choccygirl

Interesting! Thanks, I’ll look into these options. Haven’t considered that kind of thing, I’ve more been doing the lazier route of buying ready made substitutes.

Mine is re-booked, thanks for the advice.

For anyone else wondering, it does indeed show you options before you cancel.  Those options then didn’t show in the next window as it was looking at the next week so don’t take the availability as gospel.  It lets you search for locations but those all seemed to look at the next week too.

It was fine for me as the week offered fitted with the 8 week spacing (if that’s still a thing) and it’s only next weekend so no issue to wait.  So happy to get it sorted.

Ah, ok.  Must have changed the system then.  Good news!  I’ll take a look, thanks.

I don’t want to cancel the original second appointment (I did them both at the same time) because it’s a problem here to get them close to home.  If I cancel it then can’t get a good new second one then I’m screwed which is why I wondered if there was another way (e.g. drop in) or if they get in touch etc.  But also, left to my own devices, I wasn’t sure if I had to do 8 weeks or earlier to know when to actually change it.

The vaccination programme has gone really well but there are parts of it that I wish were better.  The communication over this has been pretty bad when they’re meant to be getting us all done asap.

@Silky KisserI think it’s all countries but I’m not 100%.  Was mentioned in the press conference the other day but then that was about English restrictions so...?  Hopefully it will tell you online.

What do you find are the best vegan cheeses and mince substitutes (non-soya)?

My partner eats extra mature cheddar and any non-dairy cheese I tried years ago were flavourless in comparison and almost too creamy so I’m struggling to get him to switch. With mince, the few we’ve tried have been “too mushy” so again, a hard sell.  Appreciate any ideas!

Is there a set timeframe now between first and second? Seemed they were saying they were bringing it forward from 12 weeks to 8 weeks, is that the case or can you do it whenever now? I’m about two weeks away from the 8 week timeframe but no text yet. Wondering if I should phone the helpline or just wait, or if I can walk in somewhere.

Notice periods are to protect both sides. Companies don’t want employers just leaving and three months gives them longer to find a replacement, it does nothing to help the employee if they’re leaving or the new employer.  (Obviously redundancy is different.)

Agree with others about seeing about an early release, or getting signed off for longer. It may be worth letting your new employer know just in case they say anything in the reference, it’ll mean that you’re framing it and giving context.

They can’t make you do all those things so if you do nothing and see it out, do what you’re contractually obliged to do. Be polite when you say no and give reasons (family commitments etc that mean you can’t travel). At the end of the day, you only owe them what you are meant to do and beyond that it’s hard for them to argue otherwise. If you have proof of what they’re asking/what you said to them etc then save it just in case you need it later on.

Good luck and well done on your new job. You’ll be on to better things before you know it!

12 hours ago, neil said:

This is the complete reverse of the current software engineering market. I'm hiring right now and even contacting people after reviewing their CV a lot have already accepted a position elsewhere. If you do get someone in for an interview and you like them then you basically need to make them an offer within a day else they are gone.

Different industry but same thing I’m finding. People are turning down jobs, not getting back to us to even arrange interviews, already accepted other offers by the time we make ours... it’s exhausting and I’m so fed up of interviewing. People will throw a well paid, good, job away for a tiny thing (even in place and with nothing to go to). It’s not especially out of the ordinary what we look for so I don’t think the job market is as bad the media make out (from what I see anyway), it just doesn’t add up.

My biggest interview advice is to listen and not lie. Don’t pretend you’re the tits and cope with anything and have all the experience of everything being mentioned. You’ll only get employed and then look shit when you can’t cope. I’ve lost count of the number of people we’ve taken on and they are nothing like what they said during interviews and it always goes wrong. I don’t understand people who don’t take interviews as a chance to hear about the role either and assess if it’s for them. We give some pretty heavy warnings in ours about what jobs are like and every time people say they aren’t put off and they can do it (then they can’t and round it goes again). I sometimes wonder if I’m talking a different language but our process is robust so it seems to be the applicants. I’m almost at the stage of hiring the people who do badly in interviews!

Oh and CVs with a bit of colour or a decent (not obvious or common) template really help them stand out. I don’t need to see photos though. Creeps me the fuck out.

My arm still feels like it’s been punched hard, it’s useable but been painful all week. No bruising though.

I had side effects too. The day after was headache, cold/shivery then too hot, no appetite. I also got a nice cough which was slightly alarming and nothing mentions that specifically just “flu like symptoms” so I had a “shit! I have covid!” moment. Couldn’t sleep that night and I’m still struggling with that and feeling tired so not sure if it’s linked.  The second day I just felt a bit rough and was tired. Lost my whole weekend to it but no regrets, just really hope the second one isn’t even worse!

I hope the side effects don’t make people avoid boosters. I’ve seen comments where people don’t even want the initial vaccination through fear of needing time off or child care issues etc, though that was mostly in the States where sick leave is less common so it’s having a financial impact on workers.

I find home training useful so would definitely suggest looking into that. Loads of apps and youtube channels that may help and it can be a good way to find something you enjoy.

Also recommend myfitnesspal as a good way to track food. Can be enlightening.

I’d also say to try to not be too hard on yourself from photos. They can be excellent motivation but they can also be misleading. Lighting, angles, who you’re with and what you’re doing all play a part. Everyone also ages even though it’s easy to believe others don’t.

I’ve given up trying to follow it all in detail. I found it all so contradictory that it fried my brain and put me on edge. I now follow loosely so I know what everyone should be doing (while I carry on being locked down mostly) and pick up the main points as needed.

I think it’s to do with variants but also it seemed there was info recently that despite us being told the vaccines would be the way out, that it wouldn’t be. I saw a lot of calls of “the government must explain this” but it seems to have died down and we’re back to “yay! Freedom!”. Everything I’ve seen recently is that we’re on track and case/death numbers look “good” but I wonder how long it will stay that way. I saw a headline the other day about everyone (I think?) needing a booster in the autumn so not sure if that’s connected to variants or just the vaccine weakening as I assume that kind of thing is being assessed constantly, but presumably that’s to limit a winter outbreak. I don’t get how we can be “getting back to normal” and thinking of holidays abroad while there’s talk of another wave, and even some of the last briefings I watched were talking of things being bad in the winter or still needing some restrictions, while the MP there was saying other things. As for the borders... I’ve never got what was happening as it’s always seemed reckless and not any indication of what the reality actually was.

I was finally able to have the first vaccination today. In and out in 5 minutes and barely felt anything. It was the most strangers I’ve been in a space with and the first person, other than my boyfriend, to get close or touch me since March 2019. Very odd. When I left I walked past various restaurants full of people eating outside (closed sides but open tops so not even fully “open”) and tables relatively close together. It was nice to see some normality but at the same time, it was a very opposing sight to the vaccine centre and not something I’ll be doing for months yet.  Not sure if it’s just me but I’m finding it quite alarming that there’s so much talk and signs of normality with so many people still unvaccinated.

I feel grateful to have had the first dose when so many didn’t get the chance.

I had an over two hour round trip so it would’ve been rude to not have a UKFF traditional McDonalds, right? Burger and fries, apple pie... done!

There have been a lot of protests and marches and the like during covid.  You can argue right or wrong but I don’t think, given the circumstances, that the ones to get stopped should be the ones relating to women.  Everyone else can protest/pay tribute even if it’s wrong, but not the women.   Sort of proves some of the wider points being raised doesn’t it?

What else would you like them to do?  Sit home and do nothing in fear of consequences?  Writing online and it getting them nowhere?  
That’s what’s been happening for a long time already.  That’s part of the situation.  They were there to make a point by doing something different because they feel things have to change and what they’ve done do so far hadn’t helped to keep us safe.

Anyway, good to see this promising discussion isn’t getting derailed by men discussing what they think women should be doing to highlight the issues they face.  Oh wait... 🙄

I’m heartened to see this being discussed here in such a positive way.  Good work.  I applaud you discussing it and learning, and trying.  The world needs more of that.

Sorry to hear that @Carbomb. Saying goodbye always sucks, the absolute worst part of having animals in the family. Hope you and your sister are as ok as you can be.

Schools Government U-turns on school guidance for children of key workers

@Hannibal Scorch I read on Twitter that there’s initiatives happening to try to help this kind of thing (think it was someone looking for equipment for it). Can’t remember the name but might be worth a search if they need help?

I have friends with kids who have really struggled with balancing home working and teaching. Last lockdown the kids couldn’t go in but this time they can so this lockdown has different guidance, I think. They took the decision this time because they couldn’t face the exhaustion of working part of a day while teaching the kids, teaching full on, then coming back and finishing their work day until 10pm. As someone desperate to get back to normal and suffering with my mental health, I wish they didn’t need to do it because it won’t help the overall picture, but I understand why they do need it. Oh and I’d also like my friend to stay around because that is a genuine concern too.

A massive chunk of this issue is the Government for allowing too much in this lockdown unfortunately. They continue to handle it all terribly and now a good chunk of people are against doing things too and doing what they want. Part of what I hate is how this is showing how selfish people are. 

Anyway, I can’t find a link but I read on Twitter (via the Guardian I believe) that guidance for schools changed on Friday. Kids allowed in was for all key workers but now it’s only those that can’t work from home. Sure there will be more to it, I only read it briefly and dreaded my friend seeing it, but that might cause a change in coming days.

edit - found it Schools Government U-turns on school guidance for children of key workers

25 minutes ago, Keith Houchen said:

It isn’t too late. Most people who go into hospital come out of hospital. And with resources available then recovery is greatly increased. 
 

 

“Most” and “greatly increased” that’s ok then. As long as we’re not taking too many risks. What of category 6 people, those with underlying conditions that won’t be vaccinated by Easter. Are we talking a chance with them too? What of people who don’t know they have an underlying condition?

Sorry if I’ve misunderstood your posts but surely we’re at a point of knowing this isn’t something to take chances with? Most of the population need this vaccination regardless.

The being back to normal by Easter line is a lie.  They might be better in that more have had the vaccination, and that should reduce some deaths, but for most of us it won’t make much difference. I can’t see that it will help the economy much either. I see why the priority list is as it is course but those getting it earlier are often not the people who can contribute too much to the economy.  I’m resigned to late summer personally, maybe later with that “restrictions in winter” comments the other day. Telling. 

I woke up late, ate a roast (beef), watched a film and fell asleep, then woke up and watched more tv for the rest of the day. It wasn’t a usual Boxing Day but it was ok. I’m awake late now waiting to feel tired.

Hope you are ok.