Now listening to:
James Blunt, chasing time: the bedlam sessions
My life is brilliant.
I am a dreamer but when I wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
I have seen fear. I have seen faith.
Seen into the eyes of the weak.
Does everyone have a different take?
Life goes on.
Look who's alone now, It's not me.
I'm just chasing time again.
But now I'm high; running wild among all the stars above.
How I wish I had screamed out loud,
Instead I've found no meaning.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain
And I see no bravery, Only sadness.
Do you see my guilt? Should I feel fright?
Is the fire of hesitation burning bright?
Won't you be a friend of mine to remind me what is real?
Hold my heart and see that it bleeds.
I'm out of my mind.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
I'm Regular
In Snowboarding, if you put your left foot in the front of the board, then you are regular. But if you put your right foot in the front, then you are goofy. Which one is better? Most people ride regular buat it's really a matter of preference. And that's the funny part within my 3-weeks experience learning snowboarding in Ski Dubai that I would like to share here.
After taking 5 lessons and fell down miserably last week, and got small bruise and scar in my face, I started questioning my decision to ride goofy from the 1st lesson. At that time my instructor told me to put the strong foot in the front, and for me it means my right foot, hence I became goofy. But just like in CCIE, it looks like you can't trust a single source. I read The Snowboard Book from Lowell Hart, and he mentioned clearly that "Snowboarding is, literally, life on the edge". Any snowboarders should be able to balance both edges from heel to toe. When I ride goofy, I can stop with my heel edge very well, but I can't do the same using my toe.
So after 1 week forensic investigation to examine why I fell, I figure out that with my left foot in the back, it's so weak and not helpful to control the board. I can make a right turn easily, when facing downhill, because my right foot in the front can turn the board around. But everytime I try to make a left turn, my left foot can't provide support to turn the board and I can lose control easily. I believe this is the reason why I fell. Case closed.
Yesterday I decided to ride regular for the first time. That's quite funny. After spending 3 weeks I still can't figure out which ride is better, goofy or regular. But I believe that's one of the lessons from this story: always evaluate yourself. And the second lesson: Trust no one, even Agent Mulder. Always try to get different resources for comparison.
And the result for my first regular riding experience? Not bad.
I fell down only about dozen times, and that's because I was trying to ride my board over the rail, one of the freestyle tricks. I was able to link the turn to make multiple S patterns. With my right foot in the back, I can use it to get more control to the board. When facing downhill and make a right turn, I can use my right foot to bring the board to toe edge position. And when facing uphill and make a left turn, I can use my right foot to bring the board to heel edge position.
So I'm regular, and I have decided to stick with 150 board.
I'm regular just like most people.
It sounds so familiar, doesn't it? I'm a regular person. Even I have two CCIE but I'm not an expert. It's difficult for me to distinguish myself.
So it looks like I have to do something about it.
I'm thinking about my CCIE Service Provider plan.
Snowboarding and CCIE. It may works.
After taking 5 lessons and fell down miserably last week, and got small bruise and scar in my face, I started questioning my decision to ride goofy from the 1st lesson. At that time my instructor told me to put the strong foot in the front, and for me it means my right foot, hence I became goofy. But just like in CCIE, it looks like you can't trust a single source. I read The Snowboard Book from Lowell Hart, and he mentioned clearly that "Snowboarding is, literally, life on the edge". Any snowboarders should be able to balance both edges from heel to toe. When I ride goofy, I can stop with my heel edge very well, but I can't do the same using my toe.
So after 1 week forensic investigation to examine why I fell, I figure out that with my left foot in the back, it's so weak and not helpful to control the board. I can make a right turn easily, when facing downhill, because my right foot in the front can turn the board around. But everytime I try to make a left turn, my left foot can't provide support to turn the board and I can lose control easily. I believe this is the reason why I fell. Case closed.
Yesterday I decided to ride regular for the first time. That's quite funny. After spending 3 weeks I still can't figure out which ride is better, goofy or regular. But I believe that's one of the lessons from this story: always evaluate yourself. And the second lesson: Trust no one, even Agent Mulder. Always try to get different resources for comparison.
And the result for my first regular riding experience? Not bad.
I fell down only about dozen times, and that's because I was trying to ride my board over the rail, one of the freestyle tricks. I was able to link the turn to make multiple S patterns. With my right foot in the back, I can use it to get more control to the board. When facing downhill and make a right turn, I can use my right foot to bring the board to toe edge position. And when facing uphill and make a left turn, I can use my right foot to bring the board to heel edge position.
So I'm regular, and I have decided to stick with 150 board.
I'm regular just like most people.
It sounds so familiar, doesn't it? I'm a regular person. Even I have two CCIE but I'm not an expert. It's difficult for me to distinguish myself.
So it looks like I have to do something about it.
I'm thinking about my CCIE Service Provider plan.
Snowboarding and CCIE. It may works.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Monster Gulf
Monster, claimed as the World's Leading Career Network, and the place for desperate job seekers like myself, announced Monster Gulf yesterday. This is a good news for anyone who wishes to work in Middle East.The first keyword that I typed in the search engine, obivously, is CCIE. And I couldn't stop laughing when I saw the result.
But seriously, if you are reading this and interested to apply for that job, please forward your CV to me. I can help you to forward it directly to the right person in charge.
Well, at least until the end of this month.
Happy job hunting.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Interviews
Yesterday morning I went to two different places for the interview. The first one is a multi-national company, and I used to work for them several years ago ;)
After introducing myself, I told them that I need to wear my sunglasses during the interview to cover up the bruise in my face. When they asked me what happened, I almost said that I don't want to die without scar. But then I remember the first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club. So I told them the truth that I fell and fainted in Ski Dubai the day before.
Guess what? The interview became smooth afterwards. When they found out that I have another life other than geeking out all the time, it's relatively easy to talk. And since I have two CCIEs I guess they decided that it's not necessary to verify my technical skill.
This company does almost similar with what my current company does, so other than the new environment I don't think there will be much changes if I join them. But I don't bother. I guest I have reached the point where I can separate my personal life with my job, something that almost impossible to be done before. Being jobless for some time and keep waiting hopelessly for Cisco to hire me really taugh me a lesson that it's better to work in any company and have my life outside the workplace.
So bring it on, just give me any job. That's not my life anyway.
I left the place with the promise from them to send the offer as soon as possible.
The second company is quite different.
First of all, it's a government company. And the second, I'm going to manage the internal network. Huge network. Most probably the biggest in this region but it has never been published due to confidentiality concerns.
I'm a big fan of government agency-related TV series such as X-Files or 24, so somehow I feel excited about it.
Third, not only the network is huge but it also utilizes various equipments and latest technologies. I know if I decide to join them I will have to sign Non Disclosure Agreement so for sure I will not be able to share my work to anyone, not even in this blog. But remember the separation between personal life and work? Why can't I have exciting work environment and do exciting activities outside working hours?
And last but not least, the money is good.
While driving back home, I got a phone call from one telecommunication provider in UK. The technical discussion was fine, and the HR personnel asked me to check with UK local embassy whether I can get working permit as computer-related engineer eventhough I don't have bachelor degree in computer-related. Other than this issue, I believe they are interested to continue the process.
I have new different choices now. And it all happens in one day.
Thank you, God.
After introducing myself, I told them that I need to wear my sunglasses during the interview to cover up the bruise in my face. When they asked me what happened, I almost said that I don't want to die without scar. But then I remember the first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club. So I told them the truth that I fell and fainted in Ski Dubai the day before.
Guess what? The interview became smooth afterwards. When they found out that I have another life other than geeking out all the time, it's relatively easy to talk. And since I have two CCIEs I guess they decided that it's not necessary to verify my technical skill.
This company does almost similar with what my current company does, so other than the new environment I don't think there will be much changes if I join them. But I don't bother. I guest I have reached the point where I can separate my personal life with my job, something that almost impossible to be done before. Being jobless for some time and keep waiting hopelessly for Cisco to hire me really taugh me a lesson that it's better to work in any company and have my life outside the workplace.
So bring it on, just give me any job. That's not my life anyway.
I left the place with the promise from them to send the offer as soon as possible.
The second company is quite different.
First of all, it's a government company. And the second, I'm going to manage the internal network. Huge network. Most probably the biggest in this region but it has never been published due to confidentiality concerns.
I'm a big fan of government agency-related TV series such as X-Files or 24, so somehow I feel excited about it.
Third, not only the network is huge but it also utilizes various equipments and latest technologies. I know if I decide to join them I will have to sign Non Disclosure Agreement so for sure I will not be able to share my work to anyone, not even in this blog. But remember the separation between personal life and work? Why can't I have exciting work environment and do exciting activities outside working hours?
And last but not least, the money is good.
While driving back home, I got a phone call from one telecommunication provider in UK. The technical discussion was fine, and the HR personnel asked me to check with UK local embassy whether I can get working permit as computer-related engineer eventhough I don't have bachelor degree in computer-related. Other than this issue, I believe they are interested to continue the process.
I have new different choices now. And it all happens in one day.
Thank you, God.
Monday, July 31, 2006
I Just Don't Want to Die Without a Few Scars
That's the quote from Fight Club.
For me, if I can die without scar is still fine. I would never wish for such things. But sometime things come up and given to you whether you like it or not.
So yesterday I fell down in Ski Dubai and fainted. I believe I was exhausted since I had been practicing the S-turn for couple of hours. It was my last run and suddenly I fell.
The most scariest thing is I can't remember how I fell. I remember I started my falling leaf and then blank. I fainted. I woke up and found myself on the snow with broken sunglasses and bleeding mouth. Half of my face was numb. Two medical officers run to help. One of them asked me the date. I told him, how the heck I know. Even in normal circumstances I can't remember the date. He told me that I'm fine. Then they took me to medical room, gave me some ice and dropped some liquid to my eye. I went home driving alone with the ice sticked to my face.
I didn't know how bad it was until the next morning, today. I looked at my self in the mirror and I saw a bruise under my left eye. Little scar next to my eye and dried blood. It's not that bad.
The only bad thing is I will have two job interviews in the next couple of hours.
Have I done something bad to my head?
Hopefully not. My brain is the only thing that I have now to get me a new job. The most precious gift from God and I hope I can pass the interviews today with it.
With the bruise and scar in my face.
For me, if I can die without scar is still fine. I would never wish for such things. But sometime things come up and given to you whether you like it or not.
So yesterday I fell down in Ski Dubai and fainted. I believe I was exhausted since I had been practicing the S-turn for couple of hours. It was my last run and suddenly I fell.
The most scariest thing is I can't remember how I fell. I remember I started my falling leaf and then blank. I fainted. I woke up and found myself on the snow with broken sunglasses and bleeding mouth. Half of my face was numb. Two medical officers run to help. One of them asked me the date. I told him, how the heck I know. Even in normal circumstances I can't remember the date. He told me that I'm fine. Then they took me to medical room, gave me some ice and dropped some liquid to my eye. I went home driving alone with the ice sticked to my face.
I didn't know how bad it was until the next morning, today. I looked at my self in the mirror and I saw a bruise under my left eye. Little scar next to my eye and dried blood. It's not that bad.
The only bad thing is I will have two job interviews in the next couple of hours.
Have I done something bad to my head?
Hopefully not. My brain is the only thing that I have now to get me a new job. The most precious gift from God and I hope I can pass the interviews today with it.
With the bruise and scar in my face.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Something to Remember
I'm not a sport kinda guy.
When I was small, I used to play soccer as goalie until the 2nd grade when I realized that I have to use eyeglasses. Minus two.
That explains why I was never been able to catch the ball, I thought.
Anyway, since that time I have never been involved in any serious sports anymore. I do sport only in my PS2. Soccer? Winning Eleven for sure. Golf? Tiger Wood's. I can even drive very fast in Need for Speed. Well, at least I can have exercise for my thumbs.
I swim almost every day in the small swimming pool on the roof of my new apartment, but I don't consider it as sport. Sport means get sweaty. Playing inside the water for an hour or two definetely will not make me sweaty. Or perhaps that's only because I can't distinguish between the pool water and my sweat? Hmm.
After I decided to resign from my current company, I was looking for some activities that I can do only in Dubai. I want to do something that make me remember this place. You never know, I may not get a chance to work in this country anymore.
Dubai offers quite lots of activities, for both outdoor and indoor. The only drawback is during summer the heat can go beyond 50 degree celcius. Even local authority never confirm this, since according to the regulation beyond 50 degree all outdoor activities must be stopped completely, but you can see it really happens if you have temperature sensor in your car.
So four wheel driving in the desert, no way. Surfboarding, too hot. Rock climbing, never seen it and even it exists it will be too hot. Drag racing, no I don't consider it as sport. No sweaty. Perhaps the people who watch will get sweaty hoping their love one to win, but nah. And it's too expensive!
Then two weeks ago I was roaming around one of the shopping mall in Dubai when I saw one activity that I always wanted to do but never had guts and chances to do it because of the nature of my work and my CCIE journey.
Snowboarding.
Yeah, snowboarding!
Dubai has the world's third largest indoor ski slope and the only one in the region, offcourse, called Ski Dubai. Measuring 400 meters and using 6000 tons of snow, it offers consistent -1 to -2 degree celcius temperature. So only in Dubai you can experience 50 degree celcius in the desert and sub zero in Ski Dubai, in the same day!
Since I have decided to drop my CCIE Service Provider journey until Cisco upgrade all the lab equipments to 7200 series, I have plenty of time to spent. So here we go. I registered my self for snowboarding beginner class last week.
After 3 lessons and falling down around 2347 times, I realize what the most important thing in snowboarding. Control. And just like CCIE, what requires is practice, practice and practice. The good thing is I don't have any target to catch. There is no exam that I need to attempt. Only that there will be snowboarding 5-days bootcamp starting on August 5th to learn freestyle from Burton's professional snowboarders and I don't want to miss it.
I have to be in Level-2 to be able to join this bootcamp, this means I must be able to perform S-turn and small ollie in beginner slope.
Well, looks like I have to get ready then.
I'm a goofy and my board is 145.
Practice, practice, practice.
When I was small, I used to play soccer as goalie until the 2nd grade when I realized that I have to use eyeglasses. Minus two.
That explains why I was never been able to catch the ball, I thought.
Anyway, since that time I have never been involved in any serious sports anymore. I do sport only in my PS2. Soccer? Winning Eleven for sure. Golf? Tiger Wood's. I can even drive very fast in Need for Speed. Well, at least I can have exercise for my thumbs.
I swim almost every day in the small swimming pool on the roof of my new apartment, but I don't consider it as sport. Sport means get sweaty. Playing inside the water for an hour or two definetely will not make me sweaty. Or perhaps that's only because I can't distinguish between the pool water and my sweat? Hmm.
After I decided to resign from my current company, I was looking for some activities that I can do only in Dubai. I want to do something that make me remember this place. You never know, I may not get a chance to work in this country anymore.
Dubai offers quite lots of activities, for both outdoor and indoor. The only drawback is during summer the heat can go beyond 50 degree celcius. Even local authority never confirm this, since according to the regulation beyond 50 degree all outdoor activities must be stopped completely, but you can see it really happens if you have temperature sensor in your car.
So four wheel driving in the desert, no way. Surfboarding, too hot. Rock climbing, never seen it and even it exists it will be too hot. Drag racing, no I don't consider it as sport. No sweaty. Perhaps the people who watch will get sweaty hoping their love one to win, but nah. And it's too expensive!
Then two weeks ago I was roaming around one of the shopping mall in Dubai when I saw one activity that I always wanted to do but never had guts and chances to do it because of the nature of my work and my CCIE journey.
Snowboarding.
Yeah, snowboarding!
Dubai has the world's third largest indoor ski slope and the only one in the region, offcourse, called Ski Dubai. Measuring 400 meters and using 6000 tons of snow, it offers consistent -1 to -2 degree celcius temperature. So only in Dubai you can experience 50 degree celcius in the desert and sub zero in Ski Dubai, in the same day!
Since I have decided to drop my CCIE Service Provider journey until Cisco upgrade all the lab equipments to 7200 series, I have plenty of time to spent. So here we go. I registered my self for snowboarding beginner class last week.
After 3 lessons and falling down around 2347 times, I realize what the most important thing in snowboarding. Control. And just like CCIE, what requires is practice, practice and practice. The good thing is I don't have any target to catch. There is no exam that I need to attempt. Only that there will be snowboarding 5-days bootcamp starting on August 5th to learn freestyle from Burton's professional snowboarders and I don't want to miss it.
I have to be in Level-2 to be able to join this bootcamp, this means I must be able to perform S-turn and small ollie in beginner slope.
Well, looks like I have to get ready then.
I'm a goofy and my board is 145.
Practice, practice, practice.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Breathe the Free Air
After Cisco announced the update to CCIE Service Provider lab, I decided to delay my lab schedule. I want to pass the lab with 7200 on it. It will be more fun.
So it looks like I won't be Triple CCIE by 30.
And for sure I won't be Triple CCIE while still in my current company. I have resigned three weeks ago and my last day of employment will be October 1st, 2006. From now until my last day I will be busy completing some projects, looking for a new job and preparing myself for the updated CCIE SP lab.
It's quite funny. I will be jobless in couple of months but I'm not afraid. I have no car, I live in strange country alone, and I slept in my rental car couple of days ago because they kicked me out from my apartment, but I'm still feeling good! My mind is free because now I'm the one who controls my schedule, my projects and my life.
I breathe the free air.
And since I have sold all my labs to gain my financial status back to balance, now I can only practice with remote lab. At home I'm using Cisco 7200 Simulator in my laptop to simulate an ISP network with 3 P and 3 PE routers. The simulator surely brings down my laptop down to its knee with 100% CPU utilization all the time, but it's good enough to keep me busy.
So no car, no job, no home, no lab, live alone. But I'm free.
"It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything."
-- Fight Club
So it looks like I won't be Triple CCIE by 30.
And for sure I won't be Triple CCIE while still in my current company. I have resigned three weeks ago and my last day of employment will be October 1st, 2006. From now until my last day I will be busy completing some projects, looking for a new job and preparing myself for the updated CCIE SP lab.
It's quite funny. I will be jobless in couple of months but I'm not afraid. I have no car, I live in strange country alone, and I slept in my rental car couple of days ago because they kicked me out from my apartment, but I'm still feeling good! My mind is free because now I'm the one who controls my schedule, my projects and my life.
I breathe the free air.
And since I have sold all my labs to gain my financial status back to balance, now I can only practice with remote lab. At home I'm using Cisco 7200 Simulator in my laptop to simulate an ISP network with 3 P and 3 PE routers. The simulator surely brings down my laptop down to its knee with 100% CPU utilization all the time, but it's good enough to keep me busy.
So no car, no job, no home, no lab, live alone. But I'm free.
"It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything."
-- Fight Club
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