First steps

Boredom and distraction are rarely looked upon as constructive. Thankfully for the eternal optimist (i.e. me) even what seems like a waste of time can turn into a fantastic positive opportunity.

Last Thursday my best friend (who also goes by the title of ‘housemate’ for a few more weeks, and answers to the name Suzi) was away with work. Sat in her hotel, bored, with only a brandy and the copy of The Independent to hand, she decided to distract herself by phoning me for a chat. Being talented multi-taskers we moved between interesting conversation and commentary on adverts for useless things in the newspaper. That was until the moment she spotted an advert for a career fair taking place in London on Saturday.

The career fair hosted by forum3 was specifically for not-for-profit and charity organizations. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Seminars from inspirational and experienced speakers in career change got me excited. I walked out a big ball of energy and enthusiasm waiting to explode all over anyone that asks me how my day went (thanks to my parents and Suzi for dealing with the aftermath over dinner!) I also got some fantastic tips on networking and marketing myself. You, my friends, are all now a valuable job-hunting resource. All I have to do is work out how to make the best use of you. Mwah ah ha ha! (For some reason an evil laugh seemed appropriate)

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

I will be ever appreciative of the wise words of Mark Twain, and ever grateful for the boredom of Suzi Lawrence.

Being a big kid, an avid reader, and a huge Roald Dahl fan I couldn’t help but be drawn to a papier-mâché bus decorated by Quentin Blake. The Book Bus (www.thebookbus.org) travel around Zambia and use art, music and play to engage children and get them excited about reading. I may be well known for having a smile on my face, but as I listened to what they did I developed the biggest grin of the entire day. So now I need to fit at least two weeks on The Book Bus in with the rest of my plans, whatever they may be. And also think about fundraising. Another thing you guys will be a great resource for (No need for the evil laugh this time, after all it’s for charity!)

Fundraising should be interesting though. There have been many fun and silly attempts over the years. Including my greatest achievement of a sponsored silence (Yes, I did complete it!) There was also the sponsored bike ride round the block for Comic Relief about 15 years ago. Not so successful because my friend Mike and I only decided to do it at the last minute. Our sponsorship amounted to a couple of pounds from our parents, and some builders in the next street. We hadn’t quite got the publicity strategy right!

Slightly more successful was the 'Vegetable Walk' I did with Wendy and Cat a couple of years later. We walked three miles with vegetables attached to string. Genius, I think so! Unfortunately I don’t have any photographic evidence of this handy to share with you. This is because along with my photo albums, everything else I don’t need for the next few weeks was yesterday returned to the parental home in ‘The Move: Part One’.

This also prompted what shall be known from now on as ‘The Great Shoe Cull of 2008”. I made the decision to reduce my shoe collection to those that are actually worn more than once in a blue moon. I still have what you might think is a considerable number of shoes. However now I probably have only one pair for each day of the month, instead of one pair for each day of the year (actually I don’t think I ever had quite that many!)

Also this weekend Suzi made the decision to move out of the house as well. So as of the 15th November there is a lovely spacious two-bedroom house available in Colliers Wood (with a parking space!!!) – if anyone is looking please get in touch!

So this is a really happening. The career change is officially under way. The move has commenced. I am actually doing this. The support from friends and family has been invaluable, I am very grateful – especially as you might be my greatest assets for finding whatever it is that I do next!