Five questions

[chickenfeet]

frumiousb's

1. What inspired you to go independent as a consultant and has it worked out well for you so far?

After leaving IBM I realised that there were hardly any consulting firms left that I would be interested in working for. The first nine months were very tough. Right now I have enough client work at good rates to keep me whole. The absence of corporate BS is terrific; no contracting woes, no clueless QA people and no endless funnel management nonsense. If it carried on as it is right now I would be very happy.

2. What are your impressions of Rochester, NY?

I am not sure I have ever been there.

3. What´s your favorite champagne?

I am not a big champagne drinker. I think the most memorable sparkler I have had was Pelorus which is made, I believe, from a mix of South Island and Tasmanian grapes.

4. List three of your favorite words, with explanation of why they´re your favorites.

Chiliastic - I don't use it much but I like not having to look it up in the dictionary.

Obviate - Comes in handy surprisingly often.

Caveat - Essential for any management consultant.

5. Tell the story of your least favorite vacation.

That would probably the week I spent in the Rockies with my ex. It started on the Canada Day weekend with the van breaking down leaving us stranded at Lac des Arcs until things opened again on Tuesday. This led us into climbing the only interesting looking peak within walking distance. It was quite obscure and the climbing guidebook only afforded it a few lines. Climbing it took longer than expected and due to fatigue and stupidity we failed to find the safe route off on the Trans Canada side of the mountain. A very hairy descent (including a really nasty rappel), partly in the dark, on the less steep side left us bivouaced and extremely cold on the wrong side of the mountain. Some fairly desperate bush whacking the next day got us back to the road and a long cold dawn tramp back to the campsite.

The rest of the week was fairly OK though.