Jon told our direct boss about my resignation via email. He's away somewhere glamorous at the moment but I'm sure we'll get a response. Unofficially, I'm being asked whether I'll be happy to do some contract work from France if it's needed. That's good as it'll bring in some wine money. There are a couple of other things lined up as well, so all should be rosey. I'm hoping that I can pay off the one credit card (which has been balance transferred to) by simply not spending as much over the next few months. It looks, therefore, that Paris might be my last extravagance for a while. Although it's unlikely I'll stick to that - there's another bank holiday in May, after all.

I emailed old boss Ian to tell him what I was up to. Something might come of that, possibly. I'm not sure. I think he'll see I'm hankering after something because he's quite astute and I'm horribly transparent, but I think that won't be a problem as we both get on really well. We'll see what happens. Useful person to know, after all.

I have yet to make a plan for my sabbatical. I spoke with Philip today and it looks likely that I'll be heading out mid-July to settle in, which is probably when he'll be around as well. Then he'll head off after a couple of weeks and I'll stay on for as long as I possibly can without taking the piss. His brother might head over sometime in August so I might have to make myself scarce for a week or so, but I doubt that'll be an issue. I can go to a beach or something.

It does look as if I'll be having my birthday out there though - an interesting prospect. Hm. I might have to try and arrange a party for people to come out to. And am I going to keep on number 3? No - probably not, as I might not come back to Newbury when I do come back... I'll consider somewhere new. And that'll be nearly a grand saved in rent which can't be a bad thing. I should read the small print in Mildred's insurance policy as well to make sure she'll be covered out there for more than a month. Actually, she'll be up for renewal then as well. Perhaps I should SORN her and buy a 2CV to pootle around in? I'm sure it'd get there and back although it'd take about twice as long as a squishy-comfortable ride.

I think I'll need to find a gym whilst I'm there, actually. I can do that whole soap opera thing and go away somewhere for a few months then return as a huge ripply hunk. A bit like Nicky in Coronation Street but without the squeaky voice.

NASDAQ's gone wank again. Well, that's not entirely true. NASDAQ's up, but stocky things are still heading south. There'll be a new lot of Redhat up for grabs in August which'll provide some wine drinking money even at its current price (something silly like $4.5). I'm not fretting as that would be bad.

Watched "Drop the Dead Donkey" on Paramount and identified with most of the people (what's left of them) in the office.