Work Anniversary – 40 Completed Years!
A Journey of Four Decades with a Cheeky Twist
Today marks my whopping 40 years of toil, sweat, and sometimes questionable coffee in the corporate world. If that doesn’t deserve a confetti shower, I don’t know what does! And to sprinkle a little extra icing on the cake, I’m embarking on year number 41 with the same company. Of course, the company’s name has shape-shifted over the years, thanks to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate gymnastics, but it’s morphed into one of the planet’s largest multi-disciplinary consultancies. I’ve watched it grow from a quaint band of roughly 20 folks to a staggering, world-conquering army of over 27,000! So, let’s dive into the pages of my epic journey.
Finding Love in the Daily Grind
Many moons ago, I declared that the day I crawl out of my warm, cozy bed for work and think, “I’d rather be chasing rainbows,” is the day I should call it quits. But you know what? I’m still here, folks! That buzzing excitement when I walk through those office doors? It’s alive and kicking! I can say, with my chin held high and a twinkle in my eye, I truly adore my job.
I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some extraordinary individuals, and guess what? Some of them have evolved from mere coworkers to dear friends. So, my heartfelt thanks go out to all of you for being an integral part of my life’s mosaic.
Life’s Parade – Births, Marriages, Divorces, and Beyond
Over these 40 glorious years, I’ve witnessed the grand parade of life in all its glorious, messy splendor. Births that bring tears of joy, weddings that make us smile, divorces that remind us that not all love stories last, and the inevitable goodbyes that bring tears and nostalgia. I’ve shared stories, laughs, and even the occasional box of tissues with colleagues from all walks of life. From the new graduates wide-eyed with dreams to the seasoned pros with stories to tell, my path has been enriched by their presence.
The Yin and Yang of Four Decades
Now, let’s get real here – it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. Every career, even one as extraordinary as mine, has its dark clouds. But you know what they say, “Don’t focus on the storm; admire the rainbow that follows.” Those tough times, the challenging projects, the relentless deadlines – they’ve all been overshadowed by the spectacular memories I’ve collected.
I still vividly recall my very first day on the job. We had just snagged a commission to transform a dilapidated Victorian house on 44-46 Birch Lane in Longsight, Manchester. On that day, I was schooled on the delicate art of a measured survey. When I returned to the office, I plunged headfirst into the mystique of creating an existing plan of the house on a drawing board, armed only with my trusty Rotring pens. That was the era of the Jurassic drawing boards, long before the shiny dawn of CAD (Computer Aided Design) took over the office scene.
Countdown to Retirement… or Not!
Now, you might be doing some quick math here. If I’ve completed 40 years, that means there are a mere 10 years left until I can waltz my way into the land of state pension. If all goes according to plan, I could wrap up my illustrious 50-year run with the same employer. But hey, let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. Who knows what adventures the next decade holds for me? It’s all still unwritten, and I’m itching to see where this rollercoaster takes me.
So, here’s to 40 years of glorious mayhem, laughter, and the occasional office prank. I’ll keep my trusty Rotring pens close, just in case the drawing boards make a surprise comeback. Who’s with me?
Povall Worthington – 1979-1996 – Architectural Technician
Povall Flood + Wilson – 1996-2000 – Architectural Technician
EC Harris – 2000-2013 – CAD Manager
Arcadis – 2015-onward – Solutions Consultant
