Don, Version 2.0

Why I'm A Better Software Developer Than Most

2012-01-03T11:36:00.004-05:00

Their code -- Amateur:

My code -- Professional:

Which would you rather maintain?

This is why I'm a professional. This is only one small reason why I make more than the amateurs.

Goals for 2012

2011-12-26T13:58:00.001-05:00

Read at least 12 books
Increase my net worth by $50,000
Earn at least $150,000
Launch Jazzr.com; 100 percent functionality
Launch LunchRunr.com; 100 percent functionality
Launch health care web site; 100 percent functionality
Build LiftClickit prototype with Go/No-Go results
Replace backyard deck by the end of September
Make and bottle 500 bottles of wine
Exercise on at least 150 days
Reduce red meat consumption to 300 ounces (six ounces a week) with a stretch goal of 200 ounces (four ounces a week)
Take four weeks (28 days) of vacation
Reduce bodyfat to ten percent or less
Have 100 percent of my CDs available as computer music files, i.e. they will be on my home server

How To Find Good Cereal

2011-12-09T13:55:00.002-05:00

Simply go here.

Thanks for watching out for me, boring Do-Gooder.

Puerto Rico

2011-10-31T12:13:00.002-04:00

Spent three days in San Juan last week.

Sunny, hot, gorgeous.

I was in the pools (plural!), the ocean, the hot tub. Enjoyed a cigar in the evening breeze. Sipped local rum while watching models prepare for a lingerie fashion show.

Yeah, it was enjoyable.

I did some work, too. Met some fantastic people. Rub elbows with the TV stars of Univision.

I can hardly wait to go back.

Blah blah blah

2011-10-19T12:42:00.001-04:00

Overdue post goes here.

On A Serious Note

2011-09-26T11:24:00.002-04:00

Seriously, if you have a contagious illness, stay the fuck away from the office!

In Sickness and ...

2011-09-26T11:18:00.002-04:00

Last week, a person at work showed no respect nor regard for anyone else and came in all week sick.

I complained, asked the person to leave and not come back until she was well, but my pleading was ignored.

In hindsight, I should have refused to come to the client's site all week and insisted on working from home. Okay, my bad. From now on...

So, of course, Friday I became ill at work. I spent the entire weekend sleeping, lazying, lounging, resting, drinking gallons of water. Not fun.

This morning, I woke up and immediately sent a text to my client that read

My turn to be sick.

His totally inappropriate response?

Ok. See if you can make it in later.

WTF?? No "Take care of yourself and get better" or "Please don't bring it to work".

Nope.

Nothing. Nothing, trumps the Almighty Dollar as God.

Project Management

2011-04-27T21:44:00.003-04:00

So I'm working on this huge project. Not huge in terms of lines of code, or in terms of number of people involved. Huge in terms of: It will be used by tens or hundreds of millions of people every year. Yeah ... pretty cool.

The project isn't being managed as well as it could be, in my opinion. Let me emphasize that: In my opinion.

So, I suggested -- to the owner of the company that is creating the software product -- that we use Basecamp. It's a web-based "Software As A Service" application.

Disclaimer: Basecamp is a product of 37 Signals. The founder of 37 Signals, Jason Fried, is a personal friend.

Basecamp is, arguably, the single most important piece of project management software ever created.

"Wow, Don ... that's quite a statement!"

Yeah, well, you use Basecamp and you'll become an evangelist as I am.

Basecamp allows all the important parts of a project -- artifacts, messages, schedules, etc. -- to be stored in one place. Any "stakeholder" (BUZZWORD ALERT!) can access the project's information from anywhere: Computer, iPad, phone. Even a Windows-based machine.

(*zing!*)

As you might imagine, the old-school owner of the creating company (NOT me) was opposed to the idea. "We have Microsoft Project" ... "It's in the cloud" ... "We don't have a process in place" ... all the excuses -- and that's all they are -- you would expect.

Nixed. Shot down. Kicked to the curb.

So, like any good self-starter, I purchased my own subscription to Basecamp and started using it.

I invited the client to join my project. They did, immediately, and are already liking it.

Today, while working with an ancillary party (the usability experts), they asked me to make the latest copy of the prototype software available to them.

"No problem. I have an online project management software that I use ..."

"Basecamp?"

"Yeah! How'd you know? Did Kristy tell you?"

"No, I've used it before with _____. It's great."

So, despite the best efforts of the owner, we're using Basecamp, collaborating on this project, communicating and sharing "stuff" via one, central location.

Kudos to Jason, 37 Signals and Basecamp. I cannot recommend it enough.

All The Best,

-- Don

My Life Purpose Statement

2011-04-01T11:12:00.001-04:00

My Life Purpose is to help others realize their full potential as a result of my own personal growth. Everything that I do to help myself now carries with it the responsibility to use it to help others.

Don's Black Bean Dip Recipe

2011-01-02T11:36:00.003-05:00

I'll start the year by giving you my recipe for my amazing black bean dip. It's a wonderful dip for when you're watching football or hockey.

Or anything else, for that matter.

Enjoy!

Don's Black Bean Dip

Two cans (15.5 ounces each) of black beans

One small (4 oz.) can of green chili peppers

One garlic clove, minced

One teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder (or dried onion flakes or fresh onion)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons chipotle sauce; I like Pass Out.

Optional: Hot sauce of choice

Real easy; Just dump everything into a food processor and blend until smooth enough to suit your tastes. I use a stick blender and blend it right in the container, so it can be stored in the refrigerator (assuming there are leftovers, which hardly ever happens).

Great with Green Mountain Gringo Tortilla Strips

Quick backstory: I fell in love with Desert Pepper Black Bean Dip, but at five bucks a jar I was spending at least $20 a month on the stuff. I checked out the ingredients and did a pretty good job of reverse engineering it.

All The Best,

-- Don

P.S. My next step is to make my own chipotle sauce. I'll work on that in February; January is pretty much booked up.

Looking back at 2010

2011-01-01T12:15:00.003-05:00

Now that 2010 is safely behind me, I can reflect. What happened? What did I learn? How can I improve?

The year was odd. It started with my main client going out of business. That was followed by about six months of basically not working, save for a few checks here and there from doing work with my son. Cash flow slowed to a trickle, resulting in a lot of adjustments.

It's important to note, that the time spent working with and visiting my son in New York City was the best four months in memory. Being with him, watching him work, lead, communicate ... what a wonderful experience. The meals shared, the drinks together, the times walking around the city, talking ... I was given a gift that very few parents receive; The gift of time with my adult son. I wouldn't trade that for anything, and it was then that I realized that I'd rather lose my house and the junk I owned if that was the price to pay for the wonderful moments with my son.

In late July, I landed a poor-paying contract with a large company. It was steady work, at least I had an income. It turned out to be the textbook example for "Corporate Hell". A large, impersonal company that treated people like cattle. No personality, no enjoyment, a culture of vanilla under flickering fluorescent lights. I sincerely hope the leadership there all lose their jobs and are replaced with real, living and breathing human beings. Otherwise, the place deserves to go under. There is no excuse for such a horrible, drab, lifeless, depressing, soul-sucking workplace.

I fled there at first chance, which turned out to be a call from a client from early 2008. I had left there in '08 because the owner of the small business was seeing a dramatic downturn in business and had to jettison his best but most costly asset -- me.

His business, now, was booming, and he needed help immediately. I was thrilled. I reduced my daily commute by 57 miles (from 80 to 13), saved two hours a day in driving time, got a 25 percent increase in income, got my own office with a window, and would be working on really cool stuff.

In a small business where the owner likes and respects me and my opinions. A chance to have an impact.

Hours mostly flexible, next door to a good sub/pizza shop, half a block from a bodega.

That's going very well. In fact, I haven't enjoyed work this much in many, many years.

What did I learn in 2010?

I learned that I could live on a hell of a lot less income than I thought I needed.

I learned that if I lost everything -- something we thought was a very real possibility -- it would not matter. Money and things and status and all that bullshit is just that: Bullshit. Don't get me wrong; I still have my eye on a 3 Series or S Class, I'm still taking a cruise in 2011, I'm still enjoying my High Definition TV with Surround Sound, my pool, my patio, my fireplace, blah blah. But I learned that those things are not only not the key to happiness, they're not even needed to "live". Having friends, enjoying walks with my dear bride, seeing my grandson grow, witnessing the birth of my granddaughter, experiencing the struggle of watching my dad decline as he ages ... those are the important things that make life worth living. The rest is just stuff. I know we all say that, but the difference is that I now know it.

How can I improve in 2011?

I intend to read more.

I intend to take more walks.

I intend to continue to improve my culinary skills and repertoire.

I intend to continue to get more organized.

I intend to continue to get rid of complexity, no matter where I find it. That includes tossing/selling/donating things that I own.

I will say "No" more often, which will allow me to say "Yes" more often (Some of you will get that; As for the rest -- you have to "be there" to get it).

It is my intention to take a cruise in the winter, and a vacation at the beach (and surf!) in the summer.

In retrospect, with all the troubles 2010 brought (and it was a helluva ride!), it was a very good year.

All The Best,

-- Don

Christmas

2010-11-10T19:45:00.002-05:00

This December 26 will mark five years since my mother passed away.

Everyone -- without exception -- that met my mother loved her. Likewise, she loved/enjoyed/appreciated everyone she met. It's because of her influence that I'm NOT a racist, NOT class-conscious, NOT hateful.

Mom loved Christmas. I mean, she LOVED it. It was a "big deal". Christmas Eve at mom's was wonderful. And it was always an "open door" affair. I cannot begin to list the people that she'd invite, or would just show up, at her place on Christmas Eve. If she thought you'd be there, she bought you a gift. Without exception. The woman was the most Christ-like person I've ever met, while NEVER coming across as pious or self-righteous.

Since she has passed, my own Christmas' have been ... terrific! The other day, my dear wife (of 32 years TODAY!) asked why I'm not sad at Christmas.

"Are you kidding? As much as mom loved Christmas, how can I NOT love Christmas?! I get excited in her stead!"

Love you and miss you, Mom ... but I'm carrying on as you would. And that, my friends, is the best tribute I can give to her. She lives on in my heart.

All The Best,

-- Don

Spoiled by a Mac

2010-09-28T09:48:00.000-04:00

You don't realize how painful Windows is until you own a Mac. Then, you're ruined for life.

Music

2010-09-24T11:19:00.001-04:00

Diggin' some Stone Poneys this morning.

Out Of Hell

2010-09-24T10:38:00.001-04:00

Out of Hell, into the Unknown.

My last day in Corporate Hell is ... TODAY! Monday, I start at a small, more-laid-back gig in York. I'll save EIGHT HOURS a week in driving time. I can dress more casually. I can listen to Pandora at my desk. My desk in an office with a window, NOT A CUBICLE.

I am being paid 25 percent more, and I'll have an opportunity to earn equity in a growing company.

I feel good. This is a relief.

Music

2010-09-24T10:36:00.001-04:00

Starting my Friday with some Jethro Tull!

Google Reader

2010-09-24T09:43:00.001-04:00

I don't like Google Reader. Not at all.

Can you recommend a good online RSS feed reader??

Great quote; I'd love to say this in a fundamental church!

2010-09-21T14:37:00.001-04:00

"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."

-- Tony Campolo

Bored

2010-09-21T13:39:00.001-04:00

Work so boring, I have to struggle to stay awake.

KMFDM

2010-09-21T10:38:00.000-04:00

Listening to KMFDM right now because I'm feeling a lot of angst. Grrrrrr...

All I Want Is You

2010-09-20T14:18:00.001-04:00

"If you were a wink, I'd be a nod
If you were a seed, I'd be a pod.
If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug
And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug"

Will Code at Home

2010-09-20T12:10:00.001-04:00

I have a really nice -- REALLY nice -- office in my home. I can work there very efficiently, much more so than in a Corporate Hell-Cubible setting.

I want to find work where I can work at my office, with trips to The Site as needed. I can do .NET development -- tons of experience -- or Ruby on Rails.

I'm not expecting a lot of money; $50/hour would be fantastic.

HOW can I advertise my services? What do you suggest? I thought about placing Craigslist ads in, say, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltmore, DC, etc. ... places within three hours by car or train.

Any suggestions?

Ry Cooder

2010-09-20T11:52:00.001-04:00

I cannot say often enough how great Ry Cooder is. I'm listening to his album "I, Flathead", and it is incredible.

Green Iced Tea

2010-09-20T10:41:00.000-04:00

I'm becoming addicted to Lipton Diet Citrus Green Tea.

Things I Love

2010-09-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

In no particular order:

Food. Specifically, cooking.

Music. I'm way more into music than you are. WAY more. You. Have. No. Idea.

H.O. scale slot cars. Yeah.

Good scotch, good bourbon, good wine.

People. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a dream. Take an interest and you, yourself, will grow tremendously.

Surfing. Not the Internet, I mean actual paddle-and-catch-a-wave-in-the-ocean surfing. Once you catch your first wave, you are hooked. For life.

Driving a sports car. Don't even have to go fast, but accelerating, braking and corner are a blast.

Cars.

Watching dirt track sprint cars.

Lifting weights. I especially like doing squats, mostly because I've always had strong legs.

Creating software. Yeah, I love doing that. It's the "working for other people" stuff I can't stand. I REALLY need to get off my assets and get Jazzr.com up and running. Then, on to DraZING.com.

Anything -- movies, mostly -- related to time travel.

When my wife hugs me.

When my children are around me. They bring out the best in me, they always encourage me. They believe in me, even though they know I'm mostly flawed. That's cool.

Pandora.com. Thank G-d for Pandora.com. I often listen to it while driving; a poor man's XM radio.

Solar energy stuff. Don't listen to the naysayers, it's real, it works, and I'm doing it. I'll post pictures of my solar water heater when I remember.

Sitting around a fire with a really good cigar, an adult beverage, and friends. I don't think there's much better in life.

The fact that I know how to throw a knuckle ball. Thank you, Mark Wolfgang, for teaching me that. It's just the coolest pitch ever.

Baseball on a summer evening. Baseball in October, too.

Finally; I remodeled our master bath a few years ago, and I have two lights. One is a slower-starting florescent light over the sinks. The other is a light over the shower. When I enter the bathroom, I'll turn on the florescent light first, then hit the switch for the incandescent light about a half second later. I hit the one switch first, but the second light comes on first. Kind of like backwards time. I love that.

All The Best,

-- Don

Quote

2010-09-16T11:52:00.001-04:00

"If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV."

ADD Comedy

2010-09-16T09:25:00.001-04:00

So, I found a web site with 50 tips for people with ADD (here!).

Funny thing is, I read the first three and got distracted. HA HA ...Hyper Multitasking!

Supertramp

2010-09-15T14:44:00.001-04:00

Listening to some Supertramp today. Wow ... forgot how much I liked this music. Been a l-o-n-g time...

Jimmy Buffet said it best

2010-09-15T14:34:00.000-04:00

"Indecision may or may not be my problem."

Short Skirt, Long Jacket

2010-09-15T14:30:00.001-04:00

"I want a girl with a mind like a diamond,

I want a girl who knows what's best..."

Question: How to store elapsed time?

2010-09-15T11:58:00.000-04:00

How do I store elapsed time?

I'm thinking lowest needed increment, i.e. "minutes" in this case.

I can transform minutes to hh:mm or 99.9 hours at the GUI level, right?

The application, by the way, is a timesheet application, where the largest entry would be 23:59 and the smallest could -- I guess -- be one minute (probably 15 minutes).

Sound right to you?

Read This Every Day

2010-09-15T11:23:00.000-04:00

http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/09/read-this-everyday.html

How Low

2010-09-15T10:56:00.001-04:00

I just hit a new low. How low can I go? How far can I fall until I hit rock bottom and bounce back up? Will things ever get better??

Blogline

2010-09-14T15:28:00.001-04:00

I'm going to miss Bloglines. Their interface is light years ahead of Google Reader.

I'd use a desktop reader, but I'm often using a client's PC and can't put software there.

Adult ADHD

2010-09-14T11:35:00.001-04:00

Holy SHIT, this has me NAILED!:

http://www.addresources.org/article_50_adhd_tips_adult_hallowell_ratey.php

Music

2010-09-13T15:42:00.000-04:00

Now playing on my iPod:

"One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer & Shipley.

Great song.

Drinking

2010-09-13T15:17:00.001-04:00

I just figured it out; the guy who invented alcohol for human consumption MUST have worked in a cubicle for a lifeless, careless, humanless corporation. Like, say, where I am right now!

Cubicle Life

2010-09-13T13:49:00.000-04:00

I cannot use terms strong enough to describe how deeply I hate working in a cubicle. I'm beginning to think it's just not worth it.

Technology, Creativity

2010-09-10T11:11:00.001-04:00

I can create software for the web. I can create software for Windows. For the Mac. For Linux. For the Windows phone. For the iPhone. For the iPad. For any other phone.

Technology isn't the challenge. The challenge is in The Idea. You -- *I* -- will never "make it big" because we're able to write an application for, say, the iPad. The degree to which we "hit the big time" is directly related to coming up with A Great Idea.

Give me an idea, and I'll make my millions. Until then, I might as well throw mashmallows at a brick wall.

Meat Free Monday

2010-09-09T15:21:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I'm a little late to the party ... but I'm going to join Paul McCartney's Meat Free Monday movement.

Commuting

2010-09-09T14:13:00.000-04:00

I will never be convinced that a software developer must be on site every day.

I waste -- not "spend", but WASTE -- at least ten hours a week commuting to a client site. If I'm awake 112 hours a week, that means I'm wasting nine percent of my life.

Wow. Now that I put it that way, I'm REALLY hating my commute.

Ruby on Rails

2010-09-09T09:51:00.000-04:00

I sent my resume and a cover email to a company in the Boston area last night for a Ruby on Rails position. Not sure if it's full time or part time or contract work, but I sure hope it works out.

Wish me luck.

Old

2010-09-08T10:05:00.000-04:00

Wanna feel old?

Grace Slick turns 71 next month!

Cynic, Optimist, Do-er

2010-09-07T14:23:00.001-04:00

It's too easy to be a cynic.

Having hope and optimism is challenging.

Creating meaningful change is nearly impossible.

Which do you think is the most rewarding? Which describes you?

Thank You, Steve

2010-09-02T11:16:00.001-04:00

Dear Steve Jobs --

Thank you for inventing the iPod. It makes cubicle life bearable.

Design Tip

2010-09-02T10:58:00.000-04:00

Forms, database columns, etc; It's not "sex", it's "gender".

Cubicle Life Understood

2010-09-02T10:36:00.001-04:00

I now know why people like corporate jobs in a cubicle. They don't have to do a damn thing!

Well, other than talk about last night's golf league results and work on the fantasy football draft.

(sigh)

Baseball

2010-09-02T09:58:00.000-04:00

Went to a York Revolution minor league baseball game last night with three buddies from high school.

Had a great time. Minor league baseball is really fun, yet the talent level is still high enough to see some good competition. Even saw a former New York Yankee pitching for York.

York won, by the way, 7-5 over the Long Island Ducks.

Work

2010-09-01T10:59:00.000-04:00

I work for one, and only one, reason: Money.

I don't want people mistakenly thinking that I enjoy work or work for some altruistic reason.

For $50 an hour, I'll push a broom.

Unless I can get paid for public speaking, it all pretty much sucks.

System Design, Clients, Correctness

2010-09-01T10:13:00.001-04:00

What do you do when a client is designing a system incorrectly, you point out the incorrectness, and they ignore your CORRECT analysis?

"Make it work" doesn't apply when, in fact, it WILL NOT work. Primary Key violations aren't something you can just IGNORE.

ARGH!!!

Pretzel

2010-08-26T16:11:00.000-04:00

I could eat a Sigmund soft pretzel right now.

Music

2010-08-26T14:02:00.000-04:00

I really, REALLY enjoy Pink Martini.

My Ship Coming In?

2010-08-26T13:50:00.001-04:00

Turns out, my ship is never coming in. I have to row.

Moon River

2010-08-26T13:31:00.001-04:00

"Moon River", by Henry Mancini, just came on my Pandora radio. I can't help but think of the lovely Audrey Hepburn and the opening scene of Breakfast At Tiffanys.

Can't Find My Way Home

2010-07-29T22:18:00.001-04:00

by Eric Clapton

Great song ... Steve Winwood performed it last week at the concert in Connecticut where I saw him. Winwood is great beyond recognition.

Steve Winwood. Jeff Beck. Ry Cooder.

Why is it that the truly great ones aren't household names??

Come down off your throne
And leave your body alone
Somebody must change
You are the reason
I've been waiting so long
Somebody holds the key
Well, I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time
Well, I'm wasted and I can't find my way home

Come down on your own
And leave your money at home
Somebody must change
You are the reason
I've been waiting all these years
Somebody holds the key
I'm near the end, and I just ain't got the time
Oh, and I'm wasted, and I can't find my way home

But I can't find my way home
But I can't find my way home
But I can't find my way home
But I can't find my way home
Still, I can't find my way home
And, I ain't done nothing wrong
But, I can't find my way home

July 4th ... Freedom!

2010-07-04T10:58:00.002-04:00

So today is the day I celebrate my freedom. Awesome. I'm so thankful.

Hmmm ... think I'll build a pavilion in my back yard and invite some ... oh ... wait ... that's illegal without a permit.

Okay, well, we'll just get some fireworks and ... what's that? Oh yeah ... they're illegal.

I'll just jump in my car, put the windows down, and blast patriotic music around town ... just make sure it's not too loud ... you know, local ordinance and all that.

I know! I'll just head down the local bar -- make sure you fasten your seatbelt, don't want to get a ticket! -- and watch some sports on TV and enjoy a cigar. Dammit ... that's right, smoking in a bar is illegal.

I'll just grab a beer and walk up the street to talk to my neighbors about our hard-won freedoms. Well, on second thought, carrying an open beer is illegal, so ...

I think I'll sit in front of the TV and watch PBS specials all day about the Revolutionary War and how men purchased our freedoms with their lives.

*sigh*

All The Best,

-- Don

The President

2010-06-29T11:06:00.003-04:00

He signed a bill that gave amnesty to undocumented immigrants. He grew the size of the federal government and the budget, added a whole new cabinet level agency and added tens of thousands of government workers to the federal payroll. He tripled the deficit. He bailed out and expanded social security with a big fat tax increase. He raised corporate taxes by hundreds of billions of dollars. He raised taxes on gasoline. He, in fact, signed into law the largest tax increase in history. He supported federal handgun control. He called for a world without nuclear weapons.

Name That President.

Self-Humiliation

2010-06-10T09:48:00.003-04:00

I've heard that one of the better ways to motivate yourself is to make a public statement while also being willing to humiliate yourself.

My goal is to get back to "six-pack abs" by the end of summer (that's September 22 for those who are astronomically challenged).

No drugs. No special diets. My plan is to light heavy weights (squat, deadlift, bench, repeat) every other day as well as watch my caloric intake (1,900 calories a day) and macro nutrients.

I can't believe I've let myself go like this. It's disgusting. But it's temporary!

So ... here goes. Here -- go ahead and laugh and say "yuck" and such-like -- is my BEFORE picture, as of June 9, 2010:

All The Best,

-- Don

Older and Grumpier

2010-06-08T10:57:00.001-04:00

Why is it that older people, who are retired and pretty much have nothing else to do, are the ones who complain the most about waiting in the doctor's lobby? What, are they missing The Price Is Right or something?? And, they have to complain out loud, making sure everyone hears them so they can make us all miserable. ARGH!!

The Importance of Solitude

2010-05-10T10:56:00.001-04:00

Don't forget Solitude

We are, by nature I believe, social creatures. Quite frankly, most of us enjoy being seen. The popularity of coffee shops, for example, is that one can "be alone with other people". Social and visible.

In our (American) day-to-day lives, we are constantly on the go and surrounded by -- or interacting with -- scores of people. While this may help us develop and refine our social skills, it can also serve to dial up the stress levels to an unhealthy level.

To counteract this, we resort to such things as MP3 players and ear buds. However, one oft-overlooked solution to "Social Overload" is Solitude.

Solitude is temporary withdrawal. Isolation. A "coming apart" from the crowd to set oneself alone, with no distractions, no responsibilities and -- ideally -- minimal noise.

Solitude doesn't not necessarily mean sitting alone in a cabin in the woods and contemplating The Meaning Of Life. At the same time, simply sitting in a coffee shop with ear buds in, listening to Vangelis while writing blog entries is not solitude. I believe there's the necessity of physical separation involved in true solitude. What you choose to do during that time, I believe, is not nearly as important as the physical isolation.

Recently, for example, I enjoyed a day of solitude while working on a software project. I sat alone in an apartment in New York City, listening to enjoyable music (Gotan Project -- great stuff!) and sipping rum while working. Not only was I able to work at twice my normal pace, but the solitude enabled me to relax while still working. This helped me get into "Flow", yet stay connected with my realization that I was enjoying what I was doing but could quit at any time. At no time did I need to concern myself with the thoughts or actions of others. It was spiritual.

Solitude may be for only a few hours; It need not be a weekend (that would be terrific, and keeping in line with a new tradition I am starting for myself, that of a regular "retreat" to Solitude). Solitude need not be in a monastic setting; My own was in Alphabet City, sirens and music included.

Solitude must -- as obvious as it may sound -- involve only self. While that may seem selfish to some, let me remind you that you cannot pour a cool drink from an empty vessel.

All The Best,

-- Don

George Rekers

2010-05-08T15:27:00.003-04:00

George Rekers has made quite a splash in the news lately. If you're not familiar with the so-called scandal, quickly:

This guy is huge in the "you can become NOT gay through therapy/religion" movement.

So, he was photographed returning from a 10-day trip to Europe with a male escort. The escort can be hired through a website that rents gay escorts.

The buzz, especially from the political left, is that this Rekers bashes gays and wants to limit their rights and yet it turns out he, himself, is gay.

Rekers has defended his actions by saying he hired the guy to help him with his luggage while traveling, and that he (Rekers) used the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the escort.

The liberal media has jumped all over Rekers' apparent hypocrisy.

Disclaimer: Politically, I'm mostly liberal (with exceptions, mostly the 2nd Amendment, because -- like it or not -- it's the Constitution).

Anyhow, here's the thing: Rekers MAY be telling the truth, and I think it's unfair to ASSUME the scandal. Here's what may very well have happened:

Through is network of contacts, Rekers learned of a very contentious "gay guy" who could help him. Rekers then asked the guy to help him, knowing that he'd have 10 days to show true Christian love and explain the gospel.

And so he did.

After they returned, a photograph was taken at the airport where Rekers was tending to the luggage, "proving" that Rekers didn't need help because of surgery. In fact, when the photograph was taken, Rekers was not carrying anything and he very well could have been looking for documents (passport?) in his carryon luggage.

Later, the "scandal" breaks. The escort, now learning who Rekers is, sees the opportunity to "slam" this gay-basher and tells the press of a gay trist in Europe.

We don't know the fact, and never will. Do we really want to assume that Rekers is a hypocrit? Is that the kind of society we want to be? Do we want to assume the worst?

Given a lack of evidence, I suggest this story be ignored and just go away. With the Gulf of Mexico being destroyed by a huge oil spill and our government's efforts to reign in an unchecked Wall Street, don't we have bigger fish to fry?

All The Best,

-- Don

Physician, Heal Thyself [Design]

2010-02-14T22:18:00.008-05:00

Years ago I read a terrific book -- I very strongly recommend it -- by Duane Elgin called "Voluntary Simplicity".

The second edition is out, and I think someone missed the gist. Check out the original cover (white) as compared to the second edition.

Simplicity??

Four Boards

2010-01-07T09:30:00.003-05:00

At a tournament in October, 2009.

My 2010 Book List

2010-01-05T19:55:00.002-05:00

Books I will read in 2010. But for a few slight changes, it's identical to my 2009 list. Last year was a bad year for me, and I think the lack of reading reflects that.

This year will be better.

Guerrilla Marketing For Free, Jay Conrad Levinson.
The Power Of Now, Eckhart Tolle.
A History Of God, Karen Armstrong.
No More Mr. Nice Guy, Dr. Robert A. Glover (I've read this twice already).
Living Your Best Life, Laura Berman Fortgang.
Getting Real, 37signals (My copy is autographed by Jason, Ryan and DHH).
The 4-Hour Workweek, Timothy Ferriss (I've read this once already).
Maximum Achievement, Brian Tracy.
Life Makeovers, Cheryl Richardson.
The Art Of Happiness, His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
To Our Children's Children, Bob Greene & D. G. Fulford.
Og Mandino's University Of Success, Og Mandino.
Beyond Booked Solid, Michael Porter.
The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan (Almost finished).
The Ten-Day MBA, Steven Silbiger.
Simple Steps, Lisa Lelas, Linda McClintock, Beverly Zingarella, and Lu Ann Cahn.
Grow Younger, Live Longer, Deepak Chopra.
Great Tastes Made Simple, Andrea Immer.
Great Wine Made Simple, Andrea Immer.
Waking the Dead, John Eldredge.
The Spectrum, Dr. Dean Ornish.
The Assertiveness Workbook, Randy J. Peterson, Ph.D.

All The Best,

-- Don

A Perfect Match

2009-12-21T14:41:00.000-05:00

Jackson Browne's song, "The Pretender" is a perfect description of my wasted life.

From ArtOfManliness.com

2009-12-21T10:00:00.001-05:00

A woman telling a man to stop looking like a slob and dress up. Awesome!

A man telling a woman to stop looking like a slob and take care of herself. Sexist!

Saying that men should stop hooking up with women. Awesome!

Saying that women should stop sleeping around. Sexist!

Saying that men should get off the couch and go to work. Awesome!

Saying that a woman should be nurturing with kids. Sexist!

Saying that men should take the initiative in relationships. Awesome!

Saying that a woman should let the man lead (ever!). Sexist!

My Life Pretty Much Sucks

2009-12-17T09:50:00.002-05:00

Things are spiraling down at an increasing rate. My income has dropped by 55 percent since the beginning of '09, I've burned through my savings and stocks, and after early January I have zero prospects of work/income. How long I can hold of creditors waits to be seen. Something's got to give.

In the meantime, I'm trying to follow the advice of Tony Bennett:

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Peace Prize?

2009-12-10T12:47:00.000-05:00

Sign of the times, I guess.

How weird/stupid is it that our "War President" gets the Nobel Peace Prize??

President Obama -- who I support -- had his chance, and instead fell in line with the Military-Industrial Complex, protecting American business interests ahead of the American people.

Change You Can Believe In? Puh-leeze ... it's the Same Ol' Same Ol'.

Idea

2009-12-04T12:12:00.001-05:00

AT&T should allow me to go to their web site and send and receive SMS for those times (such as my current client) when I'm stuck in the basement of a large building with no mobile phone reception.

Great Song

2009-12-03T12:59:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite songs is "Evening Gown", by Mick Jagger, from his solo album "Wandering Spirit".

Great stuff.

Sullenberger's Flight into the Hudson: An animation

2009-11-12T10:49:00.001-05:00

WOW. This is MUST-see stuff.

Here.

Kalashnikov turns 90

2009-11-11T21:07:00.000-05:00

What's cool is that I've met this guy.

Tough Times

2009-11-09T13:11:00.001-05:00

Unemployment at over 10 percent ... mortgage rates over 13 percent ... government spending at record deficits ...

Yup ... heading into this third year, Ronald Reagan sure was a failure.

Obama haters: Get a fucking clue.

Pure, utter brilliance!

2009-11-06T14:27:00.001-05:00

Spot on!

Wow

2009-11-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Wow. Wow. Wow.

The Color of Jazz?

2009-11-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

When you think of Jazz, as in music, what color comes to mind?

Cricket

2009-10-29T09:38:00.001-04:00

Best sport that is unknown by most Americans: Cricket.

It's exciting, civilized and world-wide.

All The Best,

-- Don

Television

2009-10-28T14:37:00.002-04:00

I recently had a mini-conversation with a guy via Twitter. He had just gotten rid of his TV and was asking what to expect.

We went about nine years without a television, from 1984 to 1994. Our children were four and two years old, and we wanted to raise them with values that were not congruent with pop culture.

In short, we succeeded. Greatly.

Some interesting things about going without a TV:

When you don't have a TV, you cannot image having one. First, you cannot image how people have the time to watch TV. You're so busy, doing things such as reading to the children, playing games, hiking in the woods, visiting an arboretum, making toys in the basement woodshop, playing badmitten, building fires outside, etc etc. Who has time to watch TV???

Another unexpected result of not having a TV is that you lose touch with popular culture. For example, someone will mentions "the Monopoly game at McDonald's", and -- because you're not watching TV ads -- you'll have no idea what they're talking about. It's really weird and kind of cool.

We got a TV in 1994 when two things intersected: the emergence of good videos for home-schooling, and the Winter Olympics.

Nothing wrong with TV; In fact, I could watch PBS, FoodTV, ESPN or NHL any time. But ditching the tube for nine-plus years was good for our family.

All The Best,

-- Don

What Changed?

2009-10-23T13:14:00.002-04:00

Monday: "You're the leading candidate for the contract position."

Today: "We went with someone else."

Okay, fine ... save a few bucks. You get what you pay for.

I need to find a company in a large city -- New York, Chicago, L.A. -- that needs some great .NET development help on a contract basis.

Help Chicago High School Students

2009-10-23T12:20:00.001-04:00

A friend, Sarah, is trying to help Chicago-area High School students.

Click here and do your part.

All The Best,

-- Don

Auto engine swap IN 32 SECONDS!!!

2009-10-23T11:55:00.001-04:00

Un-believable!!!

And I thought my brother (with some help from me) was amazing for swapping my VW Beetle's engine in 30 minutes.

Worst

2009-10-21T10:17:00.001-04:00

Worst car?

SMART car.

Why? WHY?! WHO would buy such a thing? It's not the best mileage auto, not even in it's price range.

SMART car = STUPID consumer.

Feel-Good Story

2009-10-21T09:37:00.002-04:00

Bernie Madoff's fall.

He should get along fine with the mob boss.

Stupid hype

2009-10-21T09:33:00.000-04:00

WTF?

This.

THE YEAR ISN'T EVEN OVER! ARGH!!!

Fail, Failure

2009-10-13T11:22:00.001-04:00

When does failing over and over and over equal Being A Failure?

I need to find SOMETHING at which I can succeed.

IF YOU HAVE A SOUL...

2009-10-08T10:38:00.003-04:00

If you have a soul...

If you have any sense of compassion...

If you have any connection with life...

Watch this.

All The Best,

-- Don

National Tournament this weekend?

2009-10-06T11:35:00.002-04:00

This weekend I'm participating in the Pan Am Tang Soo Do Federation's National Tournament.

I'm sparring, performing Pyung Ahn Cho Dan, and breaking.

I'm breaking two boards with a side kick, three boards with my elbow, and four boards with a hammer fist.

I'm really looking forward to it.

All The Best,

-- Don

Socialism!

2009-10-02T13:48:00.000-04:00

In order to stop Socialism in its tracks, please abstain from all of the following:

Social Security
Medicare/Medicaid
State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP)
Police, Fire, and Emergency Services
US Postal Service
Roads and Highways
Air Travel (regulated by the socialist FAA)
The US Railway System
Public Subways and Metro Systems
Public Bus and Lightrail Systems
Rest Areas on Highways
Sidewalks
All Government-Funded Local/State Projects (e.g., see Iowa 2009 federal senate appropriations--http://grassley.senate.gov/issues/upload/Master-Approps-73109.pdf)
Public Water and Sewer Services
Public and State Universities and Colleges
Public Primary and Secondary Schools
Sesame Street
Publicly Funded Anti-Drug Use Education for Children
Public Museums
Public Monuments
Libraries
Public Parks and Beaches
State and National Parks
Public Zoos
Unemployment Insurance
Municipal Garbage and Recycling Services
Treatment at Any Hospital or Clinic That Ever Received Funding From Local, State or
Federal Government (pretty much all of them)
Medical Services and Medications That Were Created or Derived From Any Government
Grant or Research Funding (again, pretty much all of them)
Socialist Byproducts of Government Investment Such as Duct Tape and Velcro (Nazi-NASA Inventions)
Use of the Internets, email, and networked computers, as the DoD's ARPANET was the basis for subsequent computer networking
Foodstuffs, Meats, Produce and Crops That Were Grown With, Fed With, Raised With or That Contain Inputs From Crops Grown With Government Subsidies
Clothing Made from Crops (e.g. cotton) That Were Grown With or That Contain Inputs From Government Subsidies
VA Benefits (if a Veteran)

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/28/mom-goes-blind-so-her-dau_n_301947.html

Disney's Multiplane Camera

2009-09-24T09:51:00.002-04:00

Walt Disney was a genius who hired other geniuses.

Check out the Multiplane Camera that they invented. Brilliant.

Innovation at its best.

All The Best,

-- Don

Kaleb Eulls, Today's "Best Person In The World"

2009-09-03T10:58:00.002-04:00

Tackles gun-toting girl on school bus.

Thanks, Kaleb!

Joke Time

2009-08-28T13:47:00.001-04:00

An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was getting time the boy should give some thought to choosing a profession. Like many young men his age, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do, and he didn't seem too concerned about it. One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects:

1. A Bible.

2. A silver dollar.

3. A bottle of whiskey.

4. A Playboy magazine.

'I'll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself.
"When he comes home from school today, I'll see which object he picks up.

"If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that would be!

"If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a business man, and that would be okay, too.

"But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunken bum, and Lord, what a shame that would be.

"And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing womanizer."

The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling and heading for his room. The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them.

Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and dropped into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink, while he admired the magazine's centerfold.

"Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's gonna run for Congress..."

The Economy, The Future...

2009-08-17T09:42:00.002-04:00

The economy will most likely go through some recovery in the next 12 months. Many experts predict the recovery will be mild. You know, the same experts what whiffed on predicting the recession.

Somewhere, somehow, there's going to be a huge opportunity for income in all this. I have no idea where it is, but it will be there. My goal, your goal, is to be creative and find that niche.

There's always an upside.

All The Best,

-- Don

Now. NOW, DAMMIT ... NOW!

2009-08-11T08:47:00.000-04:00

Live your best life NOW! You have no guarantees of the future. If there's something you want to accomplish, GET STARTED. NOW. RIGHT NOW.

Keeping A Good Attitude

2009-07-15T11:02:00.002-04:00

When everything's going wrong and there seems to be ZERO relief in sight, that's when it's most important to be Positive, Grateful ... keep a Good Attitude.

Obviously, it's easy to be "up" when things are going your way.

It's when there appears to be no hope that you must have Faith. It is then that you must stop your mind, catching negative thoughts, and turn them into positive motivation.

Limbaugh: Racist?!

2009-06-19T14:01:00.001-04:00

Rush Limbaugh repeatedly refers to President Obama as a "man-child".

Rush, why don't you just come right out and call him "boy" and get it over with?

President Obama's response to the election in Iran

2009-06-18T09:43:00.002-04:00

President Obama has distanced himself from getting directly involved with the result of the election in Iran.

I agree with his wise decision. Getting involved would only fan the anti-America flames of the parties involved, and allow the current regime to claim that we are, in fact, interfering in their sovereign right as a nation.

Stand back, let things play out, and let the people of Iran do the heavy lifting. We can spot them and, if possible (later), open a door of dialog.

Here's hoping that Iran moves peaceably and morally.

All The Best,

-- Don

History

2009-05-28T10:29:00.002-04:00

The Nazis called it "verscharfte vernehmung".

The English translation? "Enhanced interrogation".

Sound familiar, Mr. Cheney???

Christian Crusades, Part Duex

2009-05-19T16:56:00.001-04:00

So, Donald Rumsfeld played Bush like the simpleton Xian that he is and -- in fact -- used the Iraq war as a Crusade ... or what one, in another religion, might call a Jihad!

Great ... just great.

Maslow's Pyramid

2009-05-03T20:08:00.002-04:00

I've reached the top of Maslow's triangle/pyramid. It occurs to me that I live nearly all the time in a state of self-actualization, with multiple and regular Peak Experiences.

Wow. How fortunate I am.

Now to figure out how to spread that around...

Life Purpose

2009-04-29T13:54:00.002-04:00

My Life Purpose/Mission Statement:

My Life Purpose is to help others realize their full potential as a result of my own personal growth.

Along with that, I've developed the following:

Everything that I do to help myself now carries with it the responsibility to use it to help others.

Do you have a Life Purpose Statement?