I admit it. I talk to strangers. I’d probably also take candy from them if offered. It may be a character flaw, and Roy seems to think so, but usually because I end up befriending them with few inhibitions.

Earlier this year I made a list of things that truly made me happy. Traveling and spending time with friends was at the top of the list, closely followed by the work I do– inexplicably, I’m still quite passionate about it. I decided to put myself in the path of life, to make it easy for the world to unravel itself, giving me what I truly wanted. I made lists of ideas on how to get more adventures in, how to travel more, how to spend time with the people I love.

Things started to fall in place. I visited friends. I had adventures. But I wanted more. I was addicted (and still am).
Continue reading Taking candy from strangers →

There’s a saying in Puerto Rico that roughly translated says– “it’s not the same to call on the devil than to see him come”. Be careful what you wish for…you may just get it.

The past year has been tempestuous yet jawdroppingly inspiring. I’m unmarried for the first time in almost a decade, and though the first day or two were a bit frightening (for obvious reasons), the rest of the trip has been scary for entirely unexpected reasons.

You see, we all have plans and dreams for the future, and sometimes we unexpectedly put them on hold only to realize that we’ve lost ourselves in the process. Coming to the realization that accomplishing those plans and dreams are entirely within ones reach is scary. You can no longer blame anyone else for your failures or plans left undone. You are the master of your own ship, the skipper of your own boat.
Continue reading Blame no one but yourself →

I’m ashamed to say that my friends have told me I have an easy
life. I don’t know why I’m ashamed to admit it, but it’s true– I
have an easy life. I wake up without an alarm clock every morning.
I’ve been known to leave in the middle of the day to ride my bike
through forests and scenic highways. I’ve even been known to sleep
during business hours. Overall, I think most of my life’s
inconveniences are self-made.
Continue reading Bored of the easy life →

I admit it.  I’m not a perfectionist.  I kinda do a half-assed job of most things, mainly because functional is more convenient than pretty. Early on in my programming life I tried my hand at graphical user interfaces.  I failed miserably.  After the program worked, I found it somewhat pointless to make it look pretty.  That’s probably the reason why I work on compilers and software tools– computer programs that will NEVER be seen by the naked eye, let alone by my friends and family.  Compilers are those things that you just pray to god works, because no one wants to take a look inside.  Somewhat like the master cylinder in your car brake system.
Continue reading Faking my way through life →

The northernmost bits of California are surreal.  They’re filled with so many trees and forests that they actually cut them down for money (and they keep growing back).  There’s more marijuana plants than people. *AND* the migrant workers are actually white (as are the McDonald’s and Taco Bell employees).

My friend Cory hooked me up with a friend of his in Eureka, and I had the privilege of hanging out with Brad for a handful of days.  This rock star of a guy not only works finding homeless veterans assistance, but sits on the board of non-profits just for fun, meanwhile able to run up-hill as fast as Anais, my former pet goat.
Continue reading Huge tracts of [marijuana] land →