Wise Counsel Needed

Curry · Post by **Curry** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:50 pm

Sorry for necroing but I just noticed Obsidian hasn't posted since 2009

what happened to him?

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:43 am

Curry wrote:Sorry for necroing but I just noticed Obsidian hasn't posted since 2009

what happened to him?

Well, I just logged back in today actually.

So, you know, I do exist.

Strange to see the idle musing of my broken heart so high up on the forum board.

Update from my last post, I did actually get back together with the girl for a few weeks, but then realized the damage was done. The first cut is the deepest, as Cat Steven's sings.

So, I moved from that town to Ottawa, Canada's capitol, where I did some policy work for the Feds, commissioned from the ranks to become an infantry officer, and I commanded a platoon of infantry for a couple years.

While in Ottawa I dated extensively and got mended by ills in the traditional way of young single men with good jobs. Eventually, I met a lovely young lady who is not only beautiful, caring and loving, but one of the best young lawyers in Canada.

After only 4 months of dating, she asks me to come away with her to London.

So, going on one year with this women, I'm happily living in London England as a kept man. Not totally true, I'm doing some graduate work at the London School of Economics, and looking for work once that is done.

Note - if any forum readers are well positioned in consulting firms or government policy shops, please, let me know

And that's the update.

TLDNR; OP got over his broken heart, fell in love again, and moved to London.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:13 pm

Obsidian,
great to hear you are doing so well, I have wondered how that story ended.

Also a question for you, how is the economic situation in London, UK?
If I can navigate some of the bureaucratic hurdles I have rights to an EU passport (British father) and I am actively considering a permanent or semi-permanent move back over myself. I know that things are not totally rosy in the UK with the high cost of living and unemployment problems.. However, I am on the West Coast of Canada.. which is an *extremely* expensive place to live in, wages are not commensurate with housing costs etc. and frankly finding work is very difficult as well... So, from my perspective, it would be six of one and a half dozen of the other.. and I have long wanted to return to Europe/Britain..

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:07 am

Hey DW, nice to see a familiar face again.

Thanks for your concern and interest.

As for London, it's hard to say. We've only been here since September, and things seem fairly quiet. My partner works at one of those law offices that is usually an 80 hour week, but recently has been around 50, which is a real blessing. She does corporate law, and there just isn't a lot going on right now.

My field, public policy, also seems a bit slow and I didn't get an interview from the dozen or so firms I applied to. I have some potential work lined up with a boutique firm that does behavioural psych, and a small project with the Government.

So the white collar jobs are looking grim. I suspect if you are an accountant you'll be ok though. Everyone always needs accountants.

Manufacturing is hard hit I hear, and the service industry seems to be full, at least in London. I don't recall seeing many help wanted signs at pubs etc.

You might have more luck outside London.

Sorry that wasn't very helpful, but if you have an idea of what you are looking for I'll keep an eye open.

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:25 pm

dragon wench wrote:Obsidian,
Also a question for you, how is the economic situation in London, UK?
If I can navigate some of the bureaucratic hurdles I have rights to an EU passport (British father) and I am actively considering a permanent or semi-permanent move back over myself. I know that things are not totally rosy in the UK with the high cost of living and unemployment problems.. However, I am on the West Coast of Canada.. which is an *extremely* expensive place to live in, wages are not commensurate with housing costs etc. and frankly finding work is very difficult as well... So, from my perspective, it would be six of one and a half dozen of the other.. and I have long wanted to return to Europe/Britain..

It's horrid in UK, actually. Whatever the official lines from the Downing Street, UK is in recession.

Our business (I am a full time chef now in a large golf club with hotel and leisure facilities) has been really slow and I have to spend more on fuel and energy bills. I've never seen such a quiet Friday/Saturday nights in a city during December. So much so, I volunteered to take a month of unpaid leave, and will go back to Japan tomorrow.

PS. Hello, Guys.

And, where the hell that icon of mine came from???