Yes its the Chinese New Year - year of the Rat actually . . . but before we go there . . . some sad news - Judi & I have split up - It has unfortunately not worked out and I am saddened but we have now parted.
So yesterday 6 Feb was the Chinese New Year - New Zealand's national day and lent . . . . all on 1 day - wow! What next reminds me of an alingment of the planets - waited with baited breath but it came and went - and as far as I know nothing untoward or extraordinary took place.
I have just started 'Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini - (link to his blog) - I have seen the film (unfortunately - not that it wasn't a very good film) so I know the story - it is just the sequence that I don't approve of - i.e. would probably have preferred to ahve read the book first - but that normally means I don't enjoy the film - trade-off's - the book is very well written and has already won me over.
I am following the US elections with interest - the main interest is between Obama and Clinton - it is proving to be a neck and neck race - rumour has it Clinton for president with Obama as vice president - whether the two will speaking to each other by the time of the Democratic congress is another matter. (Lets not talk about the rumours of Blair wanting (I'll bet he does) to be the first European president . . . . lol.Cinema - I've started off viewing a number of new films:
No Country for Old Men (best of the bunch)
Sweeney Todd ( excellent - exceptionally well made - Tim Burton is the director - very clever and well made)
Valley of Elah (interesting . . . not as good as the other two.
Still working away at the Utility Co., - things have both slowed down and intensified strange as it sounds - now learning and integrating processes with the IT Systems - now realising the process documents do not always mirror or give the full detail of the steps involved in the IT systems. I will actually be conducting some of the Training myself now.
Whee - Shopping - been taking out membership of ACM - IEEE - BCS - full membership for each always wanted ACM membership as I have found no better publications than there's - in most areas of study. In going forward I think this will be critical / crucial for any PhD applications - Yes, I am still interested in persuing this and in fact found some this week which I intend applying for . . . in fact one closes on 12 Feb - so I'll need to get oraganised.
Rugger - went to the France Scotland 6 nations game - Scotland started of well but unfortunately faded - I believe the first France try was a forward pass - but they did score a fantastic try in front of Phil (who went with me - thank goodness it was cold as he had his England jerseyon under his cardigan . . . lol) and I. It was a good day . . . . just waited for ages for the bus afterwards.
Fabio Cappello is the new England manager and last night they had their first game under him - the first half they looked very mediocre - a good goal by Jenas and in the second half almost an identical move and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored . . . . the jury is out - early days - one striker up front the fans were losing patience until the goal was scored - a good equaliser by Switzerland . . . lets see how it all develops and how long the honeymoon lasts - on paper Cappello is the best manager but its the results that count.
As mentioned earlier my SA trip is just around the corner and I am really really looking forward to some quality time in the sun . . . .
Sweeney Todd ( excellent - exceptionally well made - Tim Burton is the director - very clever and well made)
Valley of Elah (interesting . . . not as good as the other two.
Still working away at the Utility Co., - things have both slowed down and intensified strange as it sounds - now learning and integrating processes with the IT Systems - now realising the process documents do not always mirror or give the full detail of the steps involved in the IT systems. I will actually be conducting some of the Training myself now.Whee - Shopping - been taking out membership of ACM - IEEE - BCS - full membership for each always wanted ACM membership as I have found no better publications than there's - in most areas of study. In going forward I think this will be critical / crucial for any PhD applications - Yes, I am still interested in persuing this and in fact found some this week which I intend applying for . . . in fact one closes on 12 Feb - so I'll need to get oraganised.
Rugger - went to the France Scotland 6 nations game - Scotland started of well but unfortunately faded - I believe the first France try was a forward pass - but they did score a fantastic try in front of Phil (who went with me - thank goodness it was cold as he had his England jerseyon under his cardigan . . . lol) and I. It was a good day . . . . just waited for ages for the bus afterwards.
Fabio Cappello is the new England manager and last night they had their first game under him - the first half they looked very mediocre - a good goal by Jenas and in the second half almost an identical move and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored . . . . the jury is out - early days - one striker up front the fans were losing patience until the goal was scored - a good equaliser by Switzerland . . . lets see how it all develops and how long the honeymoon lasts - on paper Cappello is the best manager but its the results that count.
As mentioned earlier my SA trip is just around the corner and I am really really looking forward to some quality time in the sun . . . .
