Thursday 26 May 2011

WHAT BUSY DAYS!

For those of you (the Politics Yawn Brigade)that didn't follow my separate election blog, I'm pleased to rather belatedly tell you that I won my local district council election. So now I'm officially Councillor Troy although an old friend has advised "I hope you don’t use that ridiculous affectation in real life!" Mrs Troy, in contrast, seems to quite like the concept of being the councillor's wife and has gone out on a clothes shopping spree in anticipation of being invited to future events.

With a council chamber dress code* of "jacket/suit and tie", Troy has also had to delve into his wardrobe to find garments much under-utilised since he stopped working back in 2007. And I'm proud to announce that they all still fit perfectly. With the suits having been hand-tailored in Hong Kong and each with an additional pair of trousers (obviously not worn at the same time!), its nice to be making use again of that previous investment. Fastening the top button of the shirts and adding a tie is actually taking some getting re-used to. However it does feel nice to be smartly dressed for a change and Mrs Troy welcomed seeing her husband in something other than the usual casual gear.

The reason I just got round to blogging now is that I've been SO BUSY! There is a tremendous amount of training and induction involved for new councillors. Unlike with both the school governor's role and being a parish councillor, this training is all upfront rather than spread over the first year. So my calendar has been pretty full and I've had to co-ordinate a lot more with Mrs Troy as a lot of it spreads over into the evenings. In fact some weeks, with all my various activities, I'm now out on three or four evenings! I felt pleased to get involved on the Planning Committee as those meetings start at 9.30am so I could go to those whilst Mrs Troy is at work. Of course this rather forgot the several meetings in school holidays which will present its own child-minding issues.

There are a handful of new councillors - "Newbies" we call ourselves - and by and large they are a very friendly and social bunch of people as most of us are in the same party. Some of the more experienced councillors, in contrast, have been there for twenty or more years and have seen a lot of changes in that time. Overall its a good mix.

Virtually everyone who retires will tell you that they don't know how they ever found the time to work. I think that one paces oneself differently but it is amazing how the calendar fills up and the days race by. I certainly don't regret retiring early and having all these new experiences in my "older age". Talking about "older age" - I insured my car through Saga and subsequently got a offer from them to subscribe to their Saga magazine at £7.95 for three years (22p per issue!). Never one to resist a bargain, I now will find myself reading the Saga Magazine which makes me feel very old indeed!

(* at least for the Conservative councillors)

12 comments:

auntiegwen said...

Oh I am desperate to retire, but congratulations on your venture into politics, I hope it's great fun for you

Trish said...

Do you think Saga is hoping to gather lots of £7.95 subscriptions in the knowledge that some of them will pop their clogs before the three years are up?

I do like a man in a suit, even with extra trousers about their person.

Troy said...

Auntie - you are far too young to retire! 40+ is the new 30+ isn't it?

Trish - but hopefully they won't pop their clogs whilst out driving on their Saga car insurance!

Sir Bruin said...

Congratulations on your election. I hope that you enjoy it. Hopefully, one of these training courses will explain how you will be able to do everything with nothing.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Every time my son Skypes from uni he talks politics, then again he is studying it, but he's so passionate about it all and was furious when there was a problem and he and his friend were unable to vote against this AV vote thing (sorry, can't remember what word to use instead of 'thing').

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your success. I think the new clothes is definitely a good idea for Mrs Troy; she certainly deserves to spend your money!

CJ xx

Troy said...

Sir Bruin - if I could do everything with nothing I should be running the country.

Debs - we professionals call it a referendum! Its good that your son is so interested as there is a lot of apathy about.

CJ - actually whenever we go clothes shopping together my wife finds little that fits her properly and I end up buying things for myself which I see whilst passing the time whilst she is in the changing room.

Ladybird World Mother said...

WELL FLIPPING DONE!! Such good news and I can't think why I didn't know earlier, until I realised that although I follow your other blog, I hadn't added it to my blog roll... REALLY pleased for you, and for your area, as you will make a difference, I just know. Saga!! Honestly, how old do you think you ARE? (Btw, where can I get a copy?) Glad the suits are being used again, and look forward to hearing all about what you get up to...x

flyfishsantafe said...

Sorry to have been absent for so long, but did at last visit and am pleased to learn of your election success! Now, my friend, you have moved from the back seat on the bus to the drivers position so let's get cracking on the hard targets for budget savings just like Chris Christie in New Jersey. If you find your supply of neckties becoming boring, I'll send you some of mine which have been in repose for a few years now.

Joe Stein said...

Congratulations on becoming public property, Troy. And on getting to use your full wardrobe again. Especially the ties!
I think that when I found I had more than one real tie, I realised I’d grown up.
I also had a tie once that detached itself if someone grabbed it and pulled. This was thought at the time to be a big asset in certain industries, usually the ones where the guys working have necks too big to wear ties anyway. The advantage of this detachment is thought to be:
A) The wearer doesn’t get dragged all over the place by the tie puller.
B) The tie puller is so surprised by the tie coming off in his hand that he stops short for a moment giving the (now ex) tie wearer the opportunity to say: “Now then kind Sir, please be a good fellow and give me back my tie.”
C) If you’re really lucky the tie puller yanks so hard that when the tie detaches in his hand, the momentum means he falls over backwards.
The one time I was in fact grabbed by the tie in that classic manner, I had just replaced it the night before with a normal one as I’d gotten alcohol on the detachable one. As you can imagine, none of the three options above applied and both I and the man gripping my tie ended up across a table.
Sometimes I’m glad I grew up...
(Not sure I'm quite ready for Saga yet though...)

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Sod politics, whats happened to your more interesting football analysis. Or are you now a Norwich man! Derby for promotion?

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