Escapology

After four years and eight months, to the day - I started on January 23rd 2006, as I confirmed this morning - I've finally escaped from my imprisonment in my current job. The sense of a weight lifting from my shoulders as I drove away from the place for the last time just after 1:30 this afternoon was almost palpable. The new job will have its pressures and less than ideal aspects, of course, not least the time I'm going to be spending away from home, but at least I'm not going to be making my way into work, especially for late shifts, with a sense of foreboding about what might happen.
The day wasn't without its bittersweet elements - driving close to DBJ's house early this morning and knowing that it would almost certainly the last time I'd be anywhere near him was a sad moment, while seeing one of the younger local cuties, who's now graduated to senior school ranks, looking very grown up and even more attractive in his nice new school uniform, was at least a minor consolation prize.
I'm not sure whether it's because they wanted to wish me well, or make sure I was definitely going, but not only my manager but my manager's manager turned up within a few minutes of each other towards the end of my shift. We parted on reasonable terms - I don't want to burn all my bridges, after all - but they were left in no doubt of my disenchantment about having wasted almost two years waiting for what they knew to be a non-existent vacancy, as well as the extra 3 months I've been kept hanging about waiting to be released. I suppose I should take the charitable stance and acknowledge that neither of them actually needed to come and see me today - there was no paperwork or other formalities to be completed, with my moving on an internal promotion - so the fact that they appeared is at least some sort of recognition of my contribution over the last few years.
So, it's time to look forward. In terms of the job I'll be doing, there's far more interest in my new job - it's one of the busiest in my line of work anywhere in the country, with remuneration to match - but the domestic side of things could be problematic, though, as I've said before, we'll have to find a way of making it work, for financial reasons, if not for any other. From a personal standpoint, I've got the opportunity to take advantage of the many interesting cultural experiences that the London area has to offer, many of them without the need to spend too much money, and, unlike my last spell of working away from home, I've got reliable access to the internet to allow me to keep in touch with my family and the wider world without breaking the bank on mobile phone tariffs. I have no expectation of getting involved in any wild social whirl, because that really isn't my style, but knowing that just about any kind of food, drink and entertainment anyone could imagine is available in the area, albeit some of it at prohibitive prices, is another element of metropolitan spice which isn't unwelcome, especially if I can find ways of involving my family in the fun from time to time. A new chapter, certainly - I just hope it's going to be a happy one.

Love & best wishes to all
Sammy B