amazoning

For anyone who doesn't know, I work as a 'senior test manager', and have the requisite fold in my brain that means I get passionate about testing and find it infinitely interesting. Twelve years of specialising in testing doesn't mean I passed the ISTQB exam last year though. Truly humiliating since I missed it by only 4 marks on a mentalist multiple choice paper; I'd have been happier if I'd missed it by a mile. Anyway, I went looking on Amazon for the qualification bible and decided it was time I bought some of the books I actively want to flesh out the eclectic collection of books Sid lends me and the inherited collections of his and P's clearouts, and random purchases in charity shops.

Good news is that my company has allowance for paid study leave so I intend to find the next available exam date and take study time immediately before it so I actually achieve the qualification. (Then move on to chasing Prince2 and ITIL) Bored with the geekness of all this yet?

One of my qualifications for the internal thing I'm doing is ownership of TMap Next Back in 2007, when we were hanging out with Sogeti, I asked for and was given a complimentary copy of this (they liked me ~ enough to tell me I have a job with them if I want it) and I'm stunned to discover it costs £83.95!!!!!!! Just as well it was a gift, I doubt I'd ever have paid that much 'on spec'.

I've also got TPI, another Sogeti bible, which sells at £42. I don't remember paying that much so I guess it was another gift. Just as well.

So, in the zone, I qualified for free delivery, and all the books I ordered are brand new and overall cheaper than the cheaper options. Anyone who wants to go looking for a book to buy me can check out the ones I want on the intermittently updated amazon wishlist; for what I am reading or have read, check Shelfari. Which reminds me how irritated Sid was that I ignored the link when he sent it to me then, months later, recommended it to him after signing up on Paula's recommendation. (giggling a bit)

It's Saturday, it's sunny, it's afternoon already, I have dozens of things to do and am happy to reoport that my miserable mood on waking has dissipated.

Suppose I should go chase a car now.