Too big to fail

Posted by on May 16, 2012 No comments

I have always shuddered at the “too big to fail” phrase that has been thrown around in recent years. This is a sinister, stupid, socialist concept that enables businesses to socialize losses via bailout money, but privatize any profits made thereafter. A better concept to espouse would be “too smart to fail,” by which the energy is expended on making good (financial) decisions rather than on perverting what should be, but isn’t, a free market economy.

I agree with Ron Paul on this–if a business is allowed to fail, due to bad management or a changing market or any other aspects, it creates opportunity for new businesses to grow in their place. No business should ever be considered too big to fail. Propping them up extends the length of the recession and gives them (what should be) a false sense of security.

ADHD

Posted by on April 19, 2012 1 comment

We have had several different teachers tell us that Sophia has ADHD. It came as no surprise to us–we already knew. We were not in denial of, nor apathetic to, our daughter’s condition. She does not focus and dances around in place. She isn’t mean or violent (which can be some traits of ADHD), thank God.

However, we are/were stalling to try to find some other treatment than methylphenidate (Concerta/Ritalin). Several of the issues concerning the drug are not really relevant, since there is either conflicting evidence or no evidence. The bad side is that without methylphenidate, ADHD symptoms may abate over time. With methylphenidate, it does not, and there is no exit strategy for taking the med. Some people actually go psycho when/if they stop–a small percentage, but still… I’d rather try any other alternatives before accepting this.

I have seen some interesting studies showing homeopathic medicine being a viable alternative, with conclusive and favorable results. This includes double-blind tests. However, the homeopathic medicine administered in the test was subjectively-given, based on the subjects individual symptoms. So, there is no recipe. And you have to be careful in choosing a qualified doctor, because let’s face it: a great deal of homeopathic medicine is total garbage.

What I have found are some safe supplements that I gathered by digging through all the ADHD/ADD forums as well as homeopathic websites that I have deemed to be somewhat encouraging (not many are). So, we will be giving her Omega 3 and Magnesium supplements to help calm her a bit (plus a lot of good sunlight–don’t discount Vitamin D! [if your body has a mechanism to produce Vitamin D through your skin from sunlight, do you think it may be important?]) until we find a good treatment path.

Leadership

Posted by on February 24, 2012 No comments

Here at work, they have a system monitor that scrolls through all the different environments and shows performance. It now has an advertisement for a book called “Leader without a Title” or something like that. It shows pictures of people, such as Nelson Mandela, and a quote attributed to the person about leadership below.

I haven’t read the book, but from the context of the quotes, it seems to be about wanting people to exude leadership in the absence of actually being tasked as a manager.

Well, that is interesting to me because I think it is trendy. People are motivated when they can perform well in their jobs, because the environment is ideal for them to flourish. IMHO, this has to do more with helping them manage their expectations and not overtasking them. Last thing you want is a bunch of bossy pants running around telling each other what to do rather than doing what they should. Leadership is important, and with a lack of process, which enables management rather than leadership, it is extremely important. Leading by example is always a better philosophy, IMHO. I like being “in the trenches” with someone and working together, rather than just being told to do something, which is “do what I say, not as I do.”

Here is an interesting article on wikipedia I saw explaining some of the management fads. I find it interesting that CMMI made the “others” list.

Pervasive lack of process…

Posted by on December 28, 2011 1 comment

In the job hunt, I am discovering that finding jobs that implement sound software development processes is more of a rarity than I could ever have imagined. One place was sold to me under the guise that they are beginning to ramp up sound processes, but when I started ask questions, it seemed that they didn’t have even the easiest pieces in place. I started in a random spot, based on what I view as indispensable and they checked it off: Baselines? No. Unit tests? No. Test scripts? No. Ummm…code review or inspection? No. What do you do, then? Our daily stand-up. So you do sprint meetings? No. And how is the morale with respect to implementing these processes? Not good.

Where can I sign up? How much process has to be there for people to say they have process? Not much, it would seem.

But it seems to be more of the rule. I’ve heard of people saying they run a “Tailored Scrum Process” and wanted to cock my head to the side like a dog when you make a strange fart sound or something. The part about agile is that you cannot tailor it…it is lightweight, but the parts that ARE there HAVE to be implemented.

I would say that of the 20 or so places that I have interview with, only one professed up front that they do not have processes, but want to add them. I guess it stands to reason that so many of these companies are looking for personnel when the greatest benefit to having process is “increased productivity/morale” and hence, less turnover. The problem is finding these jobs, I suppose…since people are happy and don’t leave.

I guess opportunity lies in converting one of these places into something great. I guess I need to try…to put up or shut up.

Travels in the Hill Country: Lampasas

Posted by on December 27, 2011 No comments

Originally started, but not finished on July 3rd…

I absolutely adore the Hill Country here in Texas. I have been traveling around inside of it, when possible. This past weekend, we went to Lampasas, a small town about an hour or so northeast of Austin. To tell you the truth, the drive was the best part. We passed over the Pedernales river on Hwy 71, only to see that it was more like a creek. A lot of docks were high and dry.

Once we got to Marble Falls, we crossed the Colorado River (no, not *THAT* Colorado River) and it was absolutely gorgeous. Because my phone doesn’t take good moving pictures, I don’t have one to show. Sorry!

Once we got to Burnett, we saw a derailed and overturned train, and since it was right next to the highway, it was neat. Judging by the news vans, it was a recent misfortune. Julian enjoyed seeing it, since he is so into Thomas.

Lampasas itself had a nice little center. The park was in the center of town, and there was a golf course right next door. The pool had the old tea house, which was restored to its former glory. The pool itself was algae covered and brown. The sulfurous content of the water was minute, so it just smelled like old people’s houses. When Antonella and I were in Italy, Antonella’s sister’s boyfriend took us down to some hot springs some three hours South of Firenze. The water was about 95 degrees and smelled like matches. In fact, it took us three days to stop smelling of sulfur.

This pool was different: it was breathtakingly cold, so it was enjoyable on that hot day. The kids were good for a bit but then started to shiver, and it was easy to convince them to leave. Outside of that central park, however, Lampasas proper is truly forgettable. It had a smallish Walmart and the people seemed half asleep.

I give the Spring a B- and the town an overall C-. If you are in a drought, it is a great experience. Otherwise, don’t bother.

Leaving this Joint

Posted by on December 27, 2011 No comments

Well, some jobs absolutely suck absolutely. This is one of those.

The real tragedy is knowing that some people are so believably genuine, and so undeservedly so. No, they are two-faced and wretched. That they can smile at your children when they come to visit during lunch, only to try to get you canned right before Christmas. I feel good outmaneuvering them, and then leaving them with a labor void when they need the work done the most.

And the greatest feeling of all is showing others the evil people’s true nature.

I hope you all have…

Posted by on December 25, 2011 No comments

…the Merriest of Christmases!

My life back

Posted by on December 19, 2011 No comments

I finally graduated from school. I feel relief in some ways, and disappointment in others. At any rate, it is over…so I can get back to doing things I enjoy.

What is Genius? Stupidity?

Posted by on August 24, 2011 No comments

Genius is to use someone in such a way that they believe they are using you.
Stupidity is the other person.

Not my belief, just an observation.

MVC home-cooked woes

Posted by on August 18, 2011 No comments

At the current job, we use a home-cooked version of MVC. It is dreadful to learn how to use it, since no one here sets up their model the same way. The client-side data provider is set up to clearly be an abstract factory, but it seems everyone is oblivious and circumvents it. It is dreadful to follow. *Sigh*