Just a short blurb from me, on a borrowed GPRS connection (isn't technology grand?)
My second day of work, and I was asked to take myself to a full day meeting on the otherside of the UK in a town near Ipswich. So I rented a car, bought myself a coffee, and hauled myself over there.
Now, England may look like a tiny country on the map. You may have the same perception as I do, that it will take you 5 hours to traverse the entire length, and then you can buy a Diet Coke and a packet of Starburst and turn back around again.
Well, I am here to tell you that the tiny country has a whole lot of people on the roads. And each one of those people on the roads wants to get in front of the rented Fiat that I hurtle around the M25 at great speeds (speed cameras be damned!) It took me nearly 4 hours to get from where I am staying to this little town, but it was worth it.
I not only got a gorgeous new Motorola mobile phone...but Company X representatives showed up to pitch products to Dream Job.
It was like my ship had come in.
Finally I could torture them and make them pay for my hatred of Company X.
But you know what...I couldn't do it. It wasn't right. These were nice guys, located here in England, they had nothing to do with me being laid off, and in fact had neither of them had even met me before. So I decided the best thing in the world would be to work together.
We did.
I feel better for it.
Now, if any of the Company X representatives from Sweden come over to present, it will be ugly. But I clearly need to do some regional hatchet burying.
I can only get over my hatred so quickly, you see.
The meeting went well, and I really feel charged about my job. I am thoroughly excited about it-not only is it work I can do, but work I want to do. I should have a laptop and internet connection next week, but this week expect blogging at weird times, and I can't get to other pages just now (sorry! My God, it is so frustrating!)
Mr. Y gave me half of my birthday present already-he bought me an iPod. The other half I get in a few weeks, but I already know what it is-he's taking me to Jamaica for a week. I can't think of anything nicer-warmth, sun, sea, and him.
We both woke around 3:30 am this morning, and spent two hours just touching each others' skin with our fingernails, moving against each other, not talking but not needing to.
This weekend will be one wild challenge-I get to meet his family and friends, of whom I have already been judged. More on that later, but for now, I am curling up with lasagne, Mr. Y, and the need to just relax.
-H.
PS-email to me at: everydaystranger{at}hotmail{dot}com
Posted by Everydaystranger at March 9, 2004 08:01 PM | TrackBackCongrats on the new life. And double that for not being snotty to the Company X employees. Not everyone would have been able to resist the urge to stick it to them a little bit.
The high road is more satistfying in the end. Or at least it looks more satistfying from down here...
Posted by: Easy at March 11, 2004 06:22 AMStarburst ? Oh no, they'll always be Opal Fruits to me.
Pam - Glasgow Scotland
Posted by: Pam at March 11, 2004 02:40 AMH,
Today was my first chance to read how London is treating you so far. I'm glad you made it safely - it's sounds even better than you had hoped!
You deserve this so enjoy every little morsel of #6!
Best wishes, little flame.
Posted by: Paul at March 10, 2004 07:08 PMOh my god you are really here!!
Mr Y sounds not only lovely, but rish, he he. Nice holiday planned, sounds perfect.
Enjoy yourself Helen, you deserve it.
Abs x
Not to get off topic, but is Luuka okay? She didn't follow Luuk into the great bear underground, did she?
Posted by: Jim at March 10, 2004 12:24 PMAhh, who am I kidding. When I have too much Yorkshire Gold - that's a British TEA, which is enough of a mindbender - I get all philosophical and preachy. Helen, ignore the other comment. Whatever you've done so far seems to be working, continue!
Posted by: Oda Mae at March 10, 2004 08:19 AMBetter brush up on your psychobabble, Helen. The good news is all of his friends will love you - every British man I know (at least the ones with brains) love a woman with spunk and sarcasm. And, er, I mean spunk in the American cheerleader sense. Well maybe not, oh, you know what I'm trying to say! :)
AS to his parents, kill them with kindness. Use the old "I'm sorry you feel that way. I wish this hadn't been so (awkward, difficult, whatever) as well. I hope when you get to know me better we can talk about this again." Remember, no bashing of wife, no assuming you're taking her place with the acquiescence of everyone - even under the best of circumstances they would still consider her their daughter and the mother of their grandchildren. Yuck, I'm getting ill just thinking about it.
Good luck! Don't get drunk during, get drunk afterwards and write it all down for us!
Posted by: Oda Mae at March 10, 2004 08:11 AMLife 6 sounds great! I'm happy that you're happy!
Posted by: Sue at March 10, 2004 06:08 AMStun Mr Y's 'rents with your intelligence and creativity. You have it in you girlfriend.
Posted by: Marie at March 10, 2004 04:00 AMtooooo drunk to type.. otherwise, I'd have something incredibly witty.. in any case, good for you.. enjoy, Helen... enjoy..
Posted by: Eric at March 10, 2004 02:15 AMiPod's rule. I won't leave home without mine.
And big time kudos to you for rising above your righteous fury with the Company X guys.
Posted by: Johnny Huh? at March 10, 2004 01:16 AMCurator - http://ipodsdirtysecret.com/message.html , not perfect but still... Go HELEN!!! Miguel.
Posted by: msd at March 10, 2004 12:56 AMSounds like the weekend will be a real rollercoaster, but am sure you'll sail through :D
Posted by: sasoozie at March 10, 2004 12:33 AMBeauty! Be sure to make a Dallas Stars fan out of Mr. Y huh? ;)
Quick note on your iPod:
http://www.ipodsdirtysecret.com/
Keep an eye on it.
Cheers.
Posted by: Curator at March 10, 2004 12:19 AMyour life is sounding better and better. I'm so happy for you :)
Posted by: melanie at March 9, 2004 09:47 PMAhhh sweet revenge....that wasn't taken. We're so proud of you!!!
Posted by: Rebecca at March 9, 2004 09:27 PMhahaha - Jim said boobies. I don't know why that cracks me up.
Enjoy your night with Mr Y. you more than deserve it.
Posted by: Tiffani at March 9, 2004 09:26 PMSounds like things are going really well, Helen! Congrats!
Posted by: dave at March 9, 2004 09:14 PMNice to Company X people? Wow. That just never crossed my mind. You're a better gal than I am.
A much better gal when you consider I've got a penis and balls instead of a vagina and boobies.
Posted by: Jim at March 9, 2004 08:49 PM"It's all happening." You sound very happy. I'm happy you're happy! Congrats!!
Posted by: Clancy at March 9, 2004 08:27 PMwell -- bully for you ...
hoping everything continues to go well for you ...
you deserve so many wonderful things, it is about time some of them started making an appearance
Tioraidh --
Ky (who is listening to "diddly-diddly" music right now ...
Posted by: Kylan at March 9, 2004 08:17 PMAndrea - Austin, TX
Posted by: andrea at March 9, 2004 08:12 PM