Change, come again it has.

I've made a career jump from Web Technologist to Systems Administrator. It's not that big of jump as I did a lot of System Administration to support my Web Technologist needs but now I'll be doing even more. I spent day one doing paperwork and despite the fact that most paperwork is boring and mundane I was completely energized by the people around me.

The feeling you get when surrounded by a bunch of people who share similar interests and brain capacity is pure awesomeness.

I'm not one to toot my own horn so to speak. I don't go around claiming to know it all. I usually try to stay out of the spotlight.

I'm a behind the scenes, under the radar kind of guy. I know what I'm capable of and I do, on rare occasions, challenge myself to do more than that. This is one of those occasions.

In recent months I've been working with a really smart group of people on a project called NOWCastSA (http://www.nowcastsa.com/). In the beginning I was more of an indirect observer but I've recently become a co-conspirator or technical mentor if you will.

On July 29, 2009 I was recognized for my work on a project. I've been asked several times over exactly what it is that I did to receive such an honor. Here is my feeble attempt at doing so...

The original process:

Step 1 : Generate two forms in an electronic format. Transmit these forms via email to all persons responsible for completing them. (~100 recipients)

Step 2 : Recipients of the forms complete them and then return them either via email, fax, or internal snail mail. Each form is 2 pages long. (~400 total pages)

A few random thoughts from today...

As a follow up to things that you can live without...

I'm doing fine. The surgeon said that I had likely had gallstones for years (as in more than 5 and possibly greater than 10). I've got new scars. Madison keeps insisting on seeing my 'boo-boos' and refuses to stop saying 'daddy booboo'. She finally came over and gave me a hug tonight without pointing at my chest. She has not been very happy that I've been unable to play with her the whole week that I've been home.

Nearly a month since my last post. Life tends to get in the way of living sometimes.

In the last month....

I've become slightly more active on Facebook.
I've joined a casual raiding guild (time consuming).
I've facilitated the launch of a new intranet at work.

So let's take these one at a time.

Wednesday, 9:00 PM - Zonk! I'm out cold. I should sleep very well tonight which means that tomorrow will be a very productive day at work.

Thursday, 12:15 AM - Ouch! @#%&! My throat should not feel like this. Well, there goes getting any sleep. I'm wide awake now, guess I'll play some wow. Maybe grinding on a low level toon will help me sleep (it normally does).

I previously mentioned that one of my co-workers had heard that he might be deployed to Iraq. He found out last Friday (yes, the 13th) that he was going. And not only going, but being activated immediately.

Now, don't get me wrong...I wouldn't even think of doing the following if his job wasn't so critical and if he hadn't confirmed that he will be gone for a full year at the minimum.

Today, we posted his job to get it filled. Hopefully, we'll have someone within the next month. Hopefully.