Home and Away

Laptop cable is still AWOL, but as I am in London for a visit to Lovely Boy, and he has gone off with his guitar to see a friend who also has a guitar for a playdate, I am free to blog away to my heart's content.

Today is day one of unemployment (again) as my contract ended yesterday, however, I have had a number if interviews for similar roles in the last few days, and just had a phone call offering me a job to start first week in May. Which is pretty perfect timing really, as it gives me a month off to concentrate fully on pupillage applications, and also apply for other more hands on jobs. This one is another admin position which is slightly pupillage friendly, but now that the jobs market is in recovery mode I would hope that I stand a chance of securing something a bit more impressive.

I've decided to apply for pupillage in Birmingham as well as London. Initially I had always thought that being back home when I reach that point would be a nightmare; but having spent the last 6 months or so licking my wounds and working there in a job where I've been able to get to know the right sort of people, I've realised that Birmingham is a brilliant place. It isn't just home, it is also the home of some pretty awesome chambers and there is a sense of community on the circuit that I haven't really noticed when talking to Barristers in London. The judges get drunk with the barristers clerks at the many Christmas parties and, even better, the Clerks love ME. I have somehow managed to get in with the clerks at a chambers and have had so much fun. Perhaps part of it is the fact that it is my home and that is why I feel more able to relax and enjoy myself with the practitioners there; but it isn't just about having fun, I also feel like I am more impressive because I feel so much more comfortable.

London is a great place to be young, but I can't help thinking that actually, I've always intended to return to Birmingham eventually. I don't want to raise a family in London, and when I think of my dream home, it is in a certain postcode in a more affluent area of Birmingham, (rather than Crime central where I have grown up).

But still; I think it may be a bit premature to be considering these things when I am only now about to try out the Pupillage Portal for the first time. The reality is, I'll take what I am given, if ever the opportunity is presented.