So poor I can't even pay attention

MatyMoo

I had to sign on for 3 months late last year and I agree that it is a horrible, degrading thing to do. Not helped by the numpties that work there (generally).

They are not used to dealing with professional people who want to work, they are used to dealing with layabouts who do the bare minimum to make sure that their benefits are not stopped. No wonder they are jaded, I know I would be.

My personal advisor actually told me that she wouldn't have any suitable jobs for me, jobs above a certain level never come through job centre plus. What a surprise that was, Not!

It is harder to find a job the higher up the ladder you climb or the more niche market your profession is but there are jobs out there and you will find something, it just takes time.

So, as hateful as it is, get yourself down there and sign on. You are as entitled to the £65 a week as anyone else is. As the saying goes every little helps.

MatyMoo

Wow, what a wonderful surprise:j

I think that is a really romantic thing for him to do. It shows that he listens and that he wants you to do something that makes your heart sing.

He really is a keeper :T:j:T

Piquant_2

I'll post more stories about him later:

In the meantime for you Tig, here is the recipe for Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry:

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
• 2 tbsp korma (mild) curry paste or powder
• 1 butternut squash cubed and roasted (very important to do this, it adds to the depth of flavour
• 150ml hot vegetable stock, made with stock cubes
• 1 tin of chickpeas
• 400ml can coconut milk
• 50g ground almonds
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (optional)

[FONT=&quot] Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan oven), gas 4. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole or heavy pan and lightly cook the onion and ginger for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Stir in the curry paste or powder and cook over a low heat for 1 minute, taking care that it does not burn.

[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] Add the roasted butternut squash to the casserole or pan, stirring to coat them in the spicy onions. Add the stock, coconut milk, and drained chickpeas and bring to the boil. Season. If cooked in a pan, transfer to a warm casserole. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, then put in the oven and leave to cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] When ready to serve, remove the casserole from the oven, and stir in the ground almonds to thicken the sauce. Scatter coriander on top, if you like.

Piq[/FONT]

chevalier

Glad you thought my idea a good one. Just have to take the advice myself if I ever get as far as an interview.

Love the idea of a horse going to sleep whilst he has his haircut awesome!

And well done on man pet for signing you up for the course, that is so cool of him
chev

Piquant_2

Thanks Maty, I know I have to do it sooner or later. I thought it was just me, being a snob. The place even smelled rank. I cannot put into words how much I hated the experience. I may have to put it off until next week I'm really going to have to mentally prepare myself for it.

Piq

chevalier

Now come on Piq you have paid into the system all this time, you are entitled to that money. I guess maybe you will have to have a pomander under your nose to mask the smell....

Piquant_2

chevalier wrote: »

Glad you thought my idea a good one. Just have to take the advice myself if I ever get as far as an interview.

Love the idea of a horse going to sleep whilst he has his haircut awesome!

And well done on man pet for signing you up for the course, that is so cool of him
chev

Hello Chev! You must have popped up whilst I was sorting out Tig's recipe.

You give excellent advice, I've seen plenty of it dotted all over the forums. I'm sure you'd be awesome in an interview, you seem to have your head well screwed on.

I am completely over the moon at the man pet, I can hardly wait for the course material to be delivered. I'm already signed up online. Apparently I'll get a dedicated tutor to help me with everything. I feel that maybe, just maybe one day I'll be able to actually write for a living.

Piq

gallygirl

Man pet sounds lovely . Are there any left in the litter

Piquant_2

chevalier wrote: »

Now come on Piq you have paid into the system all this time, you are entitled to that money. I guess maybe you will have to have a pomander under your nose to mask the smell....

I know, I know. What makes it worse, is that when I get very stressed, my accent gets very clipped and I manage to sound a little bit like the Queen. As you can imagine this goes down well. Fairly sure the staff think I'm up myself as soon as I open my mouth!


Did you get your goat out for me. You made me laugh on another thread with your 'what really gets my goat....'

Piq

Piquant_2

gallygirl wrote: »

Man pet sounds lovely . Are there any left in the litter

Unfortunately not! :rotfl:I bought him on a dating site in a non money saving moment. He cost me £132 and seems to worth every penny!

Piq