JonathanByrne.net

My little holiday is over and I’m sitting on an aer lingus plane back to the uk as I am writing this.

I always try sit near the back of the plane because if it crashes, statistically you are more likely to survive. years of watching air crash investigation has proven this over and over.

However today I am sitting one row behind the emergency exit at the wing; 25F to be exact. it’s alright I feel some pressure being so close to the wing exit but at least it’s not my responsiblity to open it in the case of an emergency. I’m pretty sure I’d be like father ted good under pressure but up until the pressure arises I would be a nervous wreck. (post fr ted clip)

I get quite sad when I’m on a plane and penny lane is not doing the safety demonstration…or at least mocking it. God damn I love almost famous.
that film makes me sad all the time, I could see a band t-shirt think about rock n roll then remember I’m not William miller or anyone in stillwater.

Anyway I’m being asked to turn off my phone so I will fancy up this post later on when Im not restricted to the iPhones capabilities.
I’ll post pictures of the plane and fr ted video to illustrate
my mindset on planes and emergency exits/buttons ooooooooooooooooo

I’m shattered!

I’ve been working every day for the last 2 weeks and I am so fed up with the project I’m on.  The work is good and I’m learning alot but the problem remains to be the politics and red tape that is evident everywhere on this project.
Problems are recognised but paperwork must be done before any change is implemented, problems are found and ‘the blame game’ begins.  Its such a shame and its probably the worst run project I’ve been on so far…
I finish this project next week and return to Ireland, it will be nice to be back for a while.  College is starting up again so I have to get stuck into that again and I need to achieve CCNA status quickly.

I’ve been getting on well with the people I’m working with and I’ve discovered problems and fixed issues.  However the other day  I made a mistake, without getting too technical the node I was using was creating a conflict…..this in turn caused a routing issue.  Luckily it was an easy fix but I wish I noticed it before saying it was not my node’s problem.  Mistakes will be made I’m only human but its a stark reminder that I need to tripple check issues.

Next week I’ve got a house party to go to on Friday, so I shall be celebrating the end of the project.  Who knows I may even have a drink or two………..probably way more!

I have a flight back to Manchester in 6 hrs time, so I have to get a bus to the airport in 4 hours time.  Every week I do this you would think I’d have learned by now!  Anyways, I have an important day tomorrow, the node I have been working on is getting inspected and tested so I have been up studying and fixing a jumpstart server in case things go not so well.  I’m confident but better safe than sorry.

Moleskins

All these trips to the airport has developed a fetish for moleskin journals.  I now have one for work, one for a diary and one just to fill with what ever nonsense is in my head.  I highly recommend these journals.  They are great to use on a plane and serve as a good information backup.  Computers can’t always be trusted.  I can’t believe in 4 hrs  time I will be in the airport, sipping a Caramel Machiato and writing in my journals while most people shall be sound asleep.

Lucky gits!

I’ve learned a few tricks on my travels to lessen the stress of airports and I thought I’d share them with everyone.  Tis the season to holiday…  This is a dull enough blog post but ya gotta be informative at times…

• 2 second shirt fold
  

• Pack light cause Ryanair can be right gits
  I’ve been charged €90 for excess luggage, it can put you in the worst mood ever.

• Recognizable suitcase
  I hate waiting around for a suitcase at the baggage carasel, its so tedious and boring having to check every black bag.  So I got a stripy bag now its unique and I can day dream away until I see the distinctive bag -- neatoo

• Travel near the front of the plane
  Get on and off quicker, it makes sense!

• Use the second queue
  There are always two queues getting on an airplane and for some reason everyone queues in one?  So join the non existing queue as soon as boarding starts

• Join all the airline executive clubs
  Nothing like free cheese and biscuits and a pint while you wait in a comfy chair away from the hassle of the airport.  These clubs are usually free to!

• Carry a spare pair of socks
  Its unbelieveable how good you feel if you change your socks during the day.  Very refreshing.

• Avoid shopping at the airport and plane its a rip off

• Get ear plugs or noise canceling headphones

• Get a book
  Alot of the time on the plane your not allowed to use your mp3 players, so books are a better alternative.

• Get a Taxi company instead of a taxi from the airport ranks
  In the UK the black cabs charge for the journey and their return journey to the airport, taxis from local towns do not.  So you can save yourself a few bucks researching on taxis before the flight.

Thats all the tips I can think of at the moment, I’m sure there are more and if you know any let me know!

I was lucky enough to be working in London recently and it is a stunning city.  The London Eye is just one of the greatest ideas anyone has ever had.  Just the sheer size and the logistics behind raising the wheel across a river is amazing to me.

Thames from the top of the London Eye

London Eye

I also got to saw the beautiful Hyde Park and came across the big JC and his stunt double chatting up women whilst rollar blading.  Now thats damn cool, he could have turned water into wine brought people back from the dead or go all Neo like and fly around the place but NO Jesus knows the way to a womans heart is through……a rollar blade egg and spoon race.

Jebas

OOOOOHHH its on!!!

After all this excitement I’m now back in Ireland and should be working in Waterford IT soon, I’m getting great travel and work recently and if I’m very lucky I might be heading to North Eastern Europe….more to follow…