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.