HREinternational’s Weblog

It seems like i rarely get the chance to just sit back and breathe – it’s been like that since i got here. there is always something i could be doing, should be doing… and i’m spending a load of time of trains, tubes and buses to get there (wherever “there” happens to be). It’s mostly work related – but i’ve always got a call, a meeting, an email – something that needs to be done, and because it has been such a mess moving over here and trying to get situated, i feel like i’m behind and have some serious catching up to do. The work side is good though – i sort of suspected it would be like this, so yay for me for setting appropriate expectations.

Patrick and me in a black cab on the way to the restaurant

The last two weeks have been pretty busy – Patrick, the architect for one of our products, was in town all week doing customer meetings and events. It was a great time and we got a lot of great “use” out of his being here. And, his last night in town we went to this Belgian restuarant – Belgo Centraal - that was really good. I had a decent steak and some pistachio ice-cream that was delicious, but Patrick won out with a lamb something that he said was fantastic. I’ll definitely go back.

Christian and Douglas scrunched up in the back seat on the way to the Corporate House

Then this week we had the Sales management meeting – i got to go to this one because it was in the UK office. I got a lot out of it, so i’m glad they had it here. this pic is of Douglas and Christian crammed into the back of Tony’s car (they had to squeeze back there with a carseat). Pretty funny.

I just had a meeting today with the guys who run one of the local user groups in the UK. It was such a good meeting. And what a great opportunity. It’s things like this that make me excited about this job. i love working together with people and making things happen. And, what’s even better is that we didn’t sit there and talk shop the whole time – we got to talking about all kinds of things (which is perfect because that means everyone is comfortable – very important). Anyway, assuming this all plays out like i think it will, it will probably be the first thing i’ve been involved with here that i’ll have had some real influence on. On the way over to the meeting I was all excited because i thought we were going to take a commuter boat to Canary Wharf where the meeting was to take place. I was SO disappointed to find the boats only operate during commuter hours though, so we’ll have to save that for another day. (I’ve been pestering a friend of mine to go on a boat with me in Windsor for the past few weeks but so far hasn’t obliged. I am going to keep working on that ). i love boats.

this is the boat we would have taken - if we wanted to wait 6 hours.

So, today was a good day – even though it’s about to rain buckets.

On another front – i *think* i found a flat to rent. I hesitate to make anything of it until it’s a done deal, but let’s just say the £ does not stretch far. I have some serious lifestyle changes to make. i got a place with a second “bedroom” – but that room is so small that i don’t think a bed will fit in there. I’m going to use it as an extended closet! To anyone who comes over to visit – i’ll have a lovely blow-up mattress for you as i need that bigger closet. . This is a pic of the outside – it’s the middle part, both stories (which isn’t so bad – that way no one is above or below me). It has a tiny garden (which is really a patio) in the back, so on those rare sunny days i’ll have a place to sit and enjoy the outside (and a place to park my yet-to-be-purchased bicycle.)

Doesn't really look that impressive, but it might be my new apartment.

Well, my dinner plans have been cancelled so i’m headed back up to Windsor. I’m looking forward to this weekend. I think i might be able to actually relax a little.