Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Migrating and developing new applications for Linux

IBM is having a couple of one day or half day sessions on various topics through it's IBM developerWorks program. One of the topics in their "Technical briefings" series is "Migrating and developing new applications for Linux". Specifically -

"Migrating and developing new applications for Linux"
2005 Mar 08 (09:00 to 12:45)
Washington DC Area, District of Columbia, United States IBM Facility
12902 Federal Systems Park Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033


You can find a map for it on Google Maps.

The main page for all of the IBM developerWorks Technical briefings and Events is at http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/offers/techbriefings/.

I don't know how I'm going to get there but I am going to try for this specific event.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

The ups and downs

Ever notice how people tend to use a roller coaster as the metaphor for life's travels? The whole up and down thing is understandable. But life tends to be a lot less forgiving than an amusement part ride. The ups and downs in life are far more intense and have much less warning. Closer to a rocket shot; straight up and straight down.

Right now I'm in the middle of limbo. The job in PA went very well but was a real killer. Nearly 4 weeks in a hotel away from my son... That's far to long a time to be away. Now I'm in wait state while the sales people are working out another gig. I did get my first paycheck from the new job and it was almost enough to catch me up on things. But I need new glasses and had to put down half for them to start making them. Now the glasses are in but I can't pick them up till I get more money in. Heh, as a side note this prescription is bifocal. Damn I'm getting old.

On a good note I have been on two dates since I got back. One was with the Chinese lady friend from way back. The other with a setup through that Together Dating. They both were nice and I hope to see them both again. I'm pretty sure I'll see the former but can only hope about the latter. The funny thing is I have four more "introductions" in my bag. I've setup dates with three of them but still need to touch base with the fourth. Next weekend is going to be very busy.

What else... I'm still hoping to start my plan. It's not going to be easy as it's far more likely I'll spend the days lying on the couch watching TV than trying to re-learn programming. It would be good for me if I did get back into hacking, though. And it is something I really like. The lack or motivation and, more critically, discipline is what's holding me back. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it. But lazy is more than just a state of mind. It's a way of life. Well, for some of us it is.

Oh, before I forget, I started smoking the Eclipse cigarettes again. The Wellbutrin was working wonderfully but I ran out of the prescription while up in PA and the stress from the training and being away from my son was to much. I need to call the doctor and get it renewed this week.

Anyway, them's the highlights. I'll try and get on here more often but don't hold your breath. Remember, lazy is a way of life.