Guest Fox: Iris Blobel

                                                         By Jeff Salter

             When I decided to resume last year’s practice of hosting Guest Foxes here on Hound Day, Iris Blobel was one of the first names to come to mind.  We’re colleagues at Astraea Press:  each of us has one book published with A.P. and we both have contracts for second books.  Recently, Iris graciously featured my overseas (Arctic) experiences on one of her blogs.
            We’re half a world apart – 13 time zones, I think she’s established – since she lives in Australia and I’m in Kentucky … and we’ve never actually ‘met’.  But somehow I feel as though I’ve known her for a long time … and I bet she has that effect on lots of people.
            Seeing the photo of the stunning site of her worst job … makes me want to visit there!

                             The Worst and Best Jobs I’ve Ever Had
                                                          By Iris Blobel

             It was kinda funny when I received Jeff’s email asking whether I’d be interested in a guest blog – theme:  Best / Worst job I’ve ever had. It had only been the night before that I was talking to my husband about my job at a small Lodge in Scotland – Thalladh-A-Bheithe. Took me ages to get the name around my tongue! 

Worst Job
            It’s a small place near Loch Rannoch. Stunning place. Mum knew the owners, so we had arranged for me to help out for a couple of months. Me being the youngest in our family and spoilt to the core, it was the hardest I had ever worked until then. Early mornings, late nights. Cleaning toilets! Tidying up after guests. Serving guests – and all that for a couple of quid. From memory, six days a week. Worst of all, when my “Oma” (Nan) died, I got all of two hours off and then back to work. It was definitely the toughest day ever to get through.
            When we had tourist groups staying, however, the owner usually organised that we could join them for a day trip around Scotland: Edinburgh, Perth or Loch Ness. 
            When my husband and I were talking the other day about my worst job, I began reminiscing about the beautiful scenery, the girls I worked with, and the fun we had (while walking to the nearest town which took about an hour or so). Also about the places I got to see, attending one of the Highland games (too funny!). I recalled when we told the owner’s kids all about Freddy Krueger and laughed so much at our wickedness. Well, I’ve never ever been that nasty again, because I paid for it straight away; I don’t think I closed both eyelids at the same time for the next three nights in my little room under the attic!
            Bottom line – even though it was hard work, I have fond memories and if I call that my worst job, life has been very good to me so far!

 Best Job
            Well, my best job was definitely my secretary job at the television station in Germany. Loved it. It was at the Department for Light Entertainment and apart from doing the common office duties, reading scripts and meeting “German TV stars” was part of the weekly routine. Could a young girl ask for more? It was with a heavy heart that I left that job after 2 ½ years … to travel in Canada, where I met my husband! So it was meant to be.

 Bio
            Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London, as well as Canada where she actually had met her future husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper has only recently emerged, but now her laptop is a constant companion. Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her beautiful two daughters as well as her dog. Next to her job at a private school she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.

 Blurb
            This is Iris’ upcoming release by Astraea Press – (until then you can check out “Journey to Her Dreams” here) : 

                                                    Innocent Tears
            Becoming a parent can be daunting at the best of times, but for Flynn, a business lawyer in Melbourne, it almost pulls the feet from right underneath him. He’s become a father to six-year-old Nadine literally overnight! He had no idea about her existence, and the news throws him into chaos, even more so when he is asked to take over custody.
            With the help of Emma, an employee at the hotel where Nadine and her grandparents are staying, and his parents, Flynn tries to do the right thing. Yet, the right thing in his eyes differs from his parents’, and Emma is voicing her opinion as well. And right in the middle is little Nadine, still grieving the loss of her mother and finding a wonderful friend in Emma. There’s no doubt she’s afraid where and with whom she will settle.
            But in the end, it’s a letter Flynn receives that helps him figuring out what to do.

 Questions:
            Anyone have any questions for Iris?  About her worst and best jobs?  About her books?
            What have been YOUR best / worst jobs?