Well, this is going to be short! We’ve been really, really busy doing absolutely nothing today.
I found myself somewhat reflective today, having been reminded how much I needed this holiday last year.
On 13 July, 2023, I worked my last day at Airangel Limited – a company I co-founded, and it brought to an end 12,761 days without seeing a P45. I’d had 35 years of continuous service for one reason or another.
I can’t say it wasn’t disappointing to not get a call off anyone from work during the final 2 days. It just stopped and then I went on holiday. Very strange ending to a very long career.
Well it’s been a year! After Airangel was wholly purchased by an American business, I was made redundant (on 6 months statutory notice). Somewhat unexpectedly, I was also returned money that I had loaned into the business (at 0% interest). I was then taken on by said ‘Murcans on a consultative basis, through until January of 2024.
For those wondering, yes, I was also a shareholder, so at some points there may be some money coming my way. But also, maybe not. It’s complicated. Either way, it’s not a life changing amount, I’m not retired on financial and age grounds, put it that way.
What the above did mean was that I had the equivalent of 12 months or so, of income, pre-paid.
I’m very thankful of that. It gave me the opportunity to take a bit of time off, but mainly to then have a go at things that I really wanted to without the immediate pressure of replacing that income.
It was obvious to me what I wanted to do and I immediately applied to become a volunteer at the local NHS Trust Hospital – Stepping Hill, Stockport.
I can’t deny that it was an odd feeling going to my first interview since I was 18, even for an unpaid voluntary position. I was delighted when I was asked if I would be a Ward Helper on the Acute Frailty Unit (D4). Given that Dad ran the Path Lab & Mum was a Ward Aid on A14/15 back in the day, then my little Sis’ did a stint there as a Clinical Speech & Language Therapist, it meant I’d “squared that Blue circle”.
I’m still there 2 days a week, 12 months on. I think it’s probably the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I really do mean it. I love helping the patients and clinical staff. The staff there are all heroes. Oh, and arranging the blue mugs above the red ones on every tea trolley round is a highlight!
I’d decided that after the New Year & my consultancy stint finished, I would start looking for other work, ideally flexible time-wise, so am presently an independent consultant that’s very happy to help businesses improve through Quality & Information Security Management systems and processes.
I also got a qualification in Spectator Safety & applied for a role at the new Co-op Live arena, on the same campus as the Manchester City Stadium. I did get a Fan Services role, but suffice to say, working in an office answering customer complaints wasn’t the most rewarding of days work, whilst it bumped and bathed its way through a very rough opening few weeks.
Thankfully, that role was deemed untenable, by the Co-op, and myself! After a short hiatus, I did a few shifts as a steward, working in the seating area for Eric Clapton/Doobie Brothers, and on the doors at Entrance F a couple of times. It was really good fun, being able to interact with & help fans have a great experience.
After three shifts I was asked to consider the Fan Service Assistant role that I’d expected the first one to be. I said “yes”, and within a couple of shifts we’d got a decent team together of regulars. It’s unfair to pick people out, but Maz (Maria) & Adam are top notch & we get on particularly well! They totally get the service delivery/customer experience bit alongside conflict management & thinking on our feet. It’s a buzz working with them & we keep in touch outside of the shifts, mainly talking work – we are a great team for sure! I’m looking forward to my next shift which is a 7pm-6:30am (yikes!) for a UFC Fight night event. That should be “interesting”!
One thing that’s also been interesting & frustrating is that because I’m ‘panurgic’ (a good Jack-of-all trades) and am able to put a CV together for all sorts of work whether tech, business process engineering or hospitality/customer relationship centric, I’ve applied for lots of roles.
I’m grateful for the companies that have had the good grace to reply, even with rejections. Almost all haven’t even bothered. I would never consider not replying. I’m now on my 4th ‘no reply’ for applications as a Bar tender, as an example. If you hear of anything, bear me in mind!
I’m even genuinely considering becoming a driving instructor, as it would allow me to carry on volunteering and working in the Fan Services role. Who knows what the future holds.
Anyway, all of this contemplation was in part because I’ve been avoiding the sun today. I’ve gone a bit “Jerry the Berry” (standard operation procedure, in my case), and so have been sat in the shade, reading, dozing, wondering if the house is trashed, for a large part of the day. It was about 4pm, before I finally ventured into the sun. I felt almost vampiric!
By six, and a few pool dips later we went & showered and then I fell asleep! Oops.
I was awakened by my cheap-but effective smart watch buzzing with messages from my Fan Services WhatsApp group. Some stuff happened. Some people were kinda happy as they could watch the England final. Then some other stuff happened. Now they have a tough choice to make. The craic in the conversations is superb! What a cracking bunch of nutters I work with!
As we have an early (pre-9am) start tomorrow, we decided to stay local and ‘light’, so we’ve been to Casibe -a shortish walk down the Ataturk Road, for a tapas style meal.
Yet again, food, service & company all fabulous! Steak skewers, Chinese style prawns, smokey meatballs, a proper-tasty babaganoush, croquettes and a feta with sesame & honey dressing. Yum!
One of the fellas spotted I was pointing the microphone end of my phone towards their speaker (Shazam’ing, as I thought the singer sounded like Ruth B.). He gave us the link to the ‘streaming video’ service (YOU know the one), and told us the song, a cover of 1000 Years. Those are the details that make a difference. Great service doesn’t have to cost a penny when you have a great attitude.
Appetite suitably sated, we’ve headed home for a relatively early night, ready for our nautical adventures tomorrow!
See you laters, me hearty shipmates!
x