Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Travelogue: Arrival
It seemed a longer trip than it was. Out of the windows of the plane the red dawn shone over the twinkling diamonds on black velvet that that were the outlying villages of western England. And then it was gone and we were at Heathrow. It was just about dawn as I met my car and we made our way into London.
Travelogue: The Placebo Affect
If it worked at all it was only for minutes. I think I may have dropped off for a minute or two, but I am wide awake and fresh as a daisy. I have no idea why this should be.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Surprise!
This week I was reminded of a comment I made on more than one occasion about this time last year: "It is far easier to be busy than it is to look busy!"
My project load at work (for having been with the company only about six months) was pretty heavy. I had a number of writing assignments issued to me that even more experienced Business Analysts commented seemed to be pretty heavy. I was talking to my family about how the job was going and commenting that I was really busy. Hence the well worn chestnut!
I have to say, I still believe it to be true; It is far easier to be busy than it is to look busy! This is what brings me to the surprise. (It sure took Saga by surprise!) In the week just concluding, the project manager for the newest project I have been assigned to contacted me and asked me to complete the specs that he had assigned me by the middle of the February.
This is a pretty tight deadline and he decided that it would be best accomplished by me being collocated with the development team in Wembley. He does have a point. Even with the amazing things telepresence can achieve these days, there is sometimes no substitute for being there. The Project Manager has requested my actual presence. So, by the time this posts, I will be somewhere over the Midwest on my way to London Heathrow.
Because I have an early flight this morning (last-minute fliers cannot be too choosy), I had to drop Saga at the kennel yesterday. (This is where the "surprise" comes in.) So, we went for a ride in the car (her favorite) yesterday at lunchtime. I imagine that from her point of view, it went something like this:
Oh well. That is done. I am all packed; I am sipping my morning cup of coffee and all ready to travel. I have to leave for the airport in about an hour. I suppose I should shut down the PC and pack it. I may write an entry on the plane. Otherwise, the next entry will be made from London tomorrow.
Wherever you are today, I hope all your surprises are lovely ones!
Don Bergquist - January 29, 2010 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
My project load at work (for having been with the company only about six months) was pretty heavy. I had a number of writing assignments issued to me that even more experienced Business Analysts commented seemed to be pretty heavy. I was talking to my family about how the job was going and commenting that I was really busy. Hence the well worn chestnut!
I have to say, I still believe it to be true; It is far easier to be busy than it is to look busy! This is what brings me to the surprise. (It sure took Saga by surprise!) In the week just concluding, the project manager for the newest project I have been assigned to contacted me and asked me to complete the specs that he had assigned me by the middle of the February.
This is a pretty tight deadline and he decided that it would be best accomplished by me being collocated with the development team in Wembley. He does have a point. Even with the amazing things telepresence can achieve these days, there is sometimes no substitute for being there. The Project Manager has requested my actual presence. So, by the time this posts, I will be somewhere over the Midwest on my way to London Heathrow.
Because I have an early flight this morning (last-minute fliers cannot be too choosy), I had to drop Saga at the kennel yesterday. (This is where the "surprise" comes in.) So, we went for a ride in the car (her favorite) yesterday at lunchtime. I imagine that from her point of view, it went something like this:
Or something to that affect. The surprise was driven by the fact that I didn't start packing until I left her off at the kennel. Saga sees the bags come out and unless she is with me in her kennel, in the car, she knows we're going to the Doggy Hotel and she really likes to travel with me."Did Daddy just say something about going for a ride in the car?
"Hmmm…
"Car - Couch. Couch - Car. I can nap on the couch later, but Daddy doesn't take me in the car often.
"I love riding in the car. Oooh! There are so many things to sniff, so many things to look at, so many things to bark at! Is this…?
"It is! We're at the place where the lady brings food to me right here in the car! Dumb lady! She brings me food and all she gets is a little green slip of paper from Daddy!
" Hey! Wait a minute! I Know This Place! This is the place Daddy leaves me and never comes back! I don't want to be here! Maybe if I roll myself up really small on the back seat and pretend I don't hear Daddy when he calls… Damn. I'm wearing a lead! I have to go in! NO! Daddy! Don't leave me here!"
Oh well. That is done. I am all packed; I am sipping my morning cup of coffee and all ready to travel. I have to leave for the airport in about an hour. I suppose I should shut down the PC and pack it. I may write an entry on the plane. Otherwise, the next entry will be made from London tomorrow.
Wherever you are today, I hope all your surprises are lovely ones!
Don Bergquist - January 29, 2010 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Friday, January 28, 2011
Travelogue: Final Preparations
Well, I have packed everything I need for my trip except for my laptop. The heat has been set to fifty-five degrees; cold snap is predicted for tomorrow so I have opened all the interior doors to allow the air to circulate.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
In Memorial
I can say with impunity that today is mom's twenty-third birthday. It would be true because whenever we asked mom her age, her answer was invariably "Twenty-three!"
It feels kind-of strange to think that, had she lived, I would be more than twice as old as my mom today! I wonder if she had ever read the Portrait of Dorian Gray. Maybe that is where she got this idea!
Perhaps she was trying to teach us a lesson about being young at heart. Perhaps she was just bad at arithmetic. Who knows. All I can say is that today would have been Mom's twenty-third birthday.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Don Bergquist - January 25, 2011 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Monday, January 24, 2011
Word Power
Today’s screed is about coincidence. It is the tale of an ironic coincidence and how not understanding what you’re reading can spoil (at least partly) the impact of a book. But first let’s get a couple things straight…
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Home Construction Projects
In the words of the great Popeye The Sailor: “That’s All I Can Stands! I Can’t Stands No More!”
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bless Her Heart!
There is a southernism that goes something like "Bless [insert a possessive pronoun here] Heart!" When this is invoked, the speaker generally means one of three things:
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Tenor Of The Discourse
I've been listening to some of the older albums in my collection recently, one of the songs that seems to find its way to the top of my playlist more frequently than chance would suggest it should is "It's No Game" by David Bowie from the "Scary Monsters… And Super Creeps" album. I'm not at all sure what the original situation that the song is discussing is about, but it seems to fit the mood of the current political climate quite well.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
SNOW!!
But you know that this means people will be idiots on the road! I went out early (about five) this morning to do my weekly shopping. The roads were slick and the store was empty - ah! But the drive along the park to the store was lovely!
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Thank You For The Feedback
What more Can I say but "Thank You!?" I asked for your feedback and I certainly have received it!
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Monday, January 03, 2011
NEW LOOK (Same Rantings)
Happy New Year!
For those of you who have been following my blog for a will notice a new look to "don sees the world." For those of you who are new to my blog, welcome! You join me as I am introducing a new look.
For those of you who have been following my blog for a will notice a new look to "don sees the world." For those of you who are new to my blog, welcome! You join me as I am introducing a new look.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
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