…..makes Jack a dull boy ( that’s a bad thing, I think ). Sooooo, I finished up my little private job despite some, shall we say, “challenges” wrt to my work environment - tonight it’s me and the boys from Metallica.

My project entailed updating software I wrote some 6 years back called “Problem Solving and Decision Making” for my friend Louis of RDM fame who created the problem solving methodology. Now for anyone not familiar with software life cycles, 6 years is like 175 in software-years – I’m quite proud of this simple but effective little program.

Updating was needed as it was written in (VB) .Net 1 based on an MSDE database engine. MSDE in order to scale to SQL servers of course, no puny Access db’s for the BigBadWolf thank you very much. Seriously though, at the time and to this day most if not all potential clients run Microsoft sites, so there’s no sense in trying to do it in something like MySQL.

Installing it on newer operating systems like Vista and Windows 7 became more and more problematic to the point where I decided an upgrade was in order. Converted it to C# and upgraded it to .Net 3.5, running on SQLExpress 2008.

Ok, that wraps up the consultant-speak section of this post. Back to the important stuff: 

When I got to work this morning I could hardly speak so the boss was kind enough to let me go feel sorry for myself elsewhere. Freedom!!

A cosy morning in bed and then back to work. I decided to not wait until Saturday to move the remaining stuff to Refilwe, but rather get it done this afternoon – pics to follow. My storage requirement is rapidly shrinking – woohooo! I’ve also seen the progress the guys are making and listened to James talking to the volunteers: they are serious about a self sustaining organic environment – I’m so excited to be able to witness the evolution of their project.

I have placed my bets and I’m now absolutely certain it was the best thing I could have done with the equipment. Sure, I could have sold it and probably bought myself a plane ticket to Europe or somewhere else I want to go, but it would have been a tedious and drawn out process with little satisfaction. I KNOW I’ll be going back to visit these people again and again, and seeing my small contribution grow into something more than the sum of the parts will be priceless.

However, the night, not eating and the hard work caught up with me, so I let my inner girl out and soaked in a hot tub… but only after making food fit for a king – a weird mix of mince, pasta and stewing sauce. Awesome!!

The weekend is looking good too: spoiled for choice of entertainment and company tomorrow night. An almost errand free Saturday, followed by more difficult decisions regarding which excellent entertainment offerings to peruse…. <sigh> Life’s tough! Muahahahahaha!

PS: The girl in the pic looks tired, like me, so that’s the reason for the pic. Promise.

A few odds and ends I still need to take through and then just tag along for the ride. It’s a beautiful spot, with the sound of running water from the stream nearby. Some pics below, more to follow as the project progresses:

It was a short one, but we’ll miss it no less.

After all it was a good little week, and all weeks go to heaven, I think.

The status report:

Wild-wild-outside:
Short holiday in the Freestate went well, no climbing done but got in PLENTY of sleep. Was worth it.

Projects:
Went to see Jaco from www.Refilwe.org, and we’ve got a partnership of sorts up & running. They’ll start preparing and let me know when I can drop of the equipment for our aquaponics project. I’ll stay involved and poke my nose in as much as I can, and try and come up with a manual of sorts. The idea is to get the fish farming up to speed and then slowly introduce the vegetable beds, adjusting as we go along.

BlogSale:
I’m desperately trying to organise shipping for the Draganflyer. Raul from Spain is a keen buyer, now I just need to deliver it… which is easier said than done, unless you’re willing to spend more than a plane ticket’s price on sending over a large suitcase weighing 12.5 kg. But we will persist, myself & I – I’m sure something suitable will pop up.

…and all the rest:
Then there’s the weekend. What to do, what to do. Hmmm. Got some climbing lined up with some friends. Then there’s the garage to clean out. And my “dumping room”. Eish. When that’s all done I may just have the space to start that elusive bouldering wall project. But I reckon it’ll go quick. Plenty time to play around

Wow, what a week. It feels like a lifetime since last weekend, in a good way. Not that I’m not REALLY looking forward to leaving work today, but it’s been a good week packed full of interesting conversations, new opportunities, ironing, washing floors and sleeping like a log in my now almost totally dark bedroom. I’ve settled in to my new place - it’s sorta starting to feel like mine and it’s comfortable.

I also found out that I have the entire top story to myself, which in a meaningless sort of way is quite nice. King of the hill

So, what’s new you ask?

I’ve organised a trip to Wellingtons Dome<whoohoo>.

I’m getting to see an old friend tomorrow and then I’ve got a small freelance job to make up for some of the millions I’ve been spending the past couple of weeks with the move.

In my post last week I spoke of my “Teach a man to fish” project: I’ve now made contact with Vernon who sounds very keen on the project, and who I believe will be getting back to me soon with possible venues to set up the project - this is a very exciting development for me and I’m very anxious to see the end result.

I was fortunate to see this slide show on climb.co.za - I have no idea how large the entire stream is, but it’s well worth it, promise. View it in full screen mode if possible, and make sure to have your headset / speakers turned on (tip: buy them chocolates and whisper dirty little things to them, usually does the trick ) A must for anyone into photography and / or climbing. Or just beautiful stuff. Or something

Rock Climbing Slideshow by Dirk Smith from Dirk Smith on Vimeo.

And then for some more inspiration, something quite different. To quote the source site, TED: “Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions — motion, speech, self-awareness — shut down one by one. An astonishing story.”

Astonishing indeed.

And to top things off, I’ve been having a relaxed afternoon at work following an intense medieval LAN battle with my co-workers. My washing is done, I just need to pick it up, then pick a spot with suitably hot chicks to have a cocktail at before heading home. Who knows what the rest of the night holds?!

Life’s been happening thick & fast this past week or two. I’m sorta settled in my new place, quite nice if I say so myself. Bit of a rush decision, but it worked out well in the end.

Moving from the smallholding means no more space for my aquaponics project, so I’ve decided to donate all the equipment to a school or organisation who will accept it, on condition that they use it specifically to set up an aquaponics system and allow me to participate in the project. Read the corny marketing thingy called “Teach a man to fish” for all the gory details.

I’ve sent it to my friend Pletterpet (he’s a member of Rotoract) as he reckons they may want to take me up on the offer – holding thumbs…. Elmarie is still very keen, so there’s an extra set of hands too.

The bouldering wall is on hold until I’ve sorted out the space issue in my garage, but it looks like I’ll be able to fit it in there. Not sure what the landlady will say, but I think if I keep it a freestanding structure as originally intended and not drill any holes, everyone will be happy.

The hangdoghas been neglected of late, but that will get sorted ASAP. There’s some climbs I’m aching to free

That’s it, I’m done.

….for now

Whooooooooohooooooo!!!! I can like to have weekend!!!! 

Alrighty then. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks and some serious changes along with it. I dare say I think it’s all going to be OK. Let the bragging start:

- Work: following an update from the big man it looks like some travel to Australia may be in the pipeline, maybe more than that later? Who knows, but at the very least I’m going to dip my toes in the ocean over the ocean

- Adventure Inc.: What a shitty name – I think I’ve lost my self proclaimed gift for nifty naming. Anyways, until some better title pops up, it’s what I’ll call my effort to get a group of regular friends together for some climbing. I’ve been playing with the idea of guiding and if I’m going to try get some experience herding cats, I might as well drag my friends along for the ride. This Sunday is episode one.

- Mortgage burning party in the pipeline, although probably still a few months away. Got a buyer who’ll be renting until the sale goes through, so a huge relief for me. No more keeping 10 000 sqm grass civilised.

Ooh, and did I mention Ramfest? Yes please. Good friends, good music – what more can one ask for?

Whooooooooohooooooo!!!! I can like to have weekend!!!! 

I’m in exactly that position – no crag close enough to reasonably reach after work during the week, and even the closest indoor climbing gym is slightly further than I’d like to drive to regularly – not to mention the peak hour traffic en-route.

The idea:
A free standing construction which will be relatively easy to disassemble and re-assemble. My living arrangements are somewhat unstable at the moment – I don’t have a permanent place to put up a wall, so I’ll need to be able to move it without too much difficulty. Building it indoors is also not an option at the moment.

Whats needed:
Some plywood, pine beams, and artificial grips. Bolts & nuts to put it all together and some paint to protect it all from the elements.

The Design:
I’m going for a simple design, almost exactly the same as this sketch from the Gecko Grips site (where I also bought my first set of grips), except of course I’ll have some additional construction to make it free standing.

So far I’ve gone after building metal brackets to bolt everything together. It’s been a pain, I’m seriously considering ditching that plan in favour of plain old wood screws.

I’ll post up some progress pics & details as I go along, watch this space.

Some cool stuff’s been happening. No, I still can’t ride the unicycle, but I’ve started on the bouldering wall – got most of the wood, ordered a good set of grips to start off so I’ll start drilling some holes tomorrow – after seeing the attorney, but that’s a long story - let’s call it atonement for past sins

Paul, PTA strong man and owner of the gym where the schools finals will be held

Roc Rally is on! Leaving on Friday, and so far the weather is looking good.

My effort with setting up the registrations for the Rally paid off, so far 26 teams registered with the minimum hassles.

I’m really looking forward to the crazy & fun atmosphere – be there or be square!!!

Then, SA Schools finals the week thereafter – a lot of people put in a lot of work and now it’s come to the first inter-provincial comp in many years, if not ever. Most of the KZN & W-Cape schools & teachers will be making a roadtrip of it by doing the Roc Rally and then travelling to JHB & PTA for the two final events the week thereafter.

Ooooh, before I forget, MensHealth put up a link to my blog, what a pleasant surprise! I took a screen shot just in case they realise the mistake & take it down

I’ll post up some pics of the bouldering wall progress, just in case you’re interested. Check out the Gecko site too - simple diagram, even I can understand it….

That’s it I’m done
(for now at least…)