Read on Twitter
Ok. Now things are levelling out a bit, I'd like to share some more details on why this day was so bonkers. They're all 'personal' reasons - so no juicy celeb gossip, but still... It's important to me. Here goes... https://twitter.com/TOther_Simon/status/1357420898136055812
In October, I got made redundant. That wasn't the end of the world. My job wasn't particularly stimulating, and I didn't much fancy paying for my mortgage anyway. I slowly started job hunting. Not urgently. I wanted to wait for 'the right thing'. My new 'free time' coincided with
my kids being home schooled. That was...fine. I guess. Though I HAD looked forward to dropping them at school then going to home to play my uke all day long. It's fine. I'm not bitter. Anyway, I digress...
I applied for a few jobs. Some interviews went ok. Some not so well.
I applied for a few jobs. Some interviews went ok. Some not so well.
(Some were *crazy* - like the company that gave me 24 hours' notice to prepare a 40 minute presentation on how I'd improve their software). I did lots of interviews and got offered zero jobs. Make of that what you will. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago a recruiter got in touch with
a job that seemed like THE ONE. Good salary, a decent company and a job I think I'd actually enjoy. I interviewed for it and it went...ok, I think. They asked me for a second interview (as lots of others had). I did it and...I think it also went ok. In the meantime I had various
other interviews lined up.
[Fast forward to Friday]
During a rummage to find some spare cardboard for a school project I managed to whack a pipe on our boiler. It started pissing hot - boiling - water all over the kitchen floor. Shit. I tried to stop it but it just kept going.
[Fast forward to Friday]
During a rummage to find some spare cardboard for a school project I managed to whack a pipe on our boiler. It started pissing hot - boiling - water all over the kitchen floor. Shit. I tried to stop it but it just kept going.
I suddenly realised that I had another interview to do - and my kitchen was like a soggy Pompeii - and showing no signs of slowing down. I put down every towel I could find and went to do the interview, flustered, and in a slightly moist t-shirt. It went oddly well. In fact,
during the first interview the interviewer said she'd like to get me back for a second round. Winner! (Note to self: Wearing a wet t-shirt impresses potential employers).
I went back to the kitchen and the boiler had run out of pressure and stopped spaffing steam everywhere.
I went back to the kitchen and the boiler had run out of pressure and stopped spaffing steam everywhere.
I called a boiler repair man I knew and he said he'd come over that evening to take a look. What a hero. I settled down to dial into my son's online parents evening at his new school. He's always had good reports at school, but we were mindful that this was a new school and he
might take a while to settle in. We needn't have worried. He absolutely BOSSED IT. (One teacher said "He's the politest pupil I've ever taught". How lovely). Phew. Good news. During that, the boiler man came. He told me that the part he needed would take four to six days to
arrive, if he ordered it (leaving us with no heating or hot water in that time) or his Dad *might* have one. And he went off to check. Jeez. No pressure. Pun very much intended.
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A very tense hour later, he returned. He had a part he thought MIGHT work, but wasn't sure.
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A very tense hour later, he returned. He had a part he thought MIGHT work, but wasn't sure.
It didn't work. Shiiiit.
"Let me try this other one" he said. Somehow, against all odds it fitted and he fixed our boiler. I was ELATED. It was the best £80 I'd ever spent. (My wife pointed out that I wouldn't have needed to spend it if I hadn't broken it in the first place).
"Let me try this other one" he said. Somehow, against all odds it fitted and he fixed our boiler. I was ELATED. It was the best £80 I'd ever spent. (My wife pointed out that I wouldn't have needed to spend it if I hadn't broken it in the first place).
So now, with a working boiler, a second under my belt and a very successful parents' evening under our belts we sat down to eat. My phone rings. For God's sake...what now?!
It was the recruiter for the job I really wanted. He had news. Good news. They were offering it to me.
It was the recruiter for the job I really wanted. He had news. Good news. They were offering it to me.
I was - and still am - chuffed to bits. I've just had all the paperwork through. I start in March.
I might have a nice hot bath to celebrate.
What a bloody day that was.
I might have a nice hot bath to celebrate.
What a bloody day that was.
