It seems that for a while there, I temporarily stopped producing the hormone that causes one to write
things on the interwebs. Since this here Hot Laundry is supposed to be my professional blog, I feel
remiss in my duties towards my collegial colleagues in not recounting my recent exploits. Hence
the following uncharacteristically short post:
In the past two years, I have spent huge gobs of time on two semantic system client projects, which
are both very worthwhile and exciting, but have unfortunately been competing for the time of everyone
on my team. Thankfully both have now entered major QA/release processes, meaning that our
millibars are reducing just a wee bit going into the fall. Enough for me to write this post, anyway.
Hooray!
As for why I seemed to fall down a hole: We had a significant setback in spring 2008 involving adding a
big new customer at the same time that a promising new employee chose to leave us. Together these
events, both for the best in the long term, made our deadline pressure for the last year unusually
intense. So, it seems the year has left me a bit grayer, but with a lot of good work done. Now I
am starting to mellow out and smell the flowers in Montana, where I've come for the summer.
Happy Times! Mountain hikes and bikes, splashing in rivers and lakes, digging the views and (once
a week) pioneer western style nightlife (drinkin', cussin', and scrappin'), workin' on that "core strength"
deal, with attention my posture is improving a bit, and I am feeling a sense of balance, adjustment and
belonging that I suppose comes with an iota of maturity. In other joyful news, I fixed up a free bike the
other day and rode it home from this place:
Missoula Freecycles It's an actual open bike shop, not the general local freecycling thing, which is also
very groovy of course. Bicycling engineers will love this place : a huge greasy cache of free bike parts,
organized by type, with tools and stands to work on the bikes. In addition to the parts are bikes and
sub-bikes, in every state of repair. Bikes that are mostly already working are available for loan with a
requested donation of $5 per week. I did that in June, and last week I went back hoping to do the
same. Well, no dice, but I found a "junk" mountain bike in my size, which is spray painted matte red,
yellow, and green (including the rims and tires) and looks like it's been to Burning Man say 3 or 4 times.
Decent components, good (colorful!) tires, missing tube on front tire, back wheel out of true, chain
is dry. That's it. 30 minutes of work and the bike is ridable. 15 minutes more and it's starting to be
a nice bike. Boom! I donated $20 in the can (noone asked or even noticed that I did this - all honor
system DIY) and rode it home. 5 days later, the tires are still both holding air. Shifters work and
brakes are OK. Pow!
My new favorite band? Zeppo!
Went to the big ti...I mean, the Grands Tetons mountains a few weeks back. Glorioso!
Other than that, it's 10 hrs a day working still, for now. Robots, education, finance, and consumer
decision support [sooper seekrit!].
I will probably be in Texas in October or so, not sure for how long. Drop me a line if you want to connect
and compare notes.
Alrighty then. We are caught up. Whata Ta, my dilly daimies !
Hi there! I am here for the first time and like what and how you write. Hope to hear from you soon and something new ) My rapidshare SE ( http://rapidqueen.com ) for your use
Posted by: Riley | 2010.03.12 at 08:08 PM