Change is good (I think)

Since my last post, which was quite some time ago now, everything has changed.

Firstly, my firm have, in their wisdom, decided to close the Yeovil office where I work. All clients will transfer to the Bristol office and most staff have been offered the possibility of transfer too. It's all come as a terrible shock to most people, mainly because most don't want to move to Bristol or drive every day (almost two hours each way). We had a really warm sense of community in the office; everyone got on and pulled together - it was almost like a family. Naturally that is falling apart now as people pursue different courses of action, and to some extent people go head to head over the available jobs with other firms in the area.

If you read my previous post, you could be forgiven for thinking that my mind must surely now be made up, and that I will be going to Bristol. To an extent you would be right (although there are significant issues which will need discussing). Incidentally, the way is open to transfer to any other office in the country - the firm have offices in all major cities in the UK.

However, in an odd way this has all become somewhat irrelevant now. Following my trip to Florida for Andrew's wedding, I have come to a much more radical conclusion - I am moving to Orlando! I have never been as sure of anything - when I consider the other alternatives it is the only one that actually appeals. Sure, I have nothing against Bristol or London or Manchester or Edinburgh, but I just feel that the United States (and specifically Florida) is the place for me right now. After all, I have no committments in the UK - no girlfriend or kids, and let's face it my success with English girls has been, shall we say, limited. My job has to change anyway, and I don't own property. The only thing I will miss is my close family, who I still live with; however, they probably won't mind coming to visit once in a while!

What has ultimately done it for me, aside from the weather and standard of living, is the people. Almost without exception, everyone I have met on my visits to the US has been friendly, generous, kind and most importantly understanding and talkative. I find that people in the UK are often closed-minded, and although the qualities just mentioned do exist here, on the whole I find people here can't be bothered to try and understand me or listen to what I have to say. Apart from a small number of close friends, most of my interpersonal relations are quite one way, possibly because I do make an effort to listen and understand, but more probably because others don't.

Of course, I realise the following: I only got back yesterday; I went there on vacation and for a wedding; I haven't thought absolutely everything through; I might not be offered a job; the people I met might not be representative etc. etc. I will, of course, have to think about things a lot more, take another trip, and there is a lot to be done in terms of sorting out a secondment and planning the change. My parents don't seem as upset as I thought they would be, but perhaps they think I'll change my mind as time goes on. In fact, every day since Andrew suggested it, I become more certain that it's exactly what I want to do.

More on this story later. Any comments will be most appreciated!