drowning polar bears, and all that...

Saw this documentary the other day about how global warming might not actually be caused by man or even exist (apparently every time the planet got warmer previously the CO2 rose *after* the warming period), but the notion was introduced by some Swedish scientist in the 70s (yes, I’m ashamed) who everyone thought was crazy (because it actually got colder in the 40 years preceding the 70s and we were thought to be heading towards a new ice age – they actually put the guy on TV because the claim that increased levels of CO2 trapping heat could save us from said ice age, but again, they thought he was a nut with claims without any scientific basis). Then it got supported my Margaret Thatcher who was dealing with the miners and wanted to reduce dependence on coal and push nuclear power, and then it all got out of hand in a big funding carousel until it became the prevailing idea. I still think we’re gonna screw up the planet by all the shit we get up to, but just the fact that Bush has agreed and is cooperating should tell you something about whether or not it’s a good idea (global warming is now being used as a means to prevent 3rd world countries from industrialising).

Anyway. I've spent a lot of time this week redefining my worldview. Exhausting stuff.

So... London

The obvious place to move according to the simple calculation of no. of available jobs/square km, or something like that. I am now a research analyst at a ‘major executive search company’. It’s all very hush-hush, since information we are privy to could affect share prices… Hm. My job is great, and considering that it was the first and only job I went for through my agency, I count myself pretty lucky.

Am starting to get slightly nostalgic about Spain. Not that I’d want to move there again, really, even if I had a job that didn’t suck… OK no, if I had this job in Spain I could probably do it, but man, my job really sucked. Anyway, there were a few things that were great, and I figured out they’re pretty much the only things I don’t have here, and vice versa.

Spain – sunshine, quite a few friends and pretty active social life, great tasting vegetables (being vegetarian, a pretty big deal) and seriously relaxed dress code at work (we’re talking flip-flops, people!). On the other hand, shit job, long commuting times, not so great social climate, and constant alienation from society due to my unwillingness/lack of time/effort/money to learn Spanish. Oh, and being constantly broke due to pitiful salary for said shit job (which involved unpaid invoices and a headset – need I say more?).

London – great job, great pay, tomatoes that taste of absolutely nothing, and polyester polyester and heels at work. No social life whatsoever unless you count the occasional evening down the pub with my team. There’s a more comprehensible but not very much safer social climate: here when ppl randomly cuss you out or fight amongst themselves you can actually understand what they’re saying – I’m still undecided as to whether or not this is actually preferable. Not so much sunshine, which I actually like. You appreciate it so much more when it’s not always there, and I don’t want to know what that says about my mentality towards life in general, but there it is.

(the only thing I miss a lot, besides my Dutch crew, is that orange juice thing with soy, which was just amazing... but I seem to recall reading something about it in Marketing Week and I think it’s being launched here soon…)

so...

...since my last blog I've... finished my dissertation, finished uni, oh and then I moved to Spain for about 6 months but didn't find it to my liking and am now back in the UK, or more specifically, London! More to come