I have been pondering a question that can apply to so many things in life...
Why do we stay rooted in a place where we aren't thriving, but merely surviving, when we know that we can truly blossom somewhere else?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, November 23, 2009
Why are we here?
So one thing that everyone seems to have in common is that none of us want to be here. "Here" being where we work, and "there" is where we want to work. Without giving too much away I think it would be safe to say that the authors of this blog work in the Technology industry but do not work for a Technology company.
This make us sort of Technology refugees, we're a bit like Israel, we can look after ourselves but let's face it no-one knows what to do with us and quite frankly everyone wishes that we just went away and stopped with the demands. But they love our oranges.
We have the ability to thrive in an environment but because we are on the outside looking in, the gatekeepers to this environment do not consider us as a good bet so therefore will not grant us safe haven.
In this case we are the refugees, albeit well paid ones with comfortable homes, cars and a multitude of wide screen flat-panel TVs to go with our running water and electricity.
The gatekeepers in this example are those in the Tech industry who are responsible for hiring talent. There seems to be a huge snobbery involved in getting into the prime positions in this industry. Ability, rarely, if ever is a factor, it is the path you have taken.
If you take the road less traveled and moreover have walked that road without an MBA you are forever doomed to a mediocre career stuck in a position going nowhere. Your life will be one of fire fighting with too small of a hose to make a difference.
Most companies require tech staff, but when they have them quite frankly they do not know what to do with them. Tech type folks thrive on change and moving from problem to problem with varying challenges. Give your Tech folk these challenges and continue to stimulate them and recognizing their skill set and feed them new and larger challenges and hey presto you have a happy employee and low turnover on your hands.
Alas just because most companies have a Technology department it does not follow that they know Jack diddly squat about what to do with it. The company that my fellow bloggers and I work for are forever reacting to the challenges of the wants and needs of the companies core business instead of working with them.
So what will we do? Very little probably, we will all strive to make it to the promised land, but few will achieve their goal and will spend the rest of our meaningless careers working on small, boring tasks waiting to be discovered...preferably by Google...where we will receive stock options....and free food!!!
This make us sort of Technology refugees, we're a bit like Israel, we can look after ourselves but let's face it no-one knows what to do with us and quite frankly everyone wishes that we just went away and stopped with the demands. But they love our oranges.
We have the ability to thrive in an environment but because we are on the outside looking in, the gatekeepers to this environment do not consider us as a good bet so therefore will not grant us safe haven.
In this case we are the refugees, albeit well paid ones with comfortable homes, cars and a multitude of wide screen flat-panel TVs to go with our running water and electricity.
The gatekeepers in this example are those in the Tech industry who are responsible for hiring talent. There seems to be a huge snobbery involved in getting into the prime positions in this industry. Ability, rarely, if ever is a factor, it is the path you have taken.
If you take the road less traveled and moreover have walked that road without an MBA you are forever doomed to a mediocre career stuck in a position going nowhere. Your life will be one of fire fighting with too small of a hose to make a difference.
Most companies require tech staff, but when they have them quite frankly they do not know what to do with them. Tech type folks thrive on change and moving from problem to problem with varying challenges. Give your Tech folk these challenges and continue to stimulate them and recognizing their skill set and feed them new and larger challenges and hey presto you have a happy employee and low turnover on your hands.
Alas just because most companies have a Technology department it does not follow that they know Jack diddly squat about what to do with it. The company that my fellow bloggers and I work for are forever reacting to the challenges of the wants and needs of the companies core business instead of working with them.
So what will we do? Very little probably, we will all strive to make it to the promised land, but few will achieve their goal and will spend the rest of our meaningless careers working on small, boring tasks waiting to be discovered...preferably by Google...where we will receive stock options....and free food!!!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Fanny was really what caught me...
During our conversation about Spotted Dick - not Spot o'.... - I was more tickled to hear that fanny was not an acceptable name I should instruct my son to use in mixed company...or any company for that matter, when referring to a body part, at least not in certain English speaking countries.
Of course, it was not explicitly defined by our gracious English - to - English translator, but definitely implied with a raising of the eyebrows.
However, I have now realized that it could refer to at least two, potentially other, anatomical geographies that may or may not be present depending on your gender.
So, I will have to steer our next coffee break conversation back to this subject, once again, to get the explicit definition.
Of course, it was not explicitly defined by our gracious English - to - English translator, but definitely implied with a raising of the eyebrows.
However, I have now realized that it could refer to at least two, potentially other, anatomical geographies that may or may not be present depending on your gender.
So, I will have to steer our next coffee break conversation back to this subject, once again, to get the explicit definition.
Spotted What? Indeed.
Right, so now I'm trying to think how I can order this dish without actually saying the name. Even if I manage to 'maintain' while the waiter is at the table I can see myself taking a sip of water, thinking the danger has past, and explosively spitting it across the table in an instant of lost self-control. No, better to stay away from the name all together. Better not allow the name to enter my mind at all...
"Why, yes, dessert sounds lovely. Would you have any steamed-pudding-desserts-with-currants-or-raisins on the menu this evening?"
"Ah, I see. Yes, I'll have that one. Thank you."
I'm not hearing what you're saying. I can't hear you. Can't hear you, can't hear you.
"Oh, two different desserts? I see. I'll take the second one."
... aand just hope for the best.
"Why, yes, dessert sounds lovely. Would you have any steamed-pudding-desserts-with-currants-or-raisins on the menu this evening?"
I'm not hearing what you're saying. I can't hear you. I can't hear you, can't hear you.
"Ah, I see. Yes, I'll have that one. Thank you."
I'm not hearing what you're saying. I can't hear you. Can't hear you, can't hear you.
"Oh, two different desserts? I see. I'll take the second one."
... aand just hope for the best.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A dick by any other name....
So one of the issues that rears it's somewhat ugly head with our little group is that of pronunciation.
Being English, arrogant, short of patience and long on sarcasm I am of the opinion that my command of the English language is of course perfect.
American-English...well, that's another story. It was during one of our very stimulating covnersations regarding British foodstuffs that the confusion arose.
I was doing my level best to describe the wonders of very English dessert of Spotted Dick and custard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_dick (see Steve's very interesting dissertation on the origins of this dish)...and one of our regular members, Malieka, was in disbelief that there was a dish of that name. She thought the very idea disgusting. Of course she was convinced that I was talking about a dish of "Spot Of Dick"....hence the confusion.
Language is a bugger is it not?
Our conversation then delved into the relative merits of pussies and fanny packs and their usage and there was no way back after that..sigh!
Oh well I am sure we will sweep this little misunderstanding under the proverbial carpet and will be back tomorrow for more stimulating, phalic ridden conversation at coffee tomorrow..can hardly wait.
Being English, arrogant, short of patience and long on sarcasm I am of the opinion that my command of the English language is of course perfect.
American-English...well, that's another story. It was during one of our very stimulating covnersations regarding British foodstuffs that the confusion arose.
I was doing my level best to describe the wonders of very English dessert of Spotted Dick and custard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_dick (see Steve's very interesting dissertation on the origins of this dish)...and one of our regular members, Malieka, was in disbelief that there was a dish of that name. She thought the very idea disgusting. Of course she was convinced that I was talking about a dish of "Spot Of Dick"....hence the confusion.
Language is a bugger is it not?
Our conversation then delved into the relative merits of pussies and fanny packs and their usage and there was no way back after that..sigh!
Oh well I am sure we will sweep this little misunderstanding under the proverbial carpet and will be back tomorrow for more stimulating, phalic ridden conversation at coffee tomorrow..can hardly wait.
We Spotted Dick...
One of the hot topics of today's coffee break was "Spotted Dick". Now for those of you who are uneducated in English cuisine, this is a dessert that is made up of a steamed sponge cake pudding with custard and is generally served hot.
Now many of you may had read the above and said, "spotted what?!!?". The question was posed to our English coffee drinker as to where did this wonderful name came from. Apparently the "spotted" portion derives from the currants, raisins or other dried fruit pieces that give it a spotted look.
The "dick" portion is currently unknown but stories indicate that it seems to be a shorten version of pudding. Pudding was shortened to puddick, to dick and hence spotted dick was born.
While spotted dick can be made in round forms, they also come in long oblong or log style. One makes you wonder, where did the name come from...
For those of you who would like to know more about this can do a quick google search or follow the following links for more things related to spotted dick. Cheers!
Wonderful jazz composition by Henry Threadgrill aptly named "Spotted Dick Is Pudding"
http://www.deselbybowen.com/Spotted_Dick_Is_Pudding.mp3
What's the origin of "spotted dick"?
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2031/whats-the-origin-of-spotted-dick
When Dick meets Richard
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1211960/Council-turns-offensive-Spotted-Dick-Spotted-Richard-spare-blushes-diners.html
How do I make it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afQ6g0R8pMc
Finally, where would one get it in the United States...thanks to the Internet!
http://www.englishteastore.com/cak004.html
Now many of you may had read the above and said, "spotted what?!!?". The question was posed to our English coffee drinker as to where did this wonderful name came from. Apparently the "spotted" portion derives from the currants, raisins or other dried fruit pieces that give it a spotted look.
The "dick" portion is currently unknown but stories indicate that it seems to be a shorten version of pudding. Pudding was shortened to puddick, to dick and hence spotted dick was born.
While spotted dick can be made in round forms, they also come in long oblong or log style. One makes you wonder, where did the name come from...
For those of you who would like to know more about this can do a quick google search or follow the following links for more things related to spotted dick. Cheers!
Wonderful jazz composition by Henry Threadgrill aptly named "Spotted Dick Is Pudding"
http://www.deselbybowen.com/Spotted_Dick_Is_Pudding.mp3
What's the origin of "spotted dick"?
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2031/whats-the-origin-of-spotted-dick
When Dick meets Richard
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1211960/Council-turns-offensive-Spotted-Dick-Spotted-Richard-spare-blushes-diners.html
How do I make it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afQ6g0R8pMc
Finally, where would one get it in the United States...thanks to the Internet!
http://www.englishteastore.com/cak004.html
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