Here today... Scone tomorrow

Ok. Tomorrow is my last day with my current employer. After 11 years of unbelievable fun, I'm leaving the world of Virgin Atlantic Airways for a new adventure in a new country, a new job and a new company.

Before I move on with a load of old jibberish, as per usual, I would like to explain what kind of time it's been for me here at Virgin. Think of all the good things you may have heard about Virgin. Times it by ten. Add stuff you probably wouldn't have thought of and then add fabulous travel and glamour. I've never worked in another place where everyone, literally everyone, is chic and trendy - even the company nerds in IT and finance are cutting edge cool. Tomorrow is going to be a really bad day. I'm going to hate it. I'd really like to sneak out and not have to say goodbye to everyone. It may seem mean but I don't think I'm up to it. I reckon I'll be a huge mess.

I have my start date and from 31st August my blog should change to "How Great is Sheikh?".

My new employer is very new, not just to me but to the world. Nearly 5 years old and growing fast, it's finding it's feet in a scary world. My job is going to be a huge challenge but I'll be required to travel extensively (how can I not love that?!) so look out blogging world as I may be appearing, in person, in a city near you.

Thirst

I’m totally parched. I’m dry as old boards. I feel like I have a mouth full of grit. It’s my own fault for drinking on a school night.

One of my friends who attended the gay rugby in Ireland met someone who works for my new employer. This chap is visiting London on his way home to Sydney and my friend suggested we meet up so I could get some info on my new job/colleagues etc. I anticipated having a couple of drinks and then heading home.

I was soooo wrong. I lurched through the front door of my house in the wee small hours (2am ish) totally hammered after having a brilliant evening.

I’m paying for it today. I only have one week left in this job and I considered calling in sick. I rejected that as my colleagues are great people and I should really enjoy being with them whilst I can so I dragged myself to the tube station and then on the train for my 1.5 hour journey, then on to the bus from the station to my office. It hit me this morning that the journey certainly isn’t something I’ll miss.

Once at work my unbelievable thirst took hold and I’ve been sitting here with a tongue the size of a bath sponge for about 3 hours.

On the up side I used the work fax to send off my newly signed contract for my new career across the other side of the world. Yes readers… I’m leaving my beloved London for the desert (sadly not dessert!) sands of Abu Dhabi. I had no intentions of going to live there until I visited my friend earlier this year but during my visit I realised I quite liked it and that there is a lot of potential there. I applied for a job, without any actual hopes of getting it but, terrifyingly, they flew me back to Abu Dhabi for an interview and offered me the job.

I’ve handed in my notice and I’m having the summer off. I begin my new adventure on the last day of August.

I’m a bit scared. And still thirsty.

Magical, Musical iPod Meme

Muzbot was the first and then Monty and I hate the idea of being left behind so I've done it too.

Here we go...

Simple rules: Open iTunes, turn on shuffle, press forward for each question and use the song title as the answer.

What does next year have in store for me? “It Just Won’t Do” – Tim Deluxe

What’s my love life like? “Cruising for Bruising” - Basia

What do I say when life gets hard? “Your game” – Will Young

What do I think of on waking up? “2 Million Ways” - C-Mos

What song will I dance to at my wedding? “Let’s Do It Again” – Brand New Heavies

What do I want as a career? “Lil Star” - Kelis

My favorite saying? “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” – Death Cab For Cutie

Favorite place? “Waiting For Time” – Sam Sparro

What do I think of my parents? “Bright Sands” – John Hartley

What’s my porn star name? “Ai No Corrida” – Uniting Nations

Where would I go on a first date? “Why?” – Shiny Grey

Drug of choice? “David” – Gus Gus

Describe myself. “Celos” – Marc Anthony

What is the thing I like doing most? “What’s New Pussycat?” – Tom Jones

What is my state of mind like at the moment? “Glamour Girl” – Louie Austen

How will I die? “Night @ The Black” – Harry”Choo Choo” Romero

Bizarre. I think the thing that sums me up best here is the answer to "Where would I go on a first date?" TOH, my boss and friends all roll their eyes and howl in frustration as I, apparently, have a habit of answering questions with another question. I'm not sure what kind of effects a drug called "David" would have but I might be tempted to have a little lick...

Toast with Marmite

I love it. I like my marmite (vegemite to those down-under, but saltier) thick like tar.
I’ve just demolished a couple of slices and I’m hankering for more.

It’s been a wee while since I last posted and momentous things have happened. I’ll post about those soon, once I manage to organise my life around said ‘things’. It’s all good stuff though, so I’m rather perky about life at the moment.

Other reasons to be perky.

1. The sun has arrived in London and I’ve worn sunglasses on my way to work for two days running. No biggie to many of you but us Brits have to take our sunshine joy where/when we find it.

2. I was at a birthday party yesterday and met some of the Sydney gay rugby team that are playing in Dublin at the weekend. They were delicious. I’m keen to meet some of the Kings Cross Steelers now (the London team competing in Dublin).

3. I’m off to Rome at the weekend to do some sightseeing, shopping, drinking, eating and generally gawping at Italian people being fabulously Italian.

Last weekend we had some Swedish friends come to stay which was brilliant fun. They are completely honest, open and forthright with their thoughts and opinions. This differs hilariously from the British approach and had me in stitches for much of the time. A conversation about them being in a sauna with naked parents had me crimson with laughter and utter, toe-curling embarrassment as I tried to imagine such things happening in the UK. Looking at London through their ABBA-tinted spectacles was quite refreshing. They were surprised and delighted by so many things here that I now take for granted. It made me feel slightly more proud of the huge, bustling metropolis in which I live.

Right. Need to crack on – much to do.