Here are a few pictures from Albert’s preparations for the summer.

Ok – the updates on this blog have been way under par for a while. That’s because I am not working right now.

I’ve noticed that when you have a lot of things to do, it’s easy to get the little things done in a jiffy, but when you do nothing, it’s hard to start even the small things… Strange but true.

OK – here are some things that I watch and enjoy right now.

Shaun the Sheep – on SvtPlay. Great fun for both me and Albert.

A complete live concert with Black Dyke Band (part 1 and 2). The playing has some minor blemishes, but overall it’s great as usual, especially the Immortal-piece at the end!

Anything with Fodens on YouTube. Check out their run through Paganini variations (part 1 and 2).

And the rest of the time, I enjoy...

After doing DDD (on a very basic level) for some time now, I now realize that I could benefit from some sort of sum up. Often when I reach this point, I quickly realize that many people have tread these paths before and that I’m reinventing the wheel… Well, in that case, I do it for me. I like my wheels or at least my way of understanding them…

So here is my take on what the deal with DDD is (I hope that it will change over time but here is how I see it today):

I think first that the whole idea of DDD can be divided into two aspects (actually Joakim pointed me in this way but I like it):

• First code - a bunch of design patterns that help you produce great object-oriented, testable software.
• Then the implications on the way you can...

In a previous post, I briefly referred to Sharp Architecture (what’s the thing with the funky spelling?).

I have now read a bit about it, and I must push for it harder. It’s rock good! What an ambitious project!

The idea is to give you a boiler-plate architecture that contains best practices and usable functionality when doing DDD, TDD, ASP.NET MVC, and NHibernate.

You know – the way you always feel when a project is done… “This is so good that it easily could be a framework, if only …” – These guys have done it for you.

It’s not done and still has a bit to go, but I really like it.

Check it out. Here are some introduction videos:

• Introduction to S#arp Architecture
• Validation, Design Decisions and AutoMapping
• Modify the T4 templates used by Sharp Architecture
• Testing MVC...

I have had some real problems to get going with the Sprint Planner Helper Project after the trip to Ethiopia. I am not sure why – but it made me think about the project, the scope, and purpose.

First and foremost – I am not working, I am on parental leave. That means this is my spare time project and I promised myself that I would end it if I didn’t feel up to it for some reason. Since I have found it hard to restart, I conclude that I have reached that point.

Secondly – the main reason and purpose of the project was to learn, not to produce a wonder-application (although that would have been nice :)). I think that I have learned quite a lot during this project and that I am at a junction right now. You cannot pursue depth in all directions.

I have some real trouble getting back into my normal flow after Ethiopia.

This week, I will play and do the presentations at a concert with Solna Brass. And there has been a lot of stuff with the Salvation Army and the band.

I’ll try to get to it next week.

By the way, the Vasa Band got a good review of the CD Priority in Brass Band World. Here is a picture of it:

The review was next to the review of A Breathless Alleluia by the Black Dyke Band… Something to be compared to!

The last week has been quite unusual and busy, as we’re still recovering from an illness we picked up in Africa. Elin has been hit the hardest, but Abbe and I have also felt the effects.

I haven’t had the chance to update the blog recently, but I wanted to share some pictures from our trip.

A typical outing often involved us being followed around. It was a common occurrence throughout our travels.

A building site in Addis Ababa.

The beautiful Wenchi Crater - we walked down to the water…

…and this is how we made our way back up. Yes, that’s me on a horse with Abbe on my back!

On our way home to...

We’re back home again from Ethiopia. The trip was truly something extra. As I heard someone say: “Africa is more of everything - the worst as well as the best” – this trip has really taken its toll.

We had some amazing experiences but also faced some really hard times. One challenge was keeping track of what Albert put into his mouth. There are so many things that you wouldn’t even want to touch, and he gladly put them into his mouth. He also was sick for most of the trip, nothing too serious but still concerning.

We went on two great tours: one to the south, Wondo Genet, and one to the east, Ambo, of Addis Ababa. The rest of the time was spent in Addis.

I’ll upload some (many?) photos as I get the time. Right now, we’re taking care of Elin, who is still...

I am going to Ethiopia for two weeks and the project comes to a natural (and needed) halt during that period.

I had hoped that I would have got further than this but I must stay content with what I’ve got.

The visit to Ethiopia will be something very different and exciting. Especially with Albert who right now is 14 months and have just started to walk…

Get back to you on the trip at www.marcusoft.net

I found these two great presentations surrounding ASP.NET MVC:

• [File

  New -> Company: Creating NerdDinner.com with Microsoft ASP.NET Model View Controller (MVC)](http://videos.visitmix.com/MIX09/T49F) – Really funny too…

• Microsoft ASP.NET Model View Controller (MVC): Ninja on Fire Black Belt Tips – A bit slow presentation, but some real nuggets are to be found.

I haven’t watched them all the way through yet, but they promise a great deal.