On Friday February 19, 2010, I underwent laser eye surgery (Intralase Sub-Bowman’s Keratomileusis) to correct my short sightedness. I have worn glasses since I was 6 years old and contact lenses since I was 16. Over the past 15 years, I developed an allergic reaction to the protein buildup on the contact lenses and had to restrict my use to sports only. This is a quantum leap forward for me and I am floored by the results – no more glasses! Thank you to my surgeon, Dr. Suren Sanmugasunderam, FRCS (C) and his team at London Eye Centre.
The evolution from squinting to see, to having thick, then thin lens glasses to contact lenses and now to laser eye surgery led me to think more about several topics:
Problem Management – as described by IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL):
A `problem’ is an unknown underlying cause of one or more incidents, and a `known error’ is a problem that is successfully diagnosed and for which either a work-around or a permanent resolution has been identified. Read more...
I was fortunate to be asked to participate as a mentor to a Computer Systems student in our Bachelor of Technology program this fall. This is a real honour and something that I value having the opportunity to do.
I graduated from BCIT in 1987 and the skills taught me by my instructors and my classmates set the tone for my career. Thanks to the BCIT Alumni Association and the BCIT Student Association for this opportunity.
Below is an interview I gave in the student newspaper, The Link:
Leo de Sousa may have a background in IT Services, but his advice on life – and how to balance – it can translate to students in any field
Long days. Late nights. Extra hours. Group projects. Debt.
BCIT students have a, shall we say, unique experience. For many, it’s the toughest period of their lives. Following dreams and getting credential many times means going in the hole financially and giving up life as you know it to pursue studies. It’s a big step, a big risk; you name it. Read more...
Last year, I wrote about the special debt I feel to Canadian soldiers that defended my birthplace – Hong Kong. I found more information about the Canadian troops who defended Hong Kong at the Veterans Affairs Canada website.
This year I would like to pay tribute to Company Sergeant Major John Robert Osborne, 1st Battalion The Winnipeg Grenadiers – awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. His story and Victoria Cross citation can be read here. Sgt Major Osborn was the first Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross and 1 of 16 awarded in the Second World War. His bravery and selfless sacrifice symbolizes the Canadian spirit. Here is the ending quote of his citation:
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was an inspiring example to all throughout the defence which he assisted so magnificently in maintaining against an overwhelming enemy force for over eight and a half hours, and in his death he displayed the highest quality of heroism and self-sacrifice.
For more about the defense of Hong Kong, please go to the Veterans Affairs Canada website – Canadians in Hong Kong. Read more...
I borrowed a great book from a friend of mine who read it as part of her Masters program. Leadership is an Art by Max De Pree is a must read for anyone who aspires to a leadership role. The book is short and easy to read. The best part are the real gems that can be applied immediately.
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book:
- The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last responsibility is to say thank you. In between, a leader is a servant and a debtor
- Peter Drucker said “Efficiency is doing the right thing. Effectiveness is doing the thing right” (interesting how this quote ties into what I have been saying about EA for a long time!)
- Effectiveness comes about through enabling others to reach their potential
- Encourage roving leadership
- Leadership is the “Interception of entropy”
I highly recommend this book. It was so good that I read it twice before returning it to my friend, thanks Karin!
I received a tweet today from @victoravila about the bicentenial celebration of my #1 inspirational leader Abraham Lincoln. Here is the link: http://gov.ca.gov/proclamation/11459
Who is your main leadership inspiration? I would be really glad to know. I have been working on a leadership post for some time now.
Its my wife’s birthday today and I am on for making a special birthday dinner. I decided to go simple and tasty … beer can chicken on the BBQ, roasted Greek potatoes, steamed broccoli and apple pie (bought at the local bakery).
You can see the little metal unit for roasting chickens on the BBQ that a friend gave me; it helps keep the chicken upright on the grill.
Beer Can Chicken Ingredients
Here is a picture of the basic setup:
- 1 chicken whole remove neck
- olive oil to rub the chicken
- 1 can beer (pour out 1/4 into tray and drink 1/4 – leave 1/2 in the can)
- 2 or 3 garlic cloves crushed place in beer can for flavour
- roasting unit – pan with rails (optional)
- spice rub (recipe below)
For the rub:
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Rub chicken with olive oil and then apply dry rub. Here is the chicken ready to go on the BBQ. Read more...
A casual lunch room conversation crystalized something that has been in my thoughts over the past month.
One of our Service Desk analysts commented about my posting of status updates. He said “You sure love Facebook don’t you? You are always posting status updates. Is that all you do all day??”
I wanted to respond “Are you nuts? I am running harder than ever to keep up with work!” Instead, I took a couple of seconds to digest his perceptive observation. (I will need some more thinking time about where I update my status and how … that is a different post.) My response was “I rarely go onto to Facebook any more. I use Twitter to post updates and Facebook is one of the social network sites that I choose to update.”
He said “Twitter what is that?” I did a quick overview of Twitter which reminded me of a good post by JP Rangaswami.
At the end of his post, JP said :
“It is reasonable to suggest that when we got the world’s biggest copy machine (as Kevin Kelly called the internet) we would see another shift. Read more...
Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year! I am amazed at how fast 2008 went by and am really looking forward to a fantastic 2009.
Best wishes to all!
Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine! I wish you all the best in this holiday season. I continue to be amazed by the wonderous things we humans accomplish and I continue to hope for peace.
Someone sent me an email a year ago about Red Fridays. Another quiet Canadian way to support our troops and their families.
Here is the Red Fridays Foundation Mission:
Our Mission:
- To promote wearing Red on Fridays that is impartial to any world events and remain non partisan on supporting the Canadian Troops.
- To offer all organizations that support the movement to wear Red on Fridays a common website portal for their events and assistance in organizing their events.
- To respect all soldiers that have given their lives for Canada by publishing a memorial for those that have fallen recently
- To create brand recognition the RED FRIDAYS RIBBON as a nationally recognized symbol for support of our Canadian troops.
- To offer media a single source of Red Fridays activities nation wide.
- To be recognized as a Canadian source for supporting Canadian troops, Canadian Forces activities information and liaison for Canadian Citizens to show support to our troops.
Since then I have tried my best to remember to wear red on Fridays …
Lest we forget