Just call me Aleks

Following in this nostalgic pattern, my recent job-related visit to London was also a time of reminiscing. Although I was undertaking a weekly placement with a magazine, I also ended up back at my old ‘workplace’: Sky.

I’d been arranging to meet Nick, my former editor, for some time then, having taken to heart his offer on my last placement day to “come and visit any time you’re in London”. That evening I arrived partly in business, having to borrow a piece of equipment; but we still managed half an hour to sit down for a coffee and chat.

Walking through those security gates and up those stairs, sitting down at my old seat by the desk, looking at all those familiar faces, all at work, unchanged in those last 2-3 months… It felt amazing. It felt like home. So badly I wanted to stay there and then, even if I was to be paid pennies - as long as I could still be part of that brilliant team. But with friends - acquaintances maybe safer to say - like some of this lot I am sure sooner or later this dream might come true. Just have to stick to it hard enough.

I feel, however, that I can’t end this post just here, because the week in London provided me with new ‘acquaintances’ and once again proved how amazing the life of a journalist can be - purely by the fact of what interesting people you are likely to meet.

And apart from that, I also had the opportunity to catch up with an ‘old friend’ back from Edinburgh - safe to say, we’re both quite ‘random’ and his unfailing ability to make me laugh at a minute-by-minute rate was a reason in itself to appreciate London, for all the chaos and rat-race the city might stand for.

So many reasons, it would seem, to call this chaotic place my other home…

I usually try to avoid soppy reminiscing on public forums, but on a day like this I’m inclined to conform to the universal trend of assessing the year that’s approaching it’s due date.

Was 2012 a good year? It sure was.

I say this looking at it critically from perspective, as there were many times in the last twelve months when I felt like breaking down and when I struggled to move on. I had a few days of absolute depression, ones when I cried my eyes out for hours, and I can tell you this much - I’m not the weepy type.

And still, when I consider all the fantastic experiences that were unique to this year, all the people that I met, or re-discovered after months of not keeping in touch, finally, all that I learnt about myself - which was probably the most precious gift from 2012 - for the first time in a long while I can honestly say: this year was a good year.

Among the above there are, of course, things that I cannot share on a blog; at least for the simple reason, that talking about self-discovery is boring and very unilateral. However, I would like to share with you a few of the most amazing experiences that have made 2012 a year to cherish. Not in chronological order:

Trip to Italy

My job in a coffee shop with time developed my passion for the brew - me, who four years ago would swear she wouldn’t ever drink coffee! As I started running my blog, A Black Spot, it became a distant dream to include Italy among my cafe reviews; after all, it was meant to be the home of best coffee. Suddenly the distant dream materialised and I got myself on a weekly trip to Rome.

Yes, I did taste some of the best coffee on Earth (as little as I have travelled around it), but more importantly, I lived for a week in one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. I was mesmerised by every part of it, even the “slums”, and when I managed to ask my way to a ticket-shop in Italian I felt like a champion. The city was bustling, day and night, and stunning by daylight and in the lamp-light. A place I will be surely returning to, hopefully in 2013.

(Visit my album on Behance to get a taster of what I felt: http://bit.ly/T5AfO1)

Graduation

After years upon years of working hard just studying (those who have experienced Polish education system will understand), the freedom finally arrived - and thankfully in style. I hardly managed that First Class degree, but now it is mine and I can rightfully become a graduate employee. Awaiting better times on the job market, possibly, but not confined to a classroom and structured assignments. Graduation equalled freedom, and months later it still tastes as good as in June.

Work placement and Silverstone

At this moment in time I might be jobless, but I do not threat - yet - as I have made a few valuable acquaintances this passing year. Also, the three week placement with Sky in London was an eye opener and a truly motivational time to work harder and to stick to my dreams, and most importantly - to be myself. Apart from learning how to be a journalist in an actual newsroom, not a staged class environment, I had a great time with the sports desk I was working on, with plenty of laughs - and lots of Formula One.

The visit to Silverstone earlier this year was another fantastic experience. I had to leave before the British Grand Prix, but this was the first time I walked down the historic British circuit - hopefully a prelude to more such visits in the future.

First freelance money

I would have not thought that a journalism course at uni would end up in me setting up my own video production service. The degree provided me with basic video-making skills which I developed in my free time, mainly via production of promotional videos for some individuals who I was approached by. Just a week ago I finally set up my website - ajvideos.org, following the first really good money from a commissioned piece. I have still a lot to work on - and a better recording equipment would also help a lot - but whilst I am building my path to a Formula One career, I am more than happy to devote myself to video production; and this year has given me a lot of encouragement to carry on.

And finally - becoming Maid of Honour

To clarify: the deed is yet not done, as the wedding will take place in July 2013; however, having been asked to take on the role by my best friend, who I have failed miserably on my part too many times to earn her trust, has been one of the greatest distinctions I could have dreamt of, equal to receiving a medal of the hands of the Queen (as if I would ever know). It made me feel important, yes, but not in a hierarchic way as far as weddings go - it made me feel important in her life and gave an extra meaning to mine, a new aim for the upcoming months - to make sure she will be the happiest bride that has ever walked this planet. And since I am a born fighter, a new challenge has made the next year for me, before it even started.

These are just a few off a list of things that have made 2012 a memorable year to me. Although, the best part of this year is probably the fact that it made 2013 a year to look forward to…

I hope the New Year will not disappoint any of us.

Indeed, now I have some time off, thanks to some decisions, that will not meet their planned conclusions and thanks to the beneficial proximity of my mum to where I used to live. Long story short, having planned moving abroad, I quit my job and left my flat, and even got myself some work experience in London, all of which took over three months… Enough for the travel plans to fall through and for me to be left homeless and jobless in Edinburgh - if not for my mum, who lives in the holiday-spot for the English, the posh and quiet Lake District.

Now, for the first time ever, I am left without a decent plan of action for the months ahead. Yes, there are some job proposals, or more work placements, but there’s nothing set in stone - and so, my mind wanders, wanting to explore the world… and to enjoy the tranquillity of life as it is just now, with no duties, and plenty of time to think and dream…

I do appreciate this time I have been given, or rather, created for myself. I fear it won’t be for a long while from now on, when I won’t need to worry about returning to work so soon after Christmas, or, more likely, celebrating the season at all! And although by nature I have to be productive to stay happy, for once I feel that a day off - a week off - is not a time lost. It’s a time earned.

How do I start? Do I have to grab your attention with a witty opening? Should I be mysterious and vague to fuel your curiosity? What do you write in the first post, exactly?

I’m not a novice in writing blogs; I have been doing it for months upon months, either reviewing coffee or the last Formula One race. I even used to run a personal blog, talking about my move from Poland to the UK, my first English friends in the Lake District, and my first real kiss under shooting stars… Until some readers said it was too fantastic to be true and that I must have been lying. Maybe it didn’t cut off all my willpower for blogging about myself, but it did contribute to me eventually deciding I had better things to do. And so, it ended.

Only now, when I finally found my haven from the crazy pace of life I had been living I am able to get my thoughts together - and write again. For whom? For incredulous readers? Maybe. More likely though for myself. What better way to sort your head than putting your thoughts down on paper… even if it is e-paper.

I cannot help thinking these posts need to be concise, which goes against my long-winded style. Always been more of a feature writer, really.

But whether you’re just here for the occasional photo or a tune, or for a read, trust this: it is all real.

Trust the journalist in the room.