The Work Experience Experience

We've got a kid on work experience at the moment. I feel really sorry for him as there hasn't really been a lot for him to do or watch this week. Its been pretty quiet the last few days and he's not really had a chance to get to see what we do. Although he's not admitted it, he's probably been bored- I know I have. I suppose I should be happy when there's someone on work experience- you can get them to do all the small jobs you hate doing and make the tea. However, every time one comes I feel reluctant to take full advantage. Maybe its because I remember when I was on work experience when I was 15. Although I wasn't treated like a slave, I knew a few of my schoolfriends who were treated like dirt by those who worked at the places they worked at.

For the record, I worked at two places when I was doing it. I spent one week at a local newspaper and another at a library. At the newspaper, I got to tour the offices where the paper is published and printed, went to an assignment with a reporter and a photographer and got to write reports (albeit little ones that were promoting events that were happening in the area). At the library, I mostly helped out stacking shelves with books and sending out notes to people whose books were overdue. The thing I learned most from the latter experience was how library books are put in order on shelves. Such was the effect on me that even up until a few years ago I was putting all books I'd taken off the shelf in libraries I wasn't taking out back in the exact place they should be, instead of leaving it on a desk or shoving it on the nearest shelf, as people usually do. Yes, work experience is a good way of getting out of school for a few days. Its also a great way of getting an idea of the kind of career you want to get into. However, it can be really boring if there isn't much you can do beyond putting stuff away, cleaning up and brewing up.

Bring back the Cosgrove Hall Classics!

Last night, there was a documentary on ITV1 about Cosgrove Hall productions (I think it was only shown in the Granada TV region but I stand corrected if it was on anywhere else). Watching it and seeing clips of shows like Jamie and the Magic Torch, Cockleshell Bay,Count Duckula, Wind in the Willows and Dangermouse brought back fond memories of my childhood. Watching it also reaffirmed my belief that few,if any, of the kids shows made today can match the quality of the shows that were around when I was growing up. I reckon a repeat of Cosgrove Hall's classic shows are long overdue. What better time to start showing them again than in the company's 30th anniversary year? How about it, ITV? Or BBC? Lets have them repeated on terrestrial TV so that everyone gets a chance to see these works of genius and not just the ones lucky enough to have Sky or Freeview.

The Kind of writer I should be (according to blogthings)

You Should Be a Joke Writer

You're totally hilarious, and you can find the humor in any situation. Whether you're spouting off zingers, comebacks, or jokes about life... You usually can keep a crowd laughing, and you have plenty of material. You have the makings of a great comedian - or comedic writer.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Gutted

A friend of mine phoned me up asking if I wanted to go to Manchester City's FA Cup replay against Aston Villa. The mate she was going with had pulled out at the last minute and she had a spare ticket.

I would have loved to have gone, not just because of the game, but also because it would've been the first time I'd set foot in Eastlands since I was a volunteer at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. However, I had to turn down the opportunity, seeing as it was quite short notice and I didn't think I'd get there in time.

I'm now listening to it on the radio. Last time I heard, City were 1-0 up. I wish I was there.

Snowed Under

What the hell is going on with the weather? The last few weeks, it has seemed that not a day goes by without there being a weather warning that heavy snow's on the way and that the temperature's going to be freezing. I wouldn't be so bothered but for the fact that here in Manchester the majority of the snow we've had has been of the non-stick variety! If you're going to tell us that there's going to be snow, at least tell us if its going to be the proper stuff that you can make snowmen out of and throw at people!