Phone Henge...

We have three identical cordless phones. The idea is that there will always be a phone where you need one, when you need one. Well, it looks good on paper and the idea is simple and well...too good to be true.

At our house we seem to have a Bermuda Triangle of sorts. It seems these three handsets like to mingle with each other more than they like to be readily available for us humans! More often than not, when we go looking for a phone...we find them....all at the same time! Standing in a triangle...all right NEXT to each other!

It happened last week. Sure enough, there they were, all gathered by the charger next to the rotisserie! Last month, another incident...this time all were on the desk in the office! And just tonight before I called my brother, the search for the phone ended at the dining room table where all three stood silently. Mocking me. Teasing me. Hiding in their very own....Phone Henge.

Catching Up...

Ok, so it's been more than a month (aka forever) since I've published anything to speak of on the internet. (Actually, I've published work stuff, but that's quite a bit different.) It seems that I have some time on my hands once again. Today was my last day of work for the year! (Well, work that I have to go to work to do...)

So anyway, I thought I'd take the opportunity to catch you up on things. I've been crazy busy with work working more than 45 hours per week on average. (That doesn't seem right since some days I get home between 7 and 8 most nights.) But I've been working hard to finish projects and meet aggressive deadlines. (Anyone in corporate America can relate to this without batting an eye.)

In addition to that, a couple weeks ago, I took up a side job that turned out to require too much time, research and wasn't worth sacrificing face time with my family. So, I dropped that.

Other than that...I've been eating, sleeping and driving to and from work as usual. I guess this just proves that I really am like everyone else!

Power Outage...

This morning we had a power outage while at work. It was off for a couple of hours. Some people left for lunch (how can anyone eat lunch at 10:30 in the morning?) Some people even went home. But a few of us stayed through it. I had time to write in my journal, which I don't do frequently, but it was a great opportunity to write briefly about President-Elect Obama.

I also had time to think about what we'd do without electricity...for a longer time than just two hours. It reminded me of a day back in the 80s when the power was out from the afternoon into the night. I must have drove my mom crazy asking her when it would come back on and statements of increased boredom. It's amazing how we've created such a large dependency on this luxury that our ancestors didn't have. We "need" electricity because we've grown our lives with it. They're intertwined. Sometimes unseparable.

I remember a year or so ago when a girl I worked with said to me that she felt like she was missing a limb when her broadband internet connection went down for a few days. What if we didn't have electricity? Think of the savings. Would we die without electricity? Probably not physically.

Then again, a computer programmer without a computer is a wasted resource. So without electricity, I would be out of a job. Now that's scary!

It's Time...

There's something going on and I think I like it. The weather's getting cooler, and nature's getting ready. This is my favorite season...Autumn! I love the changing colors and the way the leaves get dried out. I like the sound they make when they crumble under foot.

When I was young, I fell in love with this season while watching commercials on TV...car commercials showing their car zipping by with the leaves blowing around behind it; and also the Close-Up toothpaste commercials, where the guy and girl are walking through the leaves.

I'm not ready for the season that follows...but I sure love autumn!

Flashbacks...

There's a song that talks about a lady who's still stuck in 1985 in her mind. She wonders what happened that changed her life and how she remembers things were back then. It's not the best song, but it makes me remember when...

I'm glad my life has changed since the 80's and I wouldn't change where I am now...or where I was back then. But I like the 80's enough to talk about them for quite a while...with anyone that I know! So, I started a new blog where we can reminisce about the "Wonder Years", the "Living Years", and the "Glory Days". "You need to come back with me, Marty....back...to the future!" So, let's rewind and flashback to the awesome 80's at http://ununiqueid-fb.blogspot.com!

Analogy...

This past May, my doctor told me that I have high cholesterol. I was given a prescription and was told to change my diet and to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. I have since been taking the medicine faithfully, and have modified my diet a lot. I still eat some things that aren't the best for me and don't always think about portion control. And I haven't been exercising much. Possibly because I don't believe it will help, or more accurately, that I just don't want to.

Liken my situation to a hypothetical individual who has just discovered the gospel of Jesus Christ from a missionary. This missionary tells the individual that he has a condition that, if left untreated, may cause spiritual death. But that it can be treated by praying, attending church meetings and studying the scriptures. If the person prays and attends church meetings, but doesn't study the scriptures, can they truly be saved from the worst possible outcome? Yes, probably. But could they change the outcome completely if they follow ALL of the advice given? Definately.

I went back to have my cholesterol checked and found that yes, it had decreased significantly, but was told that it's still higher than it should be and that I'm still in danger. I cannot tell my doctor that because I've changed my diet and taken my prescriptions alone that I should be spared. I've not fully followed all of his instructions and I can have no promise from him that I will be healthy, until I do that which he has required.

I wouldn't want to get to heaven and find out that I made it most the way there, but because of my lack of desire to follow all the gospel principles, I could not be completely saved and that I would not be able to qualify for the highest kingdom in heaven. It would be sad to report to the Head Doctor (Heavenly Father) and tell Him that you didn't follow His instructions, nor the instructions given by the Department Head (Jesus Christ), nor the resident physicians (prophets, missionaries, etc.) But yet you still believe you should qualify for the best outcome.

Hopefully I will change my desire to exercise...and to completely follow all of the gospel principles, so that I can continue to live life here on Earth...and will qualify for a nice mansion to retire to afterwards.

Dynamic Programming...

When I first moved to New York, I worked for a company that was developing an application using Visual Basic with SQL Server on the backend. The application was to be used for multiple banks, with each new bank being a new implementation. I was so impressed that the application used the database to determine many of the settings that were bank specific. Prior to this experience, I guess I just figured that the application would have to know everything about its behaviors, etc.

Well, recently, I was asked to rewrite a reporting web application that was heavily coded and had nothing that was dynamic. To customize the reports for a different client, the reports would have to be rewritten and the menu system would have to be updated and the code redeployed. Adding a new report would have taken time to generate the data routine, create the report file, a dataset and then add the new report to a drop down list and to the main window. I saw that this would be very time consuming.

So, I created a new database, a handful of tables and a few stored procedures. Then I changed the main menu screen and the drop down list of available reports to use the database to determine which reports to show. Then I got to work on the reports themselves. They had to be able to be run from different databases, so I stored the SQL string in the main database, then made connections to the implementation databases. Some of the reports have charts, so I needed to make another table to house the data for the chart series. Also, color schemes for the charts became dynamic.

Now, when I have to create a new report, I'll create a stored procedure, a new report file and a dataset, then add the necessary entries in the database to make it appear on the menu and be able to run the new data. No code will need to be deployed and we won't have to shut down the application just to add a report. In addition, adding a new implementation database shouldn't be hard either. I'm just so pleased with what I've done. It's very dynamic and it hasn't taken me more than a week to pull it all together. (The charting was where most of the time was spent.)

All I have to say is wow. I'm truly thankful for my talents, skills and abilities. God has blessed me beyond measure to perform my daily tasks...and enjoy the challenges that come with them!

Time Keeps Ticking...

Just wanted to post to let everyone know I'm still around.  It also seems that I'm being left in the dust as everyone in my small circle of friends' blogs, my last entry is the oldest!

Things have been very busy lately.  A lot of work at work...and home.  I haven't had time to play on the wii for a wiik; I've been coming home from work later than I'd like because of the demands; I had to wake up really early yesterday to be able to balance the checkbook; I've not taken time to call anyone in my family for a couple of weeks.  In case you're wondering when I'm able to do this...during my lunch break at work!  Anyway...enough examples.

Another thing about time...I realized this morning that I never would have eaten a rice cake when I was young; creamed spinach on the school lunch tray looked like seaweed and I wouldn't have been caught dead eating it.  However, these two things have become pretty tasty for me lately.  It's weird how my tastes have changed.

Not just food-wise.  My family can tell you how I used to love black and chrome and would have had a black and white checkered floor in my kitchen and how I hated the TV and wouldn't even have one in my home.  Boy do things change!  I have to look back and say...it's official.  I'm a grown up!

Fireflies...

As a child, my parents would drive us around in the car and I'd look around at all the sights. When I learned to read, I noticed a lot of little things written off the side of the road. One of those things was a sign at the west end of the BYU campus that read "The Glory of God is Intelligence." Looking back, I believe I also saw this phrase on the BYU letterhead when I was accepted to the University. As I thought about this phrase today, I tried to understand it more.

What I came up with is light. The word of God is said to be light. Conscience is said to be the light of Christ. I like the metaphor that the prophets have given stating that the gospel is a lighthouse leading the way. I continued to think more about the gospel and it's relationship to light. I realized that the gospel, while taught in church, doesn't exist only in church. And the light of Christ is more like a candle than a centralized beacon, and can be shared individually one with another. The lighthouse is a great metaphor, but to expand on it...

I know that truth can be found everywhere we look. That Heavenly Father has put his seal of approval on many things around us. If we recognize them and remember Him, we can know that they are His gifts to us. I think of them as little fireflies giving off light. Little truths like being prompted to slow down, or struggling for a whole day at something and then finding the answer practically handed to you. Watching a sunset and realizing the physics involved of making the earth spin at just the right speed so it doesn't happen too slow, nor too fast. Recognizing that if Earth were any farther away from the sun how much colder we'd all be, or how much hotter we'd be if it were any closer.

I marvel at how intelligent our Father is and how we can learn from Him, even here and now. I believe the greatest inventors of history had some help from God. Our founding fathers and those who colonized the states before it was its own country...those people had God on their side and knew that they were sacrificing for something bigger than they were. Something for the greater good of all.

These little truths...little fireflies, when gathered and put together (not under a bushel) combine to form the very beacon that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's so nice to know that by small means come great things. That if we share a simple truth with someone, they can gather it with other truths to find what life is really all about! He loves us and wants us to remember Him and his son, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever done something that you just know is right, but you can't explain it? Have you ever discovered something, but didn't know how? Do you see truths and recognize their Author? Have you ever caught a firefly and wanted to share it with someone else? Did you tell God thank you?

I know I do...everyday.

Where Were You When...

The other night, I was singing to myself while getting the kids ready for bed. My oldest son asked me what I was singing and I said "You're the Inspiration by a group named 'Chicago'." I went on to tell him (more for my benefit than for his) that the song was popular when I was in SIXTH grade! I widened my eyes for effect...then realized that I was only 4 years older than he is now!!

I could remember almost as clearly as if it weren't that long ago (but it was more than 20 years ago!!) I could hear that song playing in the middle school gymnasium and could picture the boys on one side and the girls on the other. It's so amazing how music can take you back in time. There are even songs about this phenomenon: I Go Back by Kenny Chesney and The Song Remembers When by Trisha Yearwood to name just a couple.

There are many other songs that bring back memories for me...
Elementary age: The Tide is High by Blondie, Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley, I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt.
Middle school age: You're the Inspiration by Chicago, Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, and I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner.
Junior High age: Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Parents Just Don't Understand by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil, Chains of Love by Erasure
High School age: Pump Up the Volume by M/A/R/R/S, Depeche Mode, Dead or Alive, Milli Vanilli, and so many more!
College age: Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw.

There were many songs that Robin and I liked when we were engaged. We made a compiled CD set for our wedding that has 2 CDs. And we had to cut some of the songs that we wanted. But it was a nice start. In case you're wondering, I do still remember the first song we ever danced to (It's Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) as well as "our song" (Forever Love by Reba McEntire.) And yes, I do turn up the volume when they come on. They still make my eyes water and my mouth smile. I really enjoy going back where we were just 10 years ago...thanks to the music we love.

My Resume Acronyms

My sister-in-law got me thinking last night about the technical gobble-de-gook of acronyms and how us Techies use them. I've heard people say that if you want to sound knowledgeable about something use acronyms. Robin Williams rolls off a whole shlew of them in Good Morning Vietnam. So, now it's my turn...

When I first started programming when I was 12, I learned a language called BASIC. It wasn't too long before I picked up Pascal then C++. When I was hired at my first real job, I learned IQPL, which was based on Pascal. During this time, I taught myself HTML, JavaScript and CSS. The company also taught a course in Delphi.

After I was laid off from that job, I decided it was time to pick up SQL so I could do database programming. With that skill, I landed a job in Albany, New York doing QA testing. I continued teaching myself at home and learned XML. After a year or so, I was able to play with VB (Visual Basic).

That "play" allowed me to get my foot in the door as a real developer at a local telecom wannabe company. It was there that I learned about VoIP and AIA (Automated Interactive Attentendants.) I did a lot of DB programming via ODBC. I also programmed a SOAP client and server!

After another year and a half, I went to work at OGS for NYS, doing XML documentation for a web application. Fortunately, I was asked to join a company that was closer to home doing VBA work in Access, with SQL Server on the back end. I helped to build the company's IMS and automate processes in GPS.

Three years later, I find myself back in Utah. I've learned C#, PHP and ASP.NET over the past year. The acronyms never cease. I've learned about DALs, SALs and BLLs, and I've even built DLLs and a Web Service. I've programmed BRC sites and DTSX packages. I've also created a web application using AJAX!

I can see no end to the acronyms. In fact, I continue to learn more because it's important, it's fun, and it really does make you sound smarter!

Being Unique...Like Everyone Else

Our society seems to tell our kids that they're special and different in their own way. And it's pretty funny to me to know that while we're saying this, so are the neighbors to their kids...and so are their neighbors, etc.

I've been a number in a classroom and have felt disconnected because of it. I think that's why I became friends with the teachers...they made me feel better about myself and gave me personal attention that I needed.

But over the years I've learned that I can't rely on other people to notice me while I sit on the sidelines. I've learned to jump up and say to the people in charge, "you need me in there because I can be a good asset for you." I've continued to do this with my employers...doing things that will help me to stand out in their minds, in hopes of receiving that uniqueness.

I say I'm like everyone else because there are a lot of things about me that many people share...my name, my job, my car, my family, my values. But while I say that, I do realize that I am my own person and am willing to share that with anyone I meet. I dare to be different than the world around me. I will always be a number...but it doesn't have to make me disconnected from life.

A Little Background...

If you've read the title of my blog and thought I sound kind of down...I can reassure you I am not. In fact, there's a true story behind it that took place more than 10 years ago...

One day, I decided to sign up for one of the (then new) web mail providers. I picked HoTMaiL (with capitalization as it was back then, signifying the fact that it was written in HTML!) because I thought it sounded cool and popular.

So, I went to their site and clicked the Sign Up button. I filled out the required information and then was prompted to "Enter a uninique id" for my username. So, I obligingly entered "uniqueid" and clicked Submit. I was promptly notified that someone had already picked that one and I would have to choose another. I figured if I couldn't have a unique id, I'd try to get an UN unique ID! So, I picked "ununiqueid" and to my surprise, it was available! So, I took it!

I've signed up with this ID on several web sites and most often I continue to be surprised that I seem to be the only one who wants to have an "un" unique ID!

Wii-hoo!!!

Well, it happened! Not just like that. It's like this...

Prologue________________
I was completely surprised to find out that I had some unexpected money coming my way (from my previous employer's Profit-Sharing program.) It was supposed to be a retirement fund, but it stopped growing when I left the company last year. So, I asked them to send me a check and then...THEN it happened.

Chapter 1_______________
I came home from work last Friday night to find the check in the mailbox. When I walked in, the boys couldn't wait to tell me about their day to the video game store in the mall, where they spent just enough time playing the Wii to want to have one at home. Robin was even interested.

Chapter 2_______________
After a long discussion (about 10 minutes) we decided to take a return trip to the same store and see what we could get into. We bought an extra steering wheel and the Hot Wheels Beat That! game...for a system we didn't have and didn't know how to get. We knew it was limited, but we were determined. We made phone calls and drove to a couple different stores. It was a fun weekend.

Chapter 3______________
On Monday I got a call while at work from Robin. She said she found one, but it was almost an hour away. I sent her to the store. Several hours later, when I walked in the door, I saw it sitting there in the box by the door. I couldn't act too excited...I'd look like an anxious child--which we ALL know I was! So, I contained my excitement and let us eat dinner. Then Robin announced to the boys that "Daddy has a surprise!"

Chapter 4______________
We all charged upstairs to the bedroom where the good TV is. We opened the box and looked at everything inside...knowing that all of these pieces must come together for an AWESOME experience that we'd all been dying for! It took a lot of patience but we did finally get it set up and then....we played! We all played. We took turns of course, but we all got into it...even Evan!

Epilogue_______________
Every night after school and work, we can be found taking turns hitting golf balls, tennis balls, billiard balls, bowling, fishing, and everything else the Wii has to offer...together. As a family. Now, we're making memories!

Making More Memories...

I clearly remember the day (a Friday) when my parents brought home our first video game system, the Atari 2600. We did nothing that weekend but play...all of us! It was amazing that they had found something that the whole family could enjoy...together. It hooked up to the TV (and there was only one of those) so we all gathered in front of it and played and watched as we battled goblins, raced through mazes, solved puzzles...and had fun doing it. Those were the days. It was great to see my mom and dad get involved in these games too, not just us kids. And we grew closer together as a family during these sessions. These are the kinds of memories I want to provide for my kids.

Over the years, video games have become more like solitaire. You sit and play in front of your computer and play for hours without seeing anyone but the game you're engulfed in. And likewise, no one sees you. But the Wii (in particular) has made gaming fun for everyone again, bringing the family back together in front of the TV to duke it out, compete for the prize...and have fun doing it. I'm so excited to get one for our family. I'm really looking forward to that family time, when we'll all play...like families should, together.

Crazy Little Thing Called...Life

On Memorial Day, we had my family up for a barbecue and some outdoor fun. Too bad it rained off and on all day. We were able to get out and play one game of croquet. We had fun and had good food. It was good to get most everyone together again. (It's always great to see everyone again.)

Now, as this crazy life would have it...that was one of my last non-health conscious meals. Because the next day, I found out that I have high cholesterol. Not just high...borderline high risk! So, I've made lots of changes in the way I eat and exercise...and it's like learning how to walk all over again. Something so basic, so simple is now challenging and time consuming. My former "see-food" diet is a thing of the past. At work on Friday morning, I had to turn down cupcakes! It was challenging. My family has a history of heart troubles and high blood pressure and cholesterol (if I understand correctly), so I don't want to ignore this. I also want to be around for many more years. Thirty-five is still way too early to be thinking anything else.

I truly believe that everyone has something that they're dealing with...some challenge that may or may not be visible on the outside...that challenges us and makes us stronger. Something that God gives each of us to help us to grow. The Book of Mormon tells us that we need the bad to recognize the good. It's so true. How could we know we were doing good if we didn't stumble sometimes? So, with that, I know that this "challenge" is just another opportunity to grow and learn and become stronger. It's another part of mortality that I'll be able to look back on after I've returned Home. And I'll be very grateful for my resurrected and perfected body.

Music...the Soundtrack of Our Lives

Tonight, David Cook won American Idol (Season 7). I think he'll do very well. He sounds like a few of the stars on the air these days.

I like to sing along with the radio, especially when I'm alone in my car. Am I weird or what? I just don't see too many people doing it. But I love to sing and it makes me feel good. I used to stop when I'd pull up to a stop light, but I don't anymore. I just don't care if people see me being myself. It's just me and the music. And every day I get two opportunities to get in the zone.

So, you're probably interested in what kinds of music I listen to. Ok, well, let me tell you a few: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Diamond Rio, REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Sara Evans, Depeche Mode, Dead or Alive...I could go on and on. Basically, if it sounds good to me, I listen. If I like it, I'll sing along.

A couple of years ago, I discovered Pandora.com, a revolutionary web site that provides free internet radio. The idea is that you create a "station" by adding song titles or artists, and Pandora plays songs that have similar musical qualities. I have almost 30 different stations that I switch between. Some country, some rock, some alternative, etc. But the cool thing about Pandora is that genre doesn't come in to play. If they have similar qualities, they're played together. I love hearing songs that are similar but in different genres. It just tells me that music is music regardless of lines.

And that's what makes it the soundtrack of our lives...it brings back memories, it brings hope, and it invokes feelings. I love music. I'm not the only one. At least...I don't think I am.

I'm LOST...but trying to keep up!

I LOVE the ABC series LOST. It's intellectually challenging. I like the different things happening. The flash-backs and now flash-forwards are kind of difficult to keep up with sometimes, but I enjoy the challenge. I can't say I have a favorite character, but I really like the way they are all intertwined.

I listen to the podcasts and read a few blogs here and there. (I don't read too many because I don't like the possibility of encountering spoilers.) I look forward to my weekly dose of Lost and do NOT look forward to a long haitus without weekly episodes.

The two-hour season finale of season 4 will air on Thursday, May 29...and I can't wait! I'm excited to see how Locke "moves the island" and hopefully how the Oceanic 6 are rescued. What will happen to Ben? Claire? Sawyer? Juliet? Locke? And the Others...the ones who have Kate and Sayid now. Wow, interesting. I'm so excited!

Let's talk about my favorite TV show of all time. Let's get LOST!

Hello, World!

I've learned several computer languages and read many books about them. I've discovered most of them start out with an example program called Hello, World, where you write a program to display these words on the screen using the language. So, my initial post, is entitled "Hello, World!"

Well, I think you probably know everything about me from a high level after reading the About Me section. So, what else can I tell you? I am an average, ordinary man, trying to do what's right by the Lord and by my family. I'm not wild and crazy. I don't "party" or drink or even hang out with anyone in particular. I have my family and my religion and those things are good enough for me.