In the last ten years, we’ve moved five times.1 In a few days, I will increment that count. We are moving to Santa Fe New Mexico. Our previous perambulations were driven by work. We went where the jobs were and they were all over. Because I have spent a lifetime moving for work I have … Continue reading The Santa Fe Trail
Category: Diary
For Carl’s Memorial
Carl in his basement apartment surrounded by his drawings and hugging Puff: one of his long-lived cats. Carl was a good friend for most of my adult life. During the many years I lived in Edmonton I spent a lot of time with Carl. It’s rather odd that I have so few pictures of him. … Continue reading For Carl’s Memorial
An Honest Resume Personal Statement
While updating an online version of my resume a nagging web page advised me to include a personal statement: apparently the personal statement is my chance to stand out, make that all important first impression, and firmly affix my lips to succulent corporate ass. Being programmer oriented, the web page suggested I write about my … Continue reading An Honest Resume Personal Statement
What hobbies do you have? Have you learned anything useful from them?
This is my first "cross-posted" entry. I composed this on Quora. I was asked to answer the title question and I did. I probably won't do this very often. Still, a little experimenting is fun. Answer by John Baker: The short answer is many and yes. The longer answer is pretty much everything I do, that … Continue reading What hobbies do you have? Have you learned anything useful from them?
Cutting the Stinking Tauntaun and other Adventures in Software Archeology
The other day a software project that I had spent a year on was “put on the shelf.” A year of effort was unceremoniously flushed down the software sewer. A number of colleagues asked me, “How do you feel about this?” Would you believe relieved? This is not false bravado or stupid sunny optimism. I … Continue reading Cutting the Stinking Tauntaun and other Adventures in Software Archeology
Mahin and Carl
On the very memorable date of New Year’s Eve my wife’s mother Mahin died. From now on the dropping ball will remind us of her. Mahin had a long and honorable life. She was loved by children, grandchildren, and in-laws. She was the calm matriarch in the storm of her family. I meet her late … Continue reading Mahin and Carl
Your Bitcoins are Now Welcome!
Recently Coinbase introduced payment pages. Here's my page. Payment pages simplify the process of paying with Bitcoins. In the last six months more and more businesses have started accepting Bitcoins. Once people get cryptocurrencies they inevitably start questioning the legitimacy of national currencies. This is all good. National currencies are part of the past. It's embarrassing to … Continue reading Your Bitcoins are Now Welcome!
Pussydent Hildabeast
My blood moon photography didn’t turn out because I didn’t. Come midnight fatigue, familiarity and spotty weather conspired to send this exhausted W2 drone1 to bed. It’s just as well; if you’re not doing consider sleeping. In six months I’ll get another shot at photographing a blood moon. For the nonce, I’ll muse on menstrual … Continue reading Pussydent Hildabeast
The Great Verizon Data Famine
The other day I visited my local Verizon store for the fourth freaking time! My mission was simple: upgrade my goddamn phone and change our account from my wife’s name to mine. In sane retail environments long-standing customers with impeccable payment histories get treated like royalty. I know it will come as a shock to … Continue reading The Great Verizon Data Famine
Blogging Bad 2013
Another year of blogging bad. My mother's death and work were major distractions this year; I fell way short of my post goals but still managed to exceed the previous year's hit count and set a new high. To show their appreciation the good algorithms at WordPress.com sent us an annual report. Mine follows: The … Continue reading Blogging Bad 2013
Analyze the Data not the Drivel 