Trying times.

I was made redundant from my 10+ year job at the end of January. It it was probably best for both parties. But it isn’t a great time to be reunited with the scrap heap. I’m 50+ and don’t want to do what I’ve been doing (managing, editing, coordinating) for the past 20 years. I want to write, or design. Be creative and get paid for it. But with energy and food prices seemingly rising daily, this is hardly the time to be picky.

And where’s my portfolio? You’re looking at it. I’ve been polishing other people’s turds for so long my own writing is largely long gone. And much of it was on paper anyway (remember that?) As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I don’t edit this stuff much. After a day of editing I want to write, not read. Or play games or drink booze or listen to music. Or all three, preferably. Anyway, point being, it’s probably not the best example of what I’m capable of.

Worse still, the stuff I’m into is either niche or hugely popular. Which means there’s more competition for the few jobs that come up. Young people, brimming with enthusiasm rather than anxiety. People willing to work for free, or for the occasional freebie. In the hope of one day being promoted to minimum wage. People willing to move internationally at the drop of a shiny pound coin. How do you compete with that?

I could just go work in a warehouse. I’ve done it before and will probably do it again. I’m not a job snob. But right now, I still feel I’ve got something more to offer. Which is why I’m not applying for jobs writing for fecking bitcoin websites. Especially because it would be completely demoralising not to get those jobs. As so many other solid writers are reduced to having to apply to do that crap too. But will my ‘work coach’ at the Job Centre agree? The one standing between me and my £75 per week? I’ll find out on Wednesday. Can’t wait…

Slumperty slump (board game blog, slight reprise)

Yes, but why does that effect me, the reader, you may well ask? Sure, I still have five games on my ‘to review’ pile. All of which I’m looking forward to. But thanks to life/covid/anxiety I’m finding very few excuses to play them. Last month, I played just 19 games. My lowest tally since November 2019. And this month won’t be much better. It’s hard right now. Which is super weird, as I have more time on my hands than I have in years.

And the numbers here have slumped too. Some days I’m down to 50 or so visits, which is miserable. Each time I see a rise in numbers, for no apparent reason things slip back down again. I’m not expecting the world. I don’t do social media and I’m not a video guy, or a popular game designer. So I’m never going to be ‘big’. But a small, steady increase would be nice. Treading water, or going backwards, is pretty demoralising.

So that’s where I’m at. Slump.

Things will pick up, I expect. And this kind of self indulgence will be a one-off (until next time). So please forgive me. Normal service should be resumed next week. Until then, then.