So life update, its all work, world cup & gridiron these days. Well yes, Rachel is still there, don't worry, we're getting on great, and Rach seems to have everything planned for the wedding which is brilliant. But aside from mundane, cooking dinner, watching tv, chatting about stuff, life on the home front continues normally.

I'll get to the main thrust of this post, through the read more, it's not about life but vicarious matters, so read on if you're interested.

Work is very busy and intense of late, under a lot of pressure and struggling to keep up, but I am enjoying the challenge and fighting to do better, both in coping with the work load and improving results & my performance. Can't and won't go into more detail here on work front.

But I will say on related topic, that TBG on Tour is quite the experience. Last weekend, half the office went to Barcelona for 3 nights, we arrived late on Thursday night and flew back on Sunday afternoon. In between can only be described as epic, as we were treated on both Friday night & Saturday night to high living drinking in night clubs. Whilst during the day, the weather was amazing and there was football. On the Sunday in the airport though was surreal, we watched the crunch England v Germany game on laptops, using Iraqi tv! We watched the first half landside with a big crowd of Germans watching on, one, Karl, had following us through the airport and sat with us, giving us wine and dis-proofed the myth that Germans have no sense of humour by offering tissues around after Germany scored, as "we would need these now". Love it! The second half was seen the other side of security, but again on laptops as no tvs with the match could be found. This time we acquired English fans waiting on the same plane as us, but the mood was less jubilant with "Lampard's goal" and Germany's efficient display killing the mood. Still a brilliant trip, had a great time.

So the World Cup you say, what's that. I have being consuming everything I can about this tournament, watching nearly every match, or least a half of them, taking lunch breaks to coincide with games, listening to games on the radio and tuning in to key moments and of course, watching every evening game. I haven't been to board games during the World Cup, I've kinda put my life on hold during it, but its the final week and its been an amazing tournament, back to normality next week. I put money on the Dutch at the start of the tournament and was ridiculed for backing them, lets see if they can come good this coming week.

IRISH Times

Massacre on the Taiga

The IRISH defence did well to defend the run but were burned badly by the pass several times as Chui broke away to inflate the scoreboard and possibly detonate IRISH's drive for Home Field Advantage.

Coach O'Farrell looked shaken but was humble in defeat, "Hats off to Bratsk, they showed today why they are one of the best teams in football. We were looking to step up this season and after today we have to realise that that step is big. It is a very humbling defeat we have taken today and we have to regroup and come out fighting next week. Thankfully it is a big rivalry game, visiting Glenbrook is always a game that IRISH players and staff are up for. But that is next week, and this week we have to recognise the sheer beating we took today. And I personally have to accept, I erred in bringing up Jamie against the run because we were exposed downfield as a result, and the consequence of that decision is I owe Coach Hill dinner at the draft."

Coach O'Farrell in sombre mood looking ahead to the battle with the Kings, and their pass rush. "Yes, another tough battle ahead with an experienced powerful pass rush, but thankfully they are not in Bratsk's league, but nobody are, it is not every week that you face pass pressure like that, and thank good for that."

I have given myself a week off between finishing my old job and starting my new one.
I was already going to Edinburgh for diplomacy at the end of February, so when I was going to be finishing working for AE that week, I definitely didn't want to start work straight after a weekend away. And since, my original start date was supposed to be the 21st of March, I felt bringing that forward two weeks and giving myself a week made a lot of sense.

TBG sent through a brochure I suppose is the only word to describe it, that contained some forms I need to sign & bring in on my first day. But what interests me, and what I'll share here is the document on "You're Better Off Working at TBG".

It is split into Immediate Benefits, After Probationary Period, After Year 1, Year 2 & Year 5.

AE wasn't always a bad place to work, it did become worse recently and I've felt I stopped learning at least a year ago. So it was time for me to move, and they were happy as well, given the changes they are going through as well.

The location of the UK offices were always a problem for me. It took me over an hour to get there each day, and then almost 2 to get into central London for anything, including my weekly boardgames meets.

Further, it's by the airport there's nowhere to go for lunch except MacDonalds or a hotel. It was terrible location, that offered nothing to do during your lunch break or after work, it was drain commuting back into London afterwards with tourists and it seriously curtailed my social development whilst living here, since I wasn't really available to meet people after work, and definitely not during work.

The new job, is based in Kentish Town, it will take me about 50 minutes door to door, but I will be able to occasionally meet up friends during my hour lunch break, I will be able to organise to meet people in the evenings after work. I will look to take up sports knowing that I will be able to get to mid week training sessions. And it will take me 30 minutes to get to games after work.

In addition, I will be able to go the bank or post office if needed, I will have options at lunch for where I eat, or continue to eat in the office, not a problem, but I'd like the option.

And most importantly, I will have to learn an awful lot in the new job, and that excites me.

So my job hunt is now complete.
I handed in my notice last Thursday, and today Auto Europe agreed a compromise on my notice.
I will finish at the end of February, and be free then to pursue any opportunities.

Additionally, TBG are delighted that I am available sooner than March 21st, so I will start with them on March 8th.

I have been working at Auto Europe for four & half, which is a sixth of my life. Started at AE in Dublin in the call centre, progressed to internet team and then marketing departing. Before moving with marketing to London when they closed the Dublin office.

I am looking forward to my new challenge with TBG, finally working on the agency side of PPC. Excellent opportunity to expand & broaden my skill base in PPC. They are an excellent company that come highly recommended and I'm eager to get underway.

Well after a few days off work between the two jobs.