Where to start? Well first of all I noticed a distinct absence the of BIG industry players Microsoft, Apple, Google... Hell, I didn't even see anything to do with Linux. It's meant to be an I.T. business and technology exhibition. Where were the big boys? Where were the market giants? Gygabyte was there. McAfee, AVG, Norton - they were there. But how's this for a joke? Bloody BigPond wasn't even there!
Ok fair enough, different businesses get different results from it each year. Some decide it's not worth it, others don't register in time. But the ones that do register, and do exhibit, and do go to the trouble of having a rather expensive and professional looking set up, for those companies, if you insist on displaying scantily clad women to get your sales up... it doesn't really work all that well. Yeah you get a lot of guys coming over to "check out the talent" but they're not thinking about your products.
And I just had an interruption which screwed up my entire train of thought so this is where this post ends.
I hate being assessed through imaginary scenarios, I absolutely detest it. Why? Because performing well with an imaginary scenario in no way reflects how someone will perform in the actual situation when the shit hits the fan.
You can be a qualified chef and cook food that isn't fit for any species' consumption, but because you met assessment criteria you have the certificate. Today I succeeded in completing a fire brigade Crew Leader assessment which consisted of Theory questions and 3 practical scenarios. In these practical scenarios there is an imaginary fire, marked out with barrier tape and it is the crew leader's responsibility to assess & size up the situation and act accordingly utilising the crew and resources available. My concern is that apart from assessment day nerves there is no real pressure except for time constraints whereas in a real situation there would be smoke, heat, flames, wind and everything else really happening and therefore really testing your skills, but at the same time giving you something real to react to.
As far as I'm concerned a person can do extremely well in these types of assessments and then go out, stuff up horrible and get people hurt or killed because they crumble under pressure. Other people can be the best at what they do, know it inside and out, perform expertly under pressure but fail at the assessment because they have trouble visualising imaginary flames and smoke.
OHS regulations are a big problem because we are not allowed to run assessments with active flame. But hang on a minute, a person without the crew leader qualification can still end up leading a crew at a real fire. So why not base the assessment on how a person actually does perform out on the field, it's not that hard to do it that way... in theory.
I've been doing some thinking lately. Some things that I should have thought more about I've probably not thought about enough, some things that should probably just be a minor consideration I've most likely been over thinking, and some really weird stuff has been creeping into my already weird dreams at night.
If dreams are the subconscious trying to tell us something I do wish it would just spit it out! I mean why would a girl who was 2 years ahead of me in school, who I had nothing to do with, who, ok, is quite attractive but I've never even thought about, be reading my palms telling me one of them has changed? What on Earth is that supposed to mean? I'm not having nightmares. I'm not getting recurring images of extreme situations, stressful moments, or fatalities I've dealt with... just really weird unrelated crap.
And why do I get that Déjà vu feeling a shit load but never with anything important? I'm sure winding a car window up is not something that should be that memorable.
Anyway, there's a wee insight into my mental realm.
Handling Dangerous Dogs Workshop - $70 Responsible Service of Alcohol - $115 Cert II Horticulture - $219 Cert IV Networking - $934 Diploma in I.T. - $1242 Cert IV Training & Assessment - $2690
Trying to decide just what to do with your life - Priceless.
Your passin' broke the silence On that dark October day The sun was headin' for the west As it did I heard you say I set my sail for a gentle breeze Now I leave this world as it was meant to be And you, did you listen to anything I said? Did you ever listen to me?
Though now it seems you'll never know But every lad to a man must grow Till winter comes to celebrate Then proudly chills the bone When at last they bury me Into this ground you'll someday see And you, did you listen to anything I said? Did you ever listen to me?
Though the face we wear Sometimes seldom speaks From the babe that cries To this grown man's feet May the hand still write And its' heart shape keep Till our fathers, sons and daughters agree
So I will pave this road till glory Sets our broken spirit free From every cross-soaked nail pours endless rain With tears no eye should see But they could fill our highest ocean And the rivers in between With every blade that flowers must grow then drown With love our cruelest sea
So with a wonder and a wild desire I will crawl from under every weight With a wonder and a wild desire Bless the day it was I shared your name Yesterday forever speaks your grave
Hail the shower from the broadside To the heavens down below Draw one last breath from your fanning ship Sink the hunger in us all Shake the hand that speaks of freedom Kiss hate one final bow Till each twilight falls then rests till dawn and tomorrow's never sleep
So with a wonder and a wild desire I will crawl from under every weight With a wonder and a wild desire Bless the day it was I shared your name With each word forever speaks your grave
And of the fool we shall not mention That depraves the cries of youth Drag not your strength from government But from the voices they abuse
So with a wonder and a wild desire I will crawl from under every weight With a wonder and a wild desire Bless the day it was I shared your name Yesterday forever speaks your grave
Only time will tell when this rain of hell, shall wither in defeat Separate the bread they forgot to share, till the milk still left to feed Though this body aches then disappeared into the ground, our seeds He said, "I'd, I'd always comfort thee"
So I will pave this road to glory Watch as our broken spirits soar Resignate with perfect reason Shut life's last gloomy door
So with a wonder and a wild desire I will crawl from under every weight With a wonder and a wild desire Bless the day it was I shared your name With a wonder and a wild desire I will crawl from under every weight With a wonder and a wild desire Bless the day it was I shared your name Yesterday forever speaks your grave
I would follow you, Into the depths of Hell. When you feel trapped and alone, I would gladly share your cell. In the darkest hour, You are the strongest light. From the greatest distance, You warm coldest the night.
I'm still alive Must have been a miracle It's been a hell of ride Destination still unknown It's a fact of life: If you make one wrong move with the gun to your head You better walk the line or you'll be left for dead
I'm a runaway train on broken track I'm a ticker on a bomb, you can't turn back this time That's right I got away with it all and I'm still alive Let the end of the world come tumbling down I'll be the last man standing on the ground As long as hot blood runs trough my veins I'm still alive
Lost in the night Feeling so invisible Oh, a dead man walking the wire High above the devils net That's made of fire And it's a long way down from the top of the world You better look around or you gonna get burned
I'm a runaway train on broken track I'm a ticker on a bomb, you can't turn back this time That's right I got away with it all and I'm still alive Let the end of the world come tumbling down I'll be the last man standing on the ground And as the dust wheels look in my eyes I'm still alive I'm still alive
The darkest night ain't black enough To keep the morning light from shinin' The highest wall ain't tall enough To keep the smallest man from climbin'
The more that you resist the tide The more it pulls you in The more you hang on for your life
(I'm a runaway train on broken track) (I'm a ticker on a bomb, you can't turn back this time) (that's right) That's right I got away with it all and I'm still alive
I'm a runaway train on broken track I'm a ticker on a bomb, you can't turn back this time That's right I got away with it all and I'm still alive Let the end of the world come tumbling down I'll be the last man standing on the ground And if my shadow's all that survives I'm still alive I'm still alive...
