New job, new life

Careers advisor

Someone whose job is to give people advice about what jobs and professional training might be suitable for them.

That’s me

Ladies Who Lunch

Definitions:

1. Rich middle-aged women with no jobs or other meaningful way to occupy their time, who descend on upscale cafes around lunchtime to hang out with each other more because they have nothing better to do than because they like the company. Generally despised by cafe workers.
2. Slim, well-off, old-money, well-dressed women who meet for lunch socially, normally during the working day.
3. A group of three or more girl friends who compulsively hang out but who barely know or like each other.
4. Women who have been made redundant who don’t know what to do next.
5. “Women who have so very much, but do very little.” (Stephen Sondheim, ‘Company’)

Lyrics to Ladies Who Lunch :
Here’s to the ladies who lunch–
Everybody laugh.
Lounging in their caftans
And planning a brunch
On their own behalf.
Off to the gym,
Then to a fitting,
Claiming they’re fat.
And looking grim,
‘Cause they’ve been sitting
Choosing a hat.
Does anyone still wear a hat?
I’ll drink to that.

And here’s to the girls who play smart–
Aren’t they a gas?
Rushing to their classes
In optical art,
Wishing it would pass.
Another long exhausting day,
Another thousand dollars,
A matinee, a Pinter play,
Perhaps a piece of Mahler’s.
I’ll drink to that.
And one for Mahler!

And here’s to the girls who play wife–
Aren’t they too much?
Keeping house but clutching
A copy of LIFE,
Just to keep in touch.
The ones who follow the rules,
And meet themselves at the schools,
Too busy to know that they’re fools.
Aren’t they a gem?
I’ll drink to them!
Let’s all drink to them!

And here’s to the girls who just watch–
Aren’t they the best?
When they get depressed,
It’s a bottle of Scotch,
Plus a little jest.
Another chance to disapprove,
Another brilliant zinger,
Another reason not to move,
Another vodka stinger.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!
I’ll drink to that.

So here’s to the girls on the go–
Everybody tries.
Look into their eyes,
And you’ll see what they know:
Everybody dies.
A toast to that invincible bunch,
The dinosaurs surviving the crunch.
Let’s hear it for the ladies who lunch–
Everybody rise!
Rise!
Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise!
Rise!

Things, they are a-changing

Well, it appears that I am leaving the company and starting a new life outside. I am being made redandant. I am very sad about it after 22 years but I have changed from being very stressed and obsessed about my work to being hopeful about the future. I am only working 8 hours days – amazing! Of course it’s a 9 day wonder and I am talking to more people in the office and the phone about it so probably the next month will be the most enjoyable in a long time.

It feels like the company is a vast cruise liner with bright lights and soon I will be seeing it from the distance rather than being on it. That made me feel depressed until I realised that ships come along all the time. I don’t have to choose a bleak hulk just because it’s there – I can wait till a friendly boat comes along. See – optimism abounds.

News: Twitter and Facebook could harm moral values, scientists warn

Using Twitter and Facebook could harm moral values, as they don’t allow time for compassion or admiration, scientists have warned. Daily Telegraph. Last Updated: 9:05PM BST 13 Apr 2009

Today’s fast-paced media could be making us indifferent to human suffering and should allow time for us to reflect, according to researchers. They found that emotions linked to moral sense are slow to respond to news and events and have failed to keep up with the modern world.

In the time it takes to fully reflect on a story of anguish and suffering, the news bulletin has already moved on or the next Twitter update is already being read.

As activities such as reading books and meeting friends, where people can define their morals, are taken over by news snippets and fast-moving social networking, the problem could become widespread, researchers warn.

Children could be particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing.

“If things are happening too fast, you may not ever fully experience emotions about other people’s psychological states and that would have implications for your morality,” said Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, from the University of Southern California, and one of the researchers.

Read the whole article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/5149195/Twitter-and-Facebook-could-harm-moral-values-scientists-warn.html

News: Online networking ‘harms health’

People’s health could be harmed by social networking sites because they reduce levels of face-to-face contact, an expert claims.

Dr Aric Sigman says websites such as Facebook set out to enrich social lives, but end up keeping people apart.

Dr Sigman makes his warning in Biologist, the journal of the Institute of Biology.

A lack of “real” social networking, involving personal interaction, may have biological effects, he suggests.

He also says that evidence suggests that a lack of face-to-face networking could alter the way genes work, upset immune responses, hormone levels, the function of arteries, and influence mental performance.

This, he claims, could increase the risk of health problems as serious as cancer, strokes, heart disease, and dementia.

Read the whole article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7898510.stm

New year plans to be more visible

1. Send monthly achievements summary to my manager, including favourable comments from peers and customers
2. Take part in visible tasks e.g. leading group meetings
3. Hold regular meetings with European & Asian colleagues to get to know each other and set up a mutual support network

Back to the grindstone

We had a lovely 2 weeks away and are now coping with the post holiday blues. I met some of my my work colleagues while I was away which was great and they remarked straight away that I had lost 20lbs since I saw them last! The work colleagues that I see intermittently in the office at home have not mentioned it, but that could be also a difference in etiquette. I was torn between being embarrassed and being pleased. It is nice being noticed for a change.

I am still invisible

Even when I go into the office I still might not speak to anyone, apart from on the phone. I am on the phone quite a lot of the time, in meetings. I rarely ring people for information, usually it’s all emails and electronic messaging. It’s quite a shock when my phone rings out of the blue.

I have found something to do now, if there’s no-one to have lunch with and that is to go swimming and then spend some time in the jacuzzi afterwards. I can recommend that as a boost to the day.

I am going on holiday for 2 weeks so if there is anyone out there, please come back after November 2nd J

Things I don’t miss

Office politics and bitching

Clock watchers (especially I’m running late)

Sponsorship requests (you are look mean if you don’t and can’t afford it if you do)

Things I miss

Face to Face meetings

Celebrating birthdays, weddings, etc

Team meals – breakfast, lunch etc

The tea run

Banter & catching up

Christmas Parties

Birthday cards