Siobhán's Random Musings – Page 36 – Thoughts and ramblings of an ex-Londoner in Cambridge.

09
Dec
2013

My first Christmas present of 2013

This Friday, I got a brown envelope in the post. I saw it while I was on the way out (shopping I think but I don’t remember) and so I didn’t get to open it until I got home. It was from the DWP† regarding my benefits, and said roughly that they were stopping all my payments because I hadn’t returned a form they “sent me” fast enough, and that I would not be permitted to appeal this decision. Now, it goes without saying that no such form was sent to me. (more…)

05
Dec
2013

A question

Categories: Politics, Uncategorized

I don’t usually do the politics thing. I leave that for those who are better at it and who have more interest, but I do need to put this question out there. It’s aimed at the UK, but with a little translation it should work elsewhere too…

Should MPs¹ be paid according to how closely they stick to their pre-election promises to their constituents?

I think they should, based on an MP’s salary, getting a percentage of that given based on the percentage of pre-election promises kept. I know they have to toe the party line to an extent, but they are there to represent the people, not the party elite. What do you all think? Answers on a postcard, or to your local MP.

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¹ Member(s) of Parliament not Military Police, just in case you were wondering.

01
Dec
2013

Wrong!

Categories: Food and Drink, Uncategorized

I just wanted to put this out there, given we’ve just been subjected to the phenomenon, but sprouts are just wrong! You hear me Wetherspoons? I don’t care how traditional you think they might be. They are wrong! An abomination in the eyes of … me!

Posted by Siobhán using WordPress for Android.

26
Nov
2013

Coffee and coding

Categories: Looking for work, Uncategorized

There is always something truly special about that first coffee of the morning, and one of the few – and they are few – benefits of unemployment is to be able to enjoy it from my bed. It doesn’t quite make up for a day without work (or, if I am to be completely truthful, without pay – the work is just a means to an end), but it does mean at least that the day starts more pleasantly. Today is no different and I get to sign on at lunchtime.
(more…)

12
Nov
2013

Tuesday Blues

Categories: Looking for work, Uncategorized, Unemployment

It’s signing on day today, which means that I have to set aside my search for employment in order to spend the morning documenting what I’ve been doing to find work. This will then be followed by a bus journey of 30-40 minutes each way, a queue in the job centre of maybe another 15-20 minutes, in order to wave some paper in front of the adviser, sign and date a form and leave. (more…)