Well – that’s it for 2007 and now for 2008
Well, that was the year that was, and to give you a brief idea of how I spent it, and my plans for 2008.
Work
2007
This year was interesting, as our major client Telstra decided to reduce it’s operational expenses, in anticipation for migration to a new billing and customer relationship package. The challenge with this is, that I now manage more applications for our client, without an overall increase in budget. This means that resources (staff) have needed to be allowed to find other work within our organisation or face the possibility of being told that they are no longer needed. This challenge has meant that we need to be able to continue doing the business as usual tasks, and managing problems as they arise. This isn’t easy, when the client needs the application re-started and the support team have a public holiday.
2008
The year to come shapes up to be an interesting year, as a lot of the work that I manage will reduce even further when Telstra decommission the applications that fall under my control. Why are the applications being decommissioned you might ask – basically, they are at end of life, and Telstra have moved onto new applications that better suit their needs,
Family
2007
My mother is still busy with her work to help the home based business sector, and to help make the various local, state and federal government bodies of Australia aware of what this sector needs in the way of resources and help that these various bodies can do to help them succeed.
My brother, who is in the Australian Army, has been enjoying his posting to Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia). This year hasn’t seen much drama unfold for him.
My step-father went into business for himself, as a consultant. This has turned out quite well, and he is enjoying the freedom of working for himself. The up side is, that one of his clients is trying to employ him full-time. O, the hassles of it all.
2008
My brother moves into his new house in January in Adelaide (South Australia), for his new posting. Only to go back to Darwin the following day, in preparation for deployment to Baghdad, Iraq for a six month tour. He is looking forward to it, and I am only hoping he doesn’t get injured.
Friends
2007
My friend Sam Butler toured part of Australia again, and Joe Harris made the trip as well. It was great to catch up with them both.
2008
My friends Rodney and Pauline Cooper are expecting their first child. The blessed arrival is due sometime around May or June.