Posts Tagged busy
Sunday Column (122)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on July 3, 2011
Oups. This week wasn’t real, was it? It just flew past. I honestly don’t remember Monday and the reason wasn’t the pints with friends at night; on Tuesday I got rained on and met a good friend over beers; Wednesday and Thursday I interviewed people, made it home late and didn’t see the kids for 2 days. Then Friday, I went to Leeds for two meetings and was back home by 1900.
This week I got a 500 GB hard drive, I played in the Euromillion twice as the jackpot has serious money in it (136 million on Friday), we got new nappies for Rohan (cloth nappies), I joined Google+ and that is really it. Is that all I have done?
I didn’t win in the lottery either 
No, most of the time this week I am stuck thinking. I think in English but noticed that my German accent really shows through at the moment and I couldn’t tell you why. I am off balance a bit. This is of course due to a very busy work week (and weekend funny enough), but also in my private life I am trying to get some things sorted. Not for sharing but there are a few too many ideas and thoughts buzzing around that make me quite pre-occupied. Then of course there is the weather – whilst I don’t want to complain living in the UK, I don’t understand why we cannot have a few days of the same weather, temperature and humidity. Ach well, as I said, I don’t want to complain.
Weekend.
Rohan develops fine at the moment, he decided to start sleeping from about 7 pm to 5 am getting us a few more hours of sleep and rest. This is very welcomed. His alertness is increasing and it starts being more fun with him – I remember when Colin was that age and I slowly got used to “being a dad”.
Colin is the same old. I haven’t seen him much this week but built him a few tracks before I went off to work. Allegedly he loved coming down in the morning seeing a whole train set being set up. Bless. And, he started calling me DADDY all the time. I love it.
Above the video is showing a miniature train at Swanley, a town just about 45 minutes drive from Beckenham. I liked it but the park wasn’t my thing. The train ride however was ace, both for Colin and myself 
That is it really. Busy days ahead.
Happy 4th of July to my American friends.
Sunday Column (120)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on June 19, 2011
This week was unreal. With me being off for Colin’s 2nd birthday on Monday, I even forgot to check my work emails all day. That was fantastic. I spent a really good day with the family and truly enjoyed it. Much needed.
Overall, last weekend, spending time with the family, was fantastic. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it that much but I really did. The whole family being together. I start realising that family becomes more and more important in my life, and that my focus starts shifting, if slightly, towards a more family focused life. Who would have guessed? But how couldn’t it with such a great wife and two gorgeous boys 
Now on Tuesday my boss from Germany was over, and Wednesday/Thursday we spent in Brighton at a conference. It was not only a good conference, good networking, and good booze up but also great chats and new ideas. We shall see what comes out of this but I think it is going to be great.
Friday was just a quick catch up with work, getting on top of things, realising that most people I wanted to speak to were not available. Holiday season started. However, I managed to catch up with a good friend from my German fraternity who will move back to London soon.
So the main focus, and I almost feel guilty, was the weekend again. Time with the family, and time with kids. I really enjoy doing that.
These are the main developments. I found out about some interesting stuff, including school systems in the UK, and about some other possibilities. And, as always, it makes me think. No imminent or hasty decisions though, so not to worry
And, for a long time, I managed to watch a movie again: The Expandables. Fantastic entertainment. Followed by a bit of Braveheart on freeview What else can you wish for on a Saturday night?
Have a fantastic week, I will be blogging about social media once again, so hopefully you enjoy it. After my “social media rave” with Ocado I got a positive response from them this morning. So companies are reacting to social media, I remember when I was “arguing” with Vodafone or BT a while back. Maybe social is my real passion?!
Love and Kindness,
Volker
Sunday Column (118)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on June 5, 2011
What I like about blogging is that actually more people read my posts than anticipated. Not only my boss makes comments, but also my clients. I like it, and the good thing is that I don’t think of changing my style or content just because they do.
Social Media, and surely a blog is part of it, is social, open and determined to ask for comments and discussions. The only difference is Facebook. Or is it? I have this love hate relationship with Facebook. Whilst Twitter is open, links with Linkedin, and the aim for me is reach, Facebook is private. Private to the extend that I am connected with some clients and some work colleagues.
A friend put it a while back as “Facebook are the friends you would invite to your next big birthday”. He is right in my opinion. However, there are still people that insist being my friend and my social life from the USA 15 years ago is all on Facebook, my only connection. But not everyone can see my full profile there, which makes is unsocial if you like. So really, Facebook is selective. Actually, I am thinking of changing it and open it up to everyone, however removing people I wouldn’t invite to my 40th….
Looking back at the week, it was an up and down. Monday was an additional day off and the pizza I made was soggy. My wife always hates me for making soggy pizza, so I have to perform this weekend Tuesday back at work was just one thing: busy. Wednesday working from home I didn’t finish until 10 pm. Thursday we had a major meeting and a lot of things to finish, so that Friday was just a wind down really. One of those bank holiday weeks where you just want to get to the end as you cramp 5 working days into 4. Have seen it all before.
On Thursday night I met Peter. He told me the story of John Snow, the man who found the outbreak of cholera in Soho, London. The story goes, as John Snow traced the outbreak to the water source (the water pump on Broadwick Street) everyone started drinking beer in the pub next door, now called the John Snow (probably more known for gay couples kissing these days). Maybe the early start of binge drinking or just the old excuse Anyhow, it was a great evening, chewing the fat about the industry, technology and life in London with a family.
Now, this really wraps up my week. I can’t wait for next weekend when my older one turns 2. I cannot believe he has been with us for 2 years already. Fantastic, and I hope to put together a little birthday post for him.
Just this weekend again shows why you love being a parent. Friday night Colin got really upset around midnight. He cannot say what bugs him yet, so it takes a lot of cuddles, convincing, a drink (of water) and a cookie to calm him down. Just when you go to sleep around 1 am, the next one wakes you at 3 am for his night feed which turns out to be a “mini feed” and you wonder why he woke up in the first place. And, just back to sleep, dreaming all sorts of wild things, you wake at 5.30 am to feed again, close your eyes to hear the older one next door. Wow, it is 7 already. Yes: we spend 7 hours in bed. No: we didn’t sleep more than maybe 4-5 hours.
A lot of people might not understand that you can function on little sleep. I have done it before, e.g. slept 5 hours on average. It is easy. 5 hours interrupted: harder. But you cope. You must. And you enjoy and get a deep satisfaction of being able to be there for someone who needs you. No one can take that feeling away from you, that deep love and understanding of each others needs. No matter what. The love for a child goes beyond any other love I have experienced ever. And for nothing in the world would I want to miss that.
I’ll write more about that soon. In the meantime have a good week. June is here, summer is here, and next week promises to be fairly busy again with me being off on Friday and the Monday after (another long weekend ). I am in Leeds on Tuesday and meet with a good friend Wednesday night. My parents and in-laws arrive Thursday for Colin’s birthday. Also, I finally plan to go back to the gym on Monday and swimming on Wednesday morning. Fingers crossed this all works out.
Have a good one,
Volker
Sunday Column (89)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on November 14, 2010
It has been a week of ups and mostly downs. The week started with great progress at work and fantastic, promising meetings. However, the magic day was Wednesday.
Wednesday, 10th of November 2010. I went to the doctors re my hips and knees and was “discharged” – no more problems or physical “disabilities”, e.g. shortness of one leg. So no more insoles, the doctor ok’d it. So it was a great start in the day, and it was sunny too. What could have changed that day. When I left the office just before 8 pm and went for a quick drink with my two colleagues I didn’t think anything would happen. But, between 21.15 and 21.45 someone managed to steal my laptop rucksack next to the chair I was sitting at. None of my colleagues or I noticed. And it was a heavy bag. What I don’t understand: I touched the bag with my foot every 2 minutes or so to make sure it was still there, the pub wasn’t busy and hence I didn’t think to remove my portable hard drive and put it in my jacket.
Hence at 21.45 I was stone sober again (after 2 glasses of wine) as I realised the work laptop, my hard drive, the internet dongle, my personal diary and notebook as well as the online banking code generator had disappeared. Also included in the bag were 12 Tesco bags from earlier shopping, my home insurance quote and Tony Blair’s book which I was about to finish. So if anyone can lend me the last 200 pages this would be much appreciated. Whilst I lost a lot of data most I could retrieve from our server, and emails are all stored server side. I am about to get a new laptop, still had a bag, and slowly getting my life back. But someone having betrayed me and taking things away from me, intruding my personal life, is just disgusting. I know I should have been less careless, e.g. I underestimated the danger of the situation (which I usually don’t, and I am usually very paranoid to watch my bag or even carry it to the toilet with me). Of course it is my mistake but it is scary to see how quickly people can come and steal things next to you without you noticing it. Onwards and upwards. All data was password protected, besides the person that stole is most likely sold it for drugs and wasn’t in the slightest interested in my holiday snaps, or could access them.
On a more funny side Colin decided this week to take my blackberry cover and hide it in the nappy bag. It took us a few hours to find it. He is great, growing up fast. He develops his own character, needing more attention and wants to be picked up, to be held, wants to see what is going on etc. It is fantastic. A friend of ours just got a son too, and it is great to see families growing. Unfortunately he seems to have a stomach bug but hopefully he will be good again soon.
I have to say, looking at the Wednesday experience, I wasn’t hurt, my family is healthy, and the chances of identity fraud are rather small (but possible of course). I am glad I didn’t get robbed, knifed or shot.
Anyway, I finished the week on a high with a visit from a very good friend from back home. Uwe stayed with us all weekend, and the 4+1 of us had a great time. Good to have seen you again, and thanks for coming all the way to see us. And, of course, thanks for helping me putting up those very expensive shelves. Even Jen admitted that it wasn’t my fault them falling down but it is the wall. Good to have friends, and even better if you were closer (or I was).
I believe next week can only get better, and of course busier.
Have a good one.
Volker
Sunday Column (81)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on September 19, 2010
This week was busy. My mother in law stayed her third week and her boyfriend came as well. Her staying helped us a lot and we were glad she was here. However, I am also glad to have our house back to ourselves.
We got our kitchen floor done this week too. This added to more stress, but luckily (or unluckily) I have been away with work a lot. I went to Leeds on Monday, not returning until very late, and also attended some webinars in the US which means long and late hours in front of this lovely laptop.
Dreams: I want an HTC Desire Z. 
It is an Android powered super machine with a physical keyboard. Just a bit on the expensive side still but we shall see how prices will come down towards Christmas.
I had several blasts from the past this week. Facebook made it happen for me to connect with my host sisters in the US who I haven’t seen since 1993. Also another friend from the US I haven’t seen since either, and it makes me wonder how modern technology helps you so much to share your life. But is it what you want? Being connected and available, and share your life across the world? I sometimes wonder.
Next week is going to be another busy week at work. After that it hopefully will quieten down for a week or two, so that I can get back into a routine. I neglected practising my Tai Chi form but started a new course for pushing hands which I enjoy a lot. It is a more practical approach to Tai Chi and is what I always wanted. Still it helps me a lot to relax and connect to my inner self.
This is really most of it this week. Colin is a great joy but a bit on the grumpy side. Not only does he get another tooth he also seemed to have some allergic reaction again to a virus. Next door’s child seems to have some illness too, so that is daily life for you.
I let you go for this weekend, but surely see you again next week.
Have a good one,
Volker
Sunday Column (75)
Posted by Volker in personal, Sunday Column on August 1, 2010
What could be a better start in the week. A 12 week scan of our “new” baby and the news that everything is ok. Happy days, and we were over the moon.
Unfortunately, this didn’t last too long, as my wife noticed some discomfort as of Monday night. We went to A&E, spoke to the ante-natal department, ended up in A&E on Wednesday again until 3 am, spoke to a specialist on Thursday morning, and the news is better than we anticipated: there will most probably be no risk for the baby and everything should be ok, however my wife won’t be able to lift heavy objects, will need a lot of rest and might get more discomfort over the forthcoming month. Finger’s crossed.
On this note I want to say thank you to our neighbours who not only drove my wife to A&E, helped looking after Colin but also gave us lots of support and help during these hours. This is great to have such wonderful neighbours!
We started making preparations now to make my wife’s life easier. Colin starts learning to go up and down the stairs himself, crawling into bed and his pram. He is growing and growing up, has almost 12 teeth, and whilst I am typing this just before 8 am on Saturday morning, he is sitting next to me playing with my Blackberry. He is so much fun and so enjoyable. I am a very happy and lucky man to have such a fantastic family.
Now, these were the main news of the week. We also had a mouse under the fridge but that is really not important, is it I went to a more practical approach class of Tai Chi across from my work. Reason is that on the one hand I want to learn more about the practical application of Tai Chi. And, my Tai Chi class in Beckenham is at 7.30 pm and there is no way that I can make it in time back from work.
Work is great. After 2 weeks away I noticed how great my new colleague is, and we are making lots of progress. Whilst August seems slower than expected, we are now having loads of meetings to prepare for a storm in autumn
Our first weekend back from our holidays was spend planning, and un-planning visits and trips we wanted to do. Weddings unfortunately too. The next 6 months (and beyond) are all about getting my wife as comfortable as possible, for her to manage every day with Colin and not to have too much discomfort carrying our 2nd child. And, we are very excited to have Colin’s little brother….or sister.
Have a fantastic week.
Volker
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