Oh dear...

...3 months since my last blog post. Not exactly what I'd call consistent.

Not been in the mood to be honest, found out I was with a possibility of losing my job 3 months ago, then found out I was losing my job 2 months ago, lost my job 1 month ago then found a new job 1 week ago. Anyway, I've landed a better job so things have turned out quite well to be honest.

I've still been following the news and my favourite blogs and it's been a very interesting few months for me with 'climategate' and the Copenhagen summit. I'm also very saddened by the many British deaths in Afghanistan. I have alot of respect for our Army, it really is the best.

Then there's the Lisbon Treaty. Fuck me (gently). What have we (actually our very thick leaders) done. We've paid (and will continue to pay) to give away our sovereignty to France and Germany (and Spain) who's leaders hate the UK for our success in everything before. It really is very sad. We are one of the greatest countries the world has ever seen and New Labour are giving away our powers like it's a game of 'Let's see who can buy their European Union job the fastest' for FREE!!!

Anyway, when I was made unemployed I thought I'd claim some of my tax back through JSA and other benefits (I've paid that much tax...why not?). JSA was very easy to claim for, I'm still not sure of the difference between 'Contributions based' and 'Income based' jobseekers as they still pay out the same amount no matter how much tax you've paid. As a consequence of being under 25 I got a pretty pathetic £50/week as opposed to £65/ week if you're 25+. This government seems to be all about equality and all so I'm not really sure why there's a difference there... Maybe I should I've mentioned I have the tastes of an older gentleman: I drink real ale and single malt scotch whisky (just finished a bottle of Glenlivet, moving onto a christmas present of Auchentoshan now...). I also applied for Housing (and Council Tax) Benefit from my local council. What a job that was. They really do make it as hard as possible. Fair enough, if you've been brought up to exploit the system you'll now exactly what to do, but for someone who's temporarily out of work who's paid shedloads of tax and will continue to provide tax it's very confusing. Once I figured out what to do I did it, took my proofs to the council in person, was asked to bring more proofs, which I did and spoke to a proper benefits advisor, which I was told was fine. Now I've been asked to bring more proof. FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!! How incompetent can they be! (I'm shocked at the amount of information they say they need about me AND my partner) They really are a bunch of fucking jobsworths. Thank fuck I've found a job so soon otherwise I might really be fucked...

Hope you've enjoyed global-warming induced snow, I was in Yorkshire and did lots of sledging (sans-sledge) and giant snowman building.