I can't believe its the middle of the year again. It feels like the New Year fireworks lit up the sky not long ago. When you're young, time can't go fast enough. As the years come, time speeds up - first a run when you're in high school, a sprint in uni, and then a blur when you start working.

Work is the bane of modern society. It's a ridiculous human concept; to think we are born free, free to do whatever we like, and yet we need to spend the best years of our lives sitting behind a desk in order to live. In the end, when we have enough money to really enjoy life, we are already too old...

Most of my friends are working, and all of them are disillusioned: is this what we'll be doing for the next 30 years?
To be honest, I like my workplace. The people are nice, the building is nice, and free food is nice, too. The work itself, though, is nothing I would call stimulating or challenging, which is what I look for in a job. Well, I recently moved to a web development team on another floor for a one month project, and although the stuff they do looks interesting, in reality my role is more like advanced data entry.

Still, I've been working hard at it, and I usually leave the office late. My mum once told me: 'Aidan, since you aren't very smart, you have to work extra hard in life to get anywhere.' I can't say I've followed that mantra devoutly ('I am naturally lazy' - Excuse #43) , but I'm a pretty ambitious person, and to get anywhere in an organisation, you have no choice but to work hard.
Anyway, I'm moving back to my old team next week, onto a new six month and possibly one year project. Beyond that, who knows what will happen? One day I'll be CEO... one day, one day...


I'll leave you with a funny conversation I overheard from the HR team who sit behind me on the current floor I'm on. The HR team comprises of four girls and one guy, and they always gossip and have weird and wonderful conversations about everything, from what they thought of Desperate Housewives last night to troubles with their boyfriends.

[Andrew says something]
Girl 1: 'What? Errr.....that's interesting to know Andrew.'
Andrew: 'Huh?'
Girl 2 to Girl 1: 'So do you have them?'
Girl 1: 'Have what?'
Girl 2: 'The fact sheets.'
Girl 1: 'Oh! Oh my god... before, I thought Andrew said "I'm into the fat chicks"!'
[Laughter from everyone]
Andrew: 'I'm into the f-a-c-t sheets! Not fat chicks!'
Girl 1: [Laughing] 'I was thinking - Andrew, that's very interesting and I respect your preferences entirely, but please don't voice them publicly at work.'

Judgement is handed out swiftest by those who have been wronged. And yet, Your Honour, I offer no defence. I plead guilty to a hundred accusations and incriminations; the relentless sinner in angel's clothing. I stand, a condemned man awaiting condemnation. This cross I will bear, and all the streets lined with people will know of my guilt - 'There he goes, that worthless shit of a man,' they will curse.

I sought comfort and solace in the wrong arms, blinded by the horrible emptiness inside. Thus the blind led the blind, and the way back was lost to us. Soon, I know, your sadness will turn to pain, your doubt will turn to anger, your regret turn to hate.

We set out on this doomed voyage long ago, our hearts filled with the pretence of an amicable friendship. Naively we sailed, through murky waters and cloudy skies, and no matter the direction we chose, we were certain that a clearing was just ahead. But now we have sailed into the storm. We are two rats, clinging to the mast of a sinking ship. The black waters, they beckon...

It was Panzer's 12th birthday last week. With it comes the obligatory birthday poem (Happy Birthday Panzer!):

Twelve Years of Panzer
The years they quietly fly,
And in dark corners do they devise
Plans to rob you of your spritely step.
But even when your shining eyes
Stop shining,
Love for you,
Like the biscuits in your bowl,
Will always lie.