Trailer for “Being Geek”
One of my favorite blogs is Rands in Repose (it’s a must read, people!) Michael just wrote a book called Being Geek: the Software Developer’s Career Handbook and the trailer is awesome.
The performance review scene is dedicated to my friend Melvis.
Being Geek: The Software Developer’s Career Handbook from lonelysandwich on Vimeo.
Dan Pink on making the workplace richer in feedback
I read a good post from Dan Pink about the workplace is a desert when it comes to feedback. Well worth reading the full article (here: http://bit.ly/eaUVI7 ). Not dissing the level of feedback at SaskTel; we have several programs like he recommends, but it’s a good reminder.
Dan’s article reminds me of two cool TED videos on gaming culture and how feedback from games can be used for good. There’s a connection here, I can feel it!
Jane McGonigal on how gaming can improve the world
Tom Chatfield on how games affect the brain
Lest We Forget
Remembrance Day ceremony at a snowy Cenotaph
NOTICE: This confidential e-mail message is only for the intended recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that disclosing, copying, distributing, or any other use of this message, is strictly prohibited. In such case, please destroy this message and notify the sender.Calgary skyline
Grey day this morning (day 2 of the BBGA German Baking course) but the skyline is still pretty, especially with the green turf of the SAIT soccer pitch.
Lots of changes in Calgary, as usual. Lots more condos downtown, to go with all the office towers. From the northwest, Calgary Tower is nowhere to be seen.Braided loaves
5 strand braid on the left; six strans on the right. The sixer is a little uneven – it gives me an excuse to practise!
German Baking
I’m in Calgary for a Bread Baker’s Guild of America seminar on German Baking. Rye breads, braided breads, and authentic german pretzels.
Real German pretzels are dipped in lye, which gives them the great crunch and dark colour. Best pretzels I’ve ever had, with or without beer.Growing Up and Coming Home
At the time I'm writing this, Ben's on his way to the Narita airport outside Tokyo on his way home from 10 days in Japan. He'll be home in slightly over 20 hours.
We've known for three years now that he'd be halfway around the world without us, ever since he was selected to be part of the Regina-Fujioka Student Exchange program, but I never expected the immense emotional strain.
The funny thing is, it's not worry that I'm feeling. Never was, really. What I'm feeling is a strange mix of fierce pride (both in how Ben works hard to accomplish his dreams and how he carries himself around other people), coupled with a strange melancholy. I mean, if he can travel to Japan with 22 other kids and three chaperones and stay with people he's only met via email, does that mean he'll be backpacking around the world on his own soon?
And, most importantly, will he take me with him?
Photo's by Mr. Saito, who is both a host and a school official in Fujioka, Japan. More pics on the Fujioka School Board site
Back Road Cinnamon Rolls
There’s a big advantage to getting off the main highway and taking the back roads. We did this today, forgoing small numbered highways like 4, 2 and 3 for 310, 340 and 321.
We weren’t 10 minutes from the house when we found the Little Pond Community Centre, with two sweet ladies baking inside. Twelve of the best (and cheapest) cinnamon rolls were hastily purchased, warm from the oven, along with a plate of lemon squares. Yum yum!
Chilling out in PEI
The house we’re staying in is nice and big, which is helpful when you’re trying to travel as a party of 12. We’ve grooved travelling as the four of us but add another eight people who are related but don’t have a ton of stuff in common is challenging. But it’s a good challenge!
We have great views off the back lawn, with a massive sandbar which will be a joy to explore around. Just not today. We’re collectively pressing our luck with the weather and will travel to Cavendish on the sunny day. I better hit Publish now as we’re loading up the cars. Off to find a tiny village with tourist stuff, a nice beach, stuff for the kids to do, shopping, scenic vistas, crashing surf, fishing boats, a used bookstore, a river, no bugs and possibly a Walmart. But no unicorns required. That would be crazy.
Campground Sunset
I kid you not – this is the sunset from our campsite at Cabot Provincial Park in PEI. Our site is on the grass overlooking Malbeque Harbour.
They don’t have campfire fireplaces in PEI parks. It’s just a hole in the grass with the red sand underneath. So cooking is a new and interesting challenge. We were up for it, although the menu was simplified. Tomorrow we move to the house we rented for the last leg of our trip and join up with Cindy’s family. I look forward to having a home base but might still pitch the tent for old time’s sake. Our old tent has served us well for nearly 20 years but with the kids growing there’s not much extra room. NOTICE: This confidential e-mail message is only for the intended recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that disclosing, copying, distributing, or any other use of this message, is strictly prohibited. In such case, please destroy this message and notify the sender.
