Back to school

Christine Carter, my former Drama and Theatre teacher at my school and sixth form invited me to perform at their recent 25-year gala day. So I was in the new drama studio as Torvold from Ibsen's "A Dolls House". Great to reconnect with drama and I really enjoyed my short performance. It went well - the audience liked it also. I should get onto the stage a bit more.

Besides catching up with some school friends and old teachers. Good to step back to school to remember where once you came.

Red, Blue or Green

Strengths Deployment Inventory by Elias Porter identifies the inner motivational drive by a self-assessment questionnaire. It places people into one of four broad categories: Blue (people relationship motivated) Green (data rational motivation) and Red (goal, results motivational) plus hubs, those at the centre, who are seek team balance and seek full representation. As a Green-Red person I am motivated by strategic thought and process; seek justice and fairness in competition; use judgement and direct others in effective and impartial ways and provides rational leadership.

More important than understanding "which colour you are" is to understand how your values and "measuring stick" is used to judge others. We expect others to judge us according to our values and we also judge others by our values.

Welcome Dean mit Verena

Welcome Dean mit Verena
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.

In June I had two visits to Copenhagen and the final visit before Verena left AIESEC Denmark (to move to the UK!!).

The Copenhagen Carnival (an attempt to recreate a Brazilian vibe) was good fun. Visiting sand dune beaches, bike riding around, going to the cinema, drinking (expensive) beer in the harbour. I will miss the visits to Copenhagen (I have been there 8 times in the last 10 months), but I will not miss the train journey's to/from Stansted. Soon we will be together in the UK!

Royal Armouries, Leeds

DSC00029
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.

Jousting competition, Easter 2007.

Sailor Boy!

Attention!
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.

Hey ho Dean! Dragged on stage to be "Sailor Boy" in the hotel's party. All aboard for a ride.

Dean in kilt

Dean in kilt
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.

How sexy!

Between the Haggis and Loch Ness: hill walking, visiting an old railway station and discovering new games.

Verena in Scotland

Verena in Scotland
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.

During May, Verena and I visited Scotland: Inverness and the small village of Strathpeffer.