Full Circle: Reliving the Journey

I started this blog 2 and a half years ago, thinking I hated all things computers. I had just quit my high tech job in Seattle and had no idea where life would take me. Anywhere but high tech.

It was only about 2 months or so until I started doodling architecture design sketches for foodscout.org, which should have been my first clue that my future would be much more software-oriented than I had thought.

Then I moved on to Asheville, got myself the worst-paying software job I've ever had, and tried to make a go of that for about 6 months before dedicating myself full time to building websites for clients and finishing foodscout. That's been a good amount of fun but one thing that taught me is that I hate being poor.

Wow have I had less money than I've ever had in my life. John and I decided last November that it wasn't worth it and we both set out to find all new soul-sucking software jobs again. I interviewed at many places, hated almost all of them, with a couple of exceptions. But nothing worked out.

In April, we all but gave up on the job search entirely and decided to build something. We sat down for a "brainstorming meeting" determined to come up with an idea that might bring in some money. The first thing John suggested was "what about templated, commoditized websites for Republican organizations so that we can sell them kick-ass websites that are really inexpensive?" And, meeting adjourned. I immediately got to work and 2 months later, just a week before I started my new job, we launched GOP Web Connect.

And that brings us to this week, when I started working at the absolute best possible job in all of Asheville. I'm a software developer at the National Climatic Data Center (contractor), a place where everyone runs to the windows when a big storm rolls through town and everyone you meet tells you "This is just a wonderful place to work."

I've spent the last 3 days shopping for all the things I have needed but haven't been able to afford since I moved to Asheville in 2007. Like a ladder to clean out the gutters. And a real living room chair to replace the lawn chair with the Mexican blanket draped over it that's sitting there now.

I'm not complaining though. The last 2 and a half years of total uncertainty have been a blessing. I was forced to learn to adapt and accept not knowing what comes next. Embrace it even. I also learned to enjoy building software for its own sake, not because some corporate hierarchy tells me to. And I had time to focus on the things that really matter - community, friendship, love, health, art.

I still have all those things, all those lessons learned. But now, on top of that, I have lots and lots of money too!!! Well, I'm not rich or anything, but it's all relative. Compared to what I've had, I may as well be a millionaire.

Life is good. I have no complaints whatsoever.

Feng Shui Fountain on the Cheap

About a year ago, I was browsing my neighborhood thrift store (which sadly is going out of business) and I found this fantastic copper pot for $7. I had just been shopping for a copper table fountain around that time which were about $2-300. Ouch!

About 3 months ago my hot water heater blew up and needed to be replaced to the tune of about $500. Knowing that I had the perfect fountain bowl, I asked the guy installing my water heater to please save all the little pieces of copper pipe that were being trimmed.

And finally, in April, John kindly bought me a fountain pump for my birthday as a little incentive to get that thing built. Feeling motivated, we went to the hardware store and picked up a couple of copper pipe connector thingies.

Voila! A fountain! It only cost us about $40 total and it looks cooler than most of the ones I found online.

According to our feng shui expert, having "water features" in the house was supposed to help our finances, which is good because I've been REALLY broke. I'm not going to assert that one definitely caused the other but I will tell you with complete honesty and no sarcasm that the money has been flowing as consistently as my little fountain.

Starting from the day I plugged that thing in about 3 weeks ago, I've gotten several checks in the mail from new clients as well as old clients who had overdue bills. Then I got a good job offer in Asheville, for a job I had applied for last December with no success. And just this week I find out that I am going to inherit several thousand dollars from a relative that I didn't know had any assets to bequeath.

Apparently water features don't work the same for everyone though. So don't go putting one in your livingroom thinking it will make you rich. For you, it could cause you to go broke or make your hair fall out or something. I made that up, but seriously, it doesn't work the same for everyone.

April Snow in the Mountains

I'm a techno-geek

When I quit my software job in Dec 2006, supposedly for good, I never would have guessed what a total nerd I would eventually turn into. I realized it today when I was thinking about how many new technologies I wanted to learn but didn't have time for.

If you remember from my New Years Resolution, I am learning to write iPhone applications. I just got a great book on the subject which is helping me move along with it much faster. And I actually enjoy reading it. How creepy is that?

I've been having so much fun on facebook over the last several months that now I want to learn to write facebook applications. I hear it's not too difficult, but it's something I have to sit down and figure out....when I have time.

And then today, sci-fi came to life for me when I watched this video about prototype called Ubiquity. You just have to see it to understand.



Maybe I'm easily impressed, but I thought this was really cool. Apparently you can write simple little applications that plug into Ubiquity. Now I want to do that too.

I wasn't ever like this before. Not even when I first got into software. I did it for the paycheck and for the relaxed dress code. If gardening had paid as well, I would have done that instead. Now I do this stuff in my spare time for no pay. Life is funny.

Gregory is home!

I can't believe it! Several days of freezing temperatures and Gregory is home, no worse for wear. He is 2 pounds lighter and pretty thirsty, but the vet said he looked fine.

He was in Weaverville, 17 miles away. I'm going to talk with my neighbors and try to find out how he might have gotten out there. What I really want is to find some explanation so that I don't have to think some sicko did this intentionally out of malice.

He seems just as happy and relieved to be home as I am to have him here. He only gets off my lap to get some water and then he comes right back. I am so grateful. I am so grateful. I am so grateful.

Gregory is missing, and I am lost

In the fall of 1995, Gregory appeared in my life one day as an apartment stray. Last Sunday, over 13 years later, he disappeared. I don't know where he is or what happened to him.

If someone had found him, surely they would have called me. I have signs all over the neighborhood, ads in the papers and online, lost cat reports at the shelter and emergency clinic, and my number is on his collar if he hasn't lost it. It's been terribly cold the last few nights. If he's trapped outside I don't know that he'd survive. If he's trapped inside he'd be awfully thirsty by now.

Gregory, my old friend, I'm sorry I couldn't save you this time. If I could throw a blanket over the whole world, to keep you warm and protected, until someone found you and brought you home to me, I would.

Gregory was last seen in West Asheville near Olney Rd. and Vermont Ave. He is grey and white, 10 pounds, male, neutered.

2009 New Years Resolutions

As usual, I have 5 resolutions for 2009 that I plan to do my best to live up to.

1. Write an iPhone application


2. Limit myself to 2 Greens+ chocolate bars per week - You may remember that I have a bit of an addiction to these


3. Exercise at least 5 days a week


4. Straighten the house each night before I go to bed - I started this habit a few days ago and I like it so much I want to make it a regular thing


5. Visit 2 new places this year - I make this resolution every year. I think it's a good one.