Jon Pashley

Week 2

posted at 1:12 pm on 18 July 2010

This week I’ve been sunning myself in Greece. Those of you who know me in the real world probably know that I’ve been lucky enough for family sailing holidays to Greece to have become an annual event. We sail around the Argolic Gulf and normally go to pretty much the same places because we love them so much. This year we went from Porto Heli to Kiparissi, Monemvassia, Plaka Leonidiou, Nafplion and Paralio Astros and we also finally made it to a beautiful little harbour, concealed in a fjord, called Ierakas which we’ve been meaning to visit for quite some time. I’ve made a little Google Map – with commentary and pictures – of the places we have been … because I’m cool like that. There’s also a set of photos on Flickr if you’re that way inclined. Culinary delight of the week was discovering bougatsa (μπουγάτσα με κρέμα) – sooooo good – you’ve got to, got to, got to try it!

I managed to practise my Greek a bit and I’ve been pleased with the progress I’ve made this year. Everything’s sounding more natural and I’m using interjections and those little words – verbal ticks, almost – which makes it all sound much Greek-er. When I’ve got this whole “where am I going to be working” thing sorted out, I think I’ll investigate signing up for an evening class. I think I might be ready to start taking it seriously. Famous last words?

I absolutely love going to Greece: it feels like going home – which is ridiculous considering I’ve got more Welsh in me the Mediterranean. Anyway, if you have hiring and firing powers in a Greek theatre, I want to hear from you. Call me!

Week 1

posted at 11:58 pm on 10 July 2010

Taking inspiration from Phil Gyford who had, in turn, been influenced by BERG, I thought I would have a go at writing “week notes” – short blog posts about the week¹. I thought they might be a useful way for me to take stock of the way my life is changing now I’ve left university – a little weekly regrouping for the soul – and to encourage me not to let things slip!

So, this has been Week 1 – the first week of my post-university life². As was to be expected, this week has felt reasonably quiet in comparison to my last week of uni. The weekend before that last week (the weekend of Week 9, to use Warwick terminology) was the performance of a show I’d been working on, then, on the Sunday, I did a storytelling workshop with tiny little people before embarking on a series of car journeys (spanning a few days) in order to cart belonging from Warwick to Worthing. And then, on top of that, I had to fit in a few parties. Can you imagine the hardship?

On the Sunday (after a week of to-ing and fro-ing), I went over to Brighton to talk to some friends who are looking to take their film and media company to another level. It all sounds very exciting and I’m hoping I’ll get the chance to do some cool stuff with them.

Since then, this week has been reasonably adminy. I’ve sorted out my papers a bit, caught up with my e-mails and I’ve applied to several temping agencies in town to try and make some dollar on which to survive. Not looking too promising at the moment. Whenever I went into an agency, they looked at me like I had walked into a butcher’s and asked for a top hat: ‘Well, you can leave your CV if you want… but I think it’s unlikely.’ This could get depressing.

Brighter notes:

• I went swimming in a proper swimming pool and everything – something I haven’t done in the UK for years. I went to the pool where I first learnt to swim. It felt a little strange, but enjoyable nonetheless. Will be doing it again.
• I’ve applied for a theatre job. I know! It’s exciting stuff! I won’t say what it is – only that it’s exceedingly cool and that I’m keeping my fingers crossed a lot which makes typing a little tricky, so please ecxsue tpyso!
• I’m going on holiday next week! Off to Greece! I always make an effort with my Greek but this year I’ve been taking it seriously. I’ve been working my way through Greek Language & People (BBC) for the last couple of weeks and I’m reasonably pleased with my progress. I know, I know: I’m sure you’re all incredibly impressed by my commitment to job-hunting. I would like to point out it’s a family thing that’s been booked for months. Hopefully a week away will give the temp agencies some time with me in mind and I’ll come back to find a job waiting for me. Was that the sound of a pig leaving the runway?

Footnotes

1. Phil Gyford is also, by the way, the creator of the fantastic online news tool Today’s Guardian. Check it out if you haven’t already!

2. I know I’ve got my degree but I haven’t graduated yet so what does that make me? A graduand? *checks the OED* A graduand it is. Gee, I’m going to be sad when my Warwick access to the OED expires. I know some people would say that that in itself makes me sad, but in that case they’re using the word in its seventh sense, cf. ’saddo’.