smackfoo.com | I find your lack of faith disturbing.

So things have been accelerating towards chaos of late.

The property we have been renting relatively peacefully for the last 18 months has been sold out from under our proverbial (and literal) feet and thus “the hunt” has commenced for new digs to hang out in.

This is happening whilst we’re [very] busy at work, whilst I have concurrently attended training (most recently some SMS love) and whilst the news arrives that my dearest parents are going to visit, in two weeks. Whilst we’re packing, to move to an unknown property in an unknown location that we haven’t actually found yet, let alone signed for.

Have I mentioned they’re staunchly Christian and I am anything but? That they have spent years trying to “convert” their son who has no intention of ever being blinkered again? Have I also ever told you the story of the “quest” involving multiple spotlight stores and single-handed depletion of entire oil fields in travel? No?

Be very, very thankful. Life is full of small mercies.. being spared the inevitable ear-bleeding from hearing the tale, is one of them.

We’ve two propriétés du mérite to view this week with a view of locking in an option by the weekend. Ideally. Of course anyone familiar with Great Uncle Murphy will know that such “ideal” occurrences are few and far between.

I’d ask for some mojo luck sent our way, but I am uncertain if “break a leg” is an ideal situation given the kleptomaniac driven hordes of stash we have to move.

I’d like to present a small list of 9 rules that I have slowly begun to adopt, after sitting down one day and asking myself what do I need to do, to successfully plan, initiate and complete a project.

These rules have become a bit of a bible in some respects and after much brainstorming, including talking to some very successful folks, I came up with 9 rules. I wanted 10, but I prefer odd numbers and 7 rules seemed to be a cop-out. :)

So after three weeks, things are finally settling down at work and I have a little more time to think.

So what have I been doing over the last three weeks? Why, that’s so kind of you to ask! :)

Firstly, you might want to check out google maps to see where in the world Carmen Sandiego Brendan is.

Take a note of where Whyalla and Mt Gambier are - then take a note of the scale. Better still, here’s a grab from whereis.com.au. I’ve highlighted some of the stop-over locations during deployment work.

It’s been a little quiet here of late, namely due to two events back-to back.

As of Friday 17 October I left EDS, after 5 years of blood, sweat and the occasional tear ((having a 25kg server land on one’s foot, in an effort to save, *hurts*. )), to pursue a new job, in the IT industry.

Kath and I have also just returned from visiting Victor Harbour, a sleepy coastal town some hour and a half’s drive from Adelaide, South Australia.

You can view the rest of the (short) Victor Harbour set over at flickr.