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Friday, June 6, 2008
Update
Hello everyone who is still reading my blog. I am not dead, although it has felt like a possibility a few times lately. I would apologize for not posting, but I doubt anyone really is bothered all that much. I will use the standard excuse that life has been quite busy. Busy in good ways as well as stressful ways. I prefer not to complain about the frustrations online, and the personal things are, well, personal
But a few things I can mention that have happened in the last few months. The biggee, I guess, is that I graduated. I am now the proud owner of a Master’s degree in Computer Science. It only took 6 years. My final project is available online here: Improving NAT/Software compatibility through Flexible NAT Emulation Software. It is odd how I have mixed feelings already about being done. On one hand, I am thrilled to be done with the degree (and have the degree), but on the other hand, I think I am going to miss being in school just a little.
I have been traveling pretty extensively for work. In the 3.5 months since I started at Swisslog, I have been to Minnesota twice, Florida twice, and Texas once. This is really helping me get through my fear of flying (with the help of choice pharmaceuticals). I will not say that I will ever enjoy the process of flying, but it is becoming a smaller obstacle to my life. I am hoping to use this new-found freedom to actually go on vacation one of these days, I hope.
Other random things:
- I bought a tent! (Haven’t been camping in it yet)
- I’m playing more volleyball
- The plaid wallpaper is gone (but the painting is not done)
- I get to go to Germany in September
- I might go to a week-long cooking school
- I’ve seen a few movies
- I’ve gotten sucked into a few more TV shows
- I want to go kayaking again this summer and I found a place to rent them
- I’m sure more has happened, but this list is long enough now
Cya!
General, School, Work | Comments (0)
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Arthur C. Clarke - December 16, 1917 - March 19, 2008
Arthur C. Clarke died at the age of 90 today. I always knew that it would happen, he has been an old man for quite a while. But it makes me very sad. His books introduced me to science fiction when I was kid and I have enjoyed reading them ever since. I have at least 25 of his books on my shelves and have probably read countless more. He was an amazingly prolific writer who never gave up on the quality of his work.
The literary and scientific world has lost a great mind today.
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Sunday, March 16, 2008
And somehow I find myself with little free time
It has been over a month since I last wrote, I apologize dear readers. Really, things have been busy. It is now Sunday evening and I am resting for a little bit and was thinking about everything that is going on. I am not going to go through a whole long spiel here, but I thought I could at least offer a list of things that occupy my time lately
- Work. The new job goes well. While strictly only 8-5, it is thoroughly exhausting. I have traveled twice in the last 4 weeks, both times for only a day and a half each. The skills I have had to learn have been good ones, but seem to require a part of my brain that was not used as much before.
- School. This is my last semester and due to my dropping a class last semester, I am taking a class alongside my Master’s project. My project is due in under 3 weeks now (2 weekends more to finish it up) so that is coming down on crunch time.
- Bowling. Every Tuesday. I even bought shoes, they should be here tomorrow. No more oddly disinfectant smelling house shoes.
- Volleyball. Sunday and Monday. Practice on Sunday and games on Monday. This is just starting up this week. We practiced for what felt like several hours earlier today. Great fun, but man will I be sore in the morning.
- House stuff. The plaid wallpaper is gone. Finally. I am in the midst of repainting now. Priming is underway and test colors got bought today and put up on the walls to be evaluated.
- Friends and more. Great events with great friends, whether it be the above mentioned bowling and volleyball or weekend wine trips, dinners and talk, local chili cookoff, walks in the evenings, or just being together. I couldn’t ask for better people in my life right now.
While busy, life is very good right now. I hope it is good for you too.
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Monday, February 11, 2008
Nice work if you can get it
There is a challenge when looks for new employment that is subtle but insidious. I received 4 formal offers of employment over the last 5 months as I looked for a new opportunity. In a perfect world, I would have been to look at all the offers and compare them and pick the one that looked the best for me. But that is not what happens. Like a more stressful version of Deal or No Deal, you get each offer by itself and you have to weigh the quality of it against the possibility you might get something better later. Thankfully for me, I am glad I passed on the first 3.
I have accepted an offer from Swisslog to eventually be the Director of Software Implementation for the North American division of their Warehouse and Distribution Solutions division. As this is a bit to bite off and chew immediately, I am starting by managing the technical aspects of their largest project. I will be using this project to learn the business, software, and process in more depth than would be possible if I tried to run the whole group right away. After a few months I will then expand my role over the whole operation. I am very excited. Having a company that is truly interested and willing to create an environment where one is set up to succeed is a rare find.
I’ve got a week or so before I start so I am going to be enjoying the last bit of work-free time by trying to get ahead with my school and house projects. More updates when I start.
Work | Comments (1)
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Yes! I must see this movie.
I can’t believe I just put a flash player on my blog, but whatever, just watch the damn trailer.
General, Links | Comments (1)