lexrobertson.ca

So a year ago today I arrived here.

I was so excited and slightly nervous.
But overall I had such great expectations for this job, for this year, and for myself.
And then things which had previously been discussed were either deliberately or unintentionally misinterpreted.
Other things went very very wrong.

So I’m here a year later putting my suitcases in order for a longer return than I was, a year ago, planning to make for another few years.
It is slightly disheartening to recall my optimism a year ago before I started to uncover the cracks in the company. It’s absolutely hilarious on the other hand to hear the same comments about my boss coming out of the mouth of my new co-worker however.

All in all I have to admit that I wish I had organized myself for a September departure despite the blip on my resume which would have been firmly presented there for all to see. I do not regret coming here – goodness knows I learned a great deal about myself and my limitations. But I wish I could say I had acquired more professional skills or knowledge here. It appears the primary one I acquired was learning when not to bother wasting my breath.

Now on the one hand – it was fun being the top of my particular pile. And because Sharepoint and the Learning Gateway is just starting to take off here I got to go places and train people.

On the other hand, and I know I’ve commented on this point before, it would be nice to be able to learn something about running a business or more about software development.

Well, happy anniversary!

First a book I’ve loved for ever:

http://www.overduemedia.com/archive.aspx?strip=20061029

Which I hadn’t really expected to see turn up anywhere else. Not exactly the way I’d have described it, but I can’t actually argue with the description either.

Random Health Trivia:

http://health.msn.com/healthnews/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100147747

So my trip back is finally set in stone:
Leave Singapore (my friends, my condo, the sunshine!) 23:40 on November 30th
A stop over in *trumpets please* Tokyo for lunch and if I’m lucky some minor shopping.
I arrive at YYC at 21:05 on December 1st and I can’t wait.

I’ve never been fond of plastic poppies and I recently ranted about arbitrary holidays too.

But this day is neither a holiday nor fake – it is a serious reminder that the liberties we Canadians love and treasure were earned at a high price. A price paid in lives. The further and further those lives get from our day to day existence the more likely we are to forget the sacrifices they made to ensure we were able to live the lives we choose.

Melodramatic though this post may sound – I’m currently in a country where certain of the freedoms Canadians take for granted (such as chewing gum, violence on television, and the choice regarding serving in the army) aren’t available. In this region, though not (thank the powers that be) in this country, there are still violent rebels, protesters dying, and democracy is still a crazy half dream to be mocked more than believed in.

So today I lit a candle, hummed the anthem, and said what could be termed a blessing or a prayer or even just a thank you to all those people who took part in the two world wars. And to whatever powers which affected my fate at being born Canadian – thank you, thank you, thank you! It is a gift I appreciate more with each passing year.

First a Quiz which I found entertaining:

My Inner Hero – Rogue!

It’s a good thing I use my powers for good and not evil, because quite frankly, I could get away with murder. I’m clever, tricky, and charming. I know how to make you laugh with one hand and pick your pocket with the other. Not that I’d ever DO that, of course…

How about you? Click here to find your own inner hero.

So it turns out that I know the official mascot of the CSSS (Computer Science Students Society) – he’s even getting his own pubcrawl!
It’s just a shame I won’t be there to witness his first night of mascot fame.

Poster can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53262557@N00/291490122/
Warning: Not likely to entertain anyone who didn’t attend the U of S with me.

22 days. I didn’t realize it was the 7th already, but it hit me today. This time last year I was trying to sort everything out and worrying about so many things. This year all I am trying to do is not burn out and transfer as much knowledge as possible to the people staying behind. I’m worried it’s not going to be enough, but I’m sticking to my resolve to not communicate with anyone from my current company for December. So I guess I’ll see most of y’all soon.

And am not entirely sure the things I did put where witty…

But I did finally update the links list to the side. [Edit: And it auto arranges them in alphabetical order! But I liked the mixing and the chaos with which it appears in my admin view....]

If you want to be added/removed/edited etc then just drop me an e-mail or a comment.

In other news: 29 days to my last day of work here, 30 days until I fly

I’ve realized that for all the work related stresses – I am really going to miss my co-workers and I’ve been spoiled living here. Adjusting to the cold reality of Canada again is going to be difficult. It was harder still to have a client tell me today that they sincerely hope my boss and I sort things out because they really want me to stay with the company and are worried about what will happen with their project if I’m not there to take care of them. Feeling guilty? Check. Still anticipating sleeping the majority of the 16 hour flight home? Check.

It looks like November is turning into a habitually busy month for me. Kinda entertaining in that “I’m packing and moving across the world again?!?!?!” sort of fashion. Although I would definitely move back to Singapore in a heart beat just not under the same circumstances.