Pressure Keeps Building

Aiii......

Going to work is no longer as pleasant as it used to be. I suspect the honeymoon period is over, and its time to do some real work.

Well, I've had it really good at work so far, after finally escaping the boring old job at the Chinese sausage factory. When I first got my current job, it was considered a godsend. The work wasn't too tough, the pay was alright and best of all, I was appreciated for my work. That was a year and a half ago. As you all would have read from my last entry, I recently got promoted amid somewhat controversial circumstances. Now it has gotten worse. With my work, we perform very well as a team together, and sometimes I think that sets us up for our downfall as well. I have been very reliant on my workmates for their knowledge and had been cruising along pretty well. Don't get me wrong, I am not a lazy bastard, but I never felt the urgency to learn 2 million things at one go.

Now everything has changed. There has been some internal conflict and the other 2 team members are now looking for other jobs. Which would leave me alone to handle ALL the projects should they manage to secure other jobs and leave in a month. And I am a junior!!! Of course the management would not expect me to take on 3 persons' responsibilities, but that may be the way it has to be when there is no one else to assign the jobs to. Had a chat with the senior today and he assured me to keep on doing what I am doing, as I am doing it the best I can. Maybe I am worrying too much, but who wouldn't in a situation like this?

My mood goes up and down, up in the morning before I get to work, down when at work, and up again when I leave work....not the best way to live your life isn't it?

Then again, I think because I'm a Taurean, I worry too much! Life is all about perspective. I am living a great life here and have a fantastic partner (who I can offload my pressures to). I have to stay positive, as the job pays well. I can safely say my life is easier and better than

1. when I was in the army.
2. a soldier waking up in Iraq.
3. a single father who is out of work and has 2 kids to support.
4. a nurse who has to witness suffering around him all the time

and the list goes on.....

So why am I complaining........

Anyway, to happier things, last weekend I went out to David's place for a visit. The highlight was the archery lesson we signed for. I thought I was good, but David turned out to be the Robin Hood among the thieves.

We had a kebab lunch at Lidcombe before and then went to Ikea, where I spent the money I earned suffering at work (about $100). Bought a brand new clock which I love immensely. For dinner, we got takeaway from Eastwood, which admittedly has the best Chinese BBQ shop in Sydney (and cheap too!). I stayed over for a quiet night at their place which they just bought. The place was nice and very desperate housewifey....new, clean and very uniform.

Thanks again for your hospitality, guys.

Anti-Depressant

After the very depressing last post, I hope that this post will erase all the perception that I am actually in desperate need of an anti depressant. Cos I don't want no scrubs.

It was a very sad night for quality TV last night as reality TV plunges to a new low with the Mark Phillippousis' series Age Of Love. As if the premise of it was not insulting enough (pitches young "kittens" against mature "cougars"), we had to be confronted with an average tennis player way pass his prime looking for some quick buck to supplement his skirt chasing, booze and drug filled nights. I only saw the last part of it because my reality TV addict friend David asked me to. Mark had to eliminate one of the cougars last night and what got me was, every time he asked a contestant to step down, you could almost feel that he had to read the lines "You look very beautiful tonight." And he said that every single time, the bloody same line! Get a thesaurus and a life. Betcha Delta won't be watching this.....

If you think reality TV programs on free to air channels are bad, wait till you see the ones they are screening on cable. Here are a few reality classics which makes parting with $75 per month of your money worthwhile.

Who Wants To Be A Super Hero

"Each contestant begins with an original idea for a superhero, a self-made costume and their best superhero mojo. From thousands of hopefuls, Stan Lee chooses 11 lucky finalists, who move together into a secret lair. There they begin their transformations — and their competition for the opportunity to become real-life superheroes."

DELUSIONAL

Sunset Tan

"Despite being remarkably sunny in Los Angeles, not everyone can easily get tan. That's where Sunset Tan comes in. They are one of the most go-to tanning salons out there---and celebrities agree. Along with this new show, comes a new employee, Erin. Erin grew up in a small town and isn't exactly sure if the city is where she should be, because the employees even aren't all that smart...for example the Olly twins. Sunset Tan isn't small, and their business is expanding yearly."
SLIGHTLY MORE INTERESTING THAN WATCHING MY TOENAILS GROW.

My Bare Ladies

"CHANEL ST. JAMES, KIRSTEN PRICE, SASHA KNOX and NAUTICA THORN have proven they can do Dallas, but the question is, can they do SHAKESPEARE? The four X-rated ladies attempt to make the jump to legitimate acting when they perform at the famous Garrick Theater in London."

RIDICULOUS IDEA, but was fairly interesting......

Channel Nine must be shaking in its pants now that their much over hyped "All New Aussie Drama...*twink!* is languishing in the lower regions of the ratings game.

"The most expensive Aussie drama ever made, featuring lots of outdoor scenes and filmed on a de-commissioned naval ship is set to revolutionise Australian drama forever!" Yes, it will. It will be the most expensive lesson for Channel Nine ever.....I saw the first episode and lasted 15 minutes. 3 minutes into the 2nd episode and I started flicking channels. The cast don't look comfortable in their uniforms and I heard most of the crew were suffering seasickness during filming. It shows. Yawnnnn.....

Was a bit sick today so skipped work. This bloody cold weather's been getting to me this year, I used to embrace the cold, but seemed permanently glued to the heater this year. Must be getting old.....

Supposed to go archery classes tomorrow, will see how I feel. If I do go, will have photos to post here this weekend.

Big Weekend?

As age is catching up with me, I no longer go out past 12 am on weekends, and am usually home by 520pm weeknights. Last Friday though, I tried to regain some of my lost youth and decided to go out for a massive night......

Well actually, it was a farewell shindig for one of the workmates in my team, and I didn't really have a choice not to go. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the guy, but he is not leaving under the brightest circumstances, but anyway more on that later.

So yes, we went to the casino and started having drinks at about 4:30 pm (we sneaked off work an hour earlier). Because we are not in Singapore where I would have to pay an entrance fee to go into the casino, I was already ahead by $100. So I thought, $50 for drinks and $50 for bets should get me through the night. That, I thought, would last me to about 10 pm and I would retire gracefully back home to watch cooking shows on the Lifestyle Food channel.

4am and I was still standing outside a nightclub near my home having a cigarette and chat with my other workmates. So much for retiring gracefully....It wasn't too bad, I won $30 at the pokies (I never win anything) while my workmate won $200 at the blackjack tables. So basically I only bought my first 4 drinks and all the rest were on him.

Have been quite stressed out at work over the last week, which explains why this post is not funny at all. Recently got promoted (to take over the guy quitting) and was worried that I cannot match up to his skill level. I shouldn't be, as I have proven myself in this job for a year and a half now. Moving up to the new role shouldn't be a problem for me. Dunno why, been having sleepless nights thinking about projects and stuff. Went to bed at 9 am three nights in a row last week, just so I can stop worrying about things. Doesn't help that the guy leaving has caused a few ripples and exposed some weaknesses in the chain of command in terms of the capabilities of some senior staff. Now everyone in my team is contemplating leaving, possibly leaving me to deal with all the projects (workload x 3!!!). Problem is still being resolved. Will keep you all posted.

Frustrating isn't it, when the shine and happiness of your promotion is dulled by all the drama that happens around you? I was so happy to get the promotion, because it came with a size able pay rise, but two days after the announcement, I was the most visibly stressed out person in the office.

Ai....that's life....

Hope my next post will be more cheery......