Moaning Mini...

I was at the barboot sale in Bakers Place on Saturday and besides thinking that it could have done with a bit more advertising...I had a blast of a day, didn't make that much from the wee bits and bobs that I'd brought along to sell, but enjoyed the atmosphere and the comradeliness of all involved. We'd a bit of a laugh and I'd to keep sitting down as I'd done my back in lifting and pulling at stuff for the sale.

Thing is, I found it surprising how many of the people there at the barboot sale were emigrating, they no longer could manage here, so they were upping sticks and moving to some place that could offer them a better standard of living, taking with them, husbands / wives and Children. That's how bad this recession has gotten. People selling off their stuff because they are moving back overseas and can't bring it with them.

Me and T were considering opening up our own business, we'd found the perfect premises, but you know what, the taxes, would have killed us, all the little extras that the council heap onto business's in the city centre, even now, when people are leaving Ireland because they can't make it work...there is no incentive to stay and create jobs. T is now down to three days in work and two on the dole. We'll manage, just about, but I can't help wondering how those who have been hit hard over the past three years are faring?

As I was saying to a friend the other day myself and T have been lucky, it hadn't really hit us till this year (the recession that is), but now with her hours being cut and my inability to capture a job, it is striking us now so much so that any funds I'd managed to squirrel away towards old age and pensions is having to be retrieved now. I hate doing it, but this is necessary right now.

During the week we met a friend of mine from uni, she's just received her doctorate and is planning to go elsewhere to find work, across the sea and away from family and friends, because this country can't support her efforts to find work.

I find myself asking the question, is this how it is going to be for all of us? I mean, I've a BA and an MA, and I can't track down a decent job, I've been told not to be fussy, but something that isn't costing me money to go and do would be nice. On Wednesday I'll be handing my CV around the agencies again, and seeing if there are any bites. I've to go see the doc about the pain at the base of my back (probably put the disc out again), and then go see me dad (not all in one day). I should know how much of my hard earned savings I get back by the end of this week and won't see them till next month.

It makes me sick that once again, Ireland is at the stage of asking its working people if the last one off the island would kindly switch off the lights. Come on, get the finger out and give us an incentive to stay will ya?

so, I'm going to put moaning Mini back into her box and go do sommit else for a bit.

Best of Luck to you all

Gina