2nd Sat in Jozi

The 2nd Sat in Jozi started off by browsing the net, looking for a place to stay - couldn't sleep after returning from Monte (casino - for something to munch with some friends). I'm amazed at the amount of accomodation available here in Joburg. You can pick and choose, given that you're willing to seperate yourself from half your earnings! Made a list of places not further than 10km from work and ended up with around 35 that's close to the budget (just of one website).

The first official day of house hunting ended up at a patch of water called a cable park in Midrand for a wake skate -board session! Not comparable to a sneaky little session behind Wolfgang's boat in Langebaan, but hey - better than nothing.

Time 4 some pics!
P&R's garden. This is quite the spot for brekvis, dinner and anything else. Fortunately they also reaslise that life's to short to endure chicory & cheap wine. Have enjoyed many an excellently brewed short Americano in preparation for a day at Acc here.















I'd never have thought that you'd find this type of peace and tranquility 2kms north of Sandton - bang in the middle of Joburg. This is about 150m from our front door, inside the security complex!





























Around 19:00 I found myself in the garden mentioned above - it was already pretty damn dark out here and about 20 mins after this shot. I was gently informed that the crew in Lbn were working hard at their sundowner drinks, awaiting the old ball of fire to sink into the horizon behind the Postberg mountain.














Been spending a lot of time in this pond! Its pretty hot in Jhb and its the perfect post work activity!

1.923%

I've survived the first week in Joburg! Yip, that's 1.923% of a year. Its been a gr8 experience and a lovely little adventure. Acc (yeah, I know this is not the share code for the institution - for obvious reasons) is a good challenge and demands high performance. Its great to experience yourself stepping up to the plate and performing at a level higher than you otherwise would have. The great thing about this company is that they truly empower you. And they treat you like an adult. Both issues few employers succeed in.

The week's been filled with training and sorting out admin. I'm a local at CIO (computer services downstairs) and have been asked to refrain from asking complicated questions... oeps. I finally have a phone extension and have also authenticated onto the internal learning website. Ploughed through some compulsory ethics courses and now getting stuck in a negotiation course. Should have a job interview (internal - don't skrik) or two today and who knows, my unassigned status might change soon.

Attended the first Acc social event last night: "Thirsty Thursdays". Sadly I had feelings of auditor-like socials... caution caution.

Weekend's coming up and I don't have too much planned yet, however have loads of "to do's". Hope to do some house hunting with a potential flat mate.

Standing on the balcony yesterday around 17:15 beneath a dark grey sky, a couple of raindrops blew into my face and I distinctly remember one coming at me horizontally! Yes that's significant, because it was the first time I experienced breeze (if you can call it that) up here. Its not the same as Cpt wind, but hey - who's complaining. On the same terrace this morning, the light breeze came from the opposite direction, reminding me that this is Jhb and the wind is like some women (and men): directionless. Enjoy the Mykonos offshore & a special good luck to Unleashed.

Have a gr8 w-end and may the wind be with you (especiallly my Lbn mates).

spoilt

Whoohoo! Accomodation in Joburg just upgraded itself from 5 stars to 6.5! I arrived home late as I stayed at the office a little longer than required (just had to give my new HP nc6400 from work a little warm up) and then broke the seal of my Planet Fitness subscription at Rivonia Super Club. Upon arriving home P had the fire going for a wors braai and R was cooking up a storm under the oven grill. (R, the potato "soup" was gr8 - really!). Not only did I get fed shortly after arriving home, I merely cracked open a bottle of WW What Cab Sav '04, sat back and relaxed. Don't forget to add to that gr8 conversation in keeping P company. And now I'm browsing the net wirelessly - this establishment deserves at least 6 Michellin and 8 AA Stars .

For those that really care: the day at work ended up being ever so slightly boring - I managed an hour away to sort out some personal stuff, didn't lose out on any vital comms and promptly pitched in time for lunch! Always refreshing to get a dealer's value on you wheels!

The afternoon lightened up slightly when we received our marginal supply of toy(s). 1x HP & 1x Tarsus bag. :( Oh, and Blackberry is for Snr Execs only, per global policy. Surprisingly we can buy BMW & Audi at rediculous prices, but have no idea what the likes of Vodacom & competitors do to attract our business. Hhhmmm helloooo peoples of Acc - I need to phone (and have remote data access to the establishment) long before I replace the chariot. Priorities priorities - we're not all 22yr old chicks desperate for flashy wheels.

Enough.

Acc

Welcome to head office!















First views - from the office park entrance.















Our "jetty" overlooking the pond (with a couple of fish in).















Our garden.




















Our very own Vodacom "tree" for additional green!

summary

I'm tempted to delete the Windfinder Langebaan icon from my shortcut bar - just to avoid temptation. To all the Lbn animals: put in a paddle, a kite & a Tiger session on my part - and if there's more energy to spare, a beach run and a reserve mtb too, please!

I realise the blog is a collection of crazy pics with no captions. Till now it was the easiest way of sharing some highlights. This might change as I'm not sure what I'll be getting pics of up here in Jhb. We'll nevertheless endeavour to continue posting pics of weekend adventures.

For those that isn't up to speed - a little summary of (relative) recent history in HdeV007 life...
I resigned from Std Pvt Bank to complete my MBA dissertation full time and (finally) graduated in '05. That kind of broke me and I embarked on a short holiday in Lbn to prepare for a session of job searching. Before I knew it I started playing with ideas for my own business(es) and investigated the possibilities of some. Then headed north: kited in Egypt, touched down in London, walked Paris and chilled in Barcelona only to return and seek out the southern most tip in Africa - an epic road trip and mini post Europe holiday shared with Chris. It was winter in Cape Town and life shed some of its pace allowing me to settle into "the job search". I realised that corporate is the medium term place for me and desperately wanted to stay in Cpt and enjoy the good life. Omam didn't come to the party, and so did many others. The idea of shipping out of Cpt and braving Jhb became a reality. I decided on a mild career change and pushed hard for business consulting (Jhb Jhb or Jhb is the only place in SA you do this with a financial services background). Acc took their time to come forth with an offer and then added (what felt like) half a year to the signing date to get to a starting date - destination Woodmead, Jhb. I pushed hard to start earlier / do online traning in Cpt office prior to starting but they wouldn't budge. This resulted in me having too much time on my hands and buying a beach house. (oops - now I need a raise to afford that little acquisition). Everything happens for a reason! And btw: be carefull what you whish for - you might end up having to finance it!

Since returning from Euro I've been sailing Hobie Tigers and kind of had an entry to the Hobie Tiger & Dragoons Worlds in Lbn, March 08. Thanks Acc - there goes that idea. In the process I met gr8 people and re-awakened my love for Hobie sailing. Zac, I need a 16 for the beach house. Tiger sailing took met to Tanzania for Tanzacat '06 - two weeks of sailing in Dar Es Salaam and crossing to Zanzibar and back on an 18foot beach cat! Sadly kiteboarding has taken a back seat (also 'cause we had odd weather patterns in Lbn this year), however some awesome sessions and golden moments were banked - mostly solo or with Steve somewhere on the sand bar at SharkBay, Lbn.

Now I'm in Jhb chasing a career. Its going to be (very super extremely) tough till at least end of Aug '07 as Acc deemed it fit to appoint me a couple of levels lower than they felt I should fit in thanks to my lack of prior business consulting experience. Fair play boys. I however need to pull out the stops and make up for some lost time. Friends, if I go quiet between now and then... I'm working hard.

a new life

26.06S 28.08E - don't fear, I'm not changing the name of the blog; however: life has moved to a new location... Joburg. Today was my first day at Accenture (www.accenture.co.za) as a business consultant. Yip, also the first day of being paid a salary again in 19.5 months (my interpretation of "holiday")!

Thus far Joburg is a lekke place and if work pans out to be half of what was promised today I'll be in heaven! This really seems like my kind of company. I've already met like minded people and decided to quicly update 33.15S 18.07E before heading out for drinks with some new mates. 

Yesterday was quite a long day as I drove up from Cpt. En na 12h49m is mens seer gesit - thanks to roadworks etc. Stayed with adopted Joburg parents Pierre & Rosie last night - they have an awesome spot about 5 kms from work. Pretty much a good thing they don't have too many spare rooms as I might squat for ever! Thanks guys, you're gr8. They do however have family over for the w-end resulting in my logging into Rivonia B&B on Rosie's suggestion.

Here's one of my last memories of "home" - the Helderberg mountains around sunrise yesterday morning.





Although my heart is in Cpt (actually Lbn around 19:00 on Fri) this is a little adventure and I'm loving every second of it.

ps. Thanks to the Support Team & my secretary for making sure that I left Cpt kind of on time - without you guys I'm nowhere.

The spot that owns my heart!

Close call!

This is what I (used) to do for an adrenaline rush if I wasn't kiting!




 

My place in paradise

If all goes well, this is soon to be my place in paradise!




 

Breeze-y December day at Vleesbaai

 
  

More Stone Town

Stone Town, Zanzibar

Tanzacat flash back

The beach at DYC.
















Miles went diving and bumped into these little guys...

This is the best fish & chips you can ever have. The fish were still swimming seconds ago.

rather late than never

 
A secret spot between Zanzibar & Dar! This is an island consisting of sand and only visible at low tide. We just made it as the rising tide soon started floating our boats off.