Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Drama's & Spiders Webs

I met with my solicitor this morning, signed my compromise agreement and have had her post it to my company.  No turning back now.

It all feels a little bit like a whirlwind at the moment.  I've three cases on the go which I would ideally like to clear off rather than hand over.  I've handovers to complete preparation on for my entire team (none of which were accepted for DVR due to being highly skilled), and I've a solid few days of meetings booked next week to sign off everything else.  

Mum arrives tomorrow afternoon as she is going to be staying at my apartment and looking after my kitty cats while I head out of town for bridesmaid duties.  Then, as sad as it is, I shall be packing off the furry critters to go and live with her for a while as I've decided to let my apartment go, put some things into storage and free myself up for interview/job related travel while keeping any outgoings to a minimum for a while.

Bridesmaid wise this weekend will see us film our video with Baron for the hen weekend, have Herb finally pick our bridesmaid dresses, see Clio and I tie up a few loose ends in terms of the hen weekend away and will also see me tick a box on the Sunday as I have plans to meet OOJ for lunch before my flight home.  I've opened the invite to include his gf however I suspect he will fail to pass that piece of info on.

A few drama's have been on the table also.  Balloo is going through a period of depression and so I'm hoping to help pull him out of it along with a few of our other friends.  I've suggested we hit his dads on the coast sometime soon for sunshine and a BBQ so imagine that might help.  I've also this last two days failed a credit check for a new contract with the company I work for.  Don't get me wrong bloggers I'm not bathing in cash as you all know, however I struggle to see how/why I would be declined for anything. Needless to say having started to chase up the rationale I am now absolutely convinced that I need to keep remembering in life it isn't WHAT you know but WHO you know.  A couple of phone calls, a bit of schmoozing and it now all seems sorted (in under an hour I hasten to add), but COME ON!  Surely a girl shouldn't have to pull strings for something so simple.  Incidentally the time scale without these contacts in order for resolution (from experience) approximately 90 days.  Outrageous!  Good job this little chick knows a few people on the board ;)

Thursday, 20 June 2013

With Both Feet

I could have sat down and written 101 lists.
I could have called everyone in my phone book and asked for advice.
I could have entered the world of the internet forum.
I could have spoken to my superiors.
I could have waited and waited and waited until someone decided for me.
I didn't.

I visited Cilla and her husband.
I ate takeout and talked nonsense.
I was asked the only question that matters... 'are you happy'
I released that was enough.

I got in my car.
I cranked up my radio.
I headed to the beach.
I felt the breeze in my hair and the sand on my toes.
I decided.

I will be officially unemployed in 16 days.
I am doing things on my terms.
It will work out.

Spin Doctors - Two Princes

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Job?

Alright bloggers so I'm sat here trying to work out what to do with my life in terms of redundancy and new jobs and then it struck me... I know that some of you reading this blog might be tapped in cookies and so here it is...

If you think you could hook me up with a job for the next few months allowing me to live a little over the summer and find my next opportunity then give me a shout.  Any location, Any salary (its short term right)?

Holler me! 

Fly - Sugar Ray

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Bad Girl Instincts

Hey bloggers!  I have been floored with a bug and away with work so have been rubbish at posting but lots of things are changing :)

Well I didn't get the job I went for, but I did get the offer of a pay off from my current workplace.  It is the equivalent of 5 months wages give/take so now all I need to decide whether I should do the 'sensible' thing and stay which in fact might not turn out to be so sensible in the long run OR to take the cash and run, embrace being able to buy a few things and grab a bit of life for a month before jumping back on the job hunt with proper GRRR.

I have just under a week to decide as if I am leaving I need to have my compromise agreement signed off by a solicitor and back to them in this time frame.  Love that I have a decision.  Many people haven't had that luxury and so I'm going to embrace the fact I do and whatever I decide take the whole thing head on.

In other news I met with Mr X sister, mum and family yesterday as they are in the UK visiting and renewing passports.  It was great to see Cilla (his sister) as we talk a heap anyway but surprisingly seeing his mum was completely painless.  I was really worried that it was going to be upsetting or awkward but the whole thing was actually really nice.  I have finally closed that chapter in my book.  I did seem however, to be a bit of an outlet for their thoughts on his recent speedy engagement which it seems everyone hardheartedly disapproves of. Ironically I found myself sounding like the level headed one in the room giving it 'He must really like her... I am sure it will be fine... I know it is soon but maybe it is right'.  Oh the irony considering since he asked his sister to tell me, he has firmly ensured he is off the grid. 

I'm otherwise distracted when it comes to all things men at the moment anyway.  In taking some space and ending things with Cherry, In an unlikely move I seem to have stumbled upon an old face.  It has been as back and forth as Wimbledon the few days in terms of us talking.  It has been a lot of fun but definitely unexpected.  It absolutely has the potential to be complicated.  It is currently open to interpretation but is however right now completely innocent.  It has seen my face sporting a cheeky smile the last few days.

The guy (lets call him Beez) is someone I have been very aware of as 'hot' since we first met when I took a job at a bar years ago.  The job didn't last long as it was just a 'filler' as I'd jumped back into the City following a year or so of 'Mary Poppins' type adventures.  Due to common friends and similar taste in music however, from that moment on he has always been a familiar face in the crowd.  Beez and I have never been more than acquaintances that on occasion due to the setting/timing have had a rapid but short lived burst of contact and a few giggles.  I feel that might just have tilted that somewhat this last week.

Ok so here is the lowdown...  Beez is the same age as me, comes from a wealthy family but was absolutely brought up with a 'you need to work for it' attitude.  We first met when I was around 23?  and the minute I saw him I was like Phwoar and remember texting Balloo who came down to the bar shortly after to see 'what all the fuss was about'.  Beez was most definitely the kind of punky, grungy, funky looking guy I always had on the radar (particularly back then) but for some reason the type of guy I equally have never ended up dating.  Beez day to day look at that time was 3/4 black shorts, kicks and a fitted t-shirt.  Few tatttoo's, funked up hair and a pierced lip.  These days he absolutely still rocks the look but with a few changes.  The piercing is gone, the tattoo's have multiplied and as for his dress sense... You have to see it to understand that it absolutely works but needless to say he ticks every single box.  Oh and did I mention he is 6ft 4, intelligent, is a drummer and a guitarist, owns his own business - an up and coming and yet already successful recording studio that has recorded #1 albums for a couple of bands, he is also as much of a mixed bag as I am in terms of background and interests.  Did I mention... Yum!

So after a few days of chatting (and yes a little flirting) while I've been laid up in bed with the bug from hell,  Beez asked me to a gig last night to which he had VIP passes - a perk of the job which sees him attending  most gigs/festivals/events of interest with one of those all coveted back stage passes.  I absolutely wanted to go, but in reality wasn't really up to it.  Beez however didn't skip a beat.  He wasn't intrusive or pushy in the slightest but assured me that I absolutely couldn't look as bad as I felt I did and that he was more than willing to patch the gig if I felt up to hanging out... before I knew it he had hopped a train to my city and was walking to my flat.  I headed out to meet him and to pick up a few mixers and well... He was rocking the blast from the past look and walking towards me with a huge smile on his face as I was trying to regain the use of speech.  We spent the next seven hours listening to music, chatting, laughing, eating pizza, drinking gin, flirting a little and I guess getting to actually know each other.  It was relaxed and when he left to catch the last train home I absolutely knew that this is someone I need to have in my life.  The context is somewhat more complicated.

Here is the bad girl bit...

Beez has a girlfriend.  She lives with him in the flat he owns.  They have been going out a few years now.  He isn't a smoke and mirrors person and we haven't crossed any lines.  For all intents and purposes last night we were two people hanging out talking about life, work, music and yes a little about love/sex.  He has made no secret of the fact he cares for her greatly but they are most definitely at a juxture at the moment where their lives seem to be drifting in different directions.  His plan is for them to talk and decide the 'what next' part.  I do get the feeling that they are both going to make the decision to hug it out and move on while staying really great friends but I guess watch this space.  Don't get me wrong this isn't an EITHER/OR scenario.  There was no conversation about an 'us' and nor would I have wanted there to be one.  The night absolutely wasn't in that context, but I would be lying if I said I hadn't taken particular interest in some of our conversation (and noticed him doing something similar).  No, it was just a really great night, in really great company and regardless of what happens from here on in, all I am sure of is that I would happily spend an evening in his company in any context.  I'm not thinking way down the line as sometimes you just need to live in the moment and see where it takes you but I just have a feeling.  Not necessarily a 'happily ever after bf/gf' one, maybe just a 'Actually this someone kinda gets me and I should spend time around them' thing.  Either way, I'm going to make sure this time he and I hang out more often.  I definitely need a Beez in my life.

Laura Izibor - If Tonight Is My Last
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Monday, 10 June 2013

Seriously?!!?

Things are completely crazy busy at the moment and I'm going to be away until Friday this week with work but there are some definite updates so here you go:

Mr X
I pinged him the other day just as a 'hi there hello' on whattsapp.  I only got 1 tick and couldn't see when he was last online but didn't read too much into it, however when I didn't get a reply I logged in to give him a nudge and then I realised... I have been blocked.
Those of you who have been following the blog for a few years now will know that when things go quiet it usually means Mr X is having a girl drama.  Anyway this morning his sister spoke to me and said that Mr X had asked her to speak to me as he 'didn't know how to say it'.  He got engaged to his girlfriend of 4 months yesterday.

  • Disappointed that he didn't tell me himself - yes
  • Annoyed that he put his sister in that position asking her to tell me - yes
  • Confident that I can still read him like a book - definitely
  • Upset - somewhat
  • Reaction - Pah
Work
  • Voluntary redundancies announced this Thursday
  • TUPE accreditation training for me tomorrow
  • Conference on Wednesday and I've to speak re an emergency proposition
  • Interview last week for a job I quite fancy - I think the interview went well as it played to my strengths in the form of a 40min presentation
The Rest
  • Bleugh

Saturday, 1 June 2013

Sometimes...

Work
Things are still crazy!  Do I take the pay off and hope to find something else knowing that I had planned to leave anyway although in the knowledge that I've been looking for months and have yet to find anything, or do I stay and hope that this is a fortunate twist of fate.  In terms of a golden handshake goodbye it would be a great one if I had something lined up.

On a positive note I was called yesterday about a job I applied for a month ago.  I have an interview lined up this coming week.  It isn't an ideal job but the salary is good, the role is permanent, the job is one with a zazzy title and if I could line my ducks up fast enough I could step into it and still take the pay off from my current company.

Money
I still have none.  Bills, bridesmaid duties and 101 other things are all creeping up so in short I need a miracle.  If something doesn't give soon I'm going to have to move out of my current apartment into something much smaller and more than likely out of town.

Love
Considering I put myself back online I've really not put any effort into it and so should I be surprised I've yet to be swept off my feet?  Probably not.  I'm sure there is someone out there for me.  Perhaps he will come and sweep me off my feet when I'm in the right place :)

Sometimes you need someone to pick you up and dust you off
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Sometimes you need someone to give you a hug
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Sometimes you need space to find yourself again
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Sometimes... sometimes all you need is a bubble bath and a shot of bourbon. Cheers!

Adrianne - 10000 Stones
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