I find it hard to describe how busy I have been in the last few months. In the last few weeks the amount of work has fallen to what might be more normal levels, and I’ve caught some rest. But really, for a period of months there I quite-literally did not have a single night or day free it seemed.

Not that there were not enjoyable moments. For ( Read more... )

A Sysadmin. You usually run into one at your place of work, or school. Heck, you might be one. The term is loosely applied to the person or persons who form the work-force in that department usually referred to as Information Technology.

To me though, the meaning is a bit more specific. Its a term I usually apply as a positive acknowledgement of ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

So last night I pretended to be Mr. Businessman.

The job has me on the road, and they pick up the tab on food. Next to my hotel is an Outback Steakhouse. I usually eat at “local” joints when I travel and shun the chains, but for some odd reason I had a hankering for a steak and salad. Walking into the place, I could see the crowd was already ( Read more... )

On the current contract, one of my deliverables is a series of lectures on a VMware product called “Lab Manager.” That’s right, I’m teaching again!

We have some canned class material provided from VMware in the form of powerpoint decks.

I really don’t like powerpoint. Often it is information starvation. You cannot convey complex subjects if 4 ( Read more... )

In my last post, I talked about the job I took and how it is sorting out. I’ve been on this gig about a half a year at this point. My focus on the posts about my employment I’ve been willing to put online have been mostly about me and my job.

What I haven’t talked about much is the actual company. And I think I should do that to explain this post a ( Read more... )

It has been an interesting few months on the job front. For those who are interested in the subject, you might remember I intentionally selected a job that is outside my comfort zone to force myself to get better. The end goal is to eventually be running my own show, but for now, I’m working in an area with a lot more responsibility, customer face ( Read more... )

So… Phoenix arizona gets hot. It’s a middling mix between San Jose and burning man. At least weather-wise.

I hear that during a heat wave out here, when it gets above 120 F, they have to shut down the airport because the planes don’t generate enough lift to take off, and the tires melt on the tarmac as well.

That being said I had some good, proper ( Read more... )

I’ve had a few posts I’ve been wanting to make, but when it comes to time to write them up the muse seems to falter and I stare at an empty screen for a bit.

I was reminded of this idea last night, and I find myself pondering more on it.

The secret of getting ahead, as I’ve been told and as I’ve found in small ways, is to work in a job or field ( Read more... )

For the last 5 years or so I have had a simple black-cloth messenger bag. Two small snapped pockets, large flap, heavy duty zipper, heavy-duty canvas without any plastic applications, with a wooden ruler in a slot for the top-rib. It was an Army-Navy store purchase for $10.

A lot of messenger bags are gigantic. Because I was often on call, I was on ( Read more... )