Two blogs in One day!

Well, I've been offered my first job in Oz - so if you ever wondered what it was I really do for a living (other than playing computer games, watching Sopranos, and going to the Golf Course) - a brief description of the job follows


The position of System Support Analyst exists to provide 2nd and some 3rd level application support for the Core Banking System application Phoenix & associated interfaces.

This involves a range of tasks and responsibilities that can include;

- Develop understanding of customer’s business in specific areas and use of the system
- Provide guidance to customers on “how to” and “why” type queries.
- Fault investigation and resolution including the raising of defects and the creation of and
running of scripts (i.e. Sybase stored procedures, SQL update statements) for data changes
- User Acceptance Co-ordination including database preparation and assisting customer with
set up switching on new functionality
- New customer/ product establishment e.g. setting up fees, credit card product, term deposit
- Involvement with new developments to ensure the solution is technically sound and Phoenix
Support team has appropriate knowledge, procedures and documentation in place to support
- Assisting the Test Team with testing, particularly for technical changes
- Performing a business analysis role for some new developments
- Some report writing in Crystal
- Assist in software build upgrades and package creation
- Perform after hours on call duties on a roster basis

The System Support Analyst liaises with customers (Internal and External) at all levels, and needs to demonstrate effective team work and communication, developing customer confidence in the Phoenix Support Team and the Phoenix and ancillary products.



No comfirmed start date yet, but should be just a week or two away.

Dave

Its a Bird! Its a Plane! No its a Mitusbishi Colt!

Okay - first not the sexiest car, nor the sleekest car ever built. But it does have some charms, and it is by far the newest car we've ever owned. It is a 2005/6 Colt, with a grand total of 5872 km's on the odometer (as it had been in storage while the orignal owners were overseas).

So, I give to you, in all its glory.. the "Blueberry Stallion"

Driving the Adelaide Hills

Well, we have given in the to the inevitable and rented ourselves a car this week, so we can go the the car dealers and buy a car! Seems silly, but it was the only way.

So, with all the used car places being closed on Sunday, we went to the hills! The first stop was Carrick Hill - we didn't have any cash, so we just wander the gardens. We then drove to Belair National Park, and did one of the bush walks.

This first set of photos were taken in the grounds of Carrick Hill - a couple of shots of old farm equipment, and some birds - always with the birds!











We didn't take many photos in the national park - just some more birds... and I've decided that I am saving the rest of my bird photos for a bird photo blog entry!

A rolling stone gathers no moss...

Or Something!

Good news all around. I've got 3 job interviews arranged for the rest of the week. 2 of them I am really keen on, and the other - I'm not too sure about - the salary is low, but the amount of holiday time is outstanding!

All our worldly goods have arrived from London (via Sydney), and we've spent the past 5 hours unpacking all the boxes - it is nice to have all our stuff again... I'm currently taking advantage of our new wide screen TV to watch all those DVD's I've had for years, but have only been able to watch on a childs size TV in London!

We are off to look at 3 cars tomorrow after my job Interview, a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, and ex Demo 2008 Suzuki Swift, and a 2006 Nissan Tiida! Should be good fun.

That is all for now,
Dave & Lyn

Around our Flat - West Lakes

Time time time... I have plenty of time these days. So I play computer games, watch DVDs, watch the Olympics (come on CANADA!), go for walks, play Par 3 golf, and take photos.

The set below, are some basic shots of the West Lakes, a suburb just 10min walk to the south of our place. We walked for 3 hours, and didn't see 1/2 of it. There was just so much water and parkland to explore!

The Posh Houses - private beach, boat ramp etc..


One of the public swimming beaches (there were about 12 all up)


A tree - it still has leaves even in Winter



A Footbrigde connecting different arms of the lake


And ducks fights over the bread we fed them!


So far, we are really liking Adelaide and where we live - of course, that might change once it hits 40c and we have to deal with public transport to get to work

Dave & Lyn

Click Click.. we are online!

Yes Folks! I've returned to the land of the Online! It took a while, but I finally convince 3G to give me a USB modem!

Now I can look for jobs from the safety of my office... no more having to slum it with the rif-raff at the public library..

I guess the only thing I'll need to get used to is the 6GB monthly data limit... as all broadband here in Oz is metered... So it might not be much World of Warcraft for me... still... time will tell!

David

A week of Firsts

Well, nearly fully settled in the flat - so it was time to break in the new BBQ - however this being winter - it was rather dark and cold. But no matter, I managed my first BBQ on our new BBQ! And to record this occasion, we even took some photos!








The other first this week

My first indoor Australian SPIDER! It wasn't that big - and didn't look to scary, but I still wanted to squish it. Lyn, decided to try and save it, and attempted to collect mr Spider under a glass - which was a great plan, until the point Lyn realized the spider wasn't under the glass, and threw the glass, the magazine and the spider 5 feet down the hallway! Needless to say, I got to squish the poor spider after that.

Afraid no pictures of this event were taken.. maybe next time!