I get knots in my traps when I stress out...
My left side was in pain a week ago...and i got over it and i thought everything was fine again...and I knew it was because I was doing weights the other day and that was the cause of my pain.
And then this week, the right side started hurting...I know it wasn't the resistance training, because I was avoiding it to ensure that I wouldn't hurt the left side again...so, it left me to wonder what was the problem?
It started to feel better, so much that I was thinking of heading back into the gym tonight, but I woke up today and it feels all knotted up again. It might be the way I sleep, but I have slept on my side for all my life, I don't understand why it would hurt me now.
I'm guessing that its the stress from work and I'm probably actually sleeping with my neck tensed up. How weird is that?
I've been moving along with my projects at my own beat. I was pretty lucky to have projects that were being resourced by the same people over and over again and it was always a small team. But I recently got thrown into the deep end. My manager, I'm assuming is trying to push me further so that he can dump the bigger projects on me...
Which is fair enough...it has been 6 months, perhaps he thinks I should be meeting other people in the company, where as I have only been dealing with people in my area for the while.
I'm being forced to take more charge and making calls with limited information.
Since its a decommission of a platform, a lot of people think its a ripping out and binning hardware sort of activity. But unfortunately, its never that simple. Yes, new platform is in and working A-Ok, and the old platform has no traffic...but the systems and applications that might "expect" or "anticipate" traffic from the old platform...thats where the problems are...things need to be shut off in a particular sequence, as the expected communication between applications may cause problems in a production environment...even if its from an old platform with no traffic.
Why is it soo hard for some people who are in fact technically minded to understand that there are potential risks?!?!?! Its my job to manage and mitigate the risks...it is their job to identify the "technical" risks because they are the technical people!!!
Yes...I am stressed...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
I bought a ring...just not the one I was covetting...
I decided to drag my Mum shopping with me last night to the local jeweller.
I couldn't find it in store...and remembered the girl warning me that during sales, there is usually only one of each item at the store. So, if it gets sold that is it. My heart sank, thinking I couldn't even show my Mum the ring to get an opinion.
But then I tried the window display and found it...but there happened to be another ring in the display beside it. I asked the sales assistant to show me both.
The original ring I wanted was too loose. The other "new" one fit perfectly. Mum and I fell for this "new" one...and I handed the money over.
As it was new stock, it wasn't 50% off. I got a 20% discount instead and the manager round off the price to the nearest hundred.
Its pretty...
I couldn't find it in store...and remembered the girl warning me that during sales, there is usually only one of each item at the store. So, if it gets sold that is it. My heart sank, thinking I couldn't even show my Mum the ring to get an opinion.
But then I tried the window display and found it...but there happened to be another ring in the display beside it. I asked the sales assistant to show me both.
The original ring I wanted was too loose. The other "new" one fit perfectly. Mum and I fell for this "new" one...and I handed the money over.
As it was new stock, it wasn't 50% off. I got a 20% discount instead and the manager round off the price to the nearest hundred.
Its pretty...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Is it wrong to buy yourself a diamond ring?
I tried on this ring that I think is cute and pretty at a jeweller yesterday. I wasn't actually looking for anything, as I was helping a workmate pick out something for his girlfriend's 21st birthday. But as we waited for the store assistant to wrap up his purchase, I noticed this ring.
I asked to try it. It fit on my finger perfectly.
The store is currently having a 50% off on everything in store. So, as you can imagine, I was tempted.
My conscience said, give it back and think about it. So, I managed to return it and left the store.
I kept thinking about it all night. Weighing it up.
Its not a huge diamond, ie engagement ring standards. Its just a pretty decorative dress ring, made up of tiny diamonds totalling 0.25 carats.
The thing is, I don't know if it is worth it. Even with the 50% off. As it is from a typical chain jewellery store. Its set in 9K white gold...but I'm used to 18K white gold...
Can I afford the ring? Yes, I can pay it in total in cash if I wanted to. As with the sale, its an alright price. I actually paid more for a ring without diamonds while I was in Florence last year...but my justification is that it was a holiday purchase...I was meant to be ripped off!
It fits my middle finger perfectly.
The colour of the diamonds are about J or K...but due to the size of them, you wouldn't notice, especially with a naked eye.
I have been wanting to buy myself a ring for a while now. The rings I have at home, just don't feel right on, anymore. And since I can afford to purchase something for myself now...I was thinking "Why not?"
Before NY, I told my Mum that I wanted to buy a diamond dress ring. Sort of similar to Samantha's mentality (SATC Movie- when she went to the auction to buy the flower diamond ring). I work hard for my money...I can now afford to buy myself significant jewellery...so, why not?
Why not? I guess, with the current financial situation, would it be considered that I am flaunting my money around? Isn't there a smarter way to invest my money, to guarantee some sort of future? Its not like I'm buying a substantial sized loose rock as an investment though...
I don't know.
I like it...it fits...I just don't know if I should.
The word "should" has stopped me twice from saying yes and handing over the money. It stopped me yesterday and it stopped me today.
=(
I asked to try it. It fit on my finger perfectly.
The store is currently having a 50% off on everything in store. So, as you can imagine, I was tempted.
My conscience said, give it back and think about it. So, I managed to return it and left the store.
I kept thinking about it all night. Weighing it up.
Its not a huge diamond, ie engagement ring standards. Its just a pretty decorative dress ring, made up of tiny diamonds totalling 0.25 carats.
The thing is, I don't know if it is worth it. Even with the 50% off. As it is from a typical chain jewellery store. Its set in 9K white gold...but I'm used to 18K white gold...
Can I afford the ring? Yes, I can pay it in total in cash if I wanted to. As with the sale, its an alright price. I actually paid more for a ring without diamonds while I was in Florence last year...but my justification is that it was a holiday purchase...I was meant to be ripped off!
It fits my middle finger perfectly.
The colour of the diamonds are about J or K...but due to the size of them, you wouldn't notice, especially with a naked eye.
I have been wanting to buy myself a ring for a while now. The rings I have at home, just don't feel right on, anymore. And since I can afford to purchase something for myself now...I was thinking "Why not?"
Before NY, I told my Mum that I wanted to buy a diamond dress ring. Sort of similar to Samantha's mentality (SATC Movie- when she went to the auction to buy the flower diamond ring). I work hard for my money...I can now afford to buy myself significant jewellery...so, why not?
Why not? I guess, with the current financial situation, would it be considered that I am flaunting my money around? Isn't there a smarter way to invest my money, to guarantee some sort of future? Its not like I'm buying a substantial sized loose rock as an investment though...
I don't know.
I like it...it fits...I just don't know if I should.
The word "should" has stopped me twice from saying yes and handing over the money. It stopped me yesterday and it stopped me today.
=(
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Oktoberfest...
My Oktoberfest celebrations started on Wednesday October 1st with my Europe trip friends from South Australia and Sydney. We met at the Lowenbrau and had dinner with bier.
Friday night, was the continuation of the Oktoberfest back at the Lowenbrau. This time with my ex-workmates. And this was the start of a big weekend...
First we were being served by the delightful Boris...who made sure we had the "pretty" waitresses serving us our drinks and meals, meanwhile Boris had his eye on Andrew...
*LoL*
The dinner was great...I had the special veal ribs...nice and tender....and mash is always good. Shame there was only two ribs...everybody else was happy with their pork bellies. Afterward, we indulged in dessert and some cognac...which I didn't have because I knew it would put me over. Instead, I had the conventional sweet stuff.
I went home and slept all the way through until about 11am on Saturday. Bummed around the house for a few hours, watched some tv, was chatting online with my NY-er and then continued the Oktoberfesting at the Fairfield Showground.
When we got to the Showground, all three of us were blown away by the size of the festivities and the crowd. It was really really fun. I have never been to the Showground for the Oktoberfest before, and I'm glad we finally made it.
We got inside and went in search of some food and settled on a bratwurst/roll/potatoes and sauerkraut. Then my friend lined up for the bier - Austrian first...German later...and some apple schnapps for later with my mini pancakes. I like the fact that we had souvenir glasses to take home...one for the bier and one for the shot.
After we watched the barrel being cracked open for the opening of the event, we continued talking, drinking, talking, eating, drinking and later decided that we needed to do something outside of our comfort zone. So, with the rides outside...we decided we were going to go on one.
We picked the Ranger...similar to the pirate ship, although smaller in scale, but nonetheless still as scary. So, you can imagine 3 tipsy people hopping into a ride and thinking to themselves - "WTF, why did I say yes to this?"
But after screaming on the ride non-stop...and were not just shouting there were a lot of "I hate you, C...!" and I would come back with "I love you, V...!" and a lot of "woohoo..." coming from me! *LoL*
The only time it was uncomfortable for me, was when the ride was doing 360 degrees backwards and stood still while we were completely upside down for about 5 seconds. That was when all my blood rushed to my head...and it wasn't thrilling at that particular moment...but other than that...it was a great experience that I had totally forgotten about.
I used to love going on rides...and doing exhilarating activities...but for a while there, i became cautious and safe...and so, i have forgotten that feeling of excitement...that rush.
I'm glad, relieved, proud of myself in traveling on my own this year...venturing outside of MY comfort zone and doing things that make me feel alive.
I felt fear, paranoia, frustration, the sun, the ocean, relaxed, fun, tipsy, sheer joy, sand, coral, fun, excitement, out of place, welcomed, a part of an extended family, loved, like a wall flower, special, beautiful, cold, wet, warm, fuzzy, respected, like a jet setter, rich, poor, glamorous, casual, dowdy, smokin' hot, cultured, happy...happy...happy...
I will not change anything about this year...not the bad and of course, not the good.
But last night...last night was the defining moment. It was when i verbally acknowledged that I'm at the right place in time of my life.
27.5 is the number. It is the age I feel that everything has come together. Things in my life are still evolving...but I feel like i'm home, I fit in my skin, no longer awkward...and even if I do feel like it from time to time...I know how to deal with that awkward feeling at 27.5.
Just like in the movie Il Mare, where the guy tries out the girls weekend...by drinking a beer, running like a lunatic and going on the scariest amusement park ride that was outside his comfort zone. Realisation comes at moments like those...and I have had mine.
Its funny that all this comes out after I have had a few to drink. Quite uncharacteristic of me...but I like it.
I will be detoxing now...but there is no regret over here...
If you haven't been to the Oktoberfest at the Showground before, I highly recommend it...just don't go on your own. Its a festival...and festivals are best with friends!
Friday night, was the continuation of the Oktoberfest back at the Lowenbrau. This time with my ex-workmates. And this was the start of a big weekend...
First we were being served by the delightful Boris...who made sure we had the "pretty" waitresses serving us our drinks and meals, meanwhile Boris had his eye on Andrew...
*LoL*
The dinner was great...I had the special veal ribs...nice and tender....and mash is always good. Shame there was only two ribs...everybody else was happy with their pork bellies. Afterward, we indulged in dessert and some cognac...which I didn't have because I knew it would put me over. Instead, I had the conventional sweet stuff.
I went home and slept all the way through until about 11am on Saturday. Bummed around the house for a few hours, watched some tv, was chatting online with my NY-er and then continued the Oktoberfesting at the Fairfield Showground.
When we got to the Showground, all three of us were blown away by the size of the festivities and the crowd. It was really really fun. I have never been to the Showground for the Oktoberfest before, and I'm glad we finally made it.
We got inside and went in search of some food and settled on a bratwurst/roll/potatoes and sauerkraut. Then my friend lined up for the bier - Austrian first...German later...and some apple schnapps for later with my mini pancakes. I like the fact that we had souvenir glasses to take home...one for the bier and one for the shot.
After we watched the barrel being cracked open for the opening of the event, we continued talking, drinking, talking, eating, drinking and later decided that we needed to do something outside of our comfort zone. So, with the rides outside...we decided we were going to go on one.
We picked the Ranger...similar to the pirate ship, although smaller in scale, but nonetheless still as scary. So, you can imagine 3 tipsy people hopping into a ride and thinking to themselves - "WTF, why did I say yes to this?"
But after screaming on the ride non-stop...and were not just shouting there were a lot of "I hate you, C...!" and I would come back with "I love you, V...!" and a lot of "woohoo..." coming from me! *LoL*
The only time it was uncomfortable for me, was when the ride was doing 360 degrees backwards and stood still while we were completely upside down for about 5 seconds. That was when all my blood rushed to my head...and it wasn't thrilling at that particular moment...but other than that...it was a great experience that I had totally forgotten about.
I used to love going on rides...and doing exhilarating activities...but for a while there, i became cautious and safe...and so, i have forgotten that feeling of excitement...that rush.
I'm glad, relieved, proud of myself in traveling on my own this year...venturing outside of MY comfort zone and doing things that make me feel alive.
I felt fear, paranoia, frustration, the sun, the ocean, relaxed, fun, tipsy, sheer joy, sand, coral, fun, excitement, out of place, welcomed, a part of an extended family, loved, like a wall flower, special, beautiful, cold, wet, warm, fuzzy, respected, like a jet setter, rich, poor, glamorous, casual, dowdy, smokin' hot, cultured, happy...happy...happy...
I will not change anything about this year...not the bad and of course, not the good.
But last night...last night was the defining moment. It was when i verbally acknowledged that I'm at the right place in time of my life.
27.5 is the number. It is the age I feel that everything has come together. Things in my life are still evolving...but I feel like i'm home, I fit in my skin, no longer awkward...and even if I do feel like it from time to time...I know how to deal with that awkward feeling at 27.5.
Just like in the movie Il Mare, where the guy tries out the girls weekend...by drinking a beer, running like a lunatic and going on the scariest amusement park ride that was outside his comfort zone. Realisation comes at moments like those...and I have had mine.
Its funny that all this comes out after I have had a few to drink. Quite uncharacteristic of me...but I like it.
I will be detoxing now...but there is no regret over here...
If you haven't been to the Oktoberfest at the Showground before, I highly recommend it...just don't go on your own. Its a festival...and festivals are best with friends!
