OuterCore

Everything changes but you...

It seems the done thing to entitle blog entries with well-known cheesy songs, so today we start with a bit o' Take That.

Last week was a week of learning new things. To start with, I learned what it feels like when you get a puncture on one fo the most dangerous A roads in the UK. Yes, that's right, I wounded my inner-tube, but thankfully not my inner tubes, on the A14 between Bar Hill and Cambridge. Though overall it was a good experience. Firstly I was proud of myself for having cycled about 30 miles over a couple of days, which may not sound like much, but you know, small beginnings! Also, I had never fixed a puncture before, so learned on the job with five! I explored lots of little villages and hamlets in my new environs, and saw more animals than I normally see in a year. Lots of them were kind of flat on the road, but you know, it was still exciting! A fox ran out in front of me, and baby rabbits skipped away from me, and I felt strangely connected with the world of beasts. I also watched 4 hours of Attenborough on plants, and again, was filled with the Zen of Green.

But even more excitingly than all this peace and joy and earth-mothering, I have conquered some fears! Well, conquered is a bit of a strong word, but I have definitely gotten a bit less wussy. I cycled home the other day to an empty house at 1am. As I may have said here before, the countryside and the dark are my biggest remaining fears. I found as long as you don't think about monsters it's ok. I may even go for a late night stroll one night, though I will dress up as a boy I think. I also tackled my fear of my own limitations, by not ringing anyone to help me when I got a bit stuck on the A14. I may have wrecked my wheel by cycling for 5 miles on it with a puncture, but I did it myyyy waaaay! All this tackling of fears is quite exhilarating.

It's hard being back in front of monitors after a week of blissful internet-free naturedom.

7.8.06 14:35, Comment

I'm Bad, I'm Bad, You know it!

I shouldn't really blog at work, but am soooo bored of writing html. There was a time when I considered web design as a career, and when I first started this job I found that element really fun. Today however, I'd rather be pulling out my scant eyelashes than writing any more html. My inner geek has died.

However I did have a lovely lunch break. I was about ready to explode with pent up physical energy after sitting down all morning, when a mate rang, so I had to skedaddle out of the office for a chat. We talked through my current job dilemma, and although I still haven't reached any firm conclusions, it was good to talk. it was one of those beautiful days when the air is at perfect humidity, it's chilly enough to need a jacket, but the sun is out in its joy.  So I strolled to the shops to chat with Soph, and sat on a bench for a while, watching the traffic. 

The problem with all this cycling is that it's making me not like my desk! 

9.8.06 16:02, Comment

Some nice things and some annoying things

I had a very nice weekend in the main, doing lots of countryish things that I enjoy. We ate very well, and went for long walks and cycles. I found the limit of my legs on Saturday, cycling up a small hill from Comberton, the back of my bike pulled down by wine bottles. But it was so good to get back and eat wonderful locally grown food. We also baked bread (in the breadmaker). The first incarnation was a terrible disaster due to number issues, but the second batch was good. We've put it on the timer for today, so if all goes well we'll get back from work to freshly baked granary bread.

But then I have arrived at work to find a bit of a stress mountain. I haven't been paid this week, which means that in order to go to Durham this weekend I might have to borrow money from a friend, something I hate doing because of issues. HR lady simply said it wasn't her fault, and that she'd look into it. How irritating. I also left my purse at home, which meant I couldn't go buy a bike lock, but then joy of joys, Marika has a spare one, so that ended up being a lucky thing. And although the rest of today will be a stressful wrestle with html, tonight we are having dinner with our friend Joe, who is very nice. I might try and persuade them to go on a post-dinner walk if it's not raining too hard!

I finish this job next Tuesday! I have very mixed feelings about doing so. I will miss my office very much (well, the people therein). I will also miss the work, as I have a very motivating level of autonomy here. As one of just two staff of a company with a big area to cover I get to really go for it wiht my marketing ideas, and I also get the satisfaction of knowing I'm making a difference, Scarcely a day goes past without a phonecall to someone or other who inspires me greatly, changing their community using social enterprise. I also don't know quite when I am starting my new job(s?), which introduces an unwelcome degree of financial insecurity, though I'm handling it better than I usually do such things. Finally I don't actually have anywhere to live in London for the month of September.

14.8.06 13:42, Comment