Time-lapse

A few years has past, so what has changed? In a sense, not all that much. Here's what has occurred: One year of post-graduate studies + a much more intimidating level of student debt. A year and a half of whatever jobs and low-level work in my field with months of unemployment in between. This leads to my current situation which includes not very optimistic job prospects and soon to be dwindling savings. At some point, I will have to be less picky about work and just earn some money. still don't want to go back to call centres though. Ugh, is anyone doing any better out there? These seem to be challenging times. I know a lot of people who are in similar or slightly worse situations. I'd like to think that we can just ride through the tough times and things will get better, but I think the austerity direction is sinking the majority while propping up the already wealthy. There is a Canadian election in a few months. I hear a lot of people talking about it as if it's going to create change. I too hope that it brings change- it didn't last time.

Déja vue

Why close one's eyes to fall asleep if only to re-live the day again?

How things don't change very much.
1. We are approaching tax time again.
2. Applying for the same scholarships as last year.
3. uncertain that I will have enough money for further studies.
4. Still not satisfied with work status.

I am not certain that much has improved over the last few years at all. Though maybe I need a bit of perspective. If I am tired of things not changing and falling into the same situations, my complaints about it will change nothing. In fact, they may make things worse. Or at least that will repel the few people who's company I seem to enjoy these days.

So what have we learned? I need better coping mechanisms; i.e. find something to do that isn't eating chocolate. A better employment would help as well. Okay, so it's not in a call centre. Though working in an office that really isn't an office (warehouse) with no windows could hardly elevate any one's soul.

Enough of that. I have work to do on personal projects that may help me out in my dilemma in the long run.

So near yet so very far away

It seems that I have been accepted for an MA, but have not received any of the bursaries that I have applied for.

Differing for next year maybe? will I have the money then? Not likely?
Will I have to work at call centres again in order to pay rent... Let us hope that it does not come to that- again.

Oh and did I mention that we just had a national election and gave our existing PM (who could be argued to be a slight dictator, might I add, lost the confidence of the house) a majority government.

The world can't be all bad, can it? After all, I managed to mail in my taxes on time.

It's that wonderful time of year again: Tax time!

It's been so long since I've posted though one issue remains the same. Yes, it is tax time yet again!

I do, however, have all the necessary forms and receipts. Soon will begin the process of wearing and starring at the calculator with a perplexed expression.

I have worked in three provinces and I am hoping that this will not further complicate the task of form-filling. Either way, I always get a notice later on of stuff the Revenue Canada minions have changed. I'm not great at it but it seems that I am getting better at it since last year's form only had one or two amendments.

As I was a student last year, taxes should be minimal. I now have a post-studies degree that is in between a Masters and a BA. What can one do with this? Apply for a Masters is seems.

Oh on another note, the West Coast was not for me. I am back to the old part of the country and the seemingly never-ending winter. It's on its way out- I think.

No surprises there

Still haven't filed my taxes yet. There is still time.

Molasses effect

Oh that I do take my time.
Part procrastination, part fatigue, mostly just being feckless.

Painful part time job will soon be on hold for at least a month. That probably means that they'll find someone else. That's fine. I had enough of it and I would really rather concentrate on studies.

Yes, I do waste my time chatting and watching YouTube rather than doing readings as of late.
I allow myself to drift on the wayside.

I need a swift kick. I'll get to it.

Ugh, and I still need to do my taxes.

A Year in Review

It is approaching tax time and I have been living on the West Coast for nearly a year. Not that there are any requests for it, but here are a few reflections on the past year:

Moves- III
Classes taken- X
Readings- more than I've ever had before in my life. And most of it, quite involving.
Friends- very few depressingly. Don't move thousands of miles away to take distance classes; it just makes you resent all of the young and attractive people who are prancing around having much fun. But I'm not bitter. I am certainly becoming bitter though.
Temporary work assignments- II, though one of them is ongoing. Painful but ongoing. Due to the length of time that I couldn't find work this summer, I managed to tack on a significant amount of student debt to my existing loan. But what would I be doing for the next 12 years if not paying back my student loan? See, this experience has given me a long-term goal.
Amount of chocolate consumed in order to compensate for the many moments of desperate solitude- I was seriously not wanting to keep track, though I really need to cut back.

It's not all been that bad. I've learnt so much about the cultural sector and how difficult it will be to get a job in it. The current political climate is nearly anti-art, sadly. See, if it were anti-art in a dadaist fashion, that would be amusing! An eastward move, I am told, would be a wise choice after my 'directed studies' is completed this summer. Speaking of which, I should probably get back to writing the proposal for it.

Can I demand a graduate student desk? I will try.
At least the library won't be so crowded this summer. Oh the rows and rows of books! Quiet contemplation time and space...

Why don't most people find intelligent thought and knowledge desirable and agreeable?

I should be productive now...