The past week has been very busy - lots of lessons and self reflection. I have learned:
- What life is like for a parent with a brain tumour. A friend and ex-colleague of mine recently discovered she has a large brain tumour - probably impossible to remove via surgery, and very much life threatening. She has two young daughters - and is an inspiration to me (such a poor cliché to describe someone so positive and strong who has changed the way I see and appreciate the world, my family and my good health)
- I need to be a more courageous manager
- Most of my (business) peers think I am a "nice guy"
- I have a very definitely internal locus of control.
- I can hold my breath for over 2 minutes in a competitive environment :)
- I don't always fully appreciate how blessed I am in my work environment - I love my job, and I love working at Derivco
- There *is* ice water on Mars! (aside: "The Big Picture" continues to amaze me daily - most recently with the Martian Skies post).
- The world seems to be heading for a new and scary nuclear showdown
- Fancy French cars are dead in the water when they have electrical problems
- itunes isn't quite as bad as some people make out. It makes downloading regular podcasts (NBR and GIBS) quick, easy and automated for one thing.
- The orchestral piece I have been half-heartedly hunting for some time is "lux aeterna" from the film "requiem for a dream" - found it mentioned in the brilliant "Requiem For A Day Off" spoof trailer of the classic Ferris Bueller's Day off.
- A puppet show can turn a good kids birthday party into a fantastic one. Caleb totally loses himself in the show, while Daniel is scared of the puppet monster.
- Launchball is horribly addictive
; "hannah grace mcphail")
; "Beach Run")
; "hannah grace mcphail")
; "phoenix-mars-lander.jpg")
; "here-we-go-again-small.JPG")
; "seti-radio-telescope.jpg")
; "proudly South African")
When will you come back to Shanghai?
And if you are back, pls send me the message.
I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number.