worlds collide

The other night I was standing outside of work waiting for a lift home when an old work colleague passed by, so we had a brief chat.

Now this job was a crappy part-time retail thing which I fell into after university. But - as is the way - the further I get from it, the more attractive it seems.

For a start, this job happened to be in a record shop (for younger readers, imagine a download store as an actual physical space where you hand over your money for actual physical media, both musical and visual).

In reality the people there were (on the whole) lovely and the discount was more than welcome (25%! It's amazing I came out with any money at all!). Plus I was also given part responsibility for the running of the Jazz department.

This was air-conditioned and separate from the rest of the shop, so it had a distinct and entirely bespoke playlist. The only bummer was that if I ever put on anything really good, some bugger would come in and buy what would invariably be the last copy - in all the time I worked there I don't think I ever got through Giant Steps.

Anyway, Steve (who I saw last week) went from being a shop floor jockey during my first seasonal role to vying for management when I got more regular hours. Despite that (Cuh! What a loser! Trying to have a CAREER!), he was still one of the good guys.

When I saw him last week we had one of those general catch-up conversations and then he said, "oh yeah, I've been reading on your blog about your work situation". Turns out his wife is having non-MS neurological health-issues herself and I guess that's how he found my blog.

It was a reminder that everyone is going through their own stuff. And that if you WILL put your life online, you should be prepared for it being picked up by anybody.

In other news, yesterday was the first time that I met someone IN REAL LIFE who I'd up until that point only 'known' online - one Mr. Swisslet of this (and other) parish(es). It's frankly shocking that it took us so long, especially because we actually live around 13 miles away from each other. And although I had been looking forward to having a good bout of competitive moaning about our health, we managed to natter on for a good amount of time before the subject of MS came up. It was great and I hope we'll do it again soon - although my wife did wonder why on earth we didn't document this historical meeting of minds with a selfie.

Honestly it never occurred but the meeting did happen. And anyway, he's way taller in real life than he is on the internet. Turns out he's the guy who ends up standing in front of me at gigs (and I'm 6' 3").

Anyway, there's a lot of waffling in this post and it's not the middle of the night. So I'm clearly not at home.

That's right, oh most-perceptive-of-all readers. I'm spending the night in a hotel because I've got a JOB INTERVIEW tomorrow morning. Do send all good wishes if you can spare any!

will work for (pesco-vegan) food

So without going into too much detail, in three weeks I will be - how can I say it? - between jobs.

I've not been fired and I haven't resigned. It's not even due to that old chestnut, artistic differences.

Maybe Gwyneth had it right all along - we're consciously uncoupling. It's mutually beneficial.

I can't go into too much detail - confidentiality - but as my issues with work have been such a preoccupation on the blog this year, it seemed daft not to mark it on here in some way.

Earlier this week I was in a position to start telling friends and colleagues at work. I've been getting some lovely messages (and many, many hugs) but the question I keep getting is one I don't have an answer for:

"So where are you going?"

It's only natural when this has - to people outside the process - come out of nowhere.

I suppose on the whole I'm feeling pretty good about it all - mentally lighter certainly. And it's great to know that I'm going out on my own terms. Plus I get a bit of breathing space before Christmas.

But every time someone asks that question I get the fear.

It's all going to be fine, yeah?