When I was invited onto the stage at EuroSTAR 2014 in Dublin, they asked me what song I would like to accompany me. They suggested “Bonfire Heart” by James Blunt.
Maybe because I’m Dutch and we Dutch tend to be blunt?
I really like that song, but it had to be something by Coldplay. Reason is simple: ever since I was at the Mylo Xyloto concert they gave in The Hague, I’m a big fan. Not just because I like their music, also because they perform with enthusiasm, spirit and are doing everything they can to make sure that the crowd really enjoys the concert. A bonus for me is that their lyrics resonate with me.
Take for instance “Paradise”.
Funny thing is that, by changing a few words, I can actually make it a test song:
Imagine the “girl” is a tester at the start of his career or a senior tester implementing a new and better approach. Both are “expecting the world”.
Isn’t it great to be naive and innocent?
They discover pretty soon that the world is not ideal; in the real world testing as well as changing the “way we work” is an ordeal. The message I hear, if I continue replacing words in the lyrics, is that a tester needs to keep dreaming of that ideal world in any situation, to be inspired and motivated to overcome whatever he needs to overcome to achieve his goals.
If this test-lyric is in line with your test-story, I know you have a great story to tell to our community. And it’s perfectly aligned with “Walking the testing talk” since that is what it’s all about. Your story is all about good and bad experiences, lessons learned and almost forgotten are shared. You have tips, tricks, and good practices to share as well as the passion for our testing craft.
Take this opportunity to tell your story and submit it to EuroSTAR. The worst that can happen is that you have to speak in Maastricht in November…
Ruud Teunissen 