So to get over my block am am posting this by way of a “hello” to my blog.

Hello!

It’s been  a funny old few months. I handed my notice in, survived three long months of notice, got married, went on honeymoon, and have started work on my plan for a new career. I gave up work two weeks before the wedding, and that was two and half months ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long really – it has just flown.

I have been thinking of changing careers for a rather long time (I’m of an accounting persuasion) but never had the drive nor the courage to make it happen. My workplace was driving me to distraction. Between a job which had nothing to do with what I loved about finance and various fundemental mangement and culture gripes I was ready to leave but felt trapped by the three months notice. Until finally my wonderful chap said ”well why don’t you hand your notice in so you finish before the wedding?” thus removing the final block for me, which was not wanting to be a leech. As it is, he’s not had to pay a thing for me yet. I was already living a month behind my income anyway (YNAB – wonderful budgeting philosophy) got a healthy payout for unused holiday, and even after that’s gone I had saved at least 3 or 4 months bare minimum cash (Freedom fund) in order to make this madness a possibility.

So here I am. Unemployed (but in a rather middle-class way) doing more housework than I ever thought platable and working through the book that I hope will help me find the Way. (no religious connotations intended, in case you were wondering) It’s “What colour is your parachute” by Richard Nelson Bolles. An entirely refreshing approach to the business of job hunting and career changing. Which is what I thought I needed, as following the traditional routes seemed to have got me in trouble in the past. What I find so inspiring is the thought that given enough time, and energy you can find a job that truly fits you. Nothing is outside of your grasp. For too long I stayed in jobs thinking that no-one would really pay me to do what I loved or that I could suddenly change the direction of my life at 28. But of course I can.

I’ll keep you updated…

Went to I knit 2008 yesterday, my first knitting-related event of any kind. Lots of of very expensive yarn for sale, as well as some other random stuff. A couple of fashion shows and talks too. The atmosphere was OK, but there were a lot of very experienced and quick knitters which made me feel a little green. Some even walking along whilst knitting without looking. Like their hands had a mind of their own. I think a lot of them were europeans who have a different style of knitting to us anyway, which probably made it look all the more impressive. Didn’t spend too much money. bought a magazine which turns out not to have too many patterns I could do in it (a lot of lace) I also spent a bit on some Devon wool from the lady who actually looks after them. She keeps goats too (the ones that give the cashmere yarn) I love the short chain involved there, but it was fearsomely priced as a result of the small-scale production. I bought enough to make a fancy-looking cushion-cover, and the pattern to go with it.

All in all, the knitting is going along nicely. I’ve done 10 hats for the Big Knit so far, but not sewn any up nor added pom poms.

I promise this won’t turn into a knitting blog. Very dull for you.

Partly due to an unfortunate incident on Saturday where I planned to spend a 50 min each way train journey knitting, but forgot the other needle (it was funny after, but not during) I am still not finished. However, it’s looking lovely and I have done 132 rows. Only 68 to go! I think she’ll be really pleased with it.

I’m now looking forward to getting into the Big Knit this year, as they have new patterns for 2008. A strawberry no less. Please don’t laugh. Life’s far too short to be sensible! I sense that perhaps a few knitting gifts might appear this year, but will plan further in advance next time!

So it’s my friend’s birthday today, and a couple of days ago I realised that I needed to get her something (last minute!), but had no idea what. So instead of buying something naff (the last friend’s birthday resulted in vodka) I decided to make her something. I took up knitting again last year (Innocent’s Big Knit) and so went hunting through my knitting book for something quick. Four balls of wool and a pair of 5.5mm needles later and I’m 200 rows of 1×1 rib away from a lovely scarf for my friend. I just hope she likes it! Will keep you posted on my progress. I am only a quarter of the way through, and it needs to be ready by tomorrow night.

Eeek.

Anywho. Coeliac UK, a charity working for people with this condition, asked for volunteers for case studies, and I duly put my name down. I got asked to do a piece for ITV last year, but it was never used. Boo hoo. Last Friday, however, I got a call from their lovely PR lady who was in an airport waiting to fly to Jersey asking if I’d do a 10 min phone interview for a tabloid newspaper. I agreed, and that bit was painless. She then mentioned they needed a picture to go with it, so after several days I finally gave up trying to find a flattering one and she arranged for a photographer to pop round. (As you do)

He was an hour late (media people, I ask you) but very nice. Managed to step round all the furniture and crap in our living room (we’re, ahem, decorating) Got a couple of shots of me sitting down and standing up and all was dandy. I asked him where else he’d been today, and he said taking pictures of Kate Moss’s wall. Apparently it’s got a big crack in it and she refusing to fix it and the local community are “up in arms about it” Well, of course, you would be wouldn’t you?

I guess photographing me was relatively interesting after that!

PS: If you think you might be intolerent to gluten or anything else, please go and see your doctor before cutting anything out of your diet. It’s very important to be supervised when making big dietary changes to avoid the risk of not getting enough nutrients (or food, for that matter!)

I suppose you can’t worry about that too much. Just write what you want to write, and your audience if you’re going to have one, will come.

Today is a lovely sunny day. I can see a church spire out of my 4th floor window. I work in an open-plan office with 30-odd other people, of a Financial or Administrative distraction. I’m a finance-monkey, and of the firm belief that one should never have airs and graces as an accountant. We are all shovellers of some kind of waste or other. All that differs is the creativity we employ with the resulting numbers. The higher you get, the greater degree of creative licence.

I am not destined to work in finance for ever, I know this. I just haven’t written my escape plan yet.

I’ll keep you posted!

I hope that this venture into blogging will last, because I think I’ll enjoy it (I certainly love to write) and because I think it’ll be good for me. Sometimes all seems clearer when you write it out. I use writing as a extension of my brain. Extra space for me to think in, if you will. Especially true when I need to ‘download’ a stressful day at work and make room in my head to be sane in.

Right now, off to the kitchen. I bet I can still be in bed by half 10. That’ll be fine. Nighty night all.