Recently in programming Category

I've figured out how to use Catalyst::Plugin::Params::Nested, jQuery, and DBIx::Class's ->populate method to create an arbitrary number of records (in this case, workout exercises).  So hopefully, I'm going to have a relatively well optimized web application up within the next week or so.  It's wonderful such robustness can be achieved with a little ingenuity (not so much on my part, when I figure things out it mainly just puts me on par with "good" programming :-)

Updates coming!

I am tasked daily with very challenging things.  Often times more challenging than I believe I can take care of at the time.  The fact of the matter is, I *have* to figure out a way to get the task done.  Either that, or someone else will, and I'm all of the sudden out of a job.  I also have to keep up on the latest technologies, not because it's required, but because it's smart, and gives me an edge in the field.  Combine this with school, $life, and kung fu, and you have a very formidable task ahead of you.  This is where I make a comparison between kung fu and my career (though green it and myself may be), further proved by me writing this at 4am on a school night.  This is not the first time I have had to sacrifice sleep to get a mission critical piece of work done.  And this will not be the last.  One's mental strength and make up must be that which can withstand the tribulations of mind numbingly bad code, test iterations that seem endless, and the 800lb gorilla on your back that is sleep deprivation.  

Anyway, this rant is pretty much done.  I just really had to convey the fact that mental clarity and strength in one form or another is absolutely pinnacle if you really want to be a competitive, well, anything.

I'm two semesters away from being done with college.  Probably forever, unless I get hired at a place that wants me to get some sort of master's program in software engineering.  Which, I personally feel would hurt me as the industry moves to fast to stop and go back to school, but i digress.  Anyway, I'm also holding down a few contracts doing web programming and system admin to certain degrees respectively.  I'm working around 30 hours a week, and going to school, 16 credits.  I'm at maximum capacity, and have very little room forever.  But I love it.  I could really do without school, but I know that once it's over, it's OVER, and that shiny little certificate will make a world of difference in many many places.  

I really stress out over things not getting done, not meeting expectations, and of course deadlines.  I've found that in order to keep any semblance of sanity, my scheduling, triage, and delegation skills must be performing at an absolute peak, and pristine condition at all times.  I am a perfectionist, and even more so a control freak.  I've extremely OCD, and I have battled demons concerning letting things go that are out of my control for ages.  I feel however, that no matter how stressful, I am truly blessed for these opportunities.  People have trusted me enough to give me money (and good money at that, especially for a college student) to do work on their systems, their bread and butter.  A daunting task, yes, but I know I have the hutzpah, know how, and tenacity to get this stuff done.  And done well. 

So I know this is a bit of a rant.  I know this is stereotypical life-blogging.  However I feel it is important to get this information out in the public, as I feel having insight into someone's life can really help give you a gauge as to what kind of quality work they will produce, etc.  Also, it's nice to bitch!

Take care all.  I look forward to the day I get to look back on all this and go, "Ahhhh. Full time job, no school, place to live, beer in fridge, I'm happy."

I'm looking forward to see what kinds of talks get accepted, and how things pan out.

More later, surely.

Enjoy!