Sunday, February 26, 2012

And here's another thing I don't understand

My brother was beaten up on Friday night.  He was in his home and not harming anyone.  Someone came over and belted him.  I've heard garbled reasons for why this person might want to assault him.  None of which make any sense to me.

My family is in Darwin, which is a bit 'frontiersville'.  That's why I left 30 years ago.  But I still care deeply about my family.  When someone threatens my 84 year old mother, I get a little disturbed.

I have no idea what this is all about.  I know that my brother is very unhappy and I wish him well.  I've suggested that he come down here and stay for a while.  It would be good for him to get a way from where he is.

Bit of a worry, really.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Is always shocked by complete bastardry (Is that a word?)

Just heard back from the union about conversations with the ex-boss.  Apparently he owes me a week and a half of pay, but because I walked out, I owe him two weeks pay.

I would LOVE for him to pursue this, but he wont. I'd wrap him around the legislation any number of times.  But it isn't worth my while, or my energy to pursue any of this.

I'm just really glad that I'm not in that revolting environment anymore.

I'm having much more fun being a curator and looking for other proper arty work.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Getting on with it

Here's a nice little sight from my back door the other night:


It's lovely to be drawn back into nature and see beauty.

Life is progressing.  I have a new contract as the curator of a statewide exhibition of women's artwork and have been working on this for the last few days.  There isn't much in the way of pay, but it provides great experience and loads of new contacts.  Hopefully it will lead to more work in the industry.

I've also just gotten off the phone with Centrelink.  Because of the ex-boss' behaviour, they have decided to qualify me for payments immediately.  Normally there would be an eight week wait because I walked out of the job.  I think it's pretty funny that the ex-boss is the reason that I'm on benefits immediately.  He'd hate that.

In the past, I've had horrendous high blood pressure and have been on drugs for this for about the last six months without much improvement.  Yesterday, after two weeks away from the sweatshop, it was tested and found to be completely normal.  This was a pleasant surprise.  In fact, I'm feeling a little giddy today so might not even need the drugs.  What a relief.  It's amazing how circumstances can effect your health.

And I also want to say a big THANK YOU to all the marvellous friends who have helped me through the last couple of weeks.  You know who you are...

Friday, February 3, 2012

Snicker

Just got a call from the union and they've been onto the ex-boss asking for my employment records.  Apparently the response from the factory was that they believe I owe them money and they are going to take me to court.  So the union said 'OK, fine. We'll see you in court.'

So, long story short, the ex-boss is going to send my records to the union.  I'll also provide copies of all my pay slips and they'll do a cross check and we'll see where we go from there.

I think it's extremely unlikely that I'll end up in court.  The ex-boss is basically full of it.

Here's a little Billy Bragg as a fun ending: