As I’m sitting here at work waiting for one of my supervisors to call me about our Google Mail project, I’m realizing that nothing has gone wrong yet. It’s been an incredibly smooth transition so far, which makes my Spidey Sense tingle. Where’s the drama? This is a fairly major thing we’re doing here, moving from MS Exchange to Google. Things are supposed to go wrong at some point right?
It’s only paranoia if they’re not out to get you, right? Right???
Had a day to think about it, and realized I wouldn’t have this career if it wasn’t for Steve Jobs. Aside from a brief dalliance with a Commodore VIC-20, Apples were my first computers. It was messing around on my Dad’s Lisa converted to a Mac Plus that revealed my troubleshooting skills at an early age. I’ve helped the Old Man out with every single Mac he’s ever owned, from that(admittedly very shitty) Lisa Plus to his PowerBook 140, Mac SE30, Quadra, Mac II, Power Mac 7300, G3, G4, several iBooks and a bunch of random other stuff he’s come across over the years. Also introduced some family issues caused by having to be de facto tech support for all of that stuff but that’s a different therapy session.
All of that got me into my first real tech job as a bench tech up in Charlotte. I knew enough to be dangerous, but could learn hellaciously fast. That got my foot in the door here at the newspaper. Well that and applying 3 different times. It was this corporate experience that brought me into the UNIX/LINUX world but I wouldn’t have the fascination to try to figure out the inner workings if it wasn’t for Mac OS X. It wasn’t quite as user friendly back in the 10.0 and 10.1 days. If you wanted something to work, chances are you were going to have to compile it yourself until someone created a wrapper for it. It was from that I learned how to compile programs on my own, and sometimes do a little code fixing. I’m still no programmer but I wouldn’t have picked up what I know without these experiences.
Yes, I use Windows computers at home, I carry a rooted Droid in my pocket, a hacked Nook Color is my tablet of choice but I love my iPod and still use a Mac for whatever I do at work, even if I am in a Windows VM most of the time. Like many millions of people around the world, what Steve Jobs created has shaped my life. For both good and bad.
So I guess what I’m saying is: Thanks, Steve. Rest in peace, you mad genius.
It’s been an interesting week for me emotionally and I thought I’d share some observations.
My brother Steve and new Sister-in-law Debbie’s wedding was last weekend. Beautiful ceremony, fun reception. Got to hang out with Steve and talk shop for a bit which was a major highlight for me. Seriously that doesn’t happen often, huge smile on my face. Got to hang out with Sam for a bit too and see her pet store, also fun. Good thing I’m broke or I’d have a new puppy. After the reception, meet-up with the extended family at Steve’s old place. That was all emotionally up time. And then…
Driving home with Dad, he did most of the driving back. Caught up on some sleep. Got home, went to setup my laptop and several things were out of place. Rule broken, I freak the fuck out. Uncontrollable anger, shaking, super fun. Had to get a beer to calm down. Next day I discover the idiot landlord of the property next door had hired some guys to clear out trees, and had left much of what they cut in my backyard causing more damage. On top of what’s already back there from the storms from 10 days ago. More rage. First 10 minutes of being back to work I have a panic attack triggered by just being around someone I’d like to ask out. Kinda hard to do when you have a panic attack just being around her. Then add to that a screaming voice telling me to kill myself the other night. I just ignore that one tho. That’s anxiety, paranoia and sleep deprivation.
So the joys of being bipolar or autistic or whatever the fuck I am, right? I really need to get some help. Not sure where to start but I’m pretty sure drugs will be involved. Not looking forward to that. Just a week in the life of my crazy ass. Fun right?
I guess the point is, for every up I have there has to be an equal down. Makes being happy really difficult and it really blows. Usually have to settle for making others happy but it would be nice to keep some for myself. Don’t think it’s too much to ask right?
Just some quick maintenance notes:
Updated to WordPress 3.1. Still trying to see the difference between 3.0.x.
Finally fixed e-mail alerts. If you commented on something, I didn’t know until I looked and you didn’t know I responded. This should be working now.
I’m still broken tho. No eta on a fix…
