It's time to reveal what's going on in my life on a big scale, hinted to in my last dozen or so posts.
Yes, I'm leaving the library world. Yes, I'm leaving Canberra and the National Library of Australia. In fact, I'm leaving Australia altogether. I'm leaving process-oriented committee-driven work (surrounded by the hum of millions upon millions of flies, one of the seriously exciting features about Canberra). I'm leaving good friends and colleges which I'll miss, and a cute house that's been a safe home and haven for the last four years. I'm leaving an extended family who - despite their better knowledge - have accepted me as one of them, with friendships that will bring us back to Australia in a few years, I'm sure. I'm even leaving behind our wonderful dog Oscar (in good hands, I might add ; he's going back to his original owners) which the whole family will miss dearly.
I'm going back to Norway, to work for Bekk Consulting again, and I start at the beginning of February 2008. I'll write more about my role there later, but needless to say these guys know what they're doing, they do it fast and really well, no mucking about. They do not meddle in the semantics of FRBR for 15 years before taking baby-steps to prototype it. Either it's the right thing to do, or it is not. And if it's not, these guys don't do it. And I can't wait to get back into the habit of not doing things we shouldn't do.
We've got a house lined up (in Oslo) centrally and near my beloved woods, and a car. We're scared and excited at the same time, and hope that our Australian friends will forgive us and cheer us on in our adventure, and our Norwegian friends welcome us home and invite us for dinner, if not only for a period.
There's many things I want to talk about, from the state of the library world, to the evils of recruiting companies, to Australian business ethics, the value of friendship, and how to plan your future (which is a short piece about how you can try but will fail), but all in due time.
Right now it's time to pack, reflect, and wrap up my Australian adventure in the most positive way I can. Watch this roof, and wish us good luck in our latest big adventure.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with this new venture. I am sure you will be very happy back in Norway - the family too - and it does sound like the new job will suit you better too. Hard choices but well done making them. Best of luck.
Best of luck Alex. Sorry to hear you're leaving us.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your adventures in Oslo.
1) I'm richer 10 EUR. Had a bet with my wife that you will have to leave.
ReplyDelete2) There is no such thing as 'Australian Business Ethics'. They do not even know what this is.
3) Your wife will probably hate Europa after a while. Think about mediating measures. Something like "the kids here get some schooling". ;-) Or "4 seasons
means 4 times the clothes" :-))
4) Australians never forgive when
someone is leaving Australia for good.
You should have seen the face of the
woman at our bank, when we told her
we transfer all our oney back to
Europe.
\rho
http://kill.devc.at/
Congratulations Alex, Julie and kids. I'll miss you!
ReplyDeleteDonna
Congrats Alex, sounds like a good move! My brother's just moved to Denmark, so I may have to drop in on you whilst doing some kind of Scandinavian road trip :)
ReplyDeleteHey Alex,
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of genuine innovation is disruptive and unfortunately public service and disruption are a bit oil and water.
I'm glad to see you're going out and chasing something that you're passionate about, so good luck doing things you shouldn't :)
Cheers
Daniel
I'm sorry to see you go Alex.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and Julie
M
Wow. I was actually in a meeting with one of your former/soon to be co-workers yesterday (Håkon Høst), and he told me you were coming back. So, welcome back to Norway!
ReplyDelete