Today is the last day at my present job. Brought in some doughnuts and cookies for everyone. The main thing I am looking forward to is not having to get up at 5:30 each morning. Although I am sure I'll still wake at 5:30 for next few days! I am sad (well, slightly) to leave this job as I have enjoyed working here. Of course there have been problems and as usual with large companies the bureaucracy is phenomenal, along with internal politics and personal snipping, but overall, it has been good. There is a good sense of team and a genuine willingness to help. The biggest problem for me has been the distance. Driving 50 miles round trip may not sound too bad, and it isn't really, its just that most of it is on the M25 motorway, which as some of you know is sometimes a carpark when there is either too many vehicles or an accident. And this is what makes the job tiring. I know others have a harder life, worse job, longer hours, further to travel, so I consider it a real blessing that I now have a new job closer to home and with more standard hours.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Monday, 29 October 2007
Ecto
I've been using ecto for a while now, and now a new "beta version" has been released to try. And I'm using it now. It is such an improvement over the previous, I'm delighted. So, what is ecto? Ecto is an application that lets you type up a post for a blog off-line, or on-line, edit it fully, and then publish it when its ready. So handy. At the moment, the new version only works on the Mac, but the old works on windows. I don't know if the new version will be made available for windows. Oh, before I forget, ecto isn't free, the guy who spent many hours putting this together needs to eat...
Oh joy...
An other great weekend has just passed by, sadly far too quickly. Jubilee Church was blessed on Sunday by Steve Tibbert from Kings Church, Catford (that would be South London). His sermon on Guidance can be heard or downloaded here
So a new week starts, and I'm sitting in my car in the car park at work. Oh joy! Well, this is joy of a type as this is my last week here, well, when I say week, I mean last few days as my last day is Wednesday. Then I move on. I have two weeks rest before starting my new job at a hospital. Jules and I are looking forward to not waking at 5:30 each morning. Oh joy.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
The weekend
Sandra wanted to buy a laptop, so we all went down to Tottenham Court Road in London to have a look. The shops down there were still doing the cheap deals, and after about an hour or so looking at laptops and going from one shop to another, we found one, a Levano for a good price.
Getting to and from Tottenham Court Road was another story as the tube (London Underground) had delays and lots of people trying to travel. Going from home to Liverpool Street Station was fine. I do, however, consider that we had a good run on it as we didn't have to wait too long for each train and the carriage wasn't over-crowded either.
Getting to and from Tottenham Court Road was another story as the tube (London Underground) had delays and lots of people trying to travel. Going from home to Liverpool Street Station was fine. I do, however, consider that we had a good run on it as we didn't have to wait too long for each train and the carriage wasn't over-crowded either.
Sunday afternoon
Scuba diving with a dry suit.
On Sunday afternoon I tried out diving in a dry-suit, in the swimming pool. It was quite an interesting experience. The dry-suit works by keep all the water out. It can be "inflated" with air, to create a cushion of insulation. Buoyancy was fun too, cos as you inflate, you can turn yourself up-side-down and be suspended by your feet, mind you, trying to get the right way up is a bit of a struggle.
On Sunday afternoon I tried out diving in a dry-suit, in the swimming pool. It was quite an interesting experience. The dry-suit works by keep all the water out. It can be "inflated" with air, to create a cushion of insulation. Buoyancy was fun too, cos as you inflate, you can turn yourself up-side-down and be suspended by your feet, mind you, trying to get the right way up is a bit of a struggle.
Monday, 22 October 2007
Sunday morning
This Sunday was a marvelous day. The weather was sunny and bright, but with a cold start. I am part of the "set-up" team for Jubilee Church, who meet in a cinema in Enfield, and Sunday morning was a little different. There were baptisms. This wasn't the "sprinkling" that some churches do, but a full emerson baptism. So, the set up of a "bath" with heated water was interesting and a challenge that the team rose to, and succeeded. I arrived to set up the audio at the usual time to find the "font" in place and full of lovely hot water. All that was needed now was a bottle of bubble bath...
Besides a few hiccups, all went smoothly. Six were baptised and Tope spoke about singing to God which can be heard here. It was a wonderful, blessed morning.
Besides a few hiccups, all went smoothly. Six were baptised and Tope spoke about singing to God which can be heard here. It was a wonderful, blessed morning.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
PDA and an organised life
I've been considering using a PDA to help organise my life, my ordinary day to day life that is, just so that I know when I will be going on holiday, when Alpha is on, and not to forget my wedding anniversary! I had tried this before but found that it didn't work too well, nor did an ordinary diary for that matter. This, I think, was due to my life style and that having and living a chaotic life, and not putting in place some sense of order so that it can be managed, meant that this was doomed to failure.
Now, my life has changed some what, like being married and a normal job and having holidays etc. I think the diary/pda would work. So I dug out my old pda, a Sharp Zaurus SL5500. An interesting machine that has a built in keyboard, which is quite usable, so much so that it surprised me. I bought this device in 2002 in Singapore mainly because it used Linux as its operating system. I tend to dislike Microsoft products since I've found them either to have bugs or they don't do what they're meant to do. Anyway, I've installed another linux system onto the Zaurus called Openzaurus, developed by a small group of enthusiasts which comes with different options, applications and themes. As standard it come with the usual calendar, address book and stuff, also audio and visual stuff. There are also websites out there which have loads of other stuff for the Zaurus, wireless cards and the such like, most of which work straight out of the box. The only problem now is that the up-dates for it are few and far between, if at all. Which is a shame as it is a good device. So I shall use this to see if it works, and if it does, update it with a newer device (also running linux or may be Palm?).
Now, my life has changed some what, like being married and a normal job and having holidays etc. I think the diary/pda would work. So I dug out my old pda, a Sharp Zaurus SL5500. An interesting machine that has a built in keyboard, which is quite usable, so much so that it surprised me. I bought this device in 2002 in Singapore mainly because it used Linux as its operating system. I tend to dislike Microsoft products since I've found them either to have bugs or they don't do what they're meant to do. Anyway, I've installed another linux system onto the Zaurus called Openzaurus, developed by a small group of enthusiasts which comes with different options, applications and themes. As standard it come with the usual calendar, address book and stuff, also audio and visual stuff. There are also websites out there which have loads of other stuff for the Zaurus, wireless cards and the such like, most of which work straight out of the box. The only problem now is that the up-dates for it are few and far between, if at all. Which is a shame as it is a good device. So I shall use this to see if it works, and if it does, update it with a newer device (also running linux or may be Palm?).
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
A welcome visitor
This morning (Tuesday) Jules set off with Lisa to collect from Heathrow their aunt, Sandra, who will be staying with us for a while. Sandra's plan is to move here so we'll be be helping her to find a place to live and find a job. Basically to help her settle in to English life. She has lived most of her life in South Africa, so the weather is going to be the first shock, just hope she brings some African weather with her... The other will probably be the culture shock. Sandra visited the UK many years ago, and I know that things have changed since.
Friday, 12 October 2007
The end of a long week
Its been a long, long week. While waiting at the beginning of the week for a job offer, I started, in earnest, the web design course. That would of been ok if it wasn't for the fact that I have been having trouble setting it up on the computer. It works fine now, but, boy, what a struggle. Why do people assume that everyone only uses MS Windows and not cater for Mac's OSX or even Linux. The course teaches on the other OS's but doesn't cater for them. Phewey.
On a brighter note, as you might of already read, I've been offered a job, and I've accepted it. I finish officially on 9th November and start my new position on the 14th. So I have a few days to sort a few things out like Xmas present for my dear wife :-)
I have also been thinking about getting a PDA to help organise my time, but when looking at the specs, it seems as though they haven't come very far in the last few years. I'm not sure what I was hoping to find, but when compared to an old one I have sitting in a box, I only have to get a wifi card and I'm done! All the software I need I can get off the internet for free.
I am looking forward to a good weekend, with a bit of relaxing and a bit of hard work!!
On a brighter note, as you might of already read, I've been offered a job, and I've accepted it. I finish officially on 9th November and start my new position on the 14th. So I have a few days to sort a few things out like Xmas present for my dear wife :-)
I have also been thinking about getting a PDA to help organise my time, but when looking at the specs, it seems as though they haven't come very far in the last few years. I'm not sure what I was hoping to find, but when compared to an old one I have sitting in a box, I only have to get a wifi card and I'm done! All the software I need I can get off the internet for free.
I am looking forward to a good weekend, with a bit of relaxing and a bit of hard work!!
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
New Job
I can now announce that I have been offered a new job, which I have accepted. So today I handed in my notice and look forward to the last month of having to get up at 5:30 each morning! Which in the summer is really quite pleasant, but in the winter turns into a bit of a chore. Anyway, I am a little sad to leave this job as my fellow workers are really a quite a good bunch and the work is enjoyable. My new job is much of the same, but with a greater variety of products, and closer to home :-)
Saturday, 6 October 2007
A new course -update
Last night I went on and "Orientation Meeting" to start a new course. I was mainly to introduce other students in the area doing the same course and to introduce us to the software which will help us through the course.
The ice breaker was interesting, After collecting a chocolate and "pairing up" we had to go through a list of likes and dislikes to find out a bit out him/her and introduce them to the rest of the group. The headings on the list included "what would you put into room 101", "3 items you''d take to a desert island", "future aims". The answers given where really quite interesting. Here's a selection:
For room 101: Religion, cos it caused wars; flies; ex-girl friend;
For the desert island: Laptop; women; booze; food; x-box (with TV) (And as the instructor commented "may be some haven't got the idea of a desert island!")
Likes: Money; "gadgets"; music
Dislikes:
Future aims: To make money; be happy; leave the country
Mine, for those interested where
Room 101: pollution, the "nanny culture",
Desert Island: my wife, my Bible, Swiss Army Penknife
Likes: Music and motorcycle
Future aims: Balloon ride over a wildlife park in Africa, Scuba dive some coral reefs,
I wasn't amazed that money came high up on peoples list, but at the intensity of the "like", especially from the younger people. Its as though their life is centered around making money and nothing else. That was their purpose in life... shame.
I am looking forward to the rest of the course and as to where it will lead me.... time will tell.... watch this space.
The ice breaker was interesting, After collecting a chocolate and "pairing up" we had to go through a list of likes and dislikes to find out a bit out him/her and introduce them to the rest of the group. The headings on the list included "what would you put into room 101", "3 items you''d take to a desert island", "future aims". The answers given where really quite interesting. Here's a selection:
For room 101: Religion, cos it caused wars; flies; ex-girl friend;
For the desert island: Laptop; women; booze; food; x-box (with TV) (And as the instructor commented "may be some haven't got the idea of a desert island!")
Likes: Money; "gadgets"; music
Dislikes:
Future aims: To make money; be happy; leave the country
Mine, for those interested where
Room 101: pollution, the "nanny culture",
Desert Island: my wife, my Bible, Swiss Army Penknife
Likes: Music and motorcycle
Future aims: Balloon ride over a wildlife park in Africa, Scuba dive some coral reefs,
I wasn't amazed that money came high up on peoples list, but at the intensity of the "like", especially from the younger people. Its as though their life is centered around making money and nothing else. That was their purpose in life... shame.
I am looking forward to the rest of the course and as to where it will lead me.... time will tell.... watch this space.
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Dave Pask
Yesterday, Daivd Pask was brought into eldership. Wonderful blessing for Jubilee Church. Peter Vincent talked about leadership and eldership here before praying for Dave, and then the eldership team. Colin Potter was also involved.
Technorati Tags: Church, Jubilee Church, life
My malapropism
I was reading some sayings when i can across:
The ideals of a country are reflected in the advertisements
But read it as:
The idols of a country are infested in their advertisements
Which I don't think is too far from the truth...
The ideals of a country are reflected in the advertisements
But read it as:
The idols of a country are infested in their advertisements
Which I don't think is too far from the truth...
A new course
Last night I went on and "Orientation Meeting" to start a new course. I was mainly to introduce other students in the area doing the same course and to introduce us to the software which will help us through the course.
The ice breaker was interesting, After collecting a chocolate and "pairing up" we had to go through a list of likes and dislikes to find out a bit out him/her and introduce them to the rest of the group. The headings on the list included "what would you put into room 101", "3 items you''d take to a desert island", "future aims". The answers given where really quite interesting. Here's a selection:
For room 101: Religion, cos it caused wars; flies; ex-girl friend;
For the desert island: Laptop; women; booze; food; x-box (with TV)
Likes: Money; "gadgets"; music
Dislikes:
Future aims: To make money; be happy; leave the country
The ice breaker was interesting, After collecting a chocolate and "pairing up" we had to go through a list of likes and dislikes to find out a bit out him/her and introduce them to the rest of the group. The headings on the list included "what would you put into room 101", "3 items you''d take to a desert island", "future aims". The answers given where really quite interesting. Here's a selection:
For room 101: Religion, cos it caused wars; flies; ex-girl friend;
For the desert island: Laptop; women; booze; food; x-box (with TV)
Likes: Money; "gadgets"; music
Dislikes:
Future aims: To make money; be happy; leave the country
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