I'm feeling a bit jaded today. It's a busy time of year, work is frantic and there are lots of issues at home which need to be sorted and have deadlines on top of the norm. All that's on top of trying to rehearse for and learn lines for panto in a month's time. It's exhausting.
I know much of it is my own fault and self imposed. I wanted to do the panto, regardless of the major commitment it is because when you actually get to the run, it's tremendous fun. I've made my own choice of job which involves commuting and which, given half a chance, I'd change but it's my own choice to stay there for now rather than get something lower paid and be poor.
I seem to have less and less energy but perhaps that's the price of getting older. I cannot begin to imagine how I managed when I was younger doing two or three shows at once, looking after children and running my own business. I must have been mad!
But I do think the pressure is getting more these days. If you've got a job, you're desperate to keep it and if you haven't got one you're desperate to do so. Life keeps getting more and more expensive and pay has been frozen for the last two years, and looks like a 1% increase only next April (and the year after) despite inflation running rampant. We're working longer hours for less money, and likely to have to work more years and pay more for a pension that will make retirement worthwhile.
At least it looks like they are getting closer to an agreement about local government pensions. I know those who work in the private sector are now saying we don't know how lucky we are with our index linked final salary pension, but what they forget is the years past when the private sector raked in huge salaries by comparison and fat bonuses and we didn't. And we all chose our professions on the contractual terms and conditions on offer at the time - you could have worked for the puiblic sector too, you know, but you chose not to.
I'm not really carping. I'm just tired and ready for a break after all the busyness and health issues of the past few months. I expect Santa will be kind as usual, and I'll eat and drink too much (at least I hope so) and there will be some nice things to do. Cinema, long walks, perhaps a trip to the seaside or the zoo - lovely. So a good chance to recharge batteries ready to face 2012 and all it's challenges. Bring it on!
Couldn't agree more. My life choices are responsible for my state of tiredness, which range from being jaunty to out and out knackered. I have a responsible career, three young children when at my age I would be expected to have three old children and I too am rehearsing for a play at a time of year when there is so much to do. Much of what you say is applicable here too. Looking forward to a break but not the prospect of working another 15 years until I can even think about retiring.
ReplyDeleteDitto! I look at the pensioners with envy! Free bus pass, prescriptions, concessions on everything, and yet they're the one's who have the preserved pension and actually got to retire at 60, bought a house when it was possible to do so when they were young and if they are fit enough now are spending the children's inheritance gallivanting round the world on SAGA cruises. Iknow, I know, some pensioners are poor and can't pay their heating bills etc, but hey life isn't equal. What I ma trying to get across is that, ok @they've paid their taxes, but hell ,so have I and I sure as hell am not going to get all these perks! Ok, rant over!
ReplyDeleteNow, must go and darn those socks in order to save for my retirement when I'm er.....85?