. But on the other hand it seems important that I don't lose sight of why I retrained in the first place - to take regular breaks to write.

Yesterday

The interview went very well. The recruitment agent had told me that I'd have trouble getting a temporary legal secretary position because I had no previous experience, but that the odd job came up where they were less fussy about that sort of thing. As soon as that happened I'd have my foot in the door. In the meantime, she said, I could always work as a PA or a general secretary. Then she shipped me off to do some typing tests.

Twenty minutes later I had a job! She'd got a call from a legal company in the city centre who didn't seem that bothered about experience, and she talked me up a storm. It's only for two weeks initially but it could be longer.

I start on Monday...so I'm going to enjoy my last weekend as an unemployed waster as much as I can!