. : s t e a d y . org : .

Webster’s defines bootstrap in three ways; as a noun, as an adjective, and as a transitive verb.

Main Entry: ³bootstrap
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1951
: to promote or develop by initiate and effort with little or no assistance <bootstrapped herself to the top>

Sometimes I feel like I am completely capable of bootstrapping my day.  I get up, get going, and get a lot accomplished.  These days fly by and when they are over, I’m tired but not exhausted.  I’m actually somewhat energized.

Then there are days when it just seems impossible to get things going.  When I’ve got tasks that need to be done, but I just can’t get it together to make them happen.  I can sit for hours in front of the computer and not accomplish a damn thing.  Eight hours can seem like an eternity.  On these days, I’m physically and mentally exhausted at the end even though I’ve not accomplished anything.

Somehow that seems incongruous, but I know it to be true.  And I know why.  When I can’t get started my sense of guilt kicks in.  Nothing good comes from that.

I’ve had two such days this week, and today doesn’t look to be shaping up a whole lot better so far – despite getting out to the gym at 6:00 AM.  Where is my Mojo? Maybe this is a post holiday slump?  Maybe its a sign that 12 years in the same field is enough?  I don’t know.

But I do know I’ve got to break this streak.

I should not be amazed by technology because I am part of the technology world.  But I am.

My first web browsing experience was with a text based browser called “lynx.”  I was in my early twenties when Netscape 1.1 was released.  I survived “the browser wars” my favorite browser of the time didn’t, but was re-incarnated.

I’ve seen a lot change in the past 12 years.  My first technology job was working in a call center, helping people with dial-up connections on Macs.  We were all excited when 33.6 kbps modems came out and even more so when the v.90 standard was still called 56K.  Dial-up essentially died before v.90 was ratified.  We could only imagine web based video being delivered to the home at those speeds.

I had one of the first generation palm pilots made by US Robotics.  It was highly useful, but had no way to sync-up with content unless it was in a cradle.  WAP became the rage, but it was very limited.  The first Palm VII released in 1999 had wireless service that was highly limited and the device retailed for $600 for a monochrome screen!   Now, I’ve got a device that delivers well formatted content (including video and streaming audio) to my hand.  It synchronizes over the air with my work and personal email and calendars. 

It is stunning. It is useful. It feels like technology nirvana.

It’s taken me a long time to get one (lots of politics associated with it at the office) but I’m truly addicted to the blackberry.

Sometime around 3:30 PM tomorrow, 157,784,630 seconds will have passed since Mrs. TKD and I made our vows.  Why does it feel like it was only yesterday?

What seems like ages ago was really only about a 16 months.  I wrote a post on titled the importance of giving back.  I had no idea at that time that it would be the single most popular post on this blog (as of now).  In retrospect, the title was a bit misleading, because I started the post with ten things that were going well in my life, and then tried to tie the post back to the title.  Often, I start a post with one idea in mind and then the mind wanders.  At any rate, I thought it might be good to give an update.  So here are ten things that are currently going well in my life:

1. Everyone is healthy in the family.
2. Mr. Grey is growing up quickly.  He isn’t even two years old, but it sure feels like it when I look at him and when he talks. (complete sentences!)
3. Mrs. TKD has been home with Mr. Grey now for over a year and they are getting on well with that arrangement.  I know that it is trying at times for her, but it is working.
4. While there has been a lot of turmoil at work, I’m still employed and actually enjoying some of the work that I’ve got on my plate.
5. We are secure financially.
6. I’ve had some free time to go biking and to garden over the past six months.
7. I’ve lost some weight, and believe I’m on track to lose some more.
8. Our families continue to be strong and supportive.
9. We are lucky enough to live where we want to live.
10. We have a close circle of friends who enrich our lives.

What more could I want?

Mrs. TKD and I went to see the U2 concert at FedEx field on Tuesday.  I’ve been meaning to wirte something about this all week, but its been a crazy week.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the first time I heard a song by U2.   It was 1985 and  MTV had a show called 120 Minutes that ran Saturday night at midnight.  I could never stay awake, but thanks to a modern marvel called a VCR, I was able to tape it (yes literally tape it on analogue tape) and watch it the next morning.  Of course, I didn’t admit to my friends that I taped it, that wouldn’t have been cool.  As my borther and I watched the show, in our pajamas eating cereal, the video for “Pride” came on the TV.  I remember being awestruck.  I had to buy The Unforgettable Fire as soon as possible, which I did with in a week or two – relying on my parents to transport me a good 14 miles away from our small town to an actual record store in an actual Mall.  I remember the feel of the white cassette in my hands, and how anxious I was to get home to put it in a player so I could actually listen to it.  Our car did not have a cassette player.  When I did get to listen to the album, I was hooked immediately.   “Pride” rapidly faded from its status my favorite track on the album with “Bad” taking its place. Read the rest of this entry »