OffTheHoox.com

What a mental week. It certainly has been challenging. I do like a challenge which I guess is why I do this line of work so I shouldn’t really complain. But I will and I do!
Amongst a whole lot of politics, red tape and bullsh!t, my main accomplishment was my brand new data centre which is basically a bunch of very big computers talking to each other to form the heart and soul of any small to medium size network. Most users call it “access to the internet“.
**Side-note: I do still chuckle to myself when a user calls me up to complain that his/her “internet is broken”. I keep reminding myself that I wouldn’t have a clue how to tunnel under the English Channel, build airports or massive oil and gas refineries which they do, so I keep my mouth shut. I have actually worked with an ex astronaut!
Anyway, back to the now. My data centre is now complete and, for the geeks out there who will understand what I’m talking about, comprises of a 1x primary and 1x backup domain controller (the service that authenticates you on the network) replicating with each other and service sharing, a proxy server (whooo hoo - that’s the internet!), a file and print server (self explanatory - hosts all data files and is what you print through on the network), an Exchange 2003 server (hmmm Email!!), and 2x application servers. I am quite chuffed about it but there is still a lot to do with regards to now adding users to the network and servers. That’s Monday’s problem.
I haven’t really been feeling very well all week. Getting back in to work has taken it’s toll I guess. From lazing around for 5 months to 10 - 12 hour days is a shock to any system. I guess the idea that “one or two beers after work will help to just have fun and relax a bit” that turns into 4 hour bender sessions isn’t a great one. The day starts off a little jaded and the week just keeps chipping away. Which is why I say, Thank God For Sunday. My day of rest! Its almost lunchtime and Im still just sitting here in a towel and not HAVING anywhere specific to be. It’s great! I might just go take a nap in a bit. All this writing has made me sleepy! Hehe.
I think I have my moving orders now. To explain: I am currently in the city of Tirana which is the capital city of Albania. We are here to build 55km of road through the mountains. Tirana is 5 hours away from the mountains where we are building this road. The mountain isn’t coming to Tirana so I guess this time, Mohammed (and me and everyone else) has to go to the mountain. My preliminary date has been set for 2 weeks away but I’m not sure the camp is going to be ready for us by then. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I have not been up there yet but reports from people that have say that there is nothing for miles! Some fresh air will do me good. I just hope the accommodation, food and beer is of a satisfactory standard! Oh and clean water! I don’t really feel like getting a dose of dysentery however I hear it is a good weight-loss program much like malaria!. Less effort than a gym! Oh there may even be a gym up there but I doubt I will be able to find it. They are sneaky hideaway buggers those gyms.
I know I promised pics and I will get to it this week, I promise. I need to first get permission to put up photos of other people. I don’t really want to annoy anyone here. Besides I think it really is just good manners! How’s that for a great excuse? But like I say, it’s only lunchtime so I may just get around to it this evening. I should go get some food now. Hmmm what to have? What to have? Room service? NO thats too lazy! Perhaps I should drop this towel now, go for a shower and see what Tirana is like during the day with no office to go to! Great idea. Let me call Stoo and see what he is up to!
Have a great Sunday! Chat soon!