This Friday I have a deadline for a competition brief, and I'm working on something for that. I just wanted to add some thoughts before I disappear into deadline hell…
I just want to clarify that I am still looking for work. I do actually apply for positions advertised. I do not sit around all day on my lazy ass.
BUT I am no longer applying for voluntary work.
I can't afford to do it, I need a proper income – I can only afford to pay the bills and struggle to feed and clothe the kids – they seem to rack the budget up far higher than "the law says I need to live on", as outlined by Income Support.
I thought that by achieving a degree, my days of being a struggling lone parent would become less severe, that I would be capable of earning enough to live on and get out of the benefits trap.
That was my plan. I would now like to invite a city banker to come and live with me to find out what it's really like to exist on very little. But then I wouldn't, because I met a city banker during New Designers, and they're morally messed up!
I can't complain, because I'd much rather be a single parent than spend one more second with a mentally abusive ex-husband, but here's the rub: I escaped from a belittling relationship only to find that now I'm being belittled by every suggestion that I take up voluntary work.
I'm finished with voluntary work – I've done it a death – I was doing voluntary work before I returned to university, when I first became a single Mum, I've done it whilst at University, and also more recently, but now I would rather be paid a living wage like any normal person expects to. Why is this so difficult for some people to understand?
As such, I am not applying for voluntary work – I'd rather go on strike!
I can do voluntary work at home, by myself, in fact I do, alongside single parenthood.
I am applying for paid positions, but am not receiving any response.
"Keep in touch", "we'll get back to you". For 7 months.
I have been for a CV check, and my CV is still fine, so I do not see what the problem is.
Yesterday, I went to talk to an animation company, they said they'll send me an email with details of an artist who requires admin help and possible illustrators – of course I hold out hope that they do, I would gladly accept, even though it means commuting to … Horncastle. And that would mean relying on the dodgy bus service.
But this week I am forsaking jobseeking and a lecture on "How to sell yourself effectively" to work on an AOI brief.
Meanwhile, I hear news from a Mr. Paul Stolper, who will be exhibiting some work of Magne F sometime soon…
