Hello world – it’s been a very busy 6 months and the lack of blogging was just because I struggled to find time outside various activities. Anyway back with a few new ideas and some articles specifically targeted at beginning coders. Stay tuned …
Category Archives: off topic
[Off Topic] The Ultimate Nightwatchman
I love cricket. So the following post is about Cricket but also has a lot to do with leadership.
This week there was an interesting cricket event in Australia. Late on the first day of the 5th test David Bairstow was sent in to bat with only a few balls remaining. This decision seemed unusual given the general practice of a team to send in a “Nightwatchman” late on a day of cricket.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightwatchman_(cricket)
This practice in four-five day cricket encourages a less talented batsman to occupy the crease while the more The Nightwatchman’s job is simple: survive as long as possible to prevent one of the more talented batsman from coming in to bat late on a day when all that can really happen is score a few runs at best or get out. Even if the Nightwatchman is removed on the very first ball he/she faces they will have soaked up between 5-10 minutes simply by the change of batsman taking. Towards the end of days cricket this can often be enough to end the day and have the “real” batsman come back fresh on the next day.
So Bairstow comes in to bat and everyone is surprised. He’s decide to bat by himself.
In this case he knew what would happen if . Against the failing light of the late day and fearsome pace of Mitchell Starc even a good batsman would struggle. The chance of being hit on the body is quite likely given previous games. He took the responsibility for his team – he took ownership for being a batsman.
Bairstow got out. End of the day – stumps were called.
Bairstow’s team knows what he did. The Media thinks Bairstow made a mistake.
The ashes were over!!!
Bairstow’s team knows what he did, what he will do again.
[OT] Blade Runner Quote
If you haven’t seen it yet – please please watch “Blade Runner”. It’s my favourite film if all time.
My favourite quote:
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.”
Blade Runner
[OT] Galway:One of the worlds hidden gems…
So i have a little Irish blood thanks to my dad and I have been to Ireland a few times and one of my favourite cities in the world would have to be: Galway.
Doesn’t really get very much publicity but it’s an utterly outstanding city in Ireland:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/31/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-galway-ireland
The thin white duke departs…
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be Heroes, just for one day
David Bowie
Even Eric Lippert (C# guru) was touched by the loss of the great man:
Memories of 1984 come back to me – hearing Bowie for the first time and coding some crazy text adventures on my C-64 – sheltering in my glorious little room with just me, my computer and David Bowie. The wild world was outside.
If you haven’t listened Bowie it’s never too late.
Good bye sir, thanks for everything.
Just in case you wanted to know why I blog [OT]
Scott Hanselman provides a great post on why developers should blog
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/YourWordsAreWasted.aspx
Dom
Order of hits by Country (Come on Aussies…)
Image
I would have thought more australian hits – must be my very non-australian accent (NOT!!!!!)
Dom
top-10-romantic-movies-for-geeks
Ok sure this off topic but there a few of my all time classics including no1 of course:
http://houseofgeekery.com/2012/02/14/top-10-romantic-movies-for-geeks/
Dom
Why Blog [OT]
I promise I will stop the OT posts soon … its taking a bit of time to get over the holiday but a great post from Hanselman on why you should blog?
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/YourBlogIsTheEngineOfCommunity.aspx
Dom
Welcome to 2012 – did I ever say that I like castles… [OT]
I have been away on holiday (vacation) for december so its been very quiet on the blog but will try to improve this situation now that I am back. I did have some serious fun seeing lots of castles… Did I ever explain that I really like castles…
OK yeah so I saw lots of castles…
and more castles…
Great to be back home though
Dom