Making the Most of Summer
What's going on with the weather at the moment. No sooner am I back from a weekend away where I got sunburn — in Scotland! in April! — than I'm sat outside writing this in nothing but a pair of shorts (savour the image!). Not that I am complaining or anything. I just hope this is an early sign that '06 will be another great summer (possible repeat of '66 even?) rather than another summer come and gone early on in the year.
Anyways, I've moved office. The commute to work now actually takes me out of the house, through the back door and down the garden path. I am in our new gazebo.
It's now over three years since I left my last office-based job in London. At the time my plan was to take that summer off before finding myself another a "real" job. Three summers later and I'm still living the dream. I don't want to gloat, but it is amazing working from home and for yourself. Every now and then I remind myself of this and try to make sure I never take it for granted. How long I can continue in this manner remains to be seen. Things are looking up this year but I've actually made a loss over the whole three years. Something I've had to take on the chin as an unavoidable company-building exercise.
Anyway, here's to a great long summer...
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Wow, what a pretty little garden!
Thanks Colin. It's the one feature of the house, which we bought two years ago now, that we knew we wouldn't need to alter. The previous owners had amazingly green fingers.
The garden's a lovely place to be. There's a hidden pond in that photo and another pond further up the garden with lots of frogs and fish in it. The bushes to the left of the shot mark the boundary, to the left of which is a little stream that trickles by, with calming effect.
I can spend hours just sat in the gazebo drinking tea and listening to the world around me.
Remember Jake, you don't work "for yourself", you work for customers, otherwise you'd never get paid! It's maxim of which I've reminded myself and others (typically family) many times since setting up my solo-consultant company in 1998.
May your customers continue to retain your services and your garden continue to grow. It looks great!
"Repeat of '66"???
Doubtful. But it might be a repeat of '76. {Link}
OK, here a question about laptops. I suspect that you are using such to be outside, but who can actually see what's on a laptop screen when in the sun? I've tried IBM Stinkpads, Compaqs, and Sony VAIOs in the outside world, and they mostly fail dismally. I suspect you are hiding in the Gazebo for the same reason. Can't see the screen in full sunlight. Does anybody actually have a make/model that is useable?
About the only think I can use well in full sunlight is my trusty Psion. {Link} (And I can still use part of Domino on it.)
Dragon. I was thinking of football ;o)
You're right I take the thinkpad in the shade in the gazebo. Even then it's not perfect conditions and I find myself squinting close up to the screen a little.
Oh! "That" {Link} kind of '66. Personally, I loathe sport. My wife however has forced me to clear disk space on my new toy {Link} ready to record certain events. {Link}
Me? You'll probably find me in my office glued to the computer screen.
hi jake,
what a cool place... nice garden - amazing work place - all the people in tokyo who read this will be well jelous ;)
as i recently moved houses i need to install my new wireless network today so i will also be able to sit in the garden and get tanned while working ;)
hopefully the tan will result in me having more fun going out at night if you know what i mean...
have a good weekend
andré
ps: guys check out our newest tool it is FREE until the end of may (see website above)
What a fab place to work, no commute, fully air conditioned... I am have a similar working environment (not as nice) Don't worry about making money...I have been developing a product (in C#) for about 5 months+ solid now, no money, fresh air sandwiches with no guarantee of any sales...however, plenty of cups of tea, but I love everyday.
Heheh. Monday morning.
"Okay folks. Summer's over. Move along. Nothing to see here."
Awesome spot in the garden. Is that Gazebo enclosed on the backside or just up against a shrub / fence? Really nice addition to the garden. I didn't think it could get any better. :-)
P.S. I know you've tried and ruled out Dell already Jake, but my Inspiron 6000 has an insanely bright and high contrast 9:16 screen on it... eats battery alive though. usually get 3.5 hrs out of it. Works quite well in the shade, marginally so out from under if the sun isn't right on it.
The problem is, no matter what sort of screen you have, it can't compete with the sun on lumens. Even CTR's go greenish. Shade is your best bet. You might consider a semi transparent roll up blind for your gazebo to keep the light down.
Jerry. It's hexagonal and the back 3 back panel are solid. Gives good protection against glare.