HELICOPTER PILOT

Back to it then. And by 'it' I of course mean work.

Um, what is it I do again? Changing the world? Saving lives? Making a difference? The other day, while we were all in Emmie's caravan, someone asked me what my job is and without blinking I looked across the table and said:

"I'm a helicopter pilot."

... which surprised me and made Katie laugh. Then she told me not to overthink the fact that I hadn't quite told the truth.

I wish I were a helicopter pilot. That would be so cool! Buzzing over a sparkling London with its criss-cross network of glittering streets and skyscrapers, or skimming up the coastline, seeing the waves crash silently against the rocks and cliffs and beaches, would be awesome.

I don't think they let speccy kids fly aircraft though. If my glasses flew off, I'd be in a whole world of trouble.

What I actually do (and explained across the table) is think about the best way to communicate simple instructions. I am an unadventurous technical author in a world of source control, program code and office politics. You can see, can't you, why some people have midlife crises.

Of course the real truth is that you don't have to have a job or a title to change the world. All you need is a little opportunity, and wherever there are people, there's the chance to make a difference to their world.

I'd still like to fly a helicopter though. I could get contact lenses and wear aviators like Stringfellow Hawk. I could pretend to be Arnie and say things like "Get to the chopper" and pretend I'm in Airwolf or something.

Anyway, back to it. These bullet lists and indented paragraphs won't sort themselves out.