I've been pretty quiet on here for months. It all started back in early March when I took on more responsibilities at work helping to manage a rollout to over 120 sites of a hotel chain. This consumed my entire work days for months and I did very little programming. I sometimes found it a bit frustrating that I couldn't make progress in my own projects but I was needed for this and did my best to help. Initially I was a bit overwhelmed because it felt like I did as much work in a day that I used to do in a week. Things are looking good now, the rollout begins July 1st. Now things at work have settled down a bit and this week I was able to spend almost all my time programming!! It's great that I'm getting this kind of management experience. It will better help me decide which direction I want my career to go : management, or continue as a programmer.

My friend Marco who was hired on a 6 month contract is leaving June 12th. His project wasn't complete on the original departure date (Feb 9) so we had to extend his work permit. It was interesting having a friend living in my basement appartment, hanging out with him a lot, but also being his boss at work and having to push him to get things done faster. It was a very akward position for me, and I'll never put myself in that position again.

I had a 6 foot lattice top wooden fence built in my backyard and the driveway paved. It makes a huge difference! I've still got a deck to build, and need to level/resod my backyard. I also bought a miniature schnauzer. He was born a few weeks ago, and I have to wait for July 7 before I can get him. That's going to cause a bit of trouble because I'm going on a 2 week vacation in the beginning of August. Because the pup will be so young, the breeders said they'd take him back for free for those two weeks. Very nice people. It's a boy, and his name will be Chief. (at least that's what I have in mind right now).

James from work and his wife had a baby yesterday. It's a 10lb boy, Victor. When I go see them this summer I'll get to see the new baby.