Meeting subjects

I figured what it means to be on the other side me the planet: what we found trivial in Europe these people can argue about hours long and what we would found worthy to discuss they don't even mention.

Detroit

I'm on the i96 sign says Detroit downtown left. The lane was empty...

Meetings

Meetings are funny. I learned there is a huge difference having and attending a meeting. Apparently if you are only attending a meeting you are not supposed to bring up topics nor opening your mouth unless you are not to answer a question asked from you (this is only client side).

Decisions cannot be made without meetings, but meetings make it impossible to make decisions. As said by the client: "The purpose of this meeting is not to make decisions" instead of (obviously what he wanted to say was) That is not the purpose of the meeting to make decisions. Huge difference.

At meetings people talk. This is the way the express how important they are. Even if they say the very same thing rephrased (even more than 10 times buy 10 different people). You don't speak, you are not important. And it is not a problem having a meeting (even though there is time pressure) without business owners or anyone who has any kind of knowledge about the topic to answer even the simplest questions. We'll just put the topic or parking lot, and will have another meeting. Wasting everyone's time and money...

I freaked out the first day after working for like 2 hours... :D

This week

So yeah, I was busy. Meetings all day, an hour before having dinner with the team, after that team discussions till midnight, and the next day getting up early, since the meetings at the client start between 8:30am and 9:00am. I'm exhausted, but this is the last day. I end my week living from a suitcase and I'm going home.

This week however was great. I got to know my colleagues better, I learned a lot about the project, and my role in the whole process is getting more defined. I like those questions: "In your experience, what is your professional opinion on..."

Anyway the project will be interesting even though the client is difficult. Difficult in the meaning that they don't have too much idea what they really want. Anyway this week was fun, even though it was really exhausting.

Language

Colleague: - So was that your last cigarette?
Me: - No f*cking way!
Black lady, driving the hotel shuttle: - Language!

Yepp, I was disciplined by a chauffeur...

Flying first class...

... will make you to never go back to economy again. Wow. Comfortable HUGE seats, great service. It is the steward's pleasure to give you a beer, not even mine! ;) Anyhow, in that way flying 5 hours is not a problem at all. Once everyone should have a chance to experience that! It should be in the constitution!

Soda guy

Every morning when I'm in the gym of the apartment complex where I'm staying running on the ellipse trainer, there is a fat guy coming by. The gym is next to the pool. So is the soda vending machine. Each time he comes with a funny smile on his face to fetch his morning soda. Sits at the pool drinking it, and when he finishes his face turns sad.