Wanted: A Job to Love

I had a job I loved a year and a half ago.

Corporatisation and politics started to get in the way.

As well as a very annoying bi-polar staff member I had to manage.

So I quit, and went to 'better pastures'.

Unfortunately, it was very much a case of 'Grass is Greener', and a year on I am more miserable in my job then ever.

Is a job meant to be enjoyable?
Technically, a job is work, and work is defined as "exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something". There is nothing there that says we should enjoy it.

Enjoying a job just makes it easier to deal with the fact that you have to be in the same place at the same time 5 days a week. No choice.

Perhaps a job is there to make the good times stand out. Like amazing trips over seas, buying a house or car, and even just a night out on a Saturday.

Since I started feeling like my job was unbearable, I have enjoyed the times I have outside of work more. I treasure Wednesday night trivia. I also drink a lot more. My holiday to Vanuatu was a high light of the year, as well as the weekend away in the Hunter Valley, the weekend away for my birthday, the weddings, the funerals and even the nights in...

So, while I try to block 7.6 hours a day out of my consciousness, and dismiss complete arseholes I work with, I can dream about the good times that the (small amount of) money I make that makes those times worth while.

No Smoking Please

A week into my 500th attempt to quit smoking, and I have learnt three useful facts.

1. Rationality. It doesnt matter how rational you can be through a craving when you are sober, as soon as you reach your 4th or 5th wine, you feel the switch flick in your brain. Suddenly its all you can think about, and you want a cigerette, even if it means you have to beg, borrow or steal. It is completely logical to think that one cigerette will help with the craving and thats all you need. And you torment every smoker you know begging them for cigerettes.

2. Friends. I dont care what anyone says, cigerettes have been a friend to me for about 5 years, and suddenly here I am, ditching it. Cigerettes have seen me through break ups, countless arguements with family and friends, two family funerals, countless weddings, boredom, and excitement... it has been my crutch in socially awkward times, and has always gone well with wine, beer, spirits, coffee and relaxing Sunday afternoons. I have tried dealing with quitting smoking like an ex - totally cutting them out of my life. But unfinished things never play well. So I am easeing myself into it, with a 'rebound' you could say, known as Niccorette 2mg Fruity Flavour Chewing Gum. Best with a beer or a coke to drown out the burning throat taste.

3. Need vs Want. I dont want a cigerette at the moment, but my body is telling me I need one. I can deny my body that... but as soon as I feel like I want one, such as in hard times, stressful times, drunk times... it is very hard to say no. I suppose this is just human desire. I shall percevere... and hopefully say goodbye to smoking forever

7 days in - Taste and smell have improved - Sleep better - feel better - hair and skin wont smell of smoke - levels of carbon monoxide have dropped - oxygen increase - heart rate and blood pressure returned to normal.

Now I just need to get through the week, and another long weekend.