Taking it on the chin

A few weeks ago as I was cooking dinner in my flat, I bent down to tie my shoe (as you do when you notice a loose shoelace). Suddenly, I found myself in a headlock, and was totally and utterly surprised. At first, I was unable to react, as I was still trying to figure out what had actually happened. Within a few seconds, I was laughing, with a bit of relief; I hadn't anticipated the strength of the whole situation.

During the next few days, I laughed about the incident more than once. True, unusual things happen to me quite regularly, like when you inadvertently spray yourself in the eye with an aerosol can, or when things get out of control with the espresso machine and the milk sort of explodes around the kitchen. I find these things pretty easy to laugh about; I like little surprises.

Later that same week, I was called into the human resources department, where I was informed that my contract would be terminated at the end of this coming November. This came as a bit of a surprise, and one that I didn't find so easy to laugh about.

Over the past couple of weeks, I've had some time to let things sink in. Truth be told, I think I actually needed this push. Otherwise, I would have been inclined to continue to allow myself to get dragged through the mud in the existing environment. Now, I've got to sort of get myself in gear, and prepare for an all new adventure.

In the last three years, I have made 13 music compilations. Sure, they were ways to express myself, and they've certainly developed over time. The first was more of a reactionary birthday gift, the most recent a way to get through the insanity of work.

I've been listening to these regularly over the last days, as they seem to have particular significance to my present situation, not to mention the music is really bloody good. Though the cd's tell a bit of a story, I've found them to be great comfort as I put them in new context.

It's serving to be a decent soundtrack to this next little period of life, and proving to be quite motivating (as they were actually initially intended) to me as I establish my action plan.

In the weeks to come, I'll hope to provide some interesting details of the antics. Indeed, I expect things to be a bit stressful, but humorous, as well. For starters, the whole idea about having a good photo for your CV: gone are the days that you can wear a 15 year old tie and steel toe oxfords. Perhaps it's time to realize that I'm not exactlly a little kid any more, though you might be hard pressed to believe that when you see me in gift shop selling loads of stuffed animals.

At any rate, stopping to smell the roses and appreciate where you are in life is something that I've not always done so well. Yesterday's little day trip to the wine country nearby Frankfurt was a perfect reminder for me that it is a life worth living, particularly with those people that are close to me.

And while I know that I've got to lead the way in this next little chapter of life, it's of great comfort that I will not be going at it alone.

stay tuned, it's about to get nutty. again.

keep the faith.
bryan