3 days agoWhy Software Sucks: Matilda and HanselAfter 20 years in the business, I’m finally starting to be able to explain why. This is #1 in a series. Computer Science and software development have less in common than you might think. I’ll tell you why with an example from the movie “Zoolander”. There’s a plot point where the savvy reporter, Matilda, sends the clueless male model, Hansel, to steal some files from a computer. Hansel puts his eyes…Software Development2 min read
May 5Practice Uncertainty: Growing PainBefore I started writing, I thought it consisted of announcing things to the world: Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with the tablets, carved in stone. I’ve learned that the process of writing requires much more uncertainty. A huge part of writing involves figuring out what to write about —…Writing2 min read
Mar 17Parking Garage SpiritualityI had a spiritual experience in a parking garage. Does that sound weird? It was mysterious, but not supernatural. End of my senior year in high school, I came to Portland, and fell in love. I’d saved up a chunk of money working odd jobs, and moved right after graduation. …Spirituality2 min read
Mar 3The Definition of HappinessI started reading the dictionary when I was four years old, so I’m very attuned to the definitions of words. One of the most ill-defined words is “happiness”. There’s a lyric by the band Morphine that sums it up for me: “I’m exactly where I want to be right now.” …Happiness2 min read
Feb 25Life is a Party, Life During WartimeThe Talking Heads song “Life During Wartime” has a stark contrast between the desperation of its lyrics — “I got some groceries, some peanut butter / To last a couple of days” — and its music, which is a stone cold jam. This morning two members of our team, from…Life2 min read
Feb 24Pro-Positive: Veggies, not VegetarianThere’s two ways we can define our identity: through addition, or subtraction. I was in Little Rock, AK, when I blew a waitress’ mind with addition. I was touring with a band called The Asteroid Shop. We were booked at Juanita’s in Little Rock, great venue, and the show came…Positive Thinking2 min read
Feb 17Homeless WisdomI have a rule: I’ll give anyone who asks me for money on the street one dollar per day. There’s a reason for it: working in downtown areas for years, I’d see the same folks multiple days a week, sometimes on the weekends too. By putting a cap on the…Perspective3 min read
Feb 3Eternal Groundhog BirthdayGroundhog Day came early for me this year. I was born on The Day The Music Died. On February 3rd, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper’s plane crashed. Later, Don MacLean wrote the song “American Pie”, inspired by the event. In the movie “Groundhog Day”, Bill Murray…Eternal Life2 min read
Jan 13Keyboards DecoupleMusic and programming have so much in common. It’s not a coincidence both have keyboards. In fact, the musical keyboard can illustrate how all programs work. Until the computer, the most complex tool ever created was the pipe organ. The source of the sound starts out simple: pressurized air —…Music3 min read
Jan 6Define rock ‘n roll.I started reading the dictionary when I was four years old, so I grew up very aware of definitions. And “rock ‘n roll” is a hard term to define. Before pandemic, I went on a trip overseas. When I came back, the customs officer handed me my passport and said…Rock And Roll2 min read
