raverX

Sometimes it's amazing how a 'feel good movie' can do just that.. make you feel good..

And with that I've decided to re-write this entry.. I guess it was the build up of the week that gave me a whole negative side to things.. All I needed was that one little bit of laughter and a good vibe to set the mind back?

So what managed to drag me down today?

I'm slowly coming out of what I dub the 'IT crazy season'.. basically the period that runs from May till the end of June is the period when most businesses decide they have an excess tax bill to spend and now would be a good time to invest in their IT systems, since their businesses have grown to depend on them...

This is great for us on a financial level, but it also means we're flat out.. and with our responsibilities to the Studios plus a few new big clients we've been a little over run..

The bad side of this is that it's very easy to make a mistake during this busy period, or let an important client down.. and sadly we did that.. we weren't on the ball @ the Studios and this resulted in a few mistakes..

Add to this the fact the engineer who is based out there for the productions has been off site more than on site.. now whilst we agreed he wouldn't be there 24/7, otherwise we wouldn't be able to cover his overheads, in this busy period he's not been there when the productions needed him.. and this means more calls for help got through to the Studio admin team..

The last few days I've copped what is no doubt the build up of this.. and this meant this morning I had to sit down with my engineer out there and work out a strategy so we could resolve the problems and become more proactive in our work out there..

It also meant I've decided to bring forward my hiring of another engineer from September till about.. mmm.. NOW..

I've got the perfect person picked out.. and whilst I was going to advertise the position on SeekIT just to get some comparative options, I'd be a fool not to hire her (again!)

Mel used to work for me, a few years back.. she was actually the 2nd person I hired and the first female I hired.. Ironically part of the reason I hired her was because I needed to get used to being around females - living quite a sheltered life as a child, all boys school, very little contact with females, etc .. I kinda had difficulty talking to girls.. (i still do sometimes).. i get shy.. especially if I mite like them..

But I digress.. In a strange course of events, the girl I hired to try and help build up my own self esteem ended up being a hard working, motivated, personality package which just worked perfectly. She was so keen to learn and to prove herself, that she just won everyone over.. and for what she didn't have in IT skills she made up in personality..

When she finally left to travel around the world, I had clients tell me how sad they were to see her go.. she cried when she told me she was leaving.. she's since beaten me up for giving her a teddie with "see ya smelly" on the card .. i really don't do "sweet and sympathetic" very well... [laffs]

So I've been dropping hints lately to clients that there's a chance I might bring her back.. and well, needless to say it's been a very welcome suggestion..

She has a bit to learn to get up to the ranks of Kev and even Derek, but I'm confident she can get there.. Kev is very patient and a great teacher, and Derek is a good sales person.. I think Mel will make the perfect addition, as she's much more organised than any of us (what is it with IT people being disorganised?).. and I think she can help me on the administrative level as well to make Katie (our receptionist) more productive and take some of the workload off me..

Yes, I really do see this as a positive step forwards in what is continuing to be an extremely positive year.

It's funny, reflecting back for a moment.. going back to the topic of why I hired Mel.. why I've done a lot of things.. generally it revolves around me wanting to prove a point.. whether to others, or myself.. that I can do it.. I have no idea why..

I started the business on a whim.. and then decided to stick with it or go down in flames.. just so that those who'd love to watch me fall wouldn't get the satisfaction.. 7 1/2 years later, and there's no flames.. there nearly was!!! many a time.. but I'm nearly there.. and it feels kinda good to know that finally..

I met a couple of young guys the other day, about my age, maybe a year or two older.. they are setting up a new finance office in Southport.. and I asked them what they do outside of this business.. I was pretty impressed to hear they both have a few businesses going.. property development.. restaurants.. etc..

I'd like to get to that stage one day.. I think.. I mean, I don't want to over do it.. but I want diversity.. I need diversity.. I get bored too easily with just one thing.. I guess that's why I enjoy running the Supra Club.. it gives me a chance to diversify my days.. but that's not really a business.. so I need something else.. I tried rebuilding Dad's business, but sadly there's really not much demand for pet books anymore.. but.. just the time I spent trying.. felt good.. it was a good.. learning experience.. hrmm.. [ponders]

The other down side of this period of the year is the extra work seems to stress me out a bit, and over the last 3 years this has resulted in a physical reaction.. I've brushed over it before.. but I got my blood tests back Monday, the GP's assistant called me.. didn't even bother booking an appointment, told me straight over the phone "your tests came back fine"..

So I'm still none the wiser on what exactly it is.. I've got an appointment to see a specialist.. I booked an appointment last year, but by the time my appointment came around the problem had gone, that and I was a little scared as to what all this could mean..

I'm still a little worried.. which doesn't make the situation any better.. but as the stress of this period drops off, so does the effects of the problem.. I swear it's stress related, but what do I do?

I guess in part I'm a little scared it could be something like Dad had.. I really should go to the specialist.. the greatest fear is the fear of the unknown..

Now to try the Shiraz.. not bad.. definitely helps me unwind.. I've made the most of my rewards points lately, they're useless.. they really are.. but I managed to get 2 crates of red wine, an exercise bike and an espresso machine.. still waiting to be able to afford the plasma.. grrr...

So what was this movie? Penelope.. Christina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon.. and a few other people I recognise but can't remember their names..

It was different.. the story of a girl born of a curse, so that she has features of a pig (nose and ears).. and that she will only break the curse when one of her own loves her for her..

the balance of women:men in the screening room gave me the impression I'd definitely walked into a chick flick, however despite some cheesyness near the end, it was really quite good.. and yes, it made me feel good.. and that's just what the Dr ordered..

[musical interlude: *bops* two trailer park girls go round the outside, round the outside *bops*]

I think Bec would have liked it.. not because it was girly.. because it wasn't really.. but it was just quirky.. i think she'd dig that.. it was a pitty she couldn't come along.. Will+Jax both thought it was good.. and Will has the attention span of a crack addict.. was glad they enjoyed it.. they're a sweet couple.. like "the perfect couple" really..

So what else.. Oh.. I'm copping a bit of flack at the moment due to a new friendship I've made.. I think I've worked out what the real problem is.. I'm not sure yet how to tackle it exactly.. or whether it is worth wasting energy trying to..

Needless to say I've formed the opinion that some people should just focus on their own lives and stop trying to dictate that of others.. I came close to saying something to one of the parties today, but decided it would serve no beneficial purpose for myself, my friend or any of the parties concerned..

fuck 'em..

[pauses: turning chicken in oven...]

hrmm.. i keep flashing back to the whole "business thing".. i guess it plays such a massive part of my life.. but the thought that flashed through my mind was when my mate Trav turned to me and told me how much he respected what I was doing.. this was a good 3 or 4 years ago.. and the business was barely surviving..

I guess you really can achieve anything if you believe you can.. but sometimes you need a few people who you respect to build up that confidence in you.. by telling you what you need to hear.. I mean, there are people who just seem naturally confident.. but.. for the rest of us.. we need our friends.. thanks Trav.. i owe you buddy..

So yer.. tomorrow's a new day.. much work went into today to make sure that tomorrow would be a great day.. I've got a meeting with Mel in the evening to work out what we'll do.. I've gotta order a replacement water pump for my car...

There's an interesting topic in itself.. 2 years ago I had bugger all idea of how things worked in a car.. now, through the help of Will, my turbo specialist Brad and a bunch of others I'm working on my own car.. weird! saving a packet mind you.. but it's really invigorating to be able to learn something new, and to be able to understand it all..

Which reminds me, one day I really want to go back to uni.. I know I should study IT, because you know.. it's what I do.. and all that crap.. but I can't shake the feeling that I really would love to do psychology.. I love working things out about people.. trying to learn to understand them better.. it helps me work with people.. and I think it helps me sort my own muddled head out....

I know I'm still a little introverted at times.. but I almost feel like a different person compared to how I was when I was young... I remember sitting at the bottom of the steps in the junior school playground, feeling sorry for myself, hoping someone would come along and talk to me.. offer me sympathy.. or living on my computer during my teens.. hiding from people..

it all went down hill of course when i started working at Woolies.. forcing me to socialise..

she said "one day you'll come out of your shell..." memories of Melbourne.. random thoughts.. flashbacks of the past.. so many years ago..

So yer.. there.. dinner's still cooking.. the wine is good.. the music is relaxing.. and all is good in the world..

and as per usual, my cat is on crack and meow'ing at the invisible being in the roof.. guess not everything can be perfect! [laffs]

So what's the game plan Davo.. I dunno.. play it by ear.. everything happens for a reason.. it's all good.. ya know? ;)

yes.. randomness has set in.. thoughts are on paper.. you did ask for it :P

*chortle* ;)