Friday was my last day with ASL, its a shame they have some absolutely great people. Euros, Andy, Chris, John, Matthew and Ross could easily run the company, they are driven, motivated and work damn hard to keep the most important person happy.... the customer! Its a shame that for every one of these exceptional individuals there are three others in the wings who are negative, can't see the future and play games to strengthen there own agenda which may be at the cost to the company. Its this blatant disregard for inventive thinking, and employing methods to stop success that eventually pushed me to go find a company that is less political and more open to "trying something different". Its a huge shame, I really wanted to work for ASL and can see so much potential for the future of the organisation, but this will only be realised if the people who can drive the change agenda are given the freedoms and flexibility to think freely and consider the art of the possible. Friday was really depressing, I tried to finish as much as I could for the organisation, to help them as much as possible. The final interview with Andy was hugely weird, where I handed over my ID card, phone, laptop etc, to a friend who I trust and respect. Half of me is disappointed in myself that the offer to stay and work for Andy and report into Ross I decided to decline. Ross, Andy and Euros are the three people I respect the most in the organisation, they get the technology and they understand how it can deliver tangible benefits to the customer. It would have been a pleasure to work for them. Unfortunately, the decision to move was based on two key factors, the opportunity that was open to me would have excelled my career in the global mobile telecoms sector and to stay would be to accept certain people in the organisation would block me and do everything in their power to try and destroy me (thinking of a single person in particular who pretty much did his best to make my life at ASL meaningless and make me feel very worthless). There were some fringe benefits of ASL, in that I met a really nice guy who listened to my issues and gave me a huge cuddle when I needed one... the only downside here was that he is already attached in a long term relationship and whilst we liked each other a lot long term it probably not have lasted long. Its a shame, I actually could happily see myself with him. At least the bad was followed by hopefully the good! I picked up the keys to my new flat Friday evening. OK the flat is not very nice, and about a quarter of the size of my place in South Yorkshire. It will do for the time being though until I sort out something more permanent in the future, but that will be after I have settled into the new job. This afternoon I have a friend coming to help me move in. Tomorrow a new chapter in my working career begins. I start work for big red. As this is an international role I pick up my laptop tomorrow and fly out of the country for the rest of the week Tuesday. Yes I hate flying, and maybe I am heading for a fall, but I will (read again yes that is will!) stay with big red for at least a year. I want to have some stability on my CV, and really want to get into an international role where I can really push forward my career. So even though I hate flying, I will just have to get used to it, then if I can settle into this role, I may move somewhere else.... there is still the thought process of somewhere anywhere in the world near an international airport, I am potentially considering Manchester, as I have a few friends up there and it is close to my parents, whilst also cheaper than London. After all its not as if I have a strict need to be in London now, and I don't exactly use my location for personal benefit, most of my time I spend either in Cafe Nero or the odd time visiting friends. Last night I could have gone to a hot club and had lots of fun, but I just am not that kind of guy. I am getting old :( Well I can't wait to tell you all about next week, after my first day at big red and a week in Budapest.... lets see what happens!