The city having (again) come to a complete standstill (apparently due to winter weather having once more arrived at an a unpredictable season of the the year) and being trapped in the house (insofar as I can't be bothered to put my boots on and go out) I bethought myself of my neglected blog.... So here I am.Another year has flown. Life has slipped past, swiftly with silent steps, leaving barely a whisper of her perfume (trans. I can't remember what I bl**dy did last week, let along last January – Nov.) so I don't intend a full “old year” round-up. However.........
Domestic:
Very little really. Poor old cat Julius developed a cancer, and had to be put down (very, very sad indeed).
Joan has had really bad knee problems (and an operation). I've been more than a tad frustrated and stressed at work (complete with headaches, rages and palpitations no less. Actually had to seek medical advice -which isn't me at all) but otherwise have been generally fine.
Two new (rescue) cats (Egyptian Maus, we believe) have arrived. Lively, very lively; always hungry - and unhouse-trained (think mini, pretty velociraptors). I shall say no more.....
Holidays:
Suffice to say that Mali was magnificent: the sights, sounds and scenery of course – but especially the warm, friendly people. The visit deserves a full entry on its own (along with the many, many, photographs) if I get time some time. What most impressed was the feeling that this is a land where different faiths, Christianity, Islam and traditional beliefs, seem to be able to live alongside each other with mutual respect and minimal conflict. Long may this endure.
Washington (DC): a brief (long intended) visit to catch up with Paul, a drinking buddy who presently heads up (President no less!) the Corcoran Museum of Art (a stone's throw from the White House) and Darci, his most excellent E.A.. A fantastic time was had and fascinating people met.
Washington Surprises (for me):
Convinced me that I must (and will) visit US again...
Work...
….has been bloody (and more of that anon). In November I decided that enough was enough (you can only beat your head against a brick wall/kick against the pricks for so long) and handed in my notice. I will be gone before the end of the financial year (i.e. .before the end of March). End of an era in a way. Started pretty much at the bottom and have got as far as I will get/want to get (not politically minded/careerist enough to rise further).
Feel that I have made a positive contribution over the last dozen or so years, but the frustration with corporate systems and attitudes that prevent progress (two steps forward, two steps back) and the kind of passive mendacity now demanded of officers have started to affect my patience (and indeed health – in the headache, palpitations, “lack of patience”, shouty kind of way). So, back to self-employment for me....
It may seem odd that anyone at my time of life should jump out of a well paid, secure, pensioned and comfortable public service post into the uncertainty of no job at all (and in a recession too) but enough, as they say, is enough.....
Fighting & stuff:
Our group engaged in lots of combat displays and living history this year. I managed
to get to most of the usual events: Bretten (Germany) of course & Antwerp. Herstmonceaux, Berkeley and Warwick castles. The battle commemorations at Blore Heath (550th anniversary), Tewkesbury and Bosworth - where I got a sword in my eye (ouch!).
Fortunately I was kept out of the clutches of the local paramedics, and so was able to be ferried home (rather than spend several hours in an up-country A&E). Checked out at eye hospital following day. No permanent damage, luckily – and at least it was not a spear or bill (people tend to keep their sword blades clean – and not stuck in the ground overnight). Had to wave the flag, rather than fight, at the next event; but was battle-ready for Blore in late September (huzzah!!).
We also had our own event with the good people of the Hangleton & Knoll Festival.
Last year being the anniversary year for Good King Hal's succession we added an alternative performance to our regular “The Wars of the Roses – in 20 mins.”; “The six wives of Henry VIIIth – in 20 mins” with your truly as our 'Enery. The fat, ageing, crotchety Henry was easy; the young, slim, athletic, handsome version... Well, just a question of acting. Obviously. : )
We also managed a couple of jolly horse-fighting training sessions up at Windsor (organised by Captain Sandy).
Good for us (esp. for those folk who haven't fought riders before) and good for the horses (confidence building).
Massive fun (?) practising being chased and cut down from behind by galloping cavalry (& trying not to fall under the hooves)....
Oh, and I had to make a life-size, guttable, prop dead deer (& innards) for a show; a perfomance of Orpheus in the Underworld for the Wandering Minstrels. This project took a while (!!), but was interesting..
Suspension!!!! (or why I have time for this..).
What would you say to an indefinite holiday, on full pay, as a result of having done the right thing (complete with the traditional “warm feeling” inside)...?
Well, I expect that one's immediate reaction ought to be “Yes please” - especially when the work front has proved to be a stress-laden, semi-Sisyphean ordeal for the past three years rather, than the pleasure it should be (yes, that's right; you heard it here.. I do actually expect to enjoy my work - and generally have done throughout my somewhat chequered career). Well, in a way that's what's happened to one's humble self...
This unexpected extension of the seasonal holidays is to run for the duration of an “investigation”. Meanwhile, I have the opportunity to disport myself in whatever way I see fit*, on full pay (* almost. In the letter formalising my suspension there was an instruction demanding that I do not communicate with any officer or Elected Member of the Council. Given that this is perhaps the most socially active part of the year, and given that some one fifth of my social circle are officers or are elected members of said authority, many friendships actually pre-date my joining said organisation and all of such being unconnected to the investigation in any way, I take this perhaps legally dubious, given certain basic human rights, generalised prohibition is deemed to be more honoured in the breach than the observance).
Now, to be frank, this suspension has not come out of the blue. I am not permitted to say more (I may be able to elucidate later in the month). All I can say is that I definitely haven't been caught with my hand in the till (or anywhere else inappropriate for that matter).
Those that know me will be aware that I care about my work and am naturally pleasant, diplomatic and polite. However, on the fault side: I am not one to take fools gladly, cannot abide hypocrisy or injustice and am not someone who allows himself (or likes to hear of others being) bullied. Couple this with a lot of what the medicos have called work-related stress.. Well, lets just say that my patience with my masters has been in shorter supply than one would normally wish. Well, enough said.
Anyhoo, since my suspension on Monday Dec. 21st. ("a push-off and a merry Xmas to you". This event following the Friday that the last snowfall ground our fair city to a halt – a day on which I'd had to hold the fort, alone in the office for several hours while others had their Xmas parties - and good luck to them - you can imagine the phone calls. Plus fell down myself three times on the icy two mile walk back from work, hit my head and cracked my elbow. Oh, did I mention that I walked the two miles to get into work too) "pending investigation", I have been able to:
Sort out my Xmas presents & stuff.
Visit the aged P's & nieces/nephews pre-Xmas (something that otherwise wouldn't have happened).
Re-read my collection of Chandler novels and some technical books lent by our Captain.
Do some online uniform research.
Go for a really good daytime drink with mates on Christmas eve afternoon (and recruit possible fighter for the group).
Go to see Avatar on the big, 3d screen (Well I liked it..).
Have long lunches with dear friends.
Tidy my room (a marathon, two day operation; including the handing to charity shop of some five jumpers, seven pairs of trousers and twelve shirts – all of which have strangely shrunk since they were last worn – and boldly dusting where no duster has gone before).
Start tidying the room in the roof (ditto. Three day operation).
Start sorting my living history kit (repairing fighting shirt, boots etc.)
Work on CV variants.
Consider how I can put up the curtains that the new cats pulled down.
Order stuff (rare books etc.) online for mates & buy things for m'self.
Do research, plan website and other details for new, self-employed initiatives.
Cleared today's snow from the steps & the pavement fronting the house (granular cat litter makes good grit).
Fully appreciate the support I've received from other officers, union reps. and Elected Members aware of my situation (and what led up to it) - including those people who have mailed & texted me, stopped me in the street, corridors etc. to offer support (and even sent flowers & cards).
Add to this blog.
So.... Re. this suspension lark. Not seen any disadvantage to me, thus far – and as I'm leaving the job anyway (to go self-employed). As a soon-to-be ex-officer and as a tax payer, I object to this (the service delivery shortfall and the waste of public funds) but as lil' ol' me, sitting in here in the warm, looking out at the snow, without a care in the world, things seem pretty good.....
So, a Happy New Year to you all.. Oh, and don't let the b*****ds grind you down....
