re-solution

* don't read any more crap freebie newspapers on public transport...they only make me upset

* don't give a shit - about trivial work matters, that is. It's just a means to an end and it's all irrelevant.

jammin'

On the way home tonight, the same guy as last night was standing at Charing Cross station with his sign 'Everything is OK'. So last night I really resented him. I thought, what kind of self-righteous bullshit is this. Yet another smug leftie, bumming off the dole and having the gall to have a go at 'hard working taxpayers'...

Bullshit...tonight was a different story. He really made me smile. He wasn't doing anything different. Still persisting. But tonight I felt differently about the world. I'd been struggling with myself all day. Wondering what had happened to me. Consumed by the consumer society. A wage slave. Unhappy. Unfulfilled.

So I stopped and had a bit of a chat. Glad i did. And while I did, Network Rail staff seem to become insensed by him. They accused him of loitering, tried to get him to leave...said he was in the way of the commuters...mind you he was standing in front of a concrete pillar, so I don't know who was walking into the pillar.... Then a plain clothes cop came and arrested him...just as i was talking to him.

I dunno...I feel a bit gutless now...I really should have followed the copper and continued my conversation with this guy. But I guess in the interest of self preservation I went and joined the throngs and waited for the next train...crammed on to it and rushed for a seat by the window in the middle of the carriage, where it's nice and warm, right where I feel cozy.

I hope I catch up with him again some time. Danny Shine on!

Soho!

Well, I have one week of freedom left and then I start a new job next Monday. In the recording/music industry. Based in Soho. It's just around the corner from where I previously worked...and going to job interviews and gym sessions I've already bumped into a couple of former colleagues.

It's quite amusing really. They just don't know how to approach me. They are very awkward. So I just smile cheerfully and say hello. Apparently there was no announcement whatsoever that I left the company. But it seems like there a few rumours going around about me.

This reminds me of when I left BHP Steel when I was an engineering cadet. I was living in Melbourne at the time, and moved to Brisbane to be with my then boyfriend. Anyway, some years later I found out someone thought I had left to go to the Gold Coast to pay back some drug dealers for my cocaine habit. Brilliant...if only I'd got paid the kind of money to be able to pay for it.

But now that I live in London, I see it's very easy to come by. And at a party in East London, I found out why the Oyster Card has more uses than travelling on public transport:

west end woes

Direct from my Facebook wall:

For those of you who live in Brisbane...if you value good service and time with friends at cafes...then NEVER go to ESPRESSOHEAD on Boundary Street, West End.

What was meant to be a pleasant day catching up with friends whilst in Australia turned into going to the cafe from hell. Gordon Ramsay would have a field day there.

We had to wait over an hour for food, after having to flag down a waiter, the staff were incredibly rude to us when we asked to add to our drink order (which still hadn't arrived) and then when we went to pay, some weedy little twat ran out and abused me..literally started yelling at me 'The kitchen's closed ok!'...little fucker...Don't know how I managed to remain calm. And then they had the nerve to slap the public holiday surcharge of 15% on us...Unbelievable...

Seriously, and at the risk of sounding quite pompous, but I've now been to many cafes across Europe and I can honestly say that I've never experienced anything as bad as Espressohead!

these boots are made for walking

I quit! I'm no longer a corporate whore....Blimey...seems the only time I update this blog is when I quit a job.

Why did I do it?

a) Been working ridiculous hours for quite some time
b) All my efforts totally unappreciated, and unrealistic expectations placed on me
c) Suffering from continuous ill health
d) Don't have a social life and no quality time with my boyfriend
e) Had time to reflect on things when I went on recent visit to Australia
f) Came back, and my boss totally crossed a major line

....so here endeth the corporate bullshit...

What now? I'm taking some time out to recouperate and think about what I want to do next. Really and truly have some 'me' time.

Merry Christmas!!

Hi Everyone...hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. It's 2.20am here in London right now. I'm sitting in bed with my laptop, learning the joys of You Tube and reconnecting myself with the world of the internet and technology. Oh joy. This is what happens when you leave a stressful job that either took up 70 - 80 hours a week of your life or sent you to wonderful surroundings like Slough and Stockley Park. Oh Boy, I do not miss the early morning starts, the 5 interchanges to get to work and then spending the next 8 hrs or so putting up with belittlement from senior managers.

Nup! I quit! Woohoo!. So for the last couple of months, I have been travelling in Australia and New Zealand and starting a new job here in London, and now enjoying my Christmas break.

Well, our travels were over a 5 week period; 2 nights in Dubai, 2 weeks in Melbourne, 1 week in New Zealand, and 10 days in Brisbane. The highlight for me had to be the week we spent in New Zealand on the South Island. Staying in sunny Nelson with my sister and her husband, and then travelling around the Abel Tasman National Park and up to the hot springs that were Hamner Springs.


Take a squiz at this:

Not bad, huh??? And what about this one?

And finally one more:

Yes, it is very much alive. It had just positioned itself in a rather unfortunate spot and was subject to a very cruel battering by the wind and sand. However, we didn't want to get too close. They seemed unhappy as it was and kind of barked at us if we were getting too near. Truly amazing.

Bro Town Trailer

This is probably the Kiwi answer to South Park. Yeah, I know it's been around for a while, but one of the greatest things I discovered on recent travels to New Zealand.

brrr....

Things I like about London:

• pub grub
• the weather
• sleeping
• shopping
• catching the Eurostar to Paris
• multi cultural
• I'm about to start a really ace job in Soho...one of the best addresses in the world
• the purchasing power of the English £
• friends visiting
• fashion
• high brow arts culture
• cockney accents
• street markets
• Eastenders
• easy access to Europe
• Victorian period terrace houses
• parks and gardens

Things I dislike about London:

• lack of daylight
• crowds
• Christmas time
• fake tans
• hair straighteners
• public transport
• public phone boxes
• teenage slappers...errrr....girls....
• it smells like a sewer
• cost of living
• cost of car insurance
• Aussie and Kiwi tourists
• it's too far away from my close friends in Australia
• chavs

karaoke - is bad at all levels

Why is it that people feel the need to make complete dicks of themselves and attempt to sing at Karaoke? It usually involves copious amounts of alcohol being consumed first and then some dodo thinking they just have to do 'American Pie' or 'Twist n Shout'....sheesh!

Anyway, maybe it's just me feeling very bitter and twisted about the world. This was all in conjunction with work promotion drinks....and guess what...I didn't get promoted...no point going into reasons why...just not happy about it...that's all.... But I was there for my friend who did get promoted, so I'm glad for her sake. And for the sweet boy who sits next to me at work. I'm now his official groupie...after his absolutely dreadful attempt at karaoke...The Japanese have a lot to answer for.

But actually, I'm thinking along the lines of taking the route another friend of mine has just started on...quitting my job and going travelling...quit being a desk jockey....spend all my savings and go and see the world...Well, in a few weeks I'll be back in Australia and then New Zealand. Looking forward to seeing Nelson Bay in particular, where my sister now lives with her husband. I hope the weather is good.

Hmm....might not return to work....

Phew!!!

Wow! A long time since I've posted anything here. However, if you've not been in touch with my recent activities then check out the posts on Life in the Slough Lane.

So anyway, back to business of describing the undulating adventures of Fi Fi Abroad.

Yeah umm...tired now, have been sucked into Facebook, the new order for obsessive compulsives...ahem!

But no more promises from me. If I get around to publishing regular posts, then so be it. If I post any photos and even update my Flickr account...then I guess it's whooppeee! all 'round.

I suggest you don't hold your breath, but you can if you like. I generally last about 60 seconds before I need to pass out.

Nighty night!