Yay, it is Friday again, and Fandango has just published his Friday Flashback post. The idea is that he picks a post from this day in a previous year, to give newer readers a better insight into what does and doesn’t make him tick.

I have always liked that idea, so shall also post my own reminiscence. As much as anything, it reminds me of where I was, where I am now, and how far I have come. Hopefully, you will find it entertaining along the way.

Oh, and thank you to Jennifer at Paperkutzs for allowing me to use her image.

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I went back to 2018 today. After the stroke in 2016, I’d got myself back on my feet and decided to reskill myself again at the start of 2018. In my career, I’d been an IT system designer, but I’d done an awful lot of development to get there. By September of that year I was obviously happy enough that I had just started putting myself forward for jobs again, and posted about my initial exploits.

The things I mention in the post were all disappointing. The job, they were looking for someone with a lot less experience, and I’d have probably been a fly in their ointment. That job fair was also a total waste of time. Every stand was some social care provider. It does, however, show which direction the UK is headed.

Two years later… I develop from home and have released two apps since then, but in terms of paid work, I am still looking. I’ve come to appreciate just how little IT work there is around here. I never used to mind commuting but the stroke has made me quite travel-phobic to this day. I’m sure there must be a word for that.

Add: Hodophobia. So, stick that in your pipe and use it in next week’s prompt, Melanie!