Back at work

So back to work on today for the first day of my last term. There was an air of 'hangover' in the office as people struggled to get to grips with the IT again. Why is it so hard to print reports from SAP? Is the IBM document Manager incapable of properly handling Office 2010 files? At least we have got rid of Internet Explorer 6 for that modern browser er.... Internet Explorer 7 - well it is an improvement. No doubt centrally managed Citrix delivered desktops save loads of bother for the majority but isn't it about time we were given virtualised desktops that fix themselves or reset at a click of a button if we install something that mucks up the system. Mind you I can't complain as I have a local PC desktop so I can run 4 or 5 browsers for testing. Also, not wanting to be too negative, Citrix does a good job in integrating some of the PC Peripherals, as long as they are already running before one logs into the centralised desktop. I'm sure the system we use is the envy of many a local authority.

So how does it feel knowing this is the last term? Quite sad but decidedly liberating. Somehow some of the things that were depressingly 'necessary' no longer have a hold on me. It's a bit like death no longer having a hold. The future is no longer inevitable. The possibilities opening up before me make me realise yet again 'I once was blind but now I see'.

I will miss the people of course. I have learned so much by working in an office with a smallish group of people. Whilst a 'team' of project managers don't appear to work together as a 'team', being very individual people working on different projects to each other, for the majority of their time 'team' is what they try to build constantly among the people on 'their project(s)'. I was also never one for planning or accounting for my time. Most teachers I know plan of course but the plan is constantly changing and you do the work necessary until it's complete sod the time. Many's the time I worked till 02:00AM. And then there's 'The bells! The bells! that tend to run your life so you don't need to organise time other than in the minutiae of the 3 part 60 minute lesson. However, being surrounded by planners and time managers has meant something had to rub off on me and I am more capable of using MickeySoft OutLook now and considering cost though I was never given access to MickeySoft Project ;-). Reminds me of Luke 14:28

28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

But please, please don't get me onto 'Change Management'. Nice idea but too hard to do properly without stifling innovation. If you want to innovate in education ICT you need to bin CM. I find it ironic that the system in this place that appears to most need drastic innovation, bug fixing and development i.e. 'change', is the change management system!

However, as I was saying the people I have worked with have been great. I have learned so much and have humbly to state that some of the best role models have been younger than me and of the other gender. People have had to be very forgiving of my 'Geordie male chauvinistic', 'bull in a china shop' and 'call a spade a spade' attitude. And they have been. Thank you! I hope they have seen positive change in me and that they too have learned something from me. It will also be interesting to see whether there is anything left behind that lasts? I always remember my first long term line manager in the science department at 'The Romsey School' telling me that a sign of how well you have done is revisiting and seeing if the systems you left behind are still going.

So tonight as I look forward to these last few months I am liberated yet grateful and keen to ensure that I leave on a good note.

2011 - a big year

So here it is 2011 and this is going to be one big year. Why? Well first and foremost after 26 years with Hampshire County Council I have volunteered for and have been accepted for voluntary redundancy in March/April time. It has been on the cards for some time. As a Christian I am a firm believer that there is a God personally interested in each one of us and that He wants me to step out in faith into something new. I'm too young by 2 years to be able to retire and the redundancy settlement won't pay off the mortgage. So it either means downsizing, living by faith and/or finding another paying job. Haven't got anything clear in mind yet but a few ideas. I have clear evidence previously as well as faith that God will provide so no anxiety. But I would be lying if I didn't say I have some fear mixed with excitement that some may interpret as anxiety about the future.

Other big events? I said goodbye to Ben our 18 yr old this morning at Southampton Central railway station as he heads off to his duties at 45 Commando in Arbroath north of Dundee. He joins Zulu Company and believes they will be off to Afghanistan in March around his 19th birthday. More fear there but again I trust the Lord. We have talked about what may happen. Things like this focus one's mind. I have no doubt God goes before him.

Less fear about Josh returning to Nottingham Uni to continue with his Mech. Eng. Degree. He has amazed me by his hard work revising for exams. He's aiming for a first. "Why else go?" he says. His Christian faith is strong and an example to me! His 6 months with YWAM in Namibia changed him enormously. Mostly for the better in my view.

There is some fear over Sam. He starts his Saints Academy scholarship in July. Full time football and sports study. I enjoy football far more now than I used to. In a strictly couch potato and sideline supporter way you understand. But I fear it is a corrupt and corrupting sport. The fear is that Sam will be corrupted by it. My prayer is he won't. He certainly has the football gifting and ability to make it but does he have the character. I fear I haven't helped enough in that area. As a dad one has responsibility to set your sons (and daughters) a good example. We will probably stay in Southampton even though Sam could go into digs at the expense of Southampton Football Club.

Kathy is likely to remain a bread winner and may go full time. A major change for me may be doing much more housework to relieve that pressure from Kath. Guess it depends in plans God has.

So the next couple of months will be a time to look for God's plan and to discover where my hearts desires and passions lie. One of my favourite verses will be at the forefront of my prayers and thinking. Proverbs 3 verse 5-7

"5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."

As I said 2011 will be a big year.