After numerous discussions with my boss, we nailed down my travel and work plans for the rest of 2009.
So I’m in Austin now for a couple of weeks, working. I’m making progress on a number of big projects at the office, the main one being a resilient xmpp cluster with nodes in various data centres. Challenging and interesting, a good combination.
I’m then spending a week or so back home before returning to Austin for the festive period (as it’s not my year with Zachary, I’ve taken the opportunity to spend it elsewhere).
Work’s offered me use of the corporate apartment for the second trip, so no hotel costs to be incurred, and the flights weren’t as expensive as I was fearing they would be. A good result.
Christmas day will be spent with Emma (American Emma, not Z’s mum) and her Mum (Mom?) and Dad. I understand there will be roasted foodstuffs and entertainment; it should be a whole lot of fun!
NYE isn’t planned yet. Unfortunately Emma’s working until 11pm so we’ll need to arrange things around that. There’s going to be loads going on though, so shouldn’t be difficult to get to a party.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, my house is currently being ripped apart as the boiler, central heating and bathroom are being replaced. Oh, and the consumer unit. I’m sure I’ll be returning to a bomb site. But at least the bathroom will be pretty.