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Peter Pilgrim · Sunday 8 June 2026 · xenonique.co.uk/blog I turned 59 this year. I don’t say that for sympathy. I say it because it changes how I want to write this post — and how I want to show up for the people who read it. There is something clarifying about this age. The […]

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8 minutes

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1656

I have been “on the bench” twice this year of 2025. I was a Principal Software Engineer at Solirius-Reply for 2 years and then that employment abruptly came to the end in June. I immediately started searching for a new role, open to both permanent or contract, because of awareness of job market. I had […]

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My name is Peter Pilgrim, Principal Engineer, Lead Developer and I am looking for next contract engagement immediately. My primary strength skills are Java software engineering with Kotlin server-side programming. The tech stack in my day-to-day is: Java 21, Spring Boot 3, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, Azure, Angular, Kotlin, Scala, Gradle, Maven, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, MongoDB, […]

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2 minutes

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In this episode E3, I talk about my ideal team organisation structure. My name is Peter Pilgrim and I am your JAVA TECH COACH. Currently, at the time of blogging, I am AVAILABLE 4 HIRE I have a lot of experience working in agile teams. I found really excellent people in great culture, which gell […]

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2 minutes

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235

In this episode E2, I take a look at project inception from a very high level of flight, the so-called golden eagle level. In my career, especially as contractor, the project inception has already started long ago on the day I join the project. A contractor job is to deliver the functionality, “hit the ground […]

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Well the end arrived June 2025 Let me just say that Technical Leadership without the belief of people sucks to high heaven. I will talk about it one day, maybe. I will looking for a new role. Hello my name is Peter Pilgrim #OpenToWorkI’m looking for a functional open-inclusive positive team, superb culture and projects […]

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6 minutes

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Very gratefully, I have good news. I have survived the great industry tech disruption 2023. I started a brand new role at Solirius Consulting LTD as a Principal Engineer. Solirius are an independent technology consultancy that supply advanced solution architectures to clients in the private and public sector. The last few months have been, shall […]

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2 minutes

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329

In this episode 7, I review my experiences of using in a real situation recruitment agent-less (or is it agent-free) job platforms. I look at Hired, Otta and Cord. There is that dream of magic employment or contract, where you get business without relying on a third party, the client is easily able to find […]

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4 minutes

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882

Here is a question that many people that belong to ethnic minorites ask: How do I fight microaggression? Acknowledge the microaggression and name it. Speak up and stand up for yourself and/or others. Take care of your emotional and physical wellbeing. Educate yourself and others about microaggressions and their effects. Connect with supportive people and […]

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2 minutes

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353

Just like one of those old fashion vinyl records, do remember James Brown “Cold Sweat” parts 1 and part 2? So I recorded a very long second episode about my Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 2021 edition with expoding panoramic sunroof in not two, but three parts. This is because I respect you, your time, your effort […]

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4 minutes

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847

This is an open letter to the DVSA: Peter Pilgrim Milton Keynes, England Monday, 16th January 2023 Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Berkeley House, Croydon St, Bristol BS5 0DA Reference:  Exploding Sunroof Incident in Hyundai Tucson Dear Sir / Madam My name is Peter Pilgrim. I work as a senior manager at Cognizant UK, an […]

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2 minutes

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340

On 30th December 2022, my partner and I were travelling from our home to Norfolk, Eastern coast of England. We reached the outskirts of Cambridge, just after 1pm, we heard a bang sound like a firework, a gunshot sound in our car. I jolted, because I was driving and luckily there were no other vehicles […]