I think I've already mentioned how interviews aren't a very good indicator of work performance. But, I had another one yesterday. This one was for a rather reputable IT consultancy/outsourcer. It was interesting because they didn't really ask what other employers asked in their interviews. I.e. There was less emphasis on behavioural type questions and more emphasis on what kind of experience and knowledge you had.
That was a refreshing change.
So there were questions about what technical skills I had and stuff like that. It makes sense though. I guess they're recruiting to put you to work straight away, and work you like a dog until you're half dead, then give you some time off, and work you like a dog again. At least the money is good.
If I get past this one, it means theres a technical interview. Looking forward to a good grilling.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Bible bashing
Its quite ironic that the gospel of Judas wasn't included in the Bible. You would think that the word of one of the most important people in the Christian world would be fairly important. Though somehow it got excluded by the earliest people of the church.
Without Judas, the story of Christ's sacrifice wouldn't be quite what it is. Not only was he one of the apostles, he was also instrumental to his crucifixion. Other apostles had their gospels included in the holy book, but somehow his got left out.
Maybe its because he personifies the devil in the stories. Somehow he represents the evil intent in all of us. The ability to be bribed, and then feel guilty of our crimes. Then somehow he kills himself, one of those mortal sins. However, he can't exactly be evil since he is one of the apostles. The translation of Judas' gospel puts him as one of Jesus' confidants. Supposedly he was one of the most trusted of the apostles. It makes sense as well. How else would Jesus know about his betrayal? Maybe he even asked him to do it.
However, you would think that his contribution to the necessary evils of the story would be significant enough to make his thoughts important too. He was, after all, Christian.
Oh well. Maybe its just one of those ancient predjudices. Christians being anti-christian.
Without Judas, the story of Christ's sacrifice wouldn't be quite what it is. Not only was he one of the apostles, he was also instrumental to his crucifixion. Other apostles had their gospels included in the holy book, but somehow his got left out.
Maybe its because he personifies the devil in the stories. Somehow he represents the evil intent in all of us. The ability to be bribed, and then feel guilty of our crimes. Then somehow he kills himself, one of those mortal sins. However, he can't exactly be evil since he is one of the apostles. The translation of Judas' gospel puts him as one of Jesus' confidants. Supposedly he was one of the most trusted of the apostles. It makes sense as well. How else would Jesus know about his betrayal? Maybe he even asked him to do it.
However, you would think that his contribution to the necessary evils of the story would be significant enough to make his thoughts important too. He was, after all, Christian.
Oh well. Maybe its just one of those ancient predjudices. Christians being anti-christian.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Australia through to last 16!
Normally I wouldn't write anything about this. Buts its just THAT good.
Its probably one of the most exciting things thats happened recently, and I don't get excited by much. But as usual, theres not much to say... Go see for yourself.
Its probably one of the most exciting things thats happened recently, and I don't get excited by much. But as usual, theres not much to say... Go see for yourself.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Interview with Ez: Pet hate
What is one of your pet hates?
One of my pet hates is when people who assume the worst about others. Its even worse when I live with the kind of people who do exactly that. I just hope it hasn't rubbed off on me.
What do you mean Ez?
It happens to the kind of people who act before they think. That is, they believe that the first thing that comes into their head is right, and somehow thats the only opinion that matters. In fact, since somebody thinks slightly differently, they're automatically classified as evil, and since everyone is evil, everyone is against them.
No, its not neccesarily a pessemistic attitude, its just really... intolerant.
Why is it one of your pet hates?
I guess its because during those times, people don't take other factors into consideration. Usually the context matters. Sometimes people have bad days and they just want to yap at someone. Sometimes everything isn't really as it seems, and the person who is being judged is trying (unsuccessfully) to hide the fact. Or maybe they're even trying to protect the judger from some risk.
Perhaps its a more subtle difference between the judger and the judged. Maybe your differences should be shared. Theres that tribe from some random remote country whose members think that a photograph steals your soul. So people accomodate them, and no pictures are taken. To a more civilised context, perhaps what you think is a harsh insult is just a joke. (If you're wondering, I don't actually think you're fat.)
Essentially its because I don't know why they make judgements on something they don't understand? Its like buying a t-shirt without looking at the colour, size, or price. Maybe if you're rich, but most of us aren't. You definately wouldn't be reading this blog today if you were rich. I'd have much better things to do with my time, like ride my go-cart around.
What do you plan to do about it?
Not much. I guess thats what this blog post is for. If you go around accusing people of being intolerant, they're just going to tell you off for not understanding their point of view. Fair enough. I probably don't.
One of my pet hates is when people who assume the worst about others. Its even worse when I live with the kind of people who do exactly that. I just hope it hasn't rubbed off on me.
What do you mean Ez?
It happens to the kind of people who act before they think. That is, they believe that the first thing that comes into their head is right, and somehow thats the only opinion that matters. In fact, since somebody thinks slightly differently, they're automatically classified as evil, and since everyone is evil, everyone is against them.
No, its not neccesarily a pessemistic attitude, its just really... intolerant.
Why is it one of your pet hates?
I guess its because during those times, people don't take other factors into consideration. Usually the context matters. Sometimes people have bad days and they just want to yap at someone. Sometimes everything isn't really as it seems, and the person who is being judged is trying (unsuccessfully) to hide the fact. Or maybe they're even trying to protect the judger from some risk.
Perhaps its a more subtle difference between the judger and the judged. Maybe your differences should be shared. Theres that tribe from some random remote country whose members think that a photograph steals your soul. So people accomodate them, and no pictures are taken. To a more civilised context, perhaps what you think is a harsh insult is just a joke. (If you're wondering, I don't actually think you're fat.)
Essentially its because I don't know why they make judgements on something they don't understand? Its like buying a t-shirt without looking at the colour, size, or price. Maybe if you're rich, but most of us aren't. You definately wouldn't be reading this blog today if you were rich. I'd have much better things to do with my time, like ride my go-cart around.
What do you plan to do about it?
Not much. I guess thats what this blog post is for. If you go around accusing people of being intolerant, they're just going to tell you off for not understanding their point of view. Fair enough. I probably don't.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Kittens
I love how the newest developments in science sometimes sound like odd spots in The Age. For example, this recent one from slashdot says somebody has made hypoallergic kittens. That is, cats that don't trigger peoples' allergies.
Its a plus for the fur allergic people in the world. Congratulations!
Its a plus for the fur allergic people in the world. Congratulations!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Fairness
The world isn't a fair place. I guess that fact contributes to many of the global problems such as poverty, starvation, high infant mortality rates, broken pencil leads, etc.
Though for some reason a lot of people want to think it is. I can see why. It would be a much nicer place if everything was just fair for everybody. Then people will get what they deserve, all the time. Yes, thats nice.
But I don't really see how people can expect the world to be fair. It wasn't made in such a way to make things fair. Things aren't exactly evenly distributed around the globe. Just look at the natural resources. Australia, which is some tiny percentage of the world's surface area, contains 30% of the world's uranium deposits. The middle east gulf nations hold pretty much every drop of oil we've found. The rest of the world by comparison is like a drop in the ocean.
What are people really talking about when they mean fair though? I'm just going to take my cynical point of view: when people say fair, they mean that THEY or people close to them get their fair share. Even when they say things such as "oh, its so unfair that the Somalians don't have toilets to poo in", nothing gets done. I mean, you don't exactly hear about a lot of donated toilets in those world vision commercials. So fair isn't fair unless its fair for you. I don't count myself out of the majority. Recently, I've found myself saying things like... "its so unfair, how come I don't have one?!" Its a bit of a rhetorical question - I don't have one because its not fair.
Heres another way of looking at it: Maybe the world is actually fair. Maybe the things I think I deserve don't actually apply. Perhaps a higher being has put down a rule that you don't actually deserve a piece of chocolate if you can't afford it. Maybe that higher being is money.
Though for some reason a lot of people want to think it is. I can see why. It would be a much nicer place if everything was just fair for everybody. Then people will get what they deserve, all the time. Yes, thats nice.
But I don't really see how people can expect the world to be fair. It wasn't made in such a way to make things fair. Things aren't exactly evenly distributed around the globe. Just look at the natural resources. Australia, which is some tiny percentage of the world's surface area, contains 30% of the world's uranium deposits. The middle east gulf nations hold pretty much every drop of oil we've found. The rest of the world by comparison is like a drop in the ocean.
What are people really talking about when they mean fair though? I'm just going to take my cynical point of view: when people say fair, they mean that THEY or people close to them get their fair share. Even when they say things such as "oh, its so unfair that the Somalians don't have toilets to poo in", nothing gets done. I mean, you don't exactly hear about a lot of donated toilets in those world vision commercials. So fair isn't fair unless its fair for you. I don't count myself out of the majority. Recently, I've found myself saying things like... "its so unfair, how come I don't have one?!" Its a bit of a rhetorical question - I don't have one because its not fair.
Heres another way of looking at it: Maybe the world is actually fair. Maybe the things I think I deserve don't actually apply. Perhaps a higher being has put down a rule that you don't actually deserve a piece of chocolate if you can't afford it. Maybe that higher being is money.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Suffering from a bad case of the hiccups?
No? Well I am. Hiccups are no fun.
It amazes me that somehow your belly can just have random spasms for no particular reason. Like your diaphram has gone on holiday and doesn't know how to do its job when it gets back. Or maybe its just complaining about the lack of food/air and blowing things out of proportion. Well if it is that, at least its getting my attention.
OK. Now its gone. Maybe blogging will become one of those home remedies.
It amazes me that somehow your belly can just have random spasms for no particular reason. Like your diaphram has gone on holiday and doesn't know how to do its job when it gets back. Or maybe its just complaining about the lack of food/air and blowing things out of proportion. Well if it is that, at least its getting my attention.
OK. Now its gone. Maybe blogging will become one of those home remedies.
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