Improving my life in 2011

vasseur

Mags30 wrote: »

Sort of.
The line between work/helping out friends is a bit blurred but nobody takes advantage either. The people I've been doing things for would pay me properly if I took on bigger jobs for them.

So long as this is the case and you aren't unhappy with it. Thing is it sounds to me like you are turning into an events organiser and they are getting you for rock bottom prices i.e. the cost of food which they have already paid for anyway. Somethimes it's easy to take advantage of someone's good nature without even realising you are doing it.

Mags30

The food/event organising started very small because I insisted we had to feed the bands who would often have travelled half way across the country. This was mostly because I like to socialise with these people and if you're offering tea and food it's much easier to get their attention so I created my own job doing this.

I set up a backstage room with a kettle and a table with tea/coffee making facilities, plenty of packages of biscuits/chocolate/crisps and most importantly a few heaters I got pizzas delivered from a nearby takeaway and often brought cake or cupcakes. Sounds very unhealthy I know but it worked really well and people always appreciated it.

I was only there to do that on music weekends when big bands were booked but the one man bands who play there regularly made themselves at home and used the room all the time.

Owner loved the nice atmosphere this created and replaced my borrowed-from-the-bar chairs with (2nd hand) sofas, the kettle become 2 huge water boilers, there's a tv and a mirror, it's really nice now and people are using it as a meeting room. But with things like the huge water boilers and the local take-away very keen to provide more food in bigger quantities it has grown into something too big to keep backstage.

See how until recently I hadn't really been doing much that would require payment more than gifts. I used to sit around chatting to the band boys over tea and take-away. Yes it's hospitality but really I was just creating a nice environment for me to socialise. Then when the band were on stage I'd help in the bar before providing more cups of tea after the show.

Now people just assume I'm in charge but I'm not. I'm not even there much but people always ask for me. Nobody else is in charge either which is why I was run off my feet sorting things out at the birthday party.

I only worked on the Christmas cards for a few hours so lunch was adequate payment for that. It's possible that I could bring home jobs like that to do and get paid properly, maybe next year.

vasseur

Ah i see. It sounds like quite a nice way to socialise too. The only thing is, if you're starting to not enjoy it anymore and it is turning into a chore then you must say something. It's hard I know when you don't want to let people down.

Mags30

polesalot wrote: »

Ah i see. It sounds like quite a nice way to socialise too. The only thing is, if you're starting to not enjoy it anymore and it is turning into a chore then you must say something. It's hard I know when you don't want to let people down.

I know, I think somebody needs to be put in charge of events but there isn't anybody suitable working there at the moment who would take on the extra responsibility.

I reached £40 on onepoll today :T:T

My mothers final (hopefully) medical is tomorrow. If she goes back to work it'll make my life easier because she'll be happier working but I'm so aware that this is only pushing the problem a few years down the line.

Starting to think about the Budget too (not my personal budget but the government one due next week). Austerity here we come

vasseur

:jwell done on the OnePoll - reached £40 on mine yesterday - hope they pay out quickly. Up to £1.70 now.

Fingers crossed for your mum tomorrow

Mags30

My mother passed the medical and can go back to work on Monday :T She's still complaining though. Says she spent most of today in bed again. But she's tired after Dublin yesterday-it was her 4th trip there for medicals in a month. I know she'll get out and about again tomorrow for coffee and shopping so that's not too bad.

Not liking the Christmas atmosphere around the city at all I'm feeling the need to keep a tight grip on my handbag all the time, not for MSE reasons but in case somebody steals it, traffic is crazy-it takes ages to get anywhere, all the coffee shop deals and lunch specials have been replaced with overpriced and poor quality food.

Thinking about my Christmas list or more specifically crossing some people off :undecided I have my hairdresser and the 2 Curves girls on the list. I'm already paying a lot for both of these services so I'm not sure why I feel that I have to give them presents. 3 bottles of wine or similar is another €30 I can't strictly afford.

Mags30

There are some good things about Christmas.....watching the Late Late Toy Show with a pizza from Dominos tonight

vasseur

:T to Magsmum passing the medical - it must be a huge relief.

I think lots of people are crossing people off their Xmas lists. It's just not do-able this year.

Kerry78

Brilliant news bout your mom!!!

I was in Cork on Saturday and there didn't seem to be much atmosphere around at all. There was a protest as well outside the crawford art gallery bout the governmant/bankers. Seemed weird to be protesting outside an art gallery but I suppose it's an easy area to congregate!

Had to admit even though there wasn't much atmosphere had a lovely day. We got there about 10am so had a few quite hours before it got busy and got lucky when we were leaving at 4pm, there wasn't much traffic at all.

How are you finding the budget??? It's very mixed. The USC is good and the fact the social isn't being cut as I'll be out of work come January. The car tax and the third level fees going up isn't good but it could be a lot worse. I've been watching it a bit but I'm hoping to find a simple summery of it tomorrow!

Mags30

In a white transit van He brought me 8 full size hair products to try for the Glamour magazine reader panel :jThey are from a rather posh looking brand called Percy and Reed which I've not seen on sale around here. http://www.percyandreed.com/

• Moisturising shampoo 200ml RRP £14
• Moisturising conditioner 200ml RRP £16
• Dry Shampoo 150ml RRP £12
• Dry Conditioner 150ml RRP £12
• Hairspray 250ml RRP £12
• Texturising spray 150ml RRP £14
• Finishing polish 50ml RRP £4
• Hair oil/serum 60ml RRP £14

Total RRP of the 8 items = £98 :eek: but :j:jbecause I didn't pay for them

I'm so impressed by the generosity of the company that sent them. That is one very generous free sample. Santa himself could not have chosen me a more suitable gift-my long hair likes fancy hair products.

Not the most amazing fit for the "no toiletries challenge" :shhh: but I've used up 163 items so far this year (using a counter app on the phone to keep track). I'm aiming for 182 which would mean one item used up every second day! That sounds impressive but it does include any empty box/bottle/sample sachet and includes everyday stuff like vitamins.