So, despite the hotel and lack of network access outside work hours (which is actually not a bad thing, I’ve read three books since arriving), I’m actually enjoying my trip here. I’m actually being productive, and have been contributing something worthwhile (in my mind) for the first time in a very long time.
I got the opportunity to visit with axe just outside Waterloo Station, and it’s kind of funny how many friends I’ve met up with in faraway places for a pint. A former underling from Globix (hi Ed!) was also here, but is now a salesy kind of guy and chose to hang out with stuffy clients instead of me. I’m not hurt or anything, and I drowned my sorrows in a pint of Guinness last night at the local. I just missed a former colleague from SGI, and had we connected 24 hours earlier, we probably would have been able to meet up. It’s like London’s a point of convergence or something.
I also got the opportunity to visit Karen on here home turf. I took the tube and the train out to Langley (and back! in one piece! without getting lost! but the fares confused me!), and we went to her favourite local. The pancake with duck and the salmon were good, and the banana fritters were awesome. The company was also excellent, and it was nice to be able to get out. Thanks for taking time out K, I enjoyed it immensely, and was very pleased to see that the side mirrors are now safe. 🙂
On top of all that, I’ve also had a great opportunity to think. It’s amazing how much of that I can do when there’s no network to distract me, and I’m beginning to realize I may just be a packet junkie. I know I haven’t been happy for a long time, and I’ve figured out that I’m dead-ended on a number of avenues.
I haven’t been able to get things turned around because it’s been easier to be apathetic and distracted, but without those distractions I’ve been forced to take a good hard look at me. I’m not crazy about what I see. At all. That said, I can see very clearly that it can be changed with some effort. I just have to figure out how to apply and sustain that effort, which seems to be the underlying theme with me across the board.
And I’m babbling now, so I’ll stop. I hope to figure out some more along the way this weekend, but some changes are in order.
This trip has been good for me, and that’s been a very pleasant surprise.