“A person does not grow from the ground like a vine or a tree, one is not part of a plot of land. Mankind has legs so it can wander.” Roman Payne Thursday Having survived the term with a few back injuries and relatively illness free, I woke up yesterday with a sore eye. Today…
Category: the grind
Austria Dreaming
“And therein lies the whole of man’s plight. Human time does not turn in a circle; it runs ahead in a straight line. That is why man cannot be happy: happiness is the longing for repetition.” Milan Kundera Thursday One more week until the break. Thoughts have shifted from Korea to Austrian mountains. A busy…
The Short Week
Thursday “Some people like what you do, some people hate what you do, but most people simply don’t give a damn.” Charles Bukowski I could get used to a two day work week. On the spur of the moment, the head of our school decided to announce our impending departure. Some people cared. Most didn’t….
Long Weekends
“Do you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” Jean-Paul Sartre Thursday It is UAE National Day. At the last minute, the Government declared it could no longer be called National Day. It…
Sharjah Smog
“I don’t know about other people, but when I wake up in the morning and put my shoes on, I think, Jesus Christ, now what?” Charles Bukowski Thursday Another week down. A better pace to the days. Home and the usual spread from Al Jeawerah. I eat enough for four people. Friday Sleep in. Gym….
Decisions Made
“The man who cannot choose has lost the human condition.” Anthony Burgess Thursday Another week. Contracts have been signed and the next two years are set. Is the excitement about change? Leaving here? Both. “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Søren Kierkegaard Friday Sleep in. Over 11 hours sleep….
Opportunities
“It is not for me to judge another man’s life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.” Herman Hesse Thursday There is an option. An offer on the table. A good offer. Safe. Clean. Practical. Responsible. Reliable. Should we turn it down? There is no enthusiasm for…
Dubai Decisions
“The difference between passion and addiction is that between a divine spark and a flame that incinerates.” Gabor Maté Thursday A busy week and a colleague has left. People come and go, in life and work, but this person worked closely with Shell. They were a strong team and relied on each other for professional…
Reflection
“The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom.” Voltaire Thursday A week down. The first week back from break looked remarkably similar to the last week before break. The past reflecting the future. Friday “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a…