Well, the good news first I suppose. I resigned this week from my job - and nothing has ever felt so good!! I am most definitely leaving my employer in a difficult position, but there is an extent to which they just need to "get over it" and there is an even greater extent to which I really do not care. I am of course fulfilling my contractual and legal obligations to the letter.

It's not as if they didn't get warning... they have seen the signs of my unhappiness for months. Through a couple of meetings with management and HR, I have made known my frustrations and issues. Nobody listened.

I am a great believer that one should take control of a situation where those currently in control are screwing things up royally. In this situation, the only way to regain control was to resign. So a few months ago I started to look for new opportunities, and after some (at times painful) interview processes, I finally received a great offer.

Not only much better money, but a better position with a specific specialism that will not only allow me to earn more now, but also increase my potential for the future.

It was also my mums birthday this weekend - so we postponed my job celebration from earlier in the week and had one big joint Birthday/New job celebration last night - it was awesome.

It was at a little French brasserie Paya and I know quite well. We started with Champagne Cocktails (a Kir Royale in this case), and moved on to foie gras for me, Avocado salad for Paya and Crab in Garlic for mum. We followed up with a rare T-Bone steak for me and Paya and a lamb shoulder for mum. All washed down with a bottle of Chablis (my favourite style of French wine), a nice desert, and after dinner liqueurs.

The next few months will be hard work. I have a complex job and I would imagine that the handover process will be arduous and painful. But in the midst of that I have a holiday in Central Europe to look forward to, and then the start of my new adventure.

Even as the dread of the "transition" approaches, I cannot hide my excitement :-)

West