Friday, September 22, 2006

Handing over MY job (by Joe)

We appointed my replacement at work today. He’s a former Labour Party Comms/ Policy advisor and veteran of two general elections.

I’d been part of the recruitment/ interview process. There were several people who would have been very good, but he stood out. He’s got the skills, good experience and plenty of drive - he's the right choice.

Recruiting was good. Quality of applicants confirmed (to myself) I’ve been doing a pretty serious job, and the whole process was useful in clarifying the skills I've developed to do it (you forget these things as you get caught into the day-to-day of it all).

I wish him well and am sure he’ll bring plenty to it - in fact I reckon he'll do very well.

I've been consolidating my contacts before I go. Have been going for drinks with quite a few people after work and getting some good references/ testimonials - all makes sense for when I get back.

Genuinely pleased we've found a good replacement, but it does feel strange to think of handing it all over (someone else sitting at MY desk/ working with MY colleagues/ using MY computer/ talking with MY contacts/ doing MY job - BAH!)

Joe

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Thailand coup shouldn't affect plans (by Joe)

I get home yesterday after work and turn on the telly to hear of a military coup in Thailand, which we are due to visit from mid-November.

Dramatic stuff with tanks rolling onto the streets of Bangkok. But so far it all looks peaceful, and as long as things remain stable - and I suspect they will - there's no reason we can't keep to our plans. I really hope we can - I've been particularly looking forward to Bangkok and visiting the islands in the South East where we'll be chillin' out ...

As it happens, we've already had to change itinerary because of political troubles - we were orginally planning to spend a month in Sri Lanka, but decided against it when, a week before we were due to book our flights, the country broke into North vs South civil war.

Its a helpful reminder that the world is not so stable and that it would be realistic to expect a few troubles on the trip - but I think the reality of these things is rarely as dramatic as people imagine they may be from a distance. Anyway we'll keep an eye and could always change plans if needs be.

Joe

Monday, September 18, 2006

Three weeks to go! (by Joe)

At work on Monday. The days have been ticking off increasingly quickly over the past couple of weeks. Now only three weeks (to the day) till we fly to Delhi, the first stop on our 'big trip' ...

Laura and I got married in December last year (see left - Laura finding my brother's best man speech rather more amusing than she needed to). We thought up the trip as a sort of 'uber-honeymoon' and have been saving up for it since then. Its a great thing to do - but, frankly, pretty hair-raising to quit jobs, money and steady lifestyle to go off with no definite job (for me at least) to return to. But, having worked for the same (small-ish) advertising company in London for the past 7 years, its time to move on - a fresh chapter and all that - and going travelling is a great way to do it.

We successfully rented out our house a couple of months ago and have been staying with parents and friends to save up cash - we should have plenty, but the more the better, I suppose - a few extra pounds here or there could make a dramatic difference in terms of quality of life (and crapper) we are exposed to along the way. Moving in with others has been surprisingly good - a chance to catch up with people we 're unlikely to see for the next 10 months.

Planning for my work leaving party. Drinks and possibly onto Karaoke in Soho on October 5th (which would present a golden opportunity to bid farewell in style with a rendition of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way').

I'm looking forward to it - there'll be some extended goodbyes. I'll miss my work colleagues (or some of them at least!) but I know that, come what may, I'm unlikely to regret the trip ahead ...

Joe