The Crackle of the Jacket

Just a short post this week. I'm back on my bike, and happily pedalling the highways and byways of Heaton (at least, I was, until it snowed!).

Truly, I am not really happy unless I'm on the bike on a regular basis. I need the endorphin rush, and the familiarity of pulling on my gear; thermal socks, balaclava and cycling jacket in Evil Fluorescent Yellow. Hey, I'm British - we're not comfortable with leisure pursuits that don't include a certain amount of physical discomfort. (See also: diving in the North Sea).

Best of all, I have discovered a route to work that does not involve the Chillingham Road / Coast Road roundabout. No longer must I take my life in my hands twice a day. Yes!

Tax Rebate Outcome

Well, the unpleasant selection process is over, and I survived. That's "selection" as in "selection for redundancy". I survived in the sense that I wasn't selected. My boss officially confirmed that I'd been "successful" in the process, which I think both of us considered an odd word to have to choose. In other words, good news for me, but not for my five friends and colleagues who were unsuccessful. I'm reminded of the old line about getting a tax rebate: the happiness lasts as long as it takes you to remember that it was your money in the first place. Hopefully I'll be blogging a bit more often from now on. Let's hope.