My Life That Happened In… #8

Episode #7

… May 2024

Friday 3rd

He turned up around 10ish and did everything, from the boot of his Porche Cayenne and the tools mixed with a folded pushchair. I am not bitter but a little jealous. He has tapped into a market and is making the best out of it. Good for him. But I still feel a bit screwed over.

Well, I feel slightly used. The company turned up and fixed my snapped, rustly locking nut. The way they went on about it felt like they would do some sci-fi stuff to correct the problem. But no, a drill and some banging for a couple of minutes and he was done. He was nice to install the spare bolt I had. But that wasn’t worth 85 quid.

So now I can get the wheels balanced unless something else goes wrong, which seems to be the theme with owning a car.

Same day. I went to work and didn’t even get to start my shift when my head decided it was time for a panic attack. The whole process, of getting a First Aider and getting to the First Aid room and then to the canteen for something to eat took about an hour and twenty minutes when I clocked out.

Can Not Get Enough

I have recently binge-watched a series called The Rookie, starring Nathan Fillon, according to the wife, my husband. I am not attracted to him, I enjoy his acting. Ever since I watched Firefly, I tend to follow the actors in shows I like. But I got a song stuck in my head because of it. It appears so far in two episodes. Here have a listen to the full song that’s on Spotify.

At the same moment. It’s been over a month since Wrestlemania 45. But I can not stop watching the entrance video of Rhea Ripley. It is a simple entrance but you can feel the energy. It is awesome.

An Attempt was Made

I thought I would give it a go and try and put it in my new stereo. I had to buy some things to help with the removal.

But after a few attempts. I failed. I did get it working. Not quite all of my fault. I had trouble getting the new system in and finding a way to connect the other wires that go elsewhere in the car. But, in the end, I had to put the old radio back in for now.

Friday 17th

I had an appointment at a dentist in Reyleigh called the Smile Centre. I got completely lost when trying to find the place. When I finally found the place after parking behind the building. It’s a sign with a small door next to a clothes shop.

This was so I could get myself the Somnewell MAD. It is expensive. But I am hoping this will help with some of my health problems.

After the dentist gave me a check-up, he found a problem, that would be needed to be fixed, before continuing. He gave me a note for my hygienist and in a couple of visits, I should have fixed the possible instability in my teeth.

I was a little overwhelmed by all the actions of the day, and I was mentally exhausted, by the time I got home.

Saturday 18th

The father-in-law’s birthday would have been today. The missus wanted to visit his plaque and burial spot, at the crematorium. So that is what we did. I think she overdid it with the balloon. But, as long as she is happy.

When it was time to leave we popped into the local farm for some provisions. The local wildlife came to say hello as well.

The past few days haven’t been great for my mental health. But the little stroll in the fresh air did help a lot. I will have to try this more often.

Friday 24th

We had to pop to the shops for some errands. We picked up a new family member.

Saturday 25th

Today is a big day. This will be the last day to go to the job I have been going to for nineteen years and nine months. It was a bit weird but it didn’t last long. Nearly, a couple of hours into the shift. My manager pulls me up and asks when, I would, like to go home. I, of course, said now? So, he said he would pay me until the end of the shift. I should go and say my goodbyes and be on my way.

And that is what I did. I took one last walk around the warehouse, shook a few hands, handed in my cards, and left. I should feel elated. This is the place that caused my mental health problems and other things. But I just felt numb. All of my emotions dropped when it was announced back in January.

The Reason for Leaving

I was paid off. The company wanted to convert everyone onto the new contract. Most of those on the old contract said no, including me. They offered us a deal a couple of years ago and most said no. In January, the company provided a severance package. Most said yes, including me. When signed our last day would be the 25th May. I did miss the buffet party due to having a rest day. But I didn’t care. In my mind, the party wasn’t for the team members.

I will miss the interactions with most of my colleagues. The management and upper… Well…

I am taking at least a month off to heal, improve myself and see what happens next.

Monday 27th

Waterstones were having a double-point sale as it was a bank holiday. So, I thought I would check out what they had. The wife had the same thought but with plants. Her choices were Smiths Garden Centre or Ikea. She chose Ikea.

We were waiting for an Iceland delivery, which didn’t arrive on time. The wife rearranged a delivery for later in the day. But while we were out and heading for Ikea, Iceland turned up calling me. So, as we were around the corner, I drove home and the wife let him in.

Anyway, Waterstones… Look at what I bought.

Battle Royale is a book I have wanted to read for a long time after watching the movie. It is the original Hunger Games. The other two I don’t know. They just drew me in. I will add them to the list.

We headed to Ikea and found that they had moved the plant section. Heading to the checkouts I saw my brother working. So we had a chat and catch up. I explained to him about losing my job and he insisted on speaking to someone he knows about helping me out. Which I thought was nice. But I didn’t expect anything from it.

Wednesday 29th

Today I am sore. My mouth has had a good kicking, due to the hygenist working on my mouth. Because I wanted to get the Somnewell mouth guard I needed the teeth at the back and under my gums cleaned thoroughly. And he did. The thing is I have to go back tomorrow to finish the job. After the hygienist, I spoke to the dentist. He may have been jealous or annoyed, as I went to someone else for the mouthguard.

The dentist checked online and saw what he needed to do so he could do the job himself. He asked if he could contact me in a week as he will do the online course and said he wanted to do it. I was up for it as it meant I didn’t need to travel to the other dentist.

They are Street Farm Dental Surgery in South Ockendon. If you are in the neighbourhood.

Before the dentist, my brother contacted me and asked if I could send a CV to him so he could pass it on to the people he was talking to. I didn’t have a new one made up so I tried to create one. My brother sent me a copy of his as a reference. Not being able to finish it in time I sent a PDF of what I had done already. And he said this was okay and passed it on.

After the dentist, I contacted him. He tried to call me when I had scrappers in my mouth. It turns out, they want to give me an interview on Friday at half six in the morning. I don’t have a problem with this. I am now waiting for an email to confirm.

Thursday 30th

Day 2 of the hygenist to finish the job. My mouth was so happy about it.

After spending more money, I visited my brother. I then returned home to relax. I spent my time preparing for the interview, researching information about the company and its history. How to answer questions and then went to bed early for tomorrow.

Friday 31st

I woke up at about 4 am and slowly prepared for my interview. I was still concerned about not getting an email. But I was still going. I even wore a shirt. I left home at about ten to six and drove slowly to the interview. Parking up, I walked around the back. My brother provided a video of the way I should go. While waiting for the interview I sat in the lobby when my brother showed and we had a chin wag before it was time.

The interview: I was in the mindset, that I would lay everything out on the table. All of my problems and mistakes. Physical and mental health problems. Making sure they understood who they might be employing. I was able to turn most into a positive.

There were two managers in the meeting and as I wasn’t sure what I was applying for I asked and was told that it was pretty much a shelf-stacking, style of job. But the two managers worked on different levels so it was a sort of two interviews at once: one in the warehouse and one on the shop floor.

From what I observed, I was under the impression I didn’t get the job. I wasn’t bothered. I was happy to get some interview experience.

How?

Getting home my brother called and said I got the job. I was surprised. One of the managers loved my honesty. I was a little too honest. However, that didn’t seem to matter. So, I am waiting for an information pack to find out what to do next. For now, I wait. But at the same time, as I am happy I still need confirmation.

I had to promise the use of any discounts to my brother. With all things considered, it’s the least I can do.

After a little rest, I took the wife to work, where we bought our second breakfast from Greggs. We sat outside in the shopping centre and ate our food. And then I went home again as the wife went to work. Before that, she asked me to bring something home for her.

See ya next month!