Nudged

Rosie has commented that I have not updated for a while so here goes.

Last time I said I had started a new job, and was on probation. Well, 3 months into the 6 month probation, I have been confirmed as permanent. Even better, I am now in charge of the whole site, which is nice. Just got the small matter of planning to deal with 30% growth, installation of new equipment, and improving customer service. Well, I suppose it is better than downsizing and making people redundant!

In my personal life, I have now been with my girlfriend 6 months, and am very happy, though my new job is a significant distance away from her. I am confident that we can deal with that though. I need to find somewhere to live closer to work now, because the 80 minute drive each way is killing me, never mind the cost of the petrol.

I am only getting to see my kids once a fortnight, which sucks. Some might say I only have myself to blame, but I am certain that ending the marriage really was the right move. People I see only occasionally are saying how much happier I seem. I certainly feel a huge sense of relief. I've bought the kids mobile phones, so they can both phone me whenever they want. Had a phone call from them last night.

I have managed to sell my old house, for not much less than the asking price, and for the same as I paid for it 5 years ago, which I suppose is a result really. Should be completing on that at the end of the month, which takes a huge strain off the wallet.

Thats it for now. Better get on with some work! Will try to post a little more regularly from now on.

Moving On

I spent a grand total of one day unemployed.  Didn't get the job in Chester I previously wrote about, but am now working in Workington, in north-west Cumbria.  Had a meeting there on Monday 3rd November, and was asked to start the following day!  Only got a 6 month contract initially, but if all goes well it will be permanent.

Have started playing poker again recently.  Played in Pauly's Omaha tourney last weekend, and, whilst I wasn't first out, I wasn't much better!  Think I will stick to Hold'em for now.  I am sticking to cash games, and trying to build a bank-roll from basically nothing.  Generally am winning more than I am losing.

How quickly everything changes

Well this is my first post for over two months.  I don't think I've read any blogs since mid July.  Rather a lot has happened since then, so here's the summary:

In July, I split up with my wife, after 14 years of marriage, and 18 years together.  At pretty much the same time, I found out that I was likely to be made redundant.

Lets start with the marriage.  

For a while now I have felt that things have been going wrong.  Arguments over stupid things, not being able to talk about stuff, just a general distance between us.  In the end I decided that things couldn't carry on like this.  She thinks it is all because I can't cope with her being disabled.  This isn't true.  That is just a tiny part of the whole thing.  Talking to some of our friends, they have expressed surprise that it didn't happen ages ago.  Did everyone see this coming apart from us?   I tried to stick it out at home for the sake of the kids, but it just wasn't practical.  So I am now living with my parents, which has some difficulties, but is generally ok for now.

My daughter in particular is finding things difficult.  I see the kids every weekend, and twice during the week at athletics training, but she is very upset at us all not doing things together anymore.  My wife and I are trying to keep things civil, but things have been done and said during the split that make it difficult.  I am sure that over time that will improve, but for now the thought of spending a day together is not good.

There is a lot of bitterness at the moment.  I handled things badly (is there a good way to leave your wife?) and upset her a lot.  She lashed out and someone I was briefly involved with (and who had no part in the marriage breakup) got hurt, which I am angry about.

Since then I have met a wonderful woman (via the internet of course!), who is also separated, and also has kids.  She is someone I can talk to about anything, including things I have never told anyone else.  We meet up whenever we can, but neither of us want our kids to meet the other, because we don't want them to have a succession of "aunties" and "uncles" if things don't work out.  We have taken a punt on us still being together in three months, and have bought tickets to see a band at the end of November.  Fingers crossed!

At work, since the Company got taken over in January 07, I have felt increasingly vulnerable.  As an independent company, I was involved in all aspects of the business - purchasing, sales, service, quality, production, transport, and doing projects for the MD.  As part of a national company, they have centralised purchasing and sales, a group quality manager etc.  Much of what is done centrally I think is pretty poor, but no one seemed interested in listening to any ideas from us.    On 18th August it was confirmed that I was being made redundant, and was given 12 weeks notice.  After 17 years working there it isn't nice, but it isn't the same place anymore after the takeover.

Next Wednesday I've got the third in a series of meetings with a company in Chester, in the same industry.  They are independently owned, and are growing fast.  I sent them my CV speculatively, they didn't actually have any vacancies, but, it looks promising that they are going to create a position for me (which is nice!).  So hopefully, by the end of next week I will have a job, and can chill out.

Have just re-read all that, and it isn't terribly well written or coherent, but, maybe in time, I can get my head straighter, and look at things less emotionally.

Moving On

I've had enough. I want to do something constructive at work, not just plod along. There are so many things wrong in this Company, but nobody seems interested in fixing them, or in letting me fix them.

Last Friday I started phoning contacts I have made in the industry over the last few years. It's amazing who one knows when one sits down and thinks about it. I'm on first name terms with a director of the largest company in the industry. I know the owners of several of the smaller businesses well.

Of course none of these contacts matter if there are no vacancies. In these times no one can afford to create a position for someone; but, the word is out there that I am looking for a job. Hopefully if someone is considering expanding their team, they'll think of me. My CV has been polished 'til it gleams.

Speaking of CVs, a little addition to my interests is Athletics Coach. Turning up twice a week to watch my kids train is now expanding into helping with the coaching. Last Monday I was helping one of the top under 20 800m runners in the country. Of course he knows far more about it than me! I've sent off all the forms for the enhanced disclosure, to make sure I'm safe to work with kids, and I'm hopefully going on a coaching course with UK Athletics. Level 1 is just for assistant coach, but, who knows, maybe you'll see me at the Olympics with my proteges in 2020 ;)

Whoops, that was a long time between posts!

Hello once again loyal reader. After a gap of 6 weeks I've summoned up the energy for a post.

In the news -

1. I didn't get the job. In fact, no one was appointed, and the position has been re-advertised. I am officially not better than nothing.

2. Christmas was a nice, calm family affair. Excessive quantities of alcohol were not consumed.

3. Poker playing is, as usual, up and down. My attempt to build my bankroll from almost nothing on Mansion is stalled. I've been as high as $120, and back down to $70.

4. My wife has been back to the consultant neurosurgeon, who is the most obnoxious, arrogant member of the medical profession it has ever been my misfortune to meet. As far as he is concerned because he has fixed the slipped disc, there can't be anything wrong with her. Obviously she is just using that wheelchair for fun..... Back to the GP if I can ever persuade her to visit a doctor again after this experience.

Journey South

Off down the M5 on Monday for a second (and I am assured last) interview. A 400 mile round trip.

Update

Ok, interview over. Haven't really got a clue whether it was good or bad. I find out in the morning if I've got a second interview. If I do it will be on Monday in the home town of Rosie and the SS Great Britain.

Today's the day

Interview today.

I am much more nervous about this interview than the one earlier in the year. I suppose it is because I feel that this is the last chance with my current employer. If I don't get this job then I will start looking elsewhere.

Another door opens...

Back in January I wrote about the company I have worked for since I graduated 16 years ago being taken over by a large public company, and how I applied for, and narrowly missed getting, a General Manager's position at another site within the group.

Well now the General Manager's post at the site I work where I work is becoming vacant. It's sad in a way, because it means someone I've worked with for the last 12 years is leaving, but, it's an opportunity for me. I've been told by two other managers at the site that I should apply (people that report to the GM), also by some of the people that report to me now. Perhaps part of that is "Better the Devil you know!" but it is encouraging.

My CV didn't need much updating, since I'd done that in January, so the day after the vacancy was listed, my application was in. Closing date isn't until the end of the month, so I will be stewing for a while yet.

Hot and Cold

I managed to fit the Sunday night Bloggerment in this week. I had registered the previous week, but unregistered just before the start, as I was just too tired to see it through

I surprised myself by making it through to 5th place. Not in the cash, but considering the way my tourney play has been going recently, it was pretty good. I was card dead for most of the game, and I eventually reached the stage of having to push to stay ahead of the blinds.

I seemed very quiet, then I realised that Burnley Mik was on holiday.

I am spending most of my poker playing time in the cash games, where I am very slowly building my bank roll (need to resist donking it off again in the SNGs!) I'm trying to wait for the premium hands, and maximise what I can get from those hands. I do throw the occasional bluff in, which, as I establish a tight image, generally come off. I'm generally seeing less than 20% of the flops.

I'm hoping to be a bit less tired in the future, as, at work, we are recruiting, so some of the more tedious and repetitive work I do will get passed over to somebody new, and this should let me concentrate on the more interesting areas. As my wife is still ill (another MRI scan this weekend) I can't afford to be knackered all the time.

It;'s All Over Now

Well, third interview out of the way, and I've just found out I didn't get the job. Got all the usual lines - it was a tough decision, you were very close, sure another opportunity will come up for you - but bottom line is, they didn't think I was as good as the other guy.

3rd Interview!!

I have now been invited for a 3rd interview. I am assured that this will be the last. One way or another, it will all be over next week.

2nd Interview

Well, I either did really well or not quite well enough at the interview, because now I've got a second interview. This time it's only 20 minutes from home, rather than the 3 hour drive each way I had this week.

Interview Imminent

Interview is in two days. I've got a 3 hour drive to get there! I was expecting to be interviewed just down the road, so that was a bit of a shock.

The Job

My application has gone off, and I've had a an email acknowledgment, saying I will be contacted within 5 days. Closing date isn't for another two weeks though, so I assume no interview until late February.

Seizing the Moment

It turns out the General Manager's vacancy does exist. Don't know what it pays, but I'm sure it will be more than I'm on now. I've told my line manager about it, and he's been really supportive. I've also spoke to one of our new bosses, and he's also encouraging me to apply. Just got to get my CV sorted out. When you've worked at the same place for 20 years its not something you often think about.

A World of Opportunities?

Work has suddenly become very interesting. Not sure yet if it is in a good way or a bad way.

The company I work for has just been bought out by a PLC. We have gone from being a successful independent company to a small part of a large national company. The major shareholders have left, and the new owners are moving in.

We don't know how the management of our site will be organised. Apparently every other site is run by a General Manager. I've got my eye on that position. I think I'm the best person for the job. However, in the mean time, I have heard that there is a vacancy for a General Manager at another site, close enough to home that I won't have to relocate. It seems to me that, though I'd rather be General Manager where I am, this probably won't be decided for a while, and I have to grasp the opportunity at the other site. Even if I don't get the job, it raises my profile, and notifies our new lords and masters of my ambition.

Having worked here for 20 years, working my way up the greasy pole, it would be quite a wrench to leave; though, in some ways, it is probably easier to take on a position like that where you are not known, where you haven't been promoted over the heads of your colleagues. It has happened to me throughout my career. I am now over many people I used to work alongside, or who I even reported to. Most of them don't have a problem with it; a few always will.