Procrastination

OK - so now is the time. I've just finished 8 hours of Financial Statement Analysis, and my brain has been pummelled to a pulp with terms like Income Statement, Revenue Recognition, Special Charges, Non-recurring Items, etc... I think my mind actually shut down in self defence at some point shortly after lunch.

In order to restart my brain and restore current to my speech and language centers, I shall try to write a brief status to you all.

Firstly, the new job:
I've started as a Human Resource Consultant for a company called Nova100 (www.nova100.com). Basically, we do Talent Management and Employer Branding. We have a network of about 400 grad student "Nova's" (more each day) from all sorts of areas. We market these grad students (who are chosen based on academic and social skills, as well as drive and ambition) towards our partners, which are companies in the private sector. Conversely, we also market these partners toward the grad students, spreading the word that these companies are interesting, cool, good, employers. Surprisingly, a great number of companies spend next to no resources on marketing themselves toward employees - so we help them with that. It's an interesting business, especially given the current job market in Denmark (there's a desperate need for qualified people). My role in the company is taking care of our existing partner companies. I make sure the receive all the services we've sold them(Recruitment, events, workshops, etc...). It's a really interesting gig so far, and I look forward to really getting into the swing of it.

Secondly:
My MBA team just finished the International Marketing module, which we've been working on since January. We (a team of 5) wrote a 40 page report on how to introduce a piece of planning software into the California marketplace. We passed with an average grade, and I felt fine about it, all things considered. This being the first time we worked as a team, there were bugs that could use some ironing out. And I mean this in purely "team-dynamics" and "workflow-related" sense. The guys (and girl) are great people, but there were some significant differences in how we worked, that would have taken some real blood, sweat, and tears, to resolve into a better grade than we made. However, it's over now, and we are into Financial Statement Analysis, which is a far more painful story for a whole different day. When my brain has stopped bleeding.

Thirdly, the wonderful woman:
A few weeks ago I started seeing a wonderful woman. She's a former solo-violinist turned business major, who is currently taking her MBA alongside myself, while running her family business. All-round she's just really, really, cool. And hot. And smart. I'll stop now, before I embarass myself, but suffice to say that I'm smitten. It may just be that the sun is shining in Denmark, wreaking havoc on my hormones and things, but I doubt it.

Fourth:
Formula 1 season has started - and what a season. Truly, this is a season of firsts. Hamilton the McLaren Rookie giving Alonso what seems to be a serious run for his money. Honda trying to run an environmentally sound F1 team. Kimi not living up to expectations, etc... It looks like it could be a good one, this season.

Fifth, the car:

Yes, the other love of my life is soon to enter into my everyday. I've ordered a BMW 118i - it's gonna be blue. 143 horsepower, 18 inch wheels, sports suspension, iPod hook-up. It's gonna be great. After 4 months of not having my own wheels I am, as I may have mentioned in an earlier post, ready to get behind the wheel again.

Finally - what makes a slightly overweight, entirely un-attractive, 50-something man think it a good idea to hit on a super-hot 25-year old woman? Seriously, help me out here. She has swarms of Ferrari-driving boy millionaires trailing her around, basically flingin' money at her. She looks like several million dollars, and she's sharp as a crateful of tacks. On what planet does this guy look at her and think: "Yes, my slight paunch, bald spot, and ill-fitting suit will certainly send her into un-controllable fits of libidinous ecstasy" ? If anyone has any idea why this happens, and I've been seeing it a lot lately, please feel free to drop a comment.

Finally (I swear)
The weather here is awesome. You have to love a country where the first days of sunshine so fundamentally change the way we relate to each other as people. Seriously, as soon as the sun comes out in Copenhagen 2 things happen:

1: Every available square inch of grass, bench, chair, cafe table, staircase, veranda, terrace, etc... Is instantly covered in Danes. Even if it isn't really wamr enough to be sitting there. Briefly, it becomes sort of like the alps. Huge amounts of people in sunglasses, moonboots, and arcticwear.

2: People start smiling. Seriously, the very fundamental behavior of danes changes when the sun comes out. Copenhagen becomes suffused with this vibe of energy, and happiness. I hesitate to say, but ultimately find the word adequate, glee. The sudden release of D-vitamins into our systems by the rays of Sol does something to the Danish brain-chemistry. People become more patient, more tolerant, and more willing to give each other the time of day.

All in all, I highly recommend Copenhagen in the spring. Don't forget your arcticwear.

Update from CPH

OK - so I know I've been REALLY lax in updating the blog. Suffice to say I've had lots to do. I've been to California, I've started a new job, I've passed an exam, I'm seeing a wonderful woman, Formula 1 Season has started, and I've ordered a car... More on ALL of these things soon. I promise.

Xo,
Peter

Polite rioting...

So the last 36 hours have seen a fair amount of unpleasantness here in Copenhagen.
As the culmination of a very long process to empty out the "Youth House" in Copenhagen, because it's been sold by the city council, the police finally went in early yesterday morning. All of yesterday the result was sporadic rioting in the streets of Nørrebro. Until about 2:30 am, when everybody went back home. Then they got back up the morning, and have continued, albeit with far less gusto. Perhaps they can't find any more trashcans to burn...

These kids have been protesting, and trying to get the city to change the laws of the country in their favor. I'm actually not entirely opposed to that. These are kids that don't fit in anywhere. Given Denmarks history of social welfare, and making room for everyone, there has to be a way to accomodate these kids. Dialogue is good. They had my sympathy to some extent.

Right up until the first brick got thrown.

After that, I'm sorry buddy. I don't care how oppressed you think you are, and how unjustly you think you've been treated. You throw Brick 1 at a police officer who's out doing his job, and you deserve the teargas, the beating, and the arrest under which you will be placed. Besides, honestly, bricks? Dude, please... That's sooo last millenium. Throwing bricks in a world where explosives, firearms, and all means of weapon are available at the drop of a dime, is like lying down on the floor and screaming because you think you're being sent to bed too early.

They way these riots have unfolded kinda make me proud to be Danish though. You see, while all the silliness was going on in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Denmark, everyday life sort of continued on. Literally, you had, rioting, fired, guys in balaclavas chucking rocks on one street. Shift left one street, and there's Jens taking his laundry to the laundromat, and Dorte taking her 2-year old for a walk.. Stores were still open on the street in question, up until last night, and didn't start to get wrecked before well into the night. I used to work at a bar/coffeeshop on that street a few years ago, and I can only imagine the exchange with the customers:

"hi, could I get a Latte, a gourmet blueberry muffin, and a seat by the window so I can watch some punk teenagers get their asses mace'd?"

"Absolutely, sir, that'll be 55 crowns, and I'll bring it right over to you. Hurry and grab a seat, I see the kids are building a barricade in the street now. Should get good in a moment, when the UNIMOG comes in to level it!"

It's surreal... And an indicator that we have it pretty good in Denmark, really. In a given African country, all those rioting would get dis-appeared, never to be seen again. Here, they estimate there were probably about 1000 people involved in the riots. All the cops did was bounce some gas their way to break it up. They only arrested about 300 people, and only those stupid enough not to heed the multiple "disperse, or you will be prosecuted" warnings.

Ok, I must away, that is all from me.

Until next time this is Peter, mildly amused in Copenhagen.

I've been remiss

OK, I know it's been a long time. I've now decided that I'm going to aim for just one post every month, so you're warned. Even at that rate, I am already late by a couple of days. I blame it on the fact that I had a rough weekend. And I don't mean I went out to o much. No, I ended my relationship with a girl I've known for quite some time. It's never a fun thing to do, and that didn't change this time. It was the right decision, but it sucked.

So now I am on my own again, certainly in that respect. Thankfully I have friends who have been great at keeping me occupied. Also, I am very actively seeking jobs, and now living in an apartment that will need to furnishing and setting up over the coming weeks. Add to that a not insignificant volume of material to be read for my MBA classes, and I am really a busy little bee.

So anyway, I really miss my car. I do. I had a great little car before I went to Juba, and now I don't. That's like me not having an arm. I cannot wait to get my job situation figured out, so I can start finding a new car. I really, really, really, miss driving. I borrowed a car recently, and realized once again how great it feels to be behind the wheel of an automobile. Unfortunately I was in the city, so there was no letting loose, or sideways dirt road antics. But it was great. Of course, I was re-affirmed in my belief that drivers licenses are given out far too recklessly, even in this draconian state of Denmark, where everybody hates cars. In Jube there was a certain collective agreement on what the rules were:
1) Stay on your toes, or you will die
2) Always respect the technicals - or you will die.
3) Potholes are not friend to yourself or your vehicle - but neither is dying, so choose wisely.
4) Always keep your eyes open for maniacs. They may not be bad people, but 6 months ago, there weren't nearly as many vehicles for them to relate to, so it's all a bit overwhelming. Give them wide berth
5) Ignore the traffic cops - they don't have vehicles or guns, and they can't write, so your license plate is safe.

Here in Denmark, however, it's havoc. Mostly because you have such a huge variety of ages and skill levels. Bushdrivers are mostly the same. City drivers, not so. But they are all firm in their individual beliefs that their way is the best. It's not. Mine is. It's simple. Stop being an ass. That goes for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Maybe mostly the bicyclists. Someone should let them all know that they are soft targets. Anyway, stop being an ass, and everything will be fine. Let people out from sidestreets. Don't run over babies. Don't travel at 20kmh below the posted limit unless there's a really good reason ("There's a strangely shaped lamp over there, and my driving instructor told me to slow down, if there was anything unusual around") does not constitute a good reason. Park in 1 slot - not crossing 2 separate ones - you should be made to pay for that transgression. Pay dearly. And I don't care how rich, blonde, stupid, old, young, blind, fat, etc... you are. If you can't fit your car in 1 parking slot, you shouldn't be driving it.

Ok, I'm done now. Just needed to rant a little. I miss my car...

I'll be back soon, possibly with more interesting news.

Until then, take care.

Back in DK - school, rain, and a real wardrobe

OK, so a month since my last post, from Mombasa.

I am now back in Denmark, and slowly re-adjusting to the real world. It took me a week to get over the fact that the water coming out of the taps is not necessarily going to kill me. Also, having alternatives to bottled water, coke, and beer, as your choice of beverage... Wow. I've re-discovered my love for coffee as something that's not only used to wake up in the morning, but actually a tasty drink for the middle of the day. One truly doesn't appreciate a latte and a croissant at ones favorite streetside cafe, before being without it for 4½ months. Also, having a greater selection of clothees than the 4 polos and 2 pairs of jeans I had in Juba is great. A vain thing to say, I know, but it really is great. Also, a larger wardrobe is necessary here in scandinavia. I had to get used to carrying/wearing an overcoat everywhere because a) the ambient temperature is that of penguin waste-matter, and b) the rain, which comes often, is not the temperature of a nice shower, but sooner the exact temperature that unexpectedly greets you on those rare mornings where the water heater has gone on a non-union break in the dead of winter.

And the internet! No more starting to download email in the morning, before leaving the office for coffee and a smoke, and still having a 5 minute wait when you get back to your desk... Needless to say, this excites me greatly.

So being back in the real world has its perks. However, it comes with some challenges. I have to readjust to the whole pattern of socializing here in the real world. Having a cellphone that actually works, and friends that live further away than 5 minutes by car, results in actually having to plan social activities, instead of just hoping in the car and rounding up everybody for a couple of drinks at Mango. Ultimately though, my friends are all I miss when I look back at Juba (and my pickup, but that's a whole other, genetic thing with me and vehicles... These flat paved roads all over the place make for some seriously unchallenging driving.). And I don't have much time for that these days.

I am currently staying with my girlfriend, in the apartment she shares with her sister. I have ended my employment with the company that sent me to Juba. Pretty much the only constant in my life right now is that on Thursday I start my MBA. I'm psyched. I suspect it will be challenging, tough, time-consuming, and frustrating at times. Much like dealing with the Sudanese government, really. I'll be going to school friday afternoon and saturday mornings, so I am looking for a job to fill the rest of my week. At the same time I am looking for my own apartment. Typically, the market for real estate is currently in a nosedive in Denmark, so I'll have to wait a few months before I can buy. So I have to rent for the first few months, which isn't so bad. But I do want to have my own place by the end of the year. I have been moving around in one way or another for the last 10 years, and I now want a place where I can actually unpack ALL my boxes because I know I won't be unpacking them again for at least 5 years. Even if I do leave Denmark for a while, I want to be able to come home and visit without having to rely on couches and guest rooms!

Anyway, there's lots going on here, but thankfully I am getting some time with my girlfriend, who is in the throes of a full time MBA, and my friends, who in some cases have a hard time understanding exactly what I've been up to for the last few months.

Now, I've gotta jet. I'll be back soon, to tell stories of Christmas in Maine. Until then, be goood, behave, and if you can't do that then don't get caught ;-)

Much love,
Peter