No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly.

-Oscar Wilde

The funeral is on Monday. 

 I wrote a poem for Grandma, which is my way of expressing and saying goodbye; and one individual in the family firmly and steadfastly worked hard to deny me the opportunity to read this tribute at the funeral.  Saying things like “the minister said there can be only two tributes”, and “there won’t be enough time” and “what about all the other grandkids?”

This is something I did for my Nanny, and I’d like to do the same for Grandma.  I’ve tried to explain this is my way of dealing with grief, simply to be beaten down to a point where I feel hurt, cheated and lied to.  This coming from an Uncle that hasn’t spoken or acknowledged me as a Nephew in over 10 years.

It saddens me to the core, when such dissagreements can erupt on an occasions such as this. 

I’m very sorry Uncle, that you never got to know me over the last ten years, or in fact any part of my life.  Perhaps our relationship would have been different otherwise, but I am no lacky, I am my own person; and I don’t take kindly to being told by anyone how to process my grief.  I wish I could understand your reasons for being so inflexible and incongruent but you have stepped across a line today.  I’m inclined to leave you there, and move on.  May your true colours shine bright.

Last of my Grandparents, “Granny Smith”; my Grandma - was found dead this weekend.  She’d had heart troubles recently, and since moving down to Wales it’s possible she had become a little isolated.  It’s completley sudden, and none of us quite know what to do or say.

So close to losing Aunty Mary too…they say often deaths in the family happen in near succession.  One way of looking at this is, that my trip to New Zealand will begin on a low note, so the only way is up. 

Once I know the funeral arrangments I’ll travel down to Tenby, South Wales, book into a Travelodge and gather with the rest of the family.  It will be a time when many of us meet again for the first time in over 20 years! 

Life doesn’t half throw complicated curve-balls every now and again!!

Yes…I know, it’s the thought that counts…..but….

I was told recently at work, that I was part of a “Formula One Team” for the role I played in bringing on board a new client.  I was also told to look out for a “special thankyou” in my inbox.

It arrived today, a printed certificate signed by the MD for the UK - not framed or laminated or anything (though it “was” colour to be fair), fresh off the printer and a Hotwheels Toy Car.

….pauses for effect…..

For the last year there’s been this BIG drive to improve employee engagement, so here I am; poorly paid in my current position, and they thank me for going above and beyond by sending me….a kid’s toy?  If I was happy in my current role, and paid a proportionate amount for the level of work I deliver, and if I wasn’t currently immigrating to another country perhaps I could have seen the funny side, to be fair I still can - but that doesn’t outway how insulted and belittled I feel.

Here I am, with years of experience and respect earned in my role, being thanked by the top dogs with a toy. 

What more can be said?

“Apparently” - Easymoney Insurance, and any insurer for that matter can take upto 15 days to update the National Insurance Database.  This is in line with the current cooling off period for online purchasing etc…  designed to protect the consumer, however; if you are in a situation like mine, where you need to tax a vehicle (and you want to do it online)….

it’s a pain in the proverbial BUTT!  So, here I am, with a temporary mode of transport that I simply cannot use, because of the red tape setup to “protect” me as a consumer, and if you ask me why I simply don’t pop into a post office and do it over the counter??  Half the documents I need to do this; are 30 miles away is why.

In other news - went to London again today, and the news of my impending departure to one of the clients I represent was received better than expected.  Meh! maybe that dissapoints me a little…  always nice to see how indispensable you are (lol!! I thought I had no ego?!)…

oh well…back in “sunny” Crewe; and this time it really is sunny for a change, train journey back was delayed due to problems with the “tilt” system of the pendolino which resulted in us standing still in the middle of…er..nowhere for about half an hour….

Easymoney Car Insurance, underwritten by Zurich.  It may be cheap on the pocket - but it is also cheap on the level of service you get too!!  I have been waiting since Friday for them to update the Insurance Database the police use, with my new details?! 

2 emails later and it still hasn’t happened, but get this!  This isn’t the first time they have dropped the ball with updating their systems! >> Man loses his car and this is recent too.  I have offered them till the end of today to rectify things, then I will be cancelling my policy and moving on to someone else. 

After all I only require cover for a month….

Since I have lost my precious car, I have borrowed my brother’s little Panda Super Run-about; (well, he hasn’t passed his test yet!) - anyways, it’s proving to be more effective as a stay parked at the moment, as the DVLA say the SORN expired before my dad bought the car, and my insurance does not register on the national database yet! So I can’t retax it online…..plus!  The battery is dead…

Apart from that though; it’s a little belter!

In the meantime i continue, this novel approach of one foot in front of the other; and well, I may just continue this approach where work is concerned (even in NZ if I find digs close enough!)…

On the New Zealand front, I am still awaiting some information off my future employers to enable me to submit my Visa application, and after Friday, they will be the ones holding me up, as I have my Immigration medical then…yes we are talking the “ordeal” involving 6 blood tests, urine test, chest X-ray…(cough)… etc…

Since I am soooo organised my house still isn’t on the market but I hope to get a few valuations and rectify that this week; I’ve decided to target the first time buyer market as I have no chain to speak of, plus as an incentive I think i will include the white ware from the kitchen in the sale (brand new fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washing machine), and a few other furnishings as and where desired…

In other news….I’m “back” down in London on Wednesday but this time I will be taking a partner in crime from work with me, in order to introduce them to a client (as my impending replacement), so should be fun

Like riding a bike this is, you never forget….one foot in front of the other.