Oh such a perfect day...

What an amazing day!  I woke up early to some excellent news on radio 4 that Vince Cable, the Lib Dem shadow chancellor, came out in support of bailed out banks being used as 'tools of policy'.  He argues that they should be forced to lend out their billions to small businesses that boost the UK economy.  Whilst he doesn't go as far as we do (openly at least) in saying that RBS should be lending billions to kickstart a low-carbon economy, it's a very welcome step in the right direction.

He's certainly the only potential Chancellor I've heard talking any sense at all about the future of bailed out banks like RBS!   It provided me a bit of inspiration when later in the day I was reviewing People & Planet's submission to the Environmental Audit Committee.   They've launched an inquiry - at our beckoning - into how UKFI could/should be assisting the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy through the stake it controls on our behalf in nationalised banks.    All this on the day that UKFI announced it has greenlighted a £1.3 billion bonus pot for RBS bankers...

Actually, thinking about this stuff took up a relatively small part of my day.  Most of it was spent in my bi-annual appraisal.  I can't believe it's only been six months since I returned to People & Planet as the climate change campaigner - it really does feel like I never left.  Anyway, I spent about 3 hours in G&D's with my manager  eating ice-cream and reviewing all the projects I've managed this year - phew!  It's such a valuable process to reflect on how things have gone, all the skills and experience I've gained and the lessons learnt from mistakes made along the way.

I also love appraisal time because it's an opportunity to hear from all my colleagues how they think I'm doing and what needs improving.  It's a humbling process and I was genuinely floored by the amazing feedback I had from people (I think I might be a bit PMS-ey as it almost brought a tear to my eye).   And it wasn't all glowing either  - it reinforced lots of things I've been thinking I need to improve on and do better, so it's useful to know I'm on the right track.  The whole thing made me feel valued and an asset to the organisation.  Unlike every other appraisal I've ever had (ie. at FOE) I didn't end up with a giant salary boost since there's just one (pretty low) wage level at P&P, but it was just as satisfying!  I've put in a lot of hard work over the last 6 month...

Anyway, to round off a brilliant day, I went to the first in a series of singing workshops with the legendary Anita Daulne (of Zap Mama fame) at EOCC.  I've adored their music for the last decade, and tonight I actually got the chance to learn and sing a range of songs from across Africa with her, including my favourite ever Zap Mama song - W'happy Mama!   I've tried lots of courses, classes and things over the last few years, but this is the first one I've thoroughly enjoyed and want to keep going back to!! Yay..