Returned to my room here in the Welbeck after a "full English breakfast" all energized and ready to engage the new home hunting process, only to discover that, after several calls to the estate agents for the properties I had identified as of interest, no home hunting is going to occur today (or tomorrow for that matter).
Unlike Sydney, where the real estate agents' busiest days are Saturday and Sunday (well people work during the week don't they) our gentle real estate agents here in Nottingham keep banking hours - every one I rang this Saturday morning was closed! It was then I thought to ring Sue McKnight, NTU's Director of Libraries and Knowledge Resources and an Aussie to boot, to say "Help!", well more just to say g'day and make myself known to her, but she understood the plaintive tones and saved the day with an invitation to join her and husband, Brian, for lunch and a roast lamb for dinner (yum!). Now to find an off-license so that I don't turn up empty-handed.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
saturday in the park
Well I doubt I'll get to the park today, not even to Park Row where the School's offices are based, as this is the day that I get serious about the hunt ... for an apartment that is. A couple of interesting alternatives have presented themselves on the net, in Hockley, Lace Market and Ropewalk Court, each with different agents in different parts of the city, so I'll let my fingers do the walking initially on the trusty "dog and bone".
Being up early gives me pause to consider my trip to "the city" yesterday.
60 quid and most of the day to spend 5 minutes with my "account manager" in London while he pushed a few buttons on his computer and pronounced me the same "David Lamond" as the one in Austraila who applied for the account to be opened gave me cause to wonder about the monumental waste of time and money. On the other hand, it does mean I am now "liquid" and able to transact, so it can't be all bad. And the young fellow who looked after me is pleasant and competent enough, so I could have done worse.
I continue to keep an eye on what is happening in Oz, discovering that PM Kevin Rudd says that the short term future in Australia is bleak and, worse, that "Roy" (Andrew Symonds) has gone walkabout in the Nothern Territory, catching fish instead of cricket balls at practice with the Australian XI and has been sent home to think about his priorities.
That being said, the UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, is painting a not dissimilar picture about the UK economy (worst position in 60 years) and poor old Steve Harmison is getting a serve for making himself available for the English XI so the broad frameworks are not so many poles apart. The Times will be part of my daily read, although I won't be letting the Sydney Morning Herald go in a hurry. Ah well, hi ho hi ho, it's off to the hunt we go ....
Being up early gives me pause to consider my trip to "the city" yesterday.
60 quid and most of the day to spend 5 minutes with my "account manager" in London while he pushed a few buttons on his computer and pronounced me the same "David Lamond" as the one in Austraila who applied for the account to be opened gave me cause to wonder about the monumental waste of time and money. On the other hand, it does mean I am now "liquid" and able to transact, so it can't be all bad. And the young fellow who looked after me is pleasant and competent enough, so I could have done worse.
I continue to keep an eye on what is happening in Oz, discovering that PM Kevin Rudd says that the short term future in Australia is bleak and, worse, that "Roy" (Andrew Symonds) has gone walkabout in the Nothern Territory, catching fish instead of cricket balls at practice with the Australian XI and has been sent home to think about his priorities.
That being said, the UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, is painting a not dissimilar picture about the UK economy (worst position in 60 years) and poor old Steve Harmison is getting a serve for making himself available for the English XI so the broad frameworks are not so many poles apart. The Times will be part of my daily read, although I won't be letting the Sydney Morning Herald go in a hurry. Ah well, hi ho hi ho, it's off to the hunt we go ....
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Here I am in Blighty!
Greetings gentle reader, from Murray Steele's place in Renhold near Bedford, on my way to Nottingham. I rang Murray to say g'day and he kindly invited me for coffee, a shower and a chance to check emails, before we go and have lunch with Leo Murray and the Cranfield Old Fogies.
Arrived at Heathrow a little ahead of schedule this morning at about 6.40am and managed my way through immigration, baggage collection and customs before I hit my first "experience" of being back in the UK.
I was struggling manfully towards the Eurocar bus stop to get the courtesy shuttle to the depot to pick up my rental car for the next couple of weeks when, about 50 yards from the stop, I saw the Eurocar shuttle bus lights go on and knew it would be a close thing. I left the trolley to head to the sidewalk and do my best to get the attention of the driver, which I did, so he was able to look at me waving at him while he drove away!
Fortunately the wait for the next shuttle was relatively brief and I was in the Eurocar rental office after a drive round the Heathrow perimeter and a queue that was already lengthy, but moving at reasonable pace. My second "experience" was not long in coming as I was "segued" by the counter attendant from the auto VW golf that I'd prepaid 2 weeks for to a manual Vauxhall Vectra, on the basis of "Go to zone 15/16 and pick out the car that suits". I returned in state of some frustration and requested I be given the car I had reserved and for which I'd paid ("but sir, see it says 'or similar'"; "indeed, but 'manual' is not similar to 'auto' - I want the car I reserved and paid for". A few minutes out the back and your man returned to say "Please go to zone 5/6 and choose a car". I am now the happy driver of a Toyota Prius Hybrid with GPS, cruise control, etc and I've got to Bedford without making much of a dint at all in the fuel guage! My mate Mark Hindwell from Emerald is fond of "instant kharma" both as a song and observation and he would have said same in the context - I was annoyed but remained civilized, was assertive rather than aggressive, and did well :-). Now for that shower .....
Arrived at Heathrow a little ahead of schedule this morning at about 6.40am and managed my way through immigration, baggage collection and customs before I hit my first "experience" of being back in the UK.
I was struggling manfully towards the Eurocar bus stop to get the courtesy shuttle to the depot to pick up my rental car for the next couple of weeks when, about 50 yards from the stop, I saw the Eurocar shuttle bus lights go on and knew it would be a close thing. I left the trolley to head to the sidewalk and do my best to get the attention of the driver, which I did, so he was able to look at me waving at him while he drove away!
Fortunately the wait for the next shuttle was relatively brief and I was in the Eurocar rental office after a drive round the Heathrow perimeter and a queue that was already lengthy, but moving at reasonable pace. My second "experience" was not long in coming as I was "segued" by the counter attendant from the auto VW golf that I'd prepaid 2 weeks for to a manual Vauxhall Vectra, on the basis of "Go to zone 15/16 and pick out the car that suits". I returned in state of some frustration and requested I be given the car I had reserved and for which I'd paid ("but sir, see it says 'or similar'"; "indeed, but 'manual' is not similar to 'auto' - I want the car I reserved and paid for". A few minutes out the back and your man returned to say "Please go to zone 5/6 and choose a car". I am now the happy driver of a Toyota Prius Hybrid with GPS, cruise control, etc and I've got to Bedford without making much of a dint at all in the fuel guage! My mate Mark Hindwell from Emerald is fond of "instant kharma" both as a song and observation and he would have said same in the context - I was annoyed but remained civilized, was assertive rather than aggressive, and did well :-). Now for that shower .....
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
wednesday morning, 3am
Up early this morning (as I am most mornings these days at least a couple of times - men's business) and blow me down if I haven't got suitcases packed and ready to go ahead of time! Now to make sure I don't leave any of the important electricals (like iPods) behind.
I'm jumping out of my skin with a mix of excitement and nerves about heading over to the other side of the world and taking on this great new job in situ. I was joking with an online buddy that, by the end of next month, I'll either be part of the furniture or on a plane back to Sydney wondering what that was all about!
Seriously though, I think it's the right amount of "performance anxiety" - wanting to do well, knowing that the capability and enthusiasm to do well are both there, but just enough uncertainty (and therefore anxiety) to have the adrenaline pumping and the systems working. Most people don't appreciate the difference between stress and disstress - if we didn't have the former, we'd not get out of bed in the morning (we need to eat and drink!) but we can do without the debilitating aspects of distress (something to remember for the workplace with which I'm about to engage).
so .... back to the packing and I'll be back for more blogging in a couple of days (unless I find a spare computer in the lounge at Bangkok on the way through).
I'm jumping out of my skin with a mix of excitement and nerves about heading over to the other side of the world and taking on this great new job in situ. I was joking with an online buddy that, by the end of next month, I'll either be part of the furniture or on a plane back to Sydney wondering what that was all about!
Seriously though, I think it's the right amount of "performance anxiety" - wanting to do well, knowing that the capability and enthusiasm to do well are both there, but just enough uncertainty (and therefore anxiety) to have the adrenaline pumping and the systems working. Most people don't appreciate the difference between stress and disstress - if we didn't have the former, we'd not get out of bed in the morning (we need to eat and drink!) but we can do without the debilitating aspects of distress (something to remember for the workplace with which I'm about to engage).
so .... back to the packing and I'll be back for more blogging in a couple of days (unless I find a spare computer in the lounge at Bangkok on the way through).
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, Sunday
A rather "lazy" day today after an enjoyable afternoon/evening yesterday having a barbeque with friends and famile. It was a mixture of farewell and Kerry's 29th birthday celebrations, with lots of work to ensure guests had an enjoyable time - still great to catch up with friends and family before I head off to Blighty. The continuing struggle against this flu that I can't seem to shake combined the hosting responsibilities, a few glasses of medicinal red wine and cleaning up duties shared with Kerry and son and heir, Luke, left me ready to snooze away some of the afternoon.
Only two full days now before I head off, so I begin packing in the morning with purpose. I'm working on the basis of taking "sufficient" to be able to settle into work and not creating a huge carbon footprint halfway across the world in order to do so (having all my CDs now transferred to the iPod will certainly help, saving more than a few kgs in baggage).
As "Big Kev" used to say, "I'm excited!"
Only two full days now before I head off, so I begin packing in the morning with purpose. I'm working on the basis of taking "sufficient" to be able to settle into work and not creating a huge carbon footprint halfway across the world in order to do so (having all my CDs now transferred to the iPod will certainly help, saving more than a few kgs in baggage).
As "Big Kev" used to say, "I'm excited!"
Friday, August 22, 2008
wednesday on my mind (with apologies to the Easybeats)
It's Friday, but I do indeed have next Wednesday on my mind, when I'll head out to the airport in the afternoon for the flight to the UK and a drive up the M1 to Nottingham on next Thursday morning. It's been a cold, wet and miserable day in Sydney, weatherwise at least, so I can think I'm being conditioned for the weather I'm about to experience between now and the end of the year in the UK, but that would perhaps be unkind, given the 21C temperatures in the UK at the moment.
That being said, I did have a productive day today, meeting up with my former VC from my Macquarie University days, Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury. Gracious as always, she kindly hosted a lunch at her harbourside apartment, where we were joined by former colleague and good friend, Richard Braddock, and Di's Executive Officer, Mercedes. The conversation ranged far and wide and we managed to identify a variety of opportunities for the future in the process. It made the 'joys' of the train ride into and out of the city worthwhile.
Tomorrow's going to be a big day, as we welcome the family and other friends over throughout the afternoon and evening for a farewell barbie and a few quiet medicinal glasses (and perhaps a few noisier ones later in the evening :-)) I'm more excited with each contact I have with Nottingham about the decision being the right one as far as a place to work and a group of people with whom to work but I'm also working hard on containing my (fear, trepidation, uncertainty, concern - I'm not sure I know what is the right word here) regarding the move to the other side of the world, albeit to the country of my birth, and away from everything I know on this side of the world. Ah well, yeehah! :-)
That being said, I did have a productive day today, meeting up with my former VC from my Macquarie University days, Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury. Gracious as always, she kindly hosted a lunch at her harbourside apartment, where we were joined by former colleague and good friend, Richard Braddock, and Di's Executive Officer, Mercedes. The conversation ranged far and wide and we managed to identify a variety of opportunities for the future in the process. It made the 'joys' of the train ride into and out of the city worthwhile.
Tomorrow's going to be a big day, as we welcome the family and other friends over throughout the afternoon and evening for a farewell barbie and a few quiet medicinal glasses (and perhaps a few noisier ones later in the evening :-)) I'm more excited with each contact I have with Nottingham about the decision being the right one as far as a place to work and a group of people with whom to work but I'm also working hard on containing my (fear, trepidation, uncertainty, concern - I'm not sure I know what is the right word here) regarding the move to the other side of the world, albeit to the country of my birth, and away from everything I know on this side of the world. Ah well, yeehah! :-)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
.... misery
not because "the world is treating me bad", gentle reader, but because I can't seem to shake this flu that I picked up on the flight from Sydney to LA and that appears to have developed into a nice dose of pneumonia. One of my "kinder" colleagues in Copenhagen suggested this was a good thing because it meant that now I would rest, whether I liked it or not (an observation on my work ethic I think). But the work doesn't stop and between editorial, research, and associate dean's duties, I've got plenty to keep me occupied.
In the meantime, I'm trying to get ready for Nottingham and already it's clear that I'll be doing plenty to keep working apace - the Dean has shown a significant degree of confidence in my capacity to keep the place ticking over while he heads off on a well-deserved break, four days after I walk into the office (either that or a degree of confidence that the systems he's set up can't be dismantled by me in the time he's away :-)). The news is all good from my point of view though - the School is already doing good things, but needs further contribution to take it along the road in which it is heading, so challenges ahead but a very solid foundation on which to begin to tackle them. Goody! (he said, rubbing his hands in anticipation).
In the meantime, I'm trying to get ready for Nottingham and already it's clear that I'll be doing plenty to keep working apace - the Dean has shown a significant degree of confidence in my capacity to keep the place ticking over while he heads off on a well-deserved break, four days after I walk into the office (either that or a degree of confidence that the systems he's set up can't be dismantled by me in the time he's away :-)). The news is all good from my point of view though - the School is already doing good things, but needs further contribution to take it along the road in which it is heading, so challenges ahead but a very solid foundation on which to begin to tackle them. Goody! (he said, rubbing his hands in anticipation).
Baby you can drive my car ...
For those not familiar with my blog titles, I try to find a song title (usually from the 50s, 60s and 70s revealing my age and musical tastes) that reflects some aspect of the blog contents.
This title reflects the fact that part of my day today has been spent in the process of selling my car here in Australia so that I've got the readies to pick up something at the other end of my flight (I've got a rental for the first couple of weeks I'm there so I'm not too rushed in making a choice and, hopefully, it means that my good mate Gerry will have enough time to sell the car at this end and get a reasonable price for it). Gerry's also kindly volunteered to get me and a couple of bags out to the airport next Wednesday for the flight so that's at least a hefty cab fare saved (less the tolls, the petrol, etc).
In the meantime, I'm up to my armpits in emails from Anaheim and the continuing work I'm doing as I get ready - I'll probably find myself with too many shirts and too little time when the crunch comes to complete the packing but, well, there you go. Back to it ....
This title reflects the fact that part of my day today has been spent in the process of selling my car here in Australia so that I've got the readies to pick up something at the other end of my flight (I've got a rental for the first couple of weeks I'm there so I'm not too rushed in making a choice and, hopefully, it means that my good mate Gerry will have enough time to sell the car at this end and get a reasonable price for it). Gerry's also kindly volunteered to get me and a couple of bags out to the airport next Wednesday for the flight so that's at least a hefty cab fare saved (less the tolls, the petrol, etc).
In the meantime, I'm up to my armpits in emails from Anaheim and the continuing work I'm doing as I get ready - I'll probably find myself with too many shirts and too little time when the crunch comes to complete the packing but, well, there you go. Back to it ....
Monday, August 18, 2008
Lamond in Notttingham - A new beginning
Hello gentle reader,
If you've had an opportunity to read some or all of davidinkochi.blogspot.com, you'll be familiar with my approach to thinking and writing about my experiences in a different culture. This first post of a new blog, as I prepare to leave Australia's shores to return to the land of my birth to live for an extended period for the first time in 50 years, is the beginning of my latest adventure.
I leave for England next Wednesday afternoon (27th August), ready to walk into the office of my new employer, Nottingham Trent University on 1st September. Over the next week or so, as I say farewell to friends and family, I thought to jot down the experience of some of the reflections and emotions that come to me, and so set the scene for what is to come when I arrive.
At this stage, I've already been engaging with my colleagues, by phone and email, as well as in person last week at the Academy of Management meeting in Anaheim. After some of my previous experiences in Australia and other places, I have been keen to do the due diligence before and after my decision to accept the Associate Dean's position in the Nottingham Business School. So far all the efforts at triangulation have produced positive results - from academic colleagues and friends, as well as graduates of the School. Accordingly, I look forward to this next stage in my career and life with a great deal of optimism. More thoughts to come.
If you've had an opportunity to read some or all of davidinkochi.blogspot.com, you'll be familiar with my approach to thinking and writing about my experiences in a different culture. This first post of a new blog, as I prepare to leave Australia's shores to return to the land of my birth to live for an extended period for the first time in 50 years, is the beginning of my latest adventure.
I leave for England next Wednesday afternoon (27th August), ready to walk into the office of my new employer, Nottingham Trent University on 1st September. Over the next week or so, as I say farewell to friends and family, I thought to jot down the experience of some of the reflections and emotions that come to me, and so set the scene for what is to come when I arrive.
At this stage, I've already been engaging with my colleagues, by phone and email, as well as in person last week at the Academy of Management meeting in Anaheim. After some of my previous experiences in Australia and other places, I have been keen to do the due diligence before and after my decision to accept the Associate Dean's position in the Nottingham Business School. So far all the efforts at triangulation have produced positive results - from academic colleagues and friends, as well as graduates of the School. Accordingly, I look forward to this next stage in my career and life with a great deal of optimism. More thoughts to come.
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