Stacking my mountain bike

So, I stacked my mountain bike in the Democratic Republic of Congo and snapped the rotator ball from my right arm, there was no choice, I needed surgery.

My employer was willing to fly me home to Perth from South Africa, that wasn't a great option from my perspective so I declined. The public hospital system in South Africa is a little iffy according to all reports, the private sector is apparently world class.

So, with my company based private sector insurance, I headed off to a private hospital in Sandton and I can attest, it was a world class facility. After my initial examination, then waiting for the insurance claim, I was wheeled straight into surgery.

After the insurance claim cleared, the surgeon walked back into his office in his scrubs and it was on. They wheeled me into surgery within an hour of the claim and it was on, even better, I was given a private room as I came from the Congo and they were worried about everything from ebola and malaria to hepatitis.

So I came around and receiving a little lip from my nurses, I had a morphine drip and wasn't using it, they would come in the room, push the plunger repeatedly and then tell me all about it. That was ok,  I didn't need it but I appreciated their concern.

So recovery was interesting, I had to wait to be discharged from the hospital, that took way longer than I requested and I missed my return flight to the Congo. I was put up in a very nice hotel in Sandton, the hotel where the senior managers stay, that made recovery a little easier.

It is interesting when even the South Africans refer to the Congo as the jungle, I was enjoying my time even if mountain biking was no longer an option for the next few months. But hey, it got me a better hospital room and hotel room so no complaints.

European crosswalk courtesy

When you travel through most European countries, well Western European countries at least, I am amazed at the courtesy shown by both motorists and bike riders to pedestrians at crosswalks.

It took me nearly two weeks to get used to, when you come to a crosswalk all traffic stops. Even if the crosswalk light is just turning green and you are not at the crosswalk yet, motorists still wait. I would come to a crosswalk and hesitate because I wasn't sure if the motorist would stop.

After a while, I finally became confident enough to step out before I had seen the vehicle pull to a halt. After following the lead of other pedestrians I would hesitantly step onto the road. No vehicles tried to sneak through and wiz past you. Even push bike riders would stop, it was fantastic and totally different attitude to pedestrians to what I am used to.

Recovering flight miles

I already had to claim missing points from my Perth to Johannesburg flight, now I have more air miles to claim - this will be an issue.

The easiest way to go about this is to register your frequent flyer program as you book the the flight, I missed that opportunity as I had no idea of my route. Next best option is to enter your frequent flyer number in at the check-in counter but that was way above the ability of the check-in staff.

Next option is to follow up when I am home but since I have limited time on break I don't want to blow needless time following these air miles up. My final option is to delegate this task to the labour hire company who employs me, this stuff-up is their making so they need tto make this right.

To be honest, I don't have much confidence in these guys so I see this being harder than it should. But, the mine site where I am employed through this labour hire company is intent on keeping these guys accountable.

Their contract is in danger, the mining company looks after their direct employees and contract staff as if they are employees. This isn't the first time this has happened so they will be looking to redeem themselves so they can begin with redeeming my air miles - they have plenty of kissing up to do.

A 2006 Lamont chardonnay

For some inexplicable reason, I have collected a number of 2006 chardonnay from local producers, whilst a couple had moved past their best drinking, this fine example of an aged chardonnay is Lamont from Perth's Swan Valley.

This one we enjoyed in the back garden over a barbecue on a hot day. You could argue that a summer style white wine would or should be a sauvignon blanc or a semillon/sauvignon blanc or sauvignon blanc/semillon blend.

Fortunately, this isn't the first and only wine of the afternoon, there are a number of us at the lunch drinking wine so you really only get a glass out of each bottle, maybe two if you are lucky but you always show up for family with a decent drop. Sure we might get into a little bit of a pissing competition trying to out do each other - there can be no losers here.

According to the tasting notes, they describe this chardonnay as well made, with positive fruit and oak contributions; the origin of the grapes is not shown and not easy to recognise - perhaps no bad thing. But we know Lamont is a Swan Valley producer, so they don't need to list the vineyard on the bottle.

This chardonnay has a nose of toasty vanillin oak indicating this was matured in French oak with a tightly structured drink with tight acidity with the tasting notes identifying cream stone fruit. I really like Lamont chardonnay as this is an old style chardonnay utilising the malolactic process to produce that buttery taste - I love it.

River transportation on the Rhine

I love to see the inland waterways of Germany used for transporting general cargo. In such a technological advanced country such as Germany, you can bet they have assessed multiple criteria to make a judgement on the economic viability of river transport - you can guarantee that.

Filling the roads full of trucks is an issue, the cost and usage of fuel, congestion, inefficient usage of resources and the potential for accidents with vehicles. The advantages of riverships to transport general goods draws its advantages from logistics principles of bulk cargo, efficient dispatch and centralised centres.

I love seeing the riverships operating on the Rhine, this is a beautiful river that is utilised in an efficient manner transporting not only cargo but people too. The banks of the Rhine are home to villages, vineyards and castles among other attractions. It would be a pretty good job working these riverships up and down the Rhine for a living.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Audemars Piguet is synonymous with quality horological excellence; since its 1972 release, the Royal Oak has been a highly sought after timepiece. What is certainly encouraging for independent brands, Audemars Piguet remains a private company with the founding family retaining a controlling interest in the business.

The Royal Oak is distinctive, there is no denying that, the Royal Oak was the first steel luxury watch nicknamed the jumbo due to its 39 mm diameter, considered large at the time.

The design was ground breaking, I am looking at the Royal Oak from a historical perspective being three years old when the Royal Oak was released. The design was futuristic from an early 1970s perspective, Audemars Piguet may not have known it at the time, but they produced a cult classic.

The octagonal bezel with exposed mounting screws is certainly an acquired taste, for some it may resemble a stop sign on your wrist. The Royal Oak was allegedly inspired by a diver's helmet retaining a space age utilitarian design resembling the space race and subsequent moon landings.

The Royal Oak was also the first of the luxury watches within the sports watch category based on stainless steel and not precious metals as a more industrial design over luxury.

Whilst I just don't get it, what I will concede is the Royal Oak is highly distinguishable; with so many identical designs abounding, the Royal Oak is an iconic design that remains in high demand by collectors and enthusiasts.

This timepiece may have been copied by many; however, this is an original design that retains its originality and industrial design inspiration with others trying to cash in on its success. 

Circus Animals - Cold Chisel

After the success of Cold Chisel's 1980 album East, their follow up album Circus Animals released in 1982. I would probably rate Circus Animals as my favourite Cold Chisel Album behind East as I feel the whole album is a little more polished that the raw and powerful East.

Cold Chisel, well known for the pub rock blues, I have heard the term boogie blues bandied around, but to be honest, I don't really know what that is. A google search informed me the boogie definition is a blues style played on the piano with a strong fast beat. That possibly makes sense as key songwriter and pianist/keyboards player Don Walker had plenty of influence on the sound of the band. 

As a young teenager knowing nothing of Cold Chisel, I purchased the single Forever Now at my local record shop for $1.99 and was amazed at the quality of the B-side Bow River. Later on I really related to the lyrics of Bow River describing the 12 hour days and "the money I saved won't buy my youth again."

My favourite song of the album was When the War is Over written by Steven Prestwich, described by John Farnham as the best pop song ever written when he covered the song at a concert. Forever Now was the song that got me interested in Cold Chisel, I already knew the most famous Cold Chisel song Khe Sanh, back then, I just didn't know it was them who sang it. 

The songs from the album:

1. You Got Nothing I Want.
2. Bow River.
3. Forever Now.
4. Taipan.
5. Houndog.
6. Wild Colonial Boy.
7. No Good For You.
8. Numbers Fall.
9. When The War Is Over.
10. Letter To Alan.

A perfect strategy?

There is no such thing as a perfect strategy, there are no perfect organisations either, I totally agree with Sanjay as I doubt anybody would ever argue that point. 

The crafting and execution of strategy is the pinnacle for many CEOs and senior managers tasked with creating shareholder value. I have often been told you don't need a perfect organisation or strategy, you just need a better strategy and implementation than your competitors - get that right and you will outperform your rivals.

Transiting through Addis Ababa

I am unsure if this is the longest route possible, it was a stopover I could do without but I was still happy to be heading home.

I was boarding an Ethiopian Airlines 787 in Lubumbashi bound for Addis Ababa before changing flights for Singapore and then another Perth. This route has a four hour flying time so I have a couple of hours stopover time before the nine hour flight to Changi Airport.

I have been on site for nine weeks and was heading home for two weeks break. This passport saga had now cost me three days from my break. My return flight to site is based on my normal roster so this delay takes time away from time off site.

I was already overdue for my break as I am on an 8/2 roster and this is further eating into my break time. As I was sitting in the departure lounge, I was aware I was already supposed to be sitting at home so that fact wasn't lost on me.

I had organised family engagements, that was a non event but I have no complaints, this is all part of the lifestyle choices I made when I accepted this overseas contract. I'm tired, I was already feeling the effects of a long swing and I know this trip is going to wipe me out for a few days.

I was surprised when we touched down on the tarmac in Ethiopia, the airport was nothing as I imagined. They have two terminals the airport is way larger than I expected. I had just departed Lubumbashi International Airport and that was exactly what you would expect for an airport in a developing African nation.

The Omega Planet Ocean METAS certified timepiece

I'm a big fan of Omega, this company has plenty of heritage to draw upon but it is the current models that I really like. The Seamaster line is 70 years old with the Diver 300, Aqua Terra 150, Seamaster 300, Railmaster and Planet Ocean 600 as the current range with 13 or so variations within the Planet Ocean category.

My favourite Planet Ocean is the blue chronograph reference 215.30.46.51.03.001, the deep lacquered blue dial and ceramic bezel insert really sets the timepiece apart from competitors in my view.

Aesthetics aside, the powerplant is the 9900 co-axial movement that is METAS certified as a master chronometer with co-axial technology first designed by George Daniels and implemented by Omega. The Planet Ocean is a big timepiece with a 45.5 mm diameter that sits well on larger wrists but probably wouldn't work for smaller wrists.

The eight tests to attain METAS certification by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology are administered at Omega headquarters in Biel. The METAS tests exceeds the Contrôle Officiel Suisse Des Chronomètres (COSC) certification that the majority of high-end Swiss timepieces comply to meet chronometer certification.

Whilst METAS testing is pretty much an Omega certification, any brand may submit their timepiece for the 10 day certification process.

The eight METAS tests are:

1. Average daily precision of the watch.
2. Function of COSC approved movement during exposure to 15,000 Gauss magnetic field.
3. Function of watch during exposure to 15,000 Gauss magnetic field.
4. Deviation of daily precision after exposure to 15,000 Gauss magnetic field.
5. Water resistance.
6. Power reserve.
7. Deviation of rate between 100% and 33% of power reserve.
8. Deviation of rate in six positions. 

Not all Omega timepieces achieve the METAS certification with only the high-end currently seeking such certification although I believe Omega is transitioning all timepieces over to METAS certification.

The Si14 silicon balance spring, otherwise know as a hairspring that together with the balance wheel forms the harmonic oscillator in nonferrous ensuring the balance spring is not magnetised for magnetic resistance.  

The other and older method to protect watches from magnetic fields is to encase the movement in a magnetic permeable cage, usually iron to attract the magnetic field ensuring the movement is unaffected. Needless to say, the Planet Ocean 600 chronograph is well outside of my price range.

I do like to wander in an Omega boutique to try on a Planet Ocean from time to time when overseas to admire the engineering. Unfortunately, this chronograph won't be taking pride of place in my watch collection anytime soon. 

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic

I love the works of art that the luxury watch market produces, one such manufacturer is Vacheron Constantin, one of the three manufacturers forming the holy trinity of haute horology.

The first Vacheron Constantin watch I viewed really wasn't a design I thought much about, I found the bezel distracting as the shape clashes with my sense of style. That being said, I am more utilitarian than most so tend to under appreciate styles that many consider notable.

The 2016 release of the Overseas Automatic features a redesign with the Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 positions replaced with baton index markers. The date window has been moved from just above the four index to the 3 o'clock position and hands receiving a finer finish. Viewing these timepieces in person, the Vacheron Constantin is a fine timepiece but not one I will be lusting for.

A right wing unionist

How on earth did I become a union representative who holds capitalist views? I believe in a fair go for all, the strong should protect the weak. I believe in the value of advocacy, you need to look after your colleagues. 

Since I have worked in the state government, the only way you can negotiate salaries is via the union - there are no other options. The process is very hierarchical in nature, the management, who belong to their own union have their salaries negotiated on their behalf.

So, I become the union representative for the branch; I made sure individuals who are marginalised and powerless in the workplace are treated fairly. This actually wasn't that difficult, you listen to people, identify their issues then negotiate a response.

I studied business, nowhere does it state in any management literature I had read or referenced the need to belittle, humiliate or abuse individuals. In my studies we investigated strategies to develop a culture with the conditions to create value for the business leading to a sustainable competitive advantage.

I wholeheartedly subscribe to leadership virtues espousing values, culture and respect allowing the ability of individuals to work hard for the organisation. In order to achieve this, the value of human capital needs to unlocked allowing these hardworking, creative and innovative staff to contribute as valued team members.