The year has raced past like no other I remember. I recall the depths of a London winter, and the depression and uncertainty that it brought. The long commute in the dark, missing my graduation, missing Scott and Andrea’s wedding, missing Christmas with family, being *this close* to packing it in and heading home. I recall being supremely dissatisfied with my job as a project support guy in parking in Westminster City Council, even as I started to get used to London as a city and a place where I could really live and be. I remember the occasional trip out of the city, down to Portsmouth for a wedding, across to Madrid for a weekend, and a concert or two every now and then. I can remember going out far too much, though still able to operate in a (relatively) usual fashion, aided by a public transport system imposed midnight curfew and generous starting hours. I can remember spring as it started to arrive, the way the flowers and birds returned to St James’ Park, the way the mood of London lifted almost over night.
But then, from that point on… madness. Life has sped past in the blink of an eye, and I now find myself sitting in my old lounge in Mona Vale Ave eyeing the fast approaching end of November, and praying to whichever deity might be listening that my visa to return to the UK is granted in the very near future.
Along the way I’ve made new friends, fallen in love, made it into a job that might just lead to a career, travelled more through Asia and Europe, danced (no, really), listened to music, read piles of books, written a handful of songs, and arrived home to meet a new generation. I’ve made a few decisions about where I want to base myself for the next few years (preferably London), and started to make plans around this desire (visa pending).
But mostly, I think I want to stop for a few years, do a little settling, own more than five shirts, three t-shirts and a couple of pairs of jeans. I’m waiting to see how it all turns out.
Oi! We’re well late for the next catch up at Cafe 101. Drop me a line. Preferably soon, going adventuring soonish.