MPH
June 20th, 2009
Work
May 29th, 2009
I am not a good systems admin. (I’d only ever administrated a few servers)
I am not a knowledgeable desktop support person. (I’d barely done any support outside my family before I started)
I am not an expert in database administrator. (I barely knew SQL before I started)
I am not so many of the kinds of things one should be to work properly as one of two “IT guys” in a small to medium NGO.
What is interesting is that I am at least a competent computer systems engineer, programmer, and have some people skills. These are not the commonly looked for skills in a IT Manager for an NGO. In fact looking back at the job description, almost none of the requirements for the job were big strengths of mine.
It’s funny though, the time at which I came to my current employer has been pretty much perfect for my skills set. An organisation in need of complete review of how technology is used, and in need of lots of glue to be coded and some healing of “IT” and the rest of the organisation relationships.
I after more then a year am loving my job, and finding it challenging. Occasionally I crave bigger budgets, and more support but I also love the freedom of being a largely one person show. I am working hard on both professional development and my day job. I do occasionally pity my boss, as I am somewhat unmanageable because I largely do things my way, and sometimes exceed my um organisational position in various activities. (Hi Ash)
I really enjoy most of my work relationships. As in any place there are people whom I have some difficulty in relating too, but I have learnt to have love for them all. Sometimes due to being under resourced and a sometimes limited patience I do fail to provide the quality of support that people would like. I find it troubling when I do, particularly when it is someone who I have difficulties with.
This year work has become a little more social for me which has been really nice. I have made one close friendship at work, which is vastly approaching being one of my closest friendships. I even had dinner at her house a few weeks ago, which was really nice. I got to know her partner in a better context and I really like him too. Tonight a bunch of us went out to the movies, and it was good fun.
Anyway that’s almost enough of a work rant. Really just wanted to say, I am working lots but despite stress I am really enjoying it.
I will close though with a quote from my job application. It is so applicable to my organisation that I can’t resist quoting it.
The Chai break is a critical time for networking, getting to know people, and finding underlying IT problems.
Life goes better with Jazz
May 15th, 2009
I have rediscovered Jazz lately. It all started with a basement independent record store in the city and a Bill Frisell CD. Now I have another few albums, including a John Coltrane which I am listening too right now, and is making the world a less stressful place…I also went to a gig this week, which was very good. I need to see more music.
Wine and Word Melbourne Edition
April 30th, 2009
After over a year in Melbourne, I finally got around to organising a Wine and Word in Melbourne. Wine and Word is all about just sharing bits of the Bible we like, and sharing some food and wine. I developed it whilst living in Sydney and it worked really well in my Hornsby community.
Fewer people came tonight then I was expecting, but due to the extra casual mode of invitation it was to be expected. I had to wait 40 minutes before anyone arrived, and that was a bit unfun. Thankfully though I knew five people were coming, and those five did end up coming. Anyway once they arrived everything worked. It was so nice, around my gas heater in my living room.
Interesting the six of us all admitted to barely reading the Bible but still all found bits we liked, and shared stories around them. It is quite funny how good the Bible actually is. Six random (or close to) passages were chosen by different people, and there were linkages through them all. I really loved remembering why the Bible is my sacred text, and what that means. It is so beautiful, better then Harry Potter, or even Lord of the Rings.
I love rediscovering things that are old, and really enjoying them.
Responsibility
April 21st, 2009
Sometimes I really feel the burden of responsibility. I take the lead on projects which change how 40 people work and how tens of thousands of people relate with my organisation. When I make sub-optimal decisions and mistakes people end up having to deal with frustration and extra work. However when I do things right little things work a little better.
My stress levels are rather high at the moment, as I am working on some big decisions. I am pretty sure which option is right, but I’ve realised the need to have the process right. This is harder when you have an option you are pretty sure is right.
This brings up the issue of consultation. I am turning into a fairly good sales person, but I don’t know if I am always selling the right thing.
I wish I had some staff so I had time to do things better….
Stupid GFC!
Post Church Part II
April 19th, 2009
So I went to church today, and even went to the pre-church on what is church looking for in a new minister.
I think I’ve been reminded of something I knew. God works in spite of church structures.
Most of the things that I love about church happen in the in-between spaces. The service doesn’t really matter that much, it is that “people of God” manage to come together despite all the issues in doing so. It is the support we can give each other, and the welcome we can give to the stranger. It is so many things, due to the different gifts of so many other people who go.
I love the people, and feel that God is there somewhere in the midst of it all. So it is that I will continue to go to my church and consider membership.
Post-Church
April 15th, 2009
I am wondering more and more wondering if church in the formal context is something I wish to continue to be involved in.
I feel Christian community is an important part of the Christian faith, sometimes I struggle to see how modern mainstream church fits with that.
I believe in a participatory church, and my current church has become less participatory, and creative over the year I have been attending it.
I do though value many of my relationships I have made through church.
I have noticed though the gradual decline in frequency of many of those people who I journey with most.
I don’t spend enough time relating with God, I wonder if spending Sunday evening in a private quite time would perhaps be more nourishing to my soul. Or maybe I should just make another time.
Mostly though:
Rosters piss me off.
I have problems with authority.
I am so over liturgy and communion every week.
I feel the power differentials in church are too high.
For now though I’ll keep going to church, until I work through some of this stuff.
Afl
April 13th, 2009
Well today I am going to my first AFL match. After a year living in Melbourne it is definitely time. Should be interesting, I wonder if I’ll like it. It’s between Richmond and the Western Bulldog(my team).
1 Year In Melbourne
March 25th, 2009
Today makes 1 year since my moving to the city of Melbourne.
Some thoughts:
- Melbourne is a wonderful city for a glutton such as myself. So many places to try, even in the CBD.
- Footscray as a location is working for me, but I do miss the slightly umm more glamorous Richmond.
- I have yet to go to an AFL match but am now in a footy tipping comp at work.
- I have made some new friends, but still miss my old commie comrades.
- I also have aligned myself with some seedy folk, which has been quite wonderful.
- Think I’ll keep my commitment to Melbourne for a few more years, and then see where to from.
Random SMS’s
March 10th, 2009
Had two SMS’s today from the same number.
1) Hi I DO wanna have a good time. Found ur number on the wall at UTS. Can we Meet.
PS if ur a guy i’m not into any of that pofta stuf
2) I guess you are too shy to respond. But if you ever feel like contacting me please do. I love a good time.
Barista
March 7th, 2009
I bought an espresso machine and put it in at work a few weeks ago. I’ve really been enjoying making my coffee well, getting the pressure right, frothing the milk, and getting a dollar every time someone makes a coffee on the machine. At this rate it will take less then a year to pay for itself.