hanging my head in shame

worried_jim

The doctor said, 'Harry, the good news is I can cure your headaches.
The bad news is that it will require castration.
You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press
on your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache.
The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles.'

I was shocked and depressed. I wondered if I had anything to live for.
I had no choice but to go under the knife.
When I left the hospital, I was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but I felt like
I was missing an important part of Myself.
As I walked down the street, I realized that I felt like a different person. I could make a new
beginning and live a new life.

I saw a men's clothing store and thought,
'That's what I need... A new suit...'

I entered the shop and told the salesman, 'I'd like a new suit..'

The elderly tailor eyed me briefly and said,
'Let's see... Size 44 long.'

I laughed, 'That's right, how did you know?'

'Been in the business 60 years!' the tailor said.

I tried on the suit it fit perfectly.

As I, admired myself in the mirror, the salesman asked,
'How about a new shirt?'

I thought for a moment and then said, 'Sure.'

The salesman eyed me and said, 'Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck.'

I was surprised, 'That's right, how did you know?'

'Been in the business 60 years.'

I tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly.

I walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked,
'How about some new underwear?'

I thought for a moment and said, 'Sure.'

The salesman said, 'Let's see... Size 36.

I laughed, 'Ah ha! I got you! I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old.'

The salesman shook his head, 'You can't wear a size 34.
A size 34 would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give
you one hell of a headache.'

savingwannabe

V good. Now probably isn't the time to tell you I have a killer headache is it? Still glad i am a female. Mine is due to a virus:rotfl::D

MrsPorridge

Jim, you always put a smile on my face!

worried_jim

At the beginning of the summer I helped a friend to get a job with me and it made me feel very good as he had been very unlucky in the employment market for some time. About three weeks ago his was sacked, no gross misconduct or anything exciting he just wasn't the right fit for the office as he is too analytical which was slowing his work rate down. The boss did it on a day when I wasn't there and I was kept out of the loop so I didn't know it was coming and even though I had recommended him that it was no bearing on me- doesn't change the fact that I felt lousy about it and I haven't spoken to him since (although he has been on holiday).
Well today with no notice at all five other new starters were given the shove as well, this has left the office devastated as they were told and then escorted out of the building without any opportunity to say good bye. Lots of people in tears, not just those that have gone, the boss is cut up as she just received a call this morning with instructions of what needed to be done.
Everyone is now thinking will it be me next? I just want to lie down in a dark room and wish it all away.

worried_jim

Back in September I was given advance knowledge of a vacancy at work, which would result in me getting promoted. I applied as soon as the job was advertised in October and didn't hear anything else, nobody did so I didn't worry, in the meantime I was made aware of another position that I might have been interested in so I went for an overview and liked it very much so applied for that as well.
I heard back as soon as the closing date came and was invited for an assessment which would include a maths exam. This happened on Monday afternoon just gone and was quite nerve racking.
As a teenager I did my maths GCSE three times getting firstly a grade F, followed by a D a year later in the re-sit and then with the help and expense of a private tutor one night a week (thanks Mum and Dad, and two fingers to my schools maths dept- I am proof that you are f'in useless at your job) I finally got my much needed C grade.
Now I use maths every day and always have done and I have had roles in the past in retail where I would have handled thousands in cash and write up orders and deals worth thousands and also apply discounts to merchandise so can do a percentage. However if I need to do something mathematically that I haven't done before or use some long lost knowledge I am next to useless. I am the first to admit that I knew and could do more at 12 then I can do now on a day to day basis and from talking to many others at work from the same generation they are just the same, the teaching methods were (don't know if they still are, but I suspect they are) so bad you just forgot it the next day, where as some of the older members can happily work out the lowest common denominator of a fraction and then convert it to a percentage (this would take me all day and would be a rough guess by the end of it).
It was challenging and I came out afterwards with trembling hands and couldn’t eat anything- bit of a nervous wreck. At one point my mind went blank and I just stared at the questions for ten minutes but I soon got in to the grove and completed it. I thought I had a 50/50 chance of an interview so I was delighted to be invited this Tuesday to the final stage. I have since found out that the other role is now ready for interviewing and have been invited to attend on, yes, this Tuesday. Two different roles and two different interviews on the same day. At some point this week one of several things will have happened, I will have been a total failure, I will have got a new job or I will have had to choose between two new roles.
Have just spent the morning making notes and prepping for it. I haven’t had an interview since 2006, normally my boss would go through everything with me but she has been off this week and is away at another site next week so it is all my own doing. Time to man up.

Butti

Hi Jim,

Go through the job roles and list likely questions.
Then the obvious ones; why do you want the job? What will you bring to the job? What are your weaknesses? How do you deal with conflict?
How do you deal with difficult people? Give us an example of when you did something wrong and how you tried to rectify it? Give us an example of when you have resolved conflict? Give us an example of when you have collaborated? etc.etc.etc.
Also maybe call in at library tomorrow (if this is a possibility) and get hold of an interview book.

Good luck,
B x

worried_jim

I have found some websites that offer advice regarding competency based interviews and I am pretty well prepared. As soon as I get into my stride I will fine, it's the little things like getting a good nights sleep beforehand- I go through bouts of having poor sleep patterns, I am not particularly tired the next day and normally leave for work until 10am so I can sleep in a bit later if needed but this first interview is at 8am and I will be leaving the house at 7.30 so if I am up till 3am with a thousand things going through my mind it will not be too good.

Kantankrus_Mare

Good luck Jim.

I don't think you are on your own with the maths thing.

I failed my "o" level with an ungraded mark mostly down to the carp teacher we had and the two boys that sat in front of us lol

I would love to do an evening course to sit the exam again as my interest in numbers and money has increased as Ive got older.

Im responsible for a till and cashing up at end of each day so someone has some faith in me. :T

ClootiesMum

Good luck Jim.
It was the final day for someone in our office today. It's he'll. And it's turning me into a person I don't like. Every time I hear of another area being "downsized" I now think - at least I'm safe for a bit longer before I think of the poor bu@@ers losing their jobs

worried_jim

ClootiesMum wrote: »

Good luck Jim.
It was the final day for someone in our office today. It's he'll. And it's turning me into a person I don't like. Every time I hear of another area being "downsized" I now think - at least I'm safe for a bit longer before I think of the poor bu@@ers losing their jobs

I appreciate your thoughts, I think everyone has that little voice in their heads that says "glad it's not me". It does feel strange to be in a position where not only am I in a good job but I have the option of two different ones. I could never have seen this happening just 18 months ago. I did loads of prep for my interviews tomorrow and I am in a good place mentally (well I am this evening).