Well, my time at the NPIA in Bramshill is now over. It was a very busy 9 months working at my favourite client site and I got a lot done, but as always time caught up with me.

I will miss the terrific team that I was part of, the fantastic site I was lucky enough to work at on and off for over 4 years, the fab meals and the challenging work.

Like any contract, it had it's down sides on occasion, but on the whole I feel pretty lucky to have worked there.

Ah well - that's enough looking back - time to look down the road.

So long folks - and thanks for all the fish.

In the last few weeks, life has been crazy busy, especially in relation to work; both the work I'm currently doing and the volume of work being offered to me. I recently pontificated about this to a degree, but since then I've received two offers of RedDot work, both based in London and paying a rate that makes me salivate even now.

And I turned them both down.

At first they both sounded great; the agents both waxed lyrical about how the respective contracts were only just over an hour's commute each way between Basingstoke and London, paying a superb hourly rate, offering 6-month contracts with strong possibility of renewal etc etc.

And then after putting down the phone, I started thinking about my current role. Only a 20-minute commute from home, paying less than the London roles to be sure, but still a competitive rate and offering a number of other features that the London roles couldn't match.

Chief among these features was was the chance to work at one of the most beautiful estates in this green and pleasant land. I've taken a number of photos throughout this year to try and capture some of this beauty. A handful of the better ones are available in the Photo Gallery if you fancy a look. They don't really do the place justice of course, but they are the best I seem to have managed.

When I talk to other staff, they all express the same appreciation and sometimes-sense of ambivalence; they often feel over-worked and stressed-out within their respective roles, but they all have an appreciation for the beautiful place they feel privileged to work at.

When the workload gets too much for me, I take a brief stroll around the estate (and I often see others doing the same). I admire the views, look and listen for the wildlife, breathe in the fresh, unfetid air and listen to the relative silence, absorbing it all like a sponge. 10 minutes later, I'm back at my desk feeling refreshed and ready to crack on.

No amount of cash can compensate for this uplifting feeling. And I reckon that even though the commute for the London jobs was only an hour each way, I suspect it would still get very old, very quickly and I'd find I'd traded a chunk of what little peace of mind I can still find, for what is tantamount to 30 extra pieces of silver.

Fuck that!

So I phoned both agents and said "no thanks" - and then took my camera and went for a stroll...

Jeez! The old saying about it never rains, it pours is true. Just lately, there seems to be so much that needs to be doing and proportionally little time to do it all in.

Which was why it was incredibly good to catch up with Andy, Tri and the boys for the first time in many months. Looking at their calendar, it seems that they are even busier than we are. Dunno where they find the energy...

We had a great lunch and a long chat well into the evening. Orrin demonstrated his growing guitar skills (at age 7 he already has the rock-star poise down pat!) and he seemed to enjoy our little jam. He's doing well, but as his teacher says repeatedly in his homework book:

Must concentrate more

But what the hell - he's enjoying it an that's what's most important.

With long hours and winter closing in, the cold season has arrived and both Su and I have been laid low with the annual lurgy (thanks Nick!) - on the mend a little now though.

I keep telling myself that as soon as the workload eases off a little, we should take a break and head off somewhere for a few days, but as Su warned me, it's a dangerous mindset; the trouble is that there is always something that needs to be done.

Perhaps I need to think about the words of a certain Mr Todd Snyder...

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink.
The years go by, as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, Enjoy yourself,
It's later than you think.

You work and work
For years and years
You're always on the go.
You never take a minute off,
Too busy making dough.
Someday, you say, you'll have your fun
When you're a millioniare.
Imagine all the fun you'll have
In some old rocking-chair.

You're gonna take that ocean trip
No matter come what may.
You got your reservations
But you just can't get away.
Next year, for sure, you'll see the world,
You'll really get around;
But how far can you travel
When you're six feet underground?

You worry when the weather's cold,
You worry when it's hot.
You worry when you're doing well,
You worry when you're doing not.
It's worry, worry all of the time,
You don't know how to laugh.
They'll think of something funny
When they write your epitaph.

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink.
The years go by, as quickly as wink.
Enjoy yourself, Enjoy yourself
It's later than you think.

Food for thought

Well - it's offical. I'm back at the NPIA again...and it look's like I'll be with them for a little while...

As always, I had to hit the ground running and already I'm looking at some tight deadlines for a couple of key website launches. Still, it's nice to be back at the old familiar places and see the old familiar faces.

Looks like I'll be based in London for at least a week (probably 2) before I return to my old desk at Bramshill. That should work out OK as 2 weeks in London is about all I can handle at any one time.

Interesting that there seems to be real demand for RedDot work, since the OpenText takeover - in the last month I have been approached about no less than 5 contract roles; all paying very well and most the agents seem desparate to fill the requirements.

It's been kinda nice to be in demand again, after years of putting up with the normal levels of agency bullshit that most contractors experience (not returning calls, screwing up the contracts, lying about the requirements, stuffing up payments etc). It was also very pleasing to be able to dispense with the most useless agencies and focus on the few that employ staff with brains larger than a grape.

Anyhoo, it looks like it's going to be a busy few months.

Better get a drink or two under my belt before I get back into it...

I've been up to London today to see about some work with an old and valued client (that will make 'em laugh, back in the trenches!) and left London with me fingers crossed...

Also had a couple of calls for other contracts in my line of work; one in Helsinki and the other in London. Both interesting roles, but carrying a significantly higher inconvenience factor (iFactor). You know the story...more time, cost and effort getting to and from the jobs.

I'm getting a bit long in the tooth now and these days, the iFactor has to be compensated properly, before I'll jump on board. Of course, in a recession that's not always the best approach to take, but I still believe enough in my own skills and expertise, to know I'll find a way through...It'll just take longer and be bumpier than it has to be. But hey - sometimes that's more bloody interesting.

Oops. I digress...

In a recent e-mail I sent to an old pal of mine back in NZ, I quoted one of my "21 Rules for Contractors" which was:-

Contractor's Rule #4: No deal is complete until the ink is dry on the paperwork.

After I sent him the e-mail, I got to thinking that somewhere, some trusty IT geek with too much time on his hands, must have made a list of rules for IT Contractors, but a Google Search didn't return much. Sounds like I'm just the nerd for the job...

And so, as the rallying cries fade into the distance, I suck in my gut, stick out my chest, square my jaw and utter my most famous catchphrase...

Aw fuck! not again!

Anyways...here's my cardinal rules for IT contractors everywhere. All suggestions welcome - actually make that...most suggestions welcome. You know who you are

Phil's 21 Rules and Tips for Contractors

• Rule #1: As a contractor, I am here to help where I can. You are paying me by the hour. Try and get the best value you can, wherever possible.
• Rule #2: The Invoice is ALWAYS plus VAT. Please pay promptly.
• Rule #3: As a contractor, I will do my best in an interview to address as many of the client's concerns as possible. Knowing full well that it's probably all about to change anyway.
• Rule #4: No deal is final, until the ink is dry on the contract. But once the deal is struck, it should be honoured by all parties.
• Rule #5: You can expect to be treated as politely and respectfully as you treat me.
• Rule #6: Just try to be realistic in your self-assessment (and I'll do the same).
• Rule #7: I can give you fast, cheap or good. Pick any two.
• Rule #8: TIP: Always be polite to the cleaning and security staff for they have the power to deny your re-entry on a whim.
• Rule #9: TIP: If you have a bright idea, check the IPR clause in your contract, before you open your mouth.
• Rule #10: TIP: Try not to swear too much at the red-tape dimwits, clueless lawmakers and other upper management weasels and remember how much more damaging they are when they are in the productive flow.
• Rule #11: TIP: Get yourself a hobby that has as little as possible to do with technology. Seriously! We all need a break now and then. Music is good.
• Rule #12: TIP: Go easy on the "jargon" whenever possible.
• Rule #13: I believe in the motto: Share the knowledge and screw job security. If you want a secure life, forget contracting.
• Rule #14: Oh and you permie staff - please stop mumbling about how good contractors have it! If it's such a walk in the park, how come you aren't doing it?
• Rule #15: Please document properly. Please?
• Rule #16: TIP: Coffee is always needed. And did you say free food?
• Rule #17: No meetings longer than an hour. Please. I really mean this.
• Rule #18: If a meeting must continue after one hour, it should be continued in a nearby pub wherever possible. It's just more constructive. Honest.
• Rule #19: Sometimes, shit happens. Especially where bloody computers are involved.
• Rule #20: TIP: Remember to be creative where you can, but don't be surprised to see your best ideas shot down in flames. Tomorrow's another day and hell - you may get a better idea.
• Rule #21: When your full set of relevant skills and expertise won't fit into the three pages of your CV no matter how much you trim them, it is time to consider retirement.