As some of you may be aware, I have been working hard towards attaining my VCDX, the highest level of qualification from VMware at present. The process involves building and writing up a large scale design, filling out an application form, submitting this to VMware for them to process and check through with a fine tooth comb. Finally, if you get through those stages, and they feel that you have the technical expertise and knowledge to continue, you are then invited to move on to defend your design in front of a panel of highly qualified individuals.

Since my VCAP-DCD pass, I have been working hard to ensure that I had all my notes ready, started writing up some of the design document, and there is a serious amount of work that has to be done.

Then a few weeks ago, the email came through that I had been waiting for, the content of which showed that I could put my defence through, in the UK, as soon as May! That was enough to get me going, however the deadline for submissions of the design document is the 21st of March (which happens to be next Monday).

Time has always been against me, work has been very busy with all the new projects on the line, and additionally the speed at which I needed to complete the document in question. Something which should have been possible. Then disaster struck. On Thursday last week, I had one of my rare but very powerful migraine attacks.

If you do not know me that well, or even you may know me very well – just I have never had one at any time you have known, I often suffer from Migraines. There are times where they are the simple type, small flickering lights, the headache which hurts, and the loss of hearing… however once in a while, I get the big ones. I seem to be getting better, the last one I had was about a year ago, and before that, it was almost three years ago, however everything seems to reset when I have them. Thursday afternoon, just after lunch, I was bundled into a taxi to Waterloo station, and suffered the whole 2 and a half hour trip back, whereby I ended up in bed… for most of the weekend. I am still suffering the headache now, and probably will for a few weeks, however that was bad for me on a different level. I lost 3 days worth of time towards putting my application together, and I feel that I may just miss out on the deadline.

It’s never a good thing for illnesses to happen, but deadlines are deadlines. I am still going to attempt to put what I can together, but if I feel it is not going to be complete enough, I will not submit it and waste people’s time. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I need to get it right the first time. I am truly kicking myself at the moment, as even as the email said “be one of the first”, that I really had hoped for. The other dates for defences, are in other countries later in the year, August in America, and November in Singapore, both of which clash with events I am due to attend.

I do wish all those that have been able to submit an application the very best of luck and I can’t wait to hear the stories at the other end. I do hope myself that I find the time in the next few days to finish everything, however… this could be the end of the road for me.