Schluurp.

I happened to be in BevMo (a supermarket that sells mostly liquid refreshments) looking for some Afligem, and spotted that they were stocking a Russian beer called Baltika that I had been meaning to look out for. This post was brought to you courtesy of a smooth bottle of Baltika #2.

A new experience in life...

Last night, I saw my first 'icebow' or Moon Halo, it was a beautifully clear night and the halo was a perfect circle of light. I was really, really annoyed to have left my camera in the office over the weekend. Grrr.

Still you never know, maybe one day I'll get another chance.

Daemon

Here's hoping that "The Golden Compass" is at least a reasonable attempt at the book (Northern Lights). Just a couple of weeks until we find out!

Unfulfilled, Unsatisfied.

Or something like that. 

No, this isn't the post I reference below, this is a different post. Lately, I have begun to feel both of the above. Now, we know that 2007 has been the year of 8000 mile relationship and much turmoil around living circumstance - but that's not it.

From a work perspective, I have achieved lots this year. Did exactly what was required, and more, albeit achieving some end results by a different methodology. While there are a few that still focus on the weak points, there has been much to rejoice, outright success to be claimed.

It's taken immense amounts of time, energy, emotion and determination. All of which, you would think, might make me feel fulfilled. Yet I don't feel as though I've done anything that really developed me. Sure, I learned how to adapt to a new culture. I became much better at avoiding, or confronting, corporate politics but overall, I can't say that I've really done anything /new/.  Except doing it in a different country. Again. See. even that's not new.

So I've turned around the business function, I've developed other people, I have even set an unprecedented amount in next years budget to continue training and developing other people (and, it seems, had it approved!) but, and here comes the selfish part - what's in it for me?

I'm a bit stuck - I know there are a couple of large projects happening, one of which I'm already part of, the other I will be, that are great exposure and experience, but, ultimately, not very fulfilling on a personal scale. 

So, I need some personal fulfillment, advancement and achievement. That's it! Yeah! Rah!

Any ideas what?

Almost.

Earlier, I had an idea for a perfect blog post. Topical, entertaining and witty it was to be. It might still be, if only I could remember what it was.

Red White and Blue.

I had not considered, until today, that I seem to gravitate towards countries that have Red/White/Blue as a colour combination in their national flags.

  

Mac Update.

I'm impressed. No, really.

Some of the little things amuse me highly - screen brightness adjusts to ambient lighting, including *dimming* when the ambient light drops - to prevent the screen being too glaring. Oh and the fact that there's a hidden magic sensor that illuminates the keyboard if it gets a bit dark. Cue ninja moves to make it come on and off.

Leopard is nice, smooth and just appears to work. In fact, the whole thing just appears to work. Okay, so I'm what some might call computer savvy, others might call me a bit of a geek (I'm not really, not any more), but so far, I've managed to drive this thing with no problems - including installing software and stuff - excluding reading the manual. 

iWork 08 - three pieces of software, of which 2 (Pages and Keynote) from the 3 are total M$ killers. I haven't tried Numbers yet, but I'm use Excel extensively, so that might be trickier to win me over.

Shinyness - oh yes, plenty of shiny.

I think I've been converted.

This post is brought to you by way of a shiny new computer. Note, I said "Computer" and not 'PC'. that's because this is a Mac. 

A friend once woke up after a party and exclaimed "oh my god! I slept next to a Mac! ". Which was all very hilarious to us at the time, well all of us except the Mac owner.

However, after itching for a few months, having seen the Steve Jobs Special Event presentation that introduced iLife and iWorks, then seeing the Leopard videos, I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a Mac laptop. Not one of those Mac Books, which look like they were designed by Fisher Price, a proper Mac Book Pro in all it's 15 inches of shiny glory.

Opening the box revealed incredibly minimalist packaging and very little faff factor. I had the thing up and running within minutes. I was disappointed to find out that the Apple Store had inserted a Leopard upgrade DVD, rather than installing it, especially as it meant that my first 35 minutes of Mac useage was spent doing an install. Shame on Apple for that.

Now that I'm actually using the thing, I have to say, it's really, really lovely. Leopard looks great and iWork is really rather good. Let's see how continued ownership changes these initial thoughts, but for now, the little glowing Apple symbol is my friend.

PS: Clanky, just shush ok? Thanks ;o)