Bloke's Column: Ciaran

As most of us know (apart from you unwashed we sneeringly refer to as students, simply because we wish we still did what you do - although with more money) work is a fairly inescapable fact of life. It can open doors, change lives and provide beer money. Hell, some of us even like what we do.

My job is far from perfect, but I like it. I like it a lot. Journalism (and I mean proper journalism – not this “I-have-a-blog-and-can-copy-from-the-BBC” citizen journalism) is the sort of thing you don’t tend to fall into. Which is just as well, bearing in mind the long hours, crap pay and constant abuse you get on the Internet (however, I wish I had been a hack when I was single – shorthand is a great way to impress women).

The problem with enjoying your job and wanting to do it as well as possible comes when it’s time to go home. Sometimes you just keep on going. Things have to be finished or perfected. Perhaps it’s just because you spent too long playing Scrabble on Facebook in the morning. Who knows? The fact remains you’ve been in the office for 11 hours for the fifth day running.

You haven’t seen the missus since you left her in bed at 7am, and haven’t spoken to her since a time you’re not quite sure when (or about what – trust me, that bites you in the arse regularly). You want to spend time with her, but you come home and just want to eat and fall asleep. You know it’s probably not the best thing for your relationship, but hey, you can feel those eyelids drooping down and a fairly certain that in a few moments you’ll be in an exciting dream world with zombies of Playgirls. Or both.

Working hard, enjoying your work and making the best of your career are one thing, but when you realise you haven’t actually spoken to your other half in about 4 days, you may have a problem on your hands. Especially if she’s left you and you haven’t actually noticed (good luck explaining that one away!).

I’d like to make it clear things aren’t like that for me at the moment – although stupid working hours are very much in vogue at the moment. But it would be nice to actually see the red-headed beauty.

Even if it is just to ask permission to go for a pint with the boys!