Over the last decade I've been unemployed a fair few times. Nothing to be proud of and definitely something that inhibits my search for gainful employment at the moment. As a result of this I've become used to the regime of the dole office.

It used to be fairly simple. You queued up and took your turn at a kiosk for your claim to be registered for another fortnight. That's all there was to it. Then the regime changed to plusgh offices and comfy seating where you waited for your turn to sign on, and now it was a more personal exchange. These days it's more of a compriomise between the two, with a sort of authoritarian air encouraged among claims advisors.

Somethimes things don't quite go exactly the way they expect. Like when I made a pass at an attractive young lady the other side of a desk some years ago (he he he, did she ever give me a scalding), or when I assumed a noble title (Did I ever get scalded for that too). Always they remained in charge though, no matter how conversational they might be. There was always a hint of suspicion that you might be talking porkies. They say the eyes are a window to the soul. Eyebrows are a window to the belief.

Things are different. All of a sudden the claims advisors are being helpful, supportive, and willing to listen to my plight, even asking me what I wanted from employment. Good grief. You never used to get asked questions like that. The law says you look for a job or you get no money.

So used to being required to do one thing or another, I found being asked how I would like to sign on a peculiar experience. It's quiet. Too quiet... They're up to something you know...

More Closures?

During the demise of our last government much was made in the media of the catastrophic levels of shop closures on the high street. It seems we're not finished yet. In Swindon, Waterstones (Our book store) and HMV (Our independent music retailer) are both threatened with shutting up shop altogether. I know the current government says things are bleak and we all have to suffer, but books and CD's? That'll mean all I have left are god awful game shows on television, or the unsatisfying shopping on the internet. I like the smile and cheery farewell I get from the local shop assistants. All the internet does is bring up a page saying thanks for the cash. You know what I mean.