End of 2009

I want to post a summary of my year here but I'll start with some pics of the snow! Always nice eh? Pic number 1 is some icicles from outside an upstairs window and number two is a generic snow scene. Very pretty.




So onto my end of year review? Well it was the best year of my life, too sum it up.

As you can read if you browse through the archives on here I blogged once a month to update about how I went to Australia, then get a casual job which blossomed into a job offer which unfortunately I couldn't take due to the visa and financial situation so ended up back in the UK.

I travelled alone to Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and Perth and with my (sort of) Cousin I saw Dirt River Radio, Juke Cartel, Grinspoon, V Festival and we pulled out of seeing Eskimo Joe at the last minute, which I now regret doing.

My first real job in journalism was in Melbourne and consisted of bushfire season coverage - now not many people can say that can they?

Fairfax were fantastic too me and playing for a local soccer team helped me make new friends and enjoy my time over there even more.

My (sort of) cousin and family was the best hosts ever as I know I can be a bit of a knob at times but they somehow looked past that and I am forever grateful.

They introduced me to numerous types of beer I had not drank before and always good to try the local ale. I got to see Melbourne Victory and Richmond play AFL at the MCG - experiences I will never forget and always look back on fondly.

Back in England I had three job interviews, one with the BBC, sadly none of them worked out and the main lesson learned is I need to work on my interview technique. I am still applying so we'll see what happens...

I am realistic. I know 2010 isn't going to get near 2009 for all its adventures but I hope somehow this year is memorable for the right reasons. Please.

Joe McElderry Vs Rage Against the Machine

How could I not post about this being a music fan an all and not having watched a moment of the x-factor (except that time in the pub when the landlord had it on).

If you don't know a facebook group has been set up to prevent X Factor winner Joe from being the xmas number one - which X Factor have had four years running.

There are a number of issues here: 1) Joe McElderry - I know nothing of this guy, except he has the same first name as me (well played mate) and this is nothing personal I am sure but the cover of a Miley Cyrus song...hmm. He must have been brillant to win X Factor but that doesn't give him the right to xmas number one.

2) Xmas number one - When I was growing up people "earned" this more than the X Factor junk that is a cover of someone else's song anyway and is timed just to do this. For the past few years "campaigns" have been launched to dislodge a particular song from the top spot or get a old classic to the top with no luck but this year may be different....

3) The choice of song. Ironic ay? "F**k you I won't do what you tell me?" Er, actually yes I will by buying and downloading the song! Rage are brillant there is no doubting that but why the song was chosen out of all the tunes out there. Just have to go with it.

4) Sony - Yes, 99 per cent of people that have downloaded RATM know both labels will line Sony's pockets but it's about more than that. The bigger picture is some cover of a s**t song won't get to number 1 based on timing and nothing else.

5) Facebook - Now this is scary. One group and so many members - jumping on the bandwagon comes to mind. This particular exercise may be nothing more than a bit of fun but if the song does beat Joe than the power of social networking cannot be denied. To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if the people who started this actually have some connection to Sony!
Just take a step back and think how all the media have picked up on one social networking site group's campaign for xmas number one and how (at the time of posting) the song is pretty much level.
If the group had not been created how many people would have really downloaded RATM this xmas - not many, if any.

Finally, I hope to goodness RATM win as I like the song and don't think X Factor should be an automatic number 1 for Christmas. I will be listening Sunday before 7 (to boost Radio 1 listening figures...) but doubt it will previal. Even if it doesn't it should be number two and if it does, than it shows the power of social networking than (I think) has never been seen before.

Right, what's next then Frankie Boyle for President. I'll get right onto that...

The life of your Average Joe with no journalism job

As we approach the festive season there's not much for me to be jolly about I'm afraid.



After being forced to leave Australia at the end of September, where I had a casual journalism job with a major newspaper company and returning to England I have had zero luck in landing a role back "home".



I secured my job back at Asda so at least am working and bringing in the cash but not what I want to do for my life. I had a chat with a guy that joined at the same time as me (August 2008) recently, a maths graduate, and he said the same - no jobs. He is even thinking of changing his career path and I'm not surprised.



In the space of ten days I had three interviews, one for a job in Manchester, one on a paper in Sale and another for a year long trainee scheme with the almightly BBC. I already know I have been unsuccessful with the Manchester and Sale jobs.


I highly doubt me landing the Beeb role, partly down to me being a bag of nerves during the gruelling interview day in London and partly due to the competition I was up against. Find out next week so if I could get that it would be a dream come true and the perfect xmas gift.


Searching job sites at the moment is seeming relatively fruitless but I'll keep checking and it could be worse... But if I don't get a journalism job in the new year I might expand my horizons again with a trip to South Africa - after the cricket and before the World Cup!