This has been a very tough week. I have really been struggling to hold in my temper. Those who know me really well know I have a very bad temper. Fortunately however, I also have an incredibly long fuse. With all the stuff that's been going on, I was doing my best not to start yelling at people.
So yesterday, when I woke up with a bad sinus headache, I called in sick and took a mental holiday. I finally came to the conclusion last night that I should start programming again. Whether or not I finish the project is not the question. I enjoy the work. I guess it's oddly therapeutic. I'm not very creative. But I can create with the computer. I love the challenge of matching what I see on screen with what I have in my head. I'm not sure if you realize it or not, but computers are really stupid. They only do what we tell them to do. Maybe it's my control freak nature coming out. Maybe it's just a big puzzle.
I'm really good at puzzles. I scored 800 (out of 800) on the analytical portion of the GRE. I remember getting bored with the questions since it was the same pattern repeated several times. I'm not trying to brag, I'm just trying to explain a little about how my brain works. I think in a logical stepwise pattern. Maybe that's why programming has always been easy for me. And why other people who think in a true stream of conciousness format have such a hard time with it.
I never thought I wanted to be a programmer. I'm always envisioned a programmer as someone stuck in the corner pounding out code for 8 hours a day. I'm too much of a people person for that kind of work. I do code for many hours straight, but only on very rare occasions. I spend a lot of time talking with people. Gathering requirements and making sure what I have is what they need. Finding out what would make their lives easier. It's fun. When you get to be really good, like my friend Max, you can see patterns well in advance and have a tool ready for them before they know they need it. I want to be on that level. I strive to be an übergeek.
I guess that's all I have for the moment. For those of you who are travelling for the Easter Holidays, be safe. Have a great weekend. If you are looking for a church to go to this Sunday, you're more than welcome to join me at mine. Email me if you have any questions about it.
