The I Feel Happy Topic!

[Jonathan]

I've just had a phone call with urology at Royal Stoke to follow up from my second CT scan in December, and (as was expected) they've confirmed that the kidney stone has gone. While I've been fine in terms of pain since December (was supposed to have this phone call at the end of December, but thanks to an admin screw-up which meant they had no phone number for me [long story], it was delayed until today), and was pretty certain I'd passed the stone, it's still good to finally get closure on the whole thing.

 

[Matt N]

I’m feeling happy and relieved, as I got confirmation this afternoon that I’ve secured an offer for a new job. I haven’t formally been given the offer yet, but I’ve been assured that this is the intention.

It’s another agency role in a different government department (the fact I now have existing “public sector experience” is like bait to a bull for government agency recruiters, apparently!). And without being too outing, it’s one that I as a young data professional will feel immense pride at putting on my CV, and I think the work could be truly fascinating (not that the first department I worked in wasn’t both of these things too, but if I’m being honest, this one does feel like a particularly exciting one for me personally).

It’s advertised as a data scientist role, so I’m going back to my MSc specialism a little more, but there was also lots of mentions of reproducible pipeline construction and data engineering, so it sounds like I’ll still get to stretch my developer legs nicely!

I’m just happy to have a new job in the pipeline, if nothing else. I was worried when my last one ended that I’d be out of work for months, but this hasn’t materialised, and I get another 6 months at least, with assurances that it could very likely lead to a permanent role as well!

 

[Poisson]

I’m feeling happy and relieved, as I got confirmation this afternoon that I’ve secured an offer for a new job. I haven’t formally been given the offer yet, but I’ve been assured that this is the intention.

It’s another agency role in a different government department (the fact I now have existing “public sector experience” is like bait to a bull for government agency recruiters, apparently!). And without being too outing, it’s one that I as a young data professional will feel immense pride at putting on my CV, and I think the work could be truly fascinating (not that the first department I worked in wasn’t both of these things too, but if I’m being honest, this one does feel like a particularly exciting one for me personally).

It’s advertised as a data scientist role, so I’m going back to my MSc specialism a little more, but there was also lots of mentions of reproducible pipeline construction and data engineering, so it sounds like I’ll still get to stretch my developer legs nicely!

I’m just happy to have a new job in the pipeline, if nothing else. I was worried when my last one ended that I’d be out of work for months, but this hasn’t materialised, and I get another 6 months at least, with assurances that it could very likely lead to a permanent role as well!

I didn't have a job for more than 2 years prior to my current role, bouncing between jobs seemed to do me no harm until I settled where I am now

 

[Matt N]

I didn't have a job for more than 2 years prior to my current role, bouncing between jobs seemed to do me no harm until I settled where I am now

What I’m telling myself is that every role I take adds more months of experience onto the CV, and that while a permanent role is the dream, an agency position is still good experience!

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

I’m feeling happy and relieved, as I got confirmation this afternoon that I’ve secured an offer for a new job. I haven’t formally been given the offer yet, but I’ve been assured that this is the intention.

It’s another agency role in a different government department (the fact I now have existing “public sector experience” is like bait to a bull for government agency recruiters, apparently!). And without being too outing, it’s one that I as a young data professional will feel immense pride at putting on my CV, and I think the work could be truly fascinating (not that the first department I worked in wasn’t both of these things too, but if I’m being honest, this one does feel like a particularly exciting one for me personally).

It’s advertised as a data scientist role, so I’m going back to my MSc specialism a little more, but there was also lots of mentions of reproducible pipeline construction and data engineering, so it sounds like I’ll still get to stretch my developer legs nicely!

I’m just happy to have a new job in the pipeline, if nothing else. I was worried when my last one ended that I’d be out of work for months, but this hasn’t materialised, and I get another 6 months at least, with assurances that it could very likely lead to a permanent role as well!

Absolutely fantastic news! I know that you were really keen for this one. Crack open the Champagne!

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Brilliant news, @Matt N, I know you were worried about being out of work but if you've got good skills on your CV it's not usually long before something suitable materialises. And sometimes it's worth waiting a bit for a job that's a really good fit.

Hope you have a park trip in the planning to celebrate before you get stuck in!

Oh and don't forget to take leave this time

 

[Matt N]

Thanks, all!

Hope you have a park trip in the planning to celebrate before you get stuck in!

I absolutely do! I’ve booked a spur-of-the-moment double bill to Fantasy Island and Alton Towers for next week, to tick off the final semi-major UK park I need to visit and also get another MAP visit in.

Me and my family are also going for a weekend in Milan at the start of May, but that one won’t be entailing any parks and is more because my sister is running the half-marathon!

Oh and don't forget to take leave this time

I will be at some point. I’ve got a holiday to France at the end of June running into July, and I also have my uni graduation on 13th July (don’t ask me why it’s nearly a year after I finished my course…)!

 

[BarryZola]

Moved house yesterday. Very stressful as moves usually are (so I've heard), and it really came down to the wire as to whether it would actually happen at all due to a few things I won't bore you with in detail (rubbish solicitors at the top of the chain, buyer's mortgage agreement almost running out).

The positive thing is that it's all gone through now, we've done most of the unpacking, and I'm sitting in a nice Staffordshire village called Woodseaves in the countryside. I was brought up in urban Oldbury/Dudley (West Mids) and to be honest I've always pretty much hated it. I didn't like everything being so crowded all of the time, the traffic was horrendous as soon as you're 30 seconds from the front door and then you're dealing with traffic lights every 30 seconds after that and just general congestion. You could have a lovely day out somewhere and very often have it spoiled on the way back by having to hit Wolverhampton or wherever and then it just takes you a lifetime to make it back through the last stretch and you would have to deal with the moronic local drivers which seem to be multiplying at an alarming rate.

Today, we drove to the local refuse centre and didn't have to pre-book to be allowed to take our few bags of rubbish there (like we had to do in Oldbury) and weren't interrogated by anyone when we got there about what we were upto. There was absolutely no traffic on the way there. Then we went to a nearby pub for dinner (no traffic again and no scumbag locals). Best of all, lovely space and countryside all around. There will be loads of new walks to explore nearby and I'll be able to get out cycling a bit when the urge hits me as we won't be living on a massive steep ex-mining hill anymore. It should also knock around 30 minutes or so off my occasional trips to Towers which is a bonus. A lovely peaceful nights sleep was had last night too, only broken by the birds chirping this morning (not traffic).

The other thing is the general feeling of overall security/safety. The neighbours seem great already. Most are 50-60 plus and a few are very elderly. They've been welcoming and a great thing is that a couple of the older folk next to us seem to literally sit in their comfy chairs with an eye on the street all day watching any comings and goings. They'll give you a wave when you leave and arrive home. If it wasn't such a quiet, out of the way, street anyway, they're like a personal security officer watching your house all day as a bonus . It just gives you a calm feeling. Highly recommended.

I feel privileged that I've been able to make the move to somewhere that I know will bring a lot more calm to my life. Don't think I won't find things to rant about though. They still have the news here

 

[MellowPasta]

Quite trivial but given how rage bait concentrated social media has become lately I’ve made it my mission to block every suggested account/news page for example Bristol Live, Mail Online etc and I think I’m winning.

The amount of headlines involving a distressing nature with those horrid little laughing reactions has dramatically reduced. It’s now 90% coasters, trains and hifi equipment. Very good for the soul! Highly recommend.