Mat Bowles

um, oops?

Last night, after draich_goch dropped me off to collect the car (thx mate), I went food shopping then went home. As I was cooking, I got a phonecall from my sister, who was obviously upset. Parents are away, she'll be alone in house with Jack, could I come around and stay the night? Of couse, says I, I'll finish eating and come around. Bring some washing she says, have a nice bath.

Good plan I thinks, haven't used parents jacuzzi for years (Dad's a DIY freak), and the launry facilities in my block are limited, to say the least. So I do both.

Now, small thing. I've put all the clothes I brought with me in the wash. Some of it is now drying. I've had a nice long soak. Um. All the clothes. I've put that wish is already washed out to dry on the line, but did so wrapped in a towel and an old t-shirt. I'm supposed to be driving to Exeter now. Um, guys? D'you want me to turn up in a towell, or should I wait until I've got some dry clothes?

Got talked into going on the annual work boat trip (witha attached bar). Apparently you can't call the booze cruises any more, because someone decided that that was "encouraging binge drinking". Right, like Torquay harbourside is normally full of sober people.

Anyway, it was good. I'm a little drunk. Decided to leave before the rest went to the club as a) I hate nightclubs generally, b) Valbonnes is a really bad club c) I was happy, so leave on a high and d) meh, tired.

So, I am not sober, but am happy, and really must remember how good the bay looks at night from a boat, I keep forgetting. Probably ought to go out on the water more often, it's been ages since I went sailing or rowing, which is a bit daft really. Anyway...

Exeter people? Warning...

They let waka_laka in. Actually, given how crazy you all are, she'll fit in fine. Katie? http://xnet.ex.ac.uk/forums/

Haven't been there much for ages, but they're still pretty good, especially at this time of year. There are a few communities in my u-info worth a look at as well.

Via lithium_doll and tyrell, go here and look through random quotations until you find 5 that you think reflect who you are or what you believe.

All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income.
Samuel Butler (1835 - 1902), Notebooks, 1912

Actions have consequences...first rule of life. And the second rule is this - you are the only one responsible for your own actions.
Holly Lisle, Fire In The Mist, 1992

Where we have strong emotions, we're liable to fool ourselves.
Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996), Cosmos (Blues for a Red Planet)

Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion. What a man thinks of himself, that is which determines, or rather indicates, his fate.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

It is not worth an intelligent man's time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
G. H. Hardy (1877 - 1947)

A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.
Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)

I know, I can't count. So sue me. Besides, I like the last one. Am now recovered from weekend mess, and we eventually got everything sorted. Will write update on raksaksa's BBQ when I've found the camera cable, but in the meantime, his is here.

OK, posting this one behind a lock for now but...

Spoke to my boss Thursday, he asked me to give him a final decision Monday (tomorrow). My decision? I'll be finishing my current job in December. I'm due a performance bonus, and he's also talking about arranging some sort of pay-off. I'll make sure I've got full details before I give him my decision, of course, but overall, fairly relaxed and happy. It gives me 5 months to finish off, handover, train a replacement and get a new job. Plus, a pay-off will give me enough cash (just) to move somewhere where I'll be happier.

So, 2 questions for you, my wonderful friends list.

Where should I move to?

Let's face it, I'm not actually stuck on any one location, nor am I really that bothered about specific location. Current ideas in my head, in order:

1. London
2. Exeter
3. Leeds
4. Edinburgh
5. Germany
6. Anywhere else

( Reasons and rationale )

Question 2?

Gissa job?

More seriously, I've never actually had to look for and apply for a job properly before. I've been incredibly lucky, and every job I've taken I've been offered or been promoted into. So, might as well ask people out there that might possibly know someone offering a decent job. I'll also likely be putting copies of my CV up for feedback over the next few months, I'll need to start in January, but could start earlier if a transitional arrangement could be made.

( What I'm looking for/good at )
So, I'm happy to move to anywhere in the country (or Europe), and I want a job that's an interesting challenge I have good transferable skills, but I want out of the industry I'm currently in. Something that interests me in some way would be good, I'm not sure (yet) that I want a direct move into politics of some sort but there is an appeal (it's what my BA is in after all).

Any ideas or suggestions gladly received; I'm not going to start actively looking for a bit, I've got 5 months and I want to relax a little and clear my head.

Summary

I need to figure out where I want to live, and figure out what I want to do. Your advice and opinion welcome.

For now, it's time to shower & shave, eat and get out the door, it's about time I saw my friends in Exeter.

[Poll #772612]

I have a goldfish bowl for an office. The fire exist we used to prop open was removed in the refurnishment. We ahve a flat roof. We have no ventilation.

I have a mild sunlight allergy, and, well, goth, not renowned for liking daylight anyway.

Still, the customers are happy (sort of), although some of the Spanish clients think it's too hot. Look, if the Spanish and Turks think it's too hot? It's too damned hot, gottit?

I'll, um, do the write up/instructions for the Google Bomb later in the week, the votes are in though...