What I'm finding strange

This will probably end up being another list, as things occur to me, but as a starter here are a couple of things that I'm finding strange (ie. freaking me out a bit!)

1. I won't be in the UK when the next Ryder Cup is played in two years. Does it even get coverage in NZ? Of course, in two years, I quite possibly won't care, but right now it feels odd.
2. I'm starting to see adverts for exhibitions and plays that won't be opening until after I leave...
3. Reading about a 'chic rooftop bar' that is being built outside the office, which I'm watching going up, but it won't open until after I've left. 
4. Watching the leaves change and drop off all the trees around my flat and realising that I won't be here in Spring to watch them re-appearing. 
5. Removing myself from the mailing lists for all the music gigs - no point getting frustrated looking upcoming gigs I won't be able to see...

From the Foo Fighters to Hot Chip

So I have now been to my final gig at Brixton Academy :-( . It was the first venue I went to in London (to see the Foo Fighters) and while it isn't the last gig I'll go to (still have one more coming up), it was lovely to go back one last time.

It has always been one of my fave venues - an old theatre, it has a sloping floor so it is usually ok to get an ok view, and I've seen so many different bands there:

• Foo Fighters
• Manic Street Preachers
• Beck
• Teenage Fanclub
• Ocean Colour Scene
• Hot Chip (more than once)
• New Order
• Echo & the Bunnymen
• Waterboys
• Embrace (more than once)
• Tim Finn/Bic Runga/Dave Dobbyn
• Ian Brown
• Franz Ferdinand
• The Thrills
• The Killers/The Futureheads/Bloc Party/The Kaiser Chiefs
• Doves
• Interpol
• Star Sailor
• The Raconteurs
• Arcade Fire
• Bloc Party
• James
• Portishead

Not a bad list :-). Also interesting to see the tickets change - from Brixton Academy, to the Carling Brixton Academy, and now to O2 Academy Brixton (although everyone still calls it Brixton Academy.

Good times :-)

Spending money

Another thing I've noticed recently is that because I am trying to save money so hard for going home, all I want to do is spend it! This month has been a write off anyhow, as I needed to buy an outfit for a wedding I'm going to, but I just seem to keep thinking of more and more things that I 'need'...

It reminds me of before I left NZ for the very first time writing (yes - it was writing back then!) to Lindsey and telling her about all of the CDs I'd been buying, and her replying and saying I would never get over to the UK if I spent all my dollars on music... :-)

Two weeks till payday and there is lots more I need yet!

Limbo in October...

So here I am almost halfway through October and I'm in a weird limbo state. Well not weird, but just definitely feel like I'm in suspended animation.

I know that I have shed loads of stuff to do/sort out, but I seem to have decided in an unconscious decision that I'll start all of that in November. Which is also when my whirl of goodbyes also starts, so I know I'm going to end up mega stressed by the time it gets to Jan 2nd!

But for now I'm enjoying my last month of a 'normal' life. I'm fairly unbusy this month, my flat is going to stay unchanged, so I'm relishing this end of my London life.

Leaving? Who's leaving...

What I'm enjoying

As a contrast to 'What I'm finding strange' here are things I'm enjoying :-)

1. Seeing photos of Wellington on Facebook - reminding me of how beautiful and stunning it is (on a good day!)
2. All the lovely comments I've had from my friends and family about me returning home.
3. Knowing I'm finishing work soon!

The final hurrah - in for the ride anyone?

And so all good things must come to an end... this blog is on its last legs, but its got three months left in it yet!

I'm sure my very few readers know that I'm returning to live in NZ in January 2013, and that seems a fitting time for this blog to come to its end. But before that, there is some blogging still to be done, as I want to record my final three months in the UK - so October 2nd seems like a good day to start.

My leaving my place of work (which shall remain nameless) now know that I am leaving, and today I told the accounts I'm working with. This started a small flurry of very nice emails, which made me feel both appreciated and sad. I know I'm doing the right thing, and I do think my time here is done - and it is certainly past done at work! But it is going to be a wrench, and emails singing my praises make it both easier and harder. However I do remember getting the same from TPK when I left all those moons ago, and I remember feeling the same, so I just have to keep to the path :-).

This won't just be emotional rants - I've got a lot lined up to do in the next 12 weeks, and I want to capture it all - the good, the bad, the tears!