Almost forgot...

Last weekend was my little pride and joy (my puss cat) first birthday from the RSPCA (she's about 1 and a half really but I've had her a year). I have had her a whole year and she still makes me smile with her antics. The picture shown is her latest favourite place to sleep. Amazing how much fun a cat can have with an office swivel chair!


She's grown into a lovable 'fat' little porker but I love her to bits. Even my mum likes her which is something!

So Happy birthday Maddy chops... xxx

New TEMP job and LATEST NEWS

Hi all

Sorry I've been a bit lax of late for emailing. Since the redundancy and upheaval of being unemployed after 8 years, my brain kind of turned to mush for a bit. I thought I would post a general update on here for all to read. Cop out I know but am so knackered of late as am doing long days at the moment... read on

On the Thursday we got the news, I went home and my 'knee jerk' reaction was to put my CV on as many websites as possible. As a result of that, I did get a couple of interviews. This caused a mad panic as I had to collate eight years of work and sift through what was decent enough to go in a portfolio. Eventually it paid off as I am now contracting for a month in lovely Slough. Had another interview for a web company in MK but the gits couldn't be arsed to phone me back so guess that wasn't to be.

I'm now working for an e-Learning company called PPI (which is what my old one was) and it is all Flash based work (to those of you not in the know, thats a web animation programme). The commute is tiring but its a nice place and the people are friendly. Hopefully, its looking likely that the work will continue beyond the initial month contract period so am hoping it will keep me going til nearer Christmas. Helen (my best mate has also come to work with me after recommendation from my good self) so thats nice now we can car share. Journey to Slough from Aylesbury either takes an hour on a good day... or 2 hours on a sh*te day. Lots of cramp in knee from shuffling between 1st ans 2nd gear whilst stuck in traffic. Super! Avoid the M4 like the plague as its hell getting out of Slough. Made the fatal error of trying a shortcut through Maidenhead last week... never again as I got totally lost!

I also have another few bits and pieces to do for ex-company clients, so should keep me ticking over for a short while. Have applied to the O.U. (Open Uni) for a perm job but waiting to hear back if I've gotten through to interview stage. The contracting is good wages but I really would like the stability of a perm job just so I know I can pay my mortgage etc. Until then I will keep on looking.

I turn 34 next month (oh joy). I just cannot believe this year has gone in a flash. My summer holiday seems like last year. I had my 5 seconds of fame on "Trust Me I'm a Holiday Rep" when I was shown sat at the bar chatting with my back to the 'celeb' rep Brandon Block (90's Dee Jay). Zoe (my hol companion) was also shown queuing at the airport. It was nice to see the resort on TV as I recognised a few faces and sights. I would go back there as I love Crete. I could certainly do with another holiday after the stresses of the last month!!

Not much else news... Maddy cat is fine. House is needing a revamp... no time and no energy at the mo. Might trundle over to IKEA to buy a new computer desk. Need more space and trying to have an office in a 7 x 7ft box room (as well as a single futon) is rather cramped!

Hope everyone is well. Apologies to those of you who I'd said I would meet up with at various points. I hope you understand its still a bit up in the air at the mo. I just wanna get myself settled a bit (get paid for a start) and hopefully I can then start resurrecting my social life.

I am going to a concert for my birthday. Helen bought us tickets to see Imogen Heap at the Oxford Apollo. To those of you who don't know her, she is in a band called Frou Frou and her song was used in the season 2 O.C. finale. I like her anyway - should be good :)

So that's me for the moment. Will hopefully catch up properly with you all soon.

Until then, love to you all and enjoy the last of the indian summer sunshine.

S xx

The End!

As of Thursday 31st of August 2006, my role as a Senior Designer, along with the rest of my work colleagues became null and void, as the company I work for went into administration. After many weeks of a possible 'buyout' deal going back and forth at board level, the deal fell flat on its face at the final hour.

As a result, I will no longer be working with the staff and friends that I have been with for 8 and a half years, and we are now all unemployed.

I mention no names, but this company would not be in the dire straits it ended up in if it were not for a few select individuals who, over the years bled the company dry, were a waste of company resources and got a nice fat cheque when they walked out the door.

I am sure the same thing happens the world over, to big and small companies, but I just wish these greedy people would take a moment to realise just how many lives their so called 'business' decisions affect.

I would like to thank the people who I have worked with who stayed loyal, the ones who are truly my friends, and the ones who actually believed we would make it through. And to those people out there who screwed it up in the first place.... well f**k you very much too.


Just about summs up how I'm feeling at the moment!!