Notebooks
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I've found whenever I get stuck on something hard, notebooks help. There is something about writing stuff down in a notebook that really helps me think.
Whiteboards are fun and all, but I think they are a little more distracting than useful when you're working by yourself. All of the setup required to just put your thoughts down is a bit much most of the time. Once you're done at the whiteboard, then you have to figure out a way to save your thoughts so you can reference them later. Don't get me wrong, great when brainstorming in a group, but I've found they are way less productive than a notebook when working a lone.
My favorite notebook is the Behance Dot Grid Book (only $14). It's super high quality. I'm a big fan. (I also really like Moleskin too.) The Pilot G2 Pen is my all time favorite pen. I've used it exclusively (when possible) since 2007.
Compass and Rails 3.1
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Here's how I finally got Compass working with Rails 3.1rc4 (with includes, sprites, etc).
Gemfile excerpt:
config/compass.rb excerpt:
Hipstamatic
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Lately I've been working with Hipstamatic on a new really exciting product. I can't really say any more than that, but it's going to be awesome.
I've been having a lot of fun learning about image processing. Who knew writing your own gaussian blur was really hard?
Moving On
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Yesterday, Scribd submitted the app I've been working on for the last 6 months. It's been really great working with everyone. It was also my last day at Scribd. Now that the project is done, I'm moving on to something else.
Nothing! Taking some time off to rest after working crazy hours to finish the project. I have a pretty exciting contract gig I'll be starting soon that will last for a few months that will be a lot of fun. I have a few interviews at some pretty cool places, but I'm not in a hurry to get a real job again.
Sigh, yes. This will be the third time I have moved to being a full-time contractor. Yes, I hated it in the past. Yes, I've said that I won't hate it this time around before. Yes, I probably will hate it in a few months :) Anyway, I'm excited. I want to focus on my own projects more this time around.
Four Years
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I choose not to attend college. During my senior year of high school, I was co-oping (half day at school finishing my required classes and a half day at work). When I graduated in 2007 (I hope I just made you feel old) I transitioned to a full time salary employee. I always thought that getting a salary job with benefits was the entire point of going to college, but I enrolled anyway.
As starting college approached, I soon realized I would have to spend almost all of my free time driving from work to school, sitting in classes, and doing homework. I was totally dreading this. I wasn't a good student in high school and didn't want any part of the busy work, writing papers, and all of that nonsense.
My mother really wanted me to go because neither of my parents went, so I said I'd stick it out and go. A few months later, I got a job offer from LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma City and decided to take it. Obviously, I would have to drop out of the University of Louisville where I was enrolled since I would be moving away. Trying to keep my promise to my mom, I enrolled in Phoenix.edu.