Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Moo - more work
Well, it looks like Moo's got more work coming. Hopefully not too much this time, and it's actually good that they (seem to) have won (at least part of) the tender, but she's been working very hard recently, and I want to keep an eye on how much she's doing.Obviously possible trips to Zurich (likely), Sydney (looking fairly probable) and the Middle East (currently conjecture) aren't a _great_ help in this context.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
In HQ
Up at 0530, finished the Pynchon book (reminded me of the untamed half-dream/half-hallucinations I sometimes have when I'm running a fever), and finished off a bunch of work before getting into the office by 0800. Met Midge, who trained me in August, and spent the day meeting other colleagues and doing other work, too. Spoke to the girls around lunchtime, and later on, phoned Moo back, who managed to help me get email back up, which was a relief.A good day: new contacts, renewed previous friendships.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Off to Reston, Virginia
(backposting) Left home at 0700, having seen the girls, which is always good. Took 3 hours to get to Heathrow, as the M25 was pretty awful. Once there, I was through check-in and security in 10 minutes, which wasn't bad, however you look at it. Failed to get an upgrade, but did get a bulkhead seat, so life could have been worse.We were delayed by quite a while, but the flight itself was all right. Watched Whiteout (fairly diverting, but fairly obvious), read Thomas Pynchon's "The Crying of Lot 49", and did lots of knitting.
Took a good old time to get through immigration in the States, and then to my hotel. Had a good Thai meal round the corner, and then to bed.
Problems with home email. Hopefully I can get it fixed (maybe with Moo's help) tomorrow.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Bunkbeds
They've arrived. What an enormous relief. And the girls are so, so happy. And I'm so, so happy because I didn't have to waste hours of my life and a good part of my vocabulary on putting them together: the delivery guys did it for us. Moo put some stencils up on the wall, some fairy lights on the bed and a little book light on Jo's bed. And all is well in the world.In other news, I may be going to the US this month after all. And I ordered a watch with my Amex points. The clasp on my current one broke for the 3rd time, and the last 2 times it happened, it took weeks to get it fixed, as it's a Citizen, and it seems that noone stocks the parts. And Moo was getting bored telling me the time. Really very bored. So, a new one.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
America, Minchin, and a hat
- I'm not going to America tomorrow. Or next week, come to that. I'll go to London tomorrow and next week instead (assuming the weather holds and the roads/trains are operating as expected (do roads operate?))
- Watching the Tim Minchin DVD So f**cking rock, which Moo bought me for Christmas. Bl**dy brilliant.
- I made a hat. I knitted, all by myself. And it looks and feels and acts like a hat. So it _must_ be a duck. Or something. I'll be posting pictures, oh yes.
Labels: humour, knitting, travel
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Jo's school Nativity
She was a lamb (_not_ a sheep). It was very sweet.I may be heading to Reston early next month. And maybe Dallas.
The girls are so tired, particularly Jojo, poor little mite. Sleep's what she needs. And lots of it.
Business lounge
(backposting) So, we checked in after a short meeting and an early start (I was up at 0545 local, 0345 GMT), and I had some good news and some bad news. The bad news was that I only had _one_ guest pass to the business lounge. Well, bad news for Phil. Good news for Ryan, what with his being my boss and paying my expenses.Got back in time for the girls' bedtime, which was a huge bonus.
Knitting on the plane again.
Monday, December 14, 2009
And off to Finland
(backposting) The big thing was trying to get my knitting on the plane. The evidence via Ravelry was inconclusive - well, mixed - so I followed the advice of the person at check-in. I hadn't realised that I was allowed one piece of carry-on _plus_ my laptop bag, so I put the needles (bamboo, 5mm) in my other bag, with my clothes. This meant that if it was turned back, I could go back and check it in.However, it went through first time, with no problem, so I was able to knit on the plane.
I'm getting better, but I'm still making some pretty egregious mistakes, and although I'm getting better at unknitting, I still have problems when I have to go over a row boundary. I made the decision to create a pattern, which was pretty complicated, but kept me nice and interested.
Friday, November 27, 2009
And home
(backposting) A good wrap-up, and all's pretty well with the projects. I even managed to get a version of a document and a spreadsheet out before the plane, so I'm feeling pretty chuffed.Phoned the girls when I landed, but didn't get home till after 1900, so missed their bedtime. But it was good to see Kate and Mac, and Moo was home by the time I got back.
Labels: travel
Friday, November 20, 2009
Working on the plane
(backposting) I'd had to take the only flight - and class - available back today, which ended up being at 1405, and business class. This meant that as well as having more room and a decent meal, I was able to a couple of hours' work on the plane, alongside the 45+ minutes I'd done in the airport.Got in around 1500, and headed off to park on the M25. Oh, it's dull. But I got back, absolutely knackered, at 1815, just in time to see the girls into bed. They were so pleased to see me, as was I to see them. Mum and Dad had also arrived for the weekend, so we had some duck and managed to stay awake for a while.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Moomins
In Finland today, having caught a BA flight. I'm booked back on Friday on a codeshare, operated by Finnair. Who knows whether they'll be flying by then? In fact, on the advice of the lady on the Finnair desk, I booked a fully refundable ticket from Helsinki to Heathrow via Oslo, with SAS (who, one hopes, won't having striking pilots). This means that even if my flight is cancelled on Friday, I'll be able to get back home. And only an hour or so later than I was scheduled to, anyway, which is a bonus.It's misty and dark here in Hyvinkää, and I seem to have sparked something of a discussion my Facebook page about whether Moomins exist. A mate who lives in Finland has even introduced me to a (not entirely complimentary) song about the town. Now, if only the Internet connection were half decent from the hotel room...
Labels: travel
Friday, October 30, 2009
Week in review
Well, yet again, I've done less development work than I'd planned, but on the other hand, we're still on track, and, more importantly, we've been scoping out options for further projects, which is rather fun. That's all going very well, and hopefully my boss (and his boss) are happy with how it's all gone.It's not much fun being away from the girls, but on the plus side, I'm at home for the next two weeks, and I should see lots of them then. And I'm typing this in the airport, so I'll be on my way home soon, as well.
Notes to self for next trip:
- pack swimming trunks (whatever happened to them?)
- pack lots of warm things - it's going to be really quite cold by the next time I'm here
- no need to pack the extra keyboard and mouse (lose some weight from my bag)
- do we have a better suitcase that I can take?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Emmerdale
Who would have thought that Emmerdale would be viewed on Finnish TV? Well, it is: not dubbed, but subtitled. Bizarre, it really is.I do love a good sauna, too, I really do.
Labels: travel
Monday, October 26, 2009
Finland, via hospital again
(backposting) This time, the trip was to see a friend and member of our congregation, who's been in hospital for quite a time, and is expecting to be there for quite a long time more. I took a detour on my way to Heathrow airport for another trip to Finland, and was very glad that I did. She really needed some TLC, and it was good to see her as a friend, too.An OK journey to Finland - the usual work stuff.
Labels: friends, illness, travel
Friday, October 16, 2009
A decision - and flights
(backposting) So, a decision was made. And I think, for the project, that it's the right one. It's not the one that I originally came up with, and I think that there was a suspicion that I - and maybe we, the company - might pressure very hard for the one that I/we came up with. But no: I think this works well, it's a good architectural compromise (they were all going to be compromises), and it works in terms of effort of the project.I also booked flights for the week after next, and flew home. Remembered to call the girls and Moo before heading off, bu was back well after their bedtime. Good to be home.
Labels: architecture, travel
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
And back to Finland
Set off from home around 0740, got to Heathrow a couple of hours later, and did meet and greet parking this time. Just because it took ages to get back to my car last week, and, on top of quite a drive home on Friday night, time is precious. In Duty Free, I bought the 3 Shrek films (on offer) for the girls, and the second series of The IT Crowd for me and Moo. Watched some of it on the train. Just marvellous - had me laughing out loud on quite a few occasions.Caught the very efficient bus to the hotel, and got a double bed this time: I'm so unused to sleeping in a single that I keep nearly falling out (and yes, I'm talking about on my own here). I also joined the hotel's loyalty programme. They give you vouchers. Which you can spend on beer. This is a good thing.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
A real sauna this time
Similar day to yesterday, but when I went to the sauna this evening, it was baking. No hotter than yesterday, but a lot more steam. Within a couple of minutes somebody else came in, and immediately put more water on the coals. 75 degrees Celsius is warm enough for me even without a great deal of steam, and a very refreshing 5 minutes was all I could manage. Phew!Labels: travel
Monday, October 05, 2009
Off to Finland
(backposting) I'd really hoped to finish (sorry - no pun intended) a piece of work this morning, before heading off, but it was not to be, so I left in rather a hurry for Heathrow, in the pouring rain. I was rather pleased with myself for booking some parking, so at least I didn't have to worry about that when I got there.I arrived in lots of time, and met Ryan (my boss) and Miguel (a colleague), and, at the gate, someone from the customer, called Mike. Had an OK flight (partly helping a woman from Nokia come up with a some questions and answers for a pub quiz), and arrived 3 hours later in Helsinki. Mike drove us to hotel, the Scandic Continental, where I checked in. Then bed, after setting the alarm.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
I love it when a plan comes together
Nothing in particular: just had a rather productive day at work, which I'm really loving at the moment. Challenging, but fun. Deffo off to Finland on Monday: flights booked, and everything.Labels: travel
Monday, September 28, 2009
Plans for the future
Not the long-term future, but it looks like I'm going to be starting a project in Finland next week. It'll probably be for a month and a half, and I'm very pleased to discover that Miguel, a colleague, will be joining me. We'll probably do a week on site (in Finland), and then a week off, through the term of the project. It's going to be be interesting, and I'm glad it won't just be me on site.I discovered that St Mary Aldermary holds a Holy Communion service ("Mass") on Mondays, at lunchtime, and went along. It was a BCP service, with the priest (in dalmatic, rather than chasuble, I think), a sacristan/server (in cotta) at the front, and around 8 other people, including a nun. It was a lovely haven of quiet and peace in the middle of the day, and I'm very glad I made it. I'm usually in London on Mondays, and I'm going to try to make a habit of it.
Labels: communion, travel, work
Friday, August 07, 2009
Project, and off home
The day of the great project presentation. We'd been asked to present to the company, and anyone who wanted to do so could turn up. This included some pretty senior people, some very bright technical folks, some sales folks with serious experience, and one of the founders of the company. And it went really, really well. We rocked: we really, really did. And this despite our team song ending up being MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This."
Lunch - another milkshake! - and then to the airport. I'm sitting in an airport lounge, finally getting up to date with the blog, and looking forward to heading home. The only concern is that I'm so tired that I might fall asleep here, and miss my flight, so that's why I'm keeping myself busy and typing away. I feel that I've made the right move, that I known what I'm doing, that I'm going to enjoy my job, and that this is a goer. Thank God.
Monday, July 27, 2009
New job
(backposting) The next two weeks are training. And they're going to be very, very hard. Both in terms of time, but also in terms of being challenging, which is good. Struggling a bit with the jet-lag and missing Moo, but am trying to do the gym thing, which is going well so far.Sunday, July 26, 2009
Leaving on a jet plane
(backposting) Off at 0730, and very sad to be leaving the girls. I'm not sure whether their waving me off from the sitting room window helps or not. Clear run to the airport, and quick check in (thanks to the Star Alliance gold card). Did some shopping - books and single malt - and then to the lounge, which was relaxing.Got the gate early-ish, and when we were called up to the desk to embark, I'd been upgraded. This always makes me glad. Oh yes.
Tried watching Watchmen, but really couldn't get into it. Tried reading a novel I'd bought, but it was just terrible, so in the end, I just slept and read a book on NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming - one of the worst names ever), which was interesting.
We arrived early, and I managed to make it to a very informal Communion service at St Anne's Reston, a really welcoming, inclusive, family-based church. I had a great, great time, and was so pleased to be able to take Communion. I'd already been in touch with the incumbent, James, who'd been very friendly over email, but it was great to receive such a lovely welcome.
Back to the hotel, did some working out in the gym - I really want to get into the habit of doing this when I'm travelling - some food (1 beer) and to bed. Tired.
Labels: communion, family, travel
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Job time!
(backposting) After a morning visiting the beach (of course!), we headed off to the National Trust's Felbrigg Hall, although it took us rather a while to get there because Moo's phone satnav insisted that there was no main road between the cottage and Cromer, and that we had to take the back roads. So, we walked around the hall and went to see the donkeys. And there wasn't much reception. But just as we were about to visit the walled garden, I saw that I had a missed call. From the guy who, if they wanted me, would be my boss. So, I found a place with some reception, and phoned him. And they want me! What an enormous, enormous relief.Once we got back home, I managed to get in touch with the HR person, and we sorted out the details. And then I had to find a flight, etc., etc..
I'm starting on Monday (next Monday!), and will be there for 2 weeks' training. Hard to be away for that long, but Moo understands completely, and at least we'll just have had a holiday. The name of the company of Appian, and they're based in Reston, Virginia. They do BPM (Business Process Management), which is pretty new to me, but they want me for my consulting and architecture skills and experience, which is great.
Labels: happiness, holiday, job, travel, work
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Back home
One of my favourite blog entry titles, that. Got home in time to see the girls to bed, which was a bonus.Labels: travel
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Day off
(backposting) Took a couple of days off, and flew off to Munich and saw a mate at a conference. Interesting.Labels: travel
Monday, April 27, 2009
And back we come...
(backposting) So, I'm a godfather again, this time to Mischa, a lovely little 4 month old. After the service, a number of us headed over to Mentieth Lake, and took the little boat across to the island on which the ruins of Inchmahome Priory are situated. Well, some of us took the ferry - but others decided that the hotel bar was a better bet, and therefore didn't get wet in the driving rain. But it was fun, and I'm not complaining, and we did rib the others about it.After lunch, we headed on the mammoth drive back home. About 8 and a half hours, with a break at Kate and Mac's. We got home, tired, around 2330.
And we have the two best girls in the entire world.
Labels: baptism, friends., girls, travel
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Up we go...
(backposting) All the way up to Kippen, just north of Stirling. It took us something over 6 hours plus stops - the weather was bad at times, and so was the traffic - but the girls did very well. We got there for around 1600, and Jo started getting to know Anoushka, Matty and Harriet's elder child, who's around 6 months older than her. Kids make friends so easily at this age: it's great. And Jo even had the chance to ride a horse, which went down very, very well, I can tell you.It was great to catch up with Matty, and to spend some time with Harriet, who we've only met once before: at the wedding 9 years ago, when she had quite a lot of other people to talk to, and things to worry about (being married to Matty would be top of the list, I think).
Went to bed pretty early in a lovely B&B, given the amount of driving we'd done. Moo insists I snored, but luckily I'd had some wine, so didn't wake myself up. Miri woke up in the middle of the night, and came in to Moo, so I went in to the room with Jo - who didn't seem to notice the (alleged) snoring.
Labels: baptism, friends, travel
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Taking leave of friends
I finished off most of the work I'd planned to do, and had a - at times heated - wrap-up meeting. It was then time to bid goodbye to colleagues and friends that I've got to know over the past two - nearly three - years, with nary a clue as to whether I'll ever see them again. Quite a few of us will certainly keep in touch, but it's quite possible that I'll never come over to Toronto again on business, even if we do get taken over by Verisign, and they decide to keep me. It's very odd, and rather unsettling. There are quite a few people I'll really miss if that's the case.I'm currently sitting in the Air Canada lounge, bringing my blog entries up-to-date, and wishing that I'd been around to help Moo, who's had a terrible week of it: the girls have been ill, she's had little sleep, and her work has been, well, difficult. I'll be back tomorrow, and hope to pick up some of the slack.
Labels: family, home, travel, work
Monday, January 26, 2009
To Canada - one last time?
(backposting) I took an earlier plane than usual, to maximise the time I'd have in the office in Mississauga, but that meant getting up at 0550. Luckily (or not), Jo was already in with me by then, so no matter. It was sad saying goodbye to Moo and the girls, and weird knowing that this may be my last time to our HQ in Canada, as it really looks like work is going to be acquired in a friendly take-over by Verisign. That's OK, but it's completely impossible to know if they're going to want me afterwards. Wasn't feeling great, but took something, and felt OK by the time I got to Heathrow: a sleep in the car helped (I wasn't driving).An OK flight (I watched Ghost Town, which was funny and sentimental in about equal measure), and got in a little before 1500. Picked up a car, and was at the office by 1530.
There's lots of work to be done, and some politics to negotiate, but that's all part of the fun. I got done for the day around 1730, and headed to the hotel, and then on to Square One, where I managed to buy some clothes for the girls as presents. Back to the hotel, which was heaving, so I went and had food at a local Kelsey's. Not great cuisine, but it filled the gaping hole in my stomach. And then to bed.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
History
I was going to blog about my trip to Canada next month, or about being in Eindhoven today, or how work has suddenly got a _lot_ more interesting. But today is a day of history, and, like most of the blogosphere, I suspect, I can't avoid talking about that.Hopefully, my two daughters watched at least some of the inauguration. Jo, at nearly 4, is too young to realise the importance of what has happened today, and Miri, at nearly 2, will have to be told that she was sat in front of it. What's more, I didn't want to explain to Jo why having a black man as President of the United States is such an important thing: she has maybe a few more months or years without understanding prejudice, and I'd like her to have those while she can. But it _is_ a big day, and I know I wasn't alone in wondering if Obama would survive to be sworn in. He has been, and he now faces one of the greatest challenges any American has ever faced. God be with him.
Labels: girls, history, travel, work
Friday, December 19, 2008
To the West Country
(backposting) I _hate_ packing the car. Why do we need to pack so many things? Why so many presents? My criterion for a good Christmas is that we come back with presents that take up less volume than the ones we gave. I don't care whether they're more expensive, more exciting or the rest: it's all about volume.We left after Jo's pre-school, and made it to my parents' by 1600. Jim and Nina arrived after Moo had gone to bed, with their kids, but as Moo went up around 2030, that wasn't difficult.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
New York
So, it looks like I may be going back to New York next month. And possibly twice. The customer thinks I might be helpful, and is willing to pay, so... Moo seems happy enough, so that's probably what I'll do.Jo was up a 0500 this morning, which is somewhat better, but far from perfect. I'm very tired at the moment, and think I need to accept that I'm still not very well, and that it's not just the remains of the cold. Glandular fever 14 years ago still seems to hit me very hard when I get properly ill, and slows my recovery, and I'm so tired so much of the time. St John's Wort and walks in the country-side help, but I need to look after myself.
Not that Moo's not tired as well, but she's being lovely and supportive
Labels: illness, sleep, travel, work
Friday, December 05, 2008
And ... home
Slept for four hours on the plane, which made all the difference. And we landed about 45 minutes early, which meant that I got home nice and early. And Moo _did_ like the yarn, so I did well.The other interesting piece of news during the trip to New York is that RIM is looking at buying Certicom, for whom I work. If they manage it, what will it mean to me? I don't know.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Another day of meetings
(backposting) More good meetings, and a flight back home. A flying visit (yes, actually), but very much worthwhile. I just wish I'd been feeling better for it.Had hoped to meet a friend from Facebook/SecondLife in New York (she discovered I was there by looking at my Facebook profile), but she was ill, which was a pity.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
03/12/2008
Originally uploaded by MikeCamel
(backposting) We had meetings all day in an office in the Woolworth Tower in Manhattan, which had this great view. A good set of meetings, too.
Oh, and I also went and spent rather more than I meant to on some rather nice hand-dyed knitting for Moo, which I'm sure she'll like. There was a "Yarn Riot" in my hotel which people on Ravelry had told her about. Think I'll be popular.Labels: knitting, meeting, travel, work
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
New York, New York
(backposting) Not well today, really not well. Took what drugs I could, took the cats in to the vets for neutering (poor boys), went to pick up a possible new curate from Braintree Freeport station, had a chat and some tea, headed back home and decided that I was just well enough to make the trip.The decongestants helped. Kuwait Airways was pretty good, and very cheap. Got in a bit late, made it to the hotel, walked to Times Square (to take pictures for Jo to show that Giselle from Enchanted wasn't there), slept for 8 hours.
Labels: travel
Monday, December 01, 2008
Doctor
(backposting) Well, I'm supposed to be going to New York on a 7 hour plane trip tomorrow, and I've got sinus pain. Really bad pain: up the right side of my face, and I'm really worried about what I discover from the doctor is called "barotrauma": pressure changes due to things like the going up and coming down in a plane. So, I went to see the doc (who's great), and he told me that although there are some decongestants that are contra-indicated with my hypertension pills, if I'm only using them briefly (i.e. just before the flight and a little before its end), then it should be OK. This does set my mind a little at rest.Took the day off - mostly - in an attempt to get a bit better.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Possible curate
So, we've got a possible curate coming to see us on Tuesday. James will be leaving at some point between now and July, as he's served his title post and will be moving along somewhere else. That leaves us without a full-time curate, and lots of work to do in the team which there's no way I can do, as I still work full-time. So, we're keen to have someone, if God's will is that we should, natch. So, I'm picking up a possible curate (currently an ordinand) on Tuesday, after taking the kittens in for neutering, and before getting on a plane to New York.Thursday, November 13, 2008
Travelling
(backposting) On my home this afternoon, after a useful day of meetings, though I made little of the advertised programme. I'm really enjoying the PS (Professional Services) work that I'm doing. Still unclear whether I'm going be be off to New York in early December: it's up to the customer, really.I also had an idea about how to sort out an architectural problem that's arisen in one of our other projects, which is rather pleasing. It came up yesterday, and we had a party at which I sought out the relevant people, and it looks like it's worth a try.
Sat next to Lee on the plane back, and after some time sketching out an architecture and some business plans for a particular prospective customer in the UK, we settled down into the flight. Air Transat (hmmm) don't have a particularly good selection of films, and it's not helped because there are shared screens, even in "business" (and I use the quotes advisedly), which means that you can't choose what you watch. So it was the (frankly terrible) Meet Dave, followed (luckily) by the rather amusing, if ridiculous, Get Smart. Then some sleep.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Travel
(backposting) Up early - I heard children's voices outside the door, and did one of those bolt-up-right-in-bed-where-am-I things before realising I was in a hotel and the neighbouring room's kids were in the corridor. Got up anyway, and before long Lee (a colleague) and I were off to Gatwick. Air Transat wasn't too bad, watched Hancock (ridiculous, fairly amusing) and The Incredible Hulk, (just plain silly). Managed not to watch "PS, I love you", which I'm not even going to grace with a link.After a stop-over in Montreal (grrr), when we didn't even get off the plane, on to Toronto. We arrived a little early, so I managed some meetings, which was very useful. I really miss the opportunity to stand in front of a white board with someone else, designing stuff on the fly: it's one of the kicks of the job. Anyway, got the chance to do that today.
Back to the hotel, drinks and round-table discussion with our CEO, then Brian drove me, Dan and Craig (whose first day it was, though Brian and I knew him from his previous job) to Brian's place. I beat Mackenzie, Rachel and Brian's 7-year-old, at Wii tennis, which is a relief, because he beat me rather convincingly last time I was over.
We then had a lovely meal - just the adults - and Rachel and I drank the nice bottle of Pouilly-Fumé that I'd brought along, as Brian would be driving, and the other two didn't want to drink. Yay! Then, whilst Brian, Dan and Craig had a dull chat about work, Rachel and I had a great long natter about stuff. Ranging through child sex education, faith, preaching, jobs, virtualisation, etc., etc.. It was great to catch up, as although we Facebook each other quite often, we've only met once before, but get on very well.
Then Brian drove us back to the hotel, I managed a single Lagavulin, and hit the sack around 2300.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Where's God?
D'oh: all around, clearly. But I've been away from home - and church - for coming up for two weeks, and although I've been saying the daily offices - always a helpmeet, and rarely a burden - I'm missing the opportunities for more frequent "visible" interaction. Services; church events; prayers with Jo as she goes to bed; prayers at night after I turn the light off next to Moo. I'll cope, of course, but it's an interesting lack.I'd hoped to get to church last Sunday, but it wasn't to be. Maybe God's given me a chance to reach out on my own, and discover a different type of spirituality. I've travelled lots before, of course, but this is the longest since we've had the girls, and I'm lonely and hurting. God's here, but there's a difference, and I'm wondering how it will feel when I get the chance to do the more obvious: the more visible.
It's another reflection on what it means to be non-stipendiary, from my point of view.
On a closing point: I've been watching the US presidential candidates' debate. Why so personal? Why not more love and charity? We should be so lucky.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Recovering
(background) I went out and walked the strip last night, and got really lonely. Thought about getting good and drunk, but resisted. However, I ordered a burger on the strip, started eating it and was already several bites into it before I realised that it was a cheeseburger. I sent it back, and had a proper one (I can't do melted/cooked cheese), but last night, I was not at all well. Didn't throw up in the end, but it all came out, one way or another.I'd hoped to go to Communion this morning, and had found a church, but I was worried that I'd continue to be ill, and it wasn't worth the risk, so I got up slowly and drank lots and lots of water. I got on a plane at 1200, by which time I was doing OK, and we arrived in Toronto at 1710 local, 4 hours or so later. Picked up a car, drove to the hotel.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Next stop Toronto
I've finished my course, so it's next stop Toronto for four days in the office. Missing the girls, tired, but it's been very useful, and I also expect to get lots done next week.Monday, September 29, 2008
25 hours
(backposting) Well, I ended up phoning the girls before I went to bed, an hour or so after they'd got up, which confused Jo more than a little. I was up for 25 hours, with a couple of short naps in the middle, with a day which went like this:- driven to Heathrow - a couple of hours
- plane to Calgary - 9 and a half hours
- plane to Las Vegas - a couple of hours
- shuttle bus to Caesar's Palace
On the plane to Calgary, I read Alan Bateman's book They Gave Their Lives. about 12 different members of the Salvation Army who gave their lives for their faith. It was very inspiring, and quite emotional in places, too. I'd not had a chance to take communion today - I always try to do so on a Sunday, as is my canonical duty - and this, for me, was a kind of sacrament.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Good meeting
(backposting) One of those meetings where it's not what you expect, but it is interesting. Some possible things to get going with in a couple of months. Got home a little late, but luckily managed to avoid the problems with air traffic control that might have delayed us yet further. Stansted airport have added some new places for immigration officers, which sped things up a bit.Oh, and last night I got myself a flickr account, after I got round to working out how to upload pictures straight from my phone.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Off to lovely Gothenburg
What a lovely city. I don't think I've ever visited before, and I've picked the right day for it: sunny, some wind, and around 21 degrees Celsius.Just phoned home, and Jo's a bit sad: that's the way it is sometimes. She passed me over to her little sister saying, "Miri's a bit happier than I am." Seems she didn't want to tidy (know the feeling...).
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Vegas?
Looks like I'm off to Vegas for some training. Security and Linux, that's sort of thing. Then I'll head off to Mississauga for a few days, combining the two trips. 10-11 days away, but sometimes that's how it works, and I _have_ cleared it with Moo.My parents popped round this evening for supper - they're off from Stansted tomorrow morning - and I barbecued. Rain doesn't even begin to start to cover it. Torrents. Thunder. Lightning. Full wet-weather gear.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Back home, and nervous
(backposting) Yes, getting a little nervous about tomorrow night: the presentation I'm giving tomorrow night at the Lambeth Conference. Got back home mid-morning, and Moo came back from seeing Victoria with the girls around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we popped to Sudbury to pick up my watch (strap still not fixed, after two weeks) and get a replacement part for the strimmer (no stockists in town).My dad arrived before the girls went to bed, and, having offered to read Jo a story after her bath, promptly fell asleep in front of the television. Luckily, Jo thought it was hilarious. Dad's come over to share the driving to Lambeth, as he was worried that I'll be too jetlagged tomorrow, and I accepted his kind offer.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Back home
Well, it's been a very, very good visit to Mississauga, and I've got lots done. I've also had an opportunity to establish myself as someone with a bunch of different useful skills, and they're being used. In fact, that's the only real problem: I've got a list of 20 different tasks that I'm signed up for which aren't actually part of my core job. Having said that, my job description has changed somewhat as of this week (with my approval!), so that's partly dealt with.I'm really looking forward to seeing Moo, Jo and Miri tomorrow: sadly they're away next week, but we'll manage somehow.
Anyway: a good week away.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Miri and the phone
(backposting) Miri loves phones. She'll pick them up, talk to them, hand them to you, take them back, talk some more, all of that. But when there's actually someone there, she seems entirely freaked by the whole business, and will just look at it in a slightly bemused fashion.Today, she talked back. She seemed to realise it was me, and even responded to "kiss, kiss" (and a kissing noise from my end) by kissing the phone. In fact, she pretty much slobbered all over it, and Moo had to clean it afterwards, but it was really sweet. I remember when Jo suddenly seemed to get it, and it makes phoning home so much more rewarding.
A really busy day in Mississauga (my company's HQ) today, which is excellent, but tiring. I popped to a Mall in the evening, bought some books and some clothes (so cheap over here), some of which are presents for Moo and the girls. On the way back, witnessed an amazing thunderstorm in the distance, with ragged lightning across the sky: God works in truly fantastic ways.
Labels: god, miri, travel, weather
Monday, July 21, 2008
Yawn
In Canada, about to go out for supper with my boss, which means that I can't just flob tonight. But should be OK. Good flight, got lost on the way to the office, drove on the wrong side of the road briefly. Nothing much to report, then...Monday, June 02, 2008
Home alone
With the girls, obviously. Moo's off for a couple of days on a course. The girls behaved beautifully, and went to bed very well. Miri took 40 minutes, but was only messing for half of that.Friday, May 30, 2008
13 hours
That's how long the plane flight was. Watched Vantage Point (excellent), The Cleaner (good twists) and Die Fälscher (inspiring). Got 4 hours sleep at the beginning of the flight, which was pretty much was I was hoping for.Got off the flight, got stopped at customs (they let me go...), went to the currency exchange booth, and immediately got a call from my boss asking me if I was coming onto the conference call that I'd thought was due to start half an hour after I landed, rather than starting at the time I was due to land (we happened to be early). I joined about 3 minutes later. Long call, then several more to other colleagues.
I do feel that Certicom get their money out of me.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Singapore
Got around 5 hours of sleep, which isn't bad on a plane, going East. Read, watched TV shows on the media thingy. Landed around 0840 local - just under an hour late, as we'd been delayed leaving Heathrow. Picked up my bag, went to the hotel, showered, went to work. Woke up at 0400, and I'm still doing stuff at 1950 or so, but I'm about to get some food and a drink, and then go to bed, where I suspect I'll sleep pretty well.Mentioned on Facebook that I'm in Singapore, and a friend from school who I've not seen for the best part of 20 years got in touch, as she lives here! We're hoping to meet for supper tomorrow. Where would we be without computers, then? (Answer: significantly less peeved than I am this evening, having struggled with them for much of the day).
Labels: computers, friends., travel, work
Monday, May 26, 2008
Where did today go?
(backposting) Oh yes: it was cut short, as I was on a plane to Singapore. The new A380, business class, too, which was very nice. Really ought to put some pictures up of it, I suppose. My only grumble would be with the media system on board. I seemed to have a dodgy one, as it needed rebooting a couple of times, but also, if you can put together a playlist of some of the hundreds of CDs they had on offer, why can't you put it on shuffle? Grrr.Lovely staff, food, etc., though.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Off home
Only one session this morning, then I hitched a lift with one of the guys from the office via SquareOne, a big mall, where I bought the girls some books and clothes, and myself a rather nice jacket. Infrastructure stuff at work, and some discussion of exactly what I should be looking at first with my new role that we're planning out. Rather pleased with how it's going, actually.Airport, checked in, picked up my headphones (I'd left them on the plane, but got in touch with Air Canada, who'd kept them for me), went through security (they checked my bag and laptop: I can't see why people get stressed about this!), had some supper, did some work in the Air Canada Lounge (gotta love that Elite status), then on the plane. Watched Jumper, which was fairly diverting.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
White Oaks
Apparently I'm somewhere near Niagara Falls. Sales conference, anyway. Minicab to Brixton tube, Victoria Line to Victoria tube, Circle to Paddington, walk to Heathrow Express ticket office, fail to buy a ticket (they've suspended services), walk to cash machine to get money, walk to taxi rank, taxi to Heathrow Terminal 3, Air Canada flight 857 to Toronto (watch Charlie Wilson's War - rather enjoyable, sleep, leave headphones on plane), arrive at Toronto Airport Terminal 1, drive with colleagues to White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.Labels: travel
Friday, May 02, 2008
Preparations
So, next Monday is a Bank Holiday. Clearly, I'm away on work. Flying to Toronto on Sunday, and being driven to Niagara by a colleague for a sales conference. At least I don't need to drive when I get there. I'll be leaving around 0800 UK time, and arriving at Niagara maybe 1945, so didn't really want to be having to drive for over an hour when I get there. Oh, and I can have a drink or two on the plane, too. Made sure that I had all of my ducks in a row for the travel, and had finished any obviously outstanding documents, etc.. I'm also giving part of a presentation, so had to agree that with a couple of colleagues. Good news from work in this Press Release. Honestly don't know much more about it, but we like this.Went for a lovely walk with Moo, Buster and the girls after their supper: we're trying to make a habit of this, as it's good exercise for everyone, and now that the evenings are drawing out, it's plausible.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I hate London
Had a meeting/event thingy there. Dull London. The weather was gorgeous when I left, horrid when I got there, and horrid when I got back, so I blame London.Labels: travel
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen
(backposting) Up at 0500. Flight at 0710 from Stansted.Only we started taxiing, and turned back. Apparently all the lights were on except the last one. The one they needed to have on before they could take off. They found another plane. We left 3 hours and approximately 5 minutes late. I had an hour's meeting in the Copenhagen Hilton, over lunch. Useful meeting, but still.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Time
Moo's spent the day on a course talking (among other things, I think) about work-life balance, and we've just spent half an hour on the phone trying to find some time with each other in the next two months. Not helped by the fact that the trip to Singapore that I'd tentatively booked ends up being over the second of the two Bank Holiday Mondays in May that I'll be travelling for.Hmmm.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Catching up
Not just on sleep (though I did have a sneaky sleep: I was very tired, and only got home around 2330 last night), but also on a variety of work things. Yesterday's fun, another project I'm involved in, a contract we're hoping to sign, and a possible trip to Singapore which I'm probably going to have to arrange. I'm _really_ hoping that I can get a business class flight this time. Last time, I was very ill _lots_ of times, and in economy. Not much fun.Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Off to Basle/Basel again
Never quite sure how to spell this, but caught a plane there anyway, in the afternoon/evening. EasyJet did me proud, and we were only a few minutes late, despite the fact that they had to do a serious clean-up of some passenger's vomit from the previous flight before they let us in. First on, first off, I was: the way it should be.Picked up a hire car. Haven't driven in continental Europe for quite a while, but it was fine: no problems, and I'd slept a little on the plane, so I wasn't too knackered. Got the satnav working (after a while), and made it to the hotel in Freiburg im Breisnau.
Only snag was going via France: I trusted the satnav to take me on a non-toll road, though I already knew it wouldn't be a problem. Couldn't be bothered to reprogram it once it routed me through Mulhouse. So, 4 countries in one day. Again.
Labels: travel
Monday, March 17, 2008
Trips
Thought I was going to end up flying out to deepest, darkest Denmark tomorrow, but it turns out that it'll wait till after Easter. I'm also looking at 2 trips to Canada in the next couple of months. I don't mind particularly, except that one of them may be over a Bank Holiday weekend, which I do object to.Lunch with Keith, and a lovely walk with Jo and Buster after the girls' supper.
Labels: travel
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Girls moving on up
Woke up around 0820, had a bath, started to think what I'd do between then and the 1210 flight home. got out of the bath at 0850, thought I'd check the flight time once more. It was at 1010. Moved quickly, got there, but I don't like being that close, I really don't.What's astonishing is how much development there is in the girls, even having been away for 3 nights. Jo's started drawing with some representation: a face is round, with hair at the top, and needs eyes and features (though she asked Moo to do that); a house has walls at right angles to the roof, which slopes. She she's happy to write her own name, but notices that she can do the second "j" upside-down (though it doesn't stay upside-down when she turns it the other way up).
Miri is now thinking about whether she needs to sit down and crawl or can just reach to the next place she wants to get to, which is an important step towards walking. And she will now take a brush and try to brush your hair with it, take a mobile phone (or whatever looks like a mobile phone), and put it to her ear, will brush her own teeth. And she now remembers what she wants, so taking away things that she shouldn't be playing with and replacing them with something else isn't always enough.
I'm so proud of them.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Geneva meeting
At a meeting of IATA. Interesting in places, and should be more so tomorrow. Not much else to say, to be honest. Need to "network" this evening, apparently, so I'll be going out.Monday, February 25, 2008
Off to Geneva
Now, if only I'd thought to warn James and Alex a day or so ago, we might have been able to meet up for supper tonight. Oh, well.Up at 0350. Put Jo back to bed (Miri was already in with us, so no room there, and Mum was in the spare room). She finally got to sleep a little after 0500. Back awake at 0600. Luckily, I managed to get some more kip after that, but it was far from optimal, tbh.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Barcelona
(backposting) Yesterday and today I was at 3GSM in Barcelona. I had less time to spend on the floor of the exhibition, as I had a couple of meetings and then lots of other work for an important customer we're working with. In fact, I got to the airport at around 1520 for a 1600 call which was cancelled while I was on the way. My flight was at 2120, so that rather more time in the airport than I'd hoped, particularly as I couldn't get into any of the airport lounges. I'd thought that having a Star Alliance gold card would allow me into the lounges whenever, but it turns out that this is only the case if you're actually flying with a Star Alliance member airline. Not, for instance, EasyJet. Darn.Still, got lots of work done, and things are looking good. Got home around 1130, and headed off to the spare room, as Miri was already in with Jo.
Monday, February 04, 2008
More countries than intended
4, that is, in one day. I'd expected to visit three (hotel in Basel - Switzerland - meeting in Freiburg - Germany - and back home - the UK), but we got a bit lost coming back from the meeting, and ended up in France for a while, which was a bit of a shock. Johan, my colleague, was going to be stopping off at Copenhagen airport for a connecting flight back home to Sweden, so he got to visit 5 in a day.A long day - up at 0500 GMT (0600 CET), back home at 2120, and took a long time to get to sleep, but it was a good day, and I felt quite "sorted" by the end of it.
Moo's started a blog - I was bizarrely quite sulky about this - and I'm hoping to get her to move to another domain, which will make me somewhat less sulky, because she will at least have called on some of my geeky expertise.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Panel session and walk-about
Still in Grenoble, and slept in till 0815 or so, which was lovely. Got up and went to the conference, where I was one of the members of a panel on security. Went well, and I had lots to say (no, really), and was approached by no fewer than 5 journalists afterwards. Something good should come from at least one. The rest of the day wasn't desperately interesting - I even had a short sleep in the afternoon. Also wrote the synopsis for a paper for a conference next month, which seems to have been accepted. After the conference had wrapped up, I headed off into the old town of Grenoble, which was rather pretty with Christmas lights up. Called Kate (my mother-in-law), and had her very confused by talking in French to her. I also found a rather nice Christmas market and bought Moo a Christmas present. Well, that's _one_ down...Tuesday, December 04, 2007
A poor hotel in Grenoble
Well, I really wouldn't give it 3 stars, is all I can say. It's serviceable, and there's broadband over Wifi, but functional is about it. Flight OK, read some theology for the course.
Oh, and there's even snow!
Friday, November 16, 2007
And home...
(backposting) Got home around 1100, having had a bit of a sleep on the plane, and in the car on the way back (always worth mentioning that I wasn't doing the driving). Really felt OK, and got a fair amount of work done in the afternoon.I'd bought quite a few presents, and Jo's new coat, in particular, went down very well indeed.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Going home
In an hour and a half's time, or so, I'll be getting on a plane to go home. I've accrued enough air miles that I'm able to upgrade to "Executive First", so I'll get a good seat and a chance to sleep, which is good. I'm ready for home, I really am.I've bought lots of presents for the girls (including Moo): just one of those trips (and the Canadian dollar's very weak at the moment, which helps).
Did some coding today. It's been a while. Nice to have the chance: I'm working on a PoC (Proof of Concept) for an idea I had this week.
Enough. Home soon.
Labels: geekery, home, sleep, travel, work
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ECC conference
So, I'm here in Toronto, enjoying a conference that Certicom (my employer) runs. And Moo's at home, getting far too little sleep, as Jo and Miri were both unwell last week. I've gone and bought some books for Jo, and spoken to her and Moo twice (and Miri once - apparently she found it hilarious, and just laughed at the phone).So, away from home and "conflicted" is, I believe, the term. It's nearly 2200 local, or 0300 GMT. It's odd being away from home.
I wrote over 3,000 words of a new document today, during the sessions. I'm quite pleased with that.
And I've just phoned down to the front desk and asked if they'd send up a Bible, as there isn't one in the room. Odd conversations of our time.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Toronto
I'm here for a conference we give each year on ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography), and will actually be doing a speaking slot for my ex-boss, which is a bit freaky. Got here safely, straight into a meeting about OS hardening, internal security consultancy, etc.. Brain a little fried. Then taxi to the hotel and I'm about to get some food. Then definitely bed.Friday, November 09, 2007
At home, preparing for next week
I'm off to Canada next week, and spent most of the day at home, finishing up some old stuff, and preparing for next week. Looking forward to the trip, though not the jetlag or leaving Moo and the girls. Speaking of which, Jo's got words: she can start to spell them out and work out what they say. It's so exciting!Thursday, November 08, 2007
Speaking
(backposting) At first, this looked like it was going to be a problem this morning. I woke up with a sore throat and little voice. A little unfortunate, given that the whole point of my trip was to give a presentation for someone else. Luckily, by 1600, when I was on, things were OK, and it all went rather well. I really enjoy speaking in company - even when the audience, a bunch of intellectual property lawyers - aren't the obvious constituency. However, I was invited, provisionally, to give another talk on the same topic in the future, so it must have gone fairly well.Plane got in around 2330, home before 0100.
Finished the Cobb book, read a good deal of Introduction to Jungian Psychotherapy: The Therapeutic Relationship by David Sedgwick. Fascinating.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Seville via Ryanair
(backposting) The Westin Alfonso XIII is one of the nicest hotels in which it has ever been by good fortune to stay. Stunning architecture, accommodation, staff service, food, the lot. Took a while to get here, but that's fine, I guess. There aren't that many direct flights, and though I'm not always a fan of Ryanair, they did OK and we got in on time. The airport's pretty close to the city, and although I was feeling pretty rough (a nasty cold started to attack me yesterday and I was streaming and coughing and sneezing by the time I arrived), I managed a lovely meal before turning in.On the way over, I had one of those marvellous, though rare, experiences. I was about to go through the security scan, following a couple. The bloke had already gone through, the the woman was held up. A security guard saw us both getting ready, and said "are you together?" The woman stopped a moment, looked me up and down, and said, "I wish."
You can't even hope for that sort of experience, you really can't. Great for the ego...
Reading The Dying Soul, by Mark Cobb, on spiritual care in the hospice and palliative setting. Very interesting.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tomorrow already
According to my laptop, it's already tomorrow. Which means, I suppose, that I'll be home today. My laptop's on UK time, my watch is on East Coast time, and, to be honest, I'm not quite sure which one I'm one - leaning towards the latter, I think. It's never much fun coming back eastwards - the jetlag hits your harder - but hopefully it won't be too bad this time.I've had a productive trip, all in all, and though one of the tasks I'd hoped to achieve was less successful than I'd hoped, the other went very well, and I've got lots of other things done as well, which is always pleasing. I've got lots of writing up and new work to do when I get home, so that'll keep me pretty busy.
I've spent some time this evening responding to a document discussing some of the legal issues around services in SecondLife, which is quite exciting. I was also very touched to be invited to the ordination of a good friend. Unluckily it's in New Zealand next month, so I don't think I'm going to get the chance to attend, which is a pity.
On a geeky note, I've just managed to install compiz on my laptop, which rocks. Lots of lovely 3D desktop effects, etc. which I'm looking forward to applying to my desktop machine at home as well. There are some performance problems which I need to address, but that's all part of the fun: tuning is definitely part of the deal.
Well, on a plane soon, then home.
Labels: geekery, secondlife, travel, work
Monday, October 22, 2007
Toronto
(backposting) Off to Toronto today. A later flight than usual, so no need to pack last night, but things got a little frantic in the end. Someone was coming to pick me up at 1000, and I ended up packing rather later than I'd intended. And I could _not_ find the book that I needed to take. I was aware that I'd not seen it for a while, but was pretty sure that I'd left it in my suitcase, but when I opened it up, it was nowhere to be found. Moo (and even Jo...) helped look for it, but I had to leave around 1010 without it, rather more stressed than I'd intended.Easy drive to Heathrow, where I checked in, with an upgrade voucher meaning that I'd get to go in Business Class. Flight fine - watched Surf's Up, most of Sunshine (until it got a little too scary) and Ocean's Thirteen. Landed, through customs, went to pick up my hire car, opened one of the secondary zipped up compartments of my suitcase, and there was the book that I'd been stressing over. Oh, well.
Usual hotel, all well, food, evensong, bed.
Oh, I'm re-reading Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, as I've not read it for a while.
Labels: books, films, travel, work
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Carbon footprint
(backposting) Luckily, I've hardly left the house recently on business or for any other reason, as otherwise I'd be feeling rather bad about the fact that I drove to London City airport this morning, caught a plane at 1035, arrived at Zurich airport, had a meeting in the airport, and flew back, arriving around 1800, and getting home some time after 1920.Useful meeting, but all a bit weird, to be honest.
Jo seems to be getting the sleeping-in-her-own-bed-all-night thingy. Good. Now, if we can get Miri better from her cold, we'll be nearly there.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Where's all the theology
I do try to do a little theology once in a while - usually once a week - but it's been more than that, really, and I'm afraid that there's none here today, either. I'm having a little break from thinking theologically, inasmuch as one can...But I have booked a trip to Canada (Toronto, as usual). And planned another one. As one does.
Labels: theology, travel, work
Monday, September 10, 2007
Away for a few days
In Sunningdale, of all places. The place I'm staying feels like a residential care home, but I'll hold off judgement until I've spent a little longer here.Jo went to pre-school this morning. We were a little worried, of course, and Moo, Mel, Miri and I accompanied her up the hill. She immediately started playing with the toys, sand, plasticine, etc., and didn't even notice when we went. We were, of course, gutted. She's doing 2 sessions a week, and had such a lovely time there today that she's looking forward very much to the next one, tomorrow.
Miri's not been great today: seems that her digestive system is taking a while to get the hang of "solid" foods. Fair enough, and that's as much detail as you want.
I'm addicted to Facebook, which also works on my mobile. I'm trying to avoid the "how many friends have you got" line, but there are lots of little applications you can add. Fun, fun, fun.
Labels: facebook, Jo, miriam, travel
Friday, September 07, 2007
Rugby time
After the debacle of last week's trip down to my parents, we decided to leave early, and got up at 0530. Left around 0605, and got home around 1415. That includes a number of stops, one of which was to get some food in at the supermarket, so it could have been worse. The girls needed feeding and loo breaks, so you can't really blame them.Unluckily, Miri didn't quite manage the fantastic going down at 1930 that she has been recently, but 2100 isn't too bad. Over the past few days, she's become a real pain about trying to eat the food that you're eating if you're holding her, so we're going to start her on a few solids from tomorrow, probably.
Go Pumas!
And Argentina have just beaten France in the first match of the Rugby World Cup, in France. We love them (the Pumas, that is). What a great ending to a holiday.Thursday, August 30, 2007
Nightmare drive
(backposting) We had a terrible, terrible drive down to my parents today. We decided to leave after my work had finished and headed off around 1800 after a quick supper for the girls and a bath to settle them down. Jo slept for a little, and then was awake, and Miri really lost it. Despite our stopping twice on the M4, she cried almost non-stop for an hour and a half, and by the time she did quieten down, Jo was wired, and making so much noise that we were worried that she'd wake Miri again.In the end, I turned up Radio 4 longwave and listened to England beating India in the one-day. Great match, fantastic finish by some up and coming players.
Labels: holiday, Jo, miriam, travel
Friday, August 03, 2007
Driving back home
(backposting) We left around 0930, and stopped off at my parents. Spent an hour or two with Mum, had some lunch, and caught Dad just before we left. The drive wasn't too bad, and the girls didn't cry much.Heard the news tonight that there's a case of Foot and Mouth in Surrey. Bad news: time for prayer.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Early, early
(backposting) I thought it was bad enough being woken up by the girls at night, but I had to get up at 0415 this morning (0315 UK time) to catch my flight. In fact, I didn't need to get up _that_ early, but I always play these things safe. I was there very early, and we got into the UK on time. I really can't remember what time that was! Got some breakfast at a truck stop, drove home, had a sleep. I was so pleased to get an extra day with Jo, Miri and Moo - always a bonus.I'm getting close to writing up more of an assignment - I'm at the stage of having far too much to put in: I need to decide where it's going. Hope to have something at least in draft by the end of the weekend.
Moo's nan's parrot died today, so she's upset. Jo's made a card to post.
Watched some West Wing (final series), and then the first episode of Spaced which I bought last week for Moo (we're on a Simon Pegg-fest atm).
Labels: television, travel
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Freising
I was doing an audit today, for which we'd scheduled two days, but in the end - for various reasons - we got what we could do finished by around 1330 local, so Ian (a colleague) and I went back to the hotel in Freising, did some work, and then wandered around the town (had a beer and an icecream, that sort of thing). The town's lovely, and we had a good meal at what bills itself as "the oldest brewery in the world": Weihenstephan.To bed early, as my flight leaves at 0625 local.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Back home again
I was on one of Air Canada's new Boeing 777s, in business class. Fully-reclining seats, very nice. Watched Breach, about Robert Hanssen, the US spy. Quite good - lots of Catholicism, though quite how it played into his becoming a Soviet traitor was unclear. Finished the Tim Gorringe book for the Summer School. Quite liked the later chapters. Then a decent amount of sleep, landing, and a car back.Moo, Jo and Miri are away at Turtle's 4th birthday party, so it's just me tonight. Got the DVD of the second series of Alan Partridge, so that should keep me going. Early night, I think.
Labels: travel
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Canada
So, I'm now in Canada, after a 7 and a half hour flight. Heathrow was busy, but quieter than I'd expected, given the terrorist attacks (and attempted attacks) over the weekend. Most important, everything was moving.It's now 0015 local time, and I've just spent quite some time doing SecondLife stuff - we've got a leadership team forming, which is great news. I'm already doing some community liaison work, which is great.
Must get some food now, as I'm getting hungry...
Labels: secondlife, travel
Sunday, July 01, 2007
5 and a half hours
(backposting) We slept OK again - though Jo wet the bed, for the first time ever, poor thing. She seemed to have forgotten about it by the morning, though, which was good. To church (Moo came with Miri as well), and a good sermon from Victor, the incumbent, about the responsibilities and difficulties of preaching, which resonated.We then had a lovely meal with all the family to celebrate Mum and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary: well done both of them! Good food, good company - pity I couldn't drink, as I would be driving.
Only 5 and a half hours, but more stops this time, as Jo wasn't feeling great, and Miri kept crying, which was fair enough. Moo and I had a few hours after Jo had gone to bed, and Miri was quiet, to be with each other, which was a bit of a treat.
Oh - and as of today, it's illegal to smoke in a public, enclosed space anywhere in England. Yay!
Friday, June 29, 2007
7 hours
(backposting) Down to my parents. The M25 was terrible. In the end, we cut and ran - M40 to Oxford, A420 down to the M4, then across to the M5, south for a while until the Gordano services, and then cross-country via Failand and Barrow Gurney to the A38 and then down to Winscombe. It took 7 hours to the minute, including the rather necessary stops for the girls' and our sanity. Lovely to see everyone, and all, but...Thursday, June 28, 2007
IT support, sleep, driving, deal...
Not in that order. In fact, sleep's not really in there at all. Jo had nightmares, and had to come in with me. The problem was compounded by her waking a few times, still anxious, and then migrating across the bed several times and waking me up. I didn't get much sleep.I had to drive up to the East Midlands for a meeting today: interesting, though nothing there right now. On the way up, I rang Kate and Mac (my parents-in-law) because Moo said that they had problems connecting to the Internet. This isn't _always_ their fault, but a quick call suggested that it might be something outside their capability of fixing, and as my meeting finished around 1220, I had time to go there, fix their ADSL router (which had lost some settings), have lunch, and then head home.
At home, there was a letter from ERMC. Not a positive one, and rather depressing when I was so low on sleep. I'm late on some assignments, and although I thought things were under control, they seem to have escalated rather alarmingly, and quickly. In the end, I took Miri and Buster for a walk, and settled things down. I think we're OK, in the end, and I'm going to call them tomorrow.
Last, but not least, we finally got a contract through from a customer I've been working on with a colleague today. It's a biggish one in the long term, and I'm quite proud of how we've closed it.
Labels: ERMC, family, sleep, travel, work
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
EasyJet Ministry
(backposting) Got into Helsinki 10 minutes early at 0125 local, and got to my hotel a little fater 0200. My boss was _well_ impressed to discover that I was phoning him around 2 in the morning local time! Stuff to do, and I was in a taxi with nothing else to do, so why not?Took a while to get to sleep, and up at 0840 for a breakfast with Harri, a colleague. 3 interesting meetings, and then back on a plane, taking off around 1855, arriving at 1955 local: 3 hours in the plane. I slept for about an hour, and then woke up.
Next to me was David (hi, David!), a photographer. I asked him about his book, he told me about it, and then noticed mine (Tim Gorringe's formidable Furthering Humanity: A Theology of Culture). He asked me about it, and I told him that I'm training for ordination as a priest. What followed was a fascinating discussion, which we dubbed "EasyJet Ministry", although we weren't on an EasyJet flight, and EasyJet would probably dislike the term. But it sums it up: I quite often have discussions about ministry, church and theology on these trips. You have an hour or two tops to discuss where you're coming from, and to talk about your beliefs - both of you.
David's "not a churchgoer", but he has a strong belief in a purposeful creator, and he thanks Him/Her/It pretty much every day for the beauty he sees around him and for the life he lives. He's turned off by churches ("I think 'cold, uncomfortable, unwelcoming'"), and his view of priests is as being out of touch and unlike him. We discussed where I'm coming from, and how I feel strongly that part of my ministry (alongside this kind of interaction) is to be doubting, clear, and honest about my faith to people like me. It was interesting to see how little - but how much - someone from outside the church knew about the Church of England. We discussed doctrine (including justification by faith alone, one of my favourite topics!), Hell (not literal, thanks), the authority of scripture, tradition and experience, and a variety of other topics, including architecture and music. I think that he's now more open to the church as a possibility for him, and I hope he'll be reading this blog. If so, David, please comment from your point of view!
David was very excited to hear about what we're doing in SecondLife, and alternative expressions of mission. Maybe he (and others like him) can be prevailed upon to visit the cathedral we've built, and maybe even attend a service.
Anyway - I felt that I'd been honest, and that being so had at least helped David to realise that the church can be at least a bit relevant to him and people like him (and me). I felt affirmed and strengthened in my ministry. Thanks be to God.
And a baby!
D had a baby today: Lotte. I found out via an MMS once I got off the plane. 5lb, healthy. Hallelujah!Labels: baby, ministry, theology, travel, work
Friday, June 22, 2007
Travel - lots of it
Next week, Finland (Helsinki). Week after that Canada (Mississauga, near Toronto). Week after that Germany (Munich).Then there's trips to my parents, to Cornwall, to Cornwall (again), and whatever else turns up.
Labels: travel
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Culture
Is everything homogenised? Do we walk from one airport to another, from one hotel to another, and see the same everywhere? Well, not today. I was sitting at a bus-stop in a small town in Nyköaut;ping in Sweden, waiting for a bus to the airport. There were three children - two boys and a girl from around 5 to 9 - and we had about two words in common between us. But we talked, and we swapped words, and we drew pictures to explain, and we communicated. Children love learning new things, and I do, too. They laughed, I laughed, and I was sad when my bus came.Tuesday, June 05, 2007
05/06/07
Nice date. Back from Sweden after a good meeting. Buster a pain in the night. Jo's latest?"Mummy, if you're nicer, you can ride my bike".
Labels: travel
Monday, June 04, 2007
Bredband
No, not a mis-spelling. This is how you say "broadband" in Swedish. However, it seems that my hotel misunderstood the term, and thought it was "bread-van", because that's about how fast the packets are travelling.Prayers for Dean, Mel's fiancé - after thinking that he had a bad rib, it appears that he has a collapsed lung, and will be in hospital for a week. This really isn't very nice stuff.
blogs4god
