It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

freshpopcorn

I think why January is slow is because in December you are focused on the 25th which id basically over three weeks. Then you are busy doing stuff which speeds up the time.

I sort of feel the days after Christmas in December sort of work into January also which makes it kind of longer.

Posy

Yeah, it's really all about perception isn't it. Like the week leading up to a holiday is all anticipatory and a 10 day holiday will fly by a lot more than 10 miserable rainy days at work!

I didn't find January too bad this year, but it's still a bit of a slog. Even getting paid today I was thinking 'there's still another full week until February!' Roll on the bank hol. 😁

April this year is a funny one- Easter will be over and all by the 2nd!

Norrie Rugger Head

Wooh, February Imbolc Bank holiday on the way

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672423#Comment_121672423

Best thing to happen to Ireland in years. It really breaks up the period from new years to paddy’s day

antimatterx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672557#Comment_121672557

Now if could have a July or September one we'll be laughing

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672667#Comment_121672667

antimatterx for Prez!

DvB

I just want it to be Friday evening... what a bloody week.

antimatterx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672842#Comment_121672842

Hahahahah I tried out politics in the last election. Never again.

Aisling(",)

I'm off next Monday and Tuesday(using up some January leave)without realising the week after is the bank holiday. I love a run of short weeks especially when they're unexpected 😅

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121672667#Comment_121672667

Late September and November get my vote, the summer months are somewhat bearable with more daylight hours.

Posy

Going from 1st August to 31st October (potentially) is a three month gap between bank holidays. I always think it feels like they are closer because there's only one month between them when actually it's now the longest gap between holidays.

The + 3 and a half months until the first bank holiday of the year was always the real kicker though!

BK5

Thank Crunchie it's Friday.

Had to go into work both days last weekend so this the 12th morning in a row I've had to get up and out. Looking forward to a takeaway and a couple of beers tonight and am doing very little else over the weekend.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121673339#Comment_121673339

Funnily enough I always find with it being the end of summer & the kids going back to school, we're so busy it doesn't feel that long of a gap. At 12 weeks you'd think it would feel long but for me anyway it always seems to move at a pace, us entering double digits on the countdown on 17th Sept helps though as we all know how fast time seems to go after that. It was always the new year, Jan/Feb into March gap that felt a real drag. Thanks St. Brigid!

pigtail33

There's a real feeling of Spring in the air today. The sun seems so much brighter than mid Winter, although it's still pretty cold, especially when you're in the shade. I've seen a few daffodils, not far from blooming too.

Thank Crunchie it's Friday, the last one of January. This time next week, we'll all be in Bank Holiday mode!

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121676647#Comment_121676647

That's twice today I've forgotten about the bank holiday next weekend!

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121673339#Comment_121673339

The Aug to Oct gap never bothered me as usually by then I'd have a good break and bank holidays under my belt and the weather is nicer.

The Jan-March gap felt so long after the come down after Christmas and the dark dreary weather never helps.

freshpopcorn

Don't kill me please!

pigtail33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121676792#Comment_121676792

I had to double check the calendar before I posted that! I still haven't got used to having one in Feb, although I'm definitely not complaining.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121676647#Comment_121676647

My daffs have been up since Christmas.... overachievers 😂

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121676864#Comment_121676864

This…. I like.

pigtail33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121676933#Comment_121676933

I noticed mine peeking up just before Christmas, but there's no flowers on them yet, the cold last week probably shocked them a bit!

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121677021#Comment_121677021

I've pictures of the first few in bloom on Christmas Eve.

I thought last week's frost and storms would finish them off but still going strong

tscul32

January does seem like it's been going for quite a while now, but there's only 2 weeks until the school mid term break!! And the bank hol in between.

My last 6hr online lecture tomorrow, taking the second half in the car on the way to Derry. And the littlest elf has his secondary school entrance exam tomorrow morning 😱

Norrie Rugger Head

Just looked into my annual leave and it turns out that I have 20 days to use up by April. Will make these days pass easier

Loughc

My paternity leave officially finished up yesterday. At the moment I’m feeling more grateful that I had the time than sad it’s over.

That might change come Wednesday when the mid week slump hits 😂😂

At least next weekend is a 3 day weekend.

Heroditas

I'm actually stunned we're at the end of January. The month has flown by, primarily because work has been so busy. Unfortunately I've spent about half that time with HR dealing with multiple disciplinary issues so it's been bloody stressful. Thankfully there's light at the end of the tunnel with the disciplinary processes coming to an end. 🤦

Can't wait for next weekend. Elf #2 turns 9 next Saturday so I'll finish up early on Friday, kick back, have the birthday on Saturday and then a nice family celebration on Sunday. No work the next day. Yay!

I'm raging though the Superbowl isn't next Sunday. They've moved it a week later the last couple of years so it doesn't coincide with our new bank holiday. 😤

Princess Calla

Tree getting packed away. I just noticed the price tag on it.

A 7 1/2 foot deluxe noble tree was bought in Roches Stores for 49.95.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121680282#Comment_121680282

Nah I take it all back, I'm sad it's over.

For me I just know I'm a better Dad, husband, friend, etc when I'm not working, the stress and chaos nature of work takes me out of so many moments. This is why Christmas is so important to me, it's time when we actually get to be present in the moment, I know it's cliched and used in a movie but I find it so true, "At Christmas time we are the kind of people we hope we would be all year."

I really need a lotto win haha.

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121686325#Comment_121686325

Is that in pounds or euros? 🤣

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121688233#Comment_121688233

Good luck with your first day back. Sorry to hear work stresses youbto that extent, would a little job search be something to look at? You'll have more control over that than a lotto win 😁

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121688248#Comment_121688248

Good question, were Roches stores even around when the euro came in?

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121688248#Comment_121688248

I'd imagine Punts,

I know Roches was still there in 98 as I worked there, but it was Debenhams in 2002 as my friend worked there. Not sure when the takeover actually happened. The euro came in around 2000/2001?

A cup of te

@Loughc speaking my language here. I'm such a better person when I'm away from work. It stresses me out to the point of not living and not enjoying the precious moments. I have had jobs before though where I was content. Those jobs are out there. I went for one promotion too many in order to afford a house, that was my mistake.

Having tried very hard to win the lotto last year (even looking up the odds on games, honestly don't bother, it's pure chance), I think I'm going to have to back up @miamee advice on this and say a job search is the easier one to control! You have to be rational too though and not just apply for anything. Or if you can set a target e.g. by 2026 I should have such and such paid so can seek a different job etc. When you have an end date or target it might be easier to have a different attitude.

I wish you the best on the return to work and I do believe things will work out. A bit of planning and optimism and playing the long game if you have to and you'll get to that place of being content and peaceful.

A cup of te

Oh and I reckon Debenham opened in 2002

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121688477#Comment_121688477

Thanks @A cup of te and @miamee to be fair I do enjoy the job I have and similar to you @A cup of te a couple of promotions brings extra stress.

To be fair I'm content in my job, and more often than not it's not the job that's causing the stress it's just the daily grind and pressure of a structured fit everything around the 9-5, that comes with any job. Being off just allows you the freedom to do things at your own leisure and the only thing that offers that is the lotto not a new job haha.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121688317#Comment_121688317

Roches sold to Debenhams in 2006.

Debenhams had already entered Ireland by then and had a few stores.

pigtail33

I won a Standard Medium Hot Chocolate from Costa from Vodafone before Christmas and never got to use the voucher. It expires this Weds (Jan 31st) and there's no Costa near me, so I won't get to use it. I can PM a screenshot of the voucher code to someone on here if they would like it.

DvB

Work stress has become such a large part of my life that I've actively started my retirement plan & if all goes as planned I'll be retiring in 8 years. I genuinely believe that if I carry on taking on what I do though I wont live to see that day so need to start finding a better way to de-stress or better still reduce it altogether.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121688666#Comment_121688666

Yeah a quick google , Roches "revamped" I remember some of my former colleagues taking very nice redundancy packages, which would make sense as the supermarket was replaced by Zara in 2003.

So obviously the revamped Roches my friend worked in, I would have lost money on that as I'd have sworn it was Debenhams she worked in. It was only a filler job between college and graduation for her.

But anyways the tree is the only tree himself ever remembers in the house so I'd still say definitely punts.

Loughc

Jeez lads it's been grim out there all morning, the day has been so gloomy!!

CheerLouth

Sure is...although it seems to have finally stopped raining here. Still very grey though...Spring feels quite far away

DvB

Think its too clear up this evening & be dry overnight & tomorrow. As ever, that's liable to change!

pigtail33

Tis very grey alright. No lunchtime walk for me, which doesn't help lift the mood. Hopefully I'll get out this evening instead.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121689822#Comment_121689822

It's cold out there as well as rain, the rain usually brings a slight increase in temps but not today it would seem.

Princess Calla

The rain cuts like icicles.

Only out for the very short school run and the rain hurt.

Jude13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121689005#Comment_121689005

I am glad I am not alone in feeling the pressure. Though I am nowhere near retiring financially, I am year 1 on a mortgage. I too aspired for a certain career/promotion and Im not sure its worth the rub. I am seeing a psychologist for the first time today to try and get my head around a few things and learn to switch off after hours. Whatsapp is the bain of my work life, well that and a loon of a senior partner.

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121693161#Comment_121693161

Just to note, that 8 years is if financially my firm continues to perform as it does currently, a downturn/recession would severely impact that plan so its very much a best case scenario, but I needed to see light at the end of the tunnel or I genuinely feel like I'd lose the plot mentally... little victories to lift the pressure is what its all about, that's why I worked so hard a few years back at finding ways to switch off on Friday evenings to allow my head about 48 hours to de-stress so to speak. Without that window of decompression I reckon I'd have ended up in a loony bin!

Christmas & family holidays/breaks are a huge part of reminding me why I do what I do though, its times like that, the real highlights of the year that make it worthwhile.

Loughc

Boards lotto syndicate anyone? haha

Loughc

It's a cooooold one out there this morning, I'm just happy it's dry tho!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121693444#Comment_121693444

yep, having to de-ice the car this morning was a real pain! Beats the rain though.