Thursday night – still in Africa

Well.. I’m still in Africa.. i made the decision  last night to stay one more night so I could see a little bit of this place. It turned out to be a good call. We worked from 7:30 AM till about 8:30 pm (including dinner). it was a full and productive day.
   We spent most of the day in our own meetings. Today started with my friend Joanne coming over and showing me this picture on her camera.. It’s a picture of the house that Diane and I lived in in Winchester England from 1984-86. It looks exactly the same as it did them.. Joanne took the picture a few days ago on her way through England on her way here.. I’d given her our old address.. very cool to have this.

Once again , we broke a few times in the day to spend times with the folks here in South Africa during their big RTLE group meeting. I really love meeting and listening to these folks who are from my same company.. but are worlds apart in day to day experience, business, expertise, cafeterias, bathrooms, soft drinks, finger food, hairstyles and just about everything else..

My friend Hugh gave a talk on IBM’s ‘green ‘ initiatives and asked for me to come along to help.   I decided to use one of my standard tricks.. the glowing  pickle to drive home the point about saving power and being ‘green’ . The site folks quickly scrounged up a pickle.. or gherkin. as they’re called here. 2 forks and a line cord  could destroy..   (note the SamStone in the background)

I must say that this demo is MUCH more impressive at 220 volts !!!!!  You could read by this thing !

The day ended too quickly.. We said good by to our hosts including the wonderful and super efficient Debbie who’d helped us set up our visit.. here’s Debbie, Bill (who just told us he’s retiring next month !) and Satsumi-san.

We were all pretty beat when we got back to the hotel. i worked for a few hours.. then met up with friends and walked to a restaurant.. It’s really a nice city as long( as you stay in well lit places… )

Speaking of well lit.. there are massive utility problems here.. despite the ultra modern buildings and roads, the power infrastructure is stressed past peak.. there are frequent power outages.. many stores sport signs like this :

We found a nice and very reasonable Thai place and had a great dinner. These last night dinners are always a little sad.. it’s always hard saying good bye to these guys.. our next meeting isn’t until September !.

Well.. I need to gt some sleep.. I’m feeling a little jetlagged..   Tomorrow I’m going to try and see some animals !..  Lala khale (Good night in Zulu) my friends..  Lala khale family..  Lala khale Sam !

ps. Before I go.. I wanted to share the following brain test . Carorlyn sent it to us today..

RIGHT AND LEFT HAND BRAIN ACTIVITY
 
Which way is the lady in the picture below turning for you?

If the lady is turning clockwise for you, you are using your right brain.
If you see it the other way, you are using its left half.  
 
Some people can see both ways, but most can only see one.
 
See if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain’s current.
 
BOTH DIRECTIONS ARE POSSIBLE.
 
Experimentation has shown that the two different sides or hemispheres of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain activities:
                    

  Left Brain                         Right Brain

     Logical                                 Random
     Sequential                            Intuitive
     Rational                                Holistic
     Analytical                              Synthesizing
     Objective                              Subjective
     Looks at parts                       Looks at wholes
 
Most people have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favour left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.
 
www.raysofwisdom.com