April 2, 2004
Frenetic
It's been a busy time. Not much chance for blogging. Between writing bids, babysitting, working on business plans, attending meetings and schmoozing at various functions, I've barely been home in the week or so.
So, here's what's been going on.
Last weekend I spent some quality time with my nephews, since my sister was out of action after an operation. I'd forgotten how kids are just big bundles of frenetic energy. I discovered just how unfit I've become recently. I left Huntingdon with the utmost respect for all parents everywhere, and wondering how my parents survive the rigours of grandparenthood on a daily basis.
Monday was London, chatting with some fine people from JISC. A positive meeting, and a relief to see they think much the same as we do when it comes to frameworks and architectures. I took a different route from London, leaving from King's Cross, as I had to go home via Huntingdon. I've seen this platform sign before, but it never fails to make me smile. From the trailers I've seen, it looks like the next Harry Potter film might actually be quite good.
On Tuesday, there was a show-and-tell exhibition at the Genome Building, where our office is. We got a chance to finally find out what our neighbours are up to (funny how you can nod hello in the corridor for months, but it takes copious wine and canapés before you finally have a conversation with them). We also made some very useful contacts - a lot of local movers and shakers - and learnt some interesting things about what's happening in the region, too.
In a kind of schmoozathon, we then did a mad sprint into the centre of Norwich for the local "Last Tuesday" event - where the entrepreneurs of the region gather at the end of each month for an orgy of beer and business. Again, some useful contacts, and us Luminas boys (and honorary Luminas boy, Paul) were the very epitome of gregarious social butterflies. Although it could just have seemed like that, after all the wine. Anyway, amongst the people we met was Nige of what not to web, who I mention here because of the bare-faced cheek of their approach to winning customers. "Your website's crap! We can help!" is almost as subtle as the David Casal Patented Approach: "what you're doing is suicide".
On Wednesday, the first cleaned and repaired face of St Paul's was unveiled. I mention it here only to have an excuse to post this picture of St Paul's. We also managed to get some documents out the door which had been bugging us for some time. To celebrate, we (of course) headed to the pub, where I played pool for the first time in far too long. Sadly, it's not like riding a bike. I appear to have lost any semblance of ability at the game. I guess this means I'll need to get more practice.
Yesterday was yet another day of chaos, as we raced to meet a Royal Mail-imposed deadline. This was followed by a lengthy debate on the shape of our website, and a plan of action that will hopefully see it brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century. About time, too.
Posted by savs at April 2, 2004 1:37 PM