Today is a significant day. Look, it even says it in the title of this post. “Today,” it says, “is a significant day!” Note the exclamation mark for emphasis. If I could use italics in the title I would, because today isn’t just a significant day, it’s a significant day.
What is it about this day that’s so significant? What is it that sets is apart from those days of lesser importance on either side? Put simply, it’s this:
I quit my job.
Unless you’re doing fabulously well, writing for children isn’t going to make you rich. There are perhaps a handful of children’s authors each year who find themselves able to live on their earnings from writing alone. I, alas, am not one of them, largely due to my debauched and excessive social life, which alone costs me upwards of sixty or seventy pounds a year. Or twenty, if you don’t count DVD rentals.
While I have in the past managed to live almost comfortably on various writing earnings, for the last year I have been working with my local Environmental Health office, helping keep the world a safe place for all you good folks out there. It’s been without question the best ‘proper job’ I’ve ever had, and I’ll be sorry to leave. But leave I shall, because if you’ll remember:
I quit my job.
Why the resignation? It’s because my family and I are upping sticks and moving to the Republic of Ireland in the summer. In a complete and utter leap of faith we’re relocating to an area we’ve never been to, to live in a town we’ve never heard of, and mingle with people we’ve never met. Adventure has a new name, and that name is Barry-and-family-are-moving-to-Ireland.
I never said it was a catchy name.
We don’t have jobs in place over there. We don’t even currently have anywhere to live. All we’ve got are some slim savings, a lot of cardboard boxes, and matching expressions of determination on our faces. Hopefully that’ll be enough to get us set up in a foreign country. Okay, not that foreign, but technically it is, even if they do speak the same language, shop in Tesco, and drive on the correct side of the road.
So that’s that. We’re moving in early August, so we have about six weeks to dismantle our lives in Scotland, then reassemble them in Ireland. I’m toying with the idea of taking on an entirely new persona when I arrive there – perhaps a cynical private eye type, or an over-zealous French chef – but I’ll decide that nearer the time.
So now you see why today is a significant day. It should not pass without celebration. Check back later, when I’ll have found something suitably celebratory to post.
Twitter Updates
June 17, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Wow! You definitely italics . . . and bold . . . and all caps!
To make that type of move without all the incidentals accounted for (silly things like jobs, housing, etc.) definitely takes a brave soul — or souls in your family’s case.
Good luck! (and enjoy!)
My family and I lived in Ireland quite happily for 2-1/2 years (my youngest was even born there, so yay, we have a European in the family). You’ll LOVE Ireland . . . your family will LOVE Ireland . . . (I’m so jealous).
June 18, 2008 at 8:15 am
It is, indeed, a big day. Or should that be DAAAAAY! (that’s the biggest I can make it)
As someone who is related to at least half of Dublin (it seems like that at family get-togethers), I know you’ll love it.
I’m behind you all the way (apart from the actual moving to Ireland part, where I’ll be across the sea and off to the right a bit.)
Tommy
http://www.tommydonbavand.com
June 19, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Wow, that’s a heck of a move, in all respects.
Very best of luck with that, I have every confidence it will turn out to be a cracking idea and am also really jealous (although ironically I’m now vaguely considering moving to a different Celtic country myself – one that you’re quite familiar with).
Watch out Eoin Colfer – there’s a new gun in town!
(Do they have the Interweb in Ireland yet? And computers? Or as soon as you cross the border will all electronics freeze up – just in case, take a trusty portable Underwood and plenty of ribbon, that won’t let you down. To be sure.)
June 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Hello again and well done on the humungously massive decision made! We’re still toying with foreign places but it’ll never happen so well done you guys!
Good luck m’dear!