In Other Words

Grumble, grum

Saturday, a week and a day unemployed and no positive lead yet. I mean, things aren’t all bad (Liana finished typing over the book) but they could be better. New month tomorrow, that means new rent and that means getting my ass in gear and getting myself some work.

A couple of days ago a friend contacted us about some possible cash in hand work, which would be great as that is the only type of work that Banana can actually do over here. I should know better by now, but I actually got my hopes up, to have them dashed when the friend of the friend barely even talked to us, but directly pushed us on to the bar manager, who then went on to say the familiar ‘there are changes going on, so things are a bit uncertain.’

Oh well, we’ve got six months left and then we have to get out. So that means I’ll probably have to find a job and a half for that time. That’s ok though, seeing as there will be an end in sight and I’ll be working with a definite goal in mind, get us off this god forsaken rock. I think I’m turning anti socialist. Scary thought, huh? It’s true though, I can’t stand the protectionist measures that socialist governments have towards their population. In this time of the supposed ‘shrinking world’ and global village governments seem to be actively working to make it harder for foreigners to enter their markets and get employment visas.

The only reason for that is, of course, democracy. How do I mean? Well people are scared to loose their jobs, they have an irrational fear of people coming in from outside and taking their jobs away. (none thinking to themselves ‘oh, but more entrepreneurs might create job growth’). So they vote for governments that protect the workers in their own market, even if this protectionism does not benefit the market in the long run. Socialist governments are more protectionist, so I’m starting to dislike socialism.

Bugger, now I dislike all government models. Of course it isn’t really the fault of the governments, they just naturally say what the people want to hear (democracy, again). It’s the fault of the under educated voting population. It’s the fault of the village mentality that prevails, to this day in rural areas. Protect your family, protect your neighbours and hate anybody that comes from further away then the next valley.

We’ve been talking about making our way to Europe, somehow. At least there I’ll be able to get a full time job without too much trouble. Then we just have to worry about getting Banana her Visa. Banana wants to see London, but you have to be pretty damned sure you can be employed within two weeks before you try your luck there.

I don’t really want to go back to Holland, myself. Even if most of my family is there. The Dutch have this annoying habit, where they expect a Dutch person to speak Dutch, even if another language of theirs is better and they look down on anybody that doesn’t. It’s a lovely place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. Of course beggars can’t be choosers, so we’ll see what happens. For some reason I reckon we might still be trapped here for another six months.

Two and a half jobs, that’s the answer. Or somebody that is willing to advance me a whole load of money on my short story bundle. That would be even better. All that’s left is to work as hard as we can and hope for a miracle to help make everything that bit easier. Of course, sometimes you can help bring about your own miracles.

posted by Symbol @ 30.4.05