Well, I stuck it out with a combination of (enforced) patience and not having a clue what to do next, the former also being a product of the latter. But in the last 24 hours, matters seem to be resolving and random Google searches for books and other info are creeping back. Yippee! On what went wrong and how it is resolving is beyond my ken.
It's interesting to see emerging searches in Sitemeter as it indicates what others are working on in other parts of the world. I've seen Mo Hayder's Pig Island searched for "crib notes" (go on, admit it, whoever you are, that's a bit lazy...) and "explain end" (this has come up many times before in various forms and has been discussed in the relevant post). Also, probably due to the recent release of The Information Officer by Mark Mills, people in Malta are searching for info on Mills. I recently read this one and will post on it soon.
But it's great to see the searches back, even if I was surprised at the level of return readers through their various sources. I had no idea it was as high as it was.
No apologies for drawing your attention to this one, but it came from my blog contributor friend Chris, not me - Laurie R King's The Language of Bees. That one seems to have disappeared off the radar. Perhaps I could ask Dr Who to investigate? Mari Strachan's The Earth Hums in B Flat - a book I love - is also proving tetchy in searches. You can read more from Mari, talking about her novel, live, as it was, on Lizzy's Literary Life here.
That's me over and done with for now. One downside in the life of moi has taken an upturn. However, I am still looking for a job.
Yes, this is the year in which I decided my date of birth should come off my CV. Nice to let people know my wealth of experience, but not so nice to rub their noses in my age...
Agree with you on the economy but it's good to see some talking it up, as talking it down in a free market economy only makes things worse. Unlike the last time around, I feel the media is under-reporting the consequences such as the level of unemployment & repossessions etc. And on top of all the usual that comes with a recession, we have a mountainous mass of debt incurred by the current government to support unsustainable public spending, as you noted. That one will be around for generations.
Meanwhile all those in parliament seem to be continuing their self-preservation theme in voting in a new speaker. Real, serious and sensible reform? Keep praying...
I wonder if I will spend my last years in this country as I feel it's doing me in.
Ah well, back to the grindstone...
Best, cfr
Posted by: cfr | 22 June 2009 at 12:40
No probs about the gender confusion - so easily done, and I've fallen into that trap myself so I know! So don't worry about it one bit.
Thanks for good wishes; much-needed - no joke when you're my age, as I've spent the past seven years finding out. But I'd doubt any signs of 'recovery': the underlying - and rising - personal/national debt mountain and ditto unemployment are not going away. Also banks aren't investing/lending and people aren't spending. Baaad combination.
Am hoping to stay put in France, where at least I've a possibility of selling my competence (not to mention post-grad qualifications) as a native English-speaker with decades of commercial experience backed up in print, some of it. Times is 'ard ...
Will keep on sending the good wishes.
Posted by: Phidelm | 22 June 2009 at 12:25
Apologies to you, Phidelm. When I wrote that comment I didn't have my glasses on and saw it as "Phil...". I only took a quick look at your blog at the time and when I went back later, I read something that indicated that you're female.
Not the first time I have made this mistake online, too. I once assumed someone on a forum was female, wrote a comment along the lines of "all girls together" then had an "ouch" comment back. He has subsequently become one of my best friends.
All the best with your job hunting too. It is a dire market out there at the moment although I have read of signs of recovery in the media today. Let's hope so!
Posted by: cfr | 22 June 2009 at 11:21
So very glad to hear that you appreciated my comment: positive/constructive feedback always a boon (as I'm sure you know!).
Thanks for the suggestion; but I tend to read in either English (mostly) or French (should do more), as not a huge fan of translations.
Definitely not a 'boyo' tho' - have a look at my blog, m'dear!
Good luck with all your endeavours. Keep me posted if you can.
Posted by: Phidelm | 22 June 2009 at 07:56
Thanks, Phidelm. Just took a look at your blogroll & love you already!
Your comment just made my day, by the way. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
The only route from now is UP!
Do check out this site too: http://camberwell-crime.blogspot.com/index.html , as I think you will find more in common.
Bye for now, boyo...
Posted by: cfr | 21 June 2009 at 13:31
Shwmae (sp? Apologies if I've got it wrong - it's a long time since I lived on Welsh Marches, and attempts to learn Welsh back then were sabotaged by usual inhuman Britexec working hours ... never thought I'd end up missing 'em as much as I miss my gaff and its setting!).
Delighted to find your site, as already a follower of Maxine's excellent 'Petrona', and of course an avid reader of crime fiction.
Much of what you have to say about State of Nation recently strikes a chord.
As a fellow-sufferer, wish you all the very best for the job-hunting.
Posted by: Phidelm | 21 June 2009 at 09:05