My Best Friend’s Venetian Wedding

Recently, my Wife and I had the honour of attending my Best Friend’s Wedding in Venice. Neither of us, or more to the fact, any of us, had ever been to Venice. So we were looking forward to seeing my friend getting married and to visit one of the ‘Most Romantic Cities in the World‘.

I want to begin by saying that the Wedding was one of most fabulous experiences that we’ve had and yes I did get emotional. To see my Friend, Asiya being given away to Mark King was such a joy. Asiya has found her life partner and was going to start sharing their lives together. Asiya and I had made a pact quite a years back that we would attend each others’ wedding. Asiya attended mine back in 2008 in London, and I attended her’s in Venice. Asiya’s Mother and two of her three Brothers were also present. Having your family is most precious and Asiya had not been let down.

The Wedding ceremony was top class and flawless, precisely the way Asiya wished it to be. “I am a perfectionist” says Asiya repeatedly and I agree whole-heartedly. But I digress. For one moment, I completely forgot that we were celebrating Mark and Asiya’s marriage in Venice. I only realised after it had finished and that they started their photo shoot outside on the balcony of Palazzo Cavalli.

It only remains for me to say, Asiya, we wish you the very best in your married life with Mark and may God Bless you two for-ever and a day.

Time

I never thought that I would be writing the following article. Recently, I’ve been catching up with friends via FaceBook and FriendsReunited. I was taken aback by the amount of time that has surpassed. I still remember working with colleagues back in the early 1990’s and see them now, older, with siblings is just amazing. Where has the time gone?

I was also reflecting on how in my 20’s I would get up and go. Now, it’s a lot more different. I have a Wife, Mortgage, and financial commitments. I would so love to ‘get up and go’ but it’s just not possible. I do however refuse to be sidelined by not looking after myself. If anything I am more focused on my health than I have ever been.

I was introduced to a Martial Arts form known as Wing Chun back in 1997. Since then, I have never looked back on how the human body, a vessel, a carrier, needs to be nurtured, pampered even. Simple exercises which I did then are still possible now. I am approaching my 40’s in a few years’ time and I’m glad to know that these form of exercises are still possible.

So on one hand time changes the way we think and behave, but yet remains supposedly still on areas within our control. I eat better, exercise well, even have time to put down thoughts on electronic paper. So why is it that when I chat with friends, it still feels like I am still working with them. I recently had to submit my ‘paperwork’ to Companies House and quickly came to realise that I had formed my Company back in 2003. It’s now 2009 – 6 years. What have I been doing all this time. Quite a lot for sure but just doesn’t feel like it.

I did say…

Well, I did say that I would write down more about myself. Still this will be a cut down version as putting virtual pen to virtual paper is not always an easy task. I have several likes ranging from Apple Mac to Wing Chun. But if I was to start from my early days, Cars, well automobiles to be more realistic has always been a key part. We come from a background of Motor Mechanics but unfortunately I didn’t quite make the grade. A regret I carry and will do for the rest of my life.

Anyway, Cars are a very prominent part of my life. Both my Brother and I have grown up around them, what makes them work, their design, technical ability and so on. I love Formula One and World Rally with such a passion. Most people love Football, I love F1 – not much I can do about that. But yes, talking of Football, World Cup and Euro Cup matches I do take an interest in. I still to this day remember watching the ‘86 World Cup and how Maradona became an instant idol of mine. Amitabh Bachchan still is another idol of mine, nothing to do with Football (for those of you who do not know whom I’m referring, he is the ultimate Bollywood actor) – look it up.

Have a writer’s block at the moment, but I will put down more soon – I hope.

Home Workers

With the current economic climate being the way it is, a lot of Companies have adopted a home worker policy. This is not new news by far, but with necessary cutbacks, is this really the best approach? I myself do work from home as well as at various sites. I find the mix very good. There are times when you need to link with other work colleagues and ensure that you are up to date on work related matters. But then, working from home, I find that I can get quite a lot of work completed – very little interruptions, very disciplined etc…

I know of many instances where home workers are not as productive as being in the office, but this really is down to the way that you adapt yourself. Working from home for Companies is also a liability, especially where Health and Safety is concerned. They need to ensure that you have a compliment of tools provided; Internet Connection, Phone / Mobile, Workspace desks, laptops and external height-adjustable displays. So my question is this; does it cost more to be a home worker? Recently I learnt that home workers need to be PAT Testing compliant. If you’re not sure what PAT Testing is, this is where certified engineers test electrical equipment to ensure that it conforms to Health and Safety laws. You even get a pretty sticker on your appliances. Now this is takes time and money. The end result? Well again, are home workers productive for their Company? Difficult to assess really. What are your thoughts?

Do I make this into a Technical Blog site?

Been contemplating whether to make my blog site a technical based forum or as an all rounder. I remember that when I used to do my News site in 2000, it started heading off in a direction which I did not appreciate. It became more of a Mac Evangelist site rather than a realistic approach. This actually got to me and ended up ‘quitting my News site job’.

There are many aspects of today’s technology which I find very interesting and refreshing, but then again my wife can be oblivious to this and still has a hectic lifestyle. How is this possible?

Check out Monitor for the Mac!

http://myownapp.com

Not much to say apart from that it is an awesome all-in-one app for the Mac. So easy to use.

My First Blog

Not too sound abrupt or rude or words of a similar nature, but I have been blogging before blogging was even a word!

Ok, I’m showing my age. But it’s uncanny how technology brands an area, popularizes it and lures the masses. I’ll start off small for now, but I want to share my thoughts on on, well, not sure yet.

Best wishes, Jay

Oh, proof of blogging, just check out this ‘blog‘ dated July 2002