Revolution!

So I'm still unemployed, and haven't yet heard anything back about the reporter job in Congleton. It's too early to get disheartened. The editor, when replying to my application, said that the job was going to be advertised for another week, which I think brings it up to about now. So hopefully in the next few days I'll at least hear something back. He said that most applications are rejected first because of spelling mistakes. I've also applied for a fairly promising-looking postgraduate coordinator job at Sheffield Uni, along with probably 500 other people. That closed today, so fingers crossed. One of the most depressing things about being out of work is not hearing anything back at all from employers. Some applications take HOURS to do, taking into consideration the allotted amount of procrastination, and when you don't even get a reply back, whether you've been successful or not, is a massive kick in my balls. My two, unemployed balls.

I  read this very informative '20 reasons why it's kicking off everywhere' piece by Newsnight reporter Paul Mason, and you should too. He writes about the why and how of the recent unrest in North Africa, France and Britain, the catalyst for this tumult being a new demographic: the unemployed graduate with no future. In Egypt, Yemen, and Tunisia there are now a sizable number of educated young people with more access to information at the touch of a button than at any time in history. The same applies for France and Britain, where people are able to call 'Bullshit!' quicker than ever before, and distribute information to thousands of people in seconds. The difference between here and North Africa though is the middle-class elites - doctors, teachers, lawyers - who here are placated but there are fucking pissed off. When they begin to take to the streets in protest, the government is in trouble.

In other news, I went to Bakewell the other day. Home of the magnificent egg-based pudding and lots of shops that sell hiking equipment, it's a lovely place to spend a day walking around.  And walk around we did. We walked to the church, which was founded in the 12th Century, and had a look at the graves. As you do. Then we walked to a little British Legion memorial garden set away in a quiet spot near a primary school. Then we walked along the river, scaring ducks, to the cricket and football pitches. We played on the kids' playground, which was a bit too fun, then retired to a pub for a bit. It was really nice, and only about £4 on the bus, which is one of the ace things about living in Sheffield. It's a big city, with a Mcdonalds and everything, but is within 20 minutes drive of some absolutely amazing countryside.

Right, must dash, got some stuff to do innit.