I was looking for a job, and then I found a job

No posts for a few days, I had something to say but wanted to wait until I got an official confirmation and things. Yes I'm back in the land of the permanently employed, just arranged some final details today and I start at Holiday Extras on Monday! This is a good thing, for lots of reasons.

I've enjoyed having days off, they're nice, this is partly why I've arranged to start next week instead of starting, say, today. The previous days I've had off, when not working, since leaving Channelfly / Popex I've not really been able to put by back into sitting and watching TV and that, as I've needed to be on the phone with agents and things and trying to find the next job. Now it's done, so I have a good couple of days of watching Lovejoy and things (though wouldn't you know, it was one I'd seen today). I'm really looking forward to getting back into working with other people though.

Another good thing about working is being able to spend more money. I've been a bit cautious over the past few months, making sure the freelance money stretched, and that the pay off didn't run out etc, now we can get back into the swing of lighting the fire with handfuls of notes and so on, and buying a new telly. Our existing telly still ROCKS, but it's about time we were a two TV family, we want [froogle=integrated lcd tv]a little wall mounted job for the kitchen[/froogle].

Another good thing about a permanent job instead of contract work is being able to borrow more money. We want to buy a house sometime soon, so now we can get another mortgage and things. I love just looking at properties in the paper, it's going to be GREAT to be shopping for one again.

Another good thing about this permanent job is the travel. No, there is almost none, it is in Folkestone! Well, just outside Folkestone, and with there being one train and hour and things it could still be quite a significant travel, but it will not mean getting home at half eight as I was before christmas.

Another good thing about this permanent job coming at this time, is that I incentivised my job seeking for the new year; I decided no more booze until I got a proper job. So this was three weeks of clean healthy living! This has not been done for a long while. It was OK, except trips to the pub were a little bit boring when everyone around you is getting tipsy and you're not. As soon as I got the call on Friday (and I'd talked it over with the wife) we cracked open a bottle of champagne that we'd been saving since our cross channel trip last year. And very nice it was too.

I will miss the opportunities to meet up with my London buddies, but that just means I have to put a little bit of effort into it. And with not actually having to go into London every day, I'll appreciate the chances to go in, and probably go out even more.

I'm feeling really quite zippy and positive abotut things today, so not only have I done cleaning and housework without being told to, I'm going to share a recipe with you, what I done made today. It's even better than my top secret garlic bread recipe, and it's arrabiata sauce:

Take two chillis, four or five garlic cloves, chop very finely, and fry gently until they go soft. Pour on a jar of passata, a couple of pinches of chilli powder, and some herbs, and simmer over the lowest heat for about two hours. For a special treat, fry a couple of sausages, chop them thinly, and add to the sauce. Serve with cooked pasta and salad.

2007 :: Comment / reply

Splish Splash!

Boozetastic weekender in Folkestone, starting off with a shock drink in London! I rarely go out in the week any more, but popped in The Mynt Rooms for one with work chums, nice place, flash but comfortable, no ales but one pool table. Then, ONWARD, to Charing Cross and to the flat. A quick tea of penne arrabiata and then more pubbing. Tried Wetherspoons for a change. I thought it was meant for old gits, big range of cheap ales and no music, but it was heaving with let's say fresh-faced punters. So, off to Chambers... Usually on a Friday they have funk based DJ action, but this time it was ACE old school alt.disco, Beastie Boys, The Who, dry ice and dancing. Undoubtedly there was some Janes Addiction and Pixies at some point, though I didn't actually hear them. Pool table was vacant too. Got beat once by one of the victors in last week's quiz, as it turns out they play different rules to us... Two shots on the black? I ask you...

Saturday AM didn't bring the expected mushroom hunt, instead we snoozed late. Popped to Sandgate to sort out a new fireplace from Country Warmth, which I'm excited about. Ran out of time to check out the antique shops there, so as to be back for the England Wales game. I thought everyone was saying Wales were in with a chance?

Saturday evening was much anticipated, a boys night out for me, while Clare had a girls night in. Wine and new hairstyles for them, beer, pool and nearly some dancing for us. Nearly... Started in Chambers, where else, then on to The Brewery Tap. Weird place, full of Teds there for a rock'n'roll night. No ales, and a bit rough, but again a pool table. Too many kids in there, but at least they were with their parents and not drinking.

Pikers was as it always is, but cheaper for some reason, had a few drinks and then back to a mate's for a few more. Mates were horrified that I intended to walk home the ten
minutes or so through Cheriton, instead of getting a cab, but I was feeling brave. Carrying a saucepan with me gave me the extra edge I think, it had been lent out since the last mushroom expedition.

Despite being on pain of death not to wake Clare up when I got in, she didn't get in until I was fasto, and what did she do..? Lover, are you awake? ARE YOU AWAKE??? Oh, you are!

Toilet overflow is pissing out of the flat, so had some brief interaction with the neighbours, and then some panic looking for the stopcock. Have shut everything off and will keep my fingers crossed the plumbing fairies visit before I'm back in two weeks.

Bus replacement service back to London, so got a lift to Gashford instead, makes a speedy journey back to London Bridge. Roll on the high speed rail link. Mr de Haan, can you speed this on any?

pauly :: 2004 :: Comment / reply