Blog Journeys of a Lifelong Learner

Twenty-two years have I lived,
time the Almighty did give.

How it shall go from now,
to His will I must bow.

In youth and inexperience,
I must lean upon Providence.

Last year I wrote twenty-one resolutions;
they remain wanted for my attributions.

Opportunities for creativity abound,
yet they often do not seem to publicly astound.

I am learning the importance of process,
for into laxity I dare not recess.

My schedule becomes increasingly packed,
with discipline must I now make a pact.

Some tell me I need a relationship,
but "I have many" is my constant quip.

Before one may seek to be that special guy,
one must first have saved to be ready to buy.

Comprehensive remarks are not in this style formed;
do not presume full knowledge, lest you be misinformed.

The law of cause and effect is profound,
yet I often miss this and run aground.

Abundant undeserved blessing is mine,
scold me if merit I try to define.

I don't know what's the matter with people; they don't learn by understanding, they learn some other way—by rote or something. Their knowledge is so fragile!

Richard Feynman

From John Dewey's How We Think:

While a limited vocabulary may be due to a limited range of experience, to a sphere of contact with persons and things so narrow as not to suggest or require a full store of words, it is also due to carelessness and vagueness. A happy-go-lucky frame of mind makes the individual averse to clear discriminations, either in perception or in his own speech. Words are used loosely in an indeterminate kind of reference to things, and the mind approaches a condition where practically everything is just a thing-um-bob or a what-do-you-call-it. Paucity of vocabulary on the part of those with whom the child associates, triviality and meagerness in the child's reading matter (as frequently even in his school readers and textbooks), tend to shut down the area of mental vision.

(from page 145 of the Barnes and Noble Library of Essential Reading edition)

Every moment is an undeserved gift. Achievements do not occur in isolation; rather, they require the involvement of many agents and are influenced by many. There is no such thing as a self-made man.

In thinking about the last year and in looking forward to the next year, some questions must be pondered:

What sort of person ought I to be, and what is associated with this type of being?

• Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

  (Psalm 1 ESV)

• O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;

  who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

  in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD;

  who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

  who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

  He who does these things shall never be moved.

  (Psalm 15 ESV)

• He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

  (Micah 6:8 ESV)

• Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

  (Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV)

• Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

  (Proverbs 3:13-14 ESV)

• My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

  Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

  If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

  Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

  Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.

  Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

  Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

  Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

  The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

  Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

  The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

  (Proverbs 3:21-35 ESV)

What caution should I take in collaboration?

• My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

  If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;

  like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

  we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder;

  throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"—

  my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,

  for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

  For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,

  but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.

  Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

  (Proverbs 1:10-19 ESV)

How should I plan and implement things?

• Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

  Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

  My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

  (Proverbs 3:3-12 ESV)

• Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

  Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.

  How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

  (Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV)

• Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

  The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

  A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

  He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

  (Proverbs 10:2-5 ESV)

• When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

  Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

  The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

  (Proverbs 16:7-9 ESV)

• There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

  (Proverbs 16:25 ESV)

• Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

  Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

  (Proverbs 19:20-21 ESV)

• The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

  (Proverbs 21:5-6 ESV)

• A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

  (Proverbs 22:1 ESV)

• Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

  (Proverbs 22:29 ESV)

• It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

  A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

  (Proverbs 25:27-28 ESV)

• Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

  (Proverbs 27:1-2 ESV)

• Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

  (James 4:13-17 ESV)

2010 was filled with numerous blessings. None of them were deserved, and all of them involved more than simply an individual. There is much for which to be thankful, and there are many for whom I am grateful. The provision of God, the involvement of family members, the instruction of mentors, and the encouragement of friends were instrumental in the results of the year.

With the passing of a year, it can be useful to summarize that elapsed time.

Here is a high-level overview of my 2010:

Academics:

• completed a BA in Computer Science through Thomas Edison State College
• completed a CLEP marathon involving obtaining 15 credits through 5 tests over the course of 5.5 weeks
• began work on an Advanced Computer Security Certificate through Stanford
• devised a plan for graduate studies in 2011

Work:

• continued LEI projects
• maintained and expanded computer consulting services
• finished my fourth season and began my fifth season with the Signature Symphony
• began working with noBox Creative as a Web Application Developer on 12/20/2010

Travel:

• Fairfax, VA / Washington, DC (January), {wedding of a friend, and visit to the US capital}
• Louisville, KY (May), {Together for the Gospel conference}
• Dallas, TX (May/June), {violin technique workshop with Valerie Gardner and friends}
• PA / VA / NJ (September/October), {visiting friends and participating in commencement exercises of Thomas Edison State College}
• Lexington, KY (November), {National Missionary Convention}
• Dallas, TX (December), {volunteer work with Pioneer Bible Translators}
• two day trips to Frisco, TX (near Dallas) for IKEA {family furniture acquisitions}

Music (A Partial List):

• Violin competition works: {Mozart Concerto No. 4: I; Saint-Saëns Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso; Bach Sonata in G Minor: Presto}
• Sibelius concerto {all}; somewhat thoroughly studied
• Paganini Caprice No. 24
• Paganini concerto {first movement}; started
• Signature Symphony: Mahler Symphony No. 1, Beethoven Symphony No. 4, etc.
• Chopin piano recital and other performances

Noteworthy Films (From a Purely Technological/Musical Perspective):

• Avatar (3D), about which I first learned in the pages of Wired magazine, and which was strong on Twitter trends
• Toy Story 3 (3D), another animated film by Pixar, a remarkable company
• Inception, having a unique story and impressive graphics, and featuring some interesting music by Hans Zimmer, also prominent on Twitter
• Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3D), creatively introducing new musical material while maintaining continuity with the other films in the series

Books (A Partial List):

• Linchpin
• The Little Big Things
• Rework
• Desiring God, The Pleasures of God, and Future Grace
• Knowing God
• The Christian in Complete Armour (part)
• The Valley of Vision
• The Wealth of Nations
• History of the Peloponnesian War
• Moby-Dick
• Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
• The Checklist Manifesto
• Drive

Writing:

• switched to Evernote for primary journaling (in order to save time and to allow for expanded expression)
• recorded a food consumption log on paper (June 13 - December 31)
• explored a practice of writing in various notebooks (including three primary ones used for recording software development thoughts)