Category: Work News

Back To Work In… Hawaii?

2012-01-08 23:28:52

Well, the possibility of going to Hawaii has come up since a good friend of ours is staying there for a while and I’m trying to ‘work remotely’ for a couple of weeks after this one. Now, if it doesn’t work out, I will probably just take some vacation or something… not that I mind! Who wants to work in Hawaii? Of course, it must be approved by the boss man, but I don’t think I’ll have a problem: I’ll just say I’ll take vacation and all will be well. Things on the project are slowing down enough that there should be a break until we go to other remote sites. Then, I don’t think I’ll be travelling… but who knows? Not I.

MCSE 2003

Well, it’s that time again: the time when Microsoft has put out a new server product and made all of our Microsoft certifications obsolete. So, instead of waiting a while to take my tests, I have beaten the curve and passed the two upgrade exams for MCSE on Windows Server 2003. Now, that makes 4 MCSEs total. I have one way back from version 3.51, one for NT 4, one for Windows 2000, and now one for Server 2003. Ugh. Takes a bit to stay current.

Of course, this means that I have to find something new to study… .NET maybe? Probably. I think that’s where I’ll go next. It would be nice if I could move into development and be able to write code from anywhere.

Where Will I Be?

That is the question. I don’t know. I do know that I will be working in California for two more weeks after this one. After that? Destination Unknown. There is a possibility that I will work from home which will be nice. I wouldn’t exactly know what to do… I’m so used to working away from home that I’d have to develop a whole new routine for working at home. I’m still hoping, though, that I get to go to Australia or Puerto Rico or some other exotic location. Who knows? It might actually happen…

Workin’ on the Holidays

Well, here I am in not-so-sunny California. Workin’ again. You know, it’s kinda strange to be on this kind of trip. I’m not used to such a short trip. After all, I’ll only be here for two full days and then I go home. I’m not quite used to the short turn-around. It’s kinda nice, but it messes with my routine. Not that I have a routine that’s been fully established – that’s the problem. I NEED a routine and this short week knocks it out of kilter.

I don’t really know why I’m complaining. I certainly DON’T want to work through the holidays. I guess I just didn’t want to come here at ALL this week. All is not bad, though. See, tomorrow, I get to go home. That IS good. And I don’t have to work next week. I’ll be relaxing and enjoying myself AWAY from the office.

Prolonging the Pain

I have been notified that I will probably stay working on this project until the end of March. argh. Not too pleased about that. I was hoping for a hiatus at home for a couple of weeks and then maybe to move to a more exciting project where my prefered skills can be used – maybe even learn new ones. But, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen.

However, things always have a good side if you look for it. Today, I just participated in a prayer meeting here in California. It’s really nice to have a place where I can relate to people who share my faith as well as be encouraged and prayed for. They even have a Bible study on Tuesdays which I will be attending as well.

Also, I had my project manager tell me last night that he’s thinking about sending me to Australia. Ouch! The Pain! (just kidding) Now, I only hope they give me enough notice to get Laura a ticket to come with me!!! Of course, nothing is ever final or certain in this project, but hope is what makes things bearable.

European Tour Pictures

European Tour Part I: I now have some pictures from the European Tour Part I posted. Part I of the tour consisted of London, Windemere, Barrow in Furness, and Bracknell in England. I did work for my customer most of the time, except for the weekend, in which I proceded to get sick. However, sick as I felt, I still managed to see the countryside. Here are pictures of lakes, hills, friends, etc. which we saw while there.

European Tour Part II: European Tour Part II consisted of the Netherlands: Haarlem, Amsterdam, Edam and Zaans (where the windmills are). We visited various places in and around Amsterdam and I worked in Haarlem.

Greenville II

You know, this picture is kinda funny. There are only 12 gates at the airport, two baggage claim belts and a rental counter but there, in the middle of the baggage belts is this BMW Z4. Nothing else. Nothing to explain that all BMW Z and X series cars are manufactured in Greenville – and shipped back to Germany, no less.

I don’t have many pictures of Greenville as I have been working here from dark to dark. I haven’t seen much of the city except the road between the office and the hotel. And the local sushi restaurant.

Speaking of Changing…

Originally, my European Journey was to last through November 6th. However, I am now staying until the 13th.

England was beautiful. The leaves are changing color for the fall and the view is breathtaking. It was mostly sunny the entire time we were there. We saw friends in London and got to attend services at our favorite London church, London’s Victory. Laura also attended several meetings and events with them and others. We didn’t do much sight-seeing as I was working so late and it got dark so early.

So, for the weekend, we drove up to Cumbria to visit some more friends. That day, I happened to get sick with some sinus thing. Took me down a notch or two… We stayed in a little bed and breakfast (Laura was really craving the “Full English Breakfast” so she got one here!) where I tried to get lots of sleep and get well. Later in the morning, we went out to take a boat ride on the lake. Later, for dinner, we met with her friends Wayne and Cora and had good conversation and food. And found out that Wayne had just that day bought a new M3!

Sunday, after attending Wayne’s church, we drove to see more friends and then went back to the London area. Instead of taking 5 or 6 hours to return, it took us over 9. The traffic was awful. There was much road work…

We stayed out the remainder of our stay in England in a secluded manor house converted into a Hilton. I know where I’m staying next time! On Tuesday, we flew to Amsterdam and we’re here now. Not much has happened since then except me going to work…

I assume I’ll write more about the Netherlands later.

Ever-Changing Schedule

Hmmm. Why is it that when you make plans, they get changed by someone? This week’s work schedule has been set for some time. My expectations of what would happen have also been fairly accurate. Until tonight. Tonight, I expected to be here until 5am. I probably won’t be that late now. Why? Because these guys here are doing too good of a job! Too good, you say? Well, I checked out of my hotel this morning fully expecting not to sleep and to drive straight to the airport and fly home. However: they are finishing early which means, either I sleep here on the floor or go beg for my room back. Not that I’ll really have to beg … I hope.

I am ready for my trip to Europe. I have good, comfortable seat and Laura will be with me. We’re excited – this will be our second business trip together (last one was to California). We have lots of friends we’ll be going to see and just generally have some good visits.

I have just now printed out the maps of where I’m going to go. I was getting nervous about exactly where everything was…

I’m A Travel Junkie

I must be, or I wouldn’t be doing this job. This week, I flew to Orange County, CA again for the first half of the week. Then, I flew all day long on Wed. to get to Greenville, SC. Quite a long trip – 7am to 5pm or around there. I was in Greenville for two nights – one full day. Then, flew back home. Next week, I fly to Greenville for three days then leave Thursday to go to London and from London the next Thursday to Amsterdam and from Amsterdam the next NEXT Thursday, back home again. Nice, eh? As I said: I’m a travel junkie.

The good thing about this is that I will be bringing Laura with me. She will be having all kinds of fun while I work. Not only while I work, but while I work the night shift! Of course, this schedule means that we will have the weekend to relax and sight see. I think that I’ll be travelling constantly for the next month entirely.