Proud and Happy Chappy . . . . Yipee!

Well they say every picture tells a story - let this one speak for itself!
Other Photo's -
Group of 4: Kamal; Murvin; Abiodun & I and then Murvin (whom I think was the best coder on our course) & I;

The only thing you can't see, is me, beaming from ear to ear . . . . . lol!

The Graduation Ceremony was held today - 29 October - in the lovely Barony Hall - where I wrote my Information Retrieval exam in January of this year . . . I am down with this chest infection - something similar to what I had back in April and no doubt passed onto me by Judi - well I was bold enough to say it ain't coming my way - seems it had a mind of its own.

Judi asked in passing last night - what is the plan for tomorrow and this prompted me into action - making sure the times dates and locations were all known and planned for only to discover I still had an envelope with information in it waiting for me at registry . . . Judi was laughing and I had to admit that not everything was planned down to the finest detail - there were still one or two things to be finalised - anyway - not to belabour the point picked up envelope - picked up gown and sash and even had photo's taken straight away and went to pick my Mum up and still had a couple of hours to spare . . . .

At approximately 14h00 I made my way down Collins Street to get to the entrance in High Street (guests had to enter via Rottenrow Road) and almost immediately met Christine, who was having a cigarette with her brother. Made our way plus two others - to the hall - where you had to register to find out where you were to be seated - not surprisingly all the MSc - Computer and Internet Technologies guys where together - when I took my seat E15 - Gobi was sitting next to me - Mathias, Antonio, Idong, Abi and Murvin were all close by with Rory, Phil & Stephen in the next row opposite us - which meant they would be right behind us when we stood up to go on stage . . . .seemed like quite a while before the proceedings were under way and thereafter it just flew . . . I think our group was in the first third of the proceedings - which left us with some time when we arrived back with our degrees. The Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Hamnett (who has more intials behind his name than I have letters in all three my names) capped each of us . . . - someone else hands you the actual degree and another person places the hood over your head and drapes it across your shoulders.

It was all really over rather quickly - theses were Science degrees - they start with the Doctor's (1/2 a page of names) , then Masters (2 and a 1/2 pages of names) and then finally some Bachelors of Science (only about 1 and a 1/2 pages of names). Of the Information Management group that started with us - roughly about 18 students only 2 submitted their dissertations and Graduated today a bit sad. Of the CIT group we were about 25 - I only counted about 12 who were eligible - of whom 4 were not present - is this how it normally works - I know I struggled with my Technical Report with my Honours - but it seems pointless to complete two semesters and then not too bother going any further?? The course is structured so that you qualify for a Post Graduate Diploma after the first two semesters - but they would have Graduated today as well and there was only persons name down for this in CIT - and not a name I recognised so he must be a carry over from last year??? What happened to everyone else - about 13 students??? No idea about the Library students - but there seemed to be loads of people missing their as well . . . ??? Spoke briefly to Nicole seems she has moved to Edinburgh and she loves it there . . . .

After emerging from the hall all the tension was released and everyone was hanging around posing for photo's etc., - now MR MR who is a keen photographer never took his
camera along - I was sick guys . . . lol - anyway everyone has promised to send me copies . . . watch this space . . .lol.

Afterwards - rushed to hand the gown and hood back in and stopped off at Harry Ramsden's joint for traditional fish and chips . . . .

I have set up a meeting with Careers Advice for next week - I need to work through my book on 44 1/3 things to do to ensure I don't succeed in life - prior to this appointment.

The day left a nice warm fuzzy feeling behind . . . . if only all days were as accommodating!

Rory and his band played this evening but unfortunately I wasn't up to it . . . pity - could have been a grand way to celebrate . . . most of the guys are around though so hopefully sometime soon we can have a celebratory evening.

The Final - SA07 VFY

There is a lot that can be said about Saturday evening's game . . . but I am ahead of myself - where was I - who did I watch it with . . . let's start there - shall we -

(Photo of Pietersen; Percy Montgomery (scorer of 12 of the points) and Habana - David Rogers/Getty Images - appeared on
Scotland on Sunday

My self & Phil have been texting and emailing each other since the beginning of the World Cup - and it only seemed a fitting finale that we should meet up for the final - the fact that he was an England supporter and I a Springbok was more coincidental but was to add to the evening. I suggested we meet up at Walkabout - so on Saturday - Springbok jersey on, Judi & I made our way to Walkabout - arrived at about 17h10 and Phil, Emma & Katie arrived minutes after us - we quickly scrambled around for a table and managed to find one centrally located - well off to one side but with a view of a second large screen which they had - the pub was mobbed in no time - turned out Phil had his England top on underneath his jersey - a tad nervous to brazenly wear it in the street and on public transport - didn't take much coaxing and he was proudly displaying his top - chest out and promises of things to come. In no time the pub was mobbed with mostly South African supporters - I could have quite easily believed I was back in a pub in Cape Town - there were that many supporters - and then when the DJ starting playing the Habana song; Johnny Clegg (Scatterlings of Africa) Leon Schuster & other Afrikaans liedtjies - the vision was complete . . . I had a Springbok burger and a few beers in the run up to the kick-off - whilst Aston Villa attempted to keep Man U's score down (they had been in the lead but Carson was sent off and they were down to 10 men . . . it threatened to to become embarrassing - reserve keeper saved penalty and went on to do a commendable job).

In no time it was time for the kick off - by this time there were far too many people in the pub - trying to get to either the bar or cloakrooms was like trying out for a position in the scrum - in fact I was challenged to go head to head with one guy at one stage - as there was only room for one person to get through at a time and he suggested we scrum for it . . . . not sure what he meant - probably whoever managed to push the other out of the way could carry on . . . lol ???

The long awaited game arrived and on reflection it was not a spectacle for the game of rugby - a calculated game - very exciting - quite drawn out at times - all penalties - the team that made the most mistakes lost - I could attempt to give an overview of the game but if your interested here are some links which sum it all up.

Judi & I took to the dance floor on a number of occasions thereafter and everyone who wore the green and gold were one big happy family - when I walked around afterwards - people would stop and shake my hand or just give me a hug for no reason other that to celebrate a great victory - the same happened continually on the dance floor . . . In a way I had hoped for a great game in the end I settled for the victory instead.

Phil seemed to take it OK in the end - disappointed - but already looking forward to the next World Cup and he has already bought tickets for the Scotland England 6 nations game next year . . . Judi saw an amazing article in the Scotland on Sunday - which said that they had hoped England would win - because then when we beet them in March next year - as we did in 1967 after the football world cup - we would then be able to say that by proxy that makes us World Champions - ??? You think ??? A missed opportunity then . . . . lol

Some Reports - Articles on the Rugby World Cup:

• Pretty? No, but beautiful


• We Woznt Robbed


• England 6 - South Africa 15


• Rainbow nation explodes in joy


• Interview with Jake White


• Strains show as nation cheers on the Boks


• RFU plans to lure players back to Rugby

Roll on 2011 in New Zealand . . . would love to be there . . . this will be after attending football World Cup in South Africa!

What is the cryptic number in the title - well whilst driving towards Walkabout this car moved in front of us and my attention was drawn to the number plate - so I said to Judi - that's it that is the final in front of us - she laughed and asked me what in the world was I talking about . . .I said SA07 was a sign South Africa 2007 and she laughed and asked what about the VFY - had to be a bit more inventive here . . . and answered - it will be very fine but yes - they will win . . . . lol and so it was . . . .

Che Guevara; Life, Lucky Dube

The Che theme was inspired - by iafrica.com's Monday Phenomenon newsletter.

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara de la Serna was born in Argentina on 14 June 1928. Guevara enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires in 1948 to study medicine. In 1951 he interrupted his studies and took a year off to travel across South America - (the subject of a film recently 'Motorcycle Diaries'). This journey ended up shaping his beliefs, Guevara witnessed widespread poverty and oppression. He was influenced by Marxist literature and concluded that an armed revolution was the only solution. It was during this time that his ideal of a borderless, united Ibero-America began to take shape.

After finishing his studies, Guevara went to Guatemala, where he befriended Cuban exiles 'the 26th of July Movement' linked to Fidel Castro. It was during this period that Guevara acquired his nickname ‘Che’, as a result of his frequent use of the Argentine interjection which translates loosely as ‘hey’ or ‘pal’.

In July 1955, Guevara was introduced to Fidel Castro who had just been released from prison in Cuba. Che was immediately convinced that he had met his revolutionary leader, Guevara joined the 26th of July Movement aimed at toppling the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.

In March 1965 Guevara suddenly disappeared from political life in Cuba. He and Castro had decided that he would lead Cuba’s first military action in sub-Saharan Africa. The operation was carried out in support of the pro-Patrice Lumumba Marxist movement in the Congo-Kinshasa. He collaborated with the guerilla leader Laurent-Desire Kabila, but his attempts at a guerilla-led revolution failed. This was in part because South African mercenaries and Cuban exiles worked with the Congolese army to foil Guevara by cutting off his supply lines and monitoring his communications.

Over the years he has become a symbol of resistance and to my surprise recently at an anti-war rally here in Glasgow, I overheard a young Moslem teenager asking his friend who the hell is he??? I couldn't resist sharing some of Che's background with him - I hope it meant something to him . . . that is the kind of symbol Che has become - t-shirts / flags / posters etc., - quite a legacy . . .

He had a ruthless reputation dealing with people whom he believed to be traitors and or of a different political persuasion and whilst he was in charge of the national prison was said to have been personally responsible for give the order for 100's of prisoners to be executed - without trial.

Just heard the breaking news on CapeTalk that Lucky Dube has been killed - apparently they tried to hijack his car and shot and killed him in the process . . .

Spent the weekend at Judi's - June has finally had her baby - Joshua - phew! at last . . . . and Judi came down with a bug and was really really ill over the weekend - and in fact she is still ill and guess what I am just starting to feel like I am coming down with flu - so Yippee! I may have picked up the bug myself . . .

So I received my final mark for my dissertation 65% and this gives me overall MSc with merit . . .so this was the final final mark that was still outstanding . . . so I can now say although I was fairly confident that I had passed . . its nice to have it confirmed . . . officially . . . so on 29 October - I bend the knee - some geezer hits me on the head with a cap and hands me a scroll of paper - which is my passport to success . . . . That's how it supposed to work is it not . . .lol.

Jobwise - still searching- sent off a an application recently that comes close to my list of prerequisites . . . involves a web site which covers football . . . .

Picked up a large screen TV for my Mum - a bargain - via Martin Lewis money saving expert website - well I subscribe to his newsletter - what did I find - LCD 37 inch TV - a bargain . . . and good quality . . . I am tempted myself . . . a luxury I know.

I am afraid I can feel my energy level draining . . . so will have to finish off for the time being . . . may add or put up additional posting . . .With regards to the RWC - Springboks 24 - England 16 . . . hope to be going to the pub with Phil from uni an England supporter - balance things out . . . we've been texting each other throughout the tournament - had some good banter going there . . . . so this is basically the culmination of the whole tournament - seeing as I predicted France and Argentina in the final - you'll not be putting much stock in my score then . . . perhaps I should change the score then to make sure it is the other way round . . . lol

Lastly Georgia on my mind . . . Scotland 0 - Georgia 2 . . . this weekend see's the big football derby Rangers & Celtic - similar in stature to Man U & City / Liverpool & Everton / etc., - Football is the national sport - up there with Golf - which is revered here.

all started in article Road warriors are coming from the heart by Emily Bouchard got-heart.org

What is all about - in a nutshell - people who believe they can make a difference - and take to the road to try and do so . . . hence the name Road Warriors.

Links:

• www.kopali.com


• www.allmyrelations.org


• brightearthsolutions.org
  
• hotbutteredrum.net


• www.2moms.com


• thankgodforevolution.com

Lucky Dube - Together As One Lyrics
In my whole life,
My whole life
I've got a dream (x2)

Too many people
Hate apartheid
Why do you like it? (x2)

Chorus: (x3)
Hey you rasta man
Hey European,Indian man
We've got to come together as one
Not forgetting the Japanese

The cats and the dogs
Have forgiven each other
What is wrong with us (x2)

All those years
Fighting each other
But no solution (x2)

Chorus: (x2)

Transition, Work, PhD

Photo's taken in Edinburgh - 'The Meadows' - over the weekend . . .

Well here we are - 1 year since I started this Blog and my MSc . . . how time has flown - where to from here . . . well it is a period of transition again . . . something of an anti-climax I'll have to change my description although I've decided to keep my Blog title as this is how it started - even although I may move away from the 'aspirant code-borrower' that I was and return to my core of Learning and Development.

I am still keen to study further - to complete my PhD . . . I have applied been for an interview with Paisley - was invited for an interview with Stirling but they cancelled it before I could get there and dazzle them as they did have enough candidates - I was to take the Masters in Research route which would have meant 4 years instead of 3yrs for PhD . . . So I am still keeping an eye on studentships - but these things work in cycles - September is the current wave which has passed - next wave will be January intake and then it may move to April/September again - not sure - so this leaves with the dilemma . . . and of course there is no guarantee that I will be successful with an application - I am going to look at the possibility of part-time study as an option . . .

Anyway at the moment I am actively seeking the perfect position . . . what is that you are asking - well let's start with it would have to meet the following criteria:

• interesting


• close to home


• challenging

• strong technology component


• variety


• well paid


• a research component


• good career prospects

• permanent


• great work atmosphere


• flexible working


• some travel would be nice (as part of the position)

Hey fairly straightforward - not asking for much . . . needless to say the I am finding tons of positions which meet my requirements . . . . and they are all falling over themselves to appointment me at the salary I want . . . lol - I believe it will arrive soon - yes, I am the eternal optimist.

My predictions for the weekend - I'm in trouble again - Argentina to beat South Africa (dangerous one) and France to pip England - so France vs Argentina final and who is going to win . . . it is anyone's game . . . lol.

Rugby World Cup - Upsets, thrills and sadly some players have to leave for home . . .

(photo's courtesy of Getty Images - from Rugby World Cup web site) . . .
Well the weekend saw the start of the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals - down to 8 teams and it seemed all too predictable really - except not everything went exactly as it was thought it would . . .

Starting with England vs Australia a replay of 2003 - when the two met in the final . . . and as we know England won the World Cup . . . it seemed as if this game was a formality - after all South Africa had easily dispensed with England beating them 36 - 0 and this more or less summed up England's current form in their run up to the World Cup . . . England's first game against US resulted in England winning but they did not look convincing - final score 28 - 10; other games saw England see off a challenge from Samoa 44 - 22; and then had to beat Tonga to go through, which they did but less than convincingly 36 - 20; Australia on the other hand had kicked off against Japan - beating them 91 - 3; then faced Wales and beat them 32 - 20; Made short work of Fiji 55 - 12; and convincingly dealt with Canada 37 - 6; So on paper they should have made short work of England but instead ended up losing to them 10 - 12 . . . England had vastly improved their game and in the end just managed to do enough to totally put Australia off their game . . . pressurised and followed up all kicks and ran out worthy winners.
The All Blacks - as has so often happened to them failed to deliver - however this is the first time they have not proceeded past the quarter finals so a national day of mourning may be in order . . . unbelievable - so much pressure on the team to bring back the trophy for them - The coach has said they done their best - he will be replaced before Christmas - so the planning will start for the 2011 RWC and guess where that is being held - New Zealand. Final score was NZ 18 - France 20.

France on the other hand were also basically written off before the game - they lost their opening match to Argentina (shhh - don't say this too loud but I think they may go all the way to the final - although they will have to lift their game - and play a lot better than the last game - more about that later). In fact I don't think France thought that they would ever end up in possibly their last game (such was the feeling that they were not going to progress past this game against NZ) in Cardiff stadium - the French press were scathing in their assessment of the inept organisers - the French themselves. But all that is history now - and at the Scotland Argentina game the next day the biggest cheers of the evening were when short clips were shown of the French team . . . which didn't say much of the game.

Before the France New Zealand game I said to Judi France are going to take this - during the game I was complaining about it was not close enough for me and slowly but surely France drew ever closer to NZ score - followed by a withering look from Judi - I was in trouble later . . . lol.

Sunday saw South Africa and Fiji meet in once again what on paper was a mismatch . . . by this time I was taking some stick about how Fiji would take SA out . . . It was a thrilling game and Fiji came so close to pulling off another upset. SA were 20 - 6 ahead - a Fiji player was sent off - usually that would signal the team with the advantage with numbers would be able to make the other team pay - however what happened was Fiji scored 2 tries in 2 minutes and suddenly the score was 20 - 20 and we had a game on our hands - you can argue a number of things but the score line said it all . . . SA fought back and the final score was 37 - 20 but Fiji had most of the stadium behind them and you could almost feel them willing Fiji on to pull off the upset - but it was not to be - but it was on a knife-edge for quite some time.

Which brings us to the last game in the quarter finals Scotland and Argentina - I had tipped Argentina long before the game as I mentioned - I was now in hostile territory - although they were wary after my France predictions . . . it was not the best of the games - Scotland had not impressed me in the run up, at all - there were short spells but on the whole - and as for making 13 changes and playing their B side against the All Blacks at Murrayfield and lost 40 - 0, I'll not tell you my feelings about that - (unprintable . . .lol). Not to mention the fact that in my opinion Scotland actaully tripped into the quarter finals - Italy missed a number of kicks - all Scotland's points were from the boot and they just didn't look like the business - considering that they played their B team because of the Italy game and then they kicked all their points???? Argentina totally outplayed the French in their first game - and took Ireland on and arrogantly did not kick for touch and invited Ireland to come at them - not something a team often does and still beat them 30 -15. This was why I felt Argentina would just be too strong for Scotland and I'm afraid they were, however, if truth be told the game was there for the taking and I think had Scotland had been more cautious and adventurous - a little less 1 dimensional they could have taken it . . . Scotland's best spell was after the 4 substitutions . . .changed the game immediately - but the inertia was lost and Argentina managed to weather the storm (and miss a few penalties . . ) the score Arg 19 - Sco 13 - a close game.

So the weekend started with a number of newspapers claiming Scotland may be the only Northern hemisphere team left in the World Cup . . . in the end how different it was.