thefairymelusine: line drawing of a knight lying by a bank of flowers (Default)
The Fairy Melusine ([personal profile] thefairymelusine) wrote2007-08-27 01:55 pm
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What I haven't, and have done, on my "gap six months"

Weird Self justificationy post

Most of you will know I was forced because of circumstances to take six months out of education (actually five months and three weeks, but lets not be overly pedantic). So here is my list of what I haven't, and have done, during the enforced hiatus.

I haven't:

Travelled any further than Somerset, or found myself. If myself is hiding in India/Thailand/somewhere exotic I feel cheated. I do however feel more secure in myself than I did in March, not least because I have got back in touch with reality, which helps. I am going to Italy in a week's time, maybe myself will be there.

Read Proust, The Iliad, The Oddyssey or much great literature in the original. Wanted to do so, tried to do so a bit but was busy going mad/being exhausted at the time.

Improved my language work. Really should have done that, but haven't. See above reasons.

Worked for charity. Not least because there aren't that many starving villages in Chiswick, and because I was too scared to volunteer in charity shops.

So I haven't really done anything you're supposed to do during gaps, nor have I especially broadened my mind. I have, however:

Done an amazing internship at my theatre, which actually looks vaguely useful on a CV, and read lots of rubbish scripts while doing so.

Worked as a receptionist, the second dullest job in the world, which gives one a strange sense of power and a love/hate relationship with telephones and fax machines.

Finished the second draft of my play, the only intellectual thing I've done of late other than...

Start the comic, a project which should be really good.

And worked in a shop, the dullest job in the world which is extremely demeaning and has probably made an irrevocable impact on my view of people, especially people who use shops.

Oh, and I discovered that the meds do actually work and I need to keep taking them.

So not really sure whether to be pleased or unpleased with myself. Ah well. If you've read all this ramble you probably deserve a reward. I don't have one, other than being impressed with your boredom threshold.

[identity profile] oriontsuki.livejournal.com 2007-08-27 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
*huggles you*
Don't be too demanding with yourself :P What you did was great. Really.

Have fun in Italy :D Shiny country. Where are you going?

[identity profile] yond-cassius.livejournal.com 2007-08-27 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Rome and Naples, it should be fun. *huggles back*.

[identity profile] resurgamlaura.livejournal.com 2007-08-27 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
You survived retail. You deserve points for that. Terrible line of work, but one that really opens your eyes to the way people actually are.

And I've been very unproductive. I've worked, been to Boston (OK, that was cool, but still) and have yet to fully write up the stuff for the magazine. So not much going on there. As for my reward- two things. Firstly, hearing you say that you felt better. That was wonderful. Secondly? Seeing that your music for this post is a brilliant and very amusing Prince song.

[identity profile] yond-cassius.livejournal.com 2007-08-27 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I still feel much better, and am very glad about that fact. And I'm glad it makes you and other people happy. I saw Prince do "If I Was Your Girlfriend" live the other night, which was brilliant. Good luck with writing stuff up.

[identity profile] clauded-horizon.livejournal.com 2007-08-27 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I think you're perfectly entitled to be pleased with yourself. And if you've already determined that a career in retail isn't for you, might I suggest NOT volunteering in a charity shop.

[identity profile] yond-cassius.livejournal.com 2007-08-28 11:48 am (UTC)(link)
oh, I'm not volunteering in a charity shop- I can now use a cash register so see no need to do so. I just feel a tad that I haven't really done anything to benefit the world. Other than people in need of screwdrivers. Unfortunately working in retail will have to continue next term, if I can find another job.

[identity profile] cementrampoline.livejournal.com 2007-08-28 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
*hides in your suitcase and has a wander around italy* it is more fun then the dole!

gap years are also for resting and doing bugger all. The theatre will look really good on your cv *noddles*

And now you're filled with the joyful hatred of the people who shop at robert dyas!