In preparation of starting at a new job I have this ritual of getting a new spiffy hair cut. I’m not sure why I do it…it’s like this cleansing exercise: out with the old in with the new or something hippie like that.
I went to my usual haircut haunt; after they cut your locks there, they always give you this fantastic head massage. Only this time after my fantastic head rub, they had my hair in a bag waiting for me – I thought this odd.
“Here’s your hair like you requested” said my hairdresser.
“Excuse me?” I asked her, really, really, really surprised.
For a brief moment I thought while I was getting my message; she had gone out back and smoked something other than a cigarette, only to return disillusioned with reality.
It turns out though, that some lady from a production company had come in; requested to have some hair, for a hair cut scene in a movie. And my hair, in the bag; that was for her not me. Stranger things have happened to me I guess, but looks like my hair is going to be more famous than me…I wonder if I need to get my beautiful locks an agent?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Big Boring
I’ve decided to keep the next couple of days, before starting at Global Vision, as stress free as possible. In fact, I would love them to be completely devoid of all activities. Yip, you are not going to hear me say this often, but I want to be bored. I want to be so bored, that come Wednesday, I’m pretty much begging to get started…
The Easy Life
I sometimes have to remind myself what a blessed life I live. Sure there are certain days which are difficult, but on most days I have it easier than others. I am able to feed myself, clothe myself, have shelter over my head, have fun and live in arguably one of the most breath taking locations in the world.
I realized this as I bit into a chunky piece of meat at a braai at a house on Glen Beach; overlooking the ocean. I watched the breaking waves and was in awe of the beautiful mix of colours in the sky as the sun began to set and realized: “Life, it could seriously be worse than this.”
I must admit the standard of living for an average person is South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town does seem much higher than most people in other parts of the world, first world countries included. I suppose I only have the Far East to compare to since I’m not that well traveled, but it seems that people don’t have to have as much to enjoy an extravagant lifestyle.
Perhaps I’m wrong here, but I just find this theory being confirmed by the many overseas visitors that I have had the pleasure of befriending.
I know sometimes I complain. But I am certainly grateful. I am grateful for what I have and realize that I have it better than the fair majority of people out there.
I realized this as I bit into a chunky piece of meat at a braai at a house on Glen Beach; overlooking the ocean. I watched the breaking waves and was in awe of the beautiful mix of colours in the sky as the sun began to set and realized: “Life, it could seriously be worse than this.”
I must admit the standard of living for an average person is South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town does seem much higher than most people in other parts of the world, first world countries included. I suppose I only have the Far East to compare to since I’m not that well traveled, but it seems that people don’t have to have as much to enjoy an extravagant lifestyle.
Perhaps I’m wrong here, but I just find this theory being confirmed by the many overseas visitors that I have had the pleasure of befriending.
I know sometimes I complain. But I am certainly grateful. I am grateful for what I have and realize that I have it better than the fair majority of people out there.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
To Write or Not to Write? That is the Question
I had a moment yesterday where I felt like I should stop writing. It felt like it was the logical point to stop. I had begun to write when I started at DVT, so I figured that perhaps it should also end when I finished there.
I reasoned that I had proved to myself and everyone else around me that I could commit and be disciplined at a specific task; I also believe that I proved that I could get relatively good at something through sheer determination and practice. So everything that I wanted to prove I had proved.
To be honest keeping up with this personal goal of mine has started to get tiring. I often find myself wanting to just kick back and relax, but my deluded sense of responsibility to fulfill an outrageous accomplishment often prevents me from that desire. That reason alone serves as a deterrent to carry on.
However, I did commit to my daily writings for a year. One month out, I cannot stop. I don’t think I could live with the regret of coming so close to accomplishing something and not follow through with it.
I reasoned that I had proved to myself and everyone else around me that I could commit and be disciplined at a specific task; I also believe that I proved that I could get relatively good at something through sheer determination and practice. So everything that I wanted to prove I had proved.
To be honest keeping up with this personal goal of mine has started to get tiring. I often find myself wanting to just kick back and relax, but my deluded sense of responsibility to fulfill an outrageous accomplishment often prevents me from that desire. That reason alone serves as a deterrent to carry on.
However, I did commit to my daily writings for a year. One month out, I cannot stop. I don’t think I could live with the regret of coming so close to accomplishing something and not follow through with it.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Full Circle
I realize as I sit here at my desk that I've almost come full circle. I began writing on a daily basis when I joined DVT. Now, as I'm about to leave, I realize that I have just one more month before I achieve the goal of penning my thoughts for a full year.
It seems quite coincidental that the two beginnings and the two ends should almost coincide. Perhaps it merely marks the end of a season in my life.
After my goal is achieved, I will still continue pursuing my passion to write but it will be less frequent, as I need to start making space to pursue phase two of my long term goals.
It seems quite coincidental that the two beginnings and the two ends should almost coincide. Perhaps it merely marks the end of a season in my life.
After my goal is achieved, I will still continue pursuing my passion to write but it will be less frequent, as I need to start making space to pursue phase two of my long term goals.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Penultimate Day
It's my penultimate day at DVT. Gosh! I love that word "penultimate", I try to use it as frequently as possible, but the opportunity doesn't come too often. I can feel the end - as the last seconds of my tenure count down.
It has certainly been an experience, with many highs and personal lows; but throughout everything, the support which I have received from the management team has been quite simply - phenomenal.
It's nice to see that some businesses, still treat their employees like people and when I went through some personal hardships they provided me with space. No questions asked - no fussing about profit margins or impacts on bottom line.
As a software developer I feel that I have grown significantly under the guidance of some very talented and experienced senior members; I've worked on many interesting projects and at times have been left to my own devices and was given the opportunity to drive the technical direction of some of them. The camaraderie and friendship amongst my peers has been more than welcome and certainly much appreciated.
Since my stay has not been long, it came as a bit of a surprise, but alas this is where my journey ends; it is time for me to move on and bare fruit from the seeds planted by DVT. I have some fond memories and will cherish these.
DVT stands under a banner of "Smart People, Smart Solutions"; with emphasis on the first bit, it is a rarity these days for a business to be people centric. I have always been a firm believer that if you look after your people; that your business will prosper. If this trend continues; despite hard economic conditions and market fluctuations DVT will always be successful.
It has certainly been an experience, with many highs and personal lows; but throughout everything, the support which I have received from the management team has been quite simply - phenomenal.
It's nice to see that some businesses, still treat their employees like people and when I went through some personal hardships they provided me with space. No questions asked - no fussing about profit margins or impacts on bottom line.
As a software developer I feel that I have grown significantly under the guidance of some very talented and experienced senior members; I've worked on many interesting projects and at times have been left to my own devices and was given the opportunity to drive the technical direction of some of them. The camaraderie and friendship amongst my peers has been more than welcome and certainly much appreciated.
Since my stay has not been long, it came as a bit of a surprise, but alas this is where my journey ends; it is time for me to move on and bare fruit from the seeds planted by DVT. I have some fond memories and will cherish these.
DVT stands under a banner of "Smart People, Smart Solutions"; with emphasis on the first bit, it is a rarity these days for a business to be people centric. I have always been a firm believer that if you look after your people; that your business will prosper. If this trend continues; despite hard economic conditions and market fluctuations DVT will always be successful.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Coffe Club Goes Live
Ernst and I have been working tirelessly on the Coffee Club website… Well to be honest mostly him, I’ve just been sitting back watching, learning and being the irritating “business” guy commenting on what I like about the site, what I don’t like and what I think it should be capable of; without any inkling of development implications of course…
I must admit, being the ignorant guy for a change has been pretty cool. At my work I’m usually the other guy who gets dumped with the task of implementing the crazy, pie in the sky requirements which come from business. I fear however that when I join Global Vision, our roles may reverse and the wrath of Ernst may descend upon me with great vengeance and furious anger…
I digress, so the site is up. But don’t expect too much yet it’s still very much in its infancy. Our goal for now is just to create a little presence on the web; also we wanted to start getting some early feedback so that we could provide members with a better experience. We have some rather interesting ideas for the club in the not so distant future and hope that this site will serve as the mechanism to unleash our vision to the world. First the web…then the world *evil laugh* - Ahhh the megalomaniac in me coming out.
I must admit, being the ignorant guy for a change has been pretty cool. At my work I’m usually the other guy who gets dumped with the task of implementing the crazy, pie in the sky requirements which come from business. I fear however that when I join Global Vision, our roles may reverse and the wrath of Ernst may descend upon me with great vengeance and furious anger…
I digress, so the site is up. But don’t expect too much yet it’s still very much in its infancy. Our goal for now is just to create a little presence on the web; also we wanted to start getting some early feedback so that we could provide members with a better experience. We have some rather interesting ideas for the club in the not so distant future and hope that this site will serve as the mechanism to unleash our vision to the world. First the web…then the world *evil laugh* - Ahhh the megalomaniac in me coming out.
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