A different kind of post...
Discussion
Chaps,
Usually posts on here are about the worries of finding work, trying to find work. So I thought Id do an opposite one.
For the last year I have been on what should have been a rather enjoyable project on a seriously funky programme. The reality is that its been close to a farce and the last 3 months to be honest have been months of close to hell. Leaving home between 6-6.30 and getting home between 8-9pm (and only getting paid for 2/3rds of that time). Family life? Seeing the wife? Somewhere between very little and zero.
Contract finished last week and I have to say, this week I feel like a different guy. A weight lifted from my shoulders. Normally Im a control freak, not a great fan of change and prefer to have everything nailed down to minimise risk when it comes to work. At the moment though such if the relief from being out of the hell I have to say I feel the sudden lack of pressure has me feeling the best Ive felt in a cpl of yrs. Ive a little cushion of a month or 2, which isnt great, but right now the escape is worth a yrs salary.
We have had sooo many posts on ph over the yrs about hating life/work balance, etc that I just wanted to put a post up saying that getting out sometimes feels like the best thing in the world despite the worry of future work.
(I reserve the right to start a thread next week saying Im bored :P )
Usually posts on here are about the worries of finding work, trying to find work. So I thought Id do an opposite one.
For the last year I have been on what should have been a rather enjoyable project on a seriously funky programme. The reality is that its been close to a farce and the last 3 months to be honest have been months of close to hell. Leaving home between 6-6.30 and getting home between 8-9pm (and only getting paid for 2/3rds of that time). Family life? Seeing the wife? Somewhere between very little and zero.
Contract finished last week and I have to say, this week I feel like a different guy. A weight lifted from my shoulders. Normally Im a control freak, not a great fan of change and prefer to have everything nailed down to minimise risk when it comes to work. At the moment though such if the relief from being out of the hell I have to say I feel the sudden lack of pressure has me feeling the best Ive felt in a cpl of yrs. Ive a little cushion of a month or 2, which isnt great, but right now the escape is worth a yrs salary.
We have had sooo many posts on ph over the yrs about hating life/work balance, etc that I just wanted to put a post up saying that getting out sometimes feels like the best thing in the world despite the worry of future work.
(I reserve the right to start a thread next week saying Im bored :P )
I'll second Aaldo,
while I have gradually come to despise every waking minute I spend in work ( so many issues that its pointless trying to list them) and I would walk in a heartbeat if I had anywhere else to go, I am grateful to at least have a reasonably secure job.
What lifts me totally is coming home to my little son. He should be walking by xmas and I cherish every second I spend with him.
to the OP, enjoy your time off, in every way you can. We are all of us, a long time dead!
while I have gradually come to despise every waking minute I spend in work ( so many issues that its pointless trying to list them) and I would walk in a heartbeat if I had anywhere else to go, I am grateful to at least have a reasonably secure job.
What lifts me totally is coming home to my little son. He should be walking by xmas and I cherish every second I spend with him.
to the OP, enjoy your time off, in every way you can. We are all of us, a long time dead!
Know where you're coming from Deej - I've had 6 months off this year and loved every minute.
It does take some getting used to, though. It feels strange to have nothing you have to do, so you try to fill your time with stuff. Once you get past that it's a great feeling of freedom and wellbeing.
It does take some getting used to, though. It feels strange to have nothing you have to do, so you try to fill your time with stuff. Once you get past that it's a great feeling of freedom and wellbeing.
Nope, no getting used to it, happily just enjoying it as is. The only constant thing I "have" to do each day is walk into town to Neros, sit down, have my fruit tea and read The Times.
Im back on the interview treadmill next though, so it will soon be back to the grind. Er...unless it really goes pearshaped in which case I might be here sometime!
Im back on the interview treadmill next though, so it will soon be back to the grind. Er...unless it really goes pearshaped in which case I might be here sometime!
DJC said:
spikeyhead said:
I try and work two contracts a year, each four months long.
Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
That sounds like the most intelligent thing Ive heard in the last decade!Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
Nice to see a non-stereotypical topic! PH has really become more of a library of info than a place for new topics, and I'd almost stopped posting on here, but good mate has drawn my attention to the thread with the smaller collections on PH with much interest and this one has a nice, new spin too...
DJC said:
spikeyhead said:
I try and work two contracts a year, each four months long.
Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
That sounds like the most intelligent thing Ive heard in the last decade!Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
18 months non-stop
an 18 month period with a two month contract and another I did on fixed price that took about four weeks.
another 18 month contract which I'm just about to end.
and straight after christmas I'll start another contract, initially three months but likely to be extended repeatedly. If that one runs for 18 months I'll be knackered but also just about able to retire.
AdvocatusD said:
DJC said:
spikeyhead said:
I try and work two contracts a year, each four months long.
Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
That sounds like the most intelligent thing Ive heard in the last decade!Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
Nice to see a non-stereotypical topic! PH has really become more of a library of info than a place for new topics, and I'd almost stopped posting on here, but good mate has drawn my attention to the thread with the smaller collections on PH with much interest and this one has a nice, new spin too...
How are you?Im glad to see you have a good balance, Ive thoroughly enjoyed finding it myself!
DJC said:
AdvocatusD said:
DJC said:
spikeyhead said:
I try and work two contracts a year, each four months long.
Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
That sounds like the most intelligent thing Ive heard in the last decade!Life never quite works out like that, but it does mean that when I do work I'm fresh and raring to go.
Nice to see a non-stereotypical topic! PH has really become more of a library of info than a place for new topics, and I'd almost stopped posting on here, but good mate has drawn my attention to the thread with the smaller collections on PH with much interest and this one has a nice, new spin too...
How are you?Im glad to see you have a good balance, Ive thoroughly enjoyed finding it myself!
Balance.Nice thread, OP.
I secured my dream job in July 2009 but it only pays around £850 a month which is pitiful really. I got a couple of small courier rounds as well making my income up to around £1,350 a month.
I don't smoke, don't drink and rarely gamble so I make that amount work for me. I get to pick my youngest two kids up two days a week from school, have the whole weekends with them and work from home the rest of the time.
Yes, I could probably earn twice as much elsewhere but I'd lose that time with the children. Once they leave school in six years time, maybe I'll do that but for the time being, not a chance.
I secured my dream job in July 2009 but it only pays around £850 a month which is pitiful really. I got a couple of small courier rounds as well making my income up to around £1,350 a month.
I don't smoke, don't drink and rarely gamble so I make that amount work for me. I get to pick my youngest two kids up two days a week from school, have the whole weekends with them and work from home the rest of the time.
Yes, I could probably earn twice as much elsewhere but I'd lose that time with the children. Once they leave school in six years time, maybe I'll do that but for the time being, not a chance.
So a little update.
It looks as if my original plan of basically having December off is what will happen, but thereafter things have gone left field. Out of the blue I was offered the chance to be "bid" into a contract in Germany Frankfurt from an ex work colleague. Whilst this was ongoing, I got a sudden invitation to apply for a similar position in Zurich. It looks therefore highly likely I will be flying out of Blight on 3rd of Jan or so start a 6month initial contract in Switzerland.
I have no idea where to stay.
I dont speak German.
I have no idea about Zurich.
I have little idea where the company is.
I will be away from my wife for 5 days a week.
I know nobody there.
Here's the thing...I am ridiculously excited about this prospect! It would be a completely new life for me and for most probably us as my wife loves the idea of coming out here once a month or so, with me going back there most weekends. I cant wait for the quality of life increase, the pay is awesome and its just the whole challenge of it all.
Its like the first day of being a new grad when you hit your first job after Uni
It looks as if my original plan of basically having December off is what will happen, but thereafter things have gone left field. Out of the blue I was offered the chance to be "bid" into a contract in Germany Frankfurt from an ex work colleague. Whilst this was ongoing, I got a sudden invitation to apply for a similar position in Zurich. It looks therefore highly likely I will be flying out of Blight on 3rd of Jan or so start a 6month initial contract in Switzerland.
I have no idea where to stay.
I dont speak German.
I have no idea about Zurich.
I have little idea where the company is.
I will be away from my wife for 5 days a week.
I know nobody there.
Here's the thing...I am ridiculously excited about this prospect! It would be a completely new life for me and for most probably us as my wife loves the idea of coming out here once a month or so, with me going back there most weekends. I cant wait for the quality of life increase, the pay is awesome and its just the whole challenge of it all.
Its like the first day of being a new grad when you hit your first job after Uni
DJC said:
So a little update.
It looks as if my original plan of basically having December off is what will happen, but thereafter things have gone left field. Out of the blue I was offered the chance to be "bid" into a contract in Germany Frankfurt from an ex work colleague. Whilst this was ongoing, I got a sudden invitation to apply for a similar position in Zurich. It looks therefore highly likely I will be flying out of Blight on 3rd of Jan or so start a 6month initial contract in Switzerland.
I have no idea where to stay.
I dont speak German.
I have no idea about Zurich.
I have little idea where the company is.
I will be away from my wife for 5 days a week.
I know nobody there.
Here's the thing...I am ridiculously excited about this prospect! It would be a completely new life for me and for most probably us as my wife loves the idea of coming out here once a month or so, with me going back there most weekends. I cant wait for the quality of life increase, the pay is awesome and its just the whole challenge of it all.
Its like the first day of being a new grad when you hit your first job after Uni
Congratulations, mate, made up for you!! It looks as if my original plan of basically having December off is what will happen, but thereafter things have gone left field. Out of the blue I was offered the chance to be "bid" into a contract in Germany Frankfurt from an ex work colleague. Whilst this was ongoing, I got a sudden invitation to apply for a similar position in Zurich. It looks therefore highly likely I will be flying out of Blight on 3rd of Jan or so start a 6month initial contract in Switzerland.
I have no idea where to stay.
I dont speak German.
I have no idea about Zurich.
I have little idea where the company is.
I will be away from my wife for 5 days a week.
I know nobody there.
Here's the thing...I am ridiculously excited about this prospect! It would be a completely new life for me and for most probably us as my wife loves the idea of coming out here once a month or so, with me going back there most weekends. I cant wait for the quality of life increase, the pay is awesome and its just the whole challenge of it all.
Its like the first day of being a new grad when you hit your first job after Uni
New info:
Its Zurich, start 24th Jan.
So I get a little extra time to prep. Sorted out my tax situation...bloody complicated understanding this lot at first, but you see realise they want a lot less from you!
Got a lead on a cpl of places to stay.
Got a lead on the medical health insurance I need.
Got a vague idea the tram system.
Know where Im working and how far from airport. Sorted out transport costs.
Still dont speak German.
And nowhere serves a decent pint in Zurich.
My wife has already googled the main shopping bit in Zurich and picked out the watch she wants.
Its Zurich, start 24th Jan.
So I get a little extra time to prep. Sorted out my tax situation...bloody complicated understanding this lot at first, but you see realise they want a lot less from you!
Got a lead on a cpl of places to stay.
Got a lead on the medical health insurance I need.
Got a vague idea the tram system.
Know where Im working and how far from airport. Sorted out transport costs.
Still dont speak German.
And nowhere serves a decent pint in Zurich.
My wife has already googled the main shopping bit in Zurich and picked out the watch she wants.
DJC said:
New info:
Its Zurich, start 24th Jan.
So I get a little extra time to prep. Sorted out my tax situation...bloody complicated understanding this lot at first, but you see realise they want a lot less from you!
Got a lead on a cpl of places to stay.
Got a lead on the medical health insurance I need.
Got a vague idea the tram system.
Know where Im working and how far from airport. Sorted out transport costs.
Still dont speak German.
And nowhere serves a decent pint in Zurich.
My wife has already googled the main shopping bit in Zurich and picked out the watch she wants.
http://www.10best.com/destinations/switzerland/zurich/nightlife/pubs/Its Zurich, start 24th Jan.
So I get a little extra time to prep. Sorted out my tax situation...bloody complicated understanding this lot at first, but you see realise they want a lot less from you!
Got a lead on a cpl of places to stay.
Got a lead on the medical health insurance I need.
Got a vague idea the tram system.
Know where Im working and how far from airport. Sorted out transport costs.
Still dont speak German.
And nowhere serves a decent pint in Zurich.
My wife has already googled the main shopping bit in Zurich and picked out the watch she wants.
Whilst you're unlikely to find any real ale, google suggests that there's a few Irish bars there. Useful occasionally if you're feeling homesick.
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