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January 31, 2007
Jet lag: The Update
There are some positives about being incoherently confused and exhausted. Because I am so tired and so untrusting of my own capacity to achieve anything, I have spent my day following up on administrative duties and following up on emails I hadn't had a chance to get to in the past week or more. And I've been absurd with my diary, blocking out entire weeks for possibilities of appointments because I don't trust myself to remember to the next minute any appointment I might have negotiated through these communications. I'm also careful with my prose in a manner to which I am not accustomed. Because coherence is important to me, I'm using email to construct sentences with the kind of clarity I cannot hope to attain in verbal conversation at the moment.
In addition, I've completed my unpacking, done a load of washing, cleaned out some old papers and boxes, dusted, filed documents, shopped for groceries and generally tied up some loose ends that have been laying idle for some time. So as confused as I am, I've actually been highly productive.
There are still a few "To Do" items on my list but now I need to just drop for a few minutes and let my body adjust. Siesta time. Back later folks.
Posted by jj at 12:27 PM | Comments (1)
A new theory of jet lag
I warmed up a croissant in the microwave this morning at 4am, and served myself a glass of pineapple juice and a cup of tea as I watched the sky lighten from 4:30am. Now here I am at 5:15am, having paid a few bills online and done some reading, totally unable to sleep and suspecting I'll need another siesta today around 4pm in order to get my sleeping patterns back into gear.
But I strongly suspect part of the problem with being unable to sleep has to do with the massive change in temperature I'm currently experiencing. For the last three weeks, I've experienced temperatures of sub 12°C, with the last week seeing temperatures of around 0° or 1° in the middle of the day, and wind chills which have turned the apparent temperature to -4° or -5°.
Last night, our minimum temperature was 23.4° about 5 minutes ago, and for most of the night it's been 26° or 27°, but what actually matters is that the high humidity just this week in Brisbane has meant that the apparent temperature for most of the night has been hovering around 30°. Even now, the apparent temperature is 26.7°C.
I believe my body is just as shell shocked by the change of temperature as it is by the change of time. I simply *can't* get cool without the air conditioner on, and then I dry out and am too cold by the blast of cool air across my shoulders. But since I opened the windows the air has been heavy with humidity, the crickets have been buzzing constantly since about 4:30am and the water birds are warbling to one another, desperate to feed and return to their leafy installations in tropical flora before the sun gets too hot, or before the next storm hits. (The forecast for today, incidentally, is "Fine and sultry". They're not kidding.)
I think the best thing for me is to just forge ahead for the day from now - go and have a shower and get the rest of my unpacking done, organise a few things, write several emails to contacts I made overseas and follow up with dozens of emails on matters here in Brisbane rather than try to fight the sleeplessness. I will get sleepy early tonight but so what? If I get home and to bed by 10pm and just try and stay as cool as possible during the day I think my body is likely to aclimatize a lot faster than if I tried to resist the temporal and climactic confusion I'm currently enduring.
But my theory remains: I think I have suffered less from jet lag when the difference in temperature between being home and being away is more moderate. A difference in apparent temperature of above 25°C will only ever heighten the effects of jet lag, and I suspect I'm going to suffer for quite a few days.
Posted by jj at 5:17 AM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2007
Home
Exhausted and dazed, and after what seemed an eternity of flights with little to no time between to stretch my cramped legs - and even then it was to stand in a series queues with passports and documentation, currency and layers of clothing, yearning for release - I emerged blinking at my sudden freedom from Customs at Brisbane airport this morning, assaulted by the cacophany of crickets and the sticky embrace of hot, wet air.
Lovely Jo Clarke was there on my arrival home with fresh red carnations and white daisies, croissants and plums to cheer me - as well as a couple of beers in the fridge! :) And of course my house was immaculate. (I have since covered every surface with the detritus of travel, but I will get back to keeping the place clean eventually).
It's good to be home but it's a strange homecoming. I am spending the next six months on the campaign trail and doing consultancies, but I'm also wrapping up my life here, with the expectation of moving to the UK in the next six months. I won't think of myself as an ex-patriot - if anything, I regard myself as a fierce patriot and advocate for the interests of Australia and most particularly, Queensland business and ideals - but I know I will be perceived as an ex-pat. And I know I will feel that strange sensation I had when I moved to Brisbane from Melbourne, of having two homes, two hearts. But really, whenever I return to Sydney there's a part of me that feels I am going home, too. Spending New Years Eve at Cremorne Point and watching the fireworks felt for me as if I'd somehow rectified a deficiency of my own experience of that city. So when I move again and set myself up in either London or Glasgow (with Glasgow showing immense promise on a professional basis in beautiful Scotland) I'm sure I will have the same pangs of connection and disconnection, opportunity and deprivation. But I know I will have no regrets. I have the most beautiful friends and I am fortunate to have shared intense periods of my life with them all. But I won't be leaving those friendships behind. The wonderful thing about the internet is that I can stay in regular contact and still be part of their lives as much or more than before. (So many of us use email and instant text messaging or Skype as our normal form of communication now, it won't be any different from speaking to some people from now!) So with my friendships and relationships intact and my professional future an array of opportunities ahead, I can only look forward to adding another location to my understanding of 'home'.
In the meantime, after spending my last few hours sight-seeing around Scotland, and entering so many kilt-makers with traditional Scottish music playing in the background, and after the celebrations of Burns night (celebrating the birthday of Scottish poet laureate, Robert Burns), there's a tune that has been playing through my head throughout the trip home to Brisbane, and the lyrics seemed appropriate to reproduce here.....
There is a land far from this distant shore
Where heather grows and Highland eagles soar
There is a land that will live ever more
Deep in my Heart, my Bonnie Scotland
I don't know whether Scotland will be my new home, or fast and fashionable London, but I know there will be a land that will live ever more in my heart, and it's a wide, brown land.
Posted by jj at 4:24 PM | Comments (1)
January 29, 2007
The horrors of travelling...
Oh my God. It's *incredibly* painful to swap between airlines at Heathrow. Having arrived from Glasgow on a BA flight (where the luggage was delayed for more than half an hour, I then had to transfer to Terminal 3 for my Emirates flight and then go through 3 queues for security with (I suspect) every single idiot who doesn't follow security instructions in the history of mankind. Then I get to the departures lounge and am virtually assaulted for expressing no interest at all in tax free goods and then find nowhere to sit. Thank goodness for the Irish bar, which has provided a good seat, a connection to my internet account, BBC News channels, a decent burger and a single malt whiskey to calm my frazzled nerves.
I left the West End of Glasgow at 10:30am. It's now 5:42pm. All I've done is wait in queues and lounges and take one flight. Please just let the rest of this day end, and end quickly. Thank you, Scottish single malt.
Posted by jj at 3:32 AM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2007
From the airport in Glasgow
Well I'm beginning my long journey home to Australia and I have to say I'm absolutely exhausted. This has been a fantastic tour to the UK and I have had the most wonderful time, and feel more and more committed to the prospect of living over here. There are so many exciting opportunities, so many wonderful people and places, I'm spoiled for options.
I spent the last couple of days cramming in as much sight-seeing and touring as possible, so I apologise if I have not got back to people who have contacted me but I must say there was something mind-blowing about clutching snow in my bare hands yesterday on Cairngorm Mountain, knowing it was 34° C back in Brisbane. This country is just *stunning*. I come from Paradise, but this land is thick with pride and grandeur. I'll post photos when I get back home, but the vistas from the peak of the Cairngorms are something to behold.
I want to thank again everyone from London, Cambridge and Scotland who have spent time with me and motivated me to new projects, and new opportunities. I plan to live up to the trust you have placed in me, and I look forward to returning to this ancient land before long. Thank you one and all.
And now... a series of very long flights. Stay safe everyone, and I will post again from somewhere else in this world.
Posted by jj at 10:53 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2007
Urban Learning Space Event
Thanks to everyone for participating in my workshop today at Glasgow's design centre, The Lighthouse, and thanks to Urban Learning Space for the oppportunity to present. Particular thanks to Yvonne and Gillian at ULS and to Pat for introducing me to the folk at ULS.
I hope all who attended found the session useful and I'd be willing to engage with anyone who attended if anything needs further clarification or if they would like to discuss any issue further. In the meantime, my presentation slides are available for download here.
Posted by jj at 2:54 AM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2007
Typical
A few days after leaving London, two inches of snow falls in the capital and stays stubbornly absent from Scotland. I'm beginning to think I am some sort of sun deity as sunshine appears to have followed me around wherever I go. The temperatures are low enough in Scotland (it's currently 4° C and it's tipped to be -4° overnight tonight), but the snow simply doesn't appear. I have to work this week but perhaps I should head up to Aviemore on Saturday. I think it's the only way I'm ever going to view snow in the UK!
Posted by jj at 4:31 AM | Comments (1)
January 24, 2007
Last London pics - very delayed!
Hi all,
Wireless has been restored so I am at last able to post the pictures of my final day in London. Well, better late than never! Scotland pics soon. Maybe even tomorrow :)
All okay here and ready for my presentation to Urban Learning Space on Thursday. I'm looking forward to a vibrant seminar and hope it will provide new opportunities for advancing organisational and inter-organisational learning for Scotland's businesses.
The only thing I'm missing is some snow! I *still* haven't seen a snowflake in spite of being in Scotland at the best time for snow. Still a few more days though. Cross fingers!
Posted by jj at 7:23 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2007
Wouldn't you know it?
Wireless is working fine but the telephone exchange has gone down so I'm writing this from a webcafe. All fine here in beautiful Scotland. Pics and more stories when I can get access!!!
Posted by jj at 5:52 AM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2007
*smiles*
My belly lined with a nice glass of red and a very yummy plate of pasta (which I have cooked from scratch, Mum, and which has been full of vegetables), I must admit I'm feeling a lot better and awfully cosy. The gas fireplace is glowing red with coals, the flames are flickering high, and the unit is belting out heat - I love an open fireplace! And to cap it all off, there's the sound of a Scottish piper practising the bagpipes in the identical period cottage, next door.
Oh my God, I'm in Scotland :)
Posted by jj at 4:41 AM | Comments (1)
Hi from Scotland
I've arrived at my last port-of-call before returning to Oz and am happily settled in my apartment here in Dowanhill Street in the West End of Glasgow, and from which I'll be commuting around Scotland for the next week. The flat is gorgeous, a lot bigger than the one I had in Cambridge, and just as toasty warm thanks to another set of efficient radiators. Outside, of course, it's about 4° C. No snow though. *sighs* Cross fingers for me for snow for later in the week.
The trip here was uneventful, in spite of the British Airways pilot warning us that the trip to Scotland was going to be terribly bumpy. But it's taken basically the whole day to set up. I left my hotel room in Hyde Park at 9:05am this morning and I've only really stopped at 4:50pm to take a breath. My back is sore and I'm ready to crash early tonight, in spite of my proximity to the night life of Scotland, as it's been a long day. I took the Underground to Heathrow (changing trains at Earls Court) and then found my flight delayed Thank goodness for my Qantas Club membership which gave me a few comfortable minutes and some free food during the wait! After the flight and a cab ride here it was a matter of setting up house and learning how to use all the equipment, including getting my wireless broadband set up, and heading out to the supermarket to buy some real food to cook for the week. So between dragging my luggage around and then unpacking, shopping for food and setting up house here, I've been on the go for pretty much the whole day, and I am absolutely exhausted!
I was going to do a tour tomorrow but may well leave that till later in the week as I think I'm going to need a day to familiarise myself and get my work done before the working week begins on Monday - and it IS a working week for me this week.
Thanks to everyone who made an effort to see me in London this week. Gavin, Kelina and Sheddy it was beautiful to see you last week! Sorry we only got to see each other the once. Thanks to Robin for trying to see me even if it didn't quite work! Thanks to my colleagues who met me for business talks and friends who managed to brave the London gales for some quality time under cover! And finally a very big thank you to Tonya and Sarah for a truly lovely night last night in London - was lovely to see you beautiful dolls and I can't wait for us to be holy Australian terrors together when I'm back there in London in the mid-year!
Okay folks, I'm going to go have an early dinner and lie on a hot water bottle in front of the tv for the rest of the day. Goodness, I am getting old!!!
Posted by jj at 2:45 AM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2007
Wicked: wicked :)
Have returned from seeing the musical, Wicked, in London and am absolutely blown away. Fabulous production and wonderfully staged with a great cast. It's not quite as musically complex and euphoric as Sondheim (I'm a HUGE Sondheim fan!) but theatrically it's flawless, and there are touches of my favourite ever (Sondheim) musical, Into the Woods.
I managed to score tickets for £15 through lastminute.com (normally £45 minimum) which placed me up in the Gods in the upper circle, but i was dead centre and there are opera glasses between the seats for hire for the entire production for 50 pence, and it's small enough a theatre that even without the glasses you get a fabulous view. No part of the stage is obscured at any time and the detail was fine even with the naked eye. I'd strongly advise anyone coming here to try ThisIsLondon.com and lastminute.com for theatre tickets - it's a fabulous way of catching a show without spending a fortune. And there are just so many shows here that it's obscene to visit London without seeing a show.
And go to Wicked. It's superb.
Posted by jj at 6:15 AM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2007
Lord's Cricket Ground
Well it took three trips to London to find the time, but I have finally made my pilgrimage to the great Lord's Cricket Ground at St John's Wood in London, and for cricket fans like me, this is pretty much a religious experience. From the extraordinary documented history of cricket going right back to the 16th century, to the glory of the original MCC Long Room, to the view from the Balcony in the visitors' changing room (most remembered as the place where Border applauded as the Aussies claimed victory in the Ashes in 1988) is just a phenomenal experience. Apparently I was more enthralled than most tourists, however, as the tour guide automatically kept asking me who the portraits on the walls depicted, and took me aside and said, "You're a Member in Australia aren't you?". My Melbourne Cricket Club Membership slip must have been showing :)
We weren't allowed to take photos from the Pavillion but we were able to take shots in the Museum and around the ground - something that is also going to come to an end as of February this year, so please enjoy these pics because they're some of the last anyone will ever be able to take at Lord's!
The last pic is of my new friend, Gubby, who is my Lord's Cricket Ground Bear. Suffice to say, I'm a very happy cricket fan today :)
Posted by jj at 3:10 AM | Comments (1)
January 15, 2007
London!
Hi to you all,
Yes I've been slack updating, but here are some images of where I'm based in London within cooee of Hyde Park (it's two doors down the road) and in the hubbub of metropolitana. There's also some evidence of my sight-seeing yesterday, when I spent a beautiful day in the London sunshine, wandering around town and taking in the fabulous National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery (including one very naughty pic taken of the famous Bronte Sisters painting and the study of Emily Bronte, both painted by Branwell Patrick Bronte).
Today I have meetings later in the day but plan to go to Lord's Cricket Ground and revisit the Sherlock Holmes Museum, as well as wandering around St John's Wood and the north of London. It's a balmy 7° here in London, but we're heading for a cloudy top of 10°. Bizarrely, it doesn't actually seem that cold. Maybe because there's blue in the sky and I'm dressed like a ball of wool. :)
Updates again in the next few days!
Posted by jj at 7:56 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2007
Cambridge Colleges Pics
Hi again,
I'm here at the opening keynote from the great Bill Melody (former director of the Centre for International Research on Communications and Information Technology) and he's currently giving the academics a shakeup on the fact that academics have virtually no influence on government and commercial policy making, and he sees that as being a stupid and unfortunate waste of academic ability. He knows the system of academic pay and promotion are antithetic to academic involvement in decision making, but he feels this is something we need to change. I couldn't agree more. Indeed it has been one of my constant frustrations with the academic community.
In any case, I've processed my pics from yesterday's sojourn around the Colleges of Cambridge, with particular focus on King's College. Enjoy!
Posted by jj at 7:37 PM | Comments (2)
January 10, 2007
Pics from Cambridge
Whilst the opening presentation is on, I have processed some pics from the route on the way to the Conference. Enjoy!
Posted by jj at 7:26 PM | Comments (0)
Slides for Conference Presentation
Anyone wanting to access my presentation slides for the conference paper I'm presenting at the Knowledge, Technology and Society conference can download them here.
Posted by jj at 1:32 AM | Comments (0)
January 9, 2007
Conference Day 1
Okay it's early here in Cambridge but I'm awake and so it makes sense that I attend to a few issues (such as resolving crises back home and getting myself organised for my paper presentation today), so I'm making a very quick post before I head off to the Technology, Knowledge and Society Conference which starts today, and at which I present today. The conference lasts till Friday and I will see what I can do about posting highlights from each day here at this blog, but it looks a fabulous program and I am very much looking forward to presenting my cautionary tale about evaluation of social software and organisational needs prior to deployment, in order to maximise the benefits of the technologies.
And because of the daylight issues here, I'll be leaving in darkness and returning home in darkness to attend this conference, even though I won't leave till 8am and will be home shortly after 5pm. Western Queenslanders rejecting Daylight Saving on the basis of an inability to function in darkness, please take note.
EDIT: I might note here that at 5am it's apparently 13° C in Cambridge. For the middle of winter, that's absurdly mild. It seems I bring the Brisbane weather with me everywhere I go.
Posted by jj at 2:38 PM | Comments (0)
Cambridge Day 1
I have had a glorious morning wandering around the Grafton and City Centre areas of Cambridge but neglected to take any pics, as I was concentrating on finding my way around and getting supplies for the week, so I'll do take more scenery pics tomorrow, but here are some shots of my little flat in Warkworth St Cambridge. Fabulous place. I'd highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. One hell of a lot nicer and actually a lot cheaper than hotel rates.
It's only 2:30 in the afternoon here but because it's a bit wet, it's already getting dark. Fortunately, I am toasty warm in my flat and have work to do on my paper for tomorrow anyway so will get on to doing some work now. More tomorrow!
All the best to everyone following my progress!
Posted by jj at 12:19 AM | Comments (1)
January 8, 2007
Hi from Cambridge
I am utterly, utterly, utterly, utterly exhausted. But I'm here and my flat here in Cambridge is awesome. Hell if it has a full kitchen, washing machine, etc, a million Sky news channels, warm toasty radiators and free internet, what more can you ask? Access to shopping? Yes, it has that too.
But it's dark, I've been travelling for 36 hours and I'm sure I'm going ga-ga, so I'm going to sign off for tonight and will start the Cambridge blog-fest tomorrow! (Conference here starts officially on Tuesday, with registration on Monday afternoon, so I have a half-day to adjust. I'm going to use that time to experience Cambridge!)
Anyway folks - will speak soon! xoxozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by jj at 5:41 AM | Comments (0)
January 7, 2007
Lightning quick post from Singapore
I'm here at Changi airport taking advantage of free internet after having a quick shower but must board in 10 minutes for the next leg. All AOK although I could use some noise cancelling headphones.... Hmmm. Oh well. Dubai next!
Love to everyone!
Posted by jj at 3:49 AM | Comments (0)
January 6, 2007
Jetsetter JJ
Hi folks,
Am in the departure lounge for my next jaunt to the UK to present a paper at the International Technology, Knowledge and Society conference at Cambridge University and to present a couple of workshops in England and Scotland. I'm bored, but there's only 40 minutes till I have to board my Emirates flight so not so bad. I know I promised to post Sydney NYE pics and more pics of my niece but hey, I had a niece to hold, and then a flight back from Sydney to catch and then I had packing to do. So you'll get them when I arrive in Cambridge.
Thanks again to the Goddess Jo for housesitting my place whilst I'm away and to Shannie for just being all-round beautiful, and to my friend in the UK for meeting up with me whilst I'm there! You all rock.
See you in Feb, folks. Well, actually, knowing my phone cam habits, probably see you in Cambridge. Enjoy the heat as I freeze in sub 10° C.
Posted by jj at 6:16 PM | Comments (0)
January 1, 2007
Sydney Day 3
Yes I'm a proud Aunt. Here are some further pictures of Alissa with her Mum and Dad and Grandma, but I'm also extremely chuffed to report how much like her Aunt she is already becoming, stripping off in public (she can apparently remove her mittens, singlet and even her swaddling wrap without much effort) and deciding to remain anonymous by kicking off her name tag. She's a child very much after her Aunt Jo's heart. :)
There's also a pic of Marcus with whom I spent a beautiful few hours yesterday - thanks Marcus - was just lovely to see you!
Happy New Year everyone! I have pics from the fireworks I'll circulate later today!
Posted by jj at 7:49 AM | Comments (0)