Memorygirls - The Matrix Re-inspired

Marru

MG - What everyone above have said, these things happen but we come out of them stronger and better people if we choose to.

Crickett - which of the tasks from your job and her job are the most crucial, the ones that you are best at, the ones that makes the biggest difference to the company if you were doing them. Can all the other rubble be then given to other people or maternity cover? And of course for you to be doing all the most crucial tasks you obviously need to be paid accordingly :cool:

Bitsy_Beans

EssexHebridean wrote: »

So - regardless of where you are from - what would YOU like me to go and photograph tomorrow? Whatever I do of the back of any ideas I get I will either post up here, or will post on my blog (which is linked as my homepage from my profile here) so it can be seen.

Over to you!

Personally I like water (although not sure what the Thames looks like on a good day ) and my other passion is old buildings I just don't get a buzz from sleek modern building, I like character and weathering Have fun in the big town.

Memory_Girl wrote: »

So I am sitting in the middle of the universty town after this hour or so - sipping a cup of coffee from my flask (MSE Rools ) and I'm watching all these students meander past.

The seem like they don't have a care in the world - just starting off in life, a whole exciting future to look forward too................ and it made me really sad. I'm in my 40's. I should be at the peak of my earning potential, I should be reaping the reward for all my hard work and instead I am sitting in a dodgy old banger, drinking coffee from a flask and not knowing what to do next.

I think you might find grass is not always greener on the other side Honestly at their age the future wasn't something I really thought about. It's right that Youth is wasted on the young. You just don't appreciate it back then. Personally I think you've got already exciting future to look forward to and best of all being in your 40's you have life experience behind it and have learnt to appreciate things in life. Have a hug xx

Crickett - I forsee an excellent time to cherry pick the bits you want to take on, approach your boss and offer to cover X, Y and Z whilst lady is on mat leave along with a renumeration to compensate - those that don't ask don't get

EssexHebridean

Crickett & Bitsy Both excellent ideas - the Thames always makes an interesting subject and Crickett - you're absolutely right about the good old Palace of Westminster potentially being lively tomorrow! If it's not then it's a nice old building for Bitsy in any case!

On the subject of your impending need to cover absence at work Crickett - in one sentence you use the word "team" - then you continue to talk about covering her work yourself. You already have a job to do, so covering the whole lot yourself will simply compromise the quality of your own work. Utilise your team's strengths to dole out the extra workload effectively so it is shared, and negotiate with the bosses to provide funds for a couple of team nights out during the period you are all dealing with the extra work as you are, after all, savng them the "usual, expected" costs of a temp employee to cover. Sorted!

MG overall youare happy with life - yes? You have your boys, and that is the most vital thing. Sure earning big bucks would be fabulous but it's not the MOST important thing to you is it. Maybe time to shift your focus from that which others may expect you to want, and focus on what it is that would actually make you and your family the hapiest. If that's lots of money, then fine, but if it isn't, and enough to get by on with a bit of a cushion is "fine", then think of how to achieve "fine" instead. Hugs to you. Have a tissue. xx

crickett1234

Thanks Marru and Bitsy! Yes... our annual review meetings are coming up soon, and I was going to raise the issues with my boss in that forum. And the more I think about it, the more I think I can do it! Excellent. Thanks!

Tescodealqueen

MG - We all have down days and I think they seem worse when we are in pain. But just think about all you have achieved. You have inspired so many of us (and I only caught up with you six or seven months ago so am sure there are more than I know about), you have two great young men who will benefit hugely from the time and love you put into their growing up and education, and you are showing the mentors what it takes to succeed when individuals like you have more responsibilities then they are used to accommodating when they plan their coaching. You should give yourself a lot of credit - I know we do. :A


EH I know what you mean about the London Eye - it is fantastic. But I love transport too so London Buses, taxis and Boris Bikes for me please!

And have a lovely meal too.

crickett1234

EssexHebridean wrote: »

On the subject of your impending need to cover absence at work Crickett - in one sentence you use the word "team" - then you continue to talk about covering her work yourself. You already have a job to do, so covering the whole lot yourself will simply compromise the quality of your own work. Utilise your team's strengths to dole out the extra workload effectively so it is shared, and negotiate with the bosses to provide funds for a couple of team nights out during the period you are all dealing with the extra work as you are, after all, savng them the "usual, expected" costs of a temp employee to cover. Sorted!

EH - I had to laugh when I read that! If the other one of our colleagues was actually competent then it wouldn't be an issue; he would be able to do it. As it stands we are currently going through a performance management process with him (with the possibility of it getting very formal indeed and him being given the grand order of the boot!). So it means it falls to a) my boss or b) me. Don't get me wrong, it would be tough. But it would be fun to try!! :j

Cheery_Daff

(((((MG))))))) poor lass. I was all excited reading the first bit of your post! YES! They understand, YES they are still willing to work with you, YES they want YOU to mentor THEM (wow!), YES they want to create a book out of it (what, about you?? What you've taught them?? Hope you're getting royalties )

What a positive bunch of things :j :j :j

And then I got to the bit where you're all sad... Poor you! You're having a bit of a rotten week with your back, but gosh, don't go being jealous of all those students, for all you know, they're all jealous of you! Of course they don't look like they've got a care in the world - they're walking down a street with their mates on a sunny day. You don't see many folks sobbing in the street - and I bet you don't see you doing it that often, whatever you feel like. Sorrow and grumpiness are generally more private than that

Everyone's right, you're doing fabulously well (even though it must seem like an uphill struggle sometimes )

One foot in front of the other girl. Who wants poxy shop-bought coffee anyway, I say. A flask is a poke in the eye to Starbucks, and good on you 40 ain't old. When my mum was 40, I was 18, and my sister 16, and we both moved out and my mum learned to drive, took tap dancing lessons and joined the panto company Life's what you make it.

EH - hmm, London photos! What about some kind of photo scavenger hunt type thing rather than photos of specific buildings or things? A photo from the 7th floor of a building (any building), a photo that only has 5 people in it, a photo of you with a handsome stranger , a photo of your hands doing something they wouldn't usually do (?? <boggles>), 3 different types of wildlife in one picture, a picture of a (mildly!) famous person, someone in a sombrero :rotfl: what about compiling a list of all the names of us matrix people and taking a picture linked to each of our names??!

(or you could just take some more pictures of the London Eye - I see the attraction in that!)

MrsMoo2U

Bless MG, we are all entitled to a wobble and you go for it big time if you feel the need. Then, knowing you, dust yourself off and look at those two wonderous boys.
Mentors, I am not really sure that I consider them to be mentors more business partners. Because from what you have written today it seems to me that they are gaining as much, if not more, from working with you as you are with them. DO NOT be pushed into moving things forward at a pace too quick for yourself. Yes you need to stretch yourself but you are not blooming made of elastic and if you are there is a snapping point. So stretch smartly Remember the SSMART objectives of what you want and why. They are Specific, Stretching, Measurable, Achievable, Relative and Timebound. If you stick to those 6 key things then you will be able to stretch yourself but for specific reasons and in a set timescale of YOUR making not theirs. Only you know how far you can stretch yourself. They will be guided by you if you let them.

As for the 40 tosh - get over it. I am 46 and I dont have what you have (2 beautiful children, the gumption to deal with the big horse bank on my own and the strength to motivate 100+ women) and I am 6 years up on you so where does that leave me? Seriously though hugs and big twinks hobnob heading your way.

Alisonpennypincher

Oh MG, Firstly you are not old, fat (not that i have ever met, but you're just not) or anyother negative word.

You have two amazing children, and you provide an amazing life and upbringing for them. They are lucky to have a parent who cares so much and does things with them in mind, from their everyday life to considering them into your plans for the future, not enough people do that IMO.

You have also "Lived", you have shared some stories with us on here that show that, you have great friends and a loving supportive family.

You should be proud of what you have and are achieving, and it WILL all some good for you in the end, us ladies are here to help every step of the way.

From someone who does not post often, but had to today.

Kittikins

Well said girlies - MG you're an inspiration and a great support to your real-life and us online friends and family. We all get carp days and I guess sitting in the car talking to the mentor who's coming up with all sorts of plans and generally feeling bleugh with your back hurting etc was enough to make you a bit down. I read your post and felt down for me too, thinking yup, have just turned 40, am divorced, overweight, in a dead-end job, haven't done many of the things I wanted to do in life and I can empathise with your feelings very much today.

But, we both have amazing plusses - you have great skills, both practical and academic, 2 gorgeous children who are getting the best life possible, fabulous friends (Clooties Mum, Fantastia etc and of course people like the rather splendid Sugah ) and lovely parents.

Big hugs x