bookmark_borderThere's a catch

Almost forgot.

Last night Louise and I attended a ‘Presentation’ for a Holiday Club. Not time-share. We were there to get free holiday vouchers. The presentation was well crafted and thought out and utterly convincing.

So there we sat, 5 couples, having heard why we had been asked along, making no effort to conceal the fact that they had essentially gotten us along under the pseudo-false pretence that we had won a holiday, and telling us that at the end of the presentation some of us would say no.

I’m not going into great lengths about the setup, suffice to say it isn’t a direct scam, but there are a few catches. Long term, yeah it would save us money, but we can’t afford it short-term so we said “No”.

So tonight we decide where, from a fixed list of locations, we will spend 7 nights in the summer (Canaries probably), and where we will spend 4 nights on a break (Dublin probably). All for free. It only cost us our time (minus insurance and airport tax). Not a bad’s night work if I do say so myself. And I just did…

bookmark_borderSplat

Crazy hectic times ahead. I would presume I am on hiatus. The company news we got has thrown everything up in the air, and it feels very like it did when I first joined here, kinda exciting, infuriating and scary at the same time. Admittedly there are slightly scary undertones, but I’ve been there before, and at least this time I won’t get made redundant, no way am I starting off down that spiral again.

Also managed to, unadvertantly, play some office politics. Now I hate these, stupid games, people making sure they are in first with their version/take on things, etc etc, but I did manage to pull an Ace from my sleeve when I thought it was the Joker. That’s the problem with office politics, if you are honest and upfront ALL THE TIME, then there’s no real way you can be undone. Simple really.

Also glad to see that some of the major gossip from Dublin hasn’t yet made it out for general consumption, although I’m sure people have their suspicions.

bookmark_borderDublin

What a top weekend. So much to say that I can’t, so much I saw that I shouldn’t have, so much I did that… ahem anyway…

Dublin was a really nice city, very relaxed laidback kinda attitude, like they’re not trying to be cool or anything, it’s just the way they are, and if you don’t like it, well you know where the road out of town is (but make sure you have a pleasant journey). Add in the fact that the company paid to fly me and the rest of the company over and put us up in a hotel (or should that be put up with us in a hotel), and in return only asked for a shortish day listening to presentations… well who would say no!

Still no egg sandwiches for me…

bookmark_borderChanges afoot

“No I can’t say”
“Pleeaaassseee”
“No – wish I could but I really can’t”
I hate that, almost as much as I hate it when you eventually find out what that person wouldn’t tell you and realise that when they said that you probably didn’t want to know, they were right.

Edinburgh was good, and well timed (even if I didn’t realise it at the time). Met up with a good friend, so good to be able to pick up where we left off, chatting like it hasn’t really been 6 months since we last saw each other.

Flying to Dublin tomorrow and staying until Sunday. So I’ll see you then, and yes I’ll give you all the gossip – even if I already have a good idea what the main topic of conversation will be…

bookmark_borderI'm off

Dublin on Thursday. Edinburgh tomorrow (should be v.interesting if it works out). That’s about it for the moment. See you later.

bookmark_borderCruising

Stress free zone continuing, and it seems that others are reaching the same zone, still can’t really pin down why, but I’m not gonna argue! Maybe it’s the buildup to the company kickoff event in Dublin? Maybe it’s the realisation that I am not (or at least don’t think I am) being judged professionally anymore. I know it’s an ongoing task, but I think I’ve done enough to prove myself. Which reminds me, still got 10 days holiday from last year to take… hmmm