I have made the observation . . .

. . . that I only blog about once a week these days.  This must stop at once.

Oh, there you go, sorted.

And . . . relax

Another week drawing to a close.

I had a phone interview on Wednesday for the new Cloud role in which I have expressed an interest.  It is exactly what I hoped it would be, and so it is just right for my next role, but for one important aspect; the role will involve some travel, likely international.

I subsequently spoke to one of the two people currently doing the role, both in Germany, and he said that it is deal dependent, that some months he rarely travels at all, other months he can travel every week, and that it would typically be 2-3 days per week away from home when he is travelling.  It is meant to be a consultancy style role, so in, advise the local team, and out, but as with all things in the modern world, with resources stretched all over the park, there is always the risk that we get sucked in to the team to fill a void.  Also, by expanding the team from two to three, the load can be spread, and in fact the manager wants the team bigger than that, so perhaps adding numbers will dilute the challenge.

So, that becomes the main issue to consider and resolve.  I think it comes down to the fact that there are very few roles in Starfleet that do not have some level of travel, and I know I am fairly spoilt where I am, since I can within reason dependably do the school run on a Monday and Friday, and can flex things round to accommodate the odd parents' evening here and ad hoc maggot collection there.  So I can choose to remain where I am, lookout for the pipe and slippers, and have the home life flexibility, or push myself, take up a new and exciting role that has future-proof written all over it, but suffer a little on the home life.

We would need a robust and reliable support network to manage things at home, and we do have a few options, so I think we can make it work.  LO, as always, will support me in any decision I make, and that is both a blessing and a curse, since it means that it really comes down to me, whether I can hack it, and whether I am happy with the change in the home situation.

Right now, I am slightly cautious, but mostly I think I am up for the challenge.  I need the weekend to give me some space to think it all through, and discuss with the family, and then on Monday I will have my decision.

Have a good weekend, and speak next week.

And . . . relax

Cloud is consuming me.  As a guru, I need to pursue with vigour all the knowledge out there, since there is a lot of it, albeit very fragmented.  The fragmented nature of it is indicative or the newness of it all, and for me, that is an opportunity, since while I may not know much, I know as much as many, more than a fair few, and am acquiring knowledge at a great rate.

I also have a phone interview for a potential new role within Starfleet.  I can't wait.

This weekend we are doing nothing, since I don't feel well, oh except we will be meeting Brad and Angelina in Moors Valley on Sunday.

Have a great weekend.

And . . . relax

Still chasing Clouds, and now have a concrete proposal with which to apply what is now very clear is my paltry knowledge.  I cannot even complete the (admittedly complex and multi-layer) installation of the tools to enable me to access the Cloud portal.  Quick not to their helpdesk will hopefully sort that.

Otherwise, we need a bit of family time, and space, over the weekend to reconnect and to rebaseline.

Have a good weekend, speak next week.

And . . . relax

I am back to work after my two days in the Netherlands.  The training was fantastic, and has inspired me with a very clear and viable new career option, something I intend to pursue with some vigour over the next few weeks, and will tell you all about it if anything comes of it.

On the subject of The Netherlands vs Holland, here is a very good, and fairly amusing, video to help you understand it.  I for one am now totally clear about it.

I am now sitting on a call about Cloud, my new specialist subject, and while I am very clear that I know next to nothing, that seems to be at least as much as others know, and with my desire to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can, I really can see a pathway opening out in front of me.

It is the end of the first week for Brad, and I am hoping that he is finding his feet in the new role.

On that note, I will bid you farewell, and speak next week.

Training

half way through day two, and things are getting clear and more confused all at the same time.

I am liking the idea of being a guru, so will be buying some sandals and a loin cloth to complete the look.

It is about to start, gotta go.

'Dam

Here I sit in some faceless business district in Amsterdam, writing this blog, and feeling content after 3 pints, a pizza and chips and an overpriced chocolate treat.

The beer was good - Heineken Extra Cold, which is cold and wet and tasty enough for a mid-week drink.

The pizza was really poor.  Biscuit base rather than crispy dough.

The fries were good.

The salt was very chunky, so looked good in the dish, but did not coat the chips particularly well.

The black pepper grinder was quite exceptional.

The "salmon and cucumber" with a bread roll starter was very nice.

The view from the window was very pedestrian.  Think the junction for Havant exit and the A27.

The restaurant was very European - spartan but sort of chic.  It had the most enormous brass or copper shades, maybe 1m diameter, over each table.  I did have to just check the fitting looked sturdy.

The chocolate was very expensive, but as a weak captive audience, it is all I can expect.

I hope that Brad is getting his feet under the desk of his new job.

Not spoken to Golfy or Bad Man for a while, maybe need to do that when I am back in Blighty.