How's Life?

[TeePee]

Just reflecting a little on life, and wondering how my fellow Hexites are doing this fine evening?

I've been in training for a new job, reaping the benefits of being in an in-demand industry, combined with the lowest unemployment rates in almost two decades in the US. I'm looking forward to a better schedule, with a lot more time at home, and the relationship benefits that brings. The recent economic boom has been good to me, with a little money in the market showing some good returns. In all, feeling pretty optimistic for the future.

Obviously, a lot of people are upset or concerned about Brexit, and there's another good thread going to debate the pros and cons of that, but how are you all doing? I see the UK has the lowest unemployment since the early 1970's. How has it affected your industry? Has anyone noticed positive or negative effects? Anyone planning some major life decisions?

[spacein_vader]

Just reflecting a little on life, and wondering how my fellow Hexites are doing this fine evening?

I've been in training for a new job, reaping the benefits of being in an in-demand industry, combined with the lowest unemployment rates in almost two decades in the US. I'm looking forward to a better schedule, with a lot more time at home, and the relationship benefits that brings. The recent economic boom has been good to me, with a little money in the market showing some good returns. In all, feeling pretty optimistic for the future.

Obviously, a lot of people are upset or concerned about Brexit, and there's another good thread going to debate the pros and cons of that, but how are you all doing? I see the UK has the lowest unemployment since the early 1970's. How has it affected your industry? Has anyone noticed positive or negative effects? Anyone planning some major life decisions?

It's a bit odd over here, we're in a bit of a holding pattern until a decision is made on exactly how brexit works so businesses are keeping their powder dry and making contingency plans.

Unemployment is low, but wages aren't great. Wife starts a new job today and I did in April. Hers is paid less than her old one and mine significantly more, the idea is to improve our work life balance as mainstream teaching (her old job,) involved stupidly long hours when you added in marking 90 books 3-4 times a week at home too.

We've also just fixed the mortgage for 5 years so we've got certainty regardless of what happens to interest rates when Brexit happens.

2-3 years of limbo after the vote is getting tiresome, hopefully soon they'll have to make a decision on how we leave and then we can all get on with our lives.

[g8ina]

It's a tad complicated here right now. Sally's (my wife) daughter Isobel died last October and we have only now got a date for the inquest, Mid September. SUD - sudden unexplained death while living in "supported accommodation.

Sally has been signed off work for 4 weeks as she is stressed to the hilt, and even I am suffering with no sleep and other medically related problems

But hey ho, other life arrives and flourishes We now have 15 grandkids between us

[TeePee]

It's a bit odd over here, we're in a bit of a holding pattern until a decision is made on exactly how brexit works so businesses are keeping their powder dry and making contingency plans.

Unemployment is low, but wages aren't great. Wife starts a new job today and I did in April. Hers is paid less than her old one and mine significantly more, the idea is to improve our work life balance as mainstream teaching (her old job,) involved stupidly long hours when you added in marking 90 books 3-4 times a week at home too.

We've also just fixed the mortgage for 5 years so we've got certainty regardless of what happens to interest rates when Brexit happens.

2-3 years of limbo after the vote is getting tiresome, hopefully soon they'll have to make a decision on how we leave and then we can all get on with our lives.

This sounds like a very positive change for both of you, both financially and for quality of life. Congratulations!

[Smudger]

My wife and I recently both switched jobs. I moved out of London to a place 3 miles down the road, she moved from somewhere 1/2 an hour away to somewhere 3/4 of an hour away. As well as a pay rise, I got to not spend £470 a month on the train and parking. Plus the week I left was the week the Thameslink timetable changes kicked in, making every commuter's life a misery, and they gave me back £87.50 because I still had a ticket that was covered by the changes.

So I've had quite a positive summer.

[TeePee]

It's a tad complicated here right now. Sally's (my wife) daughter Isobel died last October and we have only now got a date for the inquest, Mid September. SUD - sudden unexplained death while living in "supported accommodation.

Sally has been signed off work for 4 weeks as she is stressed to the hilt, and even I am suffering with no sleep and other medically related problems

But hey ho, other life arrives and flourishes We now have 15 grandkids between us

Sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you are there to support your wife, and if you need to vent, we're here for you.

Meanwhile, extra hugs for the G8ina XV. That's quite a team!

[g8ina]

Ta TeePee Appreciated.

[OilSheikh]

"Obviously, a lot of people are upset or concerned about Brexit"

No, I am jubilant.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Being roped into another bloody DIY job.

[TeePee]

My wife and I recently both switched jobs. I moved out of London to a place 3 miles down the road, she moved from somewhere 1/2 an hour away to somewhere 3/4 of an hour away. As well as a pay rise, I got to not spend £470 a month on the train and parking. Plus the week I left was the week the Thameslink timetable changes kicked in, making every commuter's life a misery, and they gave me back £87.50 because I still had a ticket that was covered by the changes.

So I've had quite a positive summer.

That sounds like a great summer of success! Pay raises are a good thing, provided there's still room for a life to go with them. How are you liking being out of London? Personally, I'm not a fan of city living, and dream of a few acres in the country...

[TeePee]

"Obviously, a lot of people are upset or concerned about Brexit"

No, I am jubilant.

Good for you! I imagine with the oil price rising a little this spring that has to have helped with the Sheikhing too. Has that effected you personally?

[TeePee]

Being roped into another bloody DIY job.

How does a moose hold a hammer or do I not want to know?....

[Hoonigan]

My life's going incredibly well right now, not many complaints at all.

The dog's had a few health concerns over the last 12 months or so, requiring MRI scans, different drugs, several visits to the vets and all the of associated problems, but he's now seemingly perfectly healthy and happy again. He's a 3 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Shamrock.

Name tag: "I got lost prowling for bitches. Have your people call my people."

I've managed to get a job, reviewing computer hardware, where I get to work in my own time, from home. I can spend all day looking after the dog, listening to music, making my own breaks and doing something I thoroughly enjoy. (It's also afforded me a beast of a gaming PC, check My System on the left)

We're saving up quite quickly for a deposit on a house, so we no longer have to rent. We're in a little bit of a pickle at the moment though, having been offered a "boost" from a family member on my girlfriend's side, that we would pay back after we're moved in. This "boost" is because there's some uncertainty as to what might happen once Brexit is confirmed. House prices and interest rates are up in the air. We don't know if it's best to buy now or afterwards but we're working on that just now.

I drive a very nice car, a Golf GTD with almost all of the options, including the lovely LCD dashboard. It's quick but also reasonably economical when I need it to be. The best car I've ever owned, by a mile.

So all in all, Matty's a happy chappy.

[Dashers]

Life is a funny one. It frequently feels like a struggle, but it's actually pretty fantastic at the moment: Married, kid, safe job, physically all healthy, roof over my head, an unreasonably fast car. An inability to make friends and nerve-wrecking anxiety keeps me from thinking life is easy.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

How does a moose hold a hammer or do I not want to know?....

Whack it with the antlers - no hammer needed!

[Zak33]

How's life? excellent question Sir, excellent question.

Work is varied, and incredibly intense one monent to floods of laughter the next and then 4 million emails drop in again and it's all go again. I'm happy when I'm busy.
Home is good. I'm enjoying being over 40 more than ever I thought I would and now that I'm nearer the next decade than the last, the fact is, I'm doing things better. Better organised, more sorted. The old saying measure twice, cut once, works on a multitude of things. With ages comes wisdom and occassionally, just occassionally, going slower gets you there quicker too AND with a job better done. Across all walks of life it seems.

But I think most important, thus far, my loved ones have overcome any illnesses or minor frailties. I know this can't continue because life's not like that so with calm resolution I await the next corner we all turn.

The way to seek happiness is many fold but this helps:
Have something to do, havfe someone to love and have something to look forward too