25 things you probably didn’t know about me
It started as a meme on Friendfeed. Crank out a list of 25 things that you may or may not know about me. Here goes. Some historical, some behavioral, some just plain weird. What can I say, it's just me.
- My first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model IV with a tape cassette drive. My project for the fifth grade science fair was a computer game I wrote in BASIC called Tank Wars. It was over 500 lines.
- At 12 years old, my first "real" job was folding pizza boxes at $0.03/box.
- At 14, I worked as a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant (my friend Andy's parents owned it). I will NEVER forget what it's like to clean the inside of a Peking duck oven.
- At 16, I worked for a summer doing pre-delivery DOT inspections and customizations of new school buses. We had a 300 line item list to check off for each bus. I learned how to install radios, backup alarms, weld and use plasma cutters at this job. Quite exhausting, but great work.
- When I was a Junior/Senior in high school, I worked nights/weekends as "third oven cook" and then became "main chef" at a steak and seafood restaurant called "What's Your Beef?" in Manlius, NY.
- As a teenager, during summers, I used to teach archery, windsurfing, swimming, and other outdoor activities at YMCA Camp Tousey (now closed) near Watertown, NY.
- In my last year of college, I learned this thing called HTML so I could post my resume on the World Wide Web. Then I started building web sites. Then web apps. One Master's degree and over 15 years later, I'm still going strong having now worked over 9 years in my current gig in the enterprise software space.
- I have an undergrad degree from Lewis & Clark College in Biology & Botany, yet I've never worked professionally in either field.
- Technically, I'm qualified to be a librarian. I have a Master's degree in Library & Information Science from the University of Washington.
- Since leaving my position at Microsoft in 1999, I've only been "hired" once, yet I've worked for 4 different companies. How is that possible? Joined startup DataChannel in 1999. DataChannel acquired by Netegrity in 2000. Netegrity sold "Portal" technology and team (inc. me) to webMethods in 2003. webMethods was acquired by Software AG in 2007.
- I have a passion (addiction?) for marine coral reef ecosystems and maintain a 300 gallon salt water reef tank and a 250 gallon salt water marine fish tank in my home. Check out some recent Flickr pics.
- I currently have over 25 semi-operational or near dead PCs, laptops, and other assorted junk lying around my storage units. I call it the "pile-o-dell-hell" [Really need to do something about that]
- I geek out hard on NASA/JPL space missions, especially the recent ones to Mars & Saturn. I've followed the Mars Rovers missions pretty regularly since they landed over 5 years ago. I even got to meet Scott Maxwell (@marsroverdriver) at Gnomedex this past year.
- I am a big sports fan, but there are really only 2 teams that I am a die hard fan for - Syracuse Orange college basketball and Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football. I went to the Final Four in New Orleans in 2003 and watched Syracuse win the NCAA Championship! In 2005, I went to the Super Bowl XL in Detroit and watched the Steelers win it all!
- I quit smoking on Oct 28, 2007 and haven't had a cigarette since.
- I absolutely can't stand being late. Ever.
- Sometimes, I have a really hard time waiting.
- At times, I have some pretty intense OCD tendancies. Think neatly arranged piles.
- In addition to my day job in the software busienss, I own/manage 11 apartment/condos in downtown Seattle and live in one of the units.
- I'm a jack of all trades and can do basic electrical wiring, plumbing, carpentry, and landscaping.
- Right now I have 1013 cameraphone pics stored on my mobile.
- I really like lighting fireworks off.
- When I was in 6th grade, I had a bicycle accident and cut the tip of my right middle finger off.
- My first car was a 1979 Ford Thunderbird that I purchased from a family friend for $400 and put a lot of TLC into it. Sadly, it caught on fire on the way home from work one night and proceeded to melt/blow up.
- I like to collect rocks of all shapes, colors, and sizes.
There I did it. Pretty random collection if you ask me, but a rather fun exercise. See everyone else's on Friendfeed.
Labor Day Weekend Projects
My day started at Zoka Coffee in the University District.
Coffee, breakfast, and some light coding / app config. Then bailed for home, which is where I'm at right now. As it's a holiday weekend, where many our out squeezing in one last extended summer weekend, I'm pretty well tied up with the reality that are my unavoidable deliverables. I've got no problem spending my weekend this way, as I know I am working hard towards something much bigger. So with that, here's a list of what I've got on tap this Labor Day weekend.
What are you all doing? @infinitelymeta me on Twitter or *Like* this post on Friendfeed to get in on the conversation. That's where I tend to hang out on socnets these days.
Happy Labor Day everyone!
Brian's Uber List
- New range/oven delivery for unit 2214 (one of my new tenants stove broke so I replaced it with this:
- Put out For Rent sign for my soon to be available 1BR apartment in Eastlake, Seattle WA 98102. It rents for $1400 and is the entire lower floor of an historic Victorian home that was built in 1908. An excellent spacious unit with great lighting. Email eastlakeassociates at gmail if interested or call 206.328.3379 and leave a message.
- Java/JSF/AJAX - I'm putting the final interfaces and code tweaks in place for a project that I've spend a quarter working on. Final interfaces in place, but still have 75+ line item bug list. Need to go code complete by Monday evening to begin FTP transfer of Development VMware image from one side of our network to an internal only host. Still have A LOT of work ahead of me to finish this project and go into team only beta next week with Public Beta (internal corp net) on Sept 8.
- Landscaping & trim to prep for fall. Luckily, I really enjoy this task. Especially when my 5.5 yr old nephew Logan joins me. He makes some pretty good coin and he's a GREAT helper.
- Working with my friend Thom, the Ichthyogenius on our latest project, Reef In A Box that we are looking to launch in the coming months.
- Working on the YTranslate.us engine. Coding in PHP/mySQL/Python/etc. Toying with new SMS gateway (thanks to Mona' Friendfeed post).
- Meeting with contractor on some fix-r-up-r projects for 3 of my apts in preparation for Fall/Winter.
- Looking for electrician to install some motion-sensor aware lighting in my back alley and in between my building to deal with my unwanted-persons-on-my-property challenge.
- Water changes & general maintenance on my 300 gallon reef tank.
- Prep/meet with GC on new reef tank project. Wait till you see what I'm going to build. It's gonna pop!
- Shade garden v2. Part of the landscaping stuff I suppose, but definitely worthy of mention.
- Replace fire extinguisher in common area to be in compliance with recent Seattle City Fire Department inspection.
That's all I can remember for now.
What I mean when I say I’m at “Camp”
I thought I'd post some pictures I took while walking around our "camp", which is where I spent my summer vacation this year. Below, you will find a Flickr set that contains some pictures of "Camp HateToQuitIt" which has been in my mother's family since around 1898. My folks own about 1000' 400' of shoreline on the Great Sacandaga Lake and about 100 acres of forest up the mountain behind our "camp".
I've been coming up here since I can remember and it is here that I often find peace and serenity. Enjoy the pics, and please understand my sometimes extended absense from posting, as it's quite nice to be able to unplug and get away from it all.
Here's the flickr set that should help set the proper context.
Busy Busy Busy
I'm in countdown to vacation mode, which requires hyper-productivity on my part. Tying up loose ends with Eastlake Associates LLC, digesting major org changes at my dayjob, and moving rather quickly with startup activity around Infinitely Meta.
I've finally got some talent working on my personal & corporate brand. Mad props going out to Sean Blake (aka @bluefox) who has graciously agreed to help with this effort. Here's what he sent me after I briefed him on the idea / concepts behind Infinitely Meta. What do you think of the new logo/brand?
The possibilities are endless
Still recovering from July 4
It's Sunday morning and I'm still exhausted from July 4. The party was a HUGE success. Great people, great food & great drinks. Things got a little crazy just before the fireworks started up on the roof. This year, I got up on the roof early and setup a tripod with my Panasonic HD video recorder and my Quickcam Pro 9000 that I used to stream the Fireworks show on UStream.
I typically invite those who are brave enough to climb both ladders and view the fireworks from the roof of my 4-plex building as there are unabated views of the Fireworks barge and Lake Union from there. The view is spectacular and the Fireworks show this year was most excellent.
What I hadn't expected was the mass migration of people from surrounding houses/parties to my roof! At one point, my brother in-law counted over 50 people on the roof. There was even a DOG! Someone even brought the KEG up. It was unreal. I was a bit nervous about the structural integrity of the roof, but I asked everyone to spread out and distribute the weight. I also asked folks to stay away from the edge and just be careful.
The fireworks show was most excellent and I'll be importing and converting the HD video I shot as soon as possible. Until I get that up, here's the raw video footage. There is probably some language and conversations that are NSFW, so apologies in advance. I claim no responsibiilty for the content (audio) portion of the video. Enjoy! We did.
Accomplishments for Q2 2008
Here's my accomplishments for the quarter, scrubbed for any internal/confidential/proprietary stuff.
===========================
Category 1: Infrastructure
===========================
$$$$ $$$$$ v4 Project -
See $$ v4 Project Status email sent on July 2, 2008 for more detailed
breakdown.
Feature Spec: http://$$.$$
Feature List: http://$$.$$
Network Topology: http://$$.$$
Collaborative Development Guidelines:
http://$$.$$
Business Processes
$$$$$$ Management - Implemented in Q2. Roll out to field early Q3
$$$$$$ Management - Implemented in Q2. Roll out to field early Q3
$$$$$$ Engagement - Implemeneted in Q2. Roll out to field early Q3
$$$$$$ - Modeled in Q2. Implement in Q3
$$$$$$ - Modeled in Q2. Implement in Q3
$$$$ UIs
New $$$$ - DONE
My $$$$ - DONE
Update $$$$ - ALMOST DONE
Search for $$$$ - DONE
New #### - DONE
My #### - DONE
Update #### - ALMOST DONE
Search for #### - ALMOST DONE
New @@@@ - DONE (partner)
My @@@@ - ALMOST DONE (partner)
Search for @@@@ - IN PROCESS (partner)
&&&& UIs
Review $$$$ - DONE
Acquire $$$$ - DONE
Resubmit $$$$ & Request Review - ALMOST DONE
Review #### - DONE
#### Compliance Check - DONE (Pending review by YYY)
Update #### - ALMOST DONE
Review & Quantify @@@@ - DONE (partner)
Assign @@@@ Project Lead - DONE (partner)
Define Project @@@@ - IN PROCESS (partner)
Review @@@@ Project Plan - IN PROCESS (partner)
Upload & Review $$$$ Documentation - NOT STARTED (Joint)
Upload Final Doc & Signoff - NOT STARTED (Joint)
Live Pre-Alpha / Active Development site: http://$$.$$
===========================
Category 2: Implementation
===========================
Field Support
ppp ppppp - xxxxxxx - one week "firedrill mode" field support for team
on site at xxxxxx. See email summaries from ppp for details. I believe
his comment on my presentation to the xxxx Java development team was
something like "You hit it out of the park."
pppp ppppp - supported custom task UI and uuu development for xxxxxxxx
opportunity. [Need to verify VMs that ppp submitted this quarter.]
pppp ppppppp - built custom skin, shell, pages, & rules for xxxxxx opportunity. Assisted with implementation of
yyyyyyyyyy for [Need to follow up and make
sure that pppp submits this solution after the engagement is over]
pppp pppppp - helped with specific UI tweaks for custom jjjjjjjjj for
follow up demo/showcase to sssssss (hot customer).
ppppp ppppp - helped him setup custom ffffff Report viewer portlet for
hhh demo.
ppp ppppp pppp - helped with questions on file attachments
provider/panel for custom UI.
pppp ppppppp- assisted with zzzz UI, assignment, and rules config for
zzzzz demo VMware image.
pppppp pppppppppp- assisted with zzz UI, nnnn and page refactoring
for new version of zzzz w. sss demo / VMware Image. [Need to
confirm that we have this vmware asset/solution.]
ppppppp ppppp - helped with specific questions on Bootcamp training
setup and some of the initial modules. Provided email assistance.
ppppppp ppppppp - support on techniques for using zzz and/or sss
for publish to xxx ccc directly from Windows.
ppppp pppppp - assisted with sss UI, ddddd, page design & layout
for refactoring sssss demo.
ppppppp ppppppppp- assisted pppppp and Course Developer with scoping out
and validating zzz course topics and techniques for Advanced zzz course.
pppppp ppppp - helped ppppp with some issues he was having with zzzzz
Reports. Sent him copy of my generic zzzzz Report Viewer portlet, which
seemed to solve his problem.
General Field Support - monitor and respond to questions when
appropriate on zzz and aaa mailing lists. Day to day repsonding to
questions on qqqq team aliases.
=======================
Category 3: Innovation
=======================
Product Development & Product Related Innovation
Submitted at least 10 bugs to
Product Development teams. [NOTE: I can track down xxxxx entries if you
need them.]
Defined new approach and technique for ***************************************
*********************************** [super secret sorry]
Perfected new technique to **************************** [ again too cool and confidential]
ppppp ppppp - worked with ppppp to setup hosted zzzzzz
environment for him to test sssss z.z.z scenarios. In exchange, he's
going to personally help us use zzzzzzz to **********************.
Perfected new techniques for ****************** [ sorry. that's the super secret special sauce]
pppp pppp - Product Marketing - Reached out to pppp to help get
our business processes more visibility within the company.
Hoping to use our current zzzzz project as a success story for how xxx
is***************** [sorry]
ppppp pppppppp - Reached out to ppppp to begin exploring
options for building new ******* [sorry]
ppppppppppppppp - managed collaborative development
and implementation of ********* [sorry confidential ]
****************
*******************
****************
******** [confidential & proprietary]
====================
Category 4: Improve
====================
Assets (e.g. Bootcamps, training, CAF Utils)
Training & Mentoring - assisted ppppppp & pppppp
with zzz and xxxx UI skills development for projects they were working
on this quarter. Held several webex sessions to demonstrate techniques
and showcase implementation patterns for zzz/xxxx UI building.
Training & Mentoring - delivered several 1:1 sessions with zzzzzzz
partner development team to establish baseline level of agreement and
understanding for specific *************** [confidential]
Training & Mentoring - held several 1:1 sessions in zzzzzz office with
pppp ppppppp to do skills exchange. I helped him with some zzzz/xxxxx
stuff and he helped me by showing some of his dddd/ssss techniques.
Training & Mentoring - worked directly 1:1 with pppp pp to help develop
zzz UI and kk backend skills and techniques. pppp's expertise in
Database/DBA stuff is critical to making sure our relational model is
optimized.
Training & Mentoring - Recorded Webex of advanced zzz UI building and
custom Java coding techniques from presentation to xxxxx Java developer
team.
Created new section on aaaaa site for reusable components. Precursor to
zzz Util library that we will roll out on aaaaa site in early Q3. Added several reusable components such as xxxxxxx, yyyyyyy, zzzzzzz, etc.
Personal growth, knowledge & skills development
Technology - Learning fundamentals
Self-paced learning of essential skills needed to independently develop,
deploy, and manage ************** [ confidential]
Implemented all ************** [confidential]
Ick! Need Cleaner Shrimp STAT!
The territorial battles in my reef tank continue today. Lots more Icky white specks on the Achilles Tang and Foxface. I see a new puncture wound on the Achilles as well. But all fish are alive and moving. My friend Thom the Ichthyogenius (more on that later) stopped by yesterday to pick up some fresh RO/DI mixed Salt Water (to 1.023 specific gravity) for a couple of his clients so I got to get his take on the situation.
My other buddy Jon also stopped by to check out my new Jade Green Elephant Ear Mushroom and the new Crocea Clam I introduced yesterday (see below).
After watching these fish go at it constantly pretty much non stop for the past week, its starting to become clear what is happening. Patterns are emerging and I'm hoping that I can get rid of the Ick and let this battle come to a eventual conclusion with a new pecking order in place.
Right now the Achilles tang is vying for top spot on the fish food chain in my tank. He has clearly marked his territory by pecking at a very specific area of live rock in my tank. This area happens to have been the Foxface's old home. So the Achilles is basically trying to move in and claim the best cave/spot in my reef tank and the Foxface wants nothing to do with it.
Unfortunately both fish are pretty aggressive, and the battle is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. I will continue to monitor the tank, feed a bit more (to distract them), and go out and get some cleaner shrimp to help with the Ick. Aside from that 40 gallon water changes every couple days is about as best I can do.
An epic battle continues in my reef tank
Day 5? 6? 7? I lost track. I think my Achilles Tang has been in my tank for a little over a week now and WOW what a week it's been. Day after day of fighting for dominance over my Magnificant Foxface, Purple Tank, Clarkii Clownfish, Coral Beauty, and assorted Damsel fish.
The Achilles has been punctured no fewer than 10 times by the Foxface, whose dorsal spines contain a deadly neurotoxin, which, while clearly effective, does not deliver a fatal blow to the Achilles Tang. Sure it's pretty beat up in its belly, fin, eye, and other areas of its body, but it has been steadfast and held its ground. It may emerge as the new dominant fish in my tank - IF - it can survive a bout of the Ick. There are lots of parasites on the body of the Achilles and I've only got one cleaner shrimp, so tomorrow, I'm off to the fish store to get a few more cleaner shrimp to help control the Ick.
I've got some video footage of the action that I need to edit, and you can always check out the action on my Reef Tank Live page here.