Hi Guys,As an ex MC who is now a contractor and a busy family life, I really only have time for 1 x of these type of forums.(I call these my "time out" 2-5mins break that I take when I need a bit of thinking time on an issue or just want to take a short break from whatever I am doing, whether at work or at home)Being honest, the Contractor forum I am on is sensibly the one I should stick to. I will not add the link here as to be fair to TopConsultant and Tony, this is an MC site and not an advertising area.Its been a pleasure, doesn't time fly? I originally came here to have a sniff when I was a permie thinking of MC life. Then I joined an MC. Now I'm a contractor. So many years come and gone.As a final goodbye (no leaving drinks I'm afraid):- BEP; its been a pleasure, I understand why you have a focus on work/life balance. Please do keep hammering it at the noobies- Cams; come on, were you really in Mexico or was it Stoke on Trent!?! ;p- Coolio; aka Einstein of the forum. Not been here for a while, but always interesting feedback when he comes- Mars; if I was looking for a new contract, yes I could see you being very good advice wise on CV and roles- no doubt forgotten or missed others, take care allThe internet is a weird and wonderful thing. I'm older and a bit old school when it comes to friends and advice (I want face2face or a call) yet here I am on a site spilling out my thoughts and argueing points with like minded people. Take care all and wish you all well.

I think I am speaking for all of the regulars when I say we will miss you on here.

I feel I am speaking for everyone except the 5 regulars on here when I say that your post is unbelievably self indulgent. Just don't check the forum for a while if you are busy - maybe you'll come back at some point. You don't have to 'announce' you are leaving.

[quote]I feel I am speaking for everyone... [/quote]No, you're not.

[quote]I think I am speaking for all of the regulars when I say we will miss you on here.[/quote]+1

Oh Anon MCs, does it have to be so final? Could you maybe pop back even just very occasionally so that we can maintain our friendship? I understand the pressures on your time... If you do go, we will all miss you dearly

[quote][quote]I feel I am speaking for everyone... [/quote]No, you're not.[/quote]You count as one of the 5 regulars.

I've been absent for 6 months (changing companies, having children) and I still come back!

Welcome back and congrats!

Wondered where you went Arby - welcome back

Thanks

Arby - similar to Mars and BEP, welcome back!Just a quick one to say:Merry ChristmasHappy New YearA short rant:As a quick update, the other forum is useful (ie interesting info and threads re contracting and everything about being a contracor) but my god, I didn't realise what a bunch of moaners we contractors were, they are bitchin' and moanin' at how terrible everything is all the time, when in fact most of us have got it pretty damn good.Fine so we are going to have to pay a bit more tax from April '16. So what? Everyone else is so what do we expect? I'm not saying I love it, but it shouldn't come as a surprise, economy is in trouble hence off course they are going to try and squeeze a bit more here and there. Another one - most of us get enforced 2 weeks holiday over Christmas if working in Financial Services. So what? I would have taken 3 days bank holidays anyway as a contractor, I loved my time off it was great to relax over Christmas. We are still doing pretty well compared to permies, just be sensible about booking hols. Things in general slow down around Christmas for projects, do we really expect banks to just suck it up and keep paying?Anyway, all going well, had extra family members come over from country xxx for Christmas so its been a great hols.Take care all and see you around. If their moaning continues, I may see you later in the year.