Put Out

Looks like I've put my back out quite badly. It was OK last night after recovering from an injury sustained erecting an ariel for a friend. I visited my local last night and played a few rounds of pool. I woke up this morning in agony!

This didn't stop me going to Living Reef Aquatics in Dartford to pick up some crickets for my Praying Mantises. John, the owner, has got an Egyptian mantis for sale which I have to say I was tempted with. He is going to get some other mantises and assorted insects on Tuesday. I'm going to attempt a visit straight after work to see. I'm going to try and not be tempted :D While John kindly showed me some Tarantula's and Scorpions he has for sale, I almost passed out. Sadly I had to cut my visit short and get home. I'm hoping I'm a bit more spritely tomorrow since my friend Andy is taking me to a remote control race track for some photography.

Blackwall Vent

Air venting for Blackwall Tunnel

Back at DTC Again

I'm Back :-)

I got a phone call at work today... Apparently, the lads there were swamped with calls so the management picked me to go over and lend a hand, much to my delight. It was so cool to be back with all the people I knew. I did mention how pleased I was to the manager, along with the fact they could leave me there permanently. He said it wouldn't happen, but I thought I'd try. It really does suit me so well. I like the fact there seems always something to do and I also like the comradeship between the IT team and also the teams working in DTC themselves. This doesn't seem to be prevalent in SC, or if it is, it isn't apparent.

Initially I was asked to help out today only but it looks like I'm there for the rest of the week :-)

Back to SC

So I find myself back at South Colonnade. One good thing is that I'm being allocated issues properly rather than having to shadow another engineer.

First one today was a simple re-install of the software that had got corrupted somehow. The second one, the member of staff is uncontactable and the third a simple display issue solved by setting the correct video input to a screen! Oh the joy! Give me something challenging...

In other news, my Ghost Mantis has layed a 4th Ootheca. Looks like I'm going to be overrun with Ghosts. This last ootheca is the size of the first one she layed so, should they be fertile, I should end up with a good few nymphs. I certianly hope so because theres a lot of intrest in them.

Sunday, sunday

I didn't get to go out with my camera. The weather was pretty naff this morning and I was out with Andy buying a few bits anyway. I bought a USB Extension Cable to hook up my webcam to make MantisCAM which you should see at the top of this screen. It updates every 30 seconds but you will have to refresh the page to see. For some reason, it occasionally fails. I'm unsure why. If it continues, I'll have to find another host.

Currently, the camera is directed at my first mantis, the Ghost (Phyllocrania paradoxa). I will try and move it around to view different mantises occasionally.

Barclays Bank

Barclays Bank building in Docklands

I just grabbed this image from the mini-bus on the way back to South Colonnade. The buildings are an amazing size over there...

Quick Move

Well, much to my dissapointment, I'm being moved back to South Colonnade as of Monday. I've really got to like DTC, the team here and the Reuters staff are great. It suits my temperament. I'm hoping that once my training is complete, I'll be able to make my way back to DTC somehow. I'm going to be doing two weeks of 'normal' shift and then into Training the following week. At least the normal shift is 9:00-5:00/30 I can also get there in plenty of time too since the DLR arrives at 8:30ish.

I'm hoping to do some photography over the weekend. I'm not sure where but it'll probably be in travel zones 6-2 so I can use my pass. I'll have to have a scout about and find a likely place to get some shots. I've done Greenwich a load of times and I'd really like to shoot something new. It would be great if it was somewhere quiet and out of the way so I can concentrate on getting some really good images.

South Colonnade

On my way to DTC

Oh what fun I had today getting to work. Apparently there was a landslide on the rails somewhere which led the rail service to cancel all trains apart from those to Victoria. I chose to catch the bus to Bexleyheath and then on to North Greenwich where I caught a Jubilee Line Underground train to Canary Wharf then picked up the Docklands Mini-Bus service to DTC. It took a good couple of hours of sitting on the 190 bus in traffic. The chaos was amazing. I realise how vital the rail service is now.

Once in Canary Wharf, I paused to take a picture of South Colonnade, Reuters head office, which is where my department is based.

All seemed to be OK with travel on the way home. Hopefully tomorrow will all be normal!

DTC - Docklands Technical Center

Where I Work

This is the Docklands Technical Center where I am currently based for work. It's directly opposite the Millennium Dome on the Thames. I've been there for a few months training.

Progression or not?

So, here I sit, in the company canteen located next to the DTC building. I'm wondering where I'm going, if I'm getting anywhere. Since leaving the ITSC, I've been waiting on Fujitsu to increase my salary. Apparently the delay is because 'Everyone else is getting theirs so it will take time...'. Do you believe it? I badly need the cash. I'm treading water with bills but only just. It's hard to work in a place where you know everyone is on a comfortable wage when you're struggling.

The job itself is great. Desk Side Support involves visiting Reuters employees at their desks to fix the problem there and then (most of the time!) which is a far cry from the ITSC where I attempted to fix issues over the phone and then escalate it to guys on the floor. I do enjoy this aspect. Dealing with people directly always gave me a buzz anyway. That coupled with the fact that I'm known from my time as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) for PMO (Performance Management Online) back in my ITSC days.

The trouble with it all is that progression seems to be happening slowly. I'm made to make notes on things I do, which is fine but initially I was under the impression they needed to be comprehensive. the meeting on Monday corrected this and I now know I have to keep them simple, despite submitting simple notes first of all and having them rejected.

I really need to get a life back. Since I gave up Salsa Dancing due to lack of funds, I've not got much of a social life. I visit my friend Andy quite a bit since he's very close in location and he keeps Praying Mantises like me (I started him off!) but I really crave the companionship of a lady. This won't happen at all while there are insufficiant funds available. I have got the offer of free Salsa now though. Wednesday's in Dartford. I've done the owner some favours in the photographic line (See My Flickr Site) so he's happy for me to come along. I'm going to make an effort to go this week, sans camera too. I'm extremely rusty, as I found out when I danced a few last Friday in between shooting photos. I'll have to drop a group and get back into the swing of it.

I'm still waiting on my pair of Atlas Moths to emerge. The male wiggled when I reseated him in the silk pupae. I'm hoping they emerge soon so I can get some good pictures.

Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf Tower

I went to our head office today for a meeting. Canary Wharf Tower is over the road so I grabbed a snap while I was waiting for the Docklands Mini-Bus. The meeting went fairly well. The two managers defined a little closer what they required from me. Time will see if I can come up with the goods. Shouldn't be too hard.

Becoming a twitcher

Watch the Birdie
Originally uploaded by Destinys Agent.

I found this Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea while walking round Hall Place in Bexley today with my friend Andy. I was quite lucky because it was firstly on a metal rail but once I tried to approach it, it flew up into a tree at eye-level. This meant I could get a fairly good shot.

A Week And A Half

Well I feel like it was a week and a half all packed into one. Managed to do two photo jobs as well as go to the usual two Salsa lessons.

Monday was meant to be the start of our training at work on a new product. Originally we were led to believe it would be a week long. We found out that the 'official' training is only a day. They then put that back to next Wednesday rather than the one thats just gone. This meant that I had to carry the banner and train the 5 new guys on our standard helpdesk procedures. You can imagine that that wasn't going to last forever and yesterday I was struggling to keep the lads busy. With the help of a work colleague I managed to cobble some stuff together. As for Monday...

Wednesday saw me travelling to Deptford in SE London to photograph a brand new act/band. They are going to do old songs in the veign of Liza Minnelli and such.


The Band Practicing





I'll post details of the bands website when its live. They are really good together. Sam, the vocalist, seen in the pic on the right, can hit the high notes!

I also photographed the Salsa evening as it was a Halloween night. This coming Monday is also the same so I'll be photographing that too.

Stay Safe

Get down to it.

Well, I'm finally settling in to my new place. Having got rid of loads of boxes, tidied up a little and arranged things. It's tough starting afresh! The reality of housework bites too! Still, I've discovered I can iron shirts at least.

At work, I've been delivering training. Purely off the cuff. I'm involved in a new part of the helpdesk supporting a specialised product. There will be 5 dedicated staff, 2 of us CSTs (Customer service technicians) and a supervisor. The supervisor and I have been preparing the 'newbies' and tomorrow we get official training from the company in question.

I'm trying to stay focussed at work 'till the end of the year when hopefully things will start moving. If not, I'll have to investigate other options. I really need to progress in my newly found career or change direction again.

On the Salsa front: Last week, the teacher had me in the middle of the circle to demonstrate moves for the whole lesson. It also balanced the numbers out (for a change!) so every lady had a man to partner up with. This week, she intends to do the same thing and has also asked the owner if she'd like me to teach. Apparently the answer was positive. So I might become a Salsa instructor yet :-)

Stay Safe

Gill & John

My good friend got hitched!

Haven't spoken to John in a while and in the mean time he's married the lovely Gill. It's great to be in contact with him and his new wife.

New Beginnings

Isn't getting a new flat sorted out fun? I'm gradually nibbling away at boxes I moved in with. Getting stuff on shelves etc. Looking to get a couple of book cases from a work pal this week. Hopefully I can loose the boxes filled with books and get them out on display where they're needed!

I logged into my ISP PlusNet today. After successfully getting a phone line installed last week, I'm now transferring my account over to the new premises. Hopefully, I should be back online this Friday. That will mean I can avoid logging in from work for just a few spare moments and get down to some decent catching up!

One thing I must do is catch up with a all the Salsa notes. I have 3 pending and a 4th one will be noted tonight.

Oh well, back to the grind.

I'm IN!

The wait finally over. I'm now in my new studio/flat. The move went smoothly with my pals Danny (Driving) and Nick (Graftin') and Rob, Jen and Kids helping out at base camp.

Sorting out all the bits and pieces is fun (kinda). Phoneline to be processed. Apparently theres a fault on the line so I have to take half a day off work to accomodate an engineer to check it out. Electricity supply sorted. Mentioned a few things to the landlord too.

Having no internet access is awful. Hopefully (everything crossed) it shouldn't be too long 'till I get back online and catch up with everything properly.

Right, off to get a TV licence now!

Stay Safe

Ever closer

The time moves ever closer. 2 days to go before I'm off to pastures new. A little daunted, a little excited. I moved a few other boxes with Jerome tonight (Cheers Matey!). The real bulk will be on Saturday. Gotta chat with DB tomorrow.

I have a training session at work tomorrow. Its a company thing called 'Sense & Respond' a method of anticipating a client's needs and offering extra service and value. It's gonna be another string in my bow and another profile building exercise. It starts at 9:30 so at least I get a lay in too! :-)

My article was published in the company news letter today. Looks grand. I got some brilliant feedback about it too. I have a feeling I may be called upon to do a similar thing in the future. Not bad considering I flunked English at school :-)

I also have Salsa tomorrow. Not only is Clare going, but I have another guest, Matt going too! Maybe I will be able to get the desk dancing ;-) Go on Nick, you know you want to LOL

Stay Safe

Movin' On

My inpending move grows ever closer. Today, I'm awaiting my good friend Jerome who is going to help me move some pre-packed boxes to the new flat. I have a load more good to go. Last week, Michael T helped me do the same. It will then be a case of grabbing the last remaining stuff next Saturday when I hire a van for Danny B to drive.

It will be good to get into my own space and also be a change to have total control. I think it will be quite liberating. I have a rake of things to get hold of. Various home making type things. Would be nice to have a TV as well!

I updated my Flickr page last night (link on the right hand column). I had a great time at Katie and Jame's birthday party. Took lots of pictures for them. I also met Ron who owns and trains a beautiful Harris Hawk. Previous to the party, I visited Greenwich again and took some shots of the Cutty Sark and the Maritime buildings.

Interesting week coming up...

RSS Feeds

RSS

Due to the fact that my K800i can recieve RSS news feeds, I discovered an extra bit to add on here. If you now view down the right hand side bar, you will see the BBC Science/Nature news, NASAs breaking news and NASAs picture of the day. These automatically update whenever you view my blog :-) Pretty neat huh?

Flat

My studio flat waits for me. I'm going to be finalising the agreement and picking up the keys on Tuesday with a bit of luck and a following wind. Just as well because my parents are moving on the 30th! Some kind friends from work are going to lend a hand in the week moving small stuff for me.

Article@Work

The interview for the works article never came off. The chap in question was very busy. He later apologised. Despite it's missing interview, the article was a hit with the management. All of them complimented it. As a knock on from that, I've also been asked to be a 'Comms Champion' and also to stand in for supervisors for hour slots on the late shift. Finally things are happening at work!