I’m off to start my new job in Rotherham – I’ve been appointed, finished the grad scheme with M&S, and now I’ve got a proper accountability rather than being extra support as I have been through my training. It’s been pretty tough to get to this point, with some difficulties that started almost a year ago, and there have been several times where I’ve just wanted to pack it in – personally, getting here is a big achievement, and so is doing it with the jobs market the way it has been. Jennie, Mum and Dad, my Grandparents and friends have all helped me do it, one way or another at different times in the year, and I can’t tell you all how grateful I am… thanks!

This time last year (specifically, about 22 hours ago last year) I was in Birmingham’s jewellers quarter, having just bought a diamond ring for Jennie, with Kieran’s expert advice. It took me almost a month to get the courage up and figure out how to ask her the question of our lifetime, which I finally did on the 1st of February, up Arthur’s Seat, in Edinburgh (and yeah, I got good marks for the location ).

This year we’ll be getting married (after much deliberation over the date) in mid-August up here in the North East. I really can’t wait, and I’m hoping that our time apart, while I’m in Rotherham and Jennie finishes her NQT year up here in Darlington, will fly by and not drag on too much. She’s very worth waiting for, though, even if it does!

Winding back slightly to January, I went over to Dubai with Dad, Mum and Felix, just as they were starting out on the strange experience of living out there with Dad’s work. The setting that time wasn’t too glamourous, in some of the oldest accommodation in Dubai, some serviced apartments near the World Trade Centre, but there was a nice pool and it was good and central. I think all the rain of the year, more or less, fell while I was there, but my next visit had better weather.

In July, Jennie finished her PGCE, having done very well in it, and she promptly (though after a bit of head and heartache) got herself a job with a 1 year contract in a Darlington primary school, to start in September. She did really well – it’s no mean feat given the small number of primary vacancies up here and low turnover, and she’s setting herself up well for 2010 with the experience.

The graduation of the year was Dominie’s, another gorgeous sunny affair on Palace Green, with copious amounts of Pimm’s and the usual dose of academic pageantry. This January will see Jennie’s second of (a probable) 3 Durham graduations, but I think it might be a bit colder than the other two I’ve been to!

August brought another (for me, Jennie’s first) great week in France with the gang – Brittany this time. There were quite a few more trips out in the local area this year, which was good, and the weather held pretty well, which was a worry with not being as far south as in other years… though Ben might not agree, who got the very worst of what was our worst journey there yet… and it wasn’t entirely his own fault, either . We’ll not be going on another France trip this year, for obvious reasons, but I’m looking forward to the holidays resuming maybe next year (Italy 2011, anyone?)

September was the inevitable end of summer and start of term for Jennie – she got a little flat, nice and close to her school, to try and make the notoriously difficult first year of teaching that little bit easier without the commuting. After a false start in Darlington before the France holiday, I started working over in the Middlesbrough store, with what was to be my last placement before getting appointed at the end of the year. Things were pretty quiet with us for a few months, with Jennie outrageously busy at work and me gearing up for the big Chrimbo push, but I managed to slide in starting to sail at a sailing club in Northumberland – I’ll have to find a new one in Rotherham, which is a shame, but it was a lot of fun and something I’ll be keeping up with this year.

In late September, Beckie died, obviously completely without warning. I didn’t know what to write about it then, and I still don’t now. I’ll miss her badly, as will each of us. I don’t often have a day when I don’t think of her now, which I feel quite sad about, because I didn’t always make the effort to stay in touch before it happened.

In November I took a second trip to Dubai, and saw Mum, Dad, Felix and Dom all settled in to their lovely (and enormous) house out there. I basically had 10 days of escaping the British winter, swimming and sunbathing, catching up with family, and big time being on relax. When I came back, Jennie had planned a mini-break to York for the following weekend, where we did the usual mini-break activities like painting china and stuff like that… why, what do you do on mini breaks?

December’s always a busy month, and I just about found time to fit in Christmas shopping around work, and preparing for the (very welcome) familial invasion at Christmas, which has just finished, and was full of food, presents and fun. And then, it was Now.

The end of a busy year, and this one’s starting just as busily, with moving to Rotherham, househunting, wedding planning, and all sorts of other things to do, I don’t think we’ll be at a loose end much…

I had a mountain bike while I was at uni, but when I finished and we had no bike rack, I just left it in the bike sheds and gave my sister the key, since she was intending to use it… but she never did. I assumed it was gone, but last week I went down to check for sure – and it was still there! In a complete state, maybe, but intact and unmolested, which was fantastic.

I spent some satisfying mornings (I’ve started working late nights, so I’m not at work until 2) last week doing it up – and it’s nearly finished. The plan is to have another boys camping/cycling trip in the Peak District at some point after Easter – we’ve already got a car camping trip planned for Easter weekend booked in, which will be ace.

I started by cleaning it all down with hot water and a microfibre cloth, as well as a special bike cleaning brush/tool, which was great for getting in to nooks and crannies around the drivechain. It hadn’t even seen a drop of lubricant for the best part of 3 years, so after thoroughly cleaning all of that, I oiled it up really really well with a teflon based oil.

I changed the brake cables for new ones, resurfaced my brake pads, re aligned the brakes, and eventually got everything back together. I took off the stickers for the ninja look, and took it for a pretty successful test ride.

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s gripshift gear changers… so I’ve bought some trigger style ones to replace them, new grips, a suspended seatpost for a little comfort, and a few other things. Once all that arrives, I should be good to go on a few longer trips, which will be fantastic… great to have a bike again. If you’ve got a free weekend, get it out of the shed, give it a clean up and take a bit of a ride

Christmas was all new… for a start there was the work, which was busy in a strange way – the work peaked in the last three days, after being quite quiet up to then, but when it came it was more than we ever expected. It seemed to take even the guys who’ve been around for years by surprise, which was interesting. I really enjoyed it when it picked up, anyway, which is a good sign.

I spent Christmas itself (I had 4 days off!) at Jennie’s house with her and her mum – a much smaller (in people if not pressies) affair than I’m used too, but it was really good fun… I was given lots of lovely things that have all been used, which is the real test of a good present.

We had second Christmas at K&L’s, then a New Years Eve party up here at mine – was great to see everyone, as it always is.

After a few days back at work at the start of Jan, I was off on holiday to Dubai, to see Mum, Dad and Felix and help them settle in over there… it’s a really interesting and quite strange place – I had a great visit, though it did rain a fair bit more than you’d expect in the desert! I’ll probably go back out in October, which will be good especially to see them settled in their new house.

And my main big news, which most of you lot know anyway, is that Jennie and I got engaged! I proposed up Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh on the 1st of February, and we’re looking at Christmas 2010 for the wedding (which can’t come round soon enough!) – absolutely fantastic news, and I’m thrilled that she said yes.  We’re starting to get embroiled in the crazy world of wedding planning, but we’ll be having an engagement party in mid-April to celebrate with everyone… hopefully we won’t be all jaded by the hassle of planning by then!

I’ve had a nice few days off since Sunday – back at work tomorrow, so not a full week off, sadly.

That’s all for now folks, I don’t really want to write a great long post about things you all know anyway!

We went around the gardens for a bit, after sneakily blagging our way in free by Felix getting his photo taken by someone from The Journal, proudly holding a lantern he made… all very interesting and modern and creative – it’s not often a garden like that even vaguely interests me, even with my NT membership! Except maybe if it contains picnic baskets…

They’re off to Dubai in the New Year, to be with my Dad who moved out there a week or two ago… that’s just how a recession effects industries linked to construction, unfortunately, so he’s had to go where the work is. It was good to see them for probably the last time before Dom graduates next summer, and I think they had good fun too.

We went to Barter Books, a great big second hand bookshop/Aladdin’s cave/British Library in the old (massively oversized) railway station. It’s the kind of place that you could spend a week in, as well as a month’s salary, quite easily. Jen’s quite jealous, so we’ll have to go back sometime… I was sorely tempted by lots of old OS maps they had, but restrained myself.

Felix has become ridiculously good at the Diabolo since I last saw him (when he was struggling to even catch it from a flick in the air – not that I can do that either!) He’s made up couple of very intricate tricks of his own… it seems like a much better playground fad than Pogs ever were!

So, here ends my last weekend off before Christmas… almost. Tis St. Andrews Day today, and even though it’s not quite Burns’ Night, Jennie and I will be celebrating with Haggis, Neaps and Tatties, and maybe some Scotch “gravy” too .

Only if she finishes her essay though *cracks whip*

Hope you’re all well and have good weeks.

I’m ridiculously proud to say that I can sort-of, accurately-ish, play the bass line to Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes. Go me! I know it’s ridiculously easy (clearly a song made for n00bs), but even though I’ve owned the guitar for about 6 years, I’m very proud of that *sets himself up for a mocking*

Anywho, enough of that. Last weekend was my housewarming party… only small (7 of us) but it was fantastic – it was nice to be able to be able to have a proper sit down meal with every one (mm, yummy lamb), even if a couple of us were sitting on speakers due to lack of chairs… thank you to everyone who came, it was fabulous to see you all, and my house is feeling metaphorically, if not actually, warm.

Yesterday, we made good use of our matching National Trust memberships (only £21 if you’re under 26, join up, live the dream!) to visit Housesteads Fort on Hadrian’s Wall… it was very cold, though there wasn’t any snow left, which was probably a good thing. I’d never been to the wall before, it was surprising how much was still there really. I still found it  a little difficult to imagine how big it would have been, because it doesn’t look that much more imposing than the surrounding dry stone walls, but the museum bit gave lots of information that made it pretty clear that it was a formidable structure after all – as much because of the defensive ditches and peaks on either side of the wall as of the stone structure itself. Go and see it if you get the chance – Rome’s solution to the ungovernable people!

We had a 20% off day at work recently – while these are common in some retailers, M&S doesn’t usually go in for store-wide discounting as much as the competition. The last time we had a “Spectacular Day” was four years ago, so the store was absolutely rammed with people – mostly on GM, but the deal extended to wine too which meant foods was very busy as well – to the point where ten people filling the section all day couldn’t keep it full (the maximum we could get away with without crowding out customers!) It meant a very long shift for me and the other managers, but I did enjoy it. That was my first real taste of retail at Peak, so it’s a good sign.

A number of others from my intake of grads have recently left the business, where I’m really just beginning to enjoy it properly. I think a lot of that is because I’m happier being up here, and because my competitive nature is kicking in a bit more… I’m not sure how much I need to reign it in, but I’m getting good reviews at the moment, which is nice

I watched the government’s PBR this afternoon. All very interesting, and delivered masterfully by Mr. Darling. I think Osborne came on much too strongly, especially as the Tories don’t have any suggestions for what to do, but we’ll see how the media portrays their debate in the morning.

In terms of the policy, it’s a shame that VAT is effectively being kept on fuel, although with prices dropping anyway I suppose it’s not a big problem. I like the 15% VAT policy generally, especially the speed of implementation, but I’m disappointed that the changes won’t go further in reforming the tax system overall.

That said, without winning a general election with reforms as a manifesto, we probably shouldn’t go for a wholesale overhaul of taxation, however badly it is needed. I do think, though, that the reform of taxation after 2010 is the way to pay for the immediate tax cuts: a 50-60% rate for those earning over £100k, implementing a local income tax to replace the ridiculous council tax, and a freeze or cut of the 20% standard rate. I’m not sure whether the current 40% higher rate should change, but I’m inclined to think that any movement either way should be very modest.

That’s enough for now, I think.

Here’s the template, and my attempt is underneath

my pet fish called Boris,
was a tory! “oh no” i said
cause tories are lame jacksies;
they like cake? of course not
they take joy from nothing but denationalisation.

Kieran had a lot of input too . Have a go yourselves!

In other news, I’m now the proud owner of my very own fridge! It’s silver and Samsung and actually quite nice! I’ve just fired it up to see if it works, and it’s making encouraging noises; now we play the waiting game!

I had a fantastic weekend, came up to Leicester, originally to help K&L look for a house in Loughborough, but after K’s good news they’re not looking there anymore, so we just had a fun weekend with Ellie and Patrick.

We went and played rent-a-crowd at a ceilidh that Ellie’s dad was playing for… It was in aid of the CND‘s 50th birthday party! (yes, apparently they’re still going even locally!) Going back to the roots, man. It was loads of fun, but it was odd that we were the only people there below 45 or so. Anyway, it was fun being the life and soul.

We went on to Retribution, or rather, its replacement, “Redeemer”. It was empty, which was probably just because of exams, but was very strange. £1.50 drinks though, and we stayed until 2.30am, so obviously enjoyed ourselves… I sucked at pool though!

Our wonderful designated driver took us home, and we talked about how the world would be much better if we decided everything. Or something like that, anyway. Bedtime followed swiftly, and today was filled with ultimate roast dinner! Hooray for the Mottrams!

The last week has been pretty hectic. Because of management holiday, sickness, bereavement, and courses, we’ve only had 2 managers to cover womenswear for the week (normally it’s 6.) I was one of them, so i’ve had loads more responsibility than i perhaps should have, but it’s been great. The week’s results are very strong, so that’ll look good to people, and i hand it all back to my boss tomorrow… I’m quite pleased with myself, actually.

I’ve generally been enjoying work a lot more in the last few weeks, as i start to get a better handle on things. Exercise outside work is helping too- i joined the Guildford outdoor pool and have been going about twice a week, which is good. I’m trying to lose weight, but cant find two sets of scales that agree on my weight now- i’ve had a range of about 10kg (so, a lot) over 4 sets, so i’m not sure where i’m starting from. I think my bmi is somewhere around 30 though, so need to do something about it! (yes, i know bmi isn’t perfect and has flaws, but it’s a good guide… and please don’t send “but you look fine” messages- they’re very kind, but don’t exactly help the motivation!)

Vickie and I broke up a couple of weeks ago. After 2 years, there are lots of reasons that i don’t want to go into here, so if you want to know, get in touch…

That’s a pretty good rundown of my life for the last few weeks, so i’ll leave you there!

Life is good, having scooped up a place on the M&S commercial grad scheme to start at the end of the month. I’ve given KCL my notice, so I’m really just looking forward to getting on with it now. I’m based in the Guildford store, so I won’t be moving anywhere exotic just yet ( ) but I should be able to relocate at the end of the first year, so it’s not so bad. Not having a commute will be a winner.

Lots more fun planned for March too, with Kieran & Ellie’s birthday party this coming weekend, and the traditional boys Easter lash-camping trip the weekend after that.

Also, parents have bought a house! Very exciting, and a huge amount of work before we can move in, but once it’s done it’ll be really nice. It’s on a pretty little private road, nice and quiet while also a lot nearer town, so all in all a good thing, even if we won’t be moving until September.

I am getting a bit sick of Guildford though, to tell the truth. I’d love to be moving up to Leicester/Loughborough with everyone come September, but there are plus-sides to not paying for rent or food, I suppose. I’ll be buying the Lupo from mes parents after Aidan’s learnt to drive, and Leicester’s a far more do-able drive than the North West.

Right, that’s all on me for now, expect a pissed-off-at-the-Catholic-church post shortly…

I’m on a special deal (£10/month for 75mins, 100 texts, with 3mins=1hour off peak), which means my bills have the full price of this plan (£13.62 exc VAT) and a credit (£5.11 exc VAT) taking the full price inc VAT to £10. Fine, a bit of a convoluted way of doing it, but whatever.

Last month my query was because I’d had higher call charges while in France than I should have done with Vodafone Passport, which I’d checked I was a member of on 3 separate occasions. After getting back, it turned out I wasn’t on it. So having been hung up on twice, I finally got through to someone who had some inclination to help. She put me on passport, apologised profusely, and said she’d put a £5 credit on my next bill for goodwill. Very nice of her, job done. No.

So today, the email telling me that this month’s bill is available online, turns up. No sign of a £5 credit, but more worryingly it’s almost 3 times what my monthly bill should be, and is dated from the 8th Oct to 30th November – me paying for most of a month I’ve already paid for! There’s a credit on the bill, but it’s not the £5.11 I normally get, nor close to double that for two months. After figuring it out on the phone with the girl, it turns out the £6.59 I was credited this month is the pro-rata of my line rental from last month, for the 8th-31st. WTF? Why?!

That was because the people on the phone can’t add anything to your contract without essentially setting it up from scratch again, even just a random free opt in service like passport. Insane. So, they credit me back the line rental I paid for those 23 days, then charge them to me again (at exactly the same price). Except here’s where problems start. The woman from last month set it up wrong, putting me on the full price version of my price plan, at something like £16 a month (or whatever.)

Apparently it’s all sorted now. The £5 goodwill credit was given last month, meaning my direct debit was for £5 less than the bill said it would be, but the bill didn’t change. Useful. Doubtless I’ll have a whole confusing web of charges and refunds to work my way through next month to make sure I’m not being conned.

There, now wasn’t that boring? Moral of the story, question everything vodafone say on their bills, because half the time they don’t even understand them.

I’ve had a couple of interviews recently, one yesterday, which all seem to go pretty well, but which are also very competitive. We’ll see how it goes, but I should know soon . How’s life with you guys? Comment and let me know (if you’re reading from LJ, remember to click the link at the top of the post, then come comment over here so I actually notice that you have. Great )