Mat Bowles

So, right then, never did get around to that 'what I've been up to' post that LJ kept eating during the DDOS thing did I. So, a summary post, but first, a poll!
[Poll #1003180]
( Thursday May 31st - Last day at work, lunch in Portcullis House, the Houses of Parliament )

( Friday 1st June - Jennie visits, the Tate Late panel discussion )

( Adrian Searle on State Britain - very luvvy )

( Pubs and wandering late around Soho )

( Saturday 2nd June - Pirates, Disney and comic fangirls )

( Sunday 3rd - Wednesday 6th - Relax + job hunting )

( Thursday 7th June - Book signing at Waterstones with )

( Jon Courtenay Grimwood,  )

( Steph Swainston  )

( and a BBC camera crew )

( Wondering home chatting, and putting names to usernames )

( Friday 8th June - A family visit and a meeting with friends )

( Saturday 9th June - Ballet - the Three Musketeers )

( Sunday June 10th - Wandering Wimbledon )

( Tuesday June 12th - Hyde Park with a friend )

( Wednesday June 13th - Yorkshire bound and zombie avoidance )

( Rik Mayall - The New Statesman )

( Today? )

( Upcoming )

Did I say summary? That's a summary? Oops, probably good job I didn't go for the long version isn't it...

It's a bright sunny day and I haven't sneezed once. I spent the night with a beautiful girl who I've fallen for big time. I've spent the afternoon walking Hyde Park taking pictures and listening to music. I've had a nice coffee on a park bench with a bag of spicy Nik Naks. I start my new job on Monday. Life is GOOD.

Sure, my feet are killing me and I won't see Jennie again for over a week, but those are down sides I can live with. Time to head back home, might be able to catch Dr Who if I'm lucky.

---

ETA: tidied up and tagged from home

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.