Last day!

Marge: "That's it! There's too much corruption on this force. I quit!"
(Police Officers laugh for a considerable while)
Police Chief Wiggum: "Sorry to lose you, Simpson"

Free dress day today. Didn't have much clothes left, so was forced to wear shirt which is slightly on the small side and rather faded. Still, millions times better than wearing those work clothes stuff - all of which is now in the bin, since it was almost at replacement stage anyway, and can't wear that stuff with logo no more.

Had morning tea - lots of sausage rolls, which was nice. Also various cakes and slices. Got a large number of farewell gifts - Simpsons shirt, beanie and key ring; mini Maglite; tea, Tim Tams and Coke.

Still hasn't really sunk in that I've left - I'm guessing maybe on Monday when I go for this interview and it will be a working day for everyone else. I'll also have to go back to the office, cos I left my lunch (from Thursday) in the fridge.

Went for a final stroll along my usual route. Began to feel a little nostalgic - but not really. Was going to pop in to Bankwest to see a friend there, since it may be the last time I see him at work for a while, but I figured he'd probably be busy, anyway, since he doesn't seem to work on the service counters anymore.

I guess now that I think about it and read the card I feel a little sad at having left. Although I didn't know anyone there really well, they were all friendly people and fairly genuine. Even though there were plenty of awkward moments, it does feel like I was a part of something, and now that is over and will have to be built again somewhere else. Hopefully, this experience will make it easier - I shouldn't have the overly cynical and skeptical view I had when leaving my last job.

My CA stuff didn't arrive, so I don't know what is going to happen on that front. I guess they have my number if it does go there - I think they do anyway.

Countdown to a resigning - 1 day to go...

Marge: "I'm going into the kitchen to have a conversation. Anyone who wants to join me can do so..........Hi Marge, how's the family?.......I don't want to talk about it."

Rang back another recruiting agency today - from 2 weeks ago, or so. Made an appointment for Monday at 11 - though I don't know the address and she hasn't sent it...yet. It is like 30 hours, which is nice, but as I remember I don't know if the work is what I want. But, no counting chickens yet. Had to walk up and down Harvest terrace a few times, since the traffic is too noisy on Kings Park Rd. There was virtually no wind on the hill today, though. A lovely day too - it had rained about 10 minutes before, so I took my umbrella - you can guess what happened. Or, more acurately, didn't happen.
Once again, though, I come across a person who thinks I'm American, or something. I don't know why people think I speak like this - I'm just blessed, I guess.

Had morning tea, and thus didn't eat my lunch. Left it in the fridge for tommorrow, though I doubt I'll get to eat it then, either. Didn't get the opportunity to tell anyone about my baked cheesecake, so it may be just hot food tommorrow.

Countdown to a resigning - 2 days to go...

Principal Skinner: "I thus regret to announce my resignation, effective as of the end of this sentence...........this sentence that I'm speaking now..........period."

Strangely, I had a 100% chargeable day today.......well, I probably didn't, really, but close enough to charge everything. It still went rather slow, though, due to getting to the 'business end' of the jobs I'm working on, which isn't the part I like. Still, it seems I'm getting all my stuff done.

Decided yesterday that I want a baked cheesecake for Friday. Don't know if they'll be able to find a good one, or even a not good one. Haven't told them yet, either, and it doesn't help that I'm not entirely sure what it is I'm asking for. I know what it is I want, but I'm sure of neither what its called or how its made. I think ricotta or feta or some sort, but it really beats me.

Took a different route on my walk today, since I didn't have no phone calls to make. Passed some building up Ventnor avenue which had two police cars parked haphazardly out the front. I was kinda hoping to hear gunshots, or something of the sort - no such luck. Both cars were empty and there was no police in sight - maybe they just went inside for fun? It made me think of that story where someone stole a police car with guns, etc, cos they'd left the keys inside. Didn't bother checking these ones, though - they're Fords, for goodness sake.

There is also morning tea tommorrow, cos its some guys birthday. A big week for morning tea - three out of four. And there's the big morning tea drought in November, where there probably won't be one for 5 weeks or so. There will also be one next week or so too, probably, since my replacement will be starting. I think people will be suffering withdrawal symptons after. Won't help the WIP targets that have to be made for the quarterly, either. Not that I really care - but I kinda feel I should try and do my bit. That, and I have to get all these things finished too, of course.

House is on tonight - my only 'must-watch' TV show at the moment; except for Ghost in the Shell which just started on SBS on Thursday at 10. I must admit, though, House is only good cos of Hugh Laurie, which kinda makes me almost not bother - because its getting very repetitive after only 6 or so shows. The medical stuff really isn't that good, and its the same thing every week. I'm hoping the Boston Public guy will add some spice - he was introduced last week, but hardly used.
However, I can't miss the Simpsons every night (bar Saturday) at 6 either, of course. Starting quite soon, I might add.

My bid for Murder Most Horrid season two was outed by 0.01 pounds. However, it was at 12 which is my absolute maximum. I bid for another at 11.50, and that is already outed with like 5 days to go. Set up a reminder, since there are no others on there at the moment.

Seinfeld season 5 and 6 coming out late November. Season 5 has my (probably) favourite episode - The Opposite, where everything goes right for George. Also has the accountant one, and the marine biologist one too. Just about my favourite season, it appears. It looks like season 6 has the soup nazi one, though I'm not a huge fan of that - except Elaine's revenge speech at the end.

Countdown to a resigning - 3 days to go...

Homer: "Hey, I don't tell you how to do your job"
Moe: "Sorry, Homer"
Homer: "You know, if you tilt the glass there won't be so much foam"
Moe: "Sorry, Homer"

Going back to work after the long weekend was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it would be. Though, that may be just because I had stuff to do all day, and there was morning tea.

As a result of morning tea, I didn't need to eat lunch. So, went for my usual walk. Tried to ring back that person that rang me last Tuesday, but they weren't there. Tried another two or so times before I listened to her entire answering machine message, which said that she was away till October 4. So.....good.

Made it a point to go and join the SGIO church, but it turned out to be a Uniting church kinda on its side next to a SGIO building, sorta forming a culdesac.
Once again it didn't rain. One of these days it will - though there's only really two more chances.
It was really windy today, though, though surprisingly not so much atop the infamously windy hill.

Some staff members trying to get me to get on of the admin staff to arrange lunch on Friday. I figured I'd just wait to see if someone else arranges it. Then, later that afternoon, one of the partner's told me there'd be morning tea on Friday and asked me to pick some food. I said I couldn't think of a cake, so said I'd get back to him by Thursday. Thus, there will probably be no lunch, since I won't be very hungry - ditto today.

But, also, maybe I subconciously remembered I'd be going out for dinner to Hog's Breath tonight(for goodness knows what reason - just to avoid the normal cell thing), and since its not cheap and since I'll soon be losing my income stream, I should make the most of it. I guess.

Countdown to a resigning - 4 days to go...

Agent Smith: "You hear that, Mr Anderson? That is the sound of inevitability - it is the sound of your death"

Had a fun three days at my parents house, doing nothing. Watched the Eagle's lose the grand final. Terrible game, due to the defensive style and thus low scoring. Luckily, got Triple J reception, so were listening to Roy and HG commentary instead of irritating TV people. Was a bit silly though, 'cos the reception, being digital, was a second or so behind the commentary.

Watched my Murder Most Horrid video. Was quite amusing. Had to leave it there so my parents could watch it too. Didn't practice my sax. Read a few pages of my OT Survey text book. So, really, a very unproductive time. Which was nice.

Terribly boring drive up and back, even with my lovely ipod and its delightful in-car attachment thing. Decided to just stick with the freeway route from now on, because I'm bored with the Fremantle-Kwinana-Rockingham scenery, and it really is just too slow. Also, had an altercation with an ambulance, where I had to get off the road and almost ran into a pole. It bent my side mirror, and I thought it was like almost broken - but it was actually just moved on its hinge. Still... I was wondering if I could claim back the insurance with no excess, or, failing that, sue the council of.........Rockingham, or wherever. But no need in the end.

Went for dinner tonight with one of my housemates' parents, who are over to check on his wedding plans, or some such, and various other people. They are now staying in the house for the next three weeks, so may have to, like, do the small talk thing. Sigh.

Did my irioning today when I got back. Not much clothes left now - been throwing them away as I don't need them no more. Not expecting the next four days to rush by. But, it can't last forever....

Countdown to a resigning - 5 (business) days to go...

Crazy Clown Airlines' CEO: "You can fly anywhere in America, except Alaska or Hawaii"
Homer: "We can go anywhere in America, so where do you want to go?"
Bart: "Alaska!"
Lisa: "Hawaii!"

Murder Most Horrid season 1 was delivered today. And, yes, it went to the wrong address. Picked it up at lunchtime from the plumber's secretary what has their office out the back. Yes - it was a strange arrangement. Looks good - but I'll have to watch it down south with my parents, cos there is no time before then.

Got an email from the ICAA people saying my membership is approved. It says they'll send out a 'membership pack', but it doesn't say when. I hope it will be sometime next week, otherwise, um, I won't be here.

Very little work on this morning, but managed to fill up most of the time, somehow. Some jobs may go well over budget, but I'm afraid I'm too bored to care. Plus, of course, there's very little I can do about it. Really, such things must be expected, 'cos this is why I'm leaving in the first place.

Forgot to call back the people that rang me on Wednesday.....so now it'll have to wait till Tuesday. Not that I'm in a hurry, but these people all seem to be.

Done most of my packing for the trip. Have to remember to take the most important stuff (according to my mum) - ie the camera and its charger. Cos there's lots of flowers out, etc etc.

Writing this at lunch time, and the hour's over. Till Monday, then....

Countdown to a resigning - 6 (business) days to go...

Homer: "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

Had very bad coughing episode last night. Kept me awake till 12:30, then stopped abruptly. Was hoping that due to the lack of sleep, and substantial coughing, I could be sick enough to stay home - no such luck. Not feeling tired or ill when I woke up - 'cept the normal little sniffling and slight coughing. Only half-hoping actually; have my recruiting firm appointment today.

Finally managed to get two partners' details and apply for ICAA membership. Had to transfer $1000 to my credit card to cover the membership fee, plus some other expected transactions - Murder Most Horrid x 2 seasons, PlanetShakers, etc.

Speaking of Murder Most Horrid - got season 1 off ebay for a total cost of $22. Had to order from Great Britian - the postage was 4 pounds itself. In the process of bidding for season two - its at about $15 dollars at present. I fear that season 1 may be sent to my old address - hopefully there is still no-one moved in. Didn't really want to order from ebay, but apparently its difficult to buy it new - especially in this country. Its not on Amazon either.

Went to my interview at Gel near Trinity Arcade in the CBD. Sat waiting in a room for about 10 minutes - 5 of which were in the dark cos of some electrical problems. Ended up finishing within the lunch hour, but had to eat lunch also, so took an extra 15 minutes. They didn't really have any prospects.

Was supposed to be going for breakfast tommorrow at 7:30 with some work people, but the place was booked out. So....

Heading down south to my parent's house near Yallingup tommorrow after work, for the long weekend, so there will probably be no post tommorrow. Haven't been down since Easter, which is kinda strange. Can't remember all the reasons why, now. Last year I went down nearly every long weekend. I miss seeing the place after the rain - all nice and green, not like in summer. Therefore, now I should be packing.

Countdown to a resigning - 7 (business) days to go...

Homer: "Goodbye mind-numbing, back-breaking work forever! Hello dream job in paradise."

6:11 am: Alarm goes off. Drat, I left it on radio and forgot to switch it to the annoying beeping. Not gonna be getting up anytime soon. More coughing.

6:45 am: Finally get out of bed. Unfortunately, no serious wooziness, so gonna have to go to work and do that appointment thing.

7:15 am: Strange how I never cough much in the shower.

7:20 am: Wow, got my contacts in almost first time for both.

8 am: Arriving at work. Weather - cool and drizzly. Lots of cars around today, considering I'm getting here earlier than usual.

11 am: Out of work. Trying to find little things to do. Opt to put down half an hour as admin time.

11:50 am: Clients arrive 10 minutes early. Interview goes off OK. Don't do much talking, but they leave happy enough. Wait till they see the fee, heh heh!

12:50 pm: Financial planning assistant guy (lets call him Greg) who left about 6 weeks ago shows up, saying that hes seriously contemplating if he wants to continue working in his new place. Touche.

1 pm: Lunch break. Go for my token walk around West Perth, partially for the excercise, but mainly so I can ring back another recruiting firm without being overheard. Looks like it may rain, so I take my umbrella. Of course, it doesn't. However, I can snigger at the rain gods, cos if it did rain slightly more than a drizzle, what with this small wind about, my cruddy umbrella would do no good.
Why can't there be a bench down Emerald Terrace or Colin Street (between Hay and Ord) so I can sit down and make my phone call? Or a bench anywhere not on a main noisy street? As it stands, I have to weave around the back streets to try and hear whats said on the other line. Or, at least, I did yesterday. Today, she must've been out at lunch, or something.
Go down Richardson, with that building at the end that looks like a church, due to the large white wall and significantly sized metallic cross. But the sign on the lawn says 'SGIO Insurance' or some such.
Head over down Parliament Place to Parliament House. Never seen a politician - though, granted, I wouldn't know one if I saw one.
Head up Harvest Terrace past Dumas House. Look for the weather radar, but its difficult to see from this angle. Also, the sun is positioned over the top and it makes my eyes water. Its so windy atop that little hill opposite the entrance to King's Park.
At the corner of King's Park Road and Outram Street theres that appartment building which is only about one and a half years old. I remember being irritated by its construction phase. The sign out the front now says "Limited number of quality appartments", which sounds to me like there's lots of units for sale, but only a few are actually good. Always makes me laugh.
If I get a job in the CBD, I will miss the West Perth scenery. Such a nice mix of modern high-rises, old high-rises, nice old federation style houses, horrible old corrugated-iron clad houses, and everything in between. Plus, its nicely floragated.

2 pm: Nothing much on. Doing this instead of work, cos work ain't much. Gonna try and get the partner(s) to give me their stuff so I can do this CA application thing. And at the same time mention I may take longer for lunch cos of my appointment tommorrow. Oh well. More admin time.

5 pm: Home time! Did nothing all afternoon - save the last 10 minutes or so, when I had to put stuff off cos two things came in at once. Only two days till the long weekend, but it looks like its gonna take a considerable while.

So, till tommorrow, dear readers.

Countdown to a resigning - 8 (business) days to go...

Homer: "If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. THAT's the American way!"

Called back a recruitment company today to make an appointment for Thursday lunchtime. Had to make it Thursday, cos I suddenly have a client tommorrow at 12. That's, like, one day's notice - I thought it was supposed to be a week? Also, why are they making an appointment for me, because, I mean, hello?, I thought I was leaving in a week and a half? Shouldn't they be giving the 'kids' the experience? Plus, I have a rather nasty flu episode.

Ah yes. I was thinking I'd avoided it this year, since everybody had it in like July, and I was fine. Last time I had a cold was when I took my first ever sick day back in March, or so. Almost took my second today. But there's no like head stuff to make working difficult. And it may get worse before it gets better. But I really shouldn't be seeing clients in this condition.

Got a reply to my change of address email from 'The Perfect One' today, and he was being uncomfortably not perfect. I really cannot handle this. I know he's only human, and all, but I don't want to know that and I can't accept it. Because in those 6 months or so I knew him he was pretty much flawless as I remember. Certainly compared to most people I knew after that. It is unsettling, though, that the (un-famous) person I admire most is one who I cannot engage in normal conversation with, because it will almost certainly destroy my rose-coloured vision. I just cannot relate to him on my level. I just have to sit there and be agape.

Going to a meeting tonight with the FCC's newly appointed internal auditor. Having dinner first, which should be nice, though I forgot if its 6:30 or 7:30. Its probably 6:30 which will mean I'll miss the Simpsons. Also, I daresay it may take a while, so I'll probably miss the new(er) episodes on later, too. Oh well - they're never very good anyway. I don't care enough to try and argue any points, so I'll just nod and say yes. Why try and reinvent the wheel, eh? So while I agree with certain people that the system is innefficient, the vast majority of innefficiencies are there for the sake of effectiveness - ie accountability, being an open book, etc. And the rest will either cause headaches to the 'establishment' if they're changed, or not be worth the bother. And, at the moment, I don't need the bother. Talk to me about it in two weeks......

Countdown to a resigning - 9 (business) days to go...

Marge: "The plant called - they said if you don't come in today, don't bother coming in Monday"
Homer: "Woo-hoo; four day weekend!"

So today there was the normal monday morning meeting, and one of the partners says "Joe will be finishing up in two weeks" - and people made the normal jokes like "this is the first he's hearing about it". And, while I was expecting that they'd announce it, it was still a kind of shock. I've been in the process of resigning officially for two weeks, unofficially for an extra two and a half, and been seriously thinking about it for about a month prior. So, it feels like a long time, and theres still two weeks left to go.

And I decided to keep this journal - cos it is a big deal, and I anticipate having some weeks off before I start another job, so I should have the time to actually continue it for a little bit of a while at least.

So firstly - was it the right decision? Absolutely. Although I have been more busy in the past few weeks so the time hasn't always dragged by (with the secondhand on the clock moving backwards, etc), generally, with each passing week, the weekend takes longer to get here and I'm becoming more and more distracted. I really feel that if I stayed on a further 6 months to a year, the partners would be seriously questioning my committment, etc. As they did briefly mention that they had noticed something to some extent when I made known my leaving decision to them. Although some signs, which, four weeks ago were all pointing out the door, have now begun to swing round and point back, the biggest sign, being the impact of boredom on my sanity, is still as poignant as ever, if not, as I mentioned before, moreso.

And now that the announcement has been made and my jobs are starting to shrivel up, I am becoming more excited about the potential time off. While I do have some savings, which could theoretically last 6 months of bare neccessities, I don't really want to use them up considerably - I am still 'in the red' based on a loan to my parents. However, the prospect of sleeping in, wearing clothes I want, walking around on weekdays, having (how can I contain myself) TOO MUCH free time - it makes it even more difficult to concentrate.

My saxophone, learning Mandarin, sudying the Old Testament, FCC's accounts, the like 5 books to read - plus goodness knows what else - they all await me. The big question is how I will be able to go back to a 9-5 job. But I guess it needs to be done. Certainly, at present, I don't see any other way. I can still pray for a miracle, though.........