Hi-Ho. Hi-Ho!/ Thoughts on a cracking Wimbledon

Work

This week I returned to the workforce. Ironically with the same company that put boot to ass, just a short while ago. I have been welcomed back into the fold to work with my then manager, but in a new area, EC1; Barbican, Smithsfield, Clerkenwell. (I have grown to like the area already in my few days there).
I also have had to take up a new discipline; lettings! Probably the more lucrative field to be in during this credit crunch but still a field I have to learn. The motivations behind buying a property and just renting one for a year are poles apart, and I'll have to read them very quickly for I only have a 3 month, summer contract!
A job's a job though and hopefully I can exceed targets once more and show my worth.....

Tennis

I know the Wimbledon tournament finished last weekend with a fantastic lady's and men's final (more on them later), but this was, for me, one of the best and more enjoyable tournaments ever. I made my 2 trips down to see live tennis, but being out of a job afforded me the added ability to watch many more matches on the gogglebox, and there were some humdingers!
And on the finals, I'm glad that after the match fixing slur that was leveled at the Williams sisters, they both came out swinging and proved that the match was won on the day, by the best player, and not over the breakfast table, like had been suggested from some quarters.
And on the men's final, I was saddened that Federer lost, for it meant there was a changing of the guard, a new world order. Nadal has been the only man in the last few years that could regularly worry Federer, but not on grass. Now, there is no surface that Federer truly rules. Nadal has been World Number 2 to Federer's Number 1 for the last 3 years, but with his winning head to head record against him the positions must now to be reversed.
In my book you cant beat the world's best player more times than he's beaten you and still be number 2!

The bat cometh

I am so excited about The Dark Knight movie that I am drooling like a new born baby about to suckle on a nipple. Heck, I'm drooling like I do at the thought of sucking on a nipple!

I can assure you that no one was as upset as me to learn that the inevitable sequel to 2005s Batman Begins would not be coming out till 2008! That was 3 years away! I can tell you that I uttered lots of naughty words. So many, in fact, that I've already booked my afterlife ticket to Hell.

2008 is now here, and The Dark Knight opens July 25th here in the UK (July 18th, one week earlier in the US), and 'watch out' the person who gets in my way of seeing it opening weekend!

If the mooted 3rd in the new franchised series does not feature director/writer, Chris Nolan; and Christian Bale, then I will be saying a lot more naughty words, especially if they say it will be another 3 years before it hits a movie theatre. That's 2011 people!

At times like this I have to listen to the Joker, 'Why so serious?'

Official UK site
Official US site

Game, Set, Match

What a corker of a match Andy Murray had last night against Richard Gasquet. A nigh on 4 hour, 5 set match. Unfortunately I had to watch on TV but in week 1 of Wimbledon I saw some live tennis on the 1st and 2nd days of the tournament.
This was the first year I made a conscientious decision to go twice after last year my chosen day got rained out forcing me to make a second visit to see some tennis; and in 2006 I chanced on a second trip on the mid Saturday after finishing work at 5pm, and found myself buying a resale Court 1 ticket and watching Andy Murray beating Andy Roddick. Happy days!

I had company both days; Lucy and boyfriend Richard on the Monday, and Catherine on the Tuesday. Richard and Catherine were going Wimbledon for the first time, and I think they both enjoyed their day. And boy what a day; a 7am start to arrive in time to queue up to to get tickets. Imagine arriving in West London at 9.15am after 1 1/2 hour journey to get there and finding 6000 people in the queue ahead of you. Welcome to Wimbledon! Luckily, (I had actually been checking on the weather from 2 weeks before to ensure I picked the best days to go) the weather was fine all day and got to see 3 matches each day. Thoroughly entertaining! I definitely want to get onto the show courts next year and have checked on the prices; £500 - £23,000 (but start saving).

And through it all

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Previously, on Squish Pages

I had got my dream job. Ideal location in East London's Victoria Park. A 30-40 minute journey to work. I had lucked into use of a company car which I managed to end up with it 95% of the time. The company itself suited my personality and style; it was professional, catered to the mid to top end range of properties, and preferred a more laid back style over a pushy, aggressive style of some other estate agents.

But sadly 2 weeks ago I became victim to the credit crunch and was made redundant. A case of last in, first out. I am still coming to terms with losing such a perfect job. In one swoop my salary had improved by 1/3 over my previous job and money worries were soon to be just a distant memory as I now had a wage which was to give me choices with my pipeline of business due to me over the next few months. With the loss of the job I lost my pipeline too, and if I was to tell you there was over £2000 in my pipeline at the time (and growing), you would see how much I've lost.

I'm now in the worst financial position of my life now, from flying high to crash and burn. With no job, no pay, but still £800 worth of financial commitment still to make each month!

I had started to go out socially again as I had money in my pocket. I hadn't been to a nightclub in some 4 1/2 months and actually had a worry attack whether my clothes would look out of date, or if I had fallen behind in social etiquette and would come off like Encino Man.

Now I'm stuck back indoors trying to find a job as well paid as my last, in a industry which is struggling to sustain itself at the moment, and in a company that is not some shyster, spiky hair, pinstripe suit, agent. Plans to buy a car, a bicycle, a summer filled with music festivals and a paid off credit card have all been shelved. My only means of travel right now are my feet and my Oyster card, which I've now found that even a trip to the bank in nearby town of Ilford requires over half the day!

Happy Birthday to ya!

Sorry guys but I am absolutely useless with remembering birthdays. If you don't tell me when its coming up then there's no chance of me coming through. I even struggle with my own Mom an Dad's! I used to pop all the dates in me mobile phone, but as I upgrade every 9 months it would mean I would not be using the same phone and wouldn't have the information any more come the following year.
'What about using a diary?', I hear you cry.
Well as they found out in my old job, I've never used a diary so have never trained myself to look in a little book for numbers, names, address, places, dates or important events. So I would then need reminding to look in the diary, therefore, I would now need a diary to prompt me to use my diary. And for that I would need a diary......

Last Saturday we went out a meal to celebrate Jason's and Martin's birthday's. It was originally to be a dinner at the dog tracks with a spot of gambling afterward but unfortunately the restaurant needed booking months in advance and Jason could not get us a table. Michelle found the Clockhouse restaurant in Epping, and a good choice it was too. It was some cracking grub, yumtastic. It was also the first time I'd seen Martin in nigh on 6 months as he has been adjusting to being a new father.

Happy Birthday Martin.
Happy Birthday Jason.

Ooh, and a quick Happy Birthday to Sam, friend and new colleague . Love ya! xxx

Ha ha ha ha ha!

As of April 1st I had just £50 left in my account. Just £50 to get through to my next payday on April 28th. The bad news was (if that wasn't disastrous enough), that I still had a £45 mobile phone, £43 gym membership and £55 Sky subscription still to come out!!!!
As off today, though, things were looking far rosier. The mobile phone company had already had their money, so its just the gym and Sky to worry about. Down to £30 too.

My March credit card payment is still AWOL, however, Barclays are communication with the credit card company to find out where it went. In the mean time I have been told that I wont have to pay the penalty fines as I made the original payment in good time and in good faith.

Gotta laugh otherwise I'd cry.

Remember the name.

Crikey! Its almost a month ago but me and Channa popped along to see Cat singing in another showcase. This one was different though as she performed one of her own penned songs. Also it was her first time with a live band! She even launched her new stage name that night, which I forget! I've know her as Cat for so long that nothing else will stick.

These showcases are always great fun with the varying styles of music, performing styles and ages, there is really something for everyone, plus I enjoy being a groupie, cheering Cat on from the darkness, along with Channa of course. Your biggest fans.







I actually recorded Cat rather than took photos, but the videos are too big to be loaded here.