More Work -- Things that make me laugh.

Programmers are often not real thoughtful on how the abbreviate things. As an example, I recently received the following warning when compiling some existing code:

The variable 'sEx' is declared but never used

for the uninitiated, a variable is a kind of name for things in a computers memory. You can think of variables like labels for boxes that "stuff" gets put in. In this case someone created a label but never put it on a box.

We often use abbreviations when we are creating labels or a kind of short hand so that we remember what goes in them without creating a really long name for each box. In this case the box was to store something we call an exception (an error, really) and it is one of the Standard Exceptions we deal with hence standard Exception = "sEx".

Anyway, reminds me of teenage boys bragging . . . (declared but never used, lol)

My Life at Work

Being Christian . . . Finding Christ

The thing I am finding most annoying about this so-called "inclusive" post-modern world is -- while everyone, it seems, is free to shout at me about what is wrong with my faith and beliefs, I am not free to respond to those charges.

It seems that people cannot stomach the fact that there may be some rational and reasonable responses to the charges they often level against my faith and religion.

I hope we can get past that some day.

better late than never :)

Well,

The chickens arrived and turned out to be a real treat for the dogs. That is, the dogs decided they liked fresh chicken and the chickens did not live very long. I've decided that chickens and dogs should probably not live on this farm together! I am still evaluating which animal should go. But I keep thinking . . . "you can't eat a dog"

I'll keep you posted.

My Personality Profile

PERSONALITY EVALUATION

Trait	Range	Trait
Introverted	.......................X..................	Extraverted
Candid	.........................................X	Considerate
Impulsive	..................X........................	Cautious
Excitable	......................X....................	Relaxed
Practical	..................X........................	Imaginative
Concrete	..........................X................	Abstract

Your Social Boldness: Introverted VS Extraverted
------------------------------------------------------------
You are moderately introverted. You have a flexible
personality. You are comfortable sitting back and letting
others take the spotlight, yet you don't mind if the
direction of the conversation is focused on you. Your warm
and friendly personality generates respect from others, so
if you are put into a leadership role you can certainly
handle it. In general, you may not volunteer to speak in
front of a group, but if you are in the proper frame of
mind, you feel at ease when making a presentation. When you
believe in something, you tend to share your thoughts.
People enjoy when you do this, because you have a cheerful
way about you. At times, you can be adventuresome, but a
night home relaxing is just as fun for you.

Your Agreeableness: Candid VS Considerate
------------------------------------------------------------
You are very considerate. You are a popular person, aren't
you? Of course you are. You truly value harmony in dealing
with others. People recognize your friendly, generous, and
helpful personality. Your easy-going, agreeable nature
makes you such a joy to be around. This is especially true
in meetings or general conversations. The topic may become
heated, but you are considerate of other's feelings and you
will find a happy medium in order to placate those around
you. This is because you have an optimistic view of human
nature and you realize that if you trust people with their
decisions that they are not trying to hurt you or take
advantage of you. This special and rare quality is also
seen in your altruism. You enjoy helping others. To you it
is not a sacrifice; to you it is fulfilling to help others
in need.

Your Self-Control: Impulsive VS Cautious
------------------------------------------------------------
You are slightly impulsive. Sometimes you exhibit great
self-control, other times you like to have fun and be
impulsive. You are able to balance the two, so that you are
neither perceived as stuffy or out of control. You see
value in rules, yet you know when rules can be altered and
when you must adhere to them. Employers value your strong
work ethic, and your friends and coworkers value your
playful side. Your flexible personality makes you very
popular at work, because you know when to work and when to
play without jeopardizing jobs or friendships. Your
success in life is due to your perseverance in pursuing
goals you have established for yourself. In general, you
like to think before you act, but when a situation arises
where that is not feasible, you are able to make smart
decisions quickly.

Your Anxiety Level: Excitable VS Relaxed
------------------------------------------------------------
You are slightly relaxed. You have the ability to cope just
fine in stressful situations. You feel the stress and
frustration in pressure-filled situations, but you are able
to overcome any negative feelings. You tend to worry
slightly, but not enough to interfere with your activities.
If you are experiencing a tough time in your life, you are
able to stave off feelings of depression. You are able to
think clearly and realistically in difficult circumstances,
so that you can devise a sensible solution. Sometimes you
can be impatient, other times you can be relaxed - it just
depends on the circumstance and how much you can control
it. People are not afraid that you will lose your temper.
You are able to manage your emotions when necessary. When
you do become angry, it is only because something is out of
your power.

Your Openness to Change: Practical VS Imaginative
------------------------------------------------------------
You are slightly practical. It is apparent to those who
meet you that you are well educated. You are able to speak
on a complex level to one audience, but adjust to a more
basic level for another. You are bright and capable of
thinking logically. On one hand you are down-to-earth and
traditional, while on the other hand you are creative and
imaginative. Sometimes you feel more comfortable with
familiarity and routine in your life, other times new and
novel experiences are more enjoyable. You are not afraid to
try new things. You tend to like to do a variety of
different activities, so you do not grow bored.

The way you Think/Reason: Concrete VS Abstract
------------------------------------------------------------
You are moderately abstract in your thinking. Your
cognitive style tends to produce a facility for thinking in
symbols and abstractions far removed from actual
experiences. This symbolic cognition may take the form of
mathematical, logical, or geometric thinking, artistic and
metaphorical use of language, music composition or
performance, or one of the many visual or performing arts.
You tend to be intellectually curious, cultured,
appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty and have the
uncanny abilities to distinguish imaginative, creative
people from down-to-earth, conventional people.

My In-Laws

For as rocky as we started out . . . granted she was their first and only daughter . . . I am lucky to have the in-laws that I do. I know so many people who are uncomfortable or unhappy when they "have-to" spend time with their in-laws. For me, spending time with my in-laws is just like spending time with any other part of my family. I know I can be myself. I am always comfortable. When I visit with them, they make me feel comfortable and included. When they visit with us, they are like having good friends over.

My Mother-In-Law (K) is one of the few people close to me I can talk politics with, without getting into a screaming match. I love to talk politics, but only with people who can be rational. Even though we disagree, we can listen to each other and talk intelligently about what we believe. I always know where I stand with her and I know she does all in her power to support our family and our marriage.

My other Mother-In-Law (T) is always there to support us when we need her. She is kind to a fault and always steps-up when she's needed. She makes us excellent food every Tuesday! She makes sure we always feel welcome and loved. She also looks out for all our pets. I am sure we would have buried a dog or a cat by now, if not for her keen eye.

My Father-In-Law (TD) is always willing to listen to my latest hair-brained idea and is right there to help me try and "put-it-together". We wouldn't have had vegetable garden or a dog kennel if it wasn't for him. And we would probably still be unpacking boxes. We wouldn't have had a new driveway or all that great landscaping he did for us at our old house. He's a fun guy to hang around with and always good for laugh when your blue.

Warning, I gotta add some mush.

The whole reason I started posting about the important people in my life, was to let all my readers know about the people who guided me through growing-up and who helped me to, well, GROW-UP.

There are a few more people I have to talk about. It will take a few posts. . .

First, my Mother. She only got a passing reference in a single entry, but she has been there for me, always. I take for granted that my readers know how much I appreciate all that she has done for me. But maybe you don't know. My mom always encouraged me. Never let me believe I wasn't capable of anything. She was my den mother, in cub scouts, my taxi driver in middle and high school and my moral compass throughout everything.

Just because you have a compass, though, doesn't mean you look at it as often as you should! But a compass will always guide you back when you find yourself off the road and lost in the wilderness. Mom, you always guided me back, and you still do.

Thank you.

How to read a blog

When a blogger begins blogging, he does so as a means of communicating to his readers information which he deems pertinent or informative. I blog so that the people who I don't communicate with as often as I should, have a chance to know what is going on in my life, and what is driving the decisions that I have made.

Every blogger, this blogger included, hopes to solicit a bunch of comments letting him know that people are reading, that people care about what he is posting, that this enterprise of writing these blog entries is useful to someone other than himself.

A blogger hopes to spark a conversation with others who are interested in what he has to say.

So if you find some interesting article. If you want to tell me all the reasons I am crazy for, oh I don't know, wanting to raise goats!!, add a comment. I'll respond. We can have a conversation. That is what I hope for in this blog. That's why I'm writing these things. All the people who are reading these posts are people who's opinions I value. I hope to hear more from you!!

Making Maple Syrup

I have ten large sugar maple trees on the property. I am thinking of tapping them this year and making maple syrup. It's a lot of work to make maple syrup. It takes a gallons of sap to make a quart of syrup. But I think it will be fun to do. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Crap

One mushy post about my wife turned into a theme on this blog. One that I was hoping to avoid. Whenever you start to talk about people you appreciate, you realize you missed someone, that someone might not take this or that the right way. This is why I try not to create a bunch of posts about family. This blog got mushy. Yuck! But I want you to know:

My Brother Jack is one of the greatest guys, with the biggest heart I know.
My Sister Carrie is someone who will always listen and never let you lie to yourself.
My Sister Becky will always stand up for you and never do anything to hurt you.
My Mom is just the greatest woman I ever knew. I don't think I can say much more.
My Grandma is the strongest and most loving woman I ever knew.

My cousins, Laura, Mike, Mikey, Jason, Anna, Chelsea and Jacob are to me what little brothers and sisters are to most other people I know. I miss them.

I could spend a whole post writing about how important each of the people are and have been in my life. I hope they know it. However, I never wanted this blog to be a mushy gushy "Gol'ley Beav, ain't we lucky" kinda thing. So this is the end of it.

Pops

Unlike having three mothers. I only had one Dad. My paternal grandfather passed away when I was 2 and I never knew my maternal grandfather. There was only my Dad. My dad taught me how to fish, how to swim, how to "be tough" and how to be strong.
But these are the most important lessons I think my dad taught me:

1. We all make mistakes, but a real man admits it takes his licks. Those of you out there who know my dad, might think I was on some drug when writing this. Hearing my dad say the words "I'm sorry" in any really sincere way are about as likely as wining the Pick 5. But, dad has his way of letting you know. And when he knows he's wrong (which, dad, I know NEVER happens ;)) he will let you know he's sorry. I spent many years avoiding my mistakes, afraid of what people would think of me, if I wasn't perfect. It was watching my dad that taught me, a man is not afraid of his mistakes, he owns them and owns up to them.
2. Life is too short to waste on worrying. Don't waste your energy holding grudges. Enjoy everyday you get.
   
3. Find a woman who will love you even on the days she can't stand to look at you.
4. Find a woman you love even on the days you can't stand to look at her.
5. Know your own weaknesses. We all have them, if you know them, you can laugh with everyone else about them.
6. Be yourself, because being someone else is too much work.
7. Stand up for what you believe, even it makes other people angry.
8. Never let only the fact that someone disagrees with you (about politics or business or anything else) change the way you treat them.
9. No matter how angry someone gets with you, don't go away. The longer they have to deal with you as a living breathing person in front of them, they shorter their anger will last.
10. Don't back down from a fight but never start one.

Three Mothers

As a kid growing up, I basically had three mothers. I realize this more and more as I see the relationships that exist in other people's families. When I talk about my mom's sisters, my aunts, there is a special relationship there. Something more than what most other people mean by "my aunt" anyway. My mom's two sisters were a part of raising me. Their kids are more like brothers and sisters to me than cousins. I was always expected to obey them as if they were my parent, I was loved by them as if I were their child. They are a big part of who I am. They helped get me through a really tough adolescence (that ended when I was like 24 . . . ) and I know they are always there if I ever need them.

Now I 'm married. As an adult I have three mothers again. I have a step-mom-in-law, a mom-in-law, and of course my own wonderful mother. It's not that my aunts are not around anymore but they are all in different places, and I am not a great nephew who writes letters or emails or calls on the phone to stay in touch. Course, I'm not a great son that way either, but that's another blog.

I am a lucky guy to have had so many wonderful women who helped me grow into a responsible adult. I hope someday I can repay them for their nurturing and love.

[I cannot let this go out without some kind of "smat***" comment, because then it just wouldn't be me]

But the more I think about it, the more I start to question if the real reason my relationships with my aunts has slowed down has more to do with the fact that three mothers are quite enough for any guy and six might just drive him crazy.

Got an email.

I got two emails today. One choked me up and one made me laugh my rear off. . . thank you to you both, you know who you are.

I do need to share the funny one . . . it went like this:

"Farmer Ross? I didn't know you wanted to get all farm boy on us. Next thing you know your going to start building a boat in case of a flood. LOL"

The evil laugh

My sons have taught thier baby sister the "evil laugh". It goes something like "Wooo ha ha." So for the last week or so I have a two year old walking around the house shouting out at various times "Woo ha ha!!"

On Tuesday moring, I got her out of bed and brought her down stairs and this child was RIPE!! So, I got a diaper and some wipes and prepared for the worst. As I opened the diaper and tried not to pass out from the "scent", I looked my sweet little daughter in the face and said:

"Rosie what have done to me, making this big stinking mess?"

Without missing a beat my two year old replies "Woo Ha Ha. Ha Ha. Ha Ha"

Road Warrior

Work is sending me to Pittsburgh, PA for a week of training. I am really excited about it! I will be leaving for a week and returning on the Friday of Nathan's 6th birthday.

Now, Nathan is a very precise child. He will make an excellent engineer or architect someday. He comes to me with a piece of paper, nicely folded, and on this paper he has written "Energon HotShot Transformer" in his best 6 year old handwriting. This is the only thing on the paper. He hands the paper to me and says: "Dad, this is my birthday list. Put it in a place where you will remember it!"

A list? A list of one thing? Wow, does this boy know his parents, or what? I can just hear his brain going "If I tell them three things they won't get any of them, but if I tell them only one thing, I just might have a shot!!"

Anyhow, as I proceed to put the "list" in my pocket, he tells me: "DAD!! you can't put it in your pocket or you'll loose it! Here," as he grabs the list from me "put it somewhere safe."

"OK, son, tell you what, I'll put it in my wallet. You know I always have my wallet with me, right?"

Nathan nods his head, "Yeah, I guess that's good."

"Do you know what Nathan? I am going to go all the way to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to bring you back a birthday present, how does that sound." I ask him.

"DAD!! They have it right at Meijer it's only down the road." (insert look on face: My parents are hopeless!!)

Love and Marriage

I'm a private kinda guy when it comes to my family. I don't post about them much. I don't spend too much time talking about the number of diapers I may have changed or how much my wife means to me. When I run across blogs like that, I usually . . . well . . . run. But occasionally, because it means so much to my wife whom I love, I need to spend some time telling you about her, and how I feel about her.

My wife is stubborn, proud and has a short fuse. Oh and she throws things. And let me tell you . . . those are her best qualities!

She is stubborn. Often times as stubborn as a mule!! In her devotion to our children, stubborn. In her efforts to form meaningful and lasting relationships with friends and family, stubborn. In defence of her friends and family, stubborn. In her commitment to make a happy life for all of us, stubborn. Yes my wife is stubborn. But she takes even that stubbornness and turns it into a virtue.

She is also proud. As proud as a peacock. But her pride is also a virtue. She is proud of her children and rightly so for she has done amazing things with them; proud of her many accomplishments; proud to be a stay-at-home homeschooling mother; and proud of every smile she can bring to any one's face.

Ask anyone who knows her, she does have a very short fuse. But even her temper has a touch of grace. She will not tolerate other people being treated with disrespect, even the people she doesn't like. She is contemptuous of anyone who looks down on the weak or treats the defenceless with contempt. She will not abide the haughty or the brute.

Yes I live with a stubborn proud woman with a short fuse, and I love every minute of it (I'll just have to watch out for flying objects after she reads this . . .)

Livestock Breeds Conservancy

So I am working on a new concept for the farm. I am thinking about raising threatened and endangered livestock. Many people do not know that certain breeds and types of livestock animals are no longer considered valuable to comercial farming so they are becoming all but extinct. Breeds like the large black pig (raised in the past for lard, they also produce excellent hams), Milking Devon Cattle (a breed brought to this country by the pilgrims), Tenessee Fainting Goats (a good meat goat) and the San Clemente Island Goat (a milking breed), American Karakul Sheep (a multi-purpose sheep, formerly prized for its wool), The Java Chicken, the Beltsville Small White turkey and the Sliver Fox Rabbit.

All of these breeds are listed as either Thretened or Endangerd with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (http://albc-usa.org/). They tend to be breeds that are dual or muli-purpose(meat and whatever other advantage each offered). They were orginally breed for the small-holder family farms of the early 20th century.

I am thinking of maintaing two female and one male of each of the larger breeds and prehaps 10 - 20 of the poultry and rabbit breeds. That should fill up our five acres (and our freezer) pretty well.

Any Advice?

Everything Changes

Well, my work for the state government seems to be coming to a close. But have no fear, I now have an opportunity to work within the company as an advocate, coach and trainer for a major paradigm shift in project management. I don't know how much I can reveal here so I'll just say this new process will fundamentally change the way that projects are structured and applications are delivered. I can't wait to start! I love watching things change!!

Animals

We are considering the following animals to keep on the farm:

1) Knue-knue pigs. A grass fed smallish pig that does not root.

2) Fainting goats. They don't jump fenses are are easier to catch.

3) Miniature Cattle. They are small and easy to manage on a smaller amount of pasture land.

I'm pretty lucky.