The letter is signed, the job is done...

[matgb]

Yesterday, I said:

Off to see the lawyers tomorrow morning, hopefully be able to talk about it openly tomorrow evening.

And now I can. This morning, I went to see a local employment lawyer, and checked over the leaving documents. Terms of which are confidential, but I'm happy. I officially finish December 31st, but as the company shuts down for Xmas week, my last working day will be Friday 22nd. After that?

London. 95% certain on that one. I've been applying for a few jobs, but nothing concrete yet. I'll be ok financially for a month or so after getting up there, especially if I live really cheaply, so I'll be up to look for a place to stay &c a bit after Xmas/early new year, as well as obviously trying to get a job. I've unlocked my previous post from August, and I need to really put some effort in to actually making a go of this one.  The jobs market in Devon is pretty flat for mid+ management/analysis roles, even office admin roles are limited, so I'm pretty sure I'm making the right choice.

Probably the second biggest decision of my life, and almost certainly the riskiest, but hey, got to gamble a bit if you want to make it big, right?  There are a few jobs I'm after, and a few more that look interesting, beyond that?  Well, I have a new tag.  Let's see how things go, right?

Wish me luck. I think I might need it...

Oh yeah; if anyone knows of something that I'd be good at, gimme a shout?

Comments

[el-staplador.livejournal.com]

It all sounds very exciting. Good luck!

[matgb]

I thank you. Scary, but hopefully exciting as well.

[nadriel.livejournal.com]

Well, crash space is always available while sorting out somewhere more permanent.

[matgb]

Yarr, looks like that may be needed on and off; will update as soon as I know owt...

[silentgreeneyes.livejournal.com]

Good luck Mr Mat :)

[matgb]

I thank you. You should update more y'know...

[lokean.livejournal.com]

Not a job, but an offer's just come on the rental market by Mornington Crescent for £165pw for single occupancy of a two person flat; not bad considering location and what you get for your money.

As to jobs, have you considered rummaging through the paid positions in various charity organisations? Many of them seem to be more process analysis and marketing than actual management, even for management positions. Plus it's a potentially useful contact-farm if you do make your move on the politburo.

[matgb]

single occupancy of a two person flat

What does that actually mean? Spare room in a two-bedroom, or a flat to myself?

It's pretty much exactly the area I want to be in.

[lokean.livejournal.com]

A flat to yourself. I shall go and look at details if you like, I just happened to notice it in passing a noticeboard this morning.

[davidnm.livejournal.com]

A two-bed flat for £730/mth inside London itself? Goodness ... is it the deal of the century or does it lack optional extras like a load-bearinbg wall or something?

[matgb]

Details would be of interest, yes. Especially number of bedrooms, as it sounds both too cheap and too expensive for the location.

[lokean.livejournal.com]

Hmm, actually looking at details, it's a room in a flat, not a flat. However it's £125 for the room and the ad also mentions a second, smaller room (£110pw).

It seems as if the large room has two double beds in it, two desks, etc etc. However, if there is also a small room available it seems rather good (though how many people total there are might be an issue)

Contact #: 07813779417

[matgb]

Hmm, yeah, wouldn't want to share a bedroom regardless, and 110 is a bit more than I've seen elsewhere. There are some good places on gumtree I'm looking at, probably go with that.

But thx anyway, any leads good, even if they're not good leads.

[paulatpingu.livejournal.com]

Well, good luck and all. It will be a shame to see you go, although to be honest I guess I don't see you when you live 20 miles away so another 100 odd won't make much of a difference...

Anyway, down to more important business: I want my B5 DVDs back :-) Or at least left with someone I can pick them up from at a later date. I suggest a leaving do of some sort regardless, so I could pick them up then?

Thoughts on the job, even the industry in which you might want to work?

[matgb]

I don't see you when you live 20 miles away so another 100 odd won't make much of a difference

Well, it might mean when I'm in the area I make arrangements to meet specifically whereas at the moment I travel up randomly when the mood strikes. Besides, if I get a decent job/place you'll want to come up to do stuff in London at some point, right?

at least left with someone I can pick them up from at a later date

I think I've already done that, Laurence or Chris, will check. It was in the boot of car for ages but I never saw you.

But yeah, leaving thing definite. And web/marketing/politics hopefully. Or, if that fails, admin...

[sexygoldfish-uk.livejournal.com]

Good luck, hope it works out

[matgb]

I thank you, hope it will to. Not going to be able to post until later, but, um:
http://batman.lego.com/

How scary is that?

[sexygoldfish-uk.livejournal.com]

hmm, Batman Lego

*looks slightly guilty*

I might be aware of it...

[davidnm.livejournal.com]

My goodness, that is a development! Seems everyone's moving (or trying to) to London at the moment. Even I've started job hunting up there.

Allow me to wish you good luck!

[matgb]

Yeah, was going to talk to you about that. Accommodation bloody expensive up there, if you're really thinking of moving, d'you fancy looking into sharing a place?

Meant to ask a few weeks back but kept forgetting when I had time.

[davidnm.livejournal.com]

Yes, London prices are generally ... entertaining may be a relevant euphemism!

I would be interested in a flatshare or such; it'd make my own vague plans to move both easier and more likely to actually happen!

What I had been thinking of doing was looking for somewhere just outside of London and commuting (on account of the much lower prices and so on). Any thoughts?

[matgb]

It's an option, but I'd really like to live in Camden if possible.

Martin's flat above looks interesting, but from the description I wonder if by 'two person' it really means a double bed which, y'know, not really going to work.

Nothing ruled in or out, but outskirts OK (Mike's in Wimbledon area), but central/north much better in many way.

[davidnm.livejournal.com]

LOL ... yes, generally I think a good principle with housing is number of bedrooms should be no smaller than the number of occupants!

I'm not ruling out London itself, I should say (I'd previously been working on the assumption of living on my own, hence the costings were rather different). And Camden is definitely cool...

[two-brains.livejournal.com]

All the best with your move mate...

sometimes the biggest, scariest changes make the most sence, and lead to the best outcomes... Sounds like this is one of those times!

See you soon!

[matgb]

Agreed, it's about the right time. You never know, I might decide to do PGCE come September and end up teaching close to you...

There's apparently a flat become available at Mornington Crescent anyway. You're still set on living cheap with your parents I take it?

[two-brains.livejournal.com]

fraid so... I couldn't aford anything better at the moment...!

rent is cheap, but travel is expensive & I miss out on household meanstested grants & things...

I wondered if you might head down the PGCE route; it's tough, but really rewarding! I taught a bunch of Y5s an art lesson this morning, and they interpreted it in so many diferent ways, I was really pleased! (specially as I was being observed by my tutor and it was a generally good lesson!)

[singanathema.livejournal.com]

Good luck with everything. Wish I had the courage to make such a change.

[matgb]

If you were going to/hoping to, now would make more sense than ever, if you're likely to need to move anyway, why not a big break instead of a small one?

Might be worth a try even if it doesn't work...