Mamas, Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Coders

Life is not fair. Not for geniuses and not for the rest of us. The trick is to keep at it... whatever "it" is... ignoring the jeers and hearing the cheers.

Some of us have our own language, whether it's music, math or space. To a very bright 8-year-old, questions abound: Where does dirt come from? How do we balance on two little feet when we're much, much taller than these feet? How much does a bicycle tire act like a top? Why does water accept that extra oxygen atom to become hydrogen peroxide? Why does rocket fuel burn instead of explode? And how do we start that burn? How does an orbiting satellite resist the subzero cold of space on one side and the relentless sun on the other? How much does the earth rotation centripetal acceleration counter gravity effects? The wonder and questions are endless, at any age.

Every good engineer I know has some degree of Asperger's autism, obsessive-compulsion and attention-deficit hyperactivity... myself included. It's a recipe... it's what we're made of... and we're different.

As kids, we are easy targets for bullies to intimidate because we don't understand the social graces. What we do understand is that we can always be better at what we are. We stand alone. We thirst for knowledge. We must focus. Thus, with smug detachment, we continuously and repeatedly learn and apply what we know to obtain experience. With knowledge and experience comes not only the many significant contributions to space and science, but also success over bullies.

When mature, engineers contribute. I've contributed to produce many a machine. I've been published in over 140 technical reports, conference and journal papers, newspaper and magazine articles... even a poem about a machine. And I am now mentoring many young engineers on how to quench their own thirst.

The true engineer flowers late. We surpass and outlast the smug bullies and suave louses. I've had the satisfaction of ordering a burger from one of my school bullies... no fries with that... who had trouble giving me back change for a hundred dollar bill, at which I smiled. At one of the reunions, the bald fat captain of my High School football team tried to sell me insurance, as the fat former head cheerleader flirted, at which I had to laugh.

It's possible we might even outlive them.


- © 2012 by Willy

Singin' In The Rain

When hiking solo in the rain, I splash with reckless abandon.

Time passes faster, I smile more, and I enjoy this variation on the hiking theme. I have fun, just like when I was a kid.

My daughter reminded me of how much fun this is ("Dad! You have boots!"), mostly because we can hike faster through the mud rather than around it. My boots completely submerge at times. It IS loads of fun. "What a glorious feeling" said Gene Kelly in the movie soundtrack and its movie ad. He was having fun too, in his city street setting.


I did a familiar 7-mile, 700-climb-feet hike in the rain today, and I've done it often. This trail stays underwater at the flats.

I crossed a young runner, a younger dog walker and three even younger mountain bikers on-trail, and they were soaked. I had an umbrella.

I've taken care of friends, dogs, children, wives and more. Now I'm taking care of myself.

On the trail, I pray, meditate, think and sing. I always have a tune in-mind, to pace myself. Today's was Singin' In The Rain.

Also today, I got a bloody knee... next to the park bathroom. The devil keeps me humble.


- © 2012 by Willy

Christmas With The Fam

I have spent a few great days with family for Christmas.

It was fewer family and fewer days than last year (which was a hoot and a half), but delightful and certainly worth the trip.

OK, here we go: Why? Because some of us are getting old, and some of us are sick; because good family is a gift to be appreciated and treasured; because we enjoy and love each other; because we wanted to check on each other and ourselves; because we ARE touchstones to each other; because of the hugs and kisses; because of the stories and conversation; and because, just like last year, we laughed so much that we cried tears and our abs hurt.

My 92-year-old aunt declared she's made a pact with God... that unless she's going up, she's just not going. We wondered if it was really God she was making that pact with. Then my brother cousin-in-law tells her that she would indeed be able to do that cruise she's always wanted if she went in a shoebox.

My nephew second cousin, back home after a breakup, was discussing a girl wearing a bathing suit with its neckline down to her bellybutton. I asked him if they use double-sided tape for that. He was incredulous, and said who cares how they do it... except maybe for an engineer.

I noticed my sister cousin gave everybody flannel pajamas... because South Florida had a few freezing nights recently. So, why also give everyone wallets and purses? (I wanted to know who had won the lottery!)

And some of us just acted a little goofy.

Oh, and the food was great, the weather beautiful, and bicycling terrific... as always. Thank you, guys. I will be heading home the slow way, missing everyone but remembering fondly.


- © 2011 by Willy

Another Year Sets

Amazing! Christmas is about here and another year is down. This one went as fast as a whirlwind!



What did I do? Contributions at work, serious hiking, some bicycling and regular weightlifting. I watched more sunsets. I fed the creatures. Got a better diet lifestyle. Did some socializing. Best of all... developed better discipline.

What did I get accomplished? I finally got everything fixed in my old Vette, it runs great and I drive it regularly. I painted most of the house outside. I maintained my old physical self. I got a National Park Senior Lifetime Pass. And I discovered that my mental self has discipline enough to weather multiple storms simultaneously.

What do I want to do next year? Of course, shed a few pounds. But I want to think about what to do for the next... 30 years.

Why?

Because my favorite aunt has lived to that rich old age, and blesses me with her wisdom and counsel. It's been time for me to do the same.

I found out that most of us really are self-delusional. That life is really about the fantasies. When I was a foolish young man, my fantasies might have been fast cars and loose women. Now that I'm an old man my fantasy is that I'm indispensable at work. The current fantasy is useful as a goal to keep me getting up in the morning due to the self-importance of what I do, but it won't do in retirement.

Or maybe because I want to use that Senior Pass just like the Vette uses Midas mufflers.

I've been through that age at which we have thoughts of wiping it all clean and starting over. And the age at which we come to grips with our own mortality. I've had enough difficult times that I know I'm living on borrowed time.

Do I really want to be around more years? Thirty of them!? Do I have any control over that? I don't know.

If so, there's gotta be a need to live, community in depth-and-breath, and planning and discipline.


Also, it would help to see problems coming... in order to accommodate or compensate.

After all, I'm a good controls engineer.

First is to get this plant... body and mind... in good order.

- © 2011 by Willy