2011 - sachachua.com

2011 – sachachua.com

2011 – sachachua.comJanuary 2011 ......................................................10 Sketchnotes: Gretchen Rubin, Happiness On appearance and bias: thoughts from the Weekly review: Week ending December 31, Project book tour ........................................... 22 Nerd Girls panel at Lotusphere 2011 ............ 37 2010 ................................................................10 Of recipes and memories............................... 22 Weekly review: Week ending February 4, 2011 Sick days ......................................................... 11 Fun and rational economic theory: reflections ....................................................................... 39 Momentum and holidays ............................... 11 on the book “The Logic of Life” ..................... 23 Monthly review: January 2011 ....................... 41 Sketches: If you want to make the most of your Monthly review: December 2010 .................. 25 Disagreement and the road to trusting yourself next conference, you should blog ................... 12 Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto ....................................................................... 42 Marking up books .......................................... 12 meetup #3 ..................................................... 26 Working on estimates ................................... 43 Moving my book notes online ........................ 13 Weekly review: Week ending January 21, 2011 Things to write about: questions for your ....................................................................... 27 blogger’s block ............................................... 43 Emacs, BBDB, and getting your contacts on the Android or iPhone .................................... 13 Sketches: What index cards are teaching me Thinking about personal random moment about drawing ............................................... 28 studies ........................................................... 44 Weekly review: Week ending January 7, 2011 ........................................................................ 14 Unbaffled ....................................................... 29 Hackbuzzbuzzbuzz ........................................ 45 Snippets from life ........................................... 15 Tweaking fun and nudging myself out of Books to write................................................ 45 procrastination .............................................. 30 Weekly review: Week ending February 11, 2011 Work on the business from the outside, not in it – Book: Effortless entrepreneur ................. 15 Cross-posting between Lotus Connections ....................................................................... 46 blogs and a personal blog ............................... 31 On friendship and getting better at it ........... 48 Wrapping up projects and preparing for the next one .......................................................... 16 Draft Lotusphere BoF on working with the On presenting, anxiety, and moving forward 49 Connections API ............................................. 31 Three tips for cheerful chores ........................ 17 More about getting 27″ washers and dryers A braindump of tips for other new immigrants down 26″ hallways ........................................ 50 Book: Let’s Get Real About Money: Profit from from the Philippines ....................................... 31 the Habits of the Best Personal Finance How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Managers ........................................................18 Pre-conference networking tips for the Webinar: Energy, Interaction, and ROI ........ 52 Instructional Technology Strategies 13,705 steps and counting ..............................18 Conference .................................................... 33 Energy ........................................................ 52 Weekly review: Week ending January 14, 2011 Weekly review: Week ending January 28, 2011 Interaction ................................................. 53 ........................................................................ 19 ....................................................................... 33 Radically increasing your ROI ................... 54 Emacs 24 and the package manager ............. 20 February 2011 ................................................... 35 From zero to hero: a newbie’s guide to learning Switched my Fido plan .................................. 20 Lotusphere 2011 wrap-up ............................. 35 and building a reputation along the way....... 56 Batch baking for fun and awesomeness ......... 21 A story of pi ................................................... 37 Imagine success for social media ...................57 On friendship and becoming more social ..... 58

2011 – sachachua.com Book: Daddy Long Legs, and letters ............. 59 1. Direct ...................................................... 74 Miscellaneous ............................................ 83 LinkedIn tip: Customize your profile URL ... 59 2. Search .....................................................75 Get More Value from Blogging, part VI: Let’s Decision review: Limiting my blog to one post 3. Browsing .................................................75 Get Down to Business ................................... 83 a day .............................................................. 60 4. Referrals .................................................75 1. ROI ......................................................... 83 Weekly review: Week ending February 18, 2011 5. Learning from others ............................. 76 2. Questions, updates, resources, and ....................................................................... 62 serendipitous conversations ...................... 84 Get More Value from Blogging, part IV: Waking up: looking at my data ..................... 63 Connecting with People................................. 76 3. Connection ............................................. 84 ITSC guide to conference awesomeness ....... 64 1. Introduction ........................................... 76 4. Reputation ............................................. 84 How I spent my Family Day weekend ........... 65 2. Deepening the connection ...................... 77 5. Jobs and careers .................................... 84 Kaizen: Thinking about presentations .......... 65 3. Appreciation ........................................... 77 6. Accountability and transparency ........... 84 Posted revised “Remote Presentations That 4. Reaching out ........................................... 77 7. Culture ................................................... 85 Rock” presentation ........................................ 66 Presentation experiment: Shy Connector, Six 5. The great conversation .......................... 78 Get More Value from Blogging, part I: The Steps to Sharing, and other presentations in Immediate Benefits of Thought .................... 67 March 2011........................................................ 79 March! ........................................................... 85 Part I: The Immediate Benefits of Thought Dealing with intimidating projects ............... 79 Weekly review: Week ending March 4, 2011. 86 ................................................................... 67 Get More Value from Blogging, part V: Monthly review: February 2011 .................... 87 Get More Value from Blogging, part II: The Communication Matters ............................... 79 Can’t see cross-domain images in your Flash Compounding Value of an Archive ............... 69 1. Writing ................................................... 79 file? Make a crossdomain.xml ....................... 88 1. Search ..................................................... 69 2. Visual communication ........................... 80 Quick notes from Emacs Org-mode talk at 2. Review.................................................... 69 3. Presentation ........................................... 80 GTALUG ........................................................ 89 3. Growth ................................................... 70 4. Conversation .......................................... 80 Leveling up as a developer! ........................... 90 4. Overview ................................................ 70 5. Avoiding the curse of expertise ...............81 Trying MemoLane (social timeline) ............... 91 4. Value ....................................................... 71 Questions and answers from #infoboomSC Math and energy ............................................ 91 5. Rediscovery ............................................. 71 tweetchat on blogging ....................................81 Weekly review: Week ending March 11, 2011 92 Trying out Slideshare’s new Zipcast feature .. 71 On making the time to write .......................81 Get More Value from Blogging, Part VII: Weekly review: Week ending February 25, On perfectionism and personal branding ..81 Inspiring Yourself and Inspiring Others ....... 93 2011 ............................................................... 73 On finding ideas......................................... 82 1. Making your goals real ........................... 93 Get More Value from Blogging, part III: On practices ............................................... 82 2. Connecting with inspiration .................. 93 Sharing Makes the Blog Go ‘Round .............. 74 3. Progress ................................................. 94

2011 – sachachua.com 4. Inspiring others ..................................... 94 Quid est nōmen tuum? Nōmen meum est Study group update: negative numbers, Coconut buns and the economics of home “Sacha” ......................................................... 113 exponents, and awesomeness ...................... 129 awesomeness ................................................. 94 April 2011 ......................................................... 114 Learning from my mood data ...................... 129 Continuing experiments with Slideshare’s Running the Selenium IDE testing plugin with Making better use of travel time ..................130 Zipcast web conferences................................ 95 Firefox 4 ....................................................... 114 Compost magic and happiness.....................130 Recipes: Coconut cocktail bun recipe ........... 96 Weekly review: Week ending April 1, 2011 .. 114 Mr. Fluffers: Stray or not stray?................... 131 Thinking about a developer setup template.. 98 Starting up our garden ................................. 115 Back in the garden, the perennials are coming Decision trees and self-challenges: how my The Busy Person’s Guide to Learning from the back .............................................................. 131 laptop’s recent battery failure is a great excuse Network (a guide for IBMers) ...................... 116 Weekly review: Week ending April 22, 2011 131 to think .......................................................... 99 Setting up Ruby on Rails on a Redhat Monthly review: March 2011........................ 133 Cats: 0, toilet paper monster: 1; also, ArtRage Enterprise Linux Rackspace Cloud Server ... 119 and Autodesk Sketchbook Pro ..................... 101 Writing macrons in Linux for Latin Troubleshooting: ...................................... 119 pronunciation ............................................... 133 Spring! ......................................................... 102 Helping kids learn algebra .......................... 120 Stuff or experiences ...................................... 134 Weekly review: Week ending March 18, 2011 Why we use more than math textbooks and ..................................................................... 102 The enemy of your enemy is your friend: general-purpose resources ........................... 121 mnemonics and negative integers................ 135 Pirate kitties .................................................103 Spousonomics: Using economics to master Remote training that rocks .......................... 136 Learning more about Websphere and web love, marriage, and dirty dishes ................... 121 service development .................................... 104 Giving a presentation using Autodesk Decision review: Battery .............................. 122 Sketchbook Pro and a web conference ......... 137 Shanghaippy birthday, John Grimme! Recipe: Writing more about life ................................ 122 Lumpiang shanghai ..................................... 104 Study group: Flashcards and the Leitner Weekly review: Week ending April 8, 2011 .. 123 method .........................................................138 The three argumenteers ...............................105 On developing a reputation for project work Weekly review: Week ending April 29, 2011 139 Weekly review: Week ending March 25, 2011 ...................................................................... 124 ..................................................................... 106 "An Easy Method for Beginners in Latin" and Math study group: Positive and negative macron-insensitive search for Tiddlywiki ... 140 Filling in the learning gaps........................... 107 numbers ....................................................... 125 May 2011 .......................................................... 143 On typing in Dvorak .................................... 108 Still cold? Wear a hat to bed......................... 126 Negative productivity and learning from Helping kids learn about automation ......... 109 Using behavioural economics to motivate oopses ........................................................... 143 More thoughts on time analysis: correlations yourself when working on risky projects ..... 126 Thoughts from marriage: Learning together and revealed preferences.............................. 110 Three cat life ................................................. 127 ...................................................................... 143 Becoming a faster developer ........................ 112 Weekly review: Week ending April 15, 2011 127

2011 – sachachua.com Cucumber, Capybara, and the joys of Finding mentors ....................................... 156 Microsoft Windows development environment integration testing in Rails ........................... 144 Making the most of mentoring ................. 157 ...................................................................... 167 On people changing companies ................... 145 Helping others .......................................... 157 Hungry hungry compost and other garden Tweaking married life for everyday happiness updates .........................................................168 Next steps ................................................. 157 ...................................................................... 145 It’s Bike Month in Toronto! .........................168 Notes from the airport: Missed my flight; not Rails: Exporting data from specific tables into the end of the world after all ........................ 157 Monthly reviews: April and May 2011 ......... 169 fixtures ......................................................... 146 Decision review: calendars, development, Victoria Day weekend: back to the garden ... 159 Condensing requirements into use cases ..... 147 standing desks, toe shoes, Kindle, bike, CSA, Gardening: Horticultural investments, social Autodesk Sketchbook, blogging ................... 170 On kids and the learning of tangible things . 147 dividends ..................................................... 160 Rails: Paperclip needs attributes defined by Bike ride in the rain...................................... 171 Experimenting with standing desks ............ 160 attr_accessible, not just attr_accessor......... 147 Weekly review: Week ending June 3, 2011 .. 171 The flow of opportunities in a large company Back from the Netherlands ..........................148 ...................................................................... 161 Plans for summer: Relationships, work, Weekly review: Week ending May 6, 2011 ... 149 gardening, biking, drawing and photography, Taking a break while working on presentations making, and finances ................................... 172 First foray into community-supported ...................................................................... 161 agriculture .................................................... 149 Made a stuff sack for J- ................................ 173 Developing a workflow with Autodesk Cattus Petasatus ...........................................150 Sketchbook Pro ............................................ 162 Negative optimization .................................. 174 Weekly review: Week ending May 13, 2011 .150 Weekly review: Weeks ending May 20, 2011 Thinking about our development practices . 174 Rails: Preserving test data ............................ 151 and May 27, 2011 .......................................... 163 Drush, Simpletest, and continuous integration Dealing with a bad calendar week ................ 164 for Drupal using Jenkins (previously Hudson) Finding the bright side of business travel .... 151 ...................................................................... 175 Walking outside my comfort zone – bike? May 29, 2011: bagels, banana bread, bok choi, bath stuff, and books .................................... 164 Sketchnotes from Democamp Toronto 29, push/kick scooter? ....................................... 152 June 2011...................................................... 177 Ordered a Kindle with free 3G ..................... 154 Made a kitty soap holder .............................. 164 Managing configuration changes in Drupal. 177 Travel updates: GPS, Pearl Street, Vibram toe Seasons and salad days ................................ 165 Weekly review: Week ending June 11, 2011 . 179 shoes ............................................................. 154 Learning from Mr. Collins: Practice, conversation, and what to do when someone Getting things ready for the next week: Waiting for my Kindle .................................. 155 cooking and gardening ................................. 179 says something mean ................................... 165 Presentation draft: Mentoring on the Network This is what my blog looks like on paper .... 180 ...................................................................... 156 June 2011 ......................................................... 167 VMWare, Samba, Eclipse, and XDebug: Decision review: Kitchen counter computing Why ........................................................... 156 (ad hoc standing desk) ................................ 180 Mixing a virtual Linux environment with a Challenges and advantages....................... 156

2011 – sachachua.com Cook Or Die Season II: Community-Supported Meaning and acknowledgement .................. 193 Dealing with web development and stress ... 217 Agriculture ................................................... 181 Context-switching and a four-project day ... 194 Weekly review: Week ending July 16, 2011 .. 217 Kaizen in the little things: The way the door July 2011 .......................................................... 197 Dealing with a heat wave in Toronto ...........218 opens ............................................................ 181 Four-day weekend ahead ............................. 197 Starting piano again .....................................218 Make-ahead meals .......................................182 How I organize my personal finances .......... 197 Rhetoric and the Manila Zoo; reflections on Personal projects ..........................................182 conversations and a request for insight ....... 219 Getting a grip on a large database migration Getting the hang of community-supported ...................................................................... 199 Public transit day ......................................... 221 agriculture ....................................................183 Fifty kilometers on my bicycle .................... 200 Weekly review: Week ending July 24, 2011 . 221 Gardening notes: Cut-and-come-again lettuce ......................................................................184 Embracing Pollyanna .................................. 200 Cats in high places ....................................... 222 An abundance of cilantro, now freezing in Organizing my digital life ............................ 201 Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto cubes; strawberries and peas .......................184 Hacking Drupal views and taxonomy: looking meetup: Conferences, pollution sensing, and for 100% matching of terms ........................ 202 growing old at home .................................... 222 Weekly review: Week ending June 18, 2011 185 Planning for summer .................................. 203 Piano lesson week 2 .................................... 223 Thinking about speaking topics ................... 185 In an imperfect world .................................. 205 Long weekend ahead ................................... 223 Switching back to Linux as my development host ............................................................... 187 Thinking about activities to share with others Mornings at our house ................................ 224 (500) days of salad ....................................... 187 ..................................................................... 207 Software and making pots ........................... 224 Portal 2 and teachable moments in argument Weekly review: Two weeks ending July 9, 2011 Weekly review: Week ending July 31, 2011 . 225 ...................................................................... 187 ..................................................................... 208 August 2011 ..................................................... 226 Portal 2 .........................................................189 Monthly review: June 2011 ......................... 208 Looking back at life as a 27-year-old........... 226 Mindful spending, experiments, and living in On cherry tomatoes, frugality, and wanting 210 Rhetoric and advocacy: the value of a different line with your values ....................................189 Love, web development, and imaginary friends approach ...................................................... 227 Weekly review: Week ending June 25, 2011 190 ..................................................................... 210 Learning by imitation: getting inspired by Strawberry rhubarb baking .......................... 191 The first blueberries from our garden.......... 211 Exploding Dog ............................................. 229 Writing your way past “What have I been A zucchini a day keeps the vegetable drawer Drupal and JQuery 1.5: Fixing the JSON doing with my life?” ..................................... 191 okay .............................................................. 211 encoding of ampersands ............................. 229 Learning from the speeches of grade seven Cake was not a lie ......................................... 212 Drupal, HTML Purifier, and embedding students ........................................................ 192 An elephant love story: Real stories of Manila IFRAMES from YouTube ............................ 230 Drupal notes from helping a client improve her Zoo ................................................................ 213 Weekly review: Week ending August 5, 2011; development environment ........................... 193 Piano lessons ................................................ 216 thoughts on discretionary time .................... 231

2011 – sachachua.com Jalapeño jelly............................................... 233 “Hello, Monday!” comic series launched on Drupal: Finding nodes through autocomplete Drupal: Overriding Drupal autocompletion to IBM intranet home page; now I’m a comic ..................................................................... 268 pass more parameters ................................. 234 artist! ........................................................... 248 Decision: Not getting an Ontario Science Decision: Piano lessons? ............................. 235 Built a USB foot pedal using the Arduino Uno Centre family membership.......................... 269 ..................................................................... 249 Transcript: Blogging (Part 2): Growing into Lessons learned from project M.................. 235 How to set up more frequent merge blogging ....................................................... 270 What worked well .................................... 236 replications in SQL Server 2000 ................. 250 Dusting off my Sony Vaio U1........................ 271 What I’m going to work on improving next Re-setting up my computer......................... 252 time .......................................................... 237 Tweaking the fingerprint settings on my Mailing non-Emacs users your Org notes ... 252 Lenovo X220T ............................................. 272 Thinking about blogging and planning ahead ..................................................................... 237 Practising drawing ...................................... 253 Weekly review: Week ending September 9, Code and circuit for a six-function Arduino- 2011 ............................................................. 272 Living an awesome life as a 27-year-old: a year in blog posts ................................................ 238 based USB footswitch .................................. 253 Thinking about getting better at decisions . 274 Weekly review: Week ending August 12, 2011 Weekly review: Week ending August 27, 2011 Deliberate practice, typing faster, and Emacs ..................................................................... 239 ..................................................................... 255 ..................................................................... 274 Reflections on creativity .............................. 240 Drupal debugging story: Rules defined in Free Geek Toronto: Notes from the build multiple Features .........................................257 session ......................................................... 276 Volunteer notes: Free Geek Toronto ............ 241 Batch cooking .............................................. 258 Transcript: Blogging (Part 3): Blogging and Discovering Yourself through Blogging (free other social tools .......................................... 277 teleconference Aug 16, 6 PM PDT, 9 PM EDT, Getting rid of the “I can’t draw”s ................ 259 9 AM Philippine time) ................................. 243 September 2011 ............................................... 260 Learning new tricks about learning: maps and history .......................................................... 277 Session follow-up #1: Discovering Yourself Transcript: Blogging (Part 1): Blogging and through Blogging ......................................... 243 introverts ..................................................... 260 Back to school, back to study groups .......... 278 Thinking my way through a tough MS SQL Notes on transcription with and without a foot Monthly review: June, July, and August 2011 Server 2000 replication problem ................ 244 pedal ............................................................. 261 ..................................................................... 279 Git bisect and reversing a mistaken patch .. 245 Starting up my experiments in delegation Weekly review: Week ending September 16, again; the difference between what I want to 2011 ............................................................. 279 Kids’ cartoons and learning piano .............. 246 do and what I want to see............................ 262 IBM Comic: Watson on helpdesk duty; Weekly review: Week ending August 19, 2011 variants .........................................................281 ..................................................................... 246 Weekly review: Week ending September 2, 2011 ............................................................. 264 Update on typing: Added AutoCorrect hotkey Thinking about outsourcing transcription or script, now clocking in at 118wpm .............. 282 doing it myself ............................................. 247 Thinking about improving our freezer use . 266 Planning for currency conversion ............... 282

2011 – sachachua.com Transcript: Blogging (Part 4): Parenting .... 282 Tweaking my Windows 7 setup more: Emacs Weekly review: Week ending October 21, 2011 Working with the Editorial Calendar plugin for on all virtual desktops! ................................ 299 ...................................................................... 311 WordPress; on scheduling posts ................. 284 Monitoring multiple WordPress sites for Geek travel update: Mostly as planned ........ 312 Batch cooking, community-supported comments using Yahoo Pipes...................... 299 Thought roundup: Podcasts, drawing, cats, agriculture, and gardening .......................... 284 Geek travel: Planning outfits using matrices and towels .................................................... 313 Weekly review: Week ending September 23, ..................................................................... 300 Practising drawing: variations on a theme .. 314 2011 ............................................................. 285 From the feeds: Ramen, personal assistants, Transcript: Blogging (Part 9): Learning from Quantified: How I spent seven weeks ......... 286 productivity, co-schooling, and being yourself others............................................................ 314 ......................................................................301 From the feeds: entrepreneurship, teaching, Decision review: Switching from Rackspace biking, riding ............................................... 289 Working with FTP sites ................................301 Cloud to Linode ............................................ 315 Getting better at working at the office ........ 289 Transcript: Blogging (Part 7): Learning how to Weekly review: Week ending October 28, 2011 write............................................................. 302 ...................................................................... 315 Transcript: Blogging (Part 5): Getting started ..................................................................... 290 Decision review: Working at IBM ............... 303 Stories from our trip: Furry caterpillar ........ 317 Converted my Arduino foot pedal into a The joys of development with Selenium web- Quantified Awesome: Data from waking up 3 Teensy foot pedal! ........................................ 291 testing .......................................................... 305 hours earlier than normal ............................ 317October 2011 ................................................... 294 Weekly review: Weeks ending October 7 and November 2011 ............................................... 320 October 14, 2011 .......................................... 305 It turns out that “I suck” moments are more From the feeds: Selling benefits, not features; negotiable than I thought ............................ 294 Passioneer survey (Submit your answers by caramel apples; graphic novels for kids ...... 320 Oct 18) ......................................................... 306 Weekly review: Week ending September 30, Planning an Emacs-based personal wiki – 2011 ............................................................. 294 Monthly review: September 2011................ 307 Org? Muse? Hmm… .................................... 320 Tracking and organizing my clothes: From the feeds: Writing, more writing, Transcript: Blogging (Part 10): Difficult substituting mathematics for fashion sense 295 journalism, and automation........................ 308 situations ...................................................... 321 From the feeds: Saving money, making money, Jetlag-assisted early days ............................ 308 Decision review: Cat boarding .................... 322 balancing life, reading books, and making Transcript: Blogging (Part 8): Slow life down Weekly review: Week ending November 4, rainbows ...................................................... 297 and speed it up ............................................ 309 2011 ............................................................. 323 Learning browser-based testing with Selenium Figuring out how to plan for a month ......... 309 Quantified Awesome: Development-driven ..................................................................... 298 Stories from the trip: Making my peace with behaviour and integrated tests for life ........ 325 Transcript: Blogging (Part 6): Looking back endings .........................................................310 Monthly review: October 2011 .................... 326 ..................................................................... 298 Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto Oct Quantified Awesome: How much music do you Decision review: Marrying W- .................... 298 21 2011 ..........................................................310 have?............................................................ 327

2011 – sachachua.com Visualization resources ............................... 329 Transcript: Blogging (Part 13): On frequency Thinking about how to get even better at bulk- ..................................................................... 346 cooking ........................................................ 329 Decision review: Scheduling posts and using Transcript: Blogging (Part 11): Looking back at themes ......................................................... 347 the year ......................................................... 331 Weekly review: Week ending November 25, Decision review: Metropass instead of biking 2011 ............................................................. 348 to work in November................................... 332 Thoughts from helping with homework ..... 350 Weekly review: Week ending November 11, Quantified Awesome: 116 web resources for 2011; thinking about the temptation to work Quantified Self............................................. 350 ..................................................................... 332 Rails experiences: Building an interactive Stories from the trip: Terminal 3 ................ 335 tutorial .......................................................... 351 Quantified Awesome: A place for everything, Things I’m learning from tracking ............... 351 and everything in its place .......................... 335 December 2011 ................................................ 353 From the feeds: Friendship, planning ahead, Transcript: Blogging (Part 14): Writing for and crossroads............................................. 337 yourself and writing for others .................... 353 Massages, physical feedback, and behaviour Upcoming decision: Considering different modification ................................................ 337 cellphone plans for J- .................................. 354 Transcript: Blogging (Part 12): Two homes 338 Weekly review: Week ending December 2, 2011 Decision review: Lenovo X220 tablet PC (with ..................................................................... 354 graphs!) ....................................................... 339 Clearing out the basement .......................... 356 Weekly review: Week ending November 18, Quantified Awesome: How I’m starting to use 2011 ............................................................. 340 Tap Log for Android .................................... 356 Learning how to model with Google Sketchup Busy, busy, busy week ................................. 358 ..................................................................... 343 Geek tidbits: Postfix configuration for Quantified Awesome: Why I track .............. 343 development and testing ............................. 359 From the feeds: Development, food, Transcript: Blogging (Part 15): Tools to help connecting with people, e-books, finance ... 344 you get started ............................................. 359 Ruby on Rails: Extending ActiveRecord::Base Blog analysis for 2011: 173,363 words so far; to define your own ActiveRecord association also, using the Rails console to work with methods ....................................................... 344 WordPress ................................................... 360

January 2011 – sachachua.com o [X] Tidy up Preparation 23 IncludingJanuary 2011 o [-] Tidy up my computer, too: hours disassembling washer backup, reorganize, clean and dryer o [X] Plan garden Work 19 Took some sick timeWeekly review: Week ending December31, 2010 Plans for next week hourshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22022January 1, 2011 - Categories: weekly  Work Routines 16From last week’s plans hours o [] Work on Project M: Documentation, tidying up Social 8  Work hours o [] Work on Project S: Clean things o [X] Work on Project M: Make up sure users have permissions to do Writing 2.5 things o [] Idea Lab: Run Idea Lab hours o [X] Work on Project S: Clean o [] Illustrate networking tips Travel 2 I’ve been using some of things up hours this for writing time,  Relationships too o [X] Idea Lab: Process responses o [] Look into cooking or cleaning o [-] Illustrate networking tips Break 2 assistance hours  Relationships  Life Exercise 1.25 o [-] Hike or bike with W- hours o [] Get well o [-] Write more cards o [] Hire a virtual assistant again Learning 0.75 o Had Maira’s family over hours Time analysis o Had New Year’s Eve dinner with Driving 0.75 W-’s family Dec 25 to December 31 practice hours  Life Time totals messed up because I didn’t track as Untracked 39.75 much over the holidays, but here’s a guesstimate: hours o [-] Get MobileOrg Android patches into mergeable state Sleep 53 ~ 7 hours per day hours Tweaking my time-tracking… o [X] Review and revise plan, outline 2011

January 2011 – sachachua.comA terrible cold has put a crimp in my productivity W- has kept me on a steady infusion of chicken This New Year’s holiday must have been theand my holiday celebrations, but W- has been soup, cuddles, and Pride and Prejudice – several quietest holiday I’ve had in a while. It’s weird!totally awesome at taking care of me. He’s been different versions, in fact. I’m half-dreading the abrupt change in paceshaking his finger at me for having insisted on when I get back to work tomorrow, particularlyspending Friday working when I should have I like BBC’s Lizzie and Lost in Austen’s Darcy the as I’ve managed to commit myself to some ratherbeen in bed. “You’ve been working feverishly,” he most. Heresy, I know. Colin Firth in the BBC’s high-intensity days coming up.said, “and now you’ve come down with a fever.” 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is theThat explains why I was shivering underneath all definitive Darcy, of course. Lost in Austen’s (Fortunately, the world works in mysteriousthose covers. Fortunately, it’s nothing W- hasn’t Fitzwilliam Darcy (Elliot Cowan) does more of a ways. It could have been crazier, but it isn’t.)dealt with before, and aspirin soon sorted that transformation from utterly disagreeable toout. (Thank you, mdern medicine.) totally awesome. It’s hard to write about anything other than being sick when you’re sick.Definitely time to break out the ginger tea. Ginger tea (salabat): The powdered form is(Hello, salabat!) very convenient, of course, but you can make up Actually, this is not true. I snuck in some work a batch by crushing ginger and boiling it it in this afternoon and I made a lot of progress water. Add brown sugar to sweeten it. writing a developer’s guide for the system we’reSick days building. It’s hard for me to write about life orhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22023 You can’t do much with a cold except to try to not productivity or connecting at conferences whenJanuary 2, 2011 - Categories: life, sketches make it any worse. Definitely a good time for my nose is stuffed, but I can talk about node relaxing. access records and workflow transitions, noStill sick. Flush with a fever, congested with a problem.cough and a cold, voiceless, and all around underthe weather. Not the best of ways to spend a Momentum and holidays Maybe that’s what I should do next time I’m sickholiday, but a worse way to spend a workweek, so http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22026 and feeling lethargic. Never mind the mid-daythis is okay by comparison. January 3, 2011 - naps. A good round of coding or documenting is Categories: life, productivity, sick a great antidote for the doldrums.To soothe an irritated throat, in amug, combine: Monday: I don’t do “relaxing holidays” very well. Being sick is great for all sorts of realizations, My idea of a perfect holiday is one where I’m all actually. I have the free time to do whatever I  Juice of half a lemon wrung out at the end and ready to go back to want to do (within reason). I don’t have the work. Building a chair. Bottling a gazillion jars of energy or the inclination to do many things.  Tablespoon of honey jam. Taking apart and rebuilding appliances. Granted, a lot of that is because of the cold, but if  Hot water Hanging out with family and friends. (If you’ve I don’t get around to doing something even met them, you know what a whirlwind they can though I have an unencumbered day, what are(Do not give honey to babies under a year old.) be.) the chances of my getting around to it with an extra half hour?

January 2011 – sachachua.comHere’s what I’m learning: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22029  It keeps you awake and concentrating. January 4, 2011 -  It makes your reading active.Writing and coding boost my energy, and are a Categories: blogging, highlight, sketches, tipsgreat way to cheer myself up if I’m feeling  It helps you remember the thoughts ofunproductive. the author.Playing the piano is fun, too. I’m slowly getting Maybe I can get the same benefits by writing myback into it (compensating for the time I couldn’t thoughts down elsewhere, but not on the printedspeak?). I like the slow development of fluency. pages. Ratchet up my book-blogging, perhaps, asPlus, my playing nudges J-, and she ends up a life-long project to build a personal, digitalteaching herself a bit too. I’ve been teaching syntopicon?myself Schumann’s “Von fremden Ländern undMenschen” (the easy version W- has started a fresh new professional notebookfrom http://www.free-scores.com/download- for 2011. In this, notebook he writes down ideassheet-music.php?pdf=8153) because of its and lessons from his work and from the books heappearance in McDull, but it’s also a pleasure re- reads. He’s been taking notes on another bookencountering old friends like Für Elise. (larger version on blog) I’ve browsed and dogeared – Visual Meetings.Drawing and preparing for presentations are I sporadically keep paper notebooks. They can bepretty low on my radar. I should think about how Marking up books much more convenient than typing on a laptop,to tweak that. Fortunately, I’d written a number http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22030 especially when one is propping a book open toof blog posts from when I was presenting more, January 5, 2011 - the right page. Perhaps the tablet will make itso I can remember what it’s like. Categories: book, highlight, reading easier to keep my handwritten notes?Sewing has a bit more of an activation cost than I’ve been rereading Adler and van Doren’s “How What would my ideal book notes system be like?it could. When work settles down again, I’ll set to Read a Book”. I always get tripped up by the Decades later, I’d like to be able to say – ah, ifaside some time to see if I can fix this. advice to mark up one’s books (p48-51). I’ve you’re interested in that, here are the books I’ve experimented with this on and off – wild sallies read about it, and this is how they’re connectedTomorrow is going to be a busy day. I still have a into the world of underlined passages and marks to each other, and the arguments they made, andbit of a cough and some sniffles, and I’ll probably in the margins of books that I own — but I always how my personal experiences have supported orwork from home, but my voice is back and I can recoil, returning to furtively dog-eared pages contradicted them, and what I’ve done with whatfocus on work. (More easily on work than on (and even this, when done to library books, earns I learned from those books, and what else I couldother things, even.) me a teasing frown from W-). But Adler and van add… Doren spend two and a half pages arguing for the value of writing in one’s books and giving tips on Margin notes can’t contain these, but maybe I’llSketches: If you want to make the most of how to do it effectively. Their reasons: figure out my own system over time –your next conference, you should blog searchable, hyperlinked, backed-up, personal,

January 2011 – sachachua.comand social. In the meantime, I keep my notes in CAPTURE: Using Org + Remember to capture notes into this system – text notes in my Org filean Org text file, organized in an outline, tagged book notes uses the same process as my other and blog entries for linkability/commentability.with keywords, and (occasionally) published on notes. Diagrams can be scanned in and attached Progress…my blog. to files. I used to scan and OCR dogeared pages, but typing or dictating them in is okay, and itWhat’s your system for book notes? helps me review. The capture part of my process Emacs, BBDB, and getting your contacts is fantastic. on the Android or iPhoneISBN:0-671-21280-X http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22034How to Read a Book ORGANIZATION: org-refile or copying and January 7, 2011 -Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren pasting are easy, so this part of the process is Categories: android, bbdb, emacs fine. Want your Emacs BBDB contacts on yourMoving my book notes online REVIEW: I might schedule times to refresh my Android or iPhone?http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22033 memory of certain books. I can do that with OrgJanuary 6, 2011 - Categories: emacs, reading agenda fairly easily. The easiest way I’ve found is to export your contacts to CSV, then import them intoI moved more of my book notes online, reasoning SHARING: Here’s where the process breaks something like Google Contacts. You can exportthat a braindump is better than occasional down a little. org2blog-post-subtree is great, and your BBDB contacts using bbdb-to-outlook.el,whining about the lack of a good system. ;) I’ve used that a number of times to post the which is available in the BBDB package inFellow Emacs geeks who use Org will probably relevant subtree of book notes. That adds the the bits/ directory. Download bbdb-to-outlook.elget the most out of this, as they can open it in notes as entries in my blog, storing the post ID in from Sourceforge if you can’t find it in yourEmacs and work with the hierarchy, but someday my Org file so that I can get back to the post BBDB directory. To use:I may figure out a neat little hyperlinked solution afterwards. org2blog also makes it easy to editthat will make it easy for everyone else. Or I’ll entries, hooray. 1. Load bbdb-to-outlook.el and use M-xpull more and more of these posts into my blog, eval-buffer to load the code.where they’ll be individually linkable and Once it’s in my blog, people can use thecommentable. categories to find other entries. However, my 2. Use M-x bbdb to open your BBDB current blog layout doesn’t highlight the records, and search for . to show all theCompare: http://sachachua.com/blog/category/ categories, and it’s not easy to browse the records. Alternatively, search for a subsetbook/ , which wins points for being graphical and different book-related categories. Maybe it’s of your records.highlighted and comment-friendly, but loses worth tweaking a “reading” or “book” category 3. Type O to run bbdb-to-outlook andtopical organization, overview, search, and layout page. choose the file.offline access. Aha! How’s http://sachachua.com/blog/book- Tada! Step one done. Review the file and deleteIt’s a start. Here’s what’s working well: notes/ ? It’s a manually-edited list at the top anything you don’t want to include. (thanks, Org!), followed by an automatically- generated index. I’ll gradually move my other

January 2011 – sachachua.comTo import the contacts into Google Contacts, go o [X] Work on Project M: o Started teaching myself the pianoto Google Mail and click on Contacts. Click Documentation, tidying up againon Import and choose your file. After some time o [X] Work on Project S: Clean o Sketched my goals for 2011.and some fiddling, you can get that synchronized things uponto your Android or iPhone. o Posted my book notes and o [X] Idea Lab: Run Idea Lab improved my book workflow.I haven’t thought about syncing, but I’m trying to o [X] Illustrate networking tips o Posted a Kijiji ad looking for akeep my BBDB as The Master File for Contacts piano teacheranyway, as it’s so much more flexible than any o Learned how to hack Drupalother contact database I’ve tried. (Although messaging and notifications Plans for next weekgist.com is pretty cool and I do like the Android’s o Found out my Lotusphere 2011merging of photos, contact info, and updates…) session got accepted  WorkThere was some work on synchronizing BBDB o Had team lunch with Jennifer o [] Finish up on project Swith the Palm, so that might be a possibility. Nolan, Johnny Patterson and o [] Start testing project M Elena NeroslavskayaEnjoy! o [] Fix my Lotus Notes  Relationships o [] Look into LotusphereWeekly review: Week ending January 7, o [-] Look into cooking or cleaning assistance  Relationships2011http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22035 o Watched Bride and Prejudice with o [] Get around to hosting a get-January 8, 2011 - Categories: weekly W- and J- (hooray library DVDs) together, maybe a game night o Read Pride and Prejudice and o [] Plan May tripRelearning the piano. It’s interesting. I canremember playing better than this. Now I’m re- Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls  Lifelearning how to play these pieces, going, “Ahh. o … and in general, enjoyed all sortsThat feels familiar. And then there should be this of things Austen o [] Get back into sewing: work onbit over here – yes, that’s right.” On the other black dresshand, I read notes a little bit faster now than I  Life o [] Post more book notesdid before. o [X] Get well Time analysisGetting well. A persistent cough and some o [X] Hire a virtual assistant again Sleep 73.6 ~ 11 hours per day,sniffles, but definitely better than last week. hours thanks to goodFrom last week’s plans o Watched Bottle Shock, also from the library – that was fun weekends  Work

January 2011 – sachachua.com http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22037 extract. I made pandesal. W- discovered a goodWork 33.5 A little overtime, but January 9, 2011 - Categories: life combination: egg tarts (3 whole eggs + 3 extra hours it’s good egg yolks), coconut macaroons (4 egg whites),Break 22 Recuperating We celebrated J-’s birthday at Korean Grill and oatmeal cookies (the recipe we use involves 2 hours House last night. During a lull in the eggs and an extra egg yolk). All in all, nine eggs conversation as people digested the vast and no extra parts languishing in ramekins in theWriting 12 quantities of food we’d just consumed, she took fridge. hours out her iPod and started flipping through an e- book. Of course, now we will need to find coworkersPiano practice 7 and friends willing to take some of these baked hours Her uncle asked, “What are you reading?” goods off our hands (and away from our waistlines)…Routines 5.5 J- answered, “Pride and Prejudice.” hours Life is good. Simultaneous jaw drop from uncle and aunt,Outsourceable 4 grins from W- and me. hours Work on the business from the outside, “Pride and Prejudice?! Are you reading that for not in it – Book: Effortless entrepreneurExercise 2.5 school or for fun?” http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22038 hours January 10, 2011 - “For fun!” Categories: book, entrepreneurship, readingSocial 1.5 hours We’ve been on an entire Pride and Prejudice kick One of the key points of “Effortless entrepreneur” this past week. We watched the 2005 movie, the is that you need to create systems and delegateTravel 0.5 Worked from home so Lost in Austen miniseries, Bride and Prejudice work so that you can free up time to improve hours that I wouldn’t get (the Bollywood version; quite a few laughs); read your business. others sick “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the p38. Work on the business from the outside, notUntracked 5.9 Jan 1-3 had hole-y Dreadfuls” (the prequel to “Pride and Prejudice in it. A great entrepreneur builds systems to run hours records, but Jan 4 – 7 and Zombies”); quoted and joked and the business as if it were a machine, and stands was all tracked improvised. over it instead of being part of its inner workings. A business owner should sell that Yes, we’re geeks. machine to clients and perfect its functionality,Once my categories settle down, I might do some but not sit in the gear room. How many timesbetween-week analysis… — have you seen a local store owner answering phones, doing paperwork, and assisting We spent a very agreeable afternoon in the customers all at once? This business ownerSnippets from life kitchen. We chopped up vanilla beans for making works IN the business, not ON it, and hasn’t

January 2011 – sachachua.comidentified the different positions within his vegetate a bit more, then hit the sack. I’m looking forward to do even better. At work, Ibusiness, such as receptionist, salesperson, and Or perhaps you’re a parent and you want to to learn more about Drupal 7, consulting,cashier. Instead, he does all those jobs himself. leave work with just enough energy to and the processes we have. I’m also looking get through your parental forward to writing up more notes and coachingCreating manuals and training maps for each requirements in the evening. others. In the rest of life, I’d like to experimentposition from the get-go forces you to evaluate with delegating again, invest time into becoming  Option B: On the other hand, let’s say youwhat needs to be done and helps identify tasks a better writer, and continue building wonderful go to work and intentionally keep halfyou might not think of right away. That can mean relationships. of your energy for yourself. You givefewer unpleasant surprises down the road. At the company 50% of the gas in yourfirst, you’ll likely have to work IN your business How about you? How can you not only work in tank. After you leave, you spend thatand do most, if not all, of the work for each your business, but on it? 50% improving yourself. You go toposition. That’s common when you start out. But night classes. You go to the gym. Youcreate a system that allows you to just work ON it Effortless entrepreneur: Work smart, play hard, go to the library. You go to meetings of make millionsas soon as possible. Once that system is professional growth groups, like 2010 Nick Friedman and Omar Solimanoperative, a business gains its true value. Toastmasters. Three Rivers PressWork on your business, not just in it. It ISBN 978-0-307-58799-2 Well, maybe not 50%. If you can do your workmakes sense, although lots of small-business with 80% effort, and then invest the rest intoowners find it hard to make that jump. Book: Effortless entrepreneur 2011-01-10 Mon building skills and processes, then it’s like a 19:27How can people practice this now? After all, even savvy entrepreneur investing time into buildingif you work for a company, you work for yourself, systems, not just fighting fires. Sometimes it’stoo. more like a full-energy work and 20% extra, but I Wrapping up projects and preparing for enjoy the work and the learning along the way. the next oneIt’s kinda like what Trent (The Simple Dollar) http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22039 At work, I’m learning about the way we work on January 11, 2011 - Categories: career, ibm, workwrites about in “Who is your real boss? Someperspectives on career success”: projects: the processes, the templates, theMy belief is this: the people that succeed are the questions and conversations. I like making We’re in the final phases of our two Drupalpeople who invest that energy and time and systems, processes, and tools, so I’m learning projects. We’re writing test scripts, fixing bugs,patience and thought a little differently. how to improve things. and loading production data. In a week or two,What do I mean? we’ll finalize the source code and save a copy of I’m working on applying this idea of “working on the database. I’ve really liked working on these the business, not just in it” in personal life as projects, and I’m looking forward to working on  Option A: Let’s say you go to work each well. Hence the household optimizations: batch similar things in the future. day and leave it all on the table. When cooking and a chest freezer, tweaked routines, you leave work, you’re so drained you relationship-building. Capacity-building for can barely make it home. You sit on the As I wrap up on this project and get ready for future adventures. future ones, I can’t help but think how working in couch, vegetate for a while, eat dinner,

January 2011 – sachachua.comIBM Global Business Services helps me learn  Maybe work on a conventional skill set – cooking marathons are an excuse to break outabout different parts of consulting. We can help J2EE? the knives, chopping boards, and stacks of foodwith proposals for new projects. We have an containers, and we have great conversations  Work on paperwork: project assessments,internal marketplace that lists openings and while slicing and dicing. We also enjoy the walk certification, etc.required skills. We can submit our resumes and to the supermarket (which often involves a side-set up interviews. We need to do a little  Improve the Lotus Connections toolkit trip to the library, and you know how I enjoymarketing on our own, and we always have to that). Folding laundry is a good time to watch awork on keeping our skills up to date. Just like independent consultants need to always movie (borrowed from the aforementioned be building their pipeline, I should see if I can library), which leads to more shared experiencesToday I attended a call with my resource balance my future project work so that I’m and in-jokes, which helps cultivate a relationship.deployment manager. Her role includes always working on the pipeline for the next Turn chores into social bonding time, and thematching people with projects. She shared some thing: helping out with bids, learning a new skill, time will fly.tips on how to make the most of our tools, some and so on.things we might invest time in if we have some Use the time to reflect anddowntime between projects, and upcoming Fun! improve. Cooking is a great time to learn newprojects we might be interested in. recipes or improve my skills. Tidying up reminds me where things are and gives me an opportunityHere are some things I’m looking forward to Three tips for cheerful chores to simplify. Spend a little extra time makingdoing if I have some time between this and my http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22040 things better for the next time you do something.next project: January 12, 2011 - Categories: life, productivity Eliminate or delegate things that really  Help write proposals for Drupal and Web I’ve been taking a closer look at household tasks sap your energy. Speaking of cats: scooping 2.0 projects that I could outsource or simplify. Groceries, out four litter boxes was not fun. So W- did a bit laundry, cleaning, cooking… of research and ordered a Litter Robot. The o Compile case studies spaceship-like contraption now commands a o Estimate Drupal projects … but really, they don’t take that much time, and corner of the living room (next to the toolchest, I probably get more value from doing them than actually). It’s been worth it not just for o Prototype? I would from a few extra hours of writing or convenience, but also for entertainment value.  write up and share my Drupal notes work. Our cat Luke loves to watch it, but when he steps on it for a closer look, the Litter Robot stops  Create and compile assets (Drupal case Here are three tips I’ve found that help me enjoy rotating. This confuses him and always makes studies, Web 2.0 overviews, etc.) what I’m doing. Maybe you’ll find them useful, me laugh.  Learn more about Drupal 7, AJAX, too! information architecture, mobile We could cut back on savings and hire some of development, project management, and Many hands make fun work. Turn the chore these tasks out – but we’d probably replace them other interesting things – discuss into an excuse to build a relationship. For with time spent taking long walks together, priorities with manager example, W- and I love cooking. Our batch- learning new skills, or improving the flow of life.

January 2011 – sachachua.comWhich is basically what we would’ve been paying possibly one of my new recommendations in this  Regularly buy something that yousomeone else to handle, so we might as well do it area. historically have viewed as frivolousourselves. but which you can truly afford. I’ve been thinking about whether I’ve got the  Buy more gifts for the people you love.What do you do to make chores cheerful? right balance of saving for near-term expenses, investing for the future, and enjoying the  Go easier on yourself and family when it2011-01-12 Wed 19:38 present. The book has an entire chapter on this comes to everyday expenses. (pp.103 to 112). I particularly like the section on reflecting on whether you’re postponing This year’s probably going to be pretty easy toBook: Let’s Get Real About Money: Profit achievable dreams, and the quote: plan for, actually, because we’ve got the two bigfrom the Habits of the Best Personal It is very well to be thrifty, but don’t amass a trips planned (Netherlands and the Philippines),Finance Managers hoard of regrets. and we might look into improving the insulationhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22041 of the house. We’re also saving up for otherJanuary 13, 2011 - Categories: book, finance  French poet, Charles D’Orleans (quoted adventures over the next year or two. Big rocks. on p.118 of Let’s Get Real About Money) It’s easy to plan other things around those:Let’s Get Real About Money: Profit from the perhaps piano lessons, sewing lessons, gardeningHabits of the Best Personal Finance Managers I’m reminded of Ramit Sethi’s story about how experiments, and woodworking projects.(c) 2008 Eric Tyson some people set aside money for meetingFT Press, New Jersey interesting people. Might be a fun experiment, Anyway… “Let’s Get Real About Money” is a goodISBN: 978-0-13-234161-5 although perhaps not to that scale. Ditto for read. Try the self-test in front, and check out the learning and experimentation, which I do chapters on insurance and managing risks. HaveMy expectations were low. The subtitle “Profit explicitly save for, and which has paid off quite a fun!from the Habits of the Best Personal Finance bit in terms of interesting life experiences. So I’mManagers” made me think of celebrity-focused not doing too badly in this area, and I’m 2011-01-13 Thu 21:22“secrets”-type books with more fluff than continuing to learn.content. But hey, it was on the library bookshelf,so I picked it up anyway. I’ve found all sorts of There are useful tips on p131 on keeping saving 13,705 steps and countinggems in unlikely books, and I’ve skimmed my in proper perspective. Here’s the summary: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22042way through seemingly-solid books that proved January 14, 2011 -to be disappointments. It’s easy to take risks on  Understand the standard of living that Categories: android, exbooks when they’re free. ;) can be provided by the assets you’ve ercise, health, life, trac already accumulated. kingI was pleasantly surprised by what I found. Thebook has a lot of practical advice on money and  Get smart about investing your money. 13,705 steps in tworelationships, family, raising savvy kids,  Go on a news diet. and a half hours ofspending plans, frugality, investment, insurance, leisurely walks spreadand learning more. Well worth a read, and out over one day,

January 2011 – sachachua.comencompassing three not-entirely-necessary After all, when you’ve gotten to the vicinity of 10k  Lifestrolls involving two libraries, a drugstore, and with another trip to the library (and another o [] Get back into sewing: work onone supermarket. But it was worth it: several armful of books), you might as well keep going. black dress – postponedbags of books, a package of dental floss, a pantryrestocked with instant noodles, and the Do you use a pedometer to track your walks? o [X] Post more book notessatisfaction of seeing what it’s like to walk the What are you learning? o Enjoyed a week of pandesalrecommended 12,000 steps. Photo (c) 2009 Tambako the Jaguar – Creative o Achieved small goal of walkingI headed out for the second half of my walk right Commons Attribution No Derivatives 12k steps in one dayafter we wrapped up a project. The euphoria was Plans for next weekmaking me buzz too much to write, so I decidedto take good long walk. Weekly review: Week ending January 14, 2011  WorkThe streets here are wide and well-lit, and our http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22043 o [] Wrap up project Mneighbourhood is wonderfully walkable. The January 15, 2011 - Categories: weeklylargest park in Toronto is a few blocks from our From last week’s plans o [] Document case studieshouse, although I more often walk to the library o [] Write about lessons learnedand to Bloor West Village. Near work,  Work o [] Apply to open seatsunderground passages let me wander about o [X] Finish up on project Swhile hiding from winter. o [] Follow up on Lotusphere o [X] Start testing project M o [] Draw networking guide forI enjoy walking. Even when winter’s giving me o [X] Fix my Lotus Notes conferencesthe sniffles, it’s still fun. Sometimes I think ofElizabeth Bennet walking from Longbourn to o [X] Look into Lotusphere o [] Chat with Vikram KalkatNetherfield (three miles, or a mile less than what regarding Web 2.0 o Outlined talk on learning on theI walked today), except in better shoes and more networkcomfortable clothes (but not anywhere near as  Relationshipsawesome a hat).  Relationships o [] Have get-togetherTracking has certainly influenced my behaviour. o [X] Get around to hosting a get- o [] Help with J-’s Little Big PlanetI’ve taken to using Walttend Lite to track my together, maybe a game night partysteps because it can correctly track on my GoogleNexus One even when the screen is off. None of o [-] Plan May trip – read lots of guidebooks  Lifethe other pedometer apps I tried could do that,so Walttend it is. Once I was out there, it was o Picked up microscope slides for J- o [] Get through busy weekeasy to talk myself into going just a little bit o [] Post more book notes!further so that I could check off my 12,000 goal. o Helped J- with homework on bullying/harrassment

January 2011 – sachachua.comTime analysis I also want to break “Routines” down into more For even more Emacs goodness outside the detail, so I can see where my time goes. package system, check out the Emacs mirror,Category Hours Notes which lists more than 2,900 packages availableSleep 61.1 Average of 8.7 hours – through Git. Emacs 24 and the package manager typically around 8 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22045 Thanks to: hours during weekday, January 15, 2011 - Categories: emacs and longer during weekend  Phil Hagelberg for the post about ELPA By default, the Emacs 24 package manager (M-x package-list-packages) points to a small  Jonas Bernoulli for the post aboutWork 40.7 Lots of good work emacsmirror repository of Emacs packages. Want more? PhilRoutines 18.4 Hagelberg added support for multiple repositories to package.el. There’s the original 2011-01-15 Sat 10:31Break 16.5 Relaxed weekend ELPA at http://tromey.com/elpa, and there’s a community package source called MarmaladeSocial 13.2 Spent time with Maira, that anyone can upload packages to. Add this to Switched my Fido plan and celebrated J-’s your ~/.emacs and evaluate it: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22046 birthday January 16, 2011 - Categories: phone ;; Add the original Emacs Lisp Package ArchiveWriting 7.2 (add-to-list package-archives I switched my Fido plan to the $35 “Unlimited ("elpa" . "http://tromey.com/elpa/")) Joy” plan they were advertising. For $3.70 lessExercise 6.6 Long walks ;; Add the user-contributed repository than I was paying for my current plan (not (add-to-list package-archives considering taxes), I could make the followingTravel 2.8 ("marmalade" . "http://marmalade- changes: repo.org/packages/"))Learning 0.9 Piano Old plan New planOutsourceable 0.3 You should then be able to call M-x package-list- No included outgoing Unlimited texts to packages to browse and install Emacs packages. text messages Canada and international numbersMostly tracked, yay! If you don’t have Emacs 24 yet (and you might want to wait for the official release if you use 1000 Unlimited evenings andI took the TTC 9 times, using tokens. things like BBDB), Phil suggests evening/weekend weekends downloading package.el from the Emacs minutesNext week, I plan to stick more closely to my development tree. This version includes supportalarm settings (no hitting snooze!) and gradually for multiple repositories. 100 anytime minutes 150 anytime minutesreduce my sleep back to 7 hours a day. Stillrecovering from a cold – I cough less now, but Istill have the sniffles.

January 2011 – sachachua.comLast month, I used 6.5 minutes on Tip: Check your cellphone plan – your Yesterday’s batch of potato-rosemary breadevenings/weekends and 5 minutes during the choices might have improved! worked out really well. I formed them asday. I do like the security of knowing incoming individual rolls instead of a loaf. Loaves are morecalls aren’t going to cost me a lot, though, space-efficient, but rolls are easier to share andespecially as I sometimes use IBM’s VOIP Batch baking for fun and awesomeness eat. It was satisfying to see the bread risesystems to call people and have that connect to http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22047 properly, especially as my Friday batch ofmy cellphone. I sent seven text messages, which pandesal didn’t rise at all. (I’m switching to acost me $1.05 (compared to text messages in the pandesal recipe that calls for proofing the yeast,Philippines! =( ). I made one long-distance call of as the recipe I’ve written down doesn’t have thatless than a minute. step.)It would have cost me eight dollars in prorated I enjoy baking. It’s even more efficient whencharges to switch to the plan immediately, but we’ve got several recipes lined up to use similarI’m fine with waiting until the next billing cycle. oven temperatures, because then the oven can keep on going. This is the first time I’ve done aWhat do I plan to do with the changes? The double batch of lasagna, and I liked the flexibilitychange I care about the most involves unlimited of sharing or freezing the second pan. I think I’lltexting, which will probably lead to lots of do that with future batches, too.Twitter updates while I’m out and about, andmore frequent contact with family and friends in I’m planning to gradually clear the freezer ofthe Philippines. =) most of the raw ingredients we’ve stored so that January 17, 2011 - Categories: cooking we can make more room for individual portions.I can probably get a cheaper or more featureful We like stocking up on frozen fruit, raw shrimp, It takes just a little bit more time to make twoplan with WIND Mobile, but since I can easily and other ingredients when they’re on sale, but pans of lasagna instead of one, and it works outswitch my Fido plan without locking myself into there’s something to be said about turning fresh to be slightly cheaper per serving, too. (90another contract, I don’t mind changing to a ingredients into convenient frozen meals. Maybe minutes of preparation including making pastabetter Fido deal while considering the decision to someday we might get a bigger chest freezer. sauce and cleaning up; < $2 dollars per servingswitch. Over the holidays, WIND advertised a We’re certainly making the most of ours! for us.) Batch cooking is a great way to save timepretty sweet unlimited voice/text/data plan for and money.$40, but I’ll wait until the reviews settle down a Here are some of our freezer favourites.bit. They seem to have coverage and customer Oven What can you do with two pans of lasagna? Youservice challenges. I’ll keep an eye out for future  Lasagna can keep half a pan in the fridge, divide up thepromos, though. My Google Nexus One is other half into individual portions, and share the  Baked beanscompatible with the WIND network (thanks to other pan with family or friends. We took theW-’s wonderful research), so that should be okay.  Roast turkey second pan to Morgan and Cathy’s along with the potato-rosemary rolls I baked yesterday, and we  Roast vegetables had an excellent dinner. =)

January 2011 – sachachua.com  Roast chicken Kevin Waite asks, “What format do you use to keep your recipes? Do you use Freemind or Org  Shepherd’s pie Mode?”  Meatballs W- and I write good recipes down in a notebook.  Turkey pot pie / chicken pot pie Using paper instead of the computer means that  Shake-and-bake chicken both of us can easily add new recipes, we can draw or use graphical shortcuts, and we don’t Stove have to worry so much about spilling things on our notes. Using a bound notebook instead of  Chili individual recipe cards means that we don’t have  Curry to worry about losing any favourites. (see the blog for the full image)  Rice and beans W- started out by keeping it as a food diary,  Pinakbet complete with luscious descriptions and Of recipes and memories fountain-pen ink. Now it’s more of a recipe stash,  Adobo http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22052 but even the sparse notes evoke sensations.  Pasta sauce January 18, 2011 - Categories: cooking Because cooking is such a part of our lives, each page brings lots of memories. Even the blank pages near the end tell a story through theDo you cook in batches and freeze individual splatter from the time that the pressure cookerportions? What are your favourites? exploded when W- was cooking too large a batch of beans.Sketchnotes: Gretchen Rubin, Happiness We get many of our recipes from the cookbooksProject book tour in the house, and we frequently refer to the twohttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22049 editions we have of the Joy of Cooking. We alsoJanuary 17, 2011 - turn to the Internet for other recipes, like theCategories: happiness, highlight, sketches, sketch recipe for home-made vanilla extract. We copynotes recipes into our notebook for ease of referenceFull-size version of my sketch notes and recall. Flipping through the pages remindsfrom Gretchen Rubin’s talk and book signing of us of things we should cook again.the Happiness Project, Chapters Indigo W- and I also keep electronic lists and copies ofBay/Bloor Toronto, January 17. some recipes, just in case we need to change our plans at the supermarket. We almost always shop with a grocery list, but sometimes we’ll swap

January 2011 – sachachua.comrecipes if the produce or other ingredients don’t doing, think about the costs and incentives of off: The immediate benefits of understanding,look good. I keep lists in my Org outline too, so different activities, and work on ways to change the medium-term benefits of recall, and the long-that I can easily review our batch cooking recipes those costs and incentives, you can make it easier term investment in a knowledgebase. Theor my list of recipes to try. for you to do the kinds of things you want to do insights people share with me through comments and avoid the things you don’t. In this blog post, and the insights they pick up from me throughThere are so many blank pages to go. Looking I’m going to see if this geeky way of looking at reading are icing on the cake. Cost: Time.forward to filling them up! fun actually works. Change: I think I spend a good enough amount of time on this and that I get great value for the The relevant quote from The Logic of Life: time I spend on it. I might try spending less timeFun and rational economic theory: The Rational Economics of an Irrational on it.reflections on the book “The Logic of Life” World ( Tim Harford, 2008)http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22053 p4. Rational people respond to trade-offs and to Reading. I read voraciously. Fortunately,January 19, 2011 - incentives. When the costs and benefits of Toronto has one of the largest library systems inCategories: book, fun, highlight, life, reflection something change, people change their behavior. the world. Pay-off: I pick up new words and ideas Rational people think – not always consciously – that I can use in life and writing. Cost: Time andWhat do you do for fun? Why do you do it? about the future as well as the present as they try space. Change: although taking book notes andDo you want to shift your patterns? to anticipate likely consequences of their actions doing life experiments based on what I’ve read in an uncertain world. help me make sure I get more value from theI was surprised to hear Gretchen Rubin (The time, I probably spend more time reading than IHappiness Project) say at her book talk that most What do you do? What are your behaviours? should. I get diminishing returns from, say, thegrown-ups don’t know what they would do for What are the benefits? Let’s take a look at fun. Xth personal finance book I’ve read, and Ifun. I can easily list things I enjoy doing. I can Here’s what I do (roughly in order of preference), suspect I sometimes read things to feel smug. ;)probably even explain why I enjoy doing them why I do them, and what I’d like to change. (Like the way people watch reality TV shows?) Iand how I want to change or improve. can increase the cost of reading by planning to Spending time with W-. This is an easy one. ask questions and write book notes for books thatSometimes knowing what you would do Pay-off: Richer relationships, more in-jokes, and come in. I can increase the benefits of reading byfor fun isn’t easy. It forces you to confront the quite a bit of learning along the way. We like sharing book notes and life experiments. I canfact that you do not do some things for fun, that cooking, discussing books, going for walks, and shift to higher-value reading (new subjects,the intrinsic enjoyment of it is dormant or gone. picking up shared hobbies, although we question-driven research).For example, I realized that making or giving occasionally watch movies (mostly borrowedpresentations had dropped off the list of things I from the library). Cost: Time. Change: This part Baking or cooking. I enjoy trying new recipesenjoy doing just because. has good balance, so I don’t need to increase or or making our favourites. Pay-off: Yummy food, decrease it. new experiences, and closer relationships withAre there activities you would like to enjoy W-, J-, and friends. Cost: Time andmore? What about activities you’d like to enjoy Writing. I love writing down what I think and freezer/fridge/bread-box space. Change: Goodless? I’m like that too. Rational economic theory what I’m learning. I’ll even write as a way of balance here, no change needed. (Although it’sto the rescue! If you look at what you enjoy procrastinating other things I need to do. Pay- interesting that I’ve been procrastinating

January 2011 – sachachua.comworking on open source in favour of making look into piano lessons if that will help me learn maybe by creating blocks of time where I canbread, probably because the pay-off from faster. focus on open source.appreciative family / friends makes me feelwarmer and fuzzier.) Gardening. Pay-off: Yummy food. Satisfaction — of self-sufficiency (at least in small parts!).Walking or biking. Pay-off: Satisfaction of Experiences with nature. Shared experiences Things that I would like to enjoy more:knowing I’m getting some exercise, long-term with W- and J-. Cost: Time and some money.health benefits, and often shared time with W-. Change: I want to do this more efficiently next Drawing. Pay-off: New skills; satisfaction fromCost: Wearing winter-friendly clothes when I’m growing season, working my way to a better creating things; improved ability toworking at home; making time for a walk when yield. communicate. Cost: Not entirely happy withI’m at the office. Change: More of this, maybe at drawing on my tablet yet; switching cost if I usethe expense of some writing. (Or maybe I can use Building furniture. Pay-off: Shared interests the tablet downstairs. Change: If I get better atwalking time to think about what I want to and shared time with W-. Custom items. The drawing through practice and learning, and I getwrite…) I can lower the costs by changing into satisfaction of making things. Cost: Time, money, used to drawing with one of the programs on mygoing-out-friendly clothes when I’m working at and risk. Change: More of this during the computer, then I’ll find this easier, more natural,home, and blocking out time for walks. summer! =) and more enjoyable. GIMP? MyPaint? Paint? OneNote? Inkscape? I should pick one and learnPlanning and reviewing my finances. Yes, I Sewing. Pay-off: Satisfaction of making things it inside and out.actually enjoy doing my books and reviewing my that fit my preferences. Cost: Frustration, time,plans. I’m weird. Pay-off: Satisfaction of knowing some money. Task-switching cost – have to set Making and giving presentations. Pay-off:things are going well; confidence in being able to up. Change: I’d like to do more of this. I can do Improved understanding. Helping other people.plan for purchases or goals. Cost: Time. Change: that by starting with small projects, practising Connecting with others. Passive networking.This doesn’t take a lot of time, but I should and improving my skills (so that I can reduce Cost: Time. Risk of boring-ness. Obligation.probably spend less time on this. frustration), and attending lessons (formally Stress. Change: If I write more, I’ll have more to blocks the time off, makes it easier to task- harvest for presentations. If I ignore the fear ofOrganizing. Pay-off: Investment into being able switch). being boring and just get something out there,to find things again, reducing frustration. The that will help me deal with the stress of creatingsatisfaction of having a neat-ish place. Working on open source. Pay-off: The buzz something for public use.Appreciation from W-. Cost: Time. Change: This of solving problems; the convenience ofis currently reasonable, although I could invest programs that fit the way I work a little bit Meeting people. This includes meeting newsome time into simplifying and improving better; the appreciation of other people; people as well as hanging out with friends. It’ssystems so that I can avoid even more clutter. improved technical skills. Costs: Task-switching much too easy for me to go into introvert mode (loading the relevant programs, remembering and get out to meet people only once in a while.Playing the piano. Pay-off: Satisfaction from where I am and what I’m working on, getting Pay-off: Potentially interesting conversations.learning and from listening to music I’m playing. into the swing of things); occasional bit of Opportunities to help others. Aha! momentsMental exercise. Appreciation from W- and J-. paperwork. Change: I’d like to do more of this, myself. Friendships. Cost: conversations thatCost: Time. Change: I think this is okay. I might don’t go beyond news, sports, and weather.

January 2011 – sachachua.comChange: I should do more of this. Maybe if I — Boy, did we ever learn a lot from that. Ifocus on remembering how fun it was to hang out posted more sketchnotes, networkingwith my friends in the Philippines, that will How about you? What do you do for fun? What tips, Emacs news, and career reflections, too.motivate me to build more friendships here too. are the costs and pay-offs? What would you likeSimplifying my get-togethers might lead to my to change?  Plans for January:actually having regular monthly get-togethers.Setting aside specific blocks of time to be social The Logic of Life: The Rational Economics o Workwill also help me work around my introvert of an Irrational World  [] Finish Project Mtendencies. 2008 Tim Harford ISBN 978-0-385-66387-8  [] Finish Project S—  [] Start new project 2011-01-19 Wed 06:20Looking at this, I suppose I could scale back on o Relationshipsreading, baking/cooking, planning, and  [] Host get-togetherreviewing my finances. Monthly review: December 2010 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22054  [] Send delayed holidayI can integrate organizing into my daily routines January 20, 2011 - Categories: monthly cardsbetter.  [] Get into the habit of Update: fixed year, thanks! meeting peopleI can work on remembering or increasing thepay-offs for meeting people and making Forgot I hadn’t done one of these for December. o Lifepresentations. Good thing I’ve been getting my to-do capture  [] Improve my routines: system sorted out again. In November’s review, I set aside time for drawing,Then I can set aside blocks of time that I can use said: sewing, and makingfor drawing, sewing, or making presentations, What will December look like? Lots of good presentationsand another regular block of time for meeting work, more productivity experiments, maybepeople or investing in relationships. some Android hacking, a few social get-  [] Post goals togethers, and onwards to another great year.When summer comes again, gardening can take  Reviewsthe place of some walking, and biking will take We did most of the work on Project M and o Weekly review: Week endingthe place of my subway commute. Project S, both Drupal projects for non-profits December 3, 2010Woodworking/building furniture is also who had received grants from IBM. Ispending time with W-, so that should be okay. experimented with changing what day my week o Weekly review: Week ending starts on,making taho, illustrating cards, December 10, 2010Thinking about this and writing things down and Android use. Lots of Android hacking, too. o Weekly review: Week endinghelps me tweak the balance. Oh, and we disassembled and reassembled a new December 18, 2010 washing machine and dryer, and both worked!

January 2011 – sachachua.com o Weekly review: Week ending o More thoughts on week o Thinking about time tracking December 24, 2010 beginnings: it’s about being o Thinking about housework proactive o Monthly review: November 2010 o Sometimes you have to work at  Writing and blogging o Yearly review: 2010 being happy o Writing about lots of different  Development, work, and geek stuff o Making the most of the conference kinds of things hallway track o XKCD, tic-tac-toe, and fractal o What if sharing knowledge could goodness o Conference tips: planning your make a difference between life attendance and death? o Android life so far o Blogging and conference o Understanding analytics for o Android Tasker: Setting time networking tips personal blogs limits for Angry Birds and other timesucks  Sketches 2011-01-19 Wed 08:28 o More MobileOrg hacking on the o Quantified Self Toronto: Second Android Meetup Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto o Test-driven development and o Happy holidays, eh! meetup #3 happiness http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22057 o Sketchnotes: The Science of January 21, 2011 - o Code and consulting Blogging: Dan Zarrella (Hubspot) Categories: highlight, quantified, sketches, sketc o More reflections on code and hnotes consulting  Life and experiments o Using Simpletest and o Taho spreadsheets to populate Drupal with data o Happy Holidays, Eh! First edition greeting card giveaway o Reflections on mentoring new developers in Drupal o Reflecting on life as an experiment, gender gaps, and o Drupal fixes: Modifying the privilege entries in Calendar o The great washing machine o What’s coming up in Emacs 24 adventure o Ten lessons learned from  Tips disassembling and rebuilding our washing machine

January 2011 – sachachua.comClick on the image for a slightly larger version. Weekly review: Week ending January 21, o Baked lasagna and shared it with 2011 Morgan and Cathy http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22058 January 22, 2011 - Categories: weekly  Life Oh boy. Between the M and S projects wrapping o [X] Get through busy week up, Lotusphere preparations, and general o [-] Post more book notes! scrambling, life is going to be pretty busy for the next three weeks. Must make time to get plenty o Attended Quantified Self meetup. of sleep. Shared my grocery tracking and From last week’s plans time tracking experiences. Posted sketchnotes.  Work o Posted rational economic theory analysis of things I do for fun ;) o [X] Wrap up project M o Started using Keep Track on the o [X] Document case studies(See the full image on my blog) Android to track values o [-] Write about lessons learned (productivity, energy, happiness)Topics: neurotropics, step counting, tracking o [X] Apply to open seats o Downloaded pre-certifiedthrough low-cost devices (mylifestracks.com StudioTax 2010 (keener!)doesn’t seem to work – correct URL?) o [X] Follow up on Lotusphere – I’m going! Plans for next weekI also shared my time tracking, grocery tracking, o [-] Draw networking guide forand price book. People found the batch  Work conferences – more progresscooking stuff interesting. =) Here are the slides Iused: o [X] Chat with Vikram Kalkat o [] Finish deliverables for ProjectQuantified Self Toronto #3: Sacha Chua – regarding Web 2.0 MTracking time, groceries, prices, etc. o [] Get my Lotusphere plans o Registered for Lotusphere;View more presentations from Sacha Chua. together booked hotel and flightSee past notes: second meetup, first meetup. o [] Prepare Lotusphere BoFCheck out more sketchnotes, more sketches, or  Relationships resources on working with themore things about the quantified self. Learn Lotus Connections API o [-] Have get-together – postponedabout upcoming Quantified Self Toronto events to Feb o [] Finish pre-conferenceon Meetup – see you at the next one! networking tips slides o [X] Help with J-’s Little Big Planet party  Relationships

January 2011 – sachachua.com o [] Connect with coworkers I resolved to spend less time writing and more Last Hour time drawing. Today was difficult. I had too o [] Be extra-wonderful to W- Category wee Notes s many stories to tell, too many thoughts to catch. k  Life Break 12.0 16.5 Mostly eating- o [] Survive even busier week related; will o [] Book a massage for some time break this out after I get back from Lotusphere? separatelyTime analysis Social 10.1 13.2 Quantified Self Last meetup, Hour hanging outCategory wee Notes s with W- and J- kSleep 61.6 61.1 8.8 hours of Exercise 7.7 6.6 sleep a day; Writing 7.3 7.2 the constant battle of the Travel 2.9 2.8 My thoughts flitted about, escaped. Drawing was satisfaction of frustrating. I felt inarticulate. And yet, slowly, I waking up Learning 2.7 0.9 started to be able to breathe with it. early, the need to avoid sleep Outsourceabl 0.8 0.3 deprivation, e and the interestingnes I’m going to try limiting my writing time further, s of evening and cutting a little bit back on sleep. Also life experimenting with breaking routines down intoWork 46.4 40.7 Overtime more detail. dealing with project wrap- up Sketches: What index cards are teaching me about drawingRoutines 16.0 18.4 Cooking: 1.6 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22063 hours, tidying: January 23, 2011 - But then, an afternoon later, I found myself 0.5 hours Categories: highlight, presentation, sketches drawing.

January 2011 – sachachua.com Another figure takes shape under my fingers. Today I discovered the joys in the greys of pencil on card, the smudges of erasures never I draw a conference badge and write down some completely gone, the roughness of lines, and the tips. I relax by drawing a cat. Another tip or constraints of a 3×5 card. And something else three. Another cat. The next steps. A personal about the way I draw– goal. A networking tip. A meta-reflection. In snatches, in non-linear frames, like the way I hear snippets of future speeches in my imagination– Jumping around, going where curiosity takes me. It’s like I dip in and out of watching this presentation, but it’s all jumbled up. I might say, oh, there’s a nice idea. That one too. Let’s see… oh, yes, that makes sense. And yet there’s me in this too, saying, hmm, what if there’s this? And then this? Oh, then that would mean that thisMost of the time, I even managed to concentrate would be good for this part. Now that will needon a project I’d been procrastinating for a while. revision. I’ll draw a new card. Ah, it’s slowlyHere is one frame that will probably become a coming together.slide: I spent eight hours drawing. I can draw handss better than I did before. And bicycles. And conference tips. It was fun. There’s more to draw and more to learn. Maybe I’ll throttle my writing further by coursing it through drawing, letting the frustration of pent- up stories drive me to increase my visual vocabulary and my drawing skills. It’ll be interesting. I love drawing on the computer because of the Index cards. Try them out. =) colours, the ease of revision, the cleanliness of the lines, and the infinity of space that I can draw on. Unbaffled http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22067

January 2011 – sachachua.comJanuary 24, 2011 - Categories: sketches That’s okay. Let them eat the seeds. Winter is interesting turns of phrase, I now check the table winter. And isn’t it fascinating how they persist, of contents, head straight for the chapters with how they contort, how they dangle and leap like the most promise, and evaluate whether or not to Cirque du Soleil acrobats in order to get what continue. This means I spend less time reading they want? on autopilot. While I’d love to be enthused about Mortimer J. Adler’s collection of essays and We scatter peanuts on the snowy deck so that our references on the Great Books, it’s just lower- cats can watch the squirrels grab them. Some priority at the moment. squirrels are cheeky enough to tease the cats, safely separated by solid glass. The cats chatter, Increasing the cost of writing: Switching to little hunters gnashing their teeth and twitching a “draw first, then write” procedure is working their tails. We have fun watching the cats well for me. Not every blog post is going to be watching the squirrels. illustrated, but it will be fun drawing more. I might also experiment with requiring myself to I’m having more fun drawing on index cards work on a non-writing, non-reading personal now. I can carry more shapes in my head. And I project (sewing, for example) before I can sitW- hung up a bird-feeder, suspending it drew all the pieces I needed for a standalone down to write a blog post. Or maybe walking, andunderneath a baffle (here a repurposed metal presentation I’ve meant to put together for a even tying the length of time or the number ofplate supposed to block squirrel access) and while. We’ll see how well it works! words I can write to the length of exercise or thedangling it from a far branch. The squirrels have number of steps (divided by a suitable number,been undeterred, raiding the seed supply for food of course). This probably means going back toto get them through another winter. No birds in Tweaking fun and nudging myself out of evening pages, although exercise would go wellsight. They’re all hanging out near the warmer procrastination with morning pages.parts of this neighbourhood, no doubt. So much http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22069for fair-weather friends not easily bribed with a January 25, 2011 - Decreasing the cost of drawing: Achieved byhandful of seeds. Categories: highlight, kaizen, life, productivity settling in for a good afternoon of drawing with pencils, index cards, and cats willing to provideWe once checked out a book declaring war on Using rational economics to analyze what I do for creative breaks. Result: I drew the networkingsquirrels. It contained reviews of different fun seems to have paid off. By changing the costs tips presentation I’ve been procrastinating. I’ve“squirrel-proof” bird-feeders, concluding that and benefits of different activities, I’ve managed sent it off for review, and will post it whenthere really is no practical way to foil this to nudge myself out of (excessive?) reading and approved.ingenious and nimble animal. (Well, maybe the writing, finally tackling some projects I’ve beenchicken-wire cage we built to protect our plants – procrastinating for a while. Decreasing the cost of sewing: Making thebut then the birds can’t get through the mesh, time to watch the instructional videos helped meeither…) Increasing the cost of reading: I decided to learn how to use the serger, which meant being be pickier about the books I read. Instead of able to finish the pants I’ve been meaning to skimming books looking for nuggets or hem.

January 2011 – sachachua.comNext: Hmm, maybe I can apply the same process do it, though. Use a desktop blog editor that org2blog.el to support crossposting. ;) The Javain order to become more social… makes cross-posting easier. tool will probably be easier to share with other people. I might give it a try.2011-01-25 Tue 20:45 How: I’ve set up Windows Live Writer to publish to both my WordPress blog What do you do to make cross-posting easier? (http://livinganawesomelife.com) and my LotusCross-posting between Lotus Connections Connections blogblogs and a personal blog (http://w3.ibm.com/connections/blogs/sachach Draft Lotusphere BoF on working with thehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22068 ua , accessible only within IBM). After I publish a Connections APIJanuary 26, 2011 - post, I click on the blog dropdown in the top left http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22070Categories: blogging, connections, ibm corner to select another site, choose new January 26, 2011 - categories, perhaps edit the body of the post, and Categories: conference, connections, ibm, lotus,I confess: I sometimes forget to update my publish the post again. It takes a few extra clicks presentationinternal blog. I want to reach as wide an audience and opens up a whole new world of serendipitousas possible, and my personal blog is a way of conversations. My birds-of-a-feather session got voted intomaking ideas and thoughts and insights Lotusphere 2011, so I’m preparing somesearchable and public. While I update my Now why: Why cross-post between blogs? conversation starters.personal blog every day (and still have plenty of Lotusphere BoF – Working with the Lotusstories I want to share), my IBM blog I see my personal blog as an archive of things I’ve Connections APIoccasionally languishes. I post when I have learned. If something can be publicly shared, I’d View more presentations from Sacha Chua.something specific to say about IBM, but like to share it there. If not, I can copy theotherwise, I forget. New resolution: cross- information into my private notes for ease of What should we add to this? What should wepost more – who knows who might find it reference. remove? #ls11useful? Cross-posting to an internal blog makes it easierHere’s something I want to share which will for people to come across potentially useful posts A braindump of tips for other newdefinitely help me, at least two other people, and through our internal search engine as well as immigrants from the Philippinespossibly others too. =) through browsing the recent updates. For http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22071 example, I really should go back and cross-post January 27, 2011 -Delphine Remy-Boutang and Anna my Drupal-related posts. Categories: canada, highlight, philippines, tipsDreyzin asked me how to cross-post betweenblogs. I don’t know of an automatic way to do Cross-posting to an external blog makes it easier For Anna Simbulan (welcome to Toronto!) andthis yet, although I keep being tempted to write a to keep those blogs up to date and to engage a others this can help along the way. =)tool that periodically checks my external blog for different audience.posts tagged “ibm” and crossposts them to my  Winter and clothingLotus Connections blog. There’s a manual way to Kaizen (continuous improvement): I’m this close to either writing a Java tool or hacking

January 2011 – sachachua.com Toronto can be cold. Dress in layers. Long Be prepared for homesickness. It’s a The Toronto Public Library is amazing. underwear, sweaters, gloves, and hats can natural part of moving. Sign up, get your library card, and help you keep warm. Thinsulate is better use http://torontopubliclibrary.ca to get than knit when it comes to blocking out Be prepared for cultural differences. books delivered to the branch closest to wind. Layers are better than a big coat Avoid making jokes or statements that you. It even has a number of books in because you can adjust the warmth are racist, sexist, homophobic, or Filipino. Check out the e-books, movies, depending on changes in weather, otherwise politically incorrect. music CDs, and graphic novels as well. physical activity, etc. It can feel pretty lonely when your The library has many seminars for Winter can also be pretty grey and barkada and social support networks are newcomers and job-seekers. There are depressing. If you’re finding it hard to get half a world away. Check out classes, go many other newcomer organizations, too. through the day, get plenty of sunlight. to activities, meet people, make new Take advantage of the services and Sometimes colourful things can be friends. training they offer, such as networking helpful, too. events and free training. Free video-calling programs like Skype Things might look pretty expensive, and social networking tools like Facebook Public transit works pretty well. You can particularly if you do the CAD-PHP help you keep in touch with old friends. even use maps.google.com to plan your conversion and think about how much route. cheaper you could get things at ukay- If you want to cook recipes from home, ukay or bazaars. Check out second-hand you can find many of the ingredients in  Work stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Chinatown or even in some of the larger Value Village. You can usually find supermarkets. For example, you can find If you’re applying for a job, it’s worth perfectly good clothes, coats, and Skyflakes, ampalaya, bagoong, and halo- reviewing your resume and using the household items for much cheaper than halo ingredients in Chinatown. The No Canadian conventions. For example, the retail price. Frills supermarket in Dufferin Mall has people here don’t indicate their age, Skyflakes, too. marital status, height, or weight on If you need to walk around downtown resumes. Toronto, check out the underground There aren’t that many Filipino PATH. restaurants downtown, though. Definitely If you get stumped by employers worth learning how to make things at requiring Canadian experience, consider Find something to enjoy about winter. home. You may find some neighborhoods volunteering or working in a different I’ve learned to think of winter as a season with Filipino stores (including places position for some time in order to pick up for cooking, baking, hot chocolate, and where you can buy balikbayan boxes). that experience. early(ish) bedtimes. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_ Manila#Toronto  Finance  Home and society  Resources

January 2011 – sachachua.com If you’re having a hard time getting a Pre-conference networking tips for the  Work credit card, get a secured credit card first, Instructional Technology Strategies o [X] Finish deliverables for Project then use that to build your credit history. Conference M When I started, I got the TD Green Visa http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22072 card. I deposited some money and that January 28, 2011 - o [X] Get my Lotusphere plans deposit was used to secure the card. Once Categories: conference, connecting, highlight, net together you qualify for a better card, you can working, sketches, speaking, tips o [X] Prepare Lotusphere BoF switch to something like PCFinancial Instructional Technology Strategies resources on working with the Mastercard (equivalent of 1% rewards) or Conference: The Shy Connector’s Guide to Lotus Connections API MBNA Enrich (3% cashback on groceries, Getting Ready for Conference 1% on regular purchases). Awesomeness o [X] Finish pre-conference View more presentations from Sacha Chua. networking tips slides Compare prices online. Buying textbooks o Helped build Drupal site for or other things? Check ebay.ca and other This is for http://itsc.oetc.org . Thanks to Darren internal coordination of sites before buying things in person. You Hudgins for the nudge to make this! marketing materials for AIS can often find significant discounts Canada – yay for being able to online, too, and shipping is reliable. Look quickly build things using Drupal! for free or cheap stuff on craigslist.ca or Weekly review: Week ending January 28, kijiji.ca, or join a Freecycle group. 2011 o Talked to two groups about Idea http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22073 Labs Keep some savings in a checking account January 29, 2011 - Categories: weekly o Booked travel arrangements for as an emergency fund / buffer and the Lotusphere rest in a high-interest savings account. I’m typing this weekly review outside an empty Don’t overload yourself with credit card meeting room at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, where Lotusphere will be held this year.  Relationships debt. Pay off your credit card every month, if you can, and plan your It’s definitely conference season. o [X] Connect with coworkers spending so that you don’t have to live I’d been taking a lower-key approach to o [X] Be extra-wonderful to W- paycheck to paycheck. presenting this year, so I don’t have too many (taking off for a week) Enjoy life. =) There will probably always conference commitments planned. I had fun o Accepted accommodation plans be things and people you will miss, but sketching pre-conference networking tips for for Kathy and John’s wedding in maybe Toronto can become a second ITSC using index cards. the Netherlands home. Definitely an early bed time tonight. Plenty of  Life —- work this week. Plans for last week o [X] Survive even busier week What other tips would you add?

January 2011 – sachachua.com o [-] Book a massage for some time Last Last after I get back from Lotusphere? Category Hours Notes Category Hours Notes week week o Connected with Toronto newcomer from Philippines Sleep 55.3 61.6 7.8 hours of Sewing 3.6 sleep a dayPlans for next week Travel 2.8 2.9 Work 40.4 46.4 Some  Work breathing Writing 1.8 7.3 o [] Help at Lotusphere as a room time between projects Learning 1.2 2.7 monitor o [] Potentially host a BoF on the Social 12.8 10.1 Outsourceable 0.8 Connections API Drawing 12.8 Maybe half of What have I learned? o [] Learn from Lotusphere this counts as presentations (content and work technique) Rational economics is useful for modifying your own behavior. Routines – 8.7 13.9  Relationships general If I spend my weekend afternoons or weekday o [] Connect with IBMers, partners, evenings drawing or sewing instead of writing, I Routines – 3.7 1.6 and clients at Lotusphere can get into the flow and make a lot of progress. cooking  Life Routines – 2.5 0.5 It’s satisfying to check off things I’ve been tidying procrastinating. o [] Do time analysis of conference time On the other hand, it’s hard to resist writing, Prep – 0.7  Can I still get ~8 hours of planning because thoughts are buzzing around in my head. sleep a day? Drawing helps a little with that. Prep – laundry 1.7  What’s exercise like? Maybe I’ll try doing only one day of alternate o [] Eat salads. See if I can order Prep – general 5.1 focus each week. That might give me some space. half-portions. Although I’m not sure if it’s the confounding Break 9.0 12.0 effect of a conference – I always get a little buzzyTime analysis around conferences. It’s like adapting to a new Exercise 4.0 7.7 4 days with time signature or tempo. Last at least 10kCategory Hours Notes week steps Hmm…

February 2011 – sachachua.com 35 Clients are interested in collaboration and on links in e-mail right now, so full embedded have lots of adoption insights. We’re transactions might encounter resistance or mightFebruary 2011 starting to see interesting case studies from open up new phishing holes. Project Vulcan is clients. In addition to reporting excellent returns worth watching. on their investments, clients shared qualitativeLotusphere 2011 wrap-up People are already doing interesting feedback, such as stories of pilot groups whohttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22074 things with the Lotus Connections couldn’t imagine giving up the tools. SuccessfulFebruary 4, 2011 - clients used executive support, communication API. Embedding Lotus Connections content /Categories: conference, highlight, ibm, lotus, not plans, mentoring, metrics, incentives, role interactions into other websites, adding morees models, and other techniques to help people information to Lotus Connections, using make new forms of collaboration part of the way different authentication mechanisms… peopleThis was my first Lotusphere, and it was a blast. people worked. sketchnotes from the birds-of-a- are rocking the API. The compliance API that’sLotus has such an active, passionate, experienced feather session on adoption coming soon will help people do even more withcommunity around it. Heading to the conference, Lotus Connections interactions, too.my goals were: LotusLive is awesome. LotusLive currently includes web conferencing and parts of Lotus The next version of Lotus Connections  [X] Learn more about Lotus Connections Connections. LotusLive Labs includes a technical will be even cooler. I’m particularly excited adoption and APIs preview of LotusLive Symphony (collaborative about the idea blogs and the forum document/spreadsheet editing), Slide Library, improvements, which seem tailor-made for the  [X] Learn about IBM’s strategy and and Event Maps. (I wish I’d seen Event Maps kind of collective virtual brainstorming we’ve innovations when I was planning my Lotusphere been doing in Idea Labs. Idea blogs are  [X] Get a sense of the ecosystem around attendance!) Granted, Google Docs has been straightforward – a blog post or question with Lotus (partners, clients, etc.) around for longer than LotusLive Symphony, but comments that can be voted up or down – but  [X] Meet people and make personal I’m curious about the ability to assign sections they’ll go a long way to enabling new use cases. for editing or review. Forums will also have question/answer/best connections answer support.  [X] Brainstorm and share insights Activity streams and embedded  [X] Show my appreciation for the cool experiences are going to change the Sametime Unified Telephony rocks. I need work people do inbox. I don’t know when this is going to go into to find out how to get into that. I like click-to-call people’s everyday lives, but the idea of being able ringing everyone’s preferred devices, easy  [X] Learn more about conferences and to act on items right from the notifications will be teleconferences, and rules for determining phone presentations pretty cool – whether it’s in an enriched mail forwarding.  [X] Fulfill my room monitor client like Lotus Notes or a web-based activity stream that might be filtered by different Lotus Notes and Domino are getting even responsibilities attention management algorithms. It’ll be more powerful. XPages looks pretty cool. I’llHere’s what I took away from the sessions and interesting to figure out the security implications leave the rest of the commentary on this to otherBoFs I attended: of this, though. It’s already a bad practice to click bloggers, as my work doesn’t focus enough on

February 2011 – sachachua.com 36Lotus Notes and Domino for me to be able to give data summarized in some very cool resolution techniques, asymmetricjustice to the improvements. graphs. I want to have data like that. knowledge of others, persona separation/integration, acceptance of  Talking to Hiro about crowdsourcing andThe Lotus ecosystem is doing well. Lots of change; overlap with leadership maturity sharing the cool things we’ve been doingactivity and investment from partners and models; context dependency of with Idea Labs.clients. decisions…  Seeing all these people I met online.Analytics + research =  Talking to Bonnie John about the politics Finally getting to meet Tessa Lau, Bruceopportunity. Interesting research into of writing about process improvement. Elgort, Julian Robichaux, Mitch Cohen, Interesting thing to untangle. Moreattention management, activity streams, social and other folks, too! It’s great to be ablenetwork analysis. thinking needed. to connect with people on a personal level, thanks to blog posts and Twitter.  Swapping tips on Gen Y life with JulieLotus geeks are a world of their own. It’s (How do people manage to keep up to Brown, Alexander Noble (@alex_zzz>),amazing to spend time with people who have date and remember all of this stuff? I felt Brandon Anderson (@branderson3), andimmersed themselves deeply in a technology all warm and fuzzy when people othersplatform for almost two decades. There’s a depth congratulated me on the recent wedding,and richness here that I don’t often find at and I wished I remembered more tidbits If I get to attend Lotusphere again, I’d love to betechnology conferences. There’s also a lot of about them. Working on that!) able to stay at the conference hotel. It would betough love – people like IBM, and they’re not much more convenient and I’d be able to go toafraid to call us out if we’re not clear or if we  Being reminded by David Brooks and more of the evening get-togethers. The chancesseem to be making mistakes. =) other early adopters that I’ve been around of my being able to attend again probably depend from the beginning of Lotus Connections. on how much of the Social Business adoptionNotes from conversations (Okay, David did that in a BoF.) It seems consulting we’ll get to do over the next year, and Lotus Connections has always been I hope we do a lot. I’d also make time to checkThe hallway track (those informal encounters around. <laugh> out the showcase. I missed it this year, thanks toand chance connections) resulted in great  Joining the geek trivia challenge. The all that chatting.conversations. For me, the highlights were: questions about television and comics went way over my head, but it was good Next actions for me  Being adopted by various groups – so to spend time with other folks, and I had helpful for this Lotusphere newbie! so much fun. Well worth needing to For work, I’ll probably focus on external Web 2.0 Special thanks figure out how to get back to the Port / social media site development while other to @alex_zzz, @belgort, @billmachisky, Orleans hotel after the conference shuttle groups figure out the structure for social business @branderson3, @ericmack, service ended. adoption consulting. I’m looking forward to and @notesgoddess for bringing me into learning from the case studies, insights, and  Talking to Jeanne Murray and Rawn fascinating conversations. questions that people have shared, though, and Shah about a personal maturity model for I’d love to do more work in this section.  Andy Schirmer walking me through his social business. Some ideas: control of task spreadsheet with eight years of task recipients, trust, transparency, conflict

February 2011 – sachachua.com 37Here’s what I need to do for post-conference A story of pi tons of geek moments, and I’m lucky to meet sowrap-up: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22076 many people who relish being geeky. Life is good. February 4, 2011 - Categories: geek  [X] Go through my index cards and write 2011-02-04 Fri 21:52 additional notes A trivia question related to pi and my teammate’s  [] Contact people I met and follow up on subsequent recitation of pi to ten digits reminded me of this memory which I may not yet have On appearance and bias: thoughts from conversations the Nerd Girls panel at Lotusphere 2011 shared here.  [] Catch up with work mail http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22077  [] Catch up with personal mail — February 5, 2011 - Categories: highlight, reflection, women  [] Write further reflections It was an evening get-together with several o [] Time analysis friends in the roofdeck garden of our home in the Philippines. After dinner, the conversation o [] Appearance and bias turned to geek superpowers, the little specialties o [] IBM and women in technology and quirks we’d developed over time. The friend on my left started reciting the digits of pi. To my o [] Reflections on careers, loyalty, surprise, the friend on my right joined in – the story, and alternatives same pace, the same digits, and I in the middle o [] Presentation reflections (time entranced by this melody of tenor and baritone. for questions, presentation style, They went to about 100 digits head to head, then rapport, morning sessions?) one dropped out; the other continued to 200 digits or so. It was as sublime a concert as I have  [] Plan my next steps ever listened to.Other Lotusphere 2011 wrap-ups you —might like: Chris Connor, David Greenstein, One of the topics of great interest during theLuis Benitez (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day If you’re curious, you might want to check out the Nerd Girls panel at Lotusphere 2011 was that of5), Andy Donaldson, Marc Champoux (… where Wikipedia page on piphilology – the creation and appearance. How important is grooming?are the female bloggers’ writeups?) use of techniques for remembering pi. What about first impressions?See also: Lotusphere social aggregator, Planet — People shared the usual advice: DressLotus, Twitter search for #ls11, Twitter/blog appropriately. Be yourself. Neatness counts.archive Like the way beauty often brings pleasure to viewers, my reaction to intellectual displays is Like the way I skip fluffy guest posts full of2011-02-04 Fri 16:04 closer to “Oooh, that’s awesome” than to “You cliches, I try to avoid sharing the same thoughts have way too much free time.” W- and I have you’ll find everywhere else. So I found myself

February 2011 – sachachua.com 38thinking about one of the points raised, which I dress for minimal thought during most approach to thinking about appearance. Thisyou don’t encounter that often. days, for either blending in or standing out topic usually focuses on: “How can I get other during get-togethers, and for practicality when people to think better of me? How can I increaseOne of the participants had observed that travelling. Slacks, blouse, sweater/blazer, and my chances for a raise or a promotion? How can“booth babes” at a tech convention can scarf give me a good uniform for the workweek. I project more status and confidence?”drive people away. My take-away from that is If I’m speaking at a conference, I might dig outthat *you should make sure that what you my cream suit. If I’m attending a crowded event, For that part, my questions are more along thecommunicate with your appearance supports I might wear a red top or bring a hat. If I’m lines of “How can I stay true to my values? Arewhat you want to communicate.* Too much travelling, I pack my Tilley’s my goals in line with those values andattention to appearance can conflict with Endurables businesswear: hand-washable slacks, priorities?” And there’s another, much moreyour goals. You can dress to blend in or you can blazers, and blouses that will dry overnight in a interesting question for me: *”How can I correctdress to stand out. Suits help you build rapport pinch. I wear flat shoes for comfort and boots for my biases?”*with people who are more comfortable with suits. warmth. These routines mean that I need toJeans and a geek T-shirt help you build more spend very little time thinking about what to Our biases around attractiveness reducerapport with people who are more comfortable in wear. the quality of our decisions. People getjeans and T-shirts. dinged for being too fat, being too old, being too There’s a limit to how much time, money, plain, and even being too attractive. Women areTweaking convention can support your and energy I want to spend on more harshly judged than men, and are thegoals, too. I’ve turned up at technical get- appearance. I’m not going to spend on make- target of much body-policing from advertising,togethers in brightly-coloured ethnic clothing to up, cosmetic surgery, or designer items. I media, coworkers, friends, and even themselves.make several points along the way: a. it’s okay to suppose going to a dermatologist or havingbring personal interests into the tech world, b. frequent facials could help my face clear up, but I’ve received plenty of privileges. I’m young,it’s okay to be a girl, c. there are people here from it’s no big deal. I won’t experiment with body ink, female, enthusiastic, and easy to get along with,different cultures, and d. it’s good to have fun. piercings, or hair colour. The gradual onset of and that has almost certainly helped me do whatThat this made me easier to spot in a crowd was gray hair won’t be dyed away, and the wrinkles I do. I have plenty of mentors while other peoplean excellent bonus, and it worked really well. will be welcomed. (I do invest energy into (perhaps less cheerful, perhaps less “cute”) It making sure I get the kind of wrinkles I want: sometimes works to my disadvantage. There areKnow what you want to say, and make more smile lines than frowns! =) ) This is partly areas of consulting that I probably won’t focus onsure your appearance supports it. Re-think because I have other priorities, and partly until I have more gravitas, if ever.what you want to say, too. For example, if the because I want to help build a society wherepath towards becoming an executive requires these things matter less, where we don’t shame I also carry biases. There’s that preference forexpensive suits and other status symbols, it people for appearance or age or lifestyle choice. people who are cheerful; people with symmetric,might not be for a person who disagrees with angular features; people who are trim; peopledry-cleaning, at least until people create better — who carry themselves with confidence. I workwashable suits. (Or you can pick a different against these preferences, pull my attention awayuniform: black mock turtlenecks and jeans Thinking about this further, I realized that I’m from that so that I can focus on other factors, trytotally works for Steve Jobs.) not really interested in the conventional to separate seeing from thinking. (I indulge this

February 2011 – sachachua.com 39bias with my husband, though, whom I think is education and culture and the availability of  Workvery handsome, and with whom I have the leisure time and the ability of people to access o [X] Help at Lotusphere as a roomlicense to look at as much as I’d like; but I always this technology. monitormake it clear that I love him for much greaterreasons.) It isn’t easy to separate all these factors, and I o [X] Potentially host a BoF on the may never be able to do it completely. There’s a Connections APILikewise, there’s dealing with that bit of shame in it too, when I realize how many of o [X] Learn from Lotuspherereactive judging of people who frown a lot, society’s messages I’ve internalized into these presentations (content andpeople with weaker postures, people who are quick impressions of other people. technique)overweight, people who dress inappropriately… Iwork to separate negative perceptions and reality I want to make better decisions. I want toso that I can make better decisions. There’s be able to see the best in people, unclouded by  Relationshipsableism, sexism, ageism, racism, and a million the preconceptions I carry. I might never be able o [X] Connect with IBMers,unnamed stories we tell ourselves without to eliminate my biases, but I can recognize them partners, and clients atexamining them closely. and slow down when they might be in play. If I Lotusphere slow down and understand, for example, how myYou can eliminate the visual aspect first impressions colour my decisions, then I can  Lifethrough teleconferences, but that doesn’t clarify my reasons and reject invalid ones.solve the problem. We joke about everything o [X] Do time analysis ofsounding smarter when said in a British accent, You’ll find plenty of books about how to groom conference timebut accent stereotypes do influence judgment. yourself for particular kinds of success. Wouldn’t  Can I still get ~8 hours ofI’m glad that accents are getting more mixed up it be interesting to build a society where this sleep a day?now, what with people mixing cultures and matters less?people getting cross-trained in different accents.  What’s exercise like?It helps challenge that bias. Then there’s Colander photo (c) 2010 Ben Hosking – Creative o [-] Eat salads. See if I can orderconfidence and pitch and vocabulary and Commons Attribution License 2.0 half-portions. – Mostly, but Ifluency… really like having hot meals. Buffet 2011-02-05 Sat 08:40 was okay because I could eatPaying attention to and adjusting for all smaller portions.these biases is partly why I like the movetowards virtual connections, particularly Weekly review: Week ending February 4, Plans for next weekduring the beginning. If I can’t see or hear 2011people, I can more easily focus on what they say. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22078  WorkHowever, the Internet replaces one set of biases February 5, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [] Start on new project involvingwith another. Instead of being influenced by Facebook and Rails Plans from last weekappearance, I’m biased by how articulatesomeone is – and that’s tangled up in class and

February 2011 – sachachua.com 40 o [] Work on ITSC blog post, Last Last keynote presentation Category Hours Notes Category Hours Notes week week o [] Post more Lotusphere-related reflections 6:25, 6:08, work o [] Work on Deeper Insights 6:51, 6:53; presentation on social learning catch-up Drawing 12.8 12:43 on o [] Work on Remote Presentations Friday that Rock presentation Routines – 3.7 cooking o [] Possibly sign up for consulting Work 59.9 40.4 Lots of course conference Routines – 2.5 time tidying  Relationships Travel 19.6 2.8 Two flights, a Prep – 0.7 o [] Catch up with tasks at home number of planning o [] Give Maira some of the spices hotel shuttles o [] Organize get-together Prep – 1.7 Social 14.8 12.8 Hanging out laundry  Life with Lotusphere [] Share more reflections from Sewing 3.6 o folks Lotusphere Learning 1.2 o [] Open up investing TFSA with Routines – 7.8 8.7 Waterhouse general Outsourceable o [] Review my goals and upcoming Prep – general 4.0 5.1 projects Observations: I got a decent amount of sleepTime analysis Break 3.8 9.0 during the conference. As expected, work Last expanded into the time I normally spend writingCategory Hours Notes Writing 3.6 1.8 or hanging out with W- and J-. I spent most of week the travel time writing, listening to audiobooks,Sleep 53.8 55.3 Conference Exercise 0.5 4.0 A lot of watching movies (RED, The Social Network), and sleep length: walking got napping. 8:25, 7:45, filed under

February 2011 – sachachua.com 41I walked around 16k steps a day (up from my 12k  [-] Host get-together – Postponed to  Weekly review: Week ending Decembergoal; there was one day I walked over 20k steps). February 31, 2010My shoes weren’t the best for walking. They’re  [-] Send delayed holiday cards – Oops!  Weekly review: Week ending January 7,flat, but they didn’t have the padding of tennis 2011shoes or hiking boots. The cushioning insoles  [-] Get into the habit of meeting people –helped, though. No blisters. Still looking for Must work on this  Weekly review: Week ending January 14,office-ready flat shoes with good support. 2011 Life  Weekly review: Week ending January 21, 2011Monthly review: January 2011  [X] Improve my routines: set aside timehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22079 for drawing, sewing, and making  Weekly review: Week ending January 28,February 6, 2011 - Categories: monthly presentations 2011  [-] Post goals – Wrote goals, haven’t  Monthly review: December 20102011 was off to a great start. Lots of Drupal work, posted thema conference, and a new project lined up. I Sketchesstarted an internal project using Drupal 7, which Plans for February:is pretty cool. I got into the rhythm of making  Sketchnotes: Gretchen Rubin, Happinessbread every week and of baking larger batches of Work Project book tourfood to share. I made time for some things I’dbeen procrastinating, and I had fun. I’ve been  Pre-conference networking tips for the  [] Work on new project Instructional Technology Strategiesreading more books that analyze everyday life,and I’ve been having fun using those perspectives  [] Put together talks for Deeper Insight, Conferenceto examine my life. Good stuff. Remote Presentations That Rock, and the  Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto ITSC meetup #3Plans for January:  [] Mentor more people  Sketches: If you want to make the most ofWork your next conference, you should blog Relationships  Sketches: What index cards are teaching  [X] Finish Project M  [] Organize get-together me about drawing  [X] Finish Project S  [] Get visa and arrange travel details  Unbaffled  [-] Start new project – Finished the month with Lotusphere, lined up a Life Reflections project for return  [] Write up more reflections  Moving my book notes onlineRelationships  Tweaking fun and nudging myself out of Reviews procrastination

February 2011 – sachachua.com 42  Fun and rational economic theory:  Of recipes and memories p.12: Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for reflections on the book “The Logic of Life” people who are smart and ambitious and  A braindump of tips for other new interested in the world and in its good opinion.  Work on the business from the outside, immigrants from the Philippines But at one level it’s too hard, and at another, it’s not in it – Book: Effortless entrepreneur 2011-02-05 Sat 17:44 too cheap and easy. Because all it really requiresGeek stuff of you, mainly, is to read the zeitgeist of wherever and whenever you happen to be and to assume Disagreement and the road to trusting the masks necessary to be the best at whatever  Emacs, BBDB, and getting your contacts the zeitgeist dictates or requires. on the Android or iPhone yourself http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22080  Wrapping up projects and preparing for … But nothing important, or meaningful, or the next one February 6, 2011 - beautiful, or interesting, or great, ever came out Categories: argument, highlight, kaizen, life of imitations. What is really hard, and really  Emacs 24 and the package manager amazing, is giving up on being perfect and  Cross-posting between Lotus Connections I’m glad whenever I find myself disagreeing with beginning the work of becoming yourself. blogs and a personal blog someone. Sometimes I change my mind, learning more in the process. Sometimes I understand my Connect that with this excerpt from Everyday  Draft Lotusphere BoF on working with own reasons better, and learn more about why I Ethics by Joshua Halberstam: the Connections API think what I think. As long as I disagree well – in an argument instead of a fight, clearly presenting p109: We live our lives within a changing moralLife reasons and understanding alternatives – then I climate, and the temptation to adapt can be grow in the process. overwhelming. … The moral nonconformist,  Sick days however, pays little attention to the popularity or  Momentum and holidays Henry Will sent me a link to this Harvard unpopularity of his moral positions. He is–it’s Business Review blog post on teaching yourself embarrassing to talk this way in our cynical  Marking up books to trust yourself. world–after truth, not applause. Genuine moral  Snippets from life nonconformity is difficult to achieve and difficult …take the time, and the quiet, to decide what you to maintain. Don’t be too quick to assume you’re  Three tips for cheerful chores think. That is how we find the part of ourselves already there.  Book: Let’s Get Real About Money: Profit we gave up. That is how we become powerful, from the Habits of the Best Personal clever, creative, and insightful. That is how we It isn’t easy to figure out what one thinks. Finance Managers gain our sight. For me, writing and drawing are the best ways to  13,705 steps and counting It reminds me of this slim book I tucked into my sneak up on myself. In conversation, I’m  Switched my Fido plan library haul: Anna Quindlen’s Being Perfect. sometimes too malleable. I catch myself listening Here are some excerpts: for approval. Even when blogging, I catch myself  Batch baking for fun and awesomeness refreshing the pages, looking for comments,

February 2011 – sachachua.com 43looking for validation. Because the feedback for http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22081 People often tell me they’re worried aboutwriting tends to be slower and more in-depth February 7, 2011 - Categories: geek, ibm, learning finding enough material for their blogs. The truththan the reactive cues of conversation, though, I is, there’s so much you can write about. Here arehave more time to think about my reflections and Today I sat down with my manager to sketch my four questions that can help you think of thingsdevelop them. I can also slow down and untangle learning plan for 2011. I’ll start off with skills for to share.the feedback on my message from the feedback IT architecture: defining scope and estimatingon my way of delivering it. effort for projects, designing and implementing What do you want to learn more systems, and leading the development. For about? When you write about something –When I can form a tentative understanding of a development, I’ll focus on rich user interfaces, whether it’s completely new to you or somethingtopic, then test it in discussion with other people modernization, and integration. Next, I’ll learn you’re puzzling out – you can understand it moreor in contrast with other positions I read, then I more about solution development. In the second deeply. Write about what you’re figuring out.gain a little more confidence that my reasons are half, we’ll see if I can learn more about leading Write about how you’re figuring it out. Writerooted in more than the urge to agree or teams. about what you’re learning along the way.disagree. Running into the imperfections of my (Sharing is an excellent way to learn even more –understanding is part of the adventure of I spent most of the afternoon working on people often comment with better ways to dobecoming myself. documents of understanding and estimates for things!) upcoming projects. It’s interesting work,Tying it all together into tips for myself and for although I don’t trust my numbers quite yet. I’ll What do you want to change? This is likeother people this might help: Feedback might be get better at estimating the more I do it, and I writing in order to learn more, but withabout your message or about your delivery. Be plan to prototype something quickly to check commitment and action. Do you want to changeclear about what kind of feedback you’d find the some of the numbers for the riskier parts. It’s the way you spend your time? Think about whatmost helpful – usually feedback on delivery, if actually quite fun doing this number-crunching. you do, why you do it, and how you’re going toyou want to keep your message authentically you, It’s like balancing my books. (Yes, I’m weird.) change. Want to save more? Write about youralthough content-related feedback can also help goals and your progress. Writing helps youyou recognize what you resonate with. Don’t be It’ll be even more wonderful when I’ve gotten the understand more, identify ways to improve, andlimited by the idea of perfection or the need for hang of doing these things. Yay learning on the publicly commit to growing. It also gives you aagreement. Test yourself and learn how to trust job! record of progress, which can be useful foryour thoughts. motivating yourself. 2011-02-07 Mon 21:52— What do you want to share with other people? Have you solved a problem that otherHow are you teaching yourself to trust yourself? Things to write about: questions for your people will probably run into? Save people time blogger’s block by sharing your solutions. Do you have a tip that2011-02-06 Sun 21:16 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22082 will make it easier for people to do things? Share that. Do you have a passion you’d like to teach February 9, 2011 - Categories: blogging, highlight others? Share that.Working on estimates

February 2011 – sachachua.com 44What do you want to remember? Write  Show the connection between what he’s Is there value in full randomness (ex: fiveabout the memories you want to be able to working on and the business priorities reminders randomly set for one day, even if thoserevisit. Write about the feelings and reasons you reminders all come in the morning) or is it more  Improve his productivitymay want to review. Write about tips and about moment-to-moment randomness (ex: asolutions you’re likely to need again. Write for  … and do all of that with at most 5 reminder set randomly in each 2-hour period)?yourself. It’s okay. minutes of tracking a day. In which circumstances would interrupt-drivenI tend to write posts that combine these The interesting thing about randomness is that it methods like this be better than time tracking orquestions. For example, my reflections on what I might have a different effect on behaviour. If you time-and-motion-type studies? Boz shared thatdo for fun help me learn more, change, and can’t anticipate when you’re going to get polled he never quite got the hang of time tracking, so itremember why I want to change. If sharing the and you’re honest about your responses when might be about enabling a different set of peopleprocess inspires others, that’s a neat bonus. you do, would that help you focus on more to explore this class of experiments. important things so that you don’t catch yourselfHow about you? What do you want to learn more goofing off during the polling time? Does measuring time (either through samplingabout? What do you want to change? What do or through time-tracking) offer significantyou want to share? What do you want to What are good questions to ask during the benefits over, say, tracking quantity of tasksremember? sampling moment? Boz has: completed in different categories (like Andy Schirmer does) when it comes to measuringMore tips on how to have tons of topics  What are you working on? alignment with priorities?2011-02-09 Wed 06:01  Who are you with? Hmm…  How important is this? I might give it a try. I like my time-basedThinking about personal random moment  How is this related to the business analysis, though, so I may increase thestudies objectives? granularity of my time-tracking (track at the taskhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22083 level whenever possible). I can then simulate These questions also helped Boz stay focused – work-sampling based on that data. I might alsoFebruary 9, 2011 - immediate benefit.Categories: geek, productivity, quantified try fixed-interval sampling using KeepTrack on the Android, although I tend to skip Questions/ideas related to tracking:John Handy Bosma (Boz) proposed a personal interruptions.productivity random moment study. His goals Is the effect of uncertainty worth the added effortare: Related: required to build a custom tracking solution (or buy one), or will fixed time intervals be  Find out how he’s spending his time in acceptable? If fixed time intervals are okay, then  http://www.unifr.ch/psycho/applied/deu terms of the proportion between off-the-shelf apps can be stitched together for tsch/publications/Klumb_Perrez_SIR_0 important and unimportant task this functionality. 4.pdf

February 2011 – sachachua.com 45  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl easy to get back into the language, the platform. Books to write es/PMC1069965/ It helps that I do a lot of Emacs Lisp – lists and http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22085 macros make me happy. February 11, 2011 - Categories: plans, writing2011-02-09 Wed 10:58 I’ve built some of the core features of the site, My mom celebrated her 65th birthday this week. and I’m excited about the next components I’m One of her goals for her 70th birthday is to putHackbuzzbuzzbuzz going to work on. I should keep detailed task logs together a book.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22084 so that I can use that for estimates in the future.February 10, 2011 - Categories: geek, life It’ll be useful. I’m tempted to adjust my current It made me think of the books I want to write. If estimates downwards, but I shouldn’t – I need to you take away the intimidation of a book–finalIt’s a little scary how much you can do with leave space for things that might come up. (Or go drafts, agents, publishing, marketing–and see itfocused days of hacking. down.) instead as a coherent, clear, worthwhile collection that helps people get from point A toAfter waking up early and revising some What can I do to make tomorrow point B, then writing a book (or a book-wiki) is adocuments of understanding, I started working better? There’s a meeting, so that will be good wonderful thing. It’s about organizing knowledgeon a Ruby on Rails prototype for one of my non-coding time. I’ll try to stick to that take-a- in a way that many other people can use.projects so that I could get a better handle on quick-break-every-hour thing, too.how much time it would take me to implement Here I’m reminded of Joseph Sestito’s “Write forthe client’s requested features. When I decided to Extra time spent working is usually time pulled Your Lives: Inspire Your Creative Writing withstop for dinner (or really, the cats decided for away from things I should also pay attention to, Buddhist Wisdom”:me), I found myself shaking – low temperatures, like my upcoming presentations, so I shouldlow blood sugar, perhaps both. Easily fixed, block off more non-coding time tomorrow and p112. With this motivation, you can develop whatalthough I really should get back into the habit of this weekend. Maybe tomorrow afternoon I can I call “the lifeline of books” concept. Mortimer Jwalking around and nibbling on healthy snacks walk to the bank and set up my investing TFSA. Adler developed a list called Great Books of thethroughout the day. I’ve actually worked close to 40 hours already Western World. If you examine these books, you and it’s only Thursday, so I should probably scale will find that most of them begin with extensiveI’ll look into making my regular breaks more back tomorrow. outlines. For example, if you read Aristotle’sintrusive so that I actually remember to take Ethics, you will see that the outline is five or tenthem. Ah, that’s right; fresh install of Linux, no Tempo’s still a little too fast. I’ll post this and tidy pages long, depending upon the translation – itWorkrave set up yet. It’s hard to resist the pull of up. If I’m still buzzing after I tidy up, I might go is extremely detailed.flow, but I need to if I’m going to develop other to bed early. Or I might play the simplifiedskills and enjoy life. Pachelbel’s Canon on the piano for a bit – that’s As a creative individual, you will generate more great for slowing down. ideas for writing beneficial books than you couldIt’s so much fun to plunge back into fluency, have time to even begin in this lifetime; yet, youthough. I haven’t done Ruby on Rails since 2007. 2011-02-10 Thu 19:07 may have just enough time to write theirI skimmed a Rails book during one long outlines.commute and then hit the ground running. It’s Therefore, when you leave this life, in addition to

February 2011 – sachachua.com 46leaving behind your body, possessions, friends,  Remote Presentations That Rock  Becoming Sistersfamily, and everything else, you can also leave  May and December  In Your Back Pocket: The Benefits of Planyour own lifeline of books. These are the outlines B to Zfor the  The Written Lifebeneficial books that you did not have the time to  Stoic Optimism  More than a Number: Creating a Happywrite in this lifetime, so that others can put their Career in a Big Company  The Abundance of Timeminds to work on the creation of these books.  Being Real Online: How to be a Person, 2011-02-11 Fri 06:10What are the books and book ideas I want to Not Just a Brandleave behind?  Worth It or Not: Analyzing Your Decisions and Improving Your Plans Weekly review: Week ending February 11,  Livin’ la Vida Emacs: More than a Text 2011 Editor  The Elephant and the Bee http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22086  Work Better Together: an Individual’s  Persuasion: Using Rhetoric, Argument, February 12, 2011 - Categories: weekly Guide to Collaboration Tools and Negotiation in Everyday Life From last week’s plans  The Shy Connector’s Guide to Social  How Wonderful Can It Be?: A Life of Networking Continuous Improvement  Work  Sketch Notes: Visual Notetaking  On Fire: Bringing Passion to Work and o [-] Start on new project involving Life Facebook and Rails  The Bright Side of Life  Still Life with Cats o [-] Work on ITSC blog post,  Photography with a Difference  Geek in Love keynote presentation  Take the First Circus  A Classic Education o [X] Post more Lotusphere-related  Bookworm: Making the Most of Reading reflections  Life, Limited: Freedom, Creativity, and  Sharing What You Know Happiness through Limits o [-] Work on Deeper Insights  With My Own Hands: Adventures in presentation on social learning  It’s All Part of the Story Cooking, Gardening, Sewing, and other o [-] Work on Remote Presentations Domestic Arts  Ineluctable: A Life of Words that Rock presentation  Sharing to Learn: How to Write, Draw,  Living by the Numbers o [C] Possibly sign up for consulting and Speak Your Way to Understanding  Most Things Right course – skipping this for now  Lunch is in the Freezer: Batch-cooking  In Between Worlds: Stories of o Learned how to use estimating Tips and Recipes Immigration worksheet  The Happiness Habit  A Few Pages Ahead o Talked to Boz about productivity

February 2011 – sachachua.com 47 o Worked on newsletter tool Plans for next week  Life o Estimated and scoped projects, o [] Write about things I’m working yay!  Work on improving o Got back into Ruby on Rails, o [] Clarify scope and prepare o [] Get through busy week prototyped a project estimates for other Drupal or Rails projects Time analysis  Relationships o [] Work on Facebook/Rails Tried new routine: wake up early-ish, have project breakfast, do personal stuff or work, switch to o [X] Catch up with tasks at home o [] Work on newsletter tool – fix work, have lunch, work, have dinner, tidy up, go o [-] Give Maira some of the spices to bed. This meant not doing anything that bugs, implement requests – will do that today required a lot of thought or creativity in the o [] Look into AIS IP address bug evenings, and moving those activities to the o [X] Organize get-together with simple_access> morning instead. o Celebrated my mom’s 65th o [] Put together ITSC presentation Last birthday Category Hours Notes and blog post week o Looked for some experiences to o [] Sketch Remote Presentations share with people (movie, opera) That Rock revision Sleep 62:36 53.8 8.9 hours [] Outline Org-mode talk average  Life o o [X] Share more reflections from Work 47:17 59.9 Got carried  Relationships Lotusphere away o [] Give spices to Maira; cook prototyping o [-] Open up investing TFSA with Louisiana-style shrimp and Waterhouse – will do that on Monday o [] Watch The King’s Speech with estimating W- o [-] Review my goals and upcoming Social 13:00 14.8 Chinese New projects o [] Possibly get people together for Year dinner opera with W-’s o Experimented with lower-key daily routine; need to mix in more o [] Prepare paperwork for Dutch family social interaction or shared visa experiences? Writing 11:03 3.6 Assorted o [] Go to Dutch embassy o Brainstormed books I would like reflections o [] Meet Mike Nurse to write/read some way o [] Chat with David Singer

February 2011 – sachachua.com 48 Observations: I slept more than expected A quiet week led me to thinking about friendship LastCategory Hours Notes because I gave in to the temptation to snooze. W- and how I can learn more about it. W- and I are week simultaneously shifted to a late-night routine, so both introverted and we spend most of our time he woke up later in the mornings, which at home. I need to make a deliberate effort to getTravel 3:24 19.6 Some influenced the snoozing bit too. I think I’ll try together with people. Otherwise, it slips off my commuting this again, but with activities blocked off for radar. morning hours so that (a) I don’t fill it with workRoutines – 7:49 7.8 by default, and (b) I have a clear reason to get up Why am I thinking about this? I see the closegeneral and get going. friendships my mom has developed with my ninongs and ninangs (godparents) and withExercise 5:39 0.5 Walking It was a quiet week, which was a good way to people throughout the world. I think about the around recover from the buzz of Lotusphere. I suspect a laughter and openness of my barkada (clique of good balance may be more towards the social friends) back home. I reflect on Aristotle’sBreak 5:12 3.8 side, though, and I spent some time focusing on Nichomachean Ethics and what he shares about developing relationships (finally answered my e- friendship. It’s a good thing. It enriches life.Routines – 5:08 mail, for example!). Next week is going to betidying pretty busy on the social front. Something in the I plan for the long-term when it comes to middle, perhaps. Maybe one occasion planned finances. I can certainly invest the time and each week. effort into developing something deeper andLearning 1:49 more important than that. I know that if I’m left I have a feeling that it would be worth spending to my own devices, I’m probably not going toRoutines – 0:43 time developing friendships. I miss that sense of make much progress, so deliberate action iscooking knowing other people that I had with my friends, worthwhile here. and the extra richness of shared experiences. IDrawing 0:33 have to consciously reach out and be interested I have friends. I’m also aware that I don’t get to in people to deal with the asymmetry of see those friends very often. There’s a bit ofPrep – general 4.0 knowledge. It’s generally easy to know what I’m asymmetry, too, which I thought about again at thinking about because I write about it, but other Lotusphere. It’s easy for people to know aboutPrep – people tend not to. the significant events in my life, and even theplanning day-to-day details. I don’t have that same sense Hmm… of awareness about a lot of people, and I’d like toSewing develop it. On friendship and getting better at it There are so many people I’d like to get to knowOutsourceable http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22087 further. I want to help make their lives a little February 13, 2011 - better. I want to help them ask interesting Categories: friendship, kaizen, life, reflection questions. I want to learn from what they’re

February 2011 – sachachua.com 49learning along the way. It gives me pleasure to host a decent party for the cost of my meal.) I’ll speaking is a great way to get to meet otherthink about them and to hear about their lives. probably start with movies and opera, and maybe fascinating people. I’ve made friends and learnedEven focusing on people I already know will give look into setting up lunch or coffee with people. about opportunities at post-conference dinners.me plenty of opportunities to learn aboutfriendship – and then there are all these Have you worked on learning more about Reading that, I feel something dormantfascinating people I have yet to meet. In other friendship? Have any thoughts to share? stirring. There’s something about sharing mywords, it’s not you, it’s me. =) I can work on me. passion and being inspired by other people.Thank goodness many people use Twitter and On presenting, anxiety, and moving There are more posts in my archive. IFacebook to share what’s going on. The forward wrote about reaching people in the back row. Ifragmentary nature of these streams mean that I http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22092 wrote about dealing with stage fright by turningget glimpses into other people’s lives, but they’re February 14, 2011 - Categories: speaking presentations into conversations. I wroteinterleaved with other updates. I sometimes find aboutkeeping things fresh and shared themyself flitting from update to update without a I have four presentations on my calendar, feedback I’d gotten from presentations.deeper sense of each individual person. spread over the next two months. They’re all on topics I’ve written about: two talks on I can also see myself changing. In OctoberSo I’m thinking of working on this from two networking, one talk on presentation tips, and 2009, after an occasion that really showed measpects: online and in-person. one talk on Emacs. I should prepare the the contrast between face-to-face presentations presentations over the next two weeks. and the reach of online ones, I started thinkingOnline, I’m trying out tools like Gist that give about how and when to decline invitations tome a social dashboard which aggregates news, I catch myself procrastinating. And if I’m speak. In March 2010, preparing for anotherorganizing it by person. I set aside time to think going to procrastinate by tidying or writing, I presentation, I found myself reflecting on what Iabout other people, learn more about what’s might as well turn my reflections to why I’m was missing from face-to-face presentations.going on in their lives, take notes, and reach out. procrastinating, so I can figure it out and fix it.I set aside some money for the little differences I Maybe I can find a new equilibrium. I thinkcan make in people’s days. I switched to a phone The advantage of having a blog is that I it’s a combination of factors, and I’m going toplan that includes international text messages, can review what I felt and thought think about them for a bit because it’s useful totoo. I’m also going to more regularly check and before. For example, in one of my earliest blog understand a challenge before you use its forcerespond to personal mail (hi!). posts about public speaking, I wrote that I against it, turn it flat on its back, and tickle it into wanted to become a professional speaker. This submission.In person, I’m deliberately looking for was why:experiences I want to share with other people,and for opportunities to learn more about I love sharing ideas with people. I love bringing Higher costs lead to higherpeople’s interests. This is a bit more of a stretch my enthusiasm and my passion to a hall and standards. With the shift of manyfor me because I like spending time at home and infecting as many people as I can. I love learning presentations to virtual channels, the rise ofI hardly ever eat out. (I once attended a New about presentation techniques and fascinating blogs, Slideshare, and recorded presentations asYear’s Dinner and found myself thinking I could ideas. I love getting people to think. Besides, alternative ways of sharing information, tighter

February 2011 – sachachua.com 50travel restrictions at work, and a flourishing life together something without feeling like a the presentation ideas running through myat home, I’m much less inclined to travel to nattering newbie. head…conferences myself. The relative opportunity costhas increased. I project my higher standards ontoother participants, and become more anxious And now that I’ve got that all written More about getting 27″ washers andabout delivering enough value to justify the time down, I can see that it doesn’t make dryers down 26″ hallwaysand expense. sense. The thing that trumps all of that hasn’t http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22093 changed: I’m moved to speak and connect with February 14, 2011 - Categories: highlight, lifeAs I get better at writing and occasionally other people because I want to help them make aillustrating my thoughts, I become more change in their life and because I’m curious Flora writes:impatient with presentations. Presentations about what I can learn from them too.take more time to prepare and more time to found your blog googling ’27″ washer dryer 26″deliver. They are not as searchable or as linkable I tell myself sometimes that I come up with hallway’ and am in awe of your story aboutas text. Their main benefits are that they are presentations because other people ask me to, or disassembling and reassembling your LG washermore engaging than plain text or static because I want to learn about something myself. and dryer. We’re currently dealing with a similarillustrations, and they can reach a different But even the things I already know–have situation. I won’t bore you with the details butaudience – people who prefer listening to struggled with, have come to understand, still basically, we decided to buy a Samsung laundryreading, for example. continue to explore– those are already worth pair because, in the store, both machines sharing. measured 26 ¾ inches and our staircase is 26Unlike blog posts or stand-alone slide 3/4 inches at most. We tried getting themdecks, presentations have deadlines, I’ll experiment with a few changes. I’m delivered and met some very rude andexpectations, and potentially mixed going to try speaking with minimal or no slides, condescending deliveryreception. I can postpone writing about which will force me to be more vivid and people who were not cooperative at all. Theysomething, but I can’t back out of a commitment memorable in speech. I may choose some topics wouldn’t even try getting the machines throughto speak. I promise something with the abstract to focus on, and see if invitations and speaking the first door which was 27 1/4 inches wide. Theyand I’m not sure if I can deliver. If I write a blog opportunities can align with those. I might took the machines back and now we’re faced withpost that offers little value to people, they can illustrate if inspiration strikes, but not by default. the decision to get them redelivered or returningsimply move on. If I give a presentation that them and beating our dirty clothes on rocks (orpeople are too polite to walk out of, I not only For my upcoming presentations, I just need to something). I was wondering if you could tell metake an hour of their life but make them miss the dig deeper and find the core message I have a bit more about your experiences withopportunity to hear a better speaker. to share. With that, all the rest of the words and disassembling your machines. Was it really images will flow. difficult? Do you know if there are professionalThen there are changing comparisons. In a technicians who would do that kind of work forworld filled with TED and Ignite and all sorts of people like me? Did you find the servicegreat talks available through Youtube, beautiful Writing about all of that seems to be working. I manuals really helpful? I imagine that this isn’tslides on Slideshare, and whatnot, it’s hard to put could hardly get to sleep last night thanks to all the first time this has happened to people so I wish there was more of a support system out

February 2011 – sachachua.com 51there for those of us with horizontally challenged who are happy to do this for a fee. =) If you need Follow the instructions forhallways and stairways. to do it yourself: disassembling. Read and understand all the instructions before you start. Make sure the Look for the service manuals for the machine is unplugged. Take lots of pictures. washer and dryer you want to get or you Label all the containers you use for storing want to buy. This may take some digging screws. Label any wires you unplug. We used around because there are plenty of sites that will plastic containers for screws and masking tape charge you a fee for the service manual, but you for wires, writing down positions with a black may be able to get it for free. If you don’t find the marker. Wear the gloves whenever possible. one for your exact model, you might find one for There can be lots of sharp edges inside a a similar model. Make sure you get a service machine, where they don’t expect anyone but manual that shows disassembly, not just a user’s trained technicians to poke around. You can manual that describes how to operate the bring parts down separately. This also makes it machine. Also make sure you have a pair of work easier to move the machine down. gloves with good grip, lots of things you can label and put screws into, and all the tools you’ll need, You may need to squeeze the chassis in such as screwdrivers, clamps, and wrenches. order to get it through your narrow hallways. Remove trim that might get in the Take care when lifting the machines. A way. Consider taking out drywall. Expect that the dolly can be very helpful. Lift it with another paint will be scraped, and that the machine will From Appliance adventures person. Gloves can help, too. You may need to also get a bit scratched. If it’s no longer square take it out of the box in order to get it through once it gets to the laundry room, hammer or the door. If so, look at your doors and corridors nudge it into being square again.Oh dear. Yes, that is a challenge. As you can for anything that might get in the way, andimagine, disassembling a machine and squeezing remove them if possible. (We scratched the front Reverse the instructions in order toit down a narrow hallway will void your warranty of our washing machine with the door closer we’d assemble the machine again. Hookand rough up the hallway, so it can be a tough forgotten to remove.) Think about the more everything up. Plug in the machine and see if itdecision to make. We decided to go for it because scratchable sides when planning how to carry the starts up. If it doesn’t, you may have anwe had the budget for an experiment like that machines in, and make sure that the path to your expensive paperweight. Sorry.and we preferred to take the risk instead of intermediate disassembly area is clear.spending time and money on either coin laundry Run a small load or run through the testor plumbing renovations, but your mileage may Confirm the machine turns on before you cycle in order to confirm that thingsvary. This is not professional advice, so always disassemble it. If your machine is dead on work. Look for signs of leaks or missedexercise your judgment. arrival, you want to know before you void the connections, and be ready to turn the machine warranty. off just in case.When we were thinking of doing this, we didn’tknow any appliance repairers, but you mightwant to call around. Surely there must be people

February 2011 – sachachua.com 52 that laundry is one of my favourite parts of the Remote presentations are harder than in- weekend? person presentations, but they can also be more powerful. Yes, you’re limited in terms of Good luck! body language and delivery. Yes, you have to compete with e-mail, Sametime, and a million Related: interruptions. But if you know how to work with the strengths of remote presentations, you can  The great washing machine adventure reach people more effectively and more intimately.  Ten lessons learned from disassembling and rebuilding our washing machine Let’s talk about the biggest challenge for remote presentations: the fact that it’s so 2011-02-14 Mon 08:28 easy for people to get distracted or to walk away. In real life, most people won’t walk out From Appliance adventures the back door. They’ll stick around long enough How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Webinar: Energy, Interaction, and for you to make your main points. Online, if youW- says that it really helped that he disassembled ROI lose people’s attention, it can be very hard to getthe broken washing machine in order to get it out it back. And it’s doubly tough because you can’t http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22094of the laundry room. The service manuals I found read people’s body language. You can’t see if February 15, 2011 - people are interested or if they’re off checkingonline were fantastic, too, with clear, step-by- Categories: highlight, presentation, speaking, tip mail, and you can’t pull them back by sayingstep instructions and diagrams. Sometimes it s something interesting if they’ve already hung up.was hard to find the part they were referring tobecause we didn’t know what it looked like, but I’ve been invited to re-do my Remote You’ve got to offer people something theygoing back and forth between close-up diagrams Presentations That Rock presentation this can’t get from reading your the slides orand the exploded parts list solved the problem. February. I can’t resist improving presentations listening to the recording. Why is it worth every time I give them. What do you think of paying attention to you? For me, that comesPlan for this taking at least a weekend, and keep this? down to two things: energy and interaction.kids and pets away. Energy This presentation and speaker notes will beThe good news is that if you successfully manage available at URL. (If giving this remotely: Please Why should people attend yourto get your laundry pair through your hallway feel free to use the text chat to ask questions and presentation? People aren’t going to come justand down your stairs, laundry becomes a whole share your thoughts throughout the to hear the facts or numbers. They can get thatnew experience. We laugh about the laundry presentation.) from the slides. If you’re a leader, they want toadventure whenever we do a load, and I still can’tget over how quiet the new machines are hear your confidence, maybe get a better sense ofcompared to the ones we had before. Is it weird who you are as a person. Even if you’re not an executive – even if, say, you’re an IT specialist

February 2011 – sachachua.com 53presenting a technical topic – you’ve got to bring light from your laptop screen so that they don’t what they need to do next. Don’t fade out withyour energy to your presentation, to show people reflect off your lenses. White shirts make it easier just Q&A. Wrap up with a quick summary andwhy it matters to you and why it matters to them. for your webcam to pick the right colour-balance maybe a memorable tip, and make sure people and exposure. Practice. know what the next actions are. If you’re doingA huge part of this is your voice. You need a remote presentation, think of websitesto sound like you, and you need to sound It’s a good idea to tell people when you’re people can visit to learn more or actionslike the presentation is worthwhile. If going to be on video. I know someone who people can take to commit to doingpeople give in to the temptation to multitask, found this out the hard way. She was giving a something, while they still have the buzzyour voice is going to be the only thing that can presentation, and then her husband walked past and energy from the presentation. Thisbring them back. Emphasize your key points by in the background… in his underwear! So make it means you need to plan your time well. Peoplechanging your pace, changing your pitch, clear that you’re going to be on the air, and close have back-to-back meetings and commitments.pausing, repeating things. Let your message the door. Then you can make a much better–and Plan to end a little early so that they have time tocome through in your voice. Energy. Urgency. more professional–connection with people. act on your message before they get distracted byConfidence. something else. Video can bring you much closer to people InteractionYou’ll be surprised by how much little than most in-person presentationsthings matter. Get a phone headset so that you can. Sure, you probably won’t be able to do as This also means you need to get people’scan breathe properly and so that you don’t get a many gestures, but people can see your facial buy-in along the way, so that when you get tocrick in your neck. Stand up if that helps you get expressions. Use them. If you step back a little, the end of your presentation, people are whereinto the “presentation mode”. Have pictures of you can do some gestures. they need to be. This brings us to the secondpeople around if that helps you remember that part of making remote presentations thatyou’re talking to real people so that you can make How can you bring all these tips rock: Interaction. Q&A. I’m not talking aboutthat connection. Turn off the conference together? Figure out what you want to say, but the five minutes near the end that you thinkentry/exit tones so that you aren’t competing don’t stop there. Figure out why it matters to you you’ll have for questions. You know that hardlywith (or distracted by) beeps. and why it matters for other people. If you can’t ever happens. You run into technical difficulties. figure out why something is worth giving as a People start late. People take a while to think ofAnother, powerful way to share your presentation instead of as an article or a set of their answers.energy is to add video. Now you might be slides, don’t do a presentation. Just send thethinking, “I don’t look good on video.” While we information. Save presentations for where Don’t leave Q&A to the end of yourmay never look as polished as Sam Palmisano presentations can make a difference – when you presentation. Make it part of yourwith a video crew, it’s actually easy to look want to persuade people. presentation. If I have an hour for a presentation,decent. Get a webcam. Even if you pay for this I’ll typically plan between seven to twentypersonally, it’ll be worth it. Find a quiet place – End on a high note. If you’ve done a good job minutes of content, with the rest of the time forno coworkers on conference calls, no at convincing people for the need for action – Q&A and about five minutes at the end todishwashers going whrrr. Find a clear and you’re always doing this with a presentation, summarize and send people off with actions. Thisbackground and good lighting – maybe a blank even if you’re just presenting information – make works really well. It forces me to fit my keywall near a window. If you have glasses, dim the it easier for them to take action by showing them

February 2011 – sachachua.com 54points into a short attention span, and leaves glance at the text chat without getting distracted When you’re speaking to an internationalroom for the interesting part: the conversation. from what you want to say–and this takes a lot of audience, Q&A might be harder. People in practice–then you can even start weaving those some cultures aren’t comfortable with askingHow do I make sure things fit? I figure I questions and answers into the flow of your questions during presentations. You can getshould talk at about 160 words per minute. (I presentation. It’s fantastic when you can pull this people used to the idea by starting off withactually talk faster, but I try to slow down to off. typical questions people might ask, and160.) If I’m planning for 20 minutes, then that’s encouraging people to share their questionsroughly 3,200 words. If I write down what I want Q&A is good for people and it’s good for through a text chat if they don’t want to use theto say and I’m over 3,200 words, then I have to you. You can learn so much from phone.cut and simplify. Don’t start with the slides. Start Q&A. You can find out what’s important towith what you want to say, and make room for people, and what you should include when you’re If you really don’t get any questions, thenwhat’s important. If you’re trying to say too following up. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up with you can share more examples and backupmuch, split it up into multiple presentations or lots of questions, some of which you might not material. Flexibility pays off, and it shows thatrefer to additional information that people can even know the answers to yet. Great. That not you know your stuff.use to learn more. only gives you opportunities to learn more, but Radically increasing your ROI also to share those lessons with others. We’ll talkQ&A can be much more powerful in a web about this again when we talk about radically Now you might be thinking that it takesconference than it is in person. In person, increasing your ROI from presentations. time to prepare good presentations likeyou’re usually limited to three or four questions. that. It takes only a few minutes to throwIn person, people have to remember their You can still have people ask their questions over together slides if you’re going to figure out whatquestions and wait for the Q&A period, then line the phone. Now this is important: you should to say on the fly and you don’t mind if peopleup for the microphone, say their question, and wait at least seven seconds for questions forget or tune out. It takes time to plan yourwait for your response. In person, you don’t before you move on. Maybe wait even longer. presentation so that you have a clear, concise,really get a choice about which question you want I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on a engaging core message. It takes time to prepareto address first. Online, if you ask people to conference call where the speaker said, “Any for Q&A. It takes time to learn how to use web-share their questions throughout the questions?” and then after a very short silence, conferencing tools. But it’s a bigger waste ofpresentation using the text chat, you not says something like “Thank you, goodbye!” and time if you don’t.only get an instant feel for where people are I’m thinking, “I’m still coming up with questionscurious or confused, you can also pick the most I want to ask!” As a speaker, you should wait Presentations are surprisinglyinteresting questions–or the easiest ones–to until the silence becomes uncomfortable, and expensive. There’s the time you put intoanswer first. You don’t have to read people’s then wait some more. It takes time for people to preparing it: maybe half an hour for a quickbody language – they can tell you what’s on their absorb what you’ve just shared and think of what update, maybe four hours for a regularmind. else they want to learn. If you need to fill the presentation like this, maybe days for a high- silence, share some questions other people have stakes presentation. There’s the time you spendWhen you’re starting out, you might want asked you, or share some questions people might giving the presentation. And then there’s theto have a moderator watch the text chat be thinking about. time people spend listening to you. Now I’m infor you. If you find that you can occasionally Global Business Services, so utilization is always

February 2011 – sachachua.com 55in the back of my mind. If I’m talking to a group your slides, your draft speech. If you’ve got a And this is where remote presentations can reallyof 35 people for an hour, I probably need to offer blog, write about your presentation there. I’ve help you rock. Work with the strengths of theyou more than $100 in terms of value, and I need been blogging my speaker notes and my slides on webconferencing tools that we have, and you canto create more than $4,000 of value for IBM and a blog. You’d think that would mean that people really connect with people. Invest a few extraour clients. Is it worth it? I want to make can skip the presentation because they already minutes to share your presentations andsure it is. know the key points, like the way you might skip recordings, and you can radically increase your a movie if you already know how it ends. Instead, ROI. Use remote presentations to reach moreSo let’s talk about radically increasing what happens is that people suggest ways to people than you can bring together in a room,your ROI for presentations. When you’re make the presentation even better, and then they and that will pay off for you in professional andpreparing and giving presentations, how can you come anyway for the energy and interaction. personal connections.get even more leverage on the time and effort Result: better presentation, better interactionyou’re investing? There are two parts to (because people have been thinking about things Here are seven small things you can do tothat: before and after your deeper), better reach, and better ROI. Share improve the energy, interaction, and ROIpresentation. Let’s talk about what you can do whatever you can share. of your remote presentations:before your presentation. The same goes for after your presentation.  Get these slides or my speaker notes soFirst: Figure out if you can get more people When you’re giving a presentation that’s that you can review them going forward.– and more of the right people – to get not confidential, make sure you record (URL)value from your presentation. It takes the and share it. That’s one of the benefits of givingsame time to give a presentation to 20 people as a remote presentation – they’re easy to record  Make your life better by sharing these tipsit does to give a presentation to 200. Remote and share. It’s a few extra clicks using LotusLive with other people who give remotepresentations make this even easier, because Meetings, and then you can share your presentations.people don’t have to be in the same area and they presentation with other people. Share your  Volunteer for a remote presentation ifdon’t have to arrange for travel. They just have to slides. Figure out if your presentation or a subset you don’t already have one on yourdial in. This depends on the purpose of your of your presentation can be shared externally. calendar. Practice will help you learn.presentation, of course. If you’re planning a Take the extra five minutes to scrub it and sharesmall-group collaborative meeting, go ahead and it on a site like Slideshare.net. Share your  Take a good look at your upcomingkeep it at six people. But if you’re sharing speaker notes. Share the questions people asked presentations and practice putting somesomething of general interest, open it up. Post it energy into them. Make sure they’re and your answers to them. It takes a few extraon Inviter, which is this IBM service for sharing minutes and greatly improves your reach. When worth listening to.calendar events. If you’ve got a blog, write about your presentations are shareable and searchable,  Get a webcam and learn how to use ityour upcoming presentation. Post it on your they become a very powerful networking tool. well. Figure out where in your workplaceProfiles board. Tell people about it. Make it easy And they’ll save you lots of time, too. I can’t tell or your home you can do a goodfor people to find. you how often I refer people to my past presentation. presentations in order to help them learnSecond: Share as much as you can while something I’ve shared.preparing. See if you can share your outline,

February 2011 – sachachua.com 56  Cut your next presentation in half so that who have years of experience. Even in mature productivity. Learn about pitfalls and challenges, you can leave room for questions and fields, though, you might be able to find niches too. There’s no substitute for experience, but answers. where things are rapidly changing. awareness is a good start – and that can help you brainstorm opportunities for you to get involved.  Review your past presentations for things Read. Read everything about that topic that you you can share, and share them. can get your hands on. Learn how to speed-read Write notes and look for ways to explain if you don’t already do so. Don’t worry about ideas in simpler terms. Summarize whatWe’ll come back to these tips five minutes near words you don’t understand or concepts that are other people have said. Link to resources peoplethe end of this session so that they’re fresh in too complex. Gradually, as you absorb more might find useful. Share examples and theyour mind. I want you to be able to walk out of information, more of the things you’ve read will principles they demonstrate. Share your notes onhere with a clear understanding of how you can make sense to you. a blog. Make presentations and volunteer toapply these tips and how they can transform the speak. This helps you understand a topic deeperway you present. What’s holding you back from Stay up to date. Find the key players in the and build the beginning of a reputation.giving better remote presentations? What do you space that you’re working on. Check out theirwant to learn more about? blogs, their presentations, their tweets – What can you write about? Write about what whatever you can get that gives you more you’re learning and why. Write about the2011-02-15 Tue 07:58 information. Set up searches and alerts so that mistakes you made and how you solved them (or you can find new material as it gets published. are trying to solve them!). Write about howFrom zero to hero: a newbie’s guide to you’re learning and from whom. Write about the Use bookmarks to organize your resources out there. Write about the thingslearning and building a reputation alongthe way research. You’re going to immerse yourself in a you’re finding out. Write about the connections flood of information. Use social bookmarking between your topic of interest and other thingshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22095 systems like Lotus Connections Bookmarks or you know about. Write about what you want toFebruary 16, 2011 - Delicious to keep track of interesting things learn next. There are plenty of things you canCategories: blogging, highlight, learning you’ve read, and to organize resources into your share, even as a beginner. own categories. That way, when you need to findA friend of mine is a new IBM consultant who something again or if you want to send someone Experiment. Can you try things out yourself?wants to learn more about and develop a a link, you can quickly get it along with related Apply the ideas to your own life and share thereputation in social analytics. I thought I’d resources. results. As you build credibility, you might beshare some tips on how to learn and build a able to convince your team to give a new practicereputation along the way. Collect examples of ideas being been a try. Share those results, too. Come up with applied to real life. If you’re interested in Web ideas and try them out. Use these experiences toPick your field carefully. Another mentor of 2.0 and financial services, you need to be able to convince people to let you work on projects.mine said that emerging technologies offer the tell stories about innovative companies and thebest opportunities. In a new field, it’s easier to results they’re seeing. If you’re interested in Volunteer and expand yournot only catch up, but even distinguish yourself. social analytics, find case studies where analytics responsibilities. Make sure your manager,In mature fields, it’s hard to compete with people has led to increased collaboration and your mentors, and your coworkers know what

February 2011 – sachachua.com 57you’re interested in learning or doing. Volunteer I’ll take a look at this one. Hmm, this whitepaper followers or posting at least one blog post a week,to help with projects or presentations that need looks like something our company could learn and more about actions and results. What’s thatto be done. Ask your manager to help you from. Let me send it to the director in charge of story? Walk through it in your head, check if it’sstructure a way to learn on the job. that. plausible, and identify the pieces you need to build in order to make it happen. Doesn’tLearn. Share what you’re learning along the way. Director: Hmm, an e-mail from the VP, I better investing in those pieces make more sense nowExperiment. Volunteer and expand your read it. Ah, an article that looks like it will help that you can see how they’re related to your endresponsibilities. You can go from being a newbie with one of the challenges I’m currently working goals?to being known in surprisingly little time, but on. Hey, this guy has some great tips. I wonder…you need to get out there and make things Oh, he has a website with other articles and That led me to think about the ideal stories I tellhappen. Good luck! presentations! Great. I’m going to flip through myself. When I write for my blog, this is what I the presentations that look immediately useful. I hope will happen: should probably bookmark this site so I can comeImagine success for social media back to it later. Hey, he’s on Twitter. Let mehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22096 check out what he posts… He’s got an upcoming Me: “Ah! Now I understand things a little better.February 16, 2011 - seminar – that looks interesting, maybe I’ll Let me go try that and see what happens. … Yup,Categories: blogging, connecting, conversation, k attend. I think I’ll follow him on Twitter so that I that works, and here’s how I can make it evenaizen, networking, story, web2.0, writing can hear about other updates. Hmm, maybe he better.” can do some consulting for us for this project –I was talking to an independent consultant who that would save me a lot of time, help me get the Someone: “I need to figure out something. Letwanted to get better at using social media to results I need… (and if he’s as good as he seems me search… Hmm, that look interesting, let meexpand his network. I suggested that he put to be, I’ll look like a star). try that. Hey, that works. Oh, that looks usefultogether articles and presentations that he can too. And that one! And that one! I’m going to addshare with his contacts (mostly executives) that Someone else searching on the Net: Hmm, I this to my feed reader. … Oh look, another postare useful and that they would probably share need to learn more about ___ if I’m going to be from Sacha. She reminds me that it’s possible towith the right people in their companies. able to deliver those results. Oh, here’s an article be cheerful and have fun doing awesome things. that might be useful. Those are good points. Let =) Hmm, I know someone who might find thisThinking about this, I realized that imagining the me save this. I wonder… ah, he has other articles useful too…”ideal scenarios can help people recognize the and presentations. Those are useful too. Let mevalue of investing in sharing knowledge or read them… I wonder if he’s available to do some Someone: “Can you help me with __?” Me: “Ibuilding a social media presence. You consulting. Oh, look, he’s in Toronto too. That could’ve sworn I’ve written about that aroundcan say that sharing is important, or you can makes it easier. I should give him a call. here… Ah, there it is! Here’s theimagine a story that goes like this: link.” Someone: “Awesome. Thanks!” Think about what success looks like. Tell yourselfCEO of small business: Oh! It’s an e-mail from a story about what could happen. It’s probably__. He always sends me useful information, so less about just increasing the number of your

February 2011 – sachachua.com 58What are the stories you imagine, and what do friendships of good character. Of these, I’m Or must we add ‘when it is recognized’? Forthose stories help you learn about what you can interested in friendships of good character. In many people have goodwill to those whom theydo to make them happen? this kind of friendship, you appreciate the have not seen but judge to be good or useful; and goodness of other people and they appreciate one of these might return this feeling. These yours. You wish them good, and they wish you people seem to bear goodwill to each other; butOn friendship and becoming more social good as well. how could one call them friends when they dohttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22098 not know their mutual feelings? To be friends,February 18, 2011 - One can’t have many friends at this level. then, the must be mutually recognized as bearingCategories: connecting, friendship, philosophy In W.D.Ross’s translation of the Nichomachean goodwill and wishing well to each other for one Ethics: of the aforesaid reasons.I’ve been talking to people about my project ofbecoming more social, getting better at But it is natural that such friendships should be That makes me think of several things. First, toconnecting. It makes sense. I get to practise and infrequent; for such men are rare. Further, such wish good for other people, you should knowpick up tips at the same time. =) Sometimes friendship requires time and familiarity; as the them beneath the surface. It’s easy to say that Ipeople say, “Sacha, aren’t you already pretty proverb says, men cannot know each other till wish my friends to be happy, but knowing thesocial? How big is your network, anyway?” But they have ‘eaten salt together’; nor can they specific things they consider pleasurable or goodit’s not about that, and I think I’m starting to admit each other to friendship or be friends till means I can share good experiences, find goodfigure out what it’s about. each has been found lovable and been trusted by gifts, or help people grow. each. Those who quickly show the marks ofThere are so many interesting people. W-, of friendship to each other wish to be friends, but I’m probably an outlier in terms of writing andcourse, is gosh-darn-awesome. And there are all are not friends unless they both are lovable and making it easy for people to get to know methese wonderful people I’ve gotten to know: my know the fact; for a wish for friendship may arise through my interests. If I’m going to get to knowfamily, my barkada, my ninongs and ninangs, quickly, but friendship does not. other people, then I’m going to need to take themy friends in Canada who helped me get the initiative and reach out, maybe slowly getting ahang of those first few winters, my friends at And also: sense of a person over time. I can get better atwork and in various clubs, my friends through this by also, say, compiling notes on people’sthis blog and Twitter and all these other Now there are three grounds on which people expressed preferences. (Yes, I’m a geek.)networks, and people I have yet to become good love; of the love of lifeless objects we do not usefriends with. So the limiting factor isn’t the lack the word ‘friendship’; for it is not mutual love, Second, friendship is reciprocal. I can feelof people to develop friendships with, but my nor is there a wishing of good to the other (for it goodwill towards many people, such as theability to do so. would surely be ridiculous to wish wine well; if people I’ve gotten to know through blogs. Some one wishes anything for it, it is that it may keep, may even feel goodwill for me back, without myWhat does it mean to be friends with someone? so that one may have it oneself); but to a friend knowing. Friendship, I think, is when we bothIn the Nichomachean Ethics, where he devotes a we say we ought to wish what is good for his know it and that mutual understandingbook of fourteen chapters to the topic of sake. But to those who thus wish good we ascribe influences our actions.friendship, Aristotle distinguishes between only goodwill, if the wish is not reciprocated;friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and goodwill when it is reciprocal being friendship.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 59I think that people are rather better at caring them tick, or chasing the pleasure of making aspiring-writer, with vivid descriptions andabout me than I am at caring about them. This someone’s day. general cheer. I’m half-inspired to do moredoesn’t mean I don’t care about other people as letter-writing myself, or to bring that kind ofmuch. It means that I think other people are So that’s what I’m talking about when I say I vivacity to my blog.more thoughtful and are better at making a want to get better at connecting or I want to beconnection, and that there’s plenty of room for more social. It’s not about making sure I’ve “got (Will you put up with descriptions of life? In anyme to learn. Add to that the occasional my dance card filled”, or that I go out to at least case, it is my blog, and I would like to be able toasymmetry of knowledge and it can be a little one get-together each week, or even that I remember. =) Prepare for more adjectives!)awkward, but I’m getting better at getting past remember to host tea. I think it’s more aboutthe awkward bit and just focusing on getting to knowing people more so that I can appreciate Now I am on the lookout for other epistolaryknow people more. their goodness and wish them good, and about gems. I have requested “A Woman of building deeper connections. Independent Means” from the library,One of the things I’m particularly curious about remembering my mom’s recommendation. Dois developing friendships online. When I listed 2011-02-18 Fri 06:50 you have any favourites?people I might call if I needed a favour or Ineeded someone to talk to, I realized that therewere some people I’ve never actually seen in Book: Daddy Long Legs, and letters LinkedIn tip: Customize your profile URLperson. I’d like to get even better at cultivating http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22099 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22100friendships online. From literature and other February 18, 2011 - February 18, 2011 -people’s examples, it’s clearly possible to develop Categories: book, reading, writing Categories: connecting, linkedin, tips, web2.0deep connections beyond your geographic reach.With many of my friends outside Toronto – or A chance remark by the turtle about Daddy Long This tip’s for Mike Nurse and other people whoinfrequently met even in the same city – it’s Legs led me to request the 1955 musical from the are looking for small things that could makesomething worth learning more about. Toronto Public Library, and then to read the LinkedIn more useful for them… =) book online. Fred Astaire’s dance sequencesA lot of this is a matter of time: time to learn (particularly the first one where he makes Did you know that you can customize yourabout people, time to share experiences, time to drumsticks dance better than most people do) LinkedIn URL to make it more memorable,build trust, and so on. I can’t do much to speed and a couple of good lines, and a nice ending writable, and professional?things up. But it’s also equally a matter of made me smile. Yes, the age gap’s bigger in theattention – if I don’t invest that attention, then movie than it was in the book, and it must’ve 1. Log on to linkedin.com.that time will pass without much effect. been hard for Astaire to perform that with what was going on in his personal life, but it’s still a 2. Click on Profile – Edit Profile.Of course, reflecting on the Ethics, I need to be good one. 3. Click on Edit next to your Publiccareful that people and friendship don’t become Profile URL.means. It’s not about checking off a little The book, on the other hand, was ancheckmark on my list of things to learn, or unexpectedly delightful find. It’s written as adissecting people and finding out what makes series of letters from this orphan-turned-

February 2011 – sachachua.com 60 4. Click on Edit next to Your Public publishing slice-of-life posts whenever I had tips share, so although I was trying to keep to one Profile URL. Choose a short, to share. Sometimes, though, I ended up with post a day, I itched to write more, and new items memorable URL. Click on Set Address. “stale” blog posts that I wanted to share but often pre-empted things in the backlog until didn’t. In a medium as current as a blog, it seems those things were no longer relevant. 5. Optionally customize what people see on weird to write about something that happened your public profile. three days ago. After a few tries at keeping a 6. Click on Save Changes. scheduled queue of posts in my WordPress blog, I turned to keeping the posts in my Org fileIf you want to make it easier for people to instead because it was easier to choose whichconnect with you on LinkedIn, put your new URL post to publish than to keep shuffling dateson your business card, your e-mail signature, around in WordPress.your website, and other social network profiles.Little things like that help make it easier for Sometimes I’d post more than one blogother people to connect with you. post anyway. Looking at my double- and triple- post days, most of those posts followed up on conversations, and I’m glad I posted them when IDecision review: Limiting my blog to one did. If I’m writing something that I think mightpost a day be generally useful, I’d rather blog it than keep ithttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22105 in e-mail. Whenever I tried to stick closely to myFebruary 19, 2011 - one-post-a-day rule, I found myself postponing responses instead of, say, copying and pasting It’s a tradeoff among different people’sCategories: blogging, highlight, kaizen, reflection the relevant tips into an HTML mail. Postponing needs. On one hand, posting short tips, sketches, writing responses didn’t help with Inbox Zero or quick frequently would benefit conversational partners conversations, so I often decided to just go ahead as well as searchers. On the other hand, postingIn 2009, I decided to limit my blog to around one and post. Rhythm can make or break an too frequently would give subscribers negativepost a day. I wrote as many notes as I wanted in a asynchronous conversation. value. I guess the chart looks a little like what’sprivate text file, and selected only one or two to on the right – but what were the numbers?share each day. Rhythm affected my writing, too. Whenever Would subscribers get impatient with two posts a I had plenty of many scheduled posts lined up, I day? At what point would searchers getPeople liked the new frequency. They found found myself spending days without writing. diminishing returns from posts that were tooit more manageable. Instead of getting three or While there were days that I welcomed the extra sparse and quickly written? And what about whatfour e-mails or feed items a day, they got one or time, it was throwing off my routines. I felt like I I wanted from my blog – a way to remember andtwo. was binge-writing: gorging myself on writing, share life? I found myself posting more generallyI liked the new frequency too. I started then putting it off until the need to write and useful posts about writing and blogging insteadshuffling blog posts around depending on how think drove me back to the keyboard or the pen. of ephemeral memories, glimpses of life – but Iuseful I thought they would be to others. This There were very few dull days that passed loved the chance connections I had when I wrotewas generally a good thing, as I put off without a story, a lesson, or an idea I wanted to about things like burning pancakes or planting in

February 2011 – sachachua.com 61the garden. I’d hate to become yet another  How often do I post more than one thing it seems to be increasing. So, yes, I’m writinggeneric blogger writing bland, inarguable, and a day? longer posts. It’s plotted on the secondary axisimpersonal tips, or to write for what I thought (0..7000) so that the other lines aren’t drowned  Am I more consistent in the number ofmight be the widest use when there might be out. posts now than before? Consistency isinteresting things to explore in the nooks and good for subscribers; you want to knowcrannies of life. The green line shows the number of comments. that I’m not going to suddenly overwhelm My spreadsheet doesn’t show any strong you with mail/items. (Well, aside fromIt’s a trade-off between other factors, correlations with either my post length or the that mail snafu I had, but things shouldtoo. Should I write fewer posts, but longer ones? number of posts, so it doesn’t look like I’m be working smoothly now.)I like sticking to one thought per blog post, scaring people off with long posts or too-frequentthough. Maybe I should do “reader mailbag”-type  Am I writing longer posts? posts.posts, but that probably still requires more of a  How is that related to, say, the number ofweekly routine, and I do like posting people- As it turns out, I’m actually pretty good at comments people leave on my posts?related updates within a day or two. I’d like to keeping to around one or two posts perspend some time revisiting old posts or sharing day. This year’s had an average of 1.1 posts per A little number-crunching, and voila:my reflections on other people’s posts. How do I day, well within reason (and subscriber patience,fit that in around the new things I want to write I hope). Knowing this means I don’t need toabout? And I’ve been meaning to move time spend a lot of time fiddling with this decision,away from writing to other activities. Perhaps I’ll although I do want to find the rough spots andbe more ruthless about prioritizing what to write figure out how I can smooth them over.about, and leave other unfinished ideas as draftsin my private notes – or maybe I’ll drop hints So here’s what I’m going to try next:about things I’d like to think about, in case otherpeople can point out things they’d like to learn  I’m going to change my “normal”more about as well. level to one or two posts a day instead of just one, which means I canData can help explore decisions things feel less guilty when I post two or evenlike this. Before I put a lot of time into figuring three blog posts on one day.out whether I can set up a separate “firehose” The red line shows the number of posts. As you can see, I’ve gone from really spikey to a  If I have multiple conversationcategory in my blog that gets excluded from e-mail notifications and feeds until I promote posts somewhat more consistent line hovering at follow-ups, I’ll combine them into ainto the regular stream, I can find out how often I around 30 posts a month. This means you can mailbag-type post instead of sticking tomight need it, what effects it might have, and subscribe without fear, or check back roughly the one-thought-per-post guideline. Thiswhether it’s worth looking into. Instead of every morning. means I can get responses out in a timelythinking about this in a vacuum, I decided to way without ending up with three or fourconduct a little post-analysis. I wanted to know: The blue line shows that my average post length additional posts. (in terms of characters) is somewhat spikey, and

February 2011 – sachachua.com 62  I might build in more revision into http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22106 o Finally sent in Lotusphere my writing routines, so I can get February 19, 2011 - Categories: weekly expenses better at writing and I can express things even more clearly and concisely. This From last week’s plans  Relationships could be the second post in a day if I don’t have any conversation follow-ups. If I’m  Work o [X] Give spices to Maira; cook disciplined about limiting my writing Louisiana-style shrimp o [-] Clarify scope and prepare time and just doing quick descriptions of estimates for other Drupal or o [X] Watch The King’s Speech other stories/ideas I want to write about, Rails projects – Current pipeline with W- then this could also be the time I spend handled o [-] Possibly get people together for reviewing those and fleshing those out. o [-] Work on Facebook/Rails opera – postponed to next week  I’m going to try to show more of project – waiting for paperwork those here-and-now moments o [X] Prepare paperwork for Dutch instead of just keeping them in the o [X] Work on newsletter tool – fix visa backlog. It’s probably inconsequential bugs, implement requests o [X] Go to Dutch embassy that I feel happy about the grass peeking o [X] Look into AIS IP address bug o [X] Meet Mike Nurse through the patchy snow. I like it, and I with simple_access> want to get better at writing not only o [X] Chat with David Singer about tips, but about life. =) o [X] Put together ITSC presentation and blog post  Life  I’ll channel the rest of my darn-I- want-to-write-about-that-too o [X] Sketch Remote Presentations o [X] Write about things I’m frustration into drawing and other That Rock revision working on improving communication skills I want to o [-] Outline Org-mode talk – will practice. o [X] Get through busy week – not work on next week actually that hectic, yay!Sounds like a plan. o Added standalone wiki support to Plans for next week community toolkit – for DebraHave you come across this blog through a Johnson  Worksearch? Do you read this blog regularly? Do you o Added generic newsletter supportsubscribe to updates (thanks!)? What would to community toolkit – for Darrel o [] Sketch ITSC keynote by Davidmake it work better for you? What have you seen Rader Zachworking on other personal blogs? o [] Give ITSC keynote on o Added template file support to community toolkit – for Darrel networkingWeekly review: Week ending February 18, Rader o [] Learn about ECM and web2011 o Did some quick illustrations services

February 2011 – sachachua.com 63 o [] Follow up on documents of This Last This Last understanding Catego Delt Catego Delt wee wee Notes wee wee Notes [] Put together Idea Lab resources ry a ry a o k k k k  Relationships Break 4.8 5.2 -0.4 e-mail o [] Go to Second City with recent hires and friends Drawing 0.6 -0.6 Travel 1.5 3.4 -1.9 Some commuting o [] Host tea get-together 1pm our Exercise 4.7 5.7 -1.0 Including trip to place Saturday Feb 26 Dutch embassy Work 40.4 47.3 -6.9 Proposals, o [] Watch Die Fledermaus CommunityTool (http://toronto-opera.com) Learnin 0.6 1.8 -1.2 kit, g presentations o [] Watch Madame Butterfly (http://toronto-opera.com) Prep – 0.4 0.4 Writing 12.5 11.1 1.4 o [] Send birthday cards general o [] Try making a beet smoothie or Still hitting snooze in the mornings. It’s hard in Tex-mex lasagna Routine 1.8 4.4 -2.6 winter and a warm bed. I’ve asked W- to help me s– stick with my resolve to get up in the morning,  Life cooking and may experiment with returning to the other o [] Enjoy extended weekend: week’s routine of having a very light evening. spend focused time revising, Routine 6.3 7.8 -1.5 drawing, presenting, cooking, and s– Lots of time invested into building relationships, tidying up general following up on my previous reflections on friendship. Good use of time – instead of doing o [] Experiment with giving Routine 3.8 5.1 -1.3 extra work in the evenings, I used that time to presentation through Zipcast s– reach out instead. Looking forward to doing (Remote Presentations That Rock, tidying more drawing and cooking over the next few Monday?) days.Time analysis Sleep 65.3 62.6 2.7 9.3 hours averageExperiment for the week: more social stuff. Met Waking up: looking at my datapeople, had mentoring chats, reached out Social 25.9 12.0 13.9 Skype, http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22109through e-mail, etc. Starbucks, and February 20, 2011 - Categories: geek, graph, life, quantified, sketches

February 2011 – sachachua.com 64Whenever I manage to wake up early a few days  Is it a matter of getting to bed earlier? the Instructional Technology Strategiesin a row, I feel great about it. But I don’t do it Conference. Here’s what I came up with:  Would it help to disable snooze entirely?consistently. I spend a couple of days waking up ITSC Guide to Conference Awesomenessbefore 6 AM and enjoying a good spurt of  Is it a matter of setting my alarm clockwriting, and then I find myself slipping back into even earlier? (Ex: Set it for 4 AM so that I They’re going to play it live at the conference atlater bedtimes and later wake-up times (~ 7 AM) eventually get out of bed at 5 AM.) 12 PST. =) I’ve kept it short so that I can share aor hitting the snooze. Clearly there are some few quick tips and then get out of the way of all  Would it help to set our programmablethings I still need to tweak about my system. that awesome networking. It sounds like a great thermostat warmer in the morning, or crowd. promise myself a hot cup of tea when ITime-tracking means I’ve got a way to see what get up?my current sleep patterns are like: If you’re here from the ITSC, you might also be  Would it help to set my snooze interval to interested in my sketchnotes from David Zach’s 5 minutes instead of 10? keynote. Click on the image to see the full version.  How about if I find a way to turn my Android into a light clock? (Using Tasker to bring up a bright app, maybe…)  What if I give up on waking up early and instead shift to more of a night owl schedule? Advantage: can sync up with W-. I’ll need to figure out how to give my personal pursuits the creative energy they need, though. Here are other pre-ITSC conference networking tips I’ve shared: Hmm. More things to hack… Instructional Technology Strategies Conference: The Shy Connector’s Guide to Getting Ready for Conference  Average sleep length when waking up ITSC guide to conference awesomeness Awesomeness http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22111 before 6 AM: 7:09 View more presentations from Sacha Chua. February 21, 2011 -  Average sleep length when waking up Categories: conference, connecting, event, netwo after 6 AM: 8:47 For more networking tips, check out: rking, presentation, sketchcast, sketches, speakin The Shy Connector  Average sleep time for wake-up times g before 6 AM: 9:45 PM, which is a bit of a View more presentations from Sacha Chua. stretch but is doable. Darren Hudgins liked my Shy Connector presentation a lot, so he asked me to put togetherHere are the questions I’m thinking about: some quick tips to share with the ~400 people at

February 2011 – sachachua.com 65(Also see my full notes for the Shy Connector  Braindump: Note-taking in Org Modepresentation and other blog posts about (GTALUG, in person)connecting)  Learning on the Network (virtual, IBM)I made the video with the guide to conference I also plan to experiment with Slideshare’sawesomeness using Microsoft Onenote, Zipcast feature, maybe doing “RemoteMicrosoft Powerpoint, a Lenovo X61 tablet PC, Presentations That Rock”, “Six Steps to Sharing”,Camtasia Studio 7 (which doesn’t get along “The Shy Connector”, and other presentations.perfectly with the Windows 7 on my tablet). I’dlove to go back to the free Inkscape drawing There’s always room for growth. Thinking aboutprogram for drawing if someone can help me that last presentation, what worked well?figure out how to get it to smoothly digitize. =)Thanks to IBM for sponsoring this effort!  The tech check turned up some problemsFollow me on Twitter (@sachac) for more communicating with the hotel conferenceupdates. I’ll be around from 12 PM to 1 PM PST New recipes: chapati, curried chickpeas, room, so I decided to go with a recordingto answer questions or share other tips. Use the vegetable biryani (from sauce), Tex-mex lasagna instead. Not as fun or as interactive as a#itsc11 hashtag or mention me by adding real-time presentation, but if I’m not@sachac to your tweet. If you’re here after Lots of time spent putting together going to be able to listen and react toFebruary 21, feel free to leave a comment on this presentations. Worth it, though! Looking people anyway, I might as well record it.blog post for Q&A. Hope this helps! forward to improving my workflow further.  Sketching the presentation was fun.  EasyPrompter was a great tele-prompter.How I spent my Family Day weekend Kaizen: Thinking about presentations It was much better than scrolling throughhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22114 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22115 a document myself. I put the webcam in front of it. I might look a little cross-eyed,February 22, 2011 - Categories: sketches February 22, 2011 - but it does speed up the production of Categories: kaizen, life, speaking recorded presentations quite a bit. I’ve just finished a presentation (The ITSC Guide  It was a good idea to record the video and to Conference Awesomeness) and I’ve got a few then use Rehearse Timings to capture the presentations coming up: slide times. Saving slide transition times meant that I could change the slides  Remote Presentations That Rock (Feb 28 (move the graphics around, for example) in person at IBM, plus virtual sessions at and re-record the presentation using IBM) Camtasia Studio without listening to everything again and again.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 66How can I make things better? can’t get Camtasia Studio to behave the  Maybe I can make a routine of way I want it to. I got a black preview presentations so that they’re a smooth  I can work on relaxing my eyebrows when screen possibly due to hardware and regular part of my life instead of I give presentations. They tend to go up acceleration, but there doesn’t seem to be being a bit bursty (it never rains, but it even during non-emphasized parts of the a way for me to disable hardware pours). presentation. acceleration in Windows 7. Also, I  couldn’t get the picture-in-picture to  I can add more pauses when show up in the top right corner, so I had teleprompting. to settle for the top left. Posted revised “Remote Presentations  I can get dimmers for the lights we have,  I can buy or build a proper teleprompter. That Rock” presentation or better yet, construct some softbox-type (Ooooh.) But I’m going to try building a http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22118 light sources. They’re ordinary daylight- rig for my webcam and laptop first – balanced house lamps from Home Depot February 23, 2011 - maybe this summer, when we get our Categories: presentation, sketches, speaking and they can be pretty intense. I’ve woodworking tools out again. Can’t wait! draped ripstop nylon over them to create a softer light, but it would be better to Next week, I’m giving Remote Presentations Things I’d like to grow into: That Rock in person at IBM 3600 Steeles have a good setup. If I can figure out how to mount them easily on the light stand Avenue on Monday. I decided to hold off on  I’d love to animate my sketches instead of the extensive revisions I’d been thinking of (they currently use clips which can be using picture-in-picture video. That doing. Instead, I re-drew the slides and I hard to position), then I can use our light might mean starting off with video (to changed a few points. umbrellas. help establish personal connection) and  I can use something like Blu-Tack and a then switching to animation or sketches. See http://sachachua.com/blog/remote for full tripod to position my webcam more If I get the hang of drawing in a single notes / discussion. firmly. Or maybe find/make a stand for screen instead of on an infinite scroll of Remote Presentations That Rock my webcam to allow me to position it in paper, maybe I can do it as a screen (2011)Click on Menu – View Full Screen to see front of my laptop. That should be easy to capture or whiteboard video. this in full-screen mode. build.  I want to learn how to do chromakey The older version, for comparison:  I can look around for a better “studio” video (or frame-by-frame sketching if I location. Maybe the spare room upstairs? absolutely must). Imagine being able to 7 Tips for Remote Presentations That I can cover the wall and the door with combine video and sketching in ways that Rock fabric, and set my lights. make sense… and the "e-book"-type presentation:  I can try using my lapel microphone, or  I should organize my past presentations Remote Presentations That Rock (v2) spring for an array microphone. so that it’s easy for people to see the View more presentations from Sacha Chua different topics and resources.  I can try using Windows Movie Maker for chroma-key or picture-in-picture, if I

February 2011 – sachachua.com 67Some speakers are very consistent when it comes I write for selfish reasons, among which are the  Write your thoughts down in a journalto content and delivery. I keep working on my benefits of the process of writing. Even if no one (private, if necessary) so that you can takematerial, gnashing my teeth over titles I want to read my blog, it would already be worth the time. a step back and understand them.reuse, because I’m still learning so much. I’m Here are four ways to get immediate value fromconsistent about a growing number of things, writing about life. Examples:though. I’ll have a blog post up with theresources, I’ll probably bubble over with energy 1. Clarity  On presenting, anxiety, and movingwhen I give the presentation, and I’ll record and forwardshare as much as I can. I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it  On appearance and bias: thoughts from means. What I want and what I fear. the Nerd Girls panel at Lotusphere 2011Get More Value from Blogging, part I: The  More reflections on code and consultingImmediate Benefits of Thought Joan Didion, authorhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22119 Writing helps me think more clearly. When 2. RecognitionFebruary 24, 2011 -Categories: blogging, life, reflection, tips, web2.0 I struggled with homesickness and doubt, I wrote down what I was thinking, what I was afraid of, The human mind has first to construct forms, what I hoped for, and what I wanted to do. When independently, before we can find them inPaul Gillin invited me to do an #infoboom things.tweetchat on the professional and personal I puzzled through a bug in my code, I wrote downvalue of blogging on March 3, 2011 (2pm-3pm the symptoms, the approaches I tried, and the solution I found. Writing forces me to slow down Albert Einstein, physicistEST). When I brainstormed some of the thingsI’d like to talk about, I ended up with a big list: and find words to express myself. Strand by When you can name a thing, younot just the value I get from blogging, but also strand, I can untangle the mental mess and turn understand it better. If I spend an hourtips for how you can build that too. I hope you it into something coherent. getting to the roots of my procrastination andenjoy this blog series! realize that it’s because I don’t value the results Tips: Next time you’re thinking about something complicated… enough, I can recognize that feeling when IPeople often ask me: Why do you blog? Where do encounter it in life, and I can do something aboutyou find the time to do it? How can you find all it. Writing helps me get a grip on strongthese things to write about?  Use mindmaps to write down key ideas in emotions or confusing puzzles. Understanding a loose structure. See if that helps you something lets me work with it.I tell people I don’t have the time to not blog. It’s understand your reasons and youra tremendously valuable practice. Life-changing, alternatives. Reading voraciously helps me witheven. In this blog series, I’m going to explain how  Use lists, tables, and other idea writing and with life. Books and blog postsblogging helps me both personally and organizers to think through a problem. help me learn how other people describe theirprofessionally, and I’m going to share tips on For example, you might make a list of experiences and find words that resonate. Otherhow you can get that kind of value too. pros and cons for alternatives. people’s phrases and metaphors can bePart I: The Immediate Benefits of Thought launching pads for your own.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 68Writing about life also helps me Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.  Try using an outline to break the ideaappreciate it better. When I write about the down into smaller ideas, and continuethings that make me happy, I pay more attention Albert Einstein until you get to the level of detail youto them in life, and grow even happier. When I want.write about things I can improve, I get better at The brain can hold only so much inrecognizing opportunities to do so. Like the way thought at a time. It’s like a computer with Examples:that sewing helps me see clothes in a new light limited memory. This limitation frustrates me. Iand woodworking teaches me more about might be thinking of interesting things while  This series!furniture, writing helps me learn about life. walking around or while doing dishes, but my mind flits from thing to thing without depth, andTips: Next time you struggle to describe that the older thoughts fade quickly and are hard 4. Reflection and improvementsomething… to recall. There are three principal means of acquiring Writing gets ideas and information out of knowledge… observation of nature, reflection,  Give it a try, even if you don’t feel your and experimentation. Observation collects facts; description is adequate. You can go back my head. This external memory allows me to not only work with bigger things, but to work reflection combines them; experimentation and revise or build on your previous without the fear of forgetfulness or loss. This also verifies the result of that combination. notes. allows me to "chunk", improving both my  Read what other people have shared and memory and my ability to work with ideas. By Denis Diderot, philosopher look for words or phrases that get you moving complex ideas out of my head and into a closer to the idea. form where I can get a handle on them, I can Writing is a way of having a conversation work with larger combinations. It’s like the way with yourself. Through that conversation, you  Try a metaphor. Sometimes they can lead can look at what you’re doing, why you do it, and to surprising insights. that a pianist playing from memory doesn’t think of individual notes but of patterns, and the way how you can do things better. You can talk about  Use writing to learn about life, and use what you feel, why you feel it, and whether that that chess grandmasters don’t think of individual life to improve your writing. pieces, but of configurations of attack and helps or hinders you. This reflective practice defense. Writing these detailed posts on the helps you understand yourself better andExamples: value of blogging allows me to use the high-level improve the way you work and live. summaries as building blocks for other thoughts.  Tweaking fun and nudging myself out of I find it very useful to observe myself and procrastination Tips: Next time you’re working with a ask questions. After giving a presentation, I think about how I did it and how I can improve.  Fun and rational economic theory large, complex idea… When feeling strong emotions, I ask myself why I  Momentum and holidays feel that way and what that reveals about me. I  Write down parts of the idea, then think about how I want to spend my time and summarize your thoughts and use the how that matches up with reality. Writing3. Size summaries to build the next level of reinforces that routine of reflection. thinking. Repeat as needed.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 69Writing helps me identify things I want to Get More Value from Blogging, part II: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched mybuild on, either when I read it back or when The Compounding Value of an Archive blog for notes. I’ve even come across answers toother people share their insights. Writing helps http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22120 things I’d completely forgotten solving.me work around the temptation to lie to myself February 25, 2011 -or to gloss over factors. When I write things Categories: blogging, tips, web2.0, writing It’s not a perfect system, but it’s betterdown, I have a better chance of figuring out when than nothing. Sometimes I don’t remember theI don’t make sense, and when I do. Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat on the words I used. I have a sneaky suspicion that professional and personal value of blogging on Google might not have indexed all of my blog’sTips: Build some time into your schedule March 3, 2011 (2pm-3pm EST, #infoboom). pages, too. But I can usually turn up what I’mfor regular reflection so that you can… When I brainstormed some of the things I’d like looking for, and that’s good enough to keep me to talk about, I ended up with a big list: not just writing.  Ask yourself: What am I doing well? How the value I get from blogging, but also tips for can I do things even better? Write your how you can build that too. I hope you enjoy this Tips: thoughts in a private journal or on a blog. blog series! You can also see other resources in this series.  Whenever you solve problems that took  Review your reflections occasionally to you a lot of time to figure out, spend a few see what else you can learn from them. Update: Added quote from Donald Knuth, extra minutes to write up your notes.Examples: thanks to Mohamed!  When writing, think about whatever keywords you think you might use when  Kaizen: Thinking about presentations The value of blogging: Part II: Archive searching. Use as many of them as you can, either including them in the text or  On friendship and becoming more social Blogging provides value immediately and in the using them as categories/tags for your  Decision review: Limiting my blog to one long run. Blog posts are saved in a chronological post. That increases your chances of post a day archive that can be browsed, searched, and finding information again. organized into categories. The more you write, the more valuable this archive becomes. Examples: 1. Search  Drupal-related postsMore posts in this series: Get more valuefrom blogging But men are men; the best sometimes forget.  Book notesTune in tomorrow for more tips. You can Shakespeare 2. Reviewalso subscribe using a feed-reader or subscribeby e-mail to get updates. Hope this helps! What did I ever do before writing? I’m not What is past is prologue. sure, but it probably involved reinventing the wheel again and again. My blog archive saves me Shakespeare time that I would’ve wasted re-solving problems.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 70Where did all that time go? If you’ve ever Writing about my decisions helps me Donald Knuthasked yourself that question or struggled to fill in review them later. For example, I wrotethe boxes during annual performance reviews, about limiting my blog posts to one a day. A year How do you know what you know? If youyou might find a blog useful. later, I revisited that decision to see if it still were to make a list of things you could teach made sense for me. I’ve got notes about what I other people, you’d probably be able to quicklyI use my blog for weekly, monthly, and want to do with IBM and some of the list some recent items, but you might forget toyearly reviews. My archived notes make it easy reasons why I love my husband, and I add to mention things you learned several years ago.to remember what I was working on and what I those regularly. Being able to read through my Blog archives can help you remember what youachieved. As a result, annual reviews are more blog archive makes it easier to remember the know so that you can build on it, combine it withfun than painful. This helps set a rhythm for my reasons for my decisions and to detect when other ideas, or share it with other people.life, too. things are changing. My archive helps me get a sense of what IRegular reviews keep me on track. I can Written accounts allow me to compare my know about a topic and how to organizereview my plans and see how I’m doing, or past selves with the present. How have I that logically. I can see the gaps that I need tochange them if my priorities have shifted. I can improved my skills? How have I changed my learn and document. As I revise, I improve mytell when I’ve been procrastinating something for mind? What have I lost and what have I gained? I understanding.a while (it shows up on multiple reviews!) and I can trace my stick-figure skills from my first suchcan think about whether or not I really want to presentation in 2008 to my most-recent By looking at what I tend to write about, Ido it. presentation through the evolution of can get a sense of where I pay attention my sketches. (I’ve gotten better at drawing and how that attention changes overTips: quickly, but I don’t draw with many colours as I time. I can also use my archive to slowly build used to.) resources for summary posts with links to  Build a habit of weekly reviews, then details. include monthly and yearly reviews as Tips: you get the hang of it. Tips:  Write down your reasons for a decision.  Use your review time to reflect on your Set a reminder to review your decision  Use categories to organize your posts so past and plan your future. and see if it’s worthwhile. that you can view them by topic.  Write about your feelings and experiences  Review your posts by category to see if3. Growth to help you revisit them. you can write a better summary.Without continual growth and progress, such  Plan what you want to learn, write aboutwords as improvement, achievement, and 4. Overview the details, and then review your archivessuccess have no meaning. for the overview. The very act of communicating one’s work clearlyBenjamin Franklin to other people will improve the work itself. Examples:

February 2011 – sachachua.com 71  This series! kitchen, but cheery and reflective all the same. I don’t flip through my archive frequently, but it’s  My life as a 25-year-old fun to bump into my old self through random  Refuse to Choose: or life is a many- posts or "On this Day" posts. splendoured thing Tips:4. Value  Write. Yes, even about the everydayA good blog archive’s value goes beyond the things, the little memories. You nevervalue of its individual posts. When people come know what might make you smile in theto your blog because of a search result or a future.referral, they can explore your archives to learn  When you have more posts, try pluginsmore about the topics they’re interested in and like Random Posts or On This Day to helpabout you as a person. This is the compounding you bump into older posts.value  Consider printing out a paper copy ofTips: your posts for easier flipping through. I do this every year. I gave Slideshare’s new Zipcast feature a  Make it easy for people to discover try today in order to learn more about it and related posts. Use a plugin that lists rehearse for my upcoming presentation of similar posts, or include links to relevant "Remote Presentations That Rock". I announced posts when you write. Encourage people it on Twitter a few minutes before I wanted to to use categories to browse your archive. See other resources in this series. Tune in present. Around 12 people turned up to say hi, tomorrow for more tips. You can also subscribe learn, and share. I was a little nervous with  Keep writing, even if it’s one tip at a time. using a feed-reader or subscribe by e-mail to get excitement (and lack of water nearby), but I Over the years, your archive can become a updates. Hope this helps! relaxed as I got into the swing of it. valuable resource. Zipcast has the usual web conferencing system5. Rediscovery Trying out Slideshare’s new Zipcast features, with more in the works. Attendees need feature an account with either Slideshare or Facebook.I’ve written enough that I don’t remember what http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22125 You can flip through slides, broadcast video fromI’ve written, and I enjoy rediscovering myself. It’s February 25, 2011 - your webcam, and use the text chat forweird, isn’t it, getting to know yourself like that. I Categories: presentation, speaking discussions. Where it shines is in its ease ofenjoy flipping through my past posts and hearing sharing: no unusual plug-ins or softwaremy past self. She’s very much like me: perhaps a downloads, Twitter and Facebookbit deeper into open source (time and the ability announcements built-in, and no meeting limits.to freely participate), less confident in the

February 2011 – sachachua.com 72People can flip through slides on their  You can broadcast audio using your  Pointer. Pen too, if possible, forown, too, which could be either useful or computer – no need to dial in. The audio annotating slides.distracting for people. You may want to avoid conference information for Pro users can  Download link for presentation?slide-based jokes with lots of lead-up, be confusing, though, so you may need toconsidering that people can flip ahead and see tell people they don’t have to log in.  Easy tweeting from within presentationyour punchline. (Slideshare: It would be great to have a  Raise hands / polling interactions small place where speakers can postYou can’t point to specific things on the persistent messages: useful URLs, notes Here’s an interesting thought: How would youslides or record your presentations, but I about communication, etc. Maybe right structure a presentation to take advantagehear those features are in the plan. You also can’t under the video or under the conference of the sharing capabilities ofget the list of attendees yet, so you might want to info?) Zipcast, including the “post to Facebook”ask someone to track that for you. Don’t look for  Encourage people to ask questions and checkbox in the text chat? Maybe you canscreen-sharing in this system yet, but who knows share their thoughts in the text chat. sprinkle “Twitter/FB/Q&A” breaks throughoutwhat the future will bring? your talk. If you get someone (or program a  The drop-in nature of the presentation macro) to paste in retweetable or repostableZipcast’s an interesting entry in a crowded can be disconcerting as people filter in soundbites, that would be a way of sharing ideasweb-conferencing space. The ease of throughout the session. Try schedule your with people’s networks. Hmm…presenting and attending will probably win over presentations with a bit more warningmany users of other conferencing systems, and time, or build it so that you regularly I’m thinking of doing presentations everythe price is hard to beat: free at the moment, no recap throughout the presentation. Saturday in March, from 12 noon to 1pmmatter how big a web meeting you have.  Check EST, at http://slideshare.net/sachac/meeting. out http://sachachua.com/blog/remote f My planned lineup: The Shy Connector, RemoteZipcast’s a promising way to reach lots of or more tips for remote presentations. Presentations That Rock, Get More Value frompeople on the Internet, and I’m going to Blogging, and Six Steps to Sharing. It’ll be goodexperiment with it more. I’ll still use LotusLive Things that would make this even better to share tips and learn from others. Anythingfor my IBM web conferences. I like the features for me: you’d particularly like to see from my pastof LotusLive, including the ability to draw on my presentations or blog posts?slides in real-time and the ease of inviting people  Message box for details likewithout requiring accounts. (Besides, LotusLive communication instructions, URL for What’s a good way to plan these upcomingis IBM!) But Zipcast is a nifty (and currently free) further resources events so that you can easily save them toway to reach people online, so it’s worth a try. your calendar and receive  Participant list and stats: when joined, updates? Eventbrite and other event-Tips on using Zipcast: when left (and on which slide, if management systems seem a little heavyweight possible)… compared to the ease of Zipcast’s sharing. Any  People need Slideshare/Facebook  Way to easily save the text chat suggestions? accounts to attend, so give people time to sign up if needed.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 73In other news, I think I’ve figured out my studio o Accepted invite to tweetchat with o [X] Enjoy extended weekend:setup: bounce the daylight-balanced lamps off Paul Gillen (#infoboom) on the spend focused time revising,the ceiling (low setup) or use umbrella reflectors value of blogging drawing, presenting, cooking, and(fancy setup), position the folding background in tidying up o Got started on bloggingfront of the cabinet to hide the My Little Cthulhu presentation o [X] Experiment with givingdoll and other distracting things, and broadcast presentation through Zipcastaway. Now if I can figure out where to put a small o Revised Remote Presentations (Remote Presentations That Rock,hairlight… That Rock Monday?) o Put together resources for the o Upgraded to 512MB web server value of bloggingWeekly review: Week ending February 25, for my blog, tweaked blog text2011  Relationships Plans for next weekhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22126February 26, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [X] Go to Second City with recent  Work hires and friends – treated LindaFrom last week’s plans Ristevski o [] Deliver “Remote Presentations That Rock”  Work o [] Host tea get-together 1pm our place Sunday Feb 27 (actually part o [] Work on ECM project o [X] Sketch ITSC keynote by David of next week’s review) Zach o [] Get things going with Drupal o [-] Watch Die Fledermaus project o [X] Give ITSC keynote on (http://toronto-opera.com) – networking o [] Prepare other presentations Postponed to next week and resources o [X] Learn about ECM and web o [C] Watch Madame Butterfly services o [] Do IBM #infoboom tweetchat (http://toronto-opera.com) on how to get more value from o [X] Follow up on documents of o [X] Send birthday cards blogging understanding o [X] Try making a beet smoothie o [] Post the rest of series on getting o [X] Put together Idea Lab or Tex-mex lasagna more value from blogging resources o Had salad with Gabriel Mansour o Exported Social Business Jam  Relationships discussions into spreadsheets and o Worked on connecting with blog commenters o [] Host tea get-together did a lot of data analysis – collaborating with Brandon o [] Reach out to new blog Anderson, Michael Muller  Life commenters

February 2011 – sachachua.com 74  Life Good week! This Last [] Experiment with fixed-time Delt o Category wee wee Notes wakeups a k k Get More Value from Blogging, part III: o [] Draw more Sharing Makes the Blog Go ‘Round Routines 10.5 6.3 4.2 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22127 o [] Write monthly review – general February 26, 2011 - Categories: blogging, tipsTime analysis Routines 2.4 3.8 -1.4 Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat on theExperiment for the week: more social stuff. Met – tidying professional and personal value of blogging onpeople, had mentoring chats, reached out March 3, 2011 (2pm-3pm EST, #infoboom).through e-mail, etc. Sleep 55.7 65.3 -9.6 Going to bed When I brainstormed some of the things I’d like This Last when I feel to talk about, I ended up with a big list: not just Delt tired the value I get from blogging, but also tips forCategory wee wee Notes a how you can build that too. I hope you enjoy this k k Social 27.0 25.9 1.1 blog series! You can also see other resources inBreak 3.7 4.8 -1.1 this series. Travel 0.6 1.5 -0.9 After two posts on the individual value you canDrawing 4.7 4.7 Remote get from blogging, you might be thinking, “Sacha, Presentation Work 37.4 40.4 -3.0 Family Day holiday, you can get those benefits from a private journal s, ITSC too. So why blog?” Now we get into the social ITSC presentation benefits of blogging: how you can use it to createExercise 3.3 4.7 -1.4 value and connect. Even if no one reads your blog but you, you can get started with sharing, andPersonal 1.7 1.7 Writing 7.1 12.5 -5.4 then go from there.Learning 0.6 -0.6 This week I tried getting up whenever it felt 1. Direct natural to wake up, and going to sleep wheneverPreparatio 5.0 0.4 4.6 I felt tired. The result was a gentle introduction How do you get people to read yourn to the day, and a lot of good, focused work in the posts? Sometimes it’s just a matter of telling evening. them about it. If you’re starting out, you might beRoutines 8.9 1.8 7.1 Big batch of worried that no one will come across your blog– cooking lunches, I’m going to try that again this week, this time posts. Even if you’ve got regular visitors, people vegan picking a time to wake up and sticking with it. might miss out on posts that you know they’ll appetizers Aside from a really early wake-up on Monday, I find useful. If you know people who may be should be able to keep a regular wake-up time.

February 2011 – sachachua.com 75interested in a post, go ahead and send it to One of the advantages of a public blog It’s okay to write about many things. Cross-them. archive is that it’s searchable. You can write pollination can lead to fascinating conversations. a blog post about a solution to a technical I often hear from people who discovered my siteMove your conversations online. I often problem, and other people who run into that because of the technical resources I shared. Theywrite blog posts to answer people’s questions or problem can find your post without knowing you. browsed around, found my sketches and myfollow up on conversations, so it’s natural to This is a great way to save other people time. stories about cooking and life, and got a bettershare those posts directly with people through e- sense of who I am as a person. Make it easy formail, Twitter, or other means. I post answers on Making your knowledge searchable saves people to find posts on topics they’re interestedmy blog as often as possible, saving e-mail for you time, too. If people can find answers for in, and create opportunities for them to discoverinformation that’s confidential or of limited themselves, they may spend less time asking you other things if they want.value. questions that you can easily answer. You can use that time to develop your skills further and solve Tips:Send people you know links they might more challenging problems.find useful (but not spammy). In addition to  Whenever you write a blog post, think ofdirectly sharing posts with the people who Tips: relevant posts and resources you can linkinspired them, I also frequently send posts to to in order to help people learn more.other people who might find them useful. During  Include details that people might use ina conversation or a Twitter exchange, someone  Use post titles that are clear, informative, their searches. For example, if you’vemight ask a question about public speaking, and interesting to encourage people to solved a technical issue, post the errorDrupal, or any of the other topics I’m interested click on them. messages and your solution.in. Instead of explaining everything from scratch, 4. ReferralsI can send links to relevant blog posts where  Increase the chances of people findingpeople can learn more. your post by using the kinds of words To grow even further, make it easy for people to they would use to search. share your thoughts with others. EncourageTips: people to think of other people who might find 3. Browsing your blog posts useful. Add Twitter, Facebook  Whenever you answer a question or share Like, or other social sharing services to your blog a tip that could potentially help other Not only can people find your blog posts posts. people, consider taking a few extra by searching, they can also browse at their minutes to post it on your blog. own pace. Encourage people to explore by By making your content easier to share, you help organizing your posts in categories and by your readers create value for other people, and  When you post an item on your blog, linking to relevant posts from other posts in your you reach out to your network’s network. When think about specific people who might blog. When people can learn from you and get to someone e-mails a friend link to your post, that’s find it useful, and share it directly with know you on their own, you can scale up beyond a great referral not only for your content, but also them. the number of people you can help or get to know for you. People can also share your material with in real life. a wider audience by posting it on Twitter,2. Search Facebook, or other sites. They might even write a

February 2011 – sachachua.com 76blog post going into more detail and linking to  Enable comments unless you have a Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat on theyour resources. strong reason not to do so. If you’re professional and personal value of blogging on concerned about spam, you can moderate March 3, 2011 (2pm-3pm EST, #infoboom).Tips: comments, use spam-blocking plug-ins, When I brainstormed some of the things I’d like or review your comments regularly. You to talk about, I ended up with a big list: not just  Add social sharing buttons for Twitter, might not get many comments in the the value I get from blogging, but also tips for Facebook, and other sites, and encourage beginning, but as you build your network, how you can build that too. I hope you enjoy this people to share. you’ll find a lot of value in the blog series! You can also see other resources in conversation. this series.  Keep an eye out for when people share content, and thank them.  Ask questions. Ask people for A blog is an incredible way to connect with suggestions, experiences, and tips. Invite5. Learning from others people. It helps people get to know who you are, people to participate, and show your what you’re interested in, what you’re good at, appreciation when they do.Sharing your questions, ideas, who you know, what you’re working on, and anyexperiences, and lessons learned with  Make it easy to send you mail, either by entity till they got to share. Reading a blog,other people is a great way to learn from using the contact form or sharing an e- people can find out what you have in commonother people’s insights. When I share what mail address. If you’re concerned about e- with them, how you can help them, and how theyI’m learning, people often share even better ways mail spam, create a special e-mail address can help you.to do things. Encourage people to comment on that you can then filter.your blog posts with questions and tips, and you 1. Introductionlearn so much in the process of sharing. Make iteasy for people to send you e-mail if they have People like getting to know people. Whensomething they would like to share more you make a new acquaintance, you might lookprivately. them up on the Internet to find out more about See other resources in this series. Tune in them. Likewise, people look you up to find outFor example, when I posted yesterday’s tips on tomorrow for more tips. You can also subscribe more about you. A blog can be like your self-the compounding value of an archive, Mohamed using a feed-reader or subscribe by e-mail to get introduction. Your about page can include asuggested improving it by adding a quote from updates. Hope this helps! short biography, and your blog posts can provideDonald Knuth. I hadn’t come across that quote further details for people who want to knowbefore, but it made the post better. People have more.shared their thoughts on waking up early, doing Get More Value from Blogging, part IV:Lotus Notes mail merges, connecting with Connecting with People Make it easy for new acquaintances to findpeople, and so on. Share, and you might learn http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22128 your blog by adding it to your e-mail signature,something from people you wouldn’t have February 28, 2011 - business card, and social networking profiles.thought of asking. Categories: blogging, connecting, highlight, tips That way, people can read your blog to build on a brief introduction. As a result, a prospectiveTips: client or new acquaintance might discover

February 2011 – sachachua.com 77common ground with you. It speeds up the I find this aspect of blogging really helpful. It’s  Use your blog to show your appreciationprocess of introduction, and simplifies getting to difficult for me to e-mail people to stay in touch, for people. Be positive – don’t use it forknow people. because I don’t want to waste people’s time. I’m passive-aggressive "appreciation"! often pleasantly surprised to hear from people  When someone takes the time to mentorDon’t count on being anonymous or who have kept in touch with me anyway by you, share your lessons learned ifobscure. If you have a blog that you’d rather reading my blog. I appreciate being able to read possible. That way, your mentor canpeople didn’t read, you might have a problem in other people’s blog posts and status updates as a check it and share it with others.the future. Even systems with privacy controls way of finding out more about them withoutcan disclose data through programming errors, getting in their way. The conversation mightaccidents, or malicious use. Before you post grow in this low-key way until it becomes a 4. Reaching outsomething, think about whether you can deal friendship.with the consequences of sharing it. Don’t let that A blog gives you both a reason and a wayscare you away from sharing, though! People are Tips: to reach out to people. If you’d like to talk togenerally good, and they probably won’t hold people but you aren’t sure how to start theminor mistakes against you.  Post regularly to give people reasons to conversation, you might write about those people come back. on your blog. For example, you could share whatTips: you’re learning from them her even from a  Make sure that it’s easy to subscribe to distance, and what you might want to talk to your blog through feeds or e-mail. them about. Many people regularly search for  Add a short biography to your about page. Keep in mind that this may be seen by  Keep an eye out for people who regularly their name, and they might come across your both professional and personal contacts. comment on your blog or talk to you post and start the conversation. It’s an about what you’ve written, and invest interesting way to meet book authors,  Add your blog URL to your e-mail thoughtleaders, and other people active on the time in learning more about them. signature, card, social network profiles, Internet. and other places people might check. 3. Appreciation Don’t expect a response, but be ready in case2. Deepening the connection people reach out. Who knows? Maybe you can A thank-you note is good; a public thank-you, even ask a question, and maybe people will share done well, is even better. When you share what a quick answer. It can pay to ask.How do people go from being acquaintances to you’ve learned from people and yourcolleagues or friends? How can you develop a appreciation for how they’ve helped, that builds Tips:chance conversation at a networking event into a your relationship with those people, inspirespartnership that last years? Shared experiences others, and reflects well on you. It also helpsand personal knowledge go along way to  Show your interest, but don’t be creepy. people confirm what they’ve helped you learndeepening that connection, and you can help that Yes to admiration, no to stalking. and to share that with others – a great way to payalong through your blog. mentors back.  If you reach out to people through e-mail, you can mention your blog post about Tips:

February 2011 – sachachua.com 78 them as a way of sharing what you’ve can build an archive of your thoughts. If people Tips: been learning from them. think your thoughts are interesting, they can explore your blog to find out more. If your  When you read a blog post that inspires  Look for something of value that you can thoughts are sprinkled in comments on different you to think about it, write a blog post bring to the conversation, even if it’s a blog posts, it’s harder for others to get that sense and link really good question. Don’t reach out just of you. for the sake of getting an e-mail from an  Look for blogs on topics you’re interested A-lister, and don’t beg people for a link in. Read the comments for a while to get a You’ll still want to reach out to other back from their blog. sense of what the discussion is like. Try people through commenting on their blogs, of course. Many blogs can automatically posting a few comments. When you find5. The great conversation detect blog posts that link to them, but it’s nice to yourself wanting to say more, post those leave a comment summarizing your thoughts and thoughts on your blog, and link to it. (ButAround the world, lots of conversations are thanking people for the inspiration. Don’t make nicely!)happening through blogs. Someone posts an your comments all about you, though! Whenidea. Others write blog posts linking to the first you’re commenting on people’s blogs, it’s likepost and sharing their thoughts. Yet others write you’re chatting in their living room. You wouldn’tblog posts following up on those posts. Along the want to make the conversation all about you.way, people comment on blog posts, share their Read comments on other people’s blogs to get areactions on Twitter and other social networks, See other resources in this series. Tune in sense of the etiquette. Blatant self-promotionand talk about posts in person or through e-mail. doesn’t work well. Focus on adding value to tomorrow for more tips. You can also subscribe conversations on other blogs, and link to a using a feed-reader or subscribe by e-mail to getParticipating in the conversation is so relevant blog post if you’ve written about updates. Hope this helps!much better when you have your own something in more details.blog. You can write longer posts in it, and you

March 2011 – sachachua.com 79 I can deal with this. My manager thinks I can March 3, 2011 (2pm-3pm EST, #infoboom). handle it. IBM has a great support network and When I brainstormed some of the things I’d likeMarch 2011 I’ve got plenty of mentors. I’m learning a lot from to talk about, I ended up with a big list: not just the other people on the team. It’s going to be the value I get from blogging, but also tips forDealing with intimidating projects okay. And at the end of the day, I’ll learn how to how you can build that too. I hope you enjoy this work with a pretty decent-sized IBM software blog series! You can also see other resources inhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22129 stack, integrate with lots of middleware, work this value of blogging series.March 1, 2011 - Categories: career, ibm, work with complex web services, and maybe even turn things that scare me into things that I enjoy. You might feel awkward in the beginning, butI’m working on my first big IBM project, trust me, all that writing practice from your blogsomething that goes beyond Perl scripts and Here’s what I’m planning to do: will pay off. Blogging is a great way to figure outDrupal websites. My manager thinks it will be a not only what you want to say, but how you wantgood assignment for me. The component  [] Install Rational Software Architect and to say it. Better communication skills will helpdiagram looks like alphabet soup, and I haven’t learn how to use it to view project you at work and in life!worked with any of the pieces before. It’s designs.intimidating.  [] Learn how to use Rational Software 1. Writing Architect for web services.Open source projects like Drupal or Rails don’t  Blogging helped me fall in love withscare me as much, even though they require a lot  [] Figure out what I need to learn for writing. I got frustrated in school, writingof figuring out and hacking as well. I think it’s Websphere Application Server or book reports and essays that didn’t reallybecause I’m confident that I can figure things out Websphere Portal to make the web matter. When I started blogging, Ifrom the source or from the Internet, and services happen. discovered the joy of writing for myselfbecause I can hold more of it in my head. This  [] Stay sane throughout the process. =) and others. It turned out to be a lot of fun,project will involve quite a few IBM components, and now writing is one of my favouriteand I can’t work with, understand, or even 2011-03-01 Tue 16:26 activities. It pays off at work, too.remember everything. It’s big. Tips:But I know this feeling of incipient panic, and Get More Value from Blogging, part V:I’ve dealt with worse before. It’s the same feeling Communication Matters o Practise outlining orI got as a teaching assistant at the University of http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22130 mindmapping your blog posts. AsToronto, doubting myself because I was helping you get better at planning yourpeople learn something I was just learning about March 1, 2011 - Categories: blogging, highlight, tips, web2.0, writ posts, you’ll be able to write themmyself. I remember feeling uncertain. I more quickly.remember feeling like an impostor. I felt inglike giving up. Then my department chair set me o Review your old posts and revisestraight, and I made it through. Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat on the them. Figure out what you keep professional and personal value of blogging on

March 2011 – sachachua.com 80 writing about, and summarize or Tips: o Post your outlines and update your posts. presentation ideas on your blog, o Add something visual to your blog and use your blog posts to draft o Read lots of blogs to get a sense of – either something you made, or a presentations or collect material. the kinds of blog posts you enjoy relevant image from the Internet. This will make it easier to prepare reading. Emulate different styles (Respect copyright.) presentations later, and you can and challenge yourself to try learn from other people’s feedback different techniques. o One way to get better at along the way. o Don’t let perfectionism stop you photography or drawing is to set a from writing. Your blog posts may public goal of posting a photo or feel like rough drafts, but you’ll sketch regularly (ex: one photo a 4. Conversation get better at writing over time. day). Give it a try! Blogs make conversations so much easier for me. When I talk to people, I often find 2. Visual communication 3. Presentation myself thinking about or referring to things I’ve written. It really helps to have Whether you’re writing a professional If you give presentations, a blog can be an thought about some things and be able to blog or a personal blog, it can be good to incredible resource. You can use your express them clearly, and I love sharing add visual interest through photographs blog to draft and share ideas, collect additional resources. or drawings. You can develop an eye for material, get feedback, share your images and visual communication by presentation, and follow up with people. My blog posts have also led to all sorts of including Creative Commons-licensed conversations I wouldn’t have had photos or stock photos in your posts, Many of my presentations have grown out otherwise. I sometimes find it difficult to appropriately attributed when necessary. of blog posts, and I’ve received a number start a conversation. Fortunately, people You can also take your own pictures or of invitations to speak from people read my blog and start the conversation draw your own illustrations, adding more who’ve come across my posts. My blog with me, both online and in person. of a personal touch to your blog while gives me a place to try ideas out, refine helping you develop your skills. them, get feedback, and put together Conversations lead to blog posts, too. presentations. There, my blog gives me the opportunity My blog–and the presentations that grew to continue the conversation, reflect on out of it–helped me rediscover drawing. Tips: things I’m learning, and share them with You can see the evolution of a wider audience. I get to show my my sketches from scrawny stick-figures o Post your presentations and share appreciation for the insights people have on a Nintendo DS to slighly-less-scrawny the URLs when you give shared with me, and I get to learn from stick figures on a tablet PC. I’ve come to presentations. This gives people a other people’s perspectives. enjoy drawing, and sometimes people way to follow up. even ask me to draw something for them. Tips:

March 2011 – sachachua.com 81 o Write about things people might just write whenever I’m learning or solving find useful, then blend these problems. thoughts into your conversations See other resources in this value of Let me ask another way, about how much where appropriate. blogging series. time goes into each entry? @dgriess Depends on topic. Usually 5-15 minutes extra, or o Follow up on conversations in Tune in tomorrow for more tips. You can 30+ if I’m braindumping tips for others / your blog. also subscribe using a feed- exploring something new. reader or subscribe by e-mail to get updates. Hope this helps! What would you recommend for those 5. Avoiding the curse of expertise who try to blog on behalf of their company? How can they carve out Many people don’t want to write about Questions and answers from time? @KevinMGreen things they don’t feel are their expertise. #infoboomSC tweetchat on blogging It’s marketing, professional development, Experts are experts because they’ve http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22131 networking, and all sorts of good stuff. Great achieved unconscious competence; ROI. Makes sense to do it. they’ve forgotten more than other people March 3, 2011 - have learned. Experts often have a hard Categories: blogging, tips, tweet, twitter, web2.0, writing Finding time always seems to be the time explaining things to other people biggest challenge. @KevinMGreen because they’ve forgotten the details that Try tweaking your workflow so that you write stump newcomers. So experts aren’t Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat about blogging. I learned so much from it, and I hope along the way. Check importance/efficiency of really the best people who can write about other things you do. things, especially for beginners. It’s better others do too! Here’s what we talked about. On making the time to write On perfectionism and personal branding to write along the way, while you’re learning, so that people can understand My question for this chat: What would and so that you won’t take things for Your output is amazing. I don’t know where you find the time to post daily. How help _you_ get more value from blogging? granted. What are your challenges / goals? do you do it? @infoBOOM Writing != extra work. Making it part of the way I kurtisgriess: Hardest thing abt blogging for me is Tips: planning and perfectionism… takes me forever! work helps me be more effective. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/21845. pgillin: Hardest thing for me abt blogging is o Don’t wait until you’re an expert. feeling I have to always be profound. Worried Write while you’re learning. Also, I think about ROI on my time. No TV; yes writing, reading, about wasting ppl’s time. (Sacha: Reading is o Use your archive to remember experimenting. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22 optional, skimming is easy. You don’t have to be what it was like to learn 053. perfect, or profound, or even interesting. ;) ) something complicated. KevinMGreen: likewise How much time do you spend per blog? Paul #infoboomsc always trying to deliver can What time of day do you do it? @dgriess be intimidating I’ve tried writing morning pages, but I usually Sacha: Me, I’m looking forward to writing about

March 2011 – sachachua.com 82more things (life! work! awesomeness!), and brand @elsua What’s your thinking on comments? Dogetting better at organizing for discovery. I wish people worried less about "personal you try to respond to them brands" and felt better about connecting as all? @infoBOOMWhat are common mistakes you _people_. =) I reply to as many comments as I can. I’m suresee/experience? @KevinMGreen On finding ideas some slip through cracks. Easier than e-mail. =)Perfectionism and the related fear of having to Also, warm contacts.publicly change your mind or admit room for Many people have trouble coming up withimprovement. ;) Partly our collective fault, ideas for their blog. Any tricks you can How would you describe your voice? Orbecause we scare people re: the unforgiving share? @infoBOOM does that even matter to you? @infoBOOMmemory of the Internet. I disagree with that. You Write about everything My blogging voice? Me. I’m like this in real life. Itare never going to be perfect. You’re also never (http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22082). Don’t makes writing much easier — and living’s easier,going to get better unless you try. ;) worry about niche too. =) (http://sachachua.com/blog/p/7046).I wrestle with "perfecting" a thought. You don’t use gimmicks like "top 10" listsProbably thinking too hard on my Can you share any tricks for what to do or "best and worst." Is that byindividual entries. @dgriess when you run out of ideas? Or does that design? @infoBOOMIt’s easier to work with a draft or post than with a ever happen? @infoBOOM Can’t stand reading or writing generic blog postsblank slate. There will always be a better way to Do you ever run out of things to learn, or things with arbitrary rankings. I’ll use mnemonicsay things. you can help other people learn? No lack of structures, though. material.I can imagine there would be some folks You post weekly review lists. What’s theout there who may not feel comfortable What’s the one tool/resource you rely on reason? @infoBOOMabout blogging their work. @elsua to create such compelling On the practice of a weeklyBlog transparency may not be for everyone just content? @KevinMGreen review: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/6946yet, but it’s surprisingly less scary than most Best resource for blogging: Life. Best tools: thepeople think. questions: "Why? Why not? How can we make In your opinion, what’s the ideal length of this even better?" a blog post? Or does it depend on theHow can people bypass that risk aversion On practices topic? @elsuaand dive into it slowly, but steadily? Don’t I try to stick to one clear thought per blog post,fear, just blog? @elsua Do you write in your blog more for saying as much or as little as I have to say aboutSmall steps can help people get over fear, yourself or for others? What’s the that. Lengths vary.experience immediate balance? @kurtisgriessbenefits: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/7316 Mostly myself (can’t trust my memory). Often for What do you use to manage your editorial (usually specific) others, just in case others find it approach? I still send myself emails which … Ideally that people should understand helpful. is not really effective. @KevinMGreenhow blogging is perhaps the most I keep a big text file on laptop with rough notespowerful trait for their personal

March 2011 – sachachua.com 83and ideas, and I post snippets on a regular basis Archive of potential material. Better ROI and We’re thinking of doing another tweetchat withor by plan. reach. Invitations. Also, feedback on content, #infoboom in three months. In the meantime, if delivery, and technology. Continuous you have any questions, thoughts, suggestions,When someone sends you a question by e- improvement. Confidence. Connection. or tips, please feel free to share them throughmail, do you often post answer to blog and comments, blog posts, and Twitter! Would yousend them link? @infoBOOM Many bloggers are too focused on the like to host a conversation about a topic I’mShift e-mail conversations to blog posts when audience and less about the personal passionate about? Let’s talk about it!possible. Widens the conversation, reaches more value they receive. @KevinMGreenpeople, saves more time. Tons of immed. indiv. value.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22119 New Get More Value from Blogging, part VI:You do write about a lot of topics. Do you bloggers, take heart, even if no one reads Let’s Get Down to Businessever worry that you lack expertise in these you! #infoboomsc http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22132areas? @infoBOOM March 4, 2011 -When you’re learning, that’s the best time to Can you tell one or two stories of Categories: blogging, business, career, highlight,write. Don’t wait until you’re an expert and remarkable things that happened to you tips, web2.0, work, writingyou’ve forgotten. because of your blogging? @infoBOOMMiscellaneous Got job created for me Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat on (http://sachachua.com/blog/p/6456), found the professional and personal value ofWhen you started your blog, did you set mentors (http://sachachua.com/blog/p/6928)… blogging yesterday. When I brainstormed somegoals on spec. milestones (traffic, of the things I’d like to talk about, I ended upsubscribers)? @kaeppler Sacha, would love for you to share with a big list: not just the value I get fromEarly: class notes, Emacs snippets, things to insights on how you use blogging to blogging, but also tips for how you can buildremember. Didn’t care about traffic or narrate your work @elsua that too. I hope you enjoy this blog series! Yousubscribers, but happy I helped. Still don’t focus Blogging is a great way to understand complex can also see other resources in this value ofon traffic or subscribers, although honoured to issues. It also helps shape culture of knowledge- blogging series.see them. It’s not about numbers, it’s about sharing – many benefits!people. Is there one blog post that stands out as 1. ROI[…] Was "living an awesome life" your particularly memorable to you? Andfirst blog at all? @kaeppler why? @infoBOOM Blog your work to increase your return onIt’s actually just an alternative name for It’s like asking me what my favourite book is. ;) investment or effort by remembering moresachachua.com – livinganawesomelife.com is Lots of context-sensitive favourites. A recent effectively and by reaching more people.easier to remember/spell. ;) highlight: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22017, but that could be because I cut my finger in the How much time do you spend solving problemsYou’ve written that blogging has made you process. ;) similar to what you’ve encountered before,a better presenter. How? @infoBOOM answering questions you’ve already answeredPractice in figuring out what to say, how to say it. before, or remembering information you need to

March 2011 – sachachua.com 84solve new challenges? Take notes and save that  Make it easy for people to discover your  Use your blog to demonstrate your skillstime. updates or even subscribe to them. and your character.  Invest time into building thoughtHow much time can you save other people if you 3. Connection leadership through blog posts, articles,share your notes with them? Are there other and presentations.people in your organization, client base, or If you add personal touches to your professionalnetwork who could benefit from your solutions? blog, you can make it easier for potential clientsShare your notes. 5. Jobs and careers and coworkers to connect with you through common interests. Write about why you do theTips: A blog can help you look for a great job or plan work that you do and what you love about it. your career. Use it to explore your strengths and Write about your other interests, too.  Invest the extra minutes in taking and figure out how to communicate them. Use it to sharing notes in order to increase your think about what kinds of companies would be a Tips: ROI. good fit for you, and where you would be a good fit. Use it to connect with people and ask them  Don’t be afraid of bringing your for help. Use it to reflect on where you want to go2. Questions, updates, resources, and personality to your blog. Use it to connect with your career and what kind of value you wantserendipitous conversations with people. to create.One of the challenges of blogging is that you Example: Tips:don’t know who’s going to read it. That’s also oneof the advantages. When you ask a question, you  Maybe people really are generous with  Don’t beg for a job. Use your blog tomight be surprised by who answers it – perhaps their wisdom communicate strength, passion, andsomeone you wouldn’t have thought of asking. professionalism.When you post an update, you might make anunexpected connection with someone else, and 4. Reputation  Build a network of mentors and friends.learn about resources you might not have Connect with people and ask them fordiscovered on your own. When you talk about Blog your work to build your reputation. When advice. people read about what you’re working on, theysomething you’re working on, you might end upin a serendipitous conversation with someone learn about your skills and get a sense of who you are as a person. The next time they come across a 6. Accountability and transparencywho can make use of it or help you with it. It’sthe online equivalent of the lucky hallway chat, challenge that looks like it’s a good fit, they might think of you and refer the opportunity to you. Blogging is a great way to make publicexcept with a lot more people in the virtual commitments and hold yourself to them. You canhallway. Particularly if you’re starting out, sharing your knowledge will help you build your network and use this for both personal and professional your reputation. goals..Tips: Tips:

March 2011 – sachachua.com 85If you speak on behalf of a company, then you Why come when you can get the contentdefinitely need a fast way to respond to any from my blog or posted presentations?issues that come up. With the speed ofconversation on Twitter and blogs, you can’t wait See other resources in this value of  Get extra energy from hearing and seeingfor press releases. Establish this channel before a blogging series. Tune in tomorrow for more me talk about things I’m excited aboutpublic relations crisis comes up. It’s better to tips. You can also subscribe using a feed-admit a mistake and work with people on  Ask questions and share your thoughts in reader or subscribe by e-mail to get updates. the text chatresolving it than to stonewall. Hope this helps!  Connect and help me and others learn7. Culture Presentation experiment: Shy Connector, Here are the presentations I’m thinking of doing.Whether you’re an executive or a newcomer, you Six Steps to Sharing, and other They’ll be every Saturday in March, 12 noon – 1can influence the culture of your organization presentations in March! PM Eastern Time, and I’ll see if I can hack a waythrough what you share. When you share what http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22097 to record and sharing the presentations. Feel freeyou know through your blog, you encourage a to share these events with others! March 5, 2011 -culture of knowledge-sharing. When you add a Categories: presentation, speakingpersonal touch, you contribute to a culture ofhuman connection. When you show that you The Shy Connector, March 5, 2011, 12pm-1pm Slideshare’s new Zipcast feature nudged me toaren’t afraid of making mistakes and learning EST, http://www.slideshare.net/sachac/meeting experiment with giving more onlinefrom them, you develop a culture of growth. This Are you an introvert? I am too! Use these seven presentations externally. I regularly givecan have a powerful effect on your organization, tips to help you make the most of your introvert presentations inside IBM using our Lotus Liveboth online and offline. strengths and connect with people. Meetings service. Because of the usage charges, Add to though, I haven’t gotten around to offering manyTips: externally-available presentations. I accept invitations to speak, but I tend not to organize  Consider the fit between how you want to things myself. Six Steps to Sharing, March 12, 2011, 12pm- write and what the existing culture is. Be 1pm prepared for differences, and modify your I think that’s worth experimenting with. Not only EST, http://www.slideshare.net/sachac/meeting approach accordingly. For example, if you are web conferences a good way to get ideas out Want to get started in blogging, but don’t think want to shift your surrounding culture to to more people, they’re also a great way for me to you know anything worth sharing? Here’s how share more, anticipate and address learn from the questions and answers people small steps can help you build the habit of people’s concerns. have. I’m going to organize weekly presentations, sharing and learning online.  If you’re a leader, take the initiative in taking advantage of Zipcast’s beta and seeing Add to demonstrating the kind of company whether this is something worth investing in culture you want to encourage. going forward.

March 2011 – sachachua.com 86Remote Presentations That Rock, March 19,  Work o Helped with study group2011, 12pm-1pm o [X] Deliver “Remote o Got my TD Waterhouse accountEST http://www.slideshare.net/sachac/meeting Presentations That Rock” sorted out (kinda)Want to get better at reaching, teaching, andinspiring people through online presentations? o [X] Work on ECM project Plans for next weekFind it challenging to connect with people or o [-] Get things going with Drupalcontinue the conversation? Use these seven tips project  Workto create and deliver remote presentations thatrock. o [X] Prepare other presentations o [] Work on critsit involving AJAXAdd to and resources and PHP o [X] Do IBM #infoboom tweetchat o [] Start building web services on how to get more value from using Websphere Application blogging ServerGet More Value from Blogging, March 26,2011, 12pm- o [-] Post the rest of series on o [] Shepherd the Rails project1pm, http://www.slideshare.net/sachac/meeting getting more value from blogging through legal approval process – Almost doneHow can you make blogging pay off for you  Relationshipsbetter, personally and professionally? Pick up o Back into programming, yay! Gottips and ask questions in this session! AJAX/PHP project started. o [] Meet up with Cate Huston andAdd to Maggie Zhou  Relationships o [] Help with study group o [X] Host tea get-together o [] Book flights o [X] Reach out to new blogCan you think of other people who might find commenters – well, mostly old  Lifethese presentations useful? blog commenters o [] Try more Zipcast experimentsWhat else would you like to learn more about? o Checked out Liberty Village o [] Practise driving Toastmasters o [] Write about tweetchats andWeekly review: Week ending March 4,  Life presentations2011 o [] Work on planshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22134 o [-] Experiment with fixed-time wakeups Time analysisMarch 5, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [X] Draw moreFrom last week’s plans o [X] Write monthly review

March 2011 – sachachua.com 87Experiment for the week: more social stuff. Met This is great stuff, and exactly what I should be This Lastpeople, had mentoring chats, reached out Category Delta Notes learning. Can’t wait! week weekthrough e-mail, etc. From last month’s plans: This Last to officeCategory Delta Notes week week several Work timesBreak 1.3 3.7 -2.4  [X] Work on new project Work 40.2 37.4 2.8Drawing 4.7 -4.7  [-] Put together talks for Deeper Insight, Remote Presentations That Rock, and the Writing 4.8 7.1 -2.3 ITSC: Did the second two, but not theExercise 3.8 3.3 0.5 firstPersonal 1.6 1.7 -0.1 More time spent commuting, but it was with W-,  [X] Mentor more people so it was a lot of fun. =)  Participated in LotusphereLearning 0  Learned how to estimate and scope Monthly review: February 2011 projectsPreparation 3.2 5.0 -1.8 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22135 March 6, 2011 - Categories: monthly RelationshipsRoutines – 2.3 8.9 -6.6 Living offcooking leftovers, February was an interesting month at work. Lots  [X] Organize get-together efficiency of presentations, for one – that’s the easy part. yay =)  [X] Get visa and arrange travel details Lotusphere was quite an experience, too. I’ve started helping with estimates, scoping projects,  Learned new recipesRoutines – 7.6 10.5 -2.9 preparing paperwork, and learning newgeneral platforms. This is the longest I’ve worked at IBM Life without being heads-down on one or twoRoutines – 7.8 2.4 5.4 projects. Instead, I’m juggling the plans for  [X] Write up more reflectionstidying several. My manager isn’t stressed out about this,  Experimented with Zipcasts, tweetchats, so I’m not stressing out about it either. and other ways to share what I knowSleep 58.5 55.7 2.8 When it rains, it pours. If these proposals go Plans for March:Social 29.2 27.0 2.2 Tea party through, they’ll probably sign at roughly the same time. Some of them are flexible and some Work of them have tighter timelines, so March andTravel 7.5 0.6 6.9 Went up April promise to be full of learning experiences.

March 2011 – sachachua.com 88  [ ] Shepherd more projects to signing and Communication tips: Other stories: work  [ ] Learn how to implement web services  Disagreement and the road to trusting  Lotusphere 2011 wrap-up on Websphere Application Server yourself  A story of pi  [ ] Create and deliver more presentations  How I Learned to Stop Worrying and  On appearance and bias: thoughts from Love the Webinar: Energy, Interaction,  [ ] Finish blog series on blogging the Nerd Girls panel at Lotusphere 2011 and ROI  Working on estimatesRelationships  From zero to hero: a newbie’s guide to learning and building a reputation along  Thinking about personal random moment the way studies  [ ] Host another get-together  LinkedIn tip: Customize your profile URL  Hackbuzzbuzzbuzz  [ ] Build a set of people to call once a week  ITSC guide to conference awesomeness  Books to write  [X] Check out Toastmasters again  Get More Value from Blogging, part I:  On friendship and getting better at it  [ ] Practise driving The Immediate Benefits of Thought  On presenting, anxiety, and moving  Get More Value from Blogging, part II: forwardLife The Compounding Value of an Archive  More about getting 27″ washers and  Get More Value from Blogging, part III: dryers down 26″ hallways  [ ] Refine my plans Sharing Makes the Blog Go ‘Round  On friendship and becoming more social  [ ] Start seedlings  Get More Value from Blogging, part IV:  Book: Daddy Long Legs, and letters Connecting with PeopleWeekly/monthly reviews:  Waking up: looking at my data  Decision review: Limiting my blog to one  Monthly review: January 2011 post a day  How I spent my Family Day weekend  Weekly review: Week ending February 4,  Posted revised “Remote Presentations 2011 That Rock” presentation Can’t see cross-domain images in your  Weekly review: Week ending February 11,  Trying out Slideshare’s new Zipcast Flash file? Make a crossdomain.xml 2011 feature http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22136  Weekly review: Week ending February 18,  Kaizen: Thinking about presentations March 8, 2011 - Categories: geek 2011  Imagine success for social media My mom recently noticed that images weren’t  Weekly review: Week ending February  Things to write about: questions for your loading in the Flash viewer 25, 2011 blogger’s block on www.adphoto.com.ph but they were loaded

March 2011 – sachachua.com 89on adphoto.com.ph. A quick look at the Quick notes from Emacs Org-mode talk at  Someone mentioned mail, so I showedJavascript console showed that crossdomain.xml GTALUG Gnus, and another person mentionedwas missing. The Macromedia Flash 10 plugin is http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22137 adaptive scoring, and we talked aboutstricter about this than previous versions were, March 8, 2011 - news-inspired techniques for dealing withso if you don’t have a crossdomain.xml set up, Categories: emacs, presentation, speaking e-mail.you might find your older sites breaking for new  People asked me how big my config filebrowsers. My Emacs Org-mode talk at GTALUG was a lot had gotten. The word count tool says of fun. I had made a quick outline of things I 226k characters – ah, the process ofHere is a straightforward crossdomain.xml that wanted to cover, and the discussion took us to all accretion. You can learn Emacs andallows requests from everywhere, useful for sorts of places – really more like a romp through customize it a little bit at a time, though!development: the world of Emacs. I kept my talk plan small and<?xml version="1.0" ?> tightly-focused – not even Org-mode, just note- I’ve given two Emacs talks so far, and both of<cross-domain-policy> taking in Org-mode – but I ended up talking them had delightful audience interaction –<allow-access-from domain="*" /> about all sorts of things because they were cool among the best of any of the talks I’ve given. I</cross-domain-policy> and that’s where the discussion took us. This think it’s because with Emacs, even people’s means that my outline isn’t much use for jokes give me a starting point to mentionYou can specify domains like this: reconstructing the talk, but maybe whoever something I’ve learned about or come across or recorded it can share the audio and the video. =) built. The energy of the session is really<?xml version="1.0" ?> something different. It’s almost like an<cross-domain-policy> Unexpected wow moments of the day, completely infomercial-ish “But wait, there’s more!”, but<allow-access-from domain="adphoto.com.ph" not in my outline: everyone’s in on the joke, they’re part of what’s/> happening. It’s an adventure.<allow-access-from  Someone’s question about my tablet PCdomain="www.adphoto.com.ph" /> led to showing off M-x artist-mode, I don’t want to give the impression that Emacs is</cross-domain-policy> drawing using my tablet, and the line and just about fun. ;) Of all the software I’ve ever spraycan tools. (I’d never tried it before. used, I think Emacs has contributed the most toMore It works!) my productivity and my learning. Not only do Iinformation: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flas  A conversation on the way to the talk led find the direct benefits useful, I also reallyhplayer/articles/fplayer9_security.html to my showing M-x snake. appreciate the inspiration I get from all these other people who use and improve Emacs.When debugging a website, it is often helpful to  Someone’s joking query about whetheruse Chrome or Firefox’s developer tools, such as you can run vi in Emacs (following up on So the key question I want to address with morethe Javascript console. In this case, the request someone who mentioned the vi emulation thought is: where does one find the time tofor crossdomain.xml and the resulting 404 (not mode, perhaps) led to my learn these things? I think you answer this thefound) helped me find out what was going on. demonstrating vim in M-x term, which same way you make the time for things that naturally led to running console Emacs matter – strategic optimization. Like in code,2011-03-08 Tue 08:01 within my Emacs. premature optimization doesn’t work. You need

March 2011 – sachachua.com 90to figure out what actions are important and probably a talk I’d need to give in person, trying to deal with this issue from the web servicewhere improvements would have the most effect considering webconference interaction patterns explorer:– where your moments of truth are. For example, and screen-sharing delays. Hmm…it really pays to improve my abilities in IWAB0135E An unexpected error has occurred.programming, writing, and note-taking, because (Maureen: there is a screenplay mode for Emacs. 302I do that a lot and it creates a lot of value at work Isn’t that amazing? Might be worth learning Foundand in life. On the other hand, I don’t stress out Emacs. More writing resources on theabout typing even faster, because that’s not my EmacsWiki. If you’re intrigued by it, check outbottleneck. And I also make sure to invest time theEmacs Newbie resources.) (Solution: Check the endpoints you’ve defined ininto all sorts of other aspects of life, because your WSDL, or define new ones. example.orgthose are important to me too. 2011-03-08 Tue 23:40 won’t work.)Back to Emacs and the presentation. My goal for Once we got over those roadblocks, things flowedthe talk wasn’t to convert anyone or show people Leveling up as a developer! smoothly. We used Rational Software Architectspecifically how to set up their environment. I http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22138 to define web services, deployed them onwanted to give people an idea of what my Websphere Application Server, and queried a March 9, 2011 - Categories: geek, ibm, workworkflow looks like, expose them to some of the DB2 database. We also figured out how to workthings Emacs can do, and perhaps inspire people It’s satisfying adding a bunch of IBM acronyms with complex data types and lists for both inputto learn more about their tools. (I made sure to and output. We needed to figure out how to to my “marketable skills.” They’re not thatmention lots of cool things about vi, too!) We intimidating after all! consume web services too, so I dug around until Istarted at 7:30 and had a great discussion for two found a web service defined by a WSDL thathours (two hours!) that flew by until the I spent the morning and part of the afternoon played well with our configuration. All these bitsorganizers suggested it was time to wrap up. pair-programming with Bharat Boddu on a time- and pieces will come in handy when we startQuite a few people came up to me afterwards and sensitive project involving an IBM software working on the real requirements.told me that they were inspired to learn more stack. It was a struggle in the beginning. Both ofabout Emacs. Whee! I can feel myself learning all sorts of new things. I us were new to all of this, and the sheer volume of information available for Rational Software love these moments: the magic of conceptsThat was tons of fun. I’d do it again. It has to be Architect, Websphere Application Server, DB2, snapping together, like the way you reach outan interactive group, somewhat casual (so that and other parts of the stack was overwhelming. and find things right where you’re looking forpeople feel free to interject questions) and The simplest of things tripped us up because we them. And I’m slowly inching my way intotechnical (helps to have a few other Emacs users didn’t know how to debug them. For example, we another area of developer awesomeness: dealingin the audience, and a general interest in tools). learned the hard way that adding the DB2 classes with middleware, service-oriented architecture,Voice is probably a huge component of it – both to the project’s classpath didn’t mean that they and all sorts of other business-y things.being able to communicate enthusiasm and for were part of the runtime configuration classpaththe conversational aspect of the discussion. Here’s what I do well, and what I’m learning to when the web services were deployed to theScreen-sharing or projection is vital; this kind of do even better. server. I also spent what seemed like an hourtalk wouldn’t have worked with slides. So it’s

March 2011 – sachachua.com 91  I’m good at breaking down tasks or  I’m doing surprisingly well at ideas into small chunks that I can juggling multiple projects. I’ve got work on or test. This is really helpful two projects that are time-sensitive, and when learning something new, because it we seem to be doing okay. There are helps me gain skills andconfidence. It’s several projects in the pipeline that I’m challenging when I can’t get enough of a working on, too. I keep personal notes on grip on something to figure out what a what’s on my radar and what I need to do, good first task is, or sometimes what the and I’m good at keeping folks up to date. I intermediate tasks are, but once I get the can get even better at this by spending hang of the internal logic of something, I more time to communication and can go pretty quickly. I’m getting even planning, and possibly setting up some Wish it could pull in all of my old blog posts and better at this by learning about more filtering rules for my inbox. tweets, though! =) platforms and toolkits, and by learning bigger “chunks”. I’m glad my manager took a chance on these Potentially interesting feature: collaborate with projects, even though I did have to work through other people on a timeline. Hmm…  Similarly, I’m good at breaking looming panic. ;) (It gets much easier to deal down unknown quantities and with intimidating systems when you get going!) figuring out how to test parts of them. I can apply the problem- Math and energy This is good. I like this feeling. And I can still fit http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22142 decomposition skill I use in development in sleep, presentations, blog posts, homework to estimating and planning, too. The book March 11, 2011 - help, and sanity breaks. =) Hmm… I recently read (How to Measure Categories: learning, life, teaching Anything) had great tips on how to 2011-03-09 Wed 16:51 strategically reduce uncertainty; reading We’ve been hosting math study groups over at that gave me a way to recognize what I’m our place every Friday afternoon, and doing and to improve that. So, for Trying MemoLane (social timeline) occasionally on other days too. Today we example, I can start with an estimate with http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22141 reviewed the multiplication table, and adding a wide range, and I can break it down into and multiplying fractions (even mixed the risky parts and some ideas on how to March 10, 2011 - Categories: web2.0 numbers!). We also snuck in a preview of get a better understanding of the dividing fractions (mindboggling!) and some numbers. Trying MemoLane on David Ing’s letters from the Greek alphabet (with brief recommendation. It organizes blog posts, Twitter excursions into pi, trigonometry, and others).  I’m getting better at quickly posts, Facebook entries, and other social prototyping applications. It’s fun information into a rather pretty timeline. This They had been practising! The kids rattled off the taking a simple idea from a whiteboard has been done before, but Memolane does have a multiples of six, seven, and eight with growing sketch to a mostly-working prototype in a pretty interface. confidence. They only needed a little reminder to day. =D handle addition and multiplication of fractions.

March 2011 – sachachua.com 92After they told me how their teacher had sprung I’m so glad we’re doing this. I wonder how we o [-] Write about tweetchats anda brainteaser on them (24, 68, 101, 214, …), I can share more of what we’re doing, maybe help presentationsshared this one: 31, 28, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31… They more kids and parents gain confidence too… o [X] Work on planssolved it after a hint, and looked very excitedabout the idea of possibly stumping their 2011-03-11 Fri 20:56 o Gave GTALug presentation on Orgteachers. And then there’s this other one they left modethe house with: 3, 3, 5, 4, 4, 3, 5, 5, 4, 3, 6, … Plans for next week Weekly review: Week ending March 11,“I didn’t know how a math study group could be 2011fun,” one of the parents said, “but now I see http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22143  Workhow.” She had joined us a little early to find out March 12, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [ ] Work on critsit involving AJAXwhat it was like. Her son was practically begging and PHPus for a chance to do the multiplication tables, so From last week’s planswe did another round of them, with the grown- o [ ] Deploy web services ontoups joining in too. =)  Work Websphere Application Server in test environment o [X] Work on critsit involvingWhat’s it like hosting a study group at our place? AJAX and PHP o [ ] Create stub web services,We aren’t like the tutors I remember from home: maybe integrate with DB2the quiet one who helped my sister with math o [X] Start building web servicesand other subjects, or the ones who came to our using Websphere Application o [ ] Sort out work priorities forhouse to help us with Chinese. W- and I have Server Apriltons of fun teaching. We come up with examples o [X] Shepherd the Rails projectand exercises, throw in all sorts of zany ideas,  Relationships through legal approval processsneak in advanced material as well as o [ ] Catch up with mail, networksconfidence-building reviews.  Relationships o [ ] Help with study groupI really like the small group format. I can bring o [X] Meet up with Cate Huston and o [ ] Make pie for Pi Dayeven more energy to that than I remember from Maggie Zhoumy days of teaching computer science in o [X] Help with study group  Lifeuniversity, and I can modify the lessons andexercises faster. It’s like the thrill of an especially o [X] Book flights o [ ] Finish value of blogging seriesinteractive presentation, except that I get to o [ ] Write about tutoring mathactually see what people do with the ideas in the  Lifeend. I can see the aha! moments happen, see o [ ] More Zipcast experiments: o [X] Try more Zipcast experiments what if I treat them like officeprogress week after week. o [-] Practise driving – it’s been very hours? snowy and icy

March 2011 – sachachua.com 93 o [ ] Write about tweetchats and the value I get from blogging, but also tips for This Last what I want out of them Delt how you can build that too. I hope you enjoy this Category wee wee Notes a blog series! You can also see other resources in o [ ] Make more bread k k this value of blogging series.Time analysis general included tidying time 1. Making your goals realHad a focused week at work (critical projectsplus lots of other things going on), but still Writing about your goals can be scary. You mightmanaged to keep it within reasonable hours. Routines – 1.6 7.8 -6.2 feel that people will laugh at your goals, or thatFound some time to apply digital painting tips I tidying they’ll embarrass you if you don’t achieve them.picked up from the Web. Shifted travel time and You might worry about sounding over-ambitious,social time to preparing for presentations. Sleep 59.0 58.5 0.6 or not ambitious enough. This Last Delt Social 24.2 29.2 -5.0 Presentatio But there’s a lot of value in writing about yourCategory wee wee Notes a n, study goals, even if you start by doing so in a private k k group entry. When you write about what you want inBreak 3.0 1.3 1.7 life, why you want it, and how you can get to that Travel 5.1 7.5 -2.4 point, that path becomes clearer. When your goals dim and your willpower fades, you canDrawing 1.2 1.2 Work 40.8 40.2 0.6 inspire yourself by reviewing your notes, reminding yourself of your goals and why theyExercise 2.2 3.8 -1.6 matter. Writing 4.8 4.8 0.0Personal 6.1 1.6 4.5 Preparing Tips: Set a goal for yourself. Write about it. Write presentation about why it matters to you. Write about your s Get More Value from Blogging, Part VII: plans for achieving your goal. Review your notes Inspiring Yourself and Inspiring Others when you need a burst of energy.Preparatio 2.0 3.2 -1.2 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22144n 2. Connecting with inspiration March 13, 2011 - Categories: blogging, inspiration, tips, web2.0, wRoutines – 3.2 2.3 0.9 Slightly riting The Internet can make it easy to connect withcooking more time other people who have similar goals. Look for for Paul Gillin invited me to do a tweetchat on the blogs that inspire you. If you share your breakfasts professional and personal value of blogging. reflections through blog posts of your own, When I brainstormed some of the things I’d like linking to the posts or people who’ve inspiredRoutines – 14.8 7.6 7.2 Probably to talk about, I ended up with a big list: not just you, you can build unexpected relationships and

March 2011 – sachachua.com 94learn from or even help your role models in surprised by how you touch other people’s lives. labour included. They’re definitely worth itsurprising ways. And it gets even better – you might learn a lot compared to eating out. The coconut cocktail from the people you inspire, too. buns (pan de coco?) I spent this weekendTips: Comment on inspiring blog posts. If you learning are cheaper at the store, but they werehave more to say, write a blog post that refers to One of the things that makes it easier for me to still very much worth making.theirs. Share what you’re learning from people think out loud – to share whatever I’m learningand how you’ve tried those ideas in your life. about or struggling with on my blog – is that I We followed a recipe from an old book that W- often hear from other people who’ve learned a had bought from a pastry store in Chinatown a3. Progress little from what I’ve shared, or who are glad to long time ago. It was a different way of making find someone else dealing with similar situations, dough. The first step was to mix yeast, warmChange can be long, slow, and tiring. If you can or who are happy to finally have words for water, and flour. I was a little nervous in thelook back at the progress you’ve made, though, something they’ve struggled to describe. We’re beginning because it was more of a slurry than ayou might find it easier to keep going. You can all in this together, and it’s great to be able to paste. Once it rose and I combined it with theuse your blog to keep track of your progress. help and inspire other people. rest of the flour, it was beautifully dough-like, made smooth and elastic through kneading. AfterIf you’re trying to establish a new habit, you Tips: Don’t be afraid of sharing what you’re several rounds of rising, I filled it with themight write about how well you’re doing, or what learning, even the parts that are hard. Who coconut mix, wrapped the dough around it, let ityou can do to make it easier to do what you want knows whom you might help along the way? rest some more, then popped it into the oven forto do. If you’re working on improving your skills, 15 minutes. The result:your blog posts can help you keep track of yourgrowth. For example, when I started learning And that’s the last item in this value ofmore about drawing, I blogged my stick figures. blogging series. Like this? You canThanks to my blog, I can see how my drawing also subscribe using a feed-reader or subscribetechniques have evolved over time, and I get less by e-mail to get updates. Hope this helps!frustrated because I know I’m making progress.Tips: Write about your progress, and think about Coconut buns and the economics of homesharing examples of your work so far. Don’t beat awesomenessyourself up if you miss a day, lapse into old http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22145behavior, or slide backwards. Focus on the March 14, 2011 -positive, and keep going. Categories: baking, cooking, family, life, love, refl ection4. Inspiring others Sometimes making things at home is cheaperInspire others? Yes, you can do that, even if than buying them. Sometimes it’s moreyou’re just starting out. If you share what you’re expensive. For example, the batch lunches welearning and how you’re living life, you might be prepare and freeze come out to $1-$3 per meal,

March 2011 – sachachua.com 95The buns were scrumptious. Not too sweet.  a way to reinforce and express our shared I did a quick presentation of Six Steps toComplex taste. Yummy yummy yummy. values Sharing on Slideshare’s Zipcast this Saturday.  a good reason for a blog post =)I had a lot of fun making the buns with W-, I haven’t done enough audience/list developmentplaying around with the voice and mannerisms to invite lots of people to sign up, as most of my So although baking buns takes time, it actuallywe’d picked up from a Julia Child video. I also internal and external talks are organized and pays off better than many of the other ways Imade some pie crusts for Pi Day (March 14). W- promoted by other people. As an experiment, I could spend weekend time, such as:filled the first pie crust with lemon meringue. I decided to think of this more like informal officesewed up some tea towels from the fabric that W- hours and the bonus of being able to review andhelped me pick out, and those passed their field  reading think about some of the presentations I’vetest. We salvaged some wool scraps from one of  watching movies (borrowed from the shared. That worked out well.my bins and repurposed an empty paper salt library, but still passive)shaker into a dice roller for J-’s math study I’ve been using this to test video setups aroundsessions. It was a great weekend for making  programming or working (important to the house, too. This time, I tried the kitchen,things. invest time into relationships; doing well sitting on the floor near the back door. I got good in programming and working at the light, a clean background, and the right heightWe spend a lot of weekend time doing things moment, I think.) for the webcam – things that are more difficult toourselves: cooking, baking, sewing, fixing things,  writing, even arrange when my laptop’s on the table. However,even woodworking during the summer months. sitting on the floor made breathing slightly moreSome of things cost us more in terms of time and There’s a reasonable limit to how much time I difficult, and it changed the way I spoke.money than we might spend on functionally would spend on baking or making other things at Downstairs is still my favourite setup, but itequivalent alternatives, but we get a surprising home. I don’t want to mill my own flour (just requires a bit of work – foldable background,amount of value from these activities. For yet). I think I’ve got a decent balance right now, three lights. The kitchen is the easiest to get upexample, baking coconut buns results in yummy and I look forward to picking up more as I get and running.coconut buns (for which a reasonable equivalent better and more efficient.can be bought for a little more than a dollar I couldn’t get my hair to stay still, so I wore a hat.each), but the activity is also: Am I trading off, say, more brilliance at work, or They’re handy for that. =) racking up income through side-hustles, or  intrinsically enjoyable for us becoming more famous through writing? Maybe. If I want to get better at this, here are the key But this is good, and all of those other aspects of areas for growth:  a way to develop skills life are pretty okay (even awesome!). Life is good.  shared relationship time  Connecting with more people who might find these presentations interesting  an opportunity to create or build on in- Continuing experiments with Slideshare’s jokes Zipcast web conferences o Mailing list?  an opportunity to strengthen other http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22147 o Event registration system? relationships (friends, neighbours) March 14, 2011 - Categories: speaking

March 2011 – sachachua.com 96  Figuring out a way to record the webconferencing tools. It’s good learning, presentations: I’ve been having problems though, and I’ll be around every Saturday in case getting audio+video through Camtasia on people have questions or ideas. the same computer, but I could record video and system audio if I can log in on a separate computer. Recipes: Coconut cocktail bun recipe http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22148  Developing material, of course March 15, 2011 -  Doing this during the week Categories: baking, cooking, cookordie, recipeIs it worth investing time into this? As it turns out, ingredient lists areConsiderations: uncopyrightable, so I’ll try to post more of them when I write about our cooking adventures. (I’ve  PRO: Reviewing and presenting previous come quite a long way from the beginnings of material is useful for confidence, flow, Cook or Die!) Recipe steps might be copyrighted, and constant improvement. particularly those that are creatively expressed, You will need a kitchen scale. This is actually but that should be no problem – I’ll just write my good, because volume measurements of flour and  PRO: It would be good practice in other things can vary widely. building an audience and creating more own instructions. value. Gai Mei Bao – Chinese Cocktail Buns and So here are the buns that have just come out of  CON: Slideshare Zipcast pricing could our oven. (Yes, another set of buns. The ones I flexible bun dough recipe change soon. Shift to advertising- made just two days ago have vanished. There Adapted from David Ko’s Yung Sing Dim Sum supported Freebinar? (No webcam, but must be a bun-monster somewhere in the Recipes (A Chinese Snackbook): has screensharing and recording.) basement…) Webinars aren’t useful for me in terms of Bun Dough lead generation or revenue, so I won’t be After the success of this weekend’s coconut going for the for-fee options. =) Really David Ko uses this recipe for practically all the cocktail buns (gai mei bao), W- and J- suggested doing this more for fun and learning. buns in his book. It’s a white, slightly sweet hotdog bao, Nutella bao, and some more Hmm, maybe if I think of it like bread. coconut bao to use up the extra filling we had.  CON: I could spend the time and effort Result:  12g active dry yeast writing, recording videos, and helping people learn, and I would probably get  495ml warm water better ROI from that. o Dissolve yeast in water.I think I’m going to keep tinkering around with  340g sifted all-purpose flourthis, but I might not spend the time right now tomake the most of Zipcasts or other

March 2011 – sachachua.com 97 o In a large mixing bowl, pour yeast volume. You can use the oven although it does take more time than solution into flour. The original trick here, too. squishing the dough manually. recipe says to knead the result for  Spoon your filling into each flat piece of 5 minutes, but this paste results in Coconut filling dough, wrap it up, and roll it into the more of a liquid mix, so just mix it shape you like. Try to make sure the buns until it’s smooth.  175g coconut flakes are pinched closed, as the filling might o Leave in a warm place for 2 hours.  168g sugar leak out during baking. Or if you’re like us and baking  56g melted butter  Set buns aside in a warm place to rise season (winter) doesn’t leave you further, covering the buns with a damp with an abundance of warm spots  1 egg cloth or cling wrap. Preheat oven to 375F. in the house, set the oven to 150′F  30ml (2 tbsp) milk for thirty seconds, then turn the  Do an egg wash or another wash if you oven off. Put the yeast mix into  1 tsp vanilla extract (fun to make at want. Brushing the buns with a beaten the oven and wait until it doubles home!) egg (egg wash) gives them a beautiful in volume (around one hour). golden colour, and also makes it easier for  1/2 tsp baking powder sprinkled things (seeds, etc.) to stick.  60ml warm water  a few drops of coconut essence (optional;  Bake buns in a 375F oven for 15 minutes,  1 egg we didn’t have it in our pantry) or until the buns are golden brown.  225g cake and pastry flour (sifted) o Mix well and put in the fridge.  You can brush the freshly-baked buns  560g all-purpose flour (sifted) with melted butter, if you want, but we We skipped the toppings because the regular skipped that step.  110g sugar coconut filling is awesome enough.  18g salt Other fillings we’ve tried: Assembly Hotdog  125ml milk  Divide the dough into 24 portions. I tend Wrap the flattened dough around a  3g lard hotdog. Brush dough with beaten egg and to do this by cutting the dough in half  3g butter three times, then cutting the resulting sprinkle sesame seeds on top. You can eight pieces into three pieces each. push the sesame seeds into the dough o Mix all of the above with the yeast slightly to help them stick. mix in a large mixing bowl. Knead  Roll each portion of dough into a round until smooth and elastic, adding ball. Arrange on a baking sheet, then Nutella flour as necessary. Cover with a cover and put in a warm place for 15 Spoon Nutella hazelnut spread into the damp cloth (or cling wrap and a minutes. middle of the flattened dough and roll it damp cloth; keeps your tea towels up. Brush dough with beaten egg and cleaner) and leave in a warm place  Flatten the dough balls. I like using a sprinkle almond slices on top. for 2 hours, or until doubled in rolling pin here for a nice, even look,

March 2011 – sachachua.com 982011-03-14 Mon 23:14 developers next time we’re on a project like this. It would make work a lot faster and easier.Thinking about a developer setup So, what do developers need? We typically needtemplate to:http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22151 Set up our development environmentMarch 16, 2011 - software, licensing, config, source codeCategories: geek, ibm, kaizen, work control information, bugtracking, etc. Orient ourselves on different environmentsDevelopment on one of my projects has gone infits and starts. It’s been particularly challenging login/access/VPN details for integration,because the information about server testing, and production environments;configuration has been incomplete and scattered, deployment proceduretrickling in as the IT architects sort out what’s Confirm that the service is running correctlygoing on and find people who can answer Stoic philosophy to the rescue. It’s no use the full URL to the web-basedquestions. The other developer and I are both whinging about not having all the bits and pieces administration console and to other webnew to this software stack (Websphere Portal, up front. =) Besides, the people who set up the interfaces we can use, any hosts entriesWebsphere Application Server, FileNet, virtual images are people too, doing the best job needed (for name-based virtual hosts, forEnterprise Content Manager, DB2, Rational they can while probably being pulled in a million example)Software Architect). This means that we run into directions or afflicted with the curse of expertise,all the things that experienced developers take forgetting the kind of knowledge they take for Log on the server and look aroundfor granted: where to find documentation at the granted. It’s okay. It is what it is. VPN details, boundary firewalls, IPright level of detail, which ports and URLs to use addresses, usernames, passwords,(or even how to go about finding them), how to We’ve managed to figure most of the pieces out connection software (Remote Desktop?deploy our code, and how to diagnose and with a lot of poking around and experimentation. VNC?), file paths, location of log filestroubleshoot problems. I’ve successfully deployed a web service, found Write code sample code that can post a file to our Filenet object store, and written a web service client. API documentation, software versions, We’ve previously been able to connect to DB2, so ports, paths, usernames, passwords we should have all the major pieces now. The Deploy and run code next step is to wire it all up with application- file paths or upload interface, instructions specific code. on starting or restarting services I’m thinking of organizing all the bits and pieces Test that things are working of information we needed into a template that I web interfaces, ports, URLs, etc. can share with server administrators and

March 2011 – sachachua.com 99This could be a lot of information, and it might I like breaking things down into decision trees, o Draw with the power cord pluggednot be worth doing if you’ve got a couple of similar to the technique described by Ken in.developers who can pick things up quickly. On Watanabe in his kid-friendly book Problem o Keep track of the instances whenthe other hand, if you’re preparing a demo image Solving 101. It’s useful to figure out what the I’d like to plug in, and buy thethat could be used dozens or hundreds of times options are and what their costs and benefits battery when it gets on my nervesfor development, or if you gradually build this might be. I realized that I actually have two or when I notice myself using thedocument over time, that could be pretty handy. independent choices: what to do with the battery, computer much less. Currently and what to do with the laptop. Here is my using the tablet practically everyWhat’s in your developer setup template? current decision tree. day, so drop-off should bePhoto (c) 2009 Mecookie – Creative Commons noticeable.  CHOICE A.1: Buy a new battery for myAttribution License Lenovo X61T  CHOICE B.1: Save up for X220 tablet o Will need this if I sell or give the o Longer battery life2011-03-15 Tue 20:03 laptop to someone o 12.5″ outdoor-viewable display, o CHOICE A.1.1: Lenovo battery more horizontal resolution: 342Decision trees and self-challenges: how extra pixels, widescreen aspectmy laptop’s recent battery failure is a  CHOICE A.1.1.1: ratiogreat excuse to think Lenovo.com – trustablehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22152 but more expensive; $160- o 3.9 pounds with 4-cell battery 200 o Dual-array digital microphones –March 17, 2011 -Categories: analysis, decision, geek, kaizen  CHOICE A.1.1.2: Craigslist possible use for Skype, – potentially $80-100, risk podcasting?The battery on my Lenovo X61 tablet refuses to of getting older batteries o 2.7 GHz processor optionhold a charge, and there seems to be no way to  CHOICE A.1.1.3: Otherfix it. The battery is no longer covered under o Rapid Drive for faster Internet sources – risk of bootup/access?warranty, so I’ll need to replace it on my own if I getting the wrong kind ofchoose to. An easy algorithm for decision-making battery o Instant resume for wireless (up tois be to postpone spending money until I can 99 minutes)demonstrate really good benefits for doing so. o CHOICE A.1.2: Third-party(Or in this case, nine business days before I really battery $70-90 – risk of scams, o Warns when walking away fromneed a new battery.) Because I’m curious about unreliable batteries, hazards stylus (heh, nifty; haven’t lostthe way I might think about other choices, I’m mine yet, though)  CHOICE A.2: See if I can get by withoutgoing to think through some of the strategies I one o Gorilla Glass – scratch-resistanceuse to make decisions. =) could be useful o Make my work laptop my mainDecision trees laptop for the moment. o CHOICE B.1.1: Give X61T to J-

March 2011 – sachachua.com 100  May still need to buy a Hmm. Well, I can still use my battery-less X61T Setting up challenges battery unless we want to for drawing, writing, and coding. I’ll need to treat it like a PC. properly hibernate it before transferring Another way to find out if I’m sufficiently locations, or leave it mostly in one place. I just interested in something is to ask questions and  She’ll like the drawing bit. won’t use it out and about as much. I don’t spend set myself challenges. For example, if I want to o CHOICE B.1.2: Resell X61T on that much time in cafes, so it’s really more the double-check the potential benefits of the fancy Craigslist shift between the kitchen and the living room or new X220 tablet compared to, say, the lower- the basement. prices X220 laptop or my current X61T, I can ask  Will need new battery the following questions: anyway So, what’s the estimated gap between the  Will need to sell at a expected value of a fully-functional laptop and a 1. Will I draw often enough to make the discount because of wear battery-less one? In my case, probably not as tablet worthwhile? and tear much as it would be for other people, because I’ve got my work laptop in addition to this. The 2. Will I need more than 3 GB often enough  CHOICE B.2: Stick with X61T until I to make the upgrade to a 64-bit OS worth reach the end of my two-year self- upper bound on value for me must be $5/day – definitely can’t be more than that, and is the hassle? upgrade cycle, or until I have strong reasons to upgrade probably nowhere near that number. The cost is 3. Will I run into CPU processing limits probably just a few more extra minutes starting often enough to make sense to switch? o 4.2 pounds, UltraBase, etc. up and shutting down, and a little less flexibility, which doesn’t translate into a large cost because I 4. Will I need the battery life often enough o Doesn’t use new buttonless to make the extended battery life trackpad can use that time for something else. It might even be a net benefit if it encourages me to use a worthwhile? o Bigger wrist rest space sketchbook during our upcoming trip. =) Worst- Answers 2 and 3 seem to be “no” at the moment. o Could potentially scoop up X220T case scenario is that it might cost me an hour of VMs would be a good use of additional memory on secondary market, or wait for work if I forget to save something, but that’s just and processing power, but I’ve been doing fine promos about discipline. with two computers. If I can cope with a battery- The value gap might be bigger for J-, but we’ll see less life, the answer to 4 is probably notI’m probably going to go with choice A.2 for the significant, unless I find myself going to wayshort-term choice, and we’ll see how my savings if she can handle it. It’s going to be a big gap if we more conferences and meetings (and if mywork out for choice B. We’re saving for a fair bit sell this, but then it’s okay to get a new battery closer to that day. Besides, I usually run my scanner proves unwieldy). The answer toof travel this year, so B.2 is more likely than B.1. question 1 is the most interesting.Fortunately, I work with two laptops, so it’s fine. laptops into the ground anyway. This one was anMy basic choice is good. Here’s another exception. I replaced my Eee after a little less I’ve taken lots of sketchnotes, but I’ve done fewertechnique I use to examine that more closely: than a year), but that was mainly because J-’s illustrations than I’d hoped I’d draw with the need for a computer coincided neatly with my X61T. The workflow isn’t as smooth as keyboardEstimating option value curiosity about tablet PCs. + Cintiq, but it’s (semi-portably) fun. I haven’t figured out how to stop GIMP and Inkscape from

March 2011 – sachachua.com 101jittering so much, although MyPaint and http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22155OneNote make beautifully smooth lines. I tend to March 18, 2011 -do my sketchnotes plugged in, but I have a few Categories: cat, drawing, family, life, sketchessketchnotes from meetings where power outletswere few and far between. If I use paper notes forthe portable sketches (maybe index cards ornotebooks?), then I’ll get a better idea of the One time when I came home, W- showed me theincremental value of A.1 or B.1. I can set myself picture he took of a toilet paper trail going to thean arbitrary threshold – maybe fill a notebook laundry basket. The cats refused to testify, butfull of out-and-about sketches and notes – and this is what I think happened.reconsider my decision when I’ve achieved it. between the kitchen and the living room addsResult: Better drawing skills, a habit of drawing, W- says the other drawing I made of Neko(cat)’s maybe a minute; not a big cost. Being able toand an idea of how much I might benefit from favourite positions for sleeping might be too draw with 16 million colours and infinitethe infinitely scrollable paper and the personal, it being set in our room and all. I erasures – now that’s something real. It makesmultiplicity of colours on a digital canvas. said Cat versus Human does it. He said my blog drawing a whole lot more fun. I might give the isn’t Cat versus Human. Which is true, because Autodesk SketchBook Pro trial another spin, too.— Cat versus Human is awesome and even has a It might be better for pencils and clean book coming out, but not inarguable. I didn’t illustrations.I’ve exaggerated the level of thought I usually go break out the persuasive techniques we learnedto for something like this. There’s room in my about in “Thank You for Arguing,” though. Drawing is a great way to remember, particularly“dream/opportunity/kaizen” fund for a new Instead, I’ll tease you with the captions: for things I’ve forgotten to take photographs of orbattery if it turns out I absolutely must have one. for which I’ve lost the files. My stack of blankBut it’s fun to think through the techniques I index cards is dwindling fast, and sketches pile  The Pillow Hogmight use to decide something, and writing it up on my bedside table. This is fun. =)down now for something that isn’t critical may  The Balancing Sphinxhelp me remember it later when I need to decide Quick comparison with SketchBook Pro:  The Chaperonesomething more major. And who knows, it mightget you thinking about something… =)  The Heat-seeker(I might end up getting a lot of value out People who know Neko (our oldest cat) or whoof not having a battery for this notebook. Look, a have cats of their own can probably figure out theblog post, and more reasons to draw/sketch on rest.paper! Stay tuned for progress.) I’m playing around with Artrage Studio Pro to see if I like it. I think I get more value from itCats: 0, toilet paper monster: 1; also, than from a new laptop battery. Putting myArtRage and Autodesk Sketchbook Pro computer into hibernation mode before moving

March 2011 – sachachua.com 102 and sun made me think about biking, and  Grow more of our favourite herbs and gardening, and other wonderful springtime vegetables. pursuits. I’ve started a set of bitter melon, basil,  Pick up lots of skills at work. tomatoes, and peppers. We’ll see how they work out.  Practise drawing, writing, teaching, etc.  Organize more get-togethers When I was planting peas in the garden, I realized that last  Bike farther year’s parsley had self-seeded  Have more fun! =) and the new sprouts were starting to come up. The As I head into summer, I want to be even more Internet says that parsley comfortable on my bike, I want to have friends germination can be a slow and over more often, I want to have an even more difficult process, taking four to six productive garden, and I want to fill notebooks weeks to grow from seed, so I’m with drawings and photographs. Hmm… happy that the parsley decided to get a head start. I took a picture, but It turns out that it’s pretty easy to knock the it didn’t feel just like that, so I drew power cord out of my laptop by, say, tripping on what it felt like: life reaching towards the sun. it or accidentally pulling it when drawing. I hadSmoothing is more controllable in Artrage, and I to draw that three times! <laugh>should check out the flood fills in that program First game of lacrosse catch, first bicycle ride,too. I do like the pen gestures in Sketchbook Pro, first gardening session… Life is good.though, and I’m sure they’ll be a lot more Weekly review: Week ending March 18,convenient with experience. I’m going to practise All the seasons take some getting used to. Winter 2011drawing in both some more. Who knows? I may is the big attention-getter, of course, but even http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22160even get both, if it turns out that they exercise my spring, summer, and fall have surprises for immigrants like me. Planning around growing March 20, 2011 - Categories: weeklybrain in different ways. =) seasons and frost dates? Dealing with super-long From last week’s plans days? Raking leaves and staving off the anxietiesSpring! of a looming winter? But it is what it is, and I’m  Workhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22159 where I am, so I’ll make the most of what I’ve got. o [X] Work on critsit involvingMarch 19, 2011 - AJAX and PHPCategories: gardening, life, sketches What do I want to do and learn this spring? o [-] Deploy web services onto Websphere Application Server inIt was so warm on the walk back from the library  Help celebrate my sister’s wedding. test environmentthat I shucked my coat. When I got home, I took (Whee!)my bicycle down from the wall hook. The warmth

March 2011 – sachachua.com 103 o [X] Create stub web services,  Relationships This Last maybe integrate with DB2 Category Delta Notes o [X] Host pirate card game party week week o [-] Sort out work priorities for o [ ] Catch up on mail April Routines – 1.6 1.6 0.03 o [ ] Chat with David Singer tidying  Relationships  Life Sleep 60.1 59.0 1.07 o [-] Catch up with mail, networks o [ ] Draw more o [-] Help with study group – Social 1.0 24.2 - moved to next week o [ ] Update plans 23.25 o [X] Make pie for Pi Day o [ ] Catch up on mail Time analysis Travel 3.9 5.1 -1.18  Life This Last Work 44.3 40.8 3.52 o [X] Finish value of blogging series Category Delta Notes week week o [X] Write about tutoring math Writing 11.8 4.8 6.98 o [X] More Zipcast experiments: Break 4.5 3.0 1.45 what if I treat them like office hours? Drawing 8.5 1.2 7.27 I spent most of last week focused on work, drawing, and writing, shifting time away from o [-] Write about tweetchats and Exercise 9.8 2.2 7.60 social get-togethers. In the evenings, I usually what I want out of them sketched while W- and J- played Lego Star Wars. o [X] Make more bread Learning 0.5 0.50 I’ve been drawing and baking a lot recently, and I enjoy doing so.Plans for next week Personal 2.0 6.1 -4.08 I haven’t spent a lot of time on mail, though, so I  Work need to focus on that and catch up. Preparation 3.3 2.0 1.28 o [ ] Sort out web services on Websphere Application Server Routines – 6.0 3.2 2.83 Pirate kitties o [ ] Figure out work priorities for cooking http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22163 April and May March 21, 2011 - Categories: cat, sketches o [ ] Send staffing guidelines for Routines – 9.8 14.8 -5.03 project M general o [ ] Catch up on work mail

March 2011 – sachachua.com 104 Websphere 6.1. I’d been using “Generate Java John Grimme, my sister’s fiance, celebrates his bean skeleton” from the WSDL file, which birthday tomorrow. (Well, today already, given worked fine for the 6.0 target, but which didn’t time in the Netherlands.) He gets this bad pun work for 6.1. The correct way to do it is to right- because of his deep love for lumpiang click on the service and choose “Generate – Top- shanghai,and because I’ve decided to get lots down Service”. more drawing practice. =) Makes me wish I thought of making birthday illustrations like this I also spent some time figuring out how to earlier! Oh well, I’ll just have to do some correctly use the XSD the IT architect sent me in drawings for other family members on other order to use it for the data types in the WSDL. occasions. This is how: <xsd:import schemaLocation="....xsd" namespace="..."> </xsd:import>One of the best things about drawing is that youcan draw things that don’t exist. Somehow your One of the pieces that was missing for me wasworld splits into all these different possibilities. dealing with namespaces, but once I got my headEven if you can’t quite capture what you hold in around XML again, I added some namespacesyour mind, it’s there. Your rough sketches and got the referred types working.remind you. So I’ve retwiddled our web services and gottenAnd so: pirate kitties. them to work with the new data structures. My test cases pass again. Progress!Drawing things you can’t see turns out to besurprisingly fun. 2011-03-21 Mon 20:03 He probably doesn’t need this recipe, but here itLearning more about Websphere and web Shanghaippy birthday, John Grimme! is for other people who are curious.service development Recipe: Lumpiang shanghaihttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22164 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22167 Lumpiang shanghaiMarch 21, 2011 - March 22, 2011 - Categories: cooking, family, food, recipe, sketche These ingredients can be changed quite a bit.Categories: development, geek, ibm, java s Experiment!So I finally figured out what was wrong with theway I was trying to generate my web services for  500g ground pork (fat is okay)

March 2011 – sachachua.com 105  1 large onion, chopped Make as many as you can until you run out of wrappers or filling. If you run out of wrappers  a few cloves of garlic, chopped first, you can turn the rest of the filling into  1 medium-sized carrot, grated meatballs or little patties. If you run out of filling  salt and pepper to taste first, you can use the wrappers for other fried goodies.  spring roll wrappers: look for packages with photos of golden-brown deep-fried If you want to freeze any of the lumpia, you can delicacies on them if you need to be sure, do so now. (When Tita Gay came over for our as rice wrappers don’t work as well as the wedding, we made well over 300 pieces other kinds do of lumpia. Everyone had all the lumpia they  egg, beaten (for sealing) could eat, and we enjoyed the extras for almost a month afterwards.) (Or arguers, more correctly? But Argumenteers is  plum sauce (for serving) a fun little reference.) When you’ve made a batch of lumpia, heat 1-2Mix everything but the egg, the wrapper, and the inches of oil in a frying pan until a piece of bread Logos, ethos, and pathos. =) W- and I would likeplum sauce in a large mixing bowl. Test the sizzles or until the oil smokes. (This is why we to help J-, her friends, and other people learnseasoning by frying some of the filling in oil until don’t make lumpia often – frying can be scary!) more about critical thinking, rhetoric, argument,the pork is cooked, then tasting it. When the Fry the lumpia a few at a time, turning or rolling and eventually negotiation. Someday I may evenfilling tastes good, make the spring rolls. them so that they cook evenly. Avoid make a kid’s book about arguments so that kids overcrowding them, and give the oil time to heat (and grown-ups!) can get better at recognizing,Take a spring roll wrapper and spread it on a up again between batches. Lumpia is done when identifying, and responding to arguments. Firstplate or saucer. Put a teaspoon of filling slightly it turns crispy and golden brown. Let them drain step: pick up more practice ourselves.below the wrapper center, in a long finger-width on paper towels or in a strainer, and break oneline. Leave space on either side of the filling so open to test if it’s cooked inside. If it is, eat the The sequence we might work with is:that you can tuck the ends in. Fold the near evidence. Stop yourself from eating more. Fry upcorner of the wrapper over the filling. Fold the another batch. Test those for quality, too. 1. identify and break down argumentssides inwards. Moisten the far edges of the Remember to leave some for your guests.wrapper with some of the egg, then roll up your 2. classify argumentswrapper until you reach the end, rolling it as Serve warm, with plum sauce. 3. identify fallacies and respond to themtightly as you can. 4. identify figures of speech and rhetorical(*Optional: Wash your hands, browse the The three argumenteers effectInternet for a video on how to make it, then get http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22170 5. repair and respond to stronger argumentsback to making lumpia.) March 23, 2011 - Categories: argument, rhetoric, sketches So I’m going to try reading the opinion pages of the New York Times and other news sources and

March 2011 – sachachua.com 106analyzing the arguments there. First feedback. o Drafted administration guide forup: Teaching to the Text Message, Andy 3.1. Support: Short assignments force clarity and project ISeslsberg, March 19, 2011. reduce waste. 3.2. Support: Teachers can give short  RelationshipsArgument: Short, Internet-focused assignments more individual attention. [Implied:writing assignments may be more More individual attention can help students o [X] Host pirate card game partyeffective than long writing assignments learn more effectively] o [X] Catch up on mailearly in the college curriculum. 3.3. Support: Short writing assignments encourage conciseness and creativity o [-] Chat with David Singer1. Long assignments don’t work. 3.4 Support: Moderation – colleges can still have o Received lovely French rolling pin1.1. Support: I’ve been teaching with long writing long writing assignments later in the curriculum. from W-assignments for years, [so I know what I’mtalking about.] Hmm… There must be lots of ways to make o Helped with study group1.2 Support: Students’ long writing assignments rhetoric and argument fun and interesting… o Had fun playing LEGO Star Warsare of low quality (“font-size manipulation, with W-plagiarism, cliches”).1.3 Implied: Teachers don’t have the time to Weekly review: Week ending March 25,  Lifecheck long writing assignments in depth. 20112. Implied: Short Internet-focused writing http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22171 o [X] Draw moreassignments will be more interesting and more March 26, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [-] Update plansuseful.2.1 Support: Alternative formats get people From last week’s plans o [X] Catch up on mailinterested. Plans for next week2.2 Support: Real-life contexts for  Workcommunication such as networking e-mails, o [X] Sort out web services on  Worktweets, or comments will be more relevant to Websphere Application Serverstudents than essays or book reports. o [ ] Work on Rails questionnaire2.3 Support: Alternative assignments are more o [X] Figure out work priorities for project for client Clike students’ everyday life. April and May o [ ] Talk to client U regarding2.4 Support: Writing concisely is useful and more o [X] Send staffing guidelines for Drupalin tune with the world’s needs. project M2.5 Support: Great thinkers can pack a lot of o [ ] Finish administration guide forthought into a few words. [Therefore students o [X] Catch up on work mail project Iwon’t be missing out, and there might be useful o Did first pass of estimates forways to connect the lessons to past thinkers.] project M  Relationships3. Support: Short assignments can help students o [ ] Plant lots of yummy vegetablesdevelop better skills and teachers give better

March 2011 – sachachua.com 107 o [ ] Chat with David Singer This Last Category Delta Notes week week  Life o [X] Learn how to cook dal tidying o [X] Bake another batch of buns Sleep 60.8 60.1 0.7 o [ ] Get through busy week o [ ] Order laptop battery Social 11.0 1.0 9.0 Pirate party,Time analysis study This Last groupCategory Delta Notes week week Travel 7.1 3.9 3.2Break 17.6 4.5 13.1 LEGO Star Work 40.1 44.3 -4.2 In our math study group sessions, we often find Wars! ourselves reviewing lessons that the kids briefly Writing 1.7 11.8 -10.1 covered in school but hadn’t absorbed. ForDrawing 11.7 8.5 3.2 example, one of the kids was having a hard time with long division. “This is going to take a longExercise 1.9 9.8 -7.9 Lots of hanging out this week – hosted a pirate- time,” he said. He sounded hesitant, so I offered related card game party, hosted math study to help him review long division while W- gave group, and spent time playing LEGO Star Wars the other kids additional exercises. I shared theLearning 0.5 -0.5 with Wayne. Work is plenty busy, too. =) mnemonic that helped J- learn long division: Dracula Must Suck Blood, whichPersonal 1.2 2.0 -0.8 Gardening reminds people to divide, multiply, subtract, and Filling in the learning gaps then bring down the next number. We gotPreparation 0.6 3.3 -2.7 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22174 through double-digit division, remainders, and March 27, 2011 - Categories: sketches, teaching decimal points, although he still needs to practiseRoutines – 2.0 6.0 -4.0 until he gets division down pat.cooking J- has moments like that with her schoolwork,Routines – 6.7 9.8 -3.1 too, so it’s good that we have these studygeneral sessions. The kids had taken up algebraic expressions before, but drew blanks when IRoutines – 5.5 1.6 3.9 turned our straightforward price + tax exercise into an exercise along the lines of “Let’s say I

March 2011 – sachachua.com 108want to sell a shirt for $30 after tax, which is On typing in Dvorak learning how to type QWERTY. We must have13%. What should the initial price be?” So we did http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22175 had keyboarding exercises in school, but by thena quick review of algebra, and we’ll do more next March 28, 2011 - Categories: geek, tips I typed faster than most people around already,week. and no one minded that I tended to hit keys with Stefan asks: whichever finger was already in motion.The kids’ classroom lessons are currently focusedon a simulation of real life. They have jobs, and I use the “normal” QWERTY-layout but I am Choosing the Dvorak keyboard layout has a fewmust balance their income and their expenses. thinking to switch over to Dvorak. I read consequences. First, it certainly increases geekSome are entrepreneurs, and some work at somewhere that you are using Dvorak. Can you cred, as odd computer-related decisions tend tocompanies. They’re learning about business, recommend it for someone who is not a do. ;) It also means that I have to switch theadvertising, accounting, and communication. programmer and just types some messages. I keyboard layout on my computer if anyone needsThey’ve even filed income tax returns. The am at 54 WPM in QWERTY. What is your count to borrow it. I can switch layouts, althoughteachers (also known as the Sometimes in QWERTY and in Dvorak. I am really curious sometimes starting up – or alternating betweenBenevolent Force in-game) occasionally shake about it. computers with different layouts – takes a littlethings up. I think it’s an interesting idea. more thought. I’ve changed some of my keyboard Short answer: Try it out if you’re curious, but shortcuts to make them more useful on a DvorakThis integrated, real-life-focused learning does don’t expect miraculous speed gains – typing keyboard. For programs like Nethack, I switch toleave little time to review lessons or build a sense layout is probably not your bottleneck. QWERTY because the shortcuts feel better thatof mastery in basic skills, and J- sometimes has a way. My inclination towards Dvorak is alsohard time talking about the specific lessons she’s One of my quirks is that I’ve switched my dependent on the keyboard size and feel – toolearning from the exercise. That’s one of the computer to the Dvorak keyboard layout – same small or too big, and I’ll switch to QWERTY.reasons why we’ve been stepping up our keyboard, just different software configuration. I There have even been times when I have most ofinvolvement, tutoring J- and organizing these taught myself Dvorak on a whim during the my windows set to Dvorak and one or twostudy groups. The teachers are doing their best, summer of 2002, to see how easily I could windows set to QWERTY – mildly confusingand I think the program might be more useful reprogram muscle memory. It took a month of because of the context-switching, but easythan a plain-vanilla-teach-to-the-textbook typing painfully slowly, and then things clicked. I enough to sort out.approach. Filling in the gaps at home is much currently type at about 90wpm on both Dvorakmore effective than waxing nostalgic or wringing and QWERTY. Typing layout isn’t the limiting factor for me,our hands in worry. though. At 90wpm, I can type about as fast as I I prefer Dvorak, though, because it feels like need to type in order to write or program. If IIt helps to understand that it’s normal for some more even use of my fingers. This is partly want to do things faster, it’s more about thinkingthings to be missed. No school is perfect, no because of the layout, which optimizes for more quickly rather than just typing moreteacher is perfect, and no student is perfect. It alternating fingers when typing English. This is quickly. My brain is the bottleneck, not the waytakes repeated exposure and practice to learn also partly because I learned how to type Dvorak the keys are arranged. (For example, this postsomething – as I learn and re-learn myself, using a computer-based typing program that was written at effectively 22wpm, not 90wpm.)stretching with these projects and hobbies. =) encouraged me to use the right fingers to press When I’m picking up lots of passages from books, each key. In contrast, I don’t remember ever I find that dictating into Dragon Naturally

March 2011 – sachachua.com 109Speaking 11 is reasonably fast, and it’s easier on returns had long sunk in. W- had encouraged her invest time into learning how to automatemy hands and posture too. So I don’t feel any to use a calculator, so at least she didn’t have to whatever she needs to do.particular urge to further improve my typing multiple all those figures by hand, but there werespeed, just as my reading speed is fine. I still still so many numbers to verify. How do people learn how to automate? It’s suchhaven’t gotten the hang of dictating new text to a time-saving skill, but it doesn’t seem all thatDragon Naturally Speaking, though. I currently My geek sense tingled, as it does whenever common. Maybe people are intimidated byfind it faster and less distracting to type new there’s an opportunity for a quick win through spreadsheets and programming languages, andcontent than to say it. automation. I coaxed her back to her homework. that fear of losing more time keeps them from “Come on, let’s set up a spreadsheet,” I said. gradually building the knowledge they need toSo: “That way, you don’t have to redo each of the save lots of time. If we can show J- and other calculations or worry about getting things kids the benefits of automating, maybe that lightWhether you’re on QWERTY or Dvorak, you wrong.” at the end of the tunnel will encourage them tomight see a speed boost if you train yourself to learn. If we expose them to the methods fortype properly – pressing keys with the right We brought up OpenOffice.org Calc. She was still automating tasks, such as putting calculationsfingers, keeping your fingers on the home row as lackluster, so I took the lead in creating the into a spreadsheet, creating keyboard macros, ormuch as possible, and using keyboard shortcuts spreadsheet. I asked her which tax return we writing short programs, maybe they’ll realize it’sand automation to reduce the amount of typing could use as a model, and she picked hers. We not scary – and maybe they’ll start modifying oryou need to do in the first place. Learning a new started filling in the formulas, checking her work creating new tools.keyboard layout might be a way to break yourself along the way. (We found and fixed an error inout of bad habits. Aside from that, Dvorak, her tax return, too!) Then we tested the In my experience, working with new automatingColemak, and other layouts might be worth spreadsheet on a few other tax returns she had frameworks is always slow and somewhatchecking out as an intellectual exercise. Who manually done, and she used it to check the rest. frustrating in the beginning. It helps that I don’tknows, you might enjoy typing in one of them! usually need or want to automate everything Result: Not only could she verify a correct tax right away. I break things down into small2011-03-28 Mon 21:47 return in less than a minute, but she perked up things, small wins. I might start by figuring out and started having fun with it. She made a pile of the most time-consuming parts and automating correct tax returns and a pile of incorrect ones, that 10%, or automating the most commonHelping kids learn about automation with sticky notes pointing out the deficiencies. operations. As I become more familiar with thehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22176 She still doesn’t want to be an accountant again, tools and the process, I automate a little bitMarch 29, 2011 - but at least she knows that tedious tasks might be more, and more, and more. Eventually I mightCategories: automation, highlight, teaching automated away. even create a tool that other people can use, like the way my Community Toolkit for LotusJ- shuffled in and out of the living room, listless The next time J- finds herself doing tedious Connections is off and running.and bored. As part of a 9-week simulation of real calculations or verifications, I hope she thinkslife in school, she and her classmates had been about how much faster, more reliable, and more The hardest thing, I guess, is knowing where toassigned jobs. Her job was to be an accountant, enjoyable the spreadsheet was compared to start. I run into that problem a lot, because Iand the tedium of checking dozens of pretend tax calculating things step by step, and perhaps work with lots of different technologies and

March 2011 – sachachua.com 110frameworks. It’s like looking for the end of a  I want to avoid burning myself out  I sleep a median of 59 hours a week,tangled piece of string. That can be hard to find which is about eight and a half hours a  I want to make sure I allocate enoughin the confusion, but once you do, you can start day. This is more than I expected, but I time to important activities instead of,unknotting the mess. I want J- to be able to manage to get a lot done anyway, so it’s say, getting carried away with lots of funthink: ah, this has to do with calculations, maybe okay. work and flow experiences, andI can get a handle on it by using a spreadsheet,  I work a little over 40 hours each week,putting in manual steps if needed.  I want to cultivate other deep interests except for the occasional week of crunch and relationships. time or travel. I don’t make a habit of 50-How do you use teachable moments to encourage hour weeks, and I get a little twitchypeople to automate? Fatigue and burnout are particularly big concerns for developers. There’s always the when I work too intensely several weeks2011-03-29 Tue 21:09 temptation to be unrealistic about one’s in a row (46 hours or so). This means that when I estimate timelines or project my schedule, either through over-optimistic estimates or through business pressures. utilization, I should assume 38 or 40-More thoughts on time analysis: However, sustained crunch mode decreases hour weeks instead of 44 hours.correlations and revealed preferences productivity and may even result in negative  I spend most of my time sleeping (44%),http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22177 productivity. Sleep deprivation severely cuts into working (31%), or connecting with peopleMarch 29, 2011 - cognitive ability and increases the chance of (11%). Regular routines take up 9% of myCategories: analysis, geek, highlight, quantified catastrophic error. I like what I do too much to time, while my favourite hobby (writing) waste time burning out. takes only 5%. I enjoy my work and IPeople often ask about the time analyses I do as sleep well at night, so this time allocationpart of my weekly review. My weekly time Development is so engaging for me. I could keep is fine.tracking reports go back to about December 11, writing code and building systems late into the2010, when I started tracking my time using the night, at the expense of other things I could do. In economics, there’s the idea of afree Time Recording app on the Android. I do it Tracking time helps me keep a careful eye on revealed preference, which is basically whatbecause of the following reasons: how much time I spend programming. Like the your actions show compared to what you might way a good budgeting system helps me make the say or think you prefer. I may think I’d like to  I need to track my project-level time for most of my expenses and gives me the freedom sew or learn languages or do the piano, but if I work anyway, to take advantage of opportunities, a good time spend time playing LEGO Star Wars III instead, budgeting system helps me make the most of my then that tells me that sewing, Latin, and  I want to see where I spend my time and focused work time and allows me to also focus on Schumann are lower on my priority list. if that’s in line with my priorities, other things that matter (the care and feeding of (Rationalization: LEGO Star Wars is  I want to know how much time it takes relationships, the development of new skills, and awesome and it counts as bonding time with W- me to do certain things, in order to so on). and J-, so it’s not all that bad.) improve my estimates and get better at planning, So here are some new things I’ve learned So, how do I really trade my time? Which from time tracking: activities are positively or negatively correlated

March 2011 – sachachua.com 111with other activities? I made a correlation matrix longer. Also, = live offto see how I spent my time. I used conditional I needed to home-madeformatting to make high correlations jump out at go to the frozenme. I found some interesting patterns in how I office for lunchesshift time from one category to another. some of theActivity Activity Linear Notes crunchy Sleep Cooking -0.62 Late1 2 correlation projects. weekend coefficient mornings = (r) Sleep Break 0.67 Relaxed days less cooking?Prep Personal 0.87 Getting Sleep Writing 0.60 Nice to know Sleep Prep -0.58 Likewise things in writing isn’t order means conflicting Sleep Personal -0.57 More sleep = I can give with sleep less time myself spent permission to Social Drawing -0.50 The Saturday learning learn afternoons or other things something weekday new evenings I spend with I can guess at the causality of some of theseCooking Prep 0.86 Makes people relationships, but the others are up in the air. =) perfect sense. instead of Still, I’m learning quite a lot from this exercise. Big chore sketching For example, I thought I was giving up sleep in days. order to write more or draw more. It turns out Routines Drawing -0.65 Lots of that sleep cuts into cooking, prep, and otherBreak Drawing 0.75 More chores = less personal interests (sewing, piano, etc.), and relaxing time drawing time doesn’t have much effect on work, writing, or = more drawing. I do sleep quite well, though, so it may drawing time be interesting to experiment with that. Personal Drawing -0.55 Learning other thingsTravel Work 0.69 When I I’m also happy to see I don’t give up too much = less time commute to because of travel – a median of 3.4 hours / week, spent on work, I much of which is spent reading, brainstorming, drawing probably or listening to audiobooks with W-. Travel time tend to work reduces cooking time, but that’s okay because we Travel Cooking -0.60 Lots of travel batch-cook in order to minimize weekday

March 2011 – sachachua.com 112cooking. It’s good to see that it doesn’t affect my do with your performance (although it might documentation, reading logs andother activities a lot. have a little to do with your happiness), I wanted debugging output. This is probably more to think about what makes a fast programmer. useful than typing at a gazillion wpm. YouThe same dataset lets me analyze my sleeping People tell me I’m fast. I know people who can need to be able to quickly spot thepatterns, report project-level breakdowns at pull programs together even faster. We touch- significant parts. Learn how to skim.work, and review quick notes on my day. I’m in type, for sure, but that’s the least of it.  Working with complexconsulting, so I need to track and bill my time structures: The better you get atper project. Time Recording makes it easy to do A huge part of development speed is experience. understanding complex structures orthat, and I’m thinking of tweaking my workflow If you’re familiar with a programming platform, logic, the faster you can come up withfurther so that I can use task-level times to the error messages, the structure, the way things more effective solutions, and the less timeimprove my estimates. work and the way things are named, you can you spend going back and forth. You learn new concepts and write correct code much don’t have to do it all in your head. FindSo that’s where I am, tracking-wise. It takes me a faster than a newbie can.few seconds to clock into a new category, and the systems that work well for you (notes?habit is handy for making sure I know where my What if you’re faced with a new framework? mindmaps? diagrams?) and use them.phone is. Tracking my time also helps me stay You’ll still get a speed boost if you can relate the  Problem decomposition: Breaking bigmore focused on what I’m doing. If you’re concepts to other things you’ve learned. If you problems down into smaller testablecurious about the idea and you have a can figure out the control structures you need steps can help you make quick progresssmartphone or other mobile device, find a time- and the debugging techniques you can use, then and keep things manageable. This is alsotracking application and give it a try. Have fun! it’s mostly a matter of translating to the new one of those skills that can give you lots of framework and picking up any quirks or local leverage on time. If you can get really2011-03-29 Tue 21:54 idioms. good at spotting the core of the problem and figuring out the key parts of the So let’s break it down further. What are small, solution, you can get something into placeBecoming a faster developer specific skills that can help a developer get really much faster. It’s also a useful skill forhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22178 fast? testing code thoroughly.March 31, 2011 - Categories: development, geek  Good development practices: Source  Touch-typing: Still practically a given. code control, testing, and all sorts of(NOTE: Becoming a faster developer isn’t You need to be able to think about your other development hygiene practicesnecessarily the same as becoming a more code, not about typing code. If you aren’t means less time spent fixing avoidableproductive developer. Becoming a more yet a touch-typist, sit down and work on mistakes.productive developer is better. Speed isn’t that.everything!)  Collaboration: If you can get someone  Speed-reading: This comes in handy else to do the things you’re really slow at everywhere. Much of programming is so that you can focus on the things you’reFollowing up on my post about typing speed, reading: reading requirements, readingQWERTY/Dvorak/alternate layouts, and the idea really fast at, the team can get much other people’s code, reading faster. This also includes documentingthat your keyboard layout probably has little to

March 2011 – sachachua.com 113 your work so that people don’t have to Latīnum studémus. Monē mē! Why Latin? Geek quirkiness. Secret languages reinvent the wheel. for greater connection. Potential classical The Latin textbooks that W- ordered from the education.What would you add to this list? library have arrived, and we’re slowly making our way through both Wheelock’s Latin and an It will be interesting. Let’s see if my blog can online copy of a Latin textbook from the 1880s. handle the characters…Quid est nōmen tuum? Nōmen meum est Writing is probably going to be painfully slow“Sacha” and ungrammatic for a while, but hey, it’s worthhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22179 a try. =)March 31, 2011 - Categories: Uncategorized

April 2011 – sachachua.com 114 o [X] Work on Rails questionnaire o [ ] Finish first phase prototype for project for client C client CApril 2011 o [X] Talk to client U regarding o [ ] Host Idea Lab for Japan Drupal o [ ] Make presentation “The BusyRunning the Selenium IDE testing plugin o [X] Finish administration guide Person’s Guide to Learning fromwith Firefox 4 for project I the Network” (for IBM internalhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22180 conference)April 1, 2011 - Categories: development, geek o Wrote up descriptions of ongoing projects and shared them with other people who may be able to  RelationshipsSelenium is a web testing framework that allowsyou to test web applications involving HTML and help o [ ] Prepare gardenJavascript. The plugin hasn’t been updated to o Helped with mail merge and Idea o [ ] Learn more Latinindicate that it works with Firefox 4, so you can’t Labsinstall it directly.  Life o Connected with project managerYou can use the Firefox Add-on Compatibility for project M o [ ] Take a look at my time budgetReporter to install Selenium and other Mozilla o [ ] Sketch more plansFirefox plugins that have not yet been marked as  Relationshipscompatible. After you install the compatibility o [X] Plant lots of yummy o [ ] Practice drawingreporter and restart your browser, you should be vegetables Time analysisable to install the official version of the Seleniumplugin. o [X] Chat with David Singer This Last Category Delta Notes o Started learning Latin week weekProps to the Mozilla support forum for the tip!  Life Break 11.2 17.6 -6.4 LEGO2011-04-01 Fri 12:21 Star o [X] Learn how to cook dal Wars! o [X] Bake another batch of bunsWeekly review: Week ending April 1, 2011 Drawing 0.9 11.7 -10.8http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22181 o [X] Get through busy weekApril 2, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [X] Order laptop battery Exercise 6.8 1.9 4.9From last week’s plans Plans for next week Learning  Work  Work Personal 1.2 -1.2

April 2011 – sachachua.com 115 in the front yard of an apartment building. I walk (It’s good exercise!) We found it at Home Depot This LastCategory Delta Notes past her garden on the way to the library and the for $8–much better than the ~$20 we’d paid at week week supermarket, and I’ve often admired how Plant World as part of last year’s experiment. It’s productive it is: rows of bok choi between the worth a try. If we get enough organic material, IPreparation 0.5 0.6 -0.1 walkways, beans and peas trellised with twigs, might do one bin with compost accelerator and even the occasional squash peeking out through one without.Routines – 2.0 -2.0 the foliage. I regularly see her tending thecooking garden, watering it by hand with a dipper and a I also started a 5′ double-row of peas yesterday, bucket, transplanting seedlings and pulling up and about 1.5 square feet each of bok choi andRoutines – 8.1 6.7 1.4 weeds. She knows I like her garden, and even rocket lettuce. The seeds I started indoors stillgeneral waves hi to me when we encounter each other on haven’t sprouted, although the cat grass from the street. three weeks ago is now ready for consumption.Routines – 1.5 5.5 -4.0 It’ll be okay. Worst-case scenario is that we buytidying The woman down the street has started her basil and tomato plants from the store. I do hope outdoor garden, turning the soil over, forming it our bitter melon plants come up, though, as weSleep 54.9 60.8 -5.9 into neat raised beds, adding planks for can’t find those grown in nurseries here. walkways to avoid crushing the aerated soil. She has more than 100′ square feet to play with, “Do you remember the sugar peas? It was a lot ofSocial 12.8 11.0 1.8 Study fun eating them off the vine,” said J-. almost all in full sun. Our backyard garden is group, shadier because of all the trees, but we’ve got catching “And the tomatoes!” W- added. about 70′ square feet, plus the pathway sides that up I used for cat grass and parsley last year. “My friends are so excited.” said J- as she helpedTravel 4.5 7.1 -2.6 I’ve started our garden, too. Yesterday, I turned tidy up the garden yesterday. the compost over, consolidating the winter’sWork 56.9 40.1 16.8 collection of leaves, kitchen scraps, and soil from “Excited about our tomatoes?” W- asked. three half-full bins to one and a half bins,Writing 6.8 1.7 5.1 appropriately layered (brown, green, brown, “I guess we’d better plan a summer tomato party, green) and liberally sprinkled with compost then.” I said. (Although that might be like accelerator. counting your tomatoes before they’ve set.)Starting up our garden We’re giving compost accelerator another try this That’s a great sign that gardening is paying off.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22182 year. W- brought it up because he was impressed One doesn’t get quite as excited about the plumpApril 3, 2011 - Categories: gardening by how quickly last year’s organic material sugar peas one can get from the supermarket, or turned into rich, dark, compost. Then again, that the cherry tomatoes in plastic packaging that weOne of my gardening role models is the woman was also the year I started turning the material pass by because of their premium pricing. Butdown the street who grows all sorts of vegetables regularly, so I’d like to take some of the credit. the thrill of checking for fresh strawberries, peas,

April 2011 – sachachua.com 116tomatoes; the convenience of dashing out for  Bookmark Lotus Connections so that for people on Bluepages or Lotussome dill or some cilantro; the abundance of they can easily search it in the future. Connections. Take advantage of the speedpesto picked from dozens of plants; the mentoring events that IBM Learning  Learn to find people based on documentssatisfaction of tasting the fruits (and vegetables sometimes organizes and see if you can and other shared information.and herbs) of your work–you can’t buy these connect with anyone. Attendthings from the supermarket. And this summer One of my mentors told me that at IBM, it’s okay presentations and connect with speakerswe’ll get to enjoy it from the comforts of the if you don’t know something. If you don’t ask for or other participants. Once you have aMuskoka chairs we finished last fall! help and things get messed up, though, that’s mentor, ask him or her for introductions to other people who might be able to help. when you get into trouble. So I want to shareI’m so lucky. To be 27 and live in circumstances with you some tips I’ve picked up on how to learnlike this – a good-size backyard, walking distance Maybe you’re feeling shy. Maybe you as quickly as you can, from as many people asto the supermarket, the library, and the subway think, “Well, I’m new to IBM. Why would you can.station, biking distance to the Home Depot anyone mentor me?” I found it hard towhose garden centre I will undoubtedly frequent I’ve been with IBM for almost four years. I know ask people to mentor me, too, but I was(last year some of the staff said “Welcome what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by all the amazed by how generous people wereback!”)… Life is good. different things there are to learn: working with when it came to helping new people. Lotus Notes and other applications, dealing with Many mentors help others because other2011-04-03 Sun 08:54 people mentored them. Others mentor technologies, working with team members and clients… It can be really intimidating. people because they learn a lot in the Fortunately, at IBM, there are plenty of people process. Mentors have lots of reasons forThe Busy Person’s Guide to Learning from helping, so don’t be afraid to ask. who can help – but sometimes you need to stepthe Network (a guide for IBMers)http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22183 up and ask. Social networking tip: Look forApril 4, 2011 - mentors and role models who blog or post  Mentors updates in Lotus Connections or on theCategories: ibm, learning, presentation, tips, work Internet. That way, you can easily learn If you don’t have a mentor yet, find one. from people in between your meetings. Even better, find several mentors. You can even learn from people aroundI promised to put together a talk on learning for Mentors can help you figure things out:an IBM virtual conference for new hires. Here’s the world, and people whom you might be the specific technology you’re learning,a rough draft, just to get it out of my head and too shy to reach to right now. For the tools you need to work with, the example, if you’re curious about whatinto a form I can work with. I’ll add URLs processes in your team or business unit,internally. The next steps I want people to take IBM Fellows do (they have the highest even your career plans. technical rank in IBM), or what viceare: presidents are like, or so on, you can How can you find a mentor? Share your  Find a mentor, or even several mentors. learn from their blogs, tweets, and other questions with your manager and ask posts. Maybe you’ll find something you your manager to refer you to some people can comment on or ask about! who might be good mentors for you. Look

April 2011 – sachachua.com 117 How to work with mentors: Talk to Don’t stop with the documents you find, have collaborated on, and read blog posts your mentors about your goals and figure too. One of the best things you can learn for people’s notes and articles. out how they can help you. Take the lead from a document or an asset is where you in setting up meetings and asking can go to find more information. Are What if you still can’t find what you need, questions. Show your appreciation there related communities? Can you look and the people you ask don’t know of any through thank-you notes – and even up other things the author has written? resources, either? This is where you better, show your appreciation through When you come across a useful might need to ask more people. the results that come from taking your document, look for any author mentors’ advice. information or lists of related experts. If  More questions and answers you need help finding the right resources Okay. You’ve got mentors. But you can’t or you have a question that’s not Have a short question? Try posting it on go to your mentors for every little thing answered by the document, you might be IBM Answers. You’ll get an e-mail you need to learn, so you still need to able to ask those people for help. (Look notification if anyone replies. While figure out things on your own. for communities or forums first, though – you’re there, see if you can answer any of this helps avoid e-mail overload, and you the pending questions.  Documentation, assets, and other sources can ask more people for help. We’ll talk of information more about communities later.) Tip: Don’t just post your question on IBM Answers and walk away. Reach out You’re probably already used to searching Okay. Formal documentation is great, but to specific people to see if they can share the Internet for information when you’re there’s often very little of it, especially for anything. If you use Profile status trying to learn something new. It can be new tools and technologies. What do you updates, post your question with a link to harder to find just the right document do when you need to learn about the answer page. within IBM. If you’re new to a topic, it something that doesn’t have a lot of can be difficult to find beginner-level articles or manuals yet? Regarding experts: If you have a resources, or even to know what and question that needs deep expertise, you where to search.  Files, bookmarks, wikis, and blog posts might want to give Expertise Locator a try. You don’t want to waste experts’ time, If you’re stuck, ask your coworkers or When I need to find out about something though, so if your request is non-urgent, your manager for help in getting started. new, informal, or obscure, I often check it’s probably better to start at a lower Take notes! Make a list of the resources people’s files, bookmarks, wikis, or blog level. People can escalate your request if you find useful as a beginner, and you’ll posts. This is where Lotus Connections needed. be able to share that list with other people really shines. You can search people’s who join the project. It’s a quick way to public files and presentations for new Sometimes it helps to ask many people create value – and people are more likely information, search bookmarks for instead of focusing on just a few. This is to invest time into helping you if they information other people have found where Lotus Connections Communities know that your notes will help them and useful, check out wikis to see what people and IBM forums come in. other people save time in the future.

April 2011 – sachachua.com 118  Lotus Connections Communities with questions that need much broader or answering other people’s questions, deeper experience than you have, or you sharing useful resources, and posting Whatever you’re looking for, there’s have no idea where to even start learning, notes of thanks or encouragement. probably a community or forum related your network is essential. to it. Search Lotus Connections  Wrapping up Communities to find groups related to the If you can’t think of anyone who would topic. IBM Forums has older groups, too. know the answers you need, try thinking You’ll need to learn a lot at IBM, and of people who might know people who you’ll need to learn it quickly. Not Many communities have discussion would know the answer. Ask them for everything will be written down, and you forums. You’ll need to join the referrals. You can also look for people in might not find everything you need using community in order to ask a question. Lotus Connections Profiles or Bluepages w3 or an Internet search engine. You’ll Look at other posts to see how people ask and try reaching out to them. need to learn from the network. for help. Provide as much information as you can in your message, but don’t post Social networking tip: Lotus o Learn from managers, coworkers, any confidential information. Show that Connections Profiles is a great way to ask mentors, and role models about you’ve “done your homework” – describe questions and get quick responses from things you might not even know to how you’ve tried to solve the problem or whoever’s available in your network at ask about where you’ve looked for information. the time. You need to build your network That way, people might be more before you can use this effectively, o Follow the clues from people’s encouraged to help you. though. Look at the main Profiles page to files and assets to find related see who’s been participating, and invite communities and experts. Important: Ask the community owners them to your network. If they agree, you’ll o Search people’s files, bookmarks, (see the Members tab) Some be able to see their updates in your blog posts, and profile updates to communities use the “Mail community” timeline, and they can see yours. That see the latest. feature to handle questions, before means that if you post questions in Lotus mailing the community. Many Connections, people might see it and o Check out Q&A sites for additional communities have thousands of answer it. resources. members, and too much community e- o Reach out to communities and mail can make the community useless. Why would people spend time checking forums if you need help from out Lotus Connections and possibly more people.  Building your network answering questions? For many people, it’s like a quick break by the virtual office o Gradually build your network so What about all those questions that watercooler, a way to catch up with lots of that you can easily ask for people’s people haven’t answered before, and for people and to help out people if they can. help when you have new which there are no active communities? Try it – spend a little time each day or questions. This is where your personal network each week building your relationships by becomes important. When you’re faced reading people’s profile updates, Good luck!

April 2011 – sachachua.com 119 2011-04-02 Sat 21:42 2. Install Ruby Gems. wget http://www.sqlite.org/sqlite- Downloadcd the latest Ruby Gems package and amalgamation-3.7.0.1.tar.gzSetting up Ruby on Rails on a Redhat unpack it. I got mine tar zxvf sqlite-amalgamation-3.7.0.1.tar.gzEnterprise Linux Rackspace Cloud Server from http://production.cf.rubygems.org/rubyge cd sqlite-amalgamation-3.7.0.1http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22184 ms/rubygems-1.7.1.tgz . Change to the directory ./configureApril 4, 2011 - and run: makeCategories: development, geek, rails, ruby, work make install ruby setup.rb gem install sqlite31. Compile Ruby from source. 3. Install Rails and rake LoadError: no such file to load – opensslFirst, install all the libraries you’ll need tocompile Ruby. gem install rails rake 1. Install openssl and openssl-devel.yum install gcc zlib libxml2-develyum install gcc If all goes well, you should now have Rails and 2. yum install openssl openssl-develyum install zlib rake.yum install zlib-devel Troubleshooting: 3. Go to your Ruby source directory and runyum install openssl the following commands:yum install openssl-devel *builder-2.1.2 has an invalid value for @cert_chain* 4. cd ext/opensslMy particular application has problems with 5. ruby extconf.rbRuby 1.9.2, so I compiled Ruby 1.8.7 instead. 6. make Downgrade Rubygems to version 1.6.2 with the 7. make installThis can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.ruby- following command.lang.org/pub/ruby/1.8/ruby-1.8.7-p174.tar.gz gem update --system 1.6.2 LoadError: no such file to load – readlineUnpack the source code for Ruby. Configure andinstall it with: yum install readline-devel (Stack Overflow)./configuremake sqlite3-ruby only supports sqlite3 Change to your Ruby source directory and runmake install versions 3.6.16+, please upgrade! the following: Compile sqlite from source: cd ext/readlineAdd /usr/local/bin to the beginning of ruby extconf.rbyour PATH. make

April 2011 – sachachua.com 120 equations is somewhat familiar to J-, but the 2 * (number of lions + number of tigers +make install process of solving algebraic equations confuses number of bears) = 2 * number of lions + 2 * all the kids. I have a feeling that we’re either number of tigers + 2 * number of bears. taking up the topic before the teachers have had(Code snippets) a chance to adequately explain things, or the I drew a lion, a tiger, and a bear instead of real-life situation (“Town”) leaves the students writing the corresponding phrases. =) Then J-You can’t access port 80 from another little time to focus on other lessons. Well, it is said, “Oh my!” and everyone laughed.computer. what it is (this is becoming one of my mantras these days), so we just have to do our best. The kids often forget that whatever they do toPort 80 (the web server port) is blocked by one side of the equation, they need to do to thedefault on Redhat Enterprise Linux 5.5. The small-group format is still working well. other. As a result, J- once ended up with theEdit /etc/sysconfig/iptables to allow it, adding a We’re going to try it with four kids to see if interesting equation 2 = 4. Looks like we need toline like: pairing them up to help each other will help the review how to use the equals sign. ;) We might kids learn more effectively and build more try the see-saw metaphor. If you have a balanced-A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -m state --state NEW - confidence. W- has also checked out an armful of see-saw, you can keep it balanced by adding orm tcp -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT books from the library. I’ve been paging through removing the same amount from both sides. You “Real-World Algebra” and similar books to find can keep it balanced by multiplying and dividingMake sure you put it above the REJECT all line. some ideas for exercises the kids can relate to. from both sides. If you add, subtract, multiply, or divide one side without doing the same to theLoad your changes with We try to liven things up with energy and other, you end up with an imbalanced seesaw. amusing examples. They have to eventually We’ll see if that helps them remember./etc/init.d/iptables restart become comfortable with abstract exercises such as 5n + 30 = 180, and it’s difficult to make that Because we’re discussing new material for them, more interesting. I don’t want to just repeat the we have to walk through the exercises together(Cyberciti) fake word problems of standard algebra before they can try things on their own. When textbooks, so I’m keeping an eye out for real-life they try things out, progress can be slow and2011-04-04 Mon 11:06 situations in which I’ve used algebra myself. It frustrating. We’re seeing if we can take can be hard to notice when you take math for advantage of group dynamics by posing a granted, but math is everywhere, so I should be question and encouraging the kids to talk outHelping kids learn algebra able to collect examples. loud about the strategies they might use. Theyhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22185 help each other out, too. The group formatApril 5, 2011 - Categories: learning, life, teaching In the meantime, there are small things we can definitely pays off – seeing other kids struggle or do to help them keep their attention on math or succeed helps a great deal.In the math study groups we organize at home, to remember the concepts more vividly. I triedwe’ve moved past fractions and percentages into this example for distribution: Do you have any favourite middle school groupthe wild and wonderful world of algebra. study resources or tips? =)Translating a problem into an algebraic

April 2011 – sachachua.com 121Why we use more than math textbooks There are several types of exercises. Completely I love research-backed books that help usand general-purpose resources abstract ones (here’s an equation, solve for n) get understand why we do what we do. Paulahttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22186 lots of confusion and little engagement. Practical Szuchman and Jenny Anderson’s Spousonomics:April 6, 2011 - exercises (how much would this cost after tax?) Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, andCategories: learning, math, teaching get some interest. Outlandish exercises drawing Dirty Dishes was no exception. The book takes a on the kids’ interests get lots of laughs – and look at common marital conflicts and situations,For last Sunday’s study group, we focused on solutions. So we mix practical exercises and showing the underlying economic principles thatalgebraic expressions. The kids were a little out outlandish ones, one to show math in real life influence our actions. For example:of sorts at the beginning. “Math is boring,” one and the other to get the kids involved. It’s likesaid. improv comedy, but for education.  Division of labour: Splitting chores equally may not result in the most“The way it’s taught in school, maybe. But math This is where parents and tutors really need to efficient or the happiest of marriages.is really useful in life, so it’s good to learn it,” I step in and mix things up. Textbooks are written Specialize, remembering that payoffs cansaid. I shared a few examples of saving money for everyone. They can’t take individual interests change over time.with math, enjoying life with math. into account, and they can’t be revised each month to take advantage of pop culture  Loss aversion: People hate to lose, references. When you make up your own which can result in really drawn-outThe group warmed up using a matching exercise, fights. The advice to “never go to bedmatching the word problems on the left side with exercises, though, you can do whatever you want. angry” can backfire. It’s okay to havethe algebraic expressions on the right. Then we time-outs.worked through some of the problems I’d I know J- likes Scott Pilgrim, Fruits Basket, andprepared. In one afternoon, we talked about: cats, so they turn up in math exercises. It’s not  Supply and demand: If you want hard to pick up some standard forms of exercises something to happen more often, don’t  cats and how much food they eat (1/4 from textbooks and translate them into more make it costly or risky. cup, twice a day, 365 days, n cats…) interesting situations.  Moral hazard: It’s easy to take good  T-shirts, sleeping cat toys, and chopsticks Helping someone learn? Make up exercises things for granted. It’s also easy to end up that look like lightsabers based on their interests and see what happens. trying to avoid any sort of conflict. The sweet spot is in the middle, where you’re  how much it might cost to eat onigiri for not taking your relationship for granted, every meal, every day, for a year but you’re not paranoid about your Spousonomics: Using economics to  how long you might be able to eat onigiri master love, marriage, and dirty dishes spouse quitting. given a particular budget http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22187  Incentives: Think about the incentives  Scott Pilgrim, Wallace, and Knives Chau April 7, 2011 - you use and if they’re really effective. Categories: analysis, book, love, reading, researc Trust can be much more useful than  more cats, including Neko on my head h nagging.

April 2011 – sachachua.com 122  Trade-offs: Think at the margin: (problem couples who usually end up patching party battery. It wasn’t cheap, but I figured that consider the costs and benefits of small things up) and lots of research. investing in tools is worth it. I regularly set aside changes. Ignore sunk costs when making money for tools and opportunities, so I used that. decisions. Get over the “it’s not fair” Here are some thoughts I particularly like: fixation. I ordered the new battery for full price. When I If there are areas you care about but you feel remembered that IBM has an employee purchase  Asymmetric helpless in, put in the time and effort to develop program with Lenovo, I crossed my fingers and information: Communicate clearly. the comparative advantage in at least one of sent Lenovo an e-mail to ask if I could cancel my Don’t play games by hiding or them. The authors tell the story of one economist previous order. They cancelled it for me, and I withholding information. Figure out the who put the time into at least learning how to reordered it for about $30 less. Never hurts to essentials of what you need to share so bathe an infant so that his wife wouldn’t end up ask! that you don’t overload your spouse. with all the child-rearing tasks – and so that he  Intertemporal choice: It’s easy to wouldn’t get tempted to take advantage of that I was thinking about the new Lenovo X220 make good decisions for the future, but kind of a division. tablet, too. I really like my X61 tablet. The X220 hard to stick with those decisions in the promises a faster processor, higher resolution, present. Use commitment devices to help Looking for things to read? In terms of marriage and a much longer battery life. I think I can get you stick with your resolutions or good research, I’d recommend “Spousonomics” and away without that for now, though. Waiting for ideas. Susan Page’s “The 8 Essential Traits of Couples used X220s to turn up on Craigslist or similar who Thrive”. What do you like? sites could really reduce my costs. (Hmm, maybe  Bubbles: Non-bubbly married life is I can ask work about my laptop refresh cycle…) normal, so don’t stress out if you’re no longer infatuated. Beware of being unduly Decision review: Battery My battery arrived today. I’m really glad I can influenced by groups – just because http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22188 unplug my laptop and move it from room to everyone else seems to be doing room now. Yay! =) something doesn’t mean it’s right for you, April 8, 2011 - Categories: geek too. Don’t get overconfident. 2011-04-03 Sun 08:32 After several days of accidentally unplugging my  Game theory: Don’t let the urge to battery-dead laptop (knocking away the power retaliate or overcompensate lead to you to cord, unplugging the wrong cable, etc.), I ordered wildly polarized positions. Work together a new battery. My laptop is still usable without a Writing more about life to get optimal results, not just battery. I just have to put it into hibernation http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22189 individually-optimal results, and use before moving it around. Power interruptions April 9, 2011 - commitment devices to help you stick could result in hard disk corruption, though, and Categories: blogging, decision, writing with it. I’d rather not have to deal with two broken components. I am going to write more about life.The book goes into far more depth, and is anexcellent read. It’s illustrated with case studies I decided to order an official battery from It took me a while to get used to this idea. I Lenovo.com instead of taking a risk on a third- started blogging as a way of taking notes – source

April 2011 – sachachua.com 123code, class lectures, and so on. That makes sense other people, and I might help other people along o Helped with math study group:to write down. It’s useful. It might even be useful the way. positive and negative numbers,to other people. I’m comfortable with writing algebrathrough decisions and sharing what I’m learning 2011-04-09 Sat 22:09from life, particularly if I can geek out. But  Lifeeveryday stories? Should I write about thosewhen I could, say, write tips or draft Weekly review: Week ending April 8, 2011 o [X] Take a look at my time budgetpresentations instead? http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22200 o [X] Sketch more plans April 10, 2011 - Categories: weekly o [X] Practise drawingReviewing my print-outs of past blog posts,though, I find myself coming back to the From last week’s plans Plans for next weekmemories. The tips I’ve written up for otherpeople (or for myself) are handy. They’ll be the  Work  Worknucleus of a book someday. The technical notes I o [-] Finish first phase prototype forkeep help me save time re-solving problems. The o [ ] Doublecheck mail, implement client C – lots of good progress!memories are the entries that improve with age, feedback for project Cbecoming richer and more layered over time. o [X] Host Idea Lab for Japan o [ ] Follow up on Idea Labs o [X] Make presentation “The BusyThe friends I’ve made through writing about o [ ] Finish paperwork for project M Person’s Guide to Learning fromEmacs, Drupal, and other technical topics also the Network” (for IBM internalhave plenty of insights on life, education, crafts, conference)  Relationshipsand other things. The experiences and o [X] Make bagels and bunsperspectives I bring to life turn everyday o Helped plan for project Mexperiences into geek explorations. I think it will o Assisted with Get Social, Do o [ ] Plan get-togetherall work out. Business event at work o [ ] Make fresh cranberry bagels for o Put together Idea Lab description, J-What it comes down to is this realization: Theseeveryday moments are worth writing sent to manager o [ ] Make big batch of lunchesabout, learning from, and sharing. I might o Helped Archie Trajano think o [ ] Write about math group studythink they’re ordinary now, but they anchor my about personal branding sessionsexperiences and make it easier to rememberwhole chunks of life, fleeting sensations, elusive o []  Relationshipsthoughts. Like the way that even rough drawings o Biked up to Dufferin/St. Clairhelp me see and remember more clearly, words o [X] Prepare garden library with W-will be the white pebbles dropped by this Gretel o [X] Learn more Latinto find her way back. And who knows? Memories o Started more dill and cilantrotrigger other memories. I’m sure I’ll learn from

April 2011 – sachachua.com 124  Life himself successful if more project managers This Last Category Delta Notes asked him to troubleshoot their projects – both o [ ] Post book notes week week technical and non-technical issues. He’s been o [] working at the company for 12 years, and he had Travel 1.3 4.5 -3.2 plenty of war stories and lessons learned to shareTime analysis with me. He told me that his peers know about This Last Work 45.9 56.9 -11.0 his skills, but he wanted to hear about moreCategory Delta Notes week week projects, expand the kinds of roles he took on Writing 3.4 6.8 -3.4 Tried projects, and go into projects with moreBreak 10.2 11.2 -1.0 batch- authority and leverage. writingDrawing 0.7 0.9 -0.2 posts Now that was a much more useful vision than “improve personal brand.” We could work with that. It might not even have anything to do withExercise 3.3 6.8 -3.5 FAQ: wikis, blogs, or Twitter.Learning 1.0 1.0  Why do I do these weekly reviews? See on So: How can one build a reputation for project the practice of a weekly review. work?Personal 5.5 5.5 Gardening  What about the detailed time analysis? We figured that the best ways to reach the people See more thoughts on time analysis. Archie was interested in would be throughPreparation 8.6 0.5 8.1 Lots of planning managers and resource deployment managers. There are a couple of ways to do that: e-mail and On developing a reputation for projectRoutines – 1.7 1.7 presentations. workcooking http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22194 In terms of e-mail, one of the best things Archie April 11, 2011 - Categories: ibm, mentoring, work can do is to make sure that the results that he’sRoutines – 6.7 8.1 -1.4general getting turn up in the right people’s e-mail Over lunch, Archie and I talked about one of his inboxes. As it can sometimes be difficult to get business goals for this year. He wanted to work recognition or documentation of results fromRoutines – 2.0 1.5 0.5 on his personal brand. busy project managers, I suggested that Archietidying write up the problems he solves, the results, and I asked him what he meant by his personal tips for avoiding such problems in the future. IfSleep 60.6 54.9 5.7 brand. “What would success look like?” I asked. he sends this e-mail to the project manager and to our manager, they can forward it to otherSocial 17.1 12.8 4.3 Archie said that he’d like to be known more for people as needed – if they hear of a project that troubleshooting, and that he would consider has a similar problem, if someone asks them who

April 2011 – sachachua.com 125can help with a troubled project, and so on. It’s everyone had called around and sorted things out “They do more of this hopping backward thing,important to keep one’s manager up to date on with their parents, and everyone was well-fed, we yes, but cats can walk backwards if they want to.”the kinds of things one is good at or interested in, got back to math.because managers talk to other managers and So we did a few more of those exercises,can refer you to opportunities. One of the benefits of hosting multiple kids in a including things like -4 – (-5) and -(-(-2)). We study group is that you get more information also reviewed multiplying and dividing positiveIn terms of presentations, Archie can summarize about what people are learning in school. V- said and negative numbers. The kids seemedkey tips from his experiences into a short she needed help with positive and negative comfortable with that, and answered ourpresentation – maybe a top 10 list, or focused on numbers, so that’s what we started off reviewing. exercises with little prompting.a topic such as performance. This gives himplenty of opportunities to use and reuse the A quick review: 2 – (-3) = ? . Boggles all around. As we wrapped up our review of positive andmaterial. Speaking at a lunch-and-learn is one negative numbers, A- arrived. She’s in grade 6, away to do it, and he’ll get extra exposure from the Okay. A step down: -2 – 4 = ?. Still boggles and grade behind the other kids, so we modified ourinvitations going around. Speaking at one of our some guesses. exercises. She said she was taking up decimals ininternal education events will let him reach even class. I asked her how she felt about themore people. The presentation can be shared I drew a number line and labelled it with the multiplication table. “Bad,” she confessed, atinternally, included with newsletters, forwarded numbers. “Imagine a cat standing on -2. Which which the other kids begged (begged!) to doto other people. direction does the cat go if you’re subtracting 4?” multiplication practice.What else would you recommend? “Left!” chorused the kids. “-6!” “But first, we’re going to talk about algebra very quickly,” W- said. He briefly reviewed what an2011-04-08 Fri 20:40 I drew the cat ending up on -6. We did a couple algebraic equation really means, and the of other exercises along those lines. Nods all different parts of the equation: the constants, the around. Okay. variables, the operators, the assertion, and so on.Math study group: Positive and negative We hope this will help them remember to keepnumbers “What about -2 + 3?” I drew another numberline. their equations balanced, always doinghttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22193 “Right! +1.” operations on both sides of the equals sign.April 12, 2011 -Categories: education, learning, life, teaching “What about 2 – (-3)?” I drew the cat on the “All right, multiplication,” I said, and we headed numberline. “Okay, we’re starting on 2. And outside to practise multiplication. The way we doIt was Friday, so J- and her friends were singing we’re subtracting, so we would normally move to it is good for building confidence and a sense ofthe Friday song as they hung up their coats and the left, but we’re moving -3 steps… so the cat numbers: we go through sets of five multiplesgot ready for our math study group. It turned out walks backward three steps.” until the kids can rattle them off smoothly. Forthat they had been so excited about coming home example: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30. 6, 12, 18, 24, 30. And “5!” said the kids. One of them asked, “Do your so on, around the circle. It’s really more of an(to a math study group!) that they’d forgotten toarrange things with their parents, and V-’s dad cats really walk backwards?” audio recall task than a calculation task, and ithad been waiting for her at school. Once gets them used to what the numbers feel like.

April 2011 – sachachua.com 126They catch themselves now, when they make a I remember teasing W- about how he wears a my pay grade, so I’m doing this even if it meansmistake. And they’re enthusiastic and run ahead toque to bed. (It’s a small, brimless hat also stretching quite a bit.of themselves, doing sets of ten instead of sets of known as a beanie.) Several winter months later,five, or challenging themselves further by doing I’m a convert to the cause. It’s interesting to see the applications of thejumping jacks while saying the numbers. behavioural economics principles I’ve been Wearing a hat to bed is an excellent way to keep reading about in “The Upside of Irrationality.”After multiplication practice, one of the kids your ears warm. This means less work tucking For example, there’s a chapter on findingpiped up and asked, “Can we solve the equation yourself in and fewer late-night struggles with meaning in work. The perceived meaning of workin the breadbox?” Ah. Yes. Those. I’d spent some blankets. greatly influences our motivation to do it. If youtime the night before writing up simple equations know there’s a chance your work will come toand hiding them around the first floor of the A hat also doubles as a handy sleep mask that nothing (cancelled projects and so on), you mighthouse – possible exercises for J- or the study keeps the light out if someone else wants to stay be less motivated to work on it, and more drawngroup, depending on how things went. So we up late reading. Just pull your hat down over to projects where you think you’ll make aagreed that they could look for the five Post-It your eyes. A little bit of light may come in on difference. Makes sense, right? (Ah, that’s whynotes I’d hidden IF they solved the equations as either side of your nose, but the reduction in light school projects bored me…)well. I settled in to review decimal multiplication may be enough to let you sleep easily.and division with A- to help her catch up, and W- Recognizing this bias means that I canreviewed the other kids’ work on the algebraic A warm hat, fuzzy socks, flannel pajamas, and understand my motivations and tweak them. It’sequations. microfleece sheets – that should see me through natural for me to want to spend more time on my the last gasps of winter and into spring. Slowly other project. I experience flow on it –Our Friday afternoon math study groups are a getting the hang of this! meaningful engagement. Although this proposalgreat ritual. Glad we stumbled into organizing is riskier and I more often run into the limits ofthem! I hope other parents can host study groups 2011-04-03 Sun 10:24 my understanding, it needs to be workedas well – it would be good for all the kids to see on. Here are some possible approaches foractive involvement – but it’s probably easiest for motivating yourself when working on risky,us, logistically speaking, because we can often Using behavioural economics to motivate uncertain projects:work from home and we both enjoy teaching. If yourself when working on risky projectsyou can, try it! http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22197 Break it down into small wins and April 14, 2011 - Categories: analysis, career, work celebrate those. Don’t wait for that all-or-2011-04-10 Sun 12:05 nothing decision. You might not even reach it. We’re scrambling to respond to a request for a Instead, work in stages so that you can proposal (RFP). We’re not sure if the RFP is a successfully complete and celebrate each step.Still cold? Wear a hat to bed formality and the client is already planning to Share as much as you can during the process,http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22195 choose a different vendor, or if it’s a real request, too, while you’re excited about what you’reApril 13, 2011 - Categories: life, tips but the powers that be say it’s worth exploring. accomplishing. It’s much harder to harvest assets My manager thinks it’s a good opportunity to when you feel like a failure. develop architecture skills. I like working above

April 2011 – sachachua.com 127Exaggerate the odds of winning. Irrational them. Okay! No multi-pet discount, though. (I Now time for Neko’s shots. The vet called in anoptimism can be useful. Imagine that you’ve got had to check. ;) ) assistant with thick work gloves that went pasta great chance of succeeding, and you just might. his wrists. “Just to make sure,” he said. WeYou’ll still want to have a backup plan in case you We rounded up the cats, put them into their laughed knowingly, as we went through similarlose, of course. carriers, and put the carriers into the car. Leia precautions whenever grooming Neko’s claws: and Neko were quiet, but Luke was doing his leather gloves and long sleeves for W-, although IFocus on additional benefits. For example, scared-cat meow. He’s usually the most easy- could generally get away with handling Nekowhether or not you succeed on a stretch going of the three, but I guess he’s not used to with bare hands.assignment, you’ll still learn a lot. Can you find travelling. At the vet, we shuffled the cats into themeaning in the skills and relationships you’re lobby and settled in for the wait. On the way home, with the three cats lined up onbuilding and the experiences you’re collecting? the back seat, I turned to W- and asked, “Do you The vet saw us after about fifteen minutes. We feel like a soccer dad yet?”Balance speculative or uncertain work decided to put Luke up first, as he was the mostwith solid contributions. Spend some time likely to behave. It was a straightforward Total time going to the vet and back: 2 hours.working on things that make you feel happy and examination for him – a cat in beautiful health, Definitely worth bringing the cats together.fulfilled. You’ll have the energy and confidence to although with some tartar building up on histackle new challenges. teeth. Luke didn’t give the vet any trouble when it came to the vaccine shots. Weekly review: Week ending April 15,How do you keep yourself motivated and focused 2011when you’re not sure of results? Leia went next. She got all huffy when the vet http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22202 was prodding her, but didn’t make a big issue of April 16, 2011 - Categories: weekly the vaccine.Three cat life From last week’s planshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22191 Neko turned out to have gained two pounds in the year that she’s been in Canada (when this is  WorkApril 15, 2011 - Categories: cat, kaizen, life about 28% of your previous weight, that’s o [X] Doublecheck mail, implementWe have three cats, which works out just right. something!). She’s a little more than half Luke’s feedback for project CThree laps, three cats, and two of them can play size and will probably never get to that weight, but she’s been filling out nicely – going from a o [X] Follow up on Idea Labswith each other if the third one’s hissy. So whenit came time for their annual checkups, I figured square to a trapezoid, we joke. Neko’s been o [X] Finish paperwork for projectI’d see what I could negotiate. snoring and making strange noises while M breathing in, but the vet didn’t find anything obviously wrong with her, so he said it might just o Followed up on migration plansThe vet had an appointment slot open for a be a respiratory virus she picked up that’s not for project Icheckup, so I scheduled one. While I was on thephone with the receptionist, I asked if I could life-threatening. Okay. o Applied theme for project Cbring two cats. “Yes, you can,” the receptionistsaid. So I asked if I could bring three. All right by

April 2011 – sachachua.com 128 o Learned tons about preparing use  Work This Last cases and responding to proposals Category Delta Notes o [ ] Work on more items for project week week o Learned tons about testing Rails: C – Rails is so awesome! Capybara, Cucumber, and other Drawing 1.3 0.7 0.6 o [ ] Assist with proposal awesomeness o [ ] Follow up on migration plans Exercise 3.8 3.3 0.5 o Fielded many requests for Idea for project I Labs o [ ] Prepare for code turnover for Learning 0.5 1.0 -0.5 o Put together instructions for project I external Idea Labs o [ ] Plan travel Personal 0.9 5.5 -4.6 o Wrapped up Idea Lab for Japan recovery Preparation 0.4 8.6 -8.2  Relationships o Assisted Linux Jam community with exporting forum discussions o [ ] Pick up gifts for Kathy and Routines – 5.4 1.7 3.7 John cooking  Relationships o [ ] Make gifts for Kathy, John, and Dan Routines – 6.4 6.7 -0.3 o [X] Make bagels and buns o [ ] Plan gifts for Linda general o [X] Plan get-together o [ ] Host another study group Routines – 9.6 2.0 7.6 o [X] Make fresh cranberry bagels for J- o [ ] Plan cherry-blossom get- tidying together o [X] Make big batch of lunches Sleep 61.0 60.6 0.4 o [X] Write about math group study  Life sessions Social 6.2 17.1 -10.9 o [ ] Work on red dress o Biked up to Dufferin/St. Clair library with W- o [ ] Read ahead: Latin homework Travel 7.3 1.3 6.0 o Started more dill and cilantro Time analysis Work 48.7 45.9 2.8 o Had fun hosting study group This Last Category Delta Notes week week Writing 7.4 3.4 4.0  Life Break 7.5 10.2 -2.7 o [-] Post book notes Lots of work: juggling two projects plus lots ofPlans for next week queries. Should scale back a little, perhaps?

April 2011 – sachachua.com 129FAQ: earth we were doing correctly, and if we could probably come up with similar graphs using help other people do it too. Maybe it’s really just KeepTrack and a bit of spreadsheet magic, but  Why do I do these weekly reviews? See on providing a space where the kids can get together the convenience and the social data make this the practice of a weekly review. and learn, and some guidance and exercises to fun and interesting. help them grow.  What about the detailed time analysis? Here’s how my mood data stacks up so far: See more thoughts on time analysis. J- says she learns more – and enjoys learning more – in our study groups than she does in school, because the study group is more fun,Study group update: negative numbers, more focused, and easier to understand. It’s aexponents, and awesomeness happy middle between the intense focus andhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22201 isolation of a one-on-one tutoring session, andApril 17, 2011 - the anonymity of a large class. I’m glad we’reCategories: learning, life, teaching doing it, and I’m amazed at how the kids are doing.W- started the kids on a review of positive andnegative numbers. They got the hang of those And they begged for more brainteasers! So now Iquickly, so they worked on fractions, exponents, get to dust off my collection of logic puzzles and I stay on a fairly even keel, with awesome happyscientific notation, and engineering notation. go through them. Turnabout’s fair play, though, experiences possibly any day of the week. Hmm,They multiplied numbers with exponents, so they have free license to stump me with maybe I should track text notes too, so I can get adivided numbers with exponents, dealt with whatever they can throw at me. =) better handle on what causes the 10s or the 6s. Itnegative exponents, figured out the two answers might also be interesting to combine theto x2 = 1… Whee! 2011-04-15 Fri 18:43 happiness ratings with my time analyses to see if there any correlations.J- really wanted to review the Greek alphabet.We introduced it so that they can easily work Learning from my mood data Here are the results they’ve collected so far:with θ, α, β, and other characters when they http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22205encounter the letters in science and math. J- April 18, 2011 -picked them up really quickly thanks to the Categories: geek, quantified, visualizationflashcards we made. She used the sametechniques to teach the other kids more of the One of the unexpected benefits of switching myletters, repeatedly cycling over small sets of phone plan to something that includes unlimitedletters, sharing original mnemonics (λ reminds international texting is that I can participate inher of “Mary had a little lambda” and a hill). nifty things like Experimonth, which is a month- long study about moods. I get regular textWatching the kids teach themselves Greek letters messages prompting me to rate my happiness on– and have fun doing so! – I wondered what on a scale of 1-10, and it graphs it for me. I can

April 2011 – sachachua.com 130 occasional delays, biking is faster and more I think it would be interesting to track the reliable. specific results of my commuting time. Seeing X hours of travel in my weekly time analysis is one If I need to take transit, how can I make the most thing. Tallying up Y posts or Z books is another. of that time? It’ll be fun! I like writing and mindmapping. I do a lot How do you use your commuting time? of both when I manage to find a seat on the subway. I almost always use my Android, as a full laptop feels out of place in the subway. The Compost magic and happiness smartphone works well for one- and two-hand http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22190 use, maybe even better than a tablet might. The April 20, 2011 - Categories: gardening, life small display forces me to be more concise – good! The 1.5 hour commute up to 3600 Steeles The compost heap steamed in the afternoon sun. is enough time to flesh out a mind map and draft “I’d never seen it do that before,” said W-. a few blog posts. Writing is my favourite travel Neither had I. The compost heap was merrily activity. I think I get the most value from it. breaking down organic matter. We knew the theory, but it was incredibly satisfying to see it inMaking better use of travel time I nap sometimes, but this isn’t particularly practice.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22198 restful. Maybe if I try using the nap timer so thatApril 19, 2011 - Categories: kaizen, life, travel I don’t get anxious about missing my stop…. I’d turned the compost last week, layering carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich material andI’m going to be in the office a lot more as I help Reading is fun. I can go through two, three liberally sprinkling the compost accelerator W-with proposals or coach new hours. Time to think books a day, especially if I get a seat. Carrying had wanted to try out. The compost had beenabout how I can make the most of the time! books is less fun, though. I’ve read books on my unremarkable last week, but now there were Android and on my tablet, but if I’m going to be earthworms squirming through it – good-sizedAs it turns out, I’m not a particularly audio kind using either, I’d rather spend the time writing ones too, not just the baby earthworms I’d seenof person. I’ve carried podcasts and audiobooks instead of reading. So I tend to save reading for the other day. The compost pile smelled earthybefore, but I rarely listen to them unless I’m when I’m eating, walking around the house, or but clean, even citrus-y, thanks to the grapefruitlistening with another person. I might listen to going to bed. peels from our kitchen. It was a good pile, and itinstrumental music while writing, avoiding songs would be a great amendment to the sandy soil ofdue to the verbal interference. Sometimes I draw. This is a bit harder, and our back yard. definitely requires a seat. I don’t want to stare atIf I’m going to the downtown office, I take my people on the subway, so I tend to draw from I probably don’t need to turn the compost heapsbike whenever I can. It’s good exercise, and imagination or memory. Index cards and small weekly, but I enjoy doing it when the weather istakes about as much time as the walk and subway notebooks are useful here. mild. It’s exercise, it gets me out in the garden,trip would’ve taken. With the subway’s and it’s part of the cycle of life. It’s good to see

April 2011 – sachachua.com 131our kitchen scraps return to the soil, and to know many of the mats in his fur, and even trimmed safety collar with a tag that says: Not a stray cat?that the compost will support this season’s the most stubborn ones. But if Mr. Fluffers is a Please call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX… =)plants. But there’s more to it than that – there’s stray or neglected cat, it would be good to havemore value to it than simply the physical or that situation sorted out. 2011-04-10 Sun 11:18horticultural benefits. We’ve been thinking of taking Mr. Fluffers to theIt feels like such an improbable joy. It’s this vet or to Animal services to have him scanned for Back in the garden, the perennials areawareness, I think, that makes it easy to be a microchip, but we need to think through the coming backhappy. Everyday activities become special decision tree first. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22196because of the stories along the way. This April 22, 2011 - Categories: gardening, lifecompost heap has memories from kitchen,  If Mr. Fluffers has a microchipgarden, and love, and it will take all of that and While raking the pine needles and fallen leaves tomake something new. o If the registered owners are reachable prepare the garden, I found new sprigs of oregano and parsley growing by the path. The  Hooray! Cat reunion, or at straggly bit of thyme I’d given up for lost had aMr. Fluffers: Stray or not stray? least clarity on the few green leaves it didn’t have before. The sagehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22192 situation that withered in winter is starting to perk up, too.April 21, 2011 - o If the registered owners are notCategories: analysis, cat, decision, life reachale Watching the perennials reestablish themselves in our garden will help me pass the time it takesI have a soft spot for cats. Our cats are all indoor  See decision tree for no- for the annuals to sprout.cats, never allowed out except on a leash. There microchip case.are a number of neighborhood cats who turn up  If Mr. Fluffers does not have a microchip Isn’t that like life? Sometimes things take a longon our deck for food or company. Some of them time. You can’t rush them. You have to fight theare definitely housecats let loose to run outdoors. o Take him to Animal Services as a urge to tweak things, because you might makeOthers, we’re less sure about. Housecat or stray? lost pet? things worse. Give yourself something else toIt can be hard to tell. We feed them some food,  Owners who lost him may focus on. Find some quick wins to encourageset out water, pet them if they’re amenable. not claim him there, you. What you’re waiting for might be readySometimes they even get dishes of warm milk. considering impounding before you notice. feeOf the cats who visit us, we think one cat is either 2011-04-03 Sun 16:23stray or somewhat neglected. Mr. Fluffers (as J- o Check for spay/neuter and thenhas named him) is a collarless gray tuxedo release him back into themedium-hair domestic cat and a regular visitor. neighbourhood? Weekly review: Week ending April 22,Medium-hair cats need a lot of brushing to keep 2011their coats unmatted, and Mr. Fluffers obviously For Mr. Fluffers and other potentially stray cats, http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22211hadn’t been brushed in a while. W- combed away I’m tempted to try the first step of attaching a April 23, 2011 - Categories: weekly

April 2011 – sachachua.com 132From last week’s plans  Work This Last [ ] Get Vijay up to speed on Delt o Category wee wee Notes  Work project C a k k o [X] Work on more items for o [ ] Review code for project I project C – Rails is so awesome! Personal 14.7 0.9 13.8 8.4 hours Wrote tests, added a CMS using o [ ] Make travel plans sewing RichCMS  Relationships Preparatio 0.7 0.4 0.3 o [X] Assist with proposal o [ ] Host tea party – home-made n o [X] Follow up on migration plans buns and bagels for project I Routines – 5.4 -5.4 o [ ] Prepare for trip o [X] Prepare for code turnover for cooking project I o [ ] Host study group o [-] Plan travel o [ ] Withdraw USD, maybe convert Routines – 6.8 6.4 0.4 some euros general o Handled more Idea Lab requests  Life Routines – 1.9 9.6 -7.7  Relationships tidying o [ ] Finish hem for red dress o [-] Pick up gifts for Kathy and John o [ ] Write some more! =) Maybe Sleep 60.4 61.0 -0.6 braindump marriage stories? o [X] Make gifts for Kathy, John, and Dan Time analysis Social 18.2 6.2 12.0 o [X] Plan gifts for Linda This Last Travel 4.5 7.3 -2.8 Delt Category wee wee Notes o [-] Host another study group: a k k Work 37.1 48.7 -11.6 About 5 Good Friday break hours over, o [X] Plan cherry-blossom get- Break 8.3 7.5 0.8 considerin together g holiday Drawing 0.6 1.3 -0.7  Life Writing 5.02 7.4 -2.38 o [X] Work on red dress Exercise 1.8 3.8 -2.0 o [X] Read ahead: Latin homework Ruby on Rails is too much fun. I got carried away Learning 0.5 -0.5Plans for next week and spent Saturday working on it. That was a

April 2011 – sachachua.com 133decent way to spend a rainy Saturday, proposals underway. I’m starting to get the hang  [X] Start seedlingsparticularly as I got as far as I could get in my of this. I wish the paperwork was smoother, andsewing project. Tracking my time and noticing that we had more people in IBM with whom I Plans for next monthhow much I’m over my targets does make me could share Drupal and Rails projects! =)ask, though: where is that time coming from? WorkWhat could I focus the extra time on instead? Warmer weather means it’s time to get theCan I be more awesome at work with just the garden going. We still get a bit of snowfall, but  [ ] Get a good prototype together fortarget amount of time? Yes, probably, and more the forecast is looking up. Plenty of rain means project Csafely too – less risk of negative productivity. free watering and no fussing about with hoses that could still freeze.  [ ] Get the paperwork in place for projectFriday was a holiday, so I spent the day sewing. I Mfinished most of my red dress, and I might sew From last month’s plans  [ ] Prepare for training on project Ithe hem in today or tomorrow. I also worked on Work  [ ] Help with other worksimple gifts for my sister and for W-’s friend Dan.I think I’m starting to get the hang of sewing –  [ ] Assist with “Get Social, Do Business”hooray!  [X] Shepherd more projects to signing and work RelationshipsFAQ:  [X] Learn how to implement web services  [ ] Put together more study group on Websphere Application Server  Why do I do these weekly reviews? See on resources the practice of a weekly review.  [X] Create and deliver more presentations  [ ] Practise driving  What about the detailed time analysis?  [ ] Prepare for May trip See more thoughts on time analysis.  [X] Finish blog series on blogging Relationships LifeMonthly review: March 2011http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22210  [ ] Start garden  [X] Host another get-togetherApril 24, 2011 - Categories: monthly  [-] Build a set of people to call once a  [ ] Write and draw a lot week  [ ] Focus discretionary time on plans andI found this in my draft folder. Might as well experimentspost it!  [X] Check out Toastmasters again  [X] Practise drivingPlans for March: Writing macrons in Linux for Latin Life pronunciationAh, March. Wrapping up the first quarter with http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22212several projects on the go and even more  [X] Refine my plans

April 2011 – sachachua.com 134April 25, 2011 - Instead, we spent some time figuring out how to Stuff or experiences? Neither. It’s a falseCategories: emacs, geek, latin, learning, relations set up KDE and gvim to make it easier for him to dichotomy, and one that often starts with thehip type in macrons. HTML character sequences wrong question: “What will make me happy?” If were out of the question, of course. W- used you aren’t happy, it’s very difficult to buyFrustrated with the inability to search the KDE’s settings to map his unused Windows key happiness. Probably impossible.scanned images of the 1822 Latin textbook we’re and menu key to compose keys. That made itusing (Albert Harkness’ An Easy Method for easier to produce ē, ī, ō, and ū using the key “What will make me happier than I amBeginners in Latin – get the PDF, the full-text sequence “Compose + hyphen + vowel”. now?” – is that a better question? Not really.version is badly OCRed), W- has taken it upon However, “Compose + hyphen + a” produced ã, What’s “happier”, anyway, but something thathimself to recreate the public-domain textbook not ā. This was probably a bug based on some draws an ever-moving line between you andas a fully searchable TiddlyWiki (sans issue reports we found on the Net, but the some ideal?illustrations). This meant that he needed to type suggested fix didn’t work (im-switch -c to changein a great number of macrons in the words, todefault-xim). I found a page describing I like this question instead: “What do I want toand that meant finding a better way than copying an .XCompose fix, customizing the key learn more about?” No guarantee ofand pasting from KDE’s character map. sequences. He copied the relevant key sequences happiness, no pursuit of happiness, just from en-US’s locale settings for Compose curiosity. Happiness doesn’t have to be pursued.Macrons turn up in many languages. In in/usr/share/X11, restarted X, and it worked. It just is. Happiness can be a chosen, developedJapanese, you use them to indicate that vowels response. So what I decide to spend money orare doubled. 大阪（おおさか）can be romanized Now he’s off and typing! time on is determined more by what I’m curiousas Oosaka or Ōsaka. In Latin, beginner textbooks about.often use macrons (macra) to indicate 2011-04-24 Sun 23:21pronunciation. (Why do we care about I confess to having a strong distrust forpronunciation for a dead language used mostly in people trying to sell me ways tochurch hymns? W- and I actually want to be able Stuff or experiences happiness. A designer handbag won’t make meto use this conversationally, at least with each http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22214 happy (or happier). Neither will a three-weekother. After all, if you don’t use it, you lose it.) April 26, 2011 - vacation of idle relaxation on a pristine beach. Categories: analysis, decision, finance, life, reflec Quite possibly even an enlightening weeklyI suggested Emacs. In Emacs, it’s just a matter of tion course on meditation wouldn’t do the trick. Myusing M-x set-input-method to choose latin-alt- life will be a good life even if I never stay in thepostfix. With that input method, you can add Soha wanted to know what I thought about the best suite in a five star hotel, see the auroramacrons to letters by typing – after them. For differences between spending on stuff and borealis, or learn to fly a plane (ideas fromexample, typing “a -” will result in ā. Not only experiences. This took me several drafts to Richard Horne’s “101 Things to Do Before Youthat, dynamic abbreviations (M-/) make it easier figure out, and I don’t think I’m all the way to a Die”, which does have amusing forms). It willto retype words you’ve already written before. clear understanding yet, but I’m trying to say simply be different if I do, and that only matters something I haven’t really found in the personal if I can do something with the experiences andW- wouldn’t hear of using Emacs, being almost finance books and blogs I read. ideas I pick up and recombine.as firmly wedded to vi as he is to me. ;)

April 2011 – sachachua.com 135In fact, I’d rather spend on stuff – the raw If you feel you’ve made a mistake about April 27, 2011 -ingredients of an experience – than on spending, don’t beat yourself up over Categories: education, learning, life, math, teachipre-packaged experiences. I’d rather spend it. Learn and make better decisions next time. ngon groceries for experiments than on a fancy Not saddling yourself with consumer debt helps,meal at a restaurant or a cooking class with a as debt has a way of multiplying regrets. Stuff From April 26, Tuesday: J-’s studying forfamous chef. I’d rather spend on lumber and can be second-guessed more than experiences Thursday’s “in-class performance assessment” ontools to build a chair, than spend on a cottage can, but it’s even better to break the habit of integers. (In-class performance assessment?rental. Turns out this is based on sound second-guessing yourself. Think of your sunk What happened to the good old word “quiz?” Toopsychological principles: we value what we work costs as tuition. You’ve paid for the learning, now much anxiety?) We’re spreading the review outon more than what we buy. (For more on this, go and use it. over the next two evenings.read Dan Ariely’s “The Upside of Irrationality.”) Money can be considered in terms of time, The test will cover adding and subtractingYou can’t untangle good stuff from too. Is the incremental benefit you might get positive and negative numbers. J- and her studyexperiences. The bag of bread flour I buy leads worth the opportunity cost of enjoying other group are already off multiplying and dividingto the experience of making home-made buns, things earlier, the compounding growth you may (which apparently don’t turn up until grade 8 –the experience of enjoying them with W-, and the give up, or the corresponding days of freedom in really?). W- made up a quick worksheet for J- tolasting enjoyment of developing skills and the future? (For me: yes to some wedding practise adding, subtracting, multiplying, andrelationships. Fabric and thread become simple photography in order to reduce friction, but no dividing integers.gifts accompanied by stories. need to get the top wedding photographer; yes to a wonderful bicycle I feel comfortable with; no to “The enemy of your enemy is your friend,” IBesides, it doesn’t have to be the question the latest version of the Lenovo tablet, although I heard her say as she solved the exercises, writingof what you want to spend money may reconsider in a year or two.) down the correct signs for all the products andon. That’s just a matter of budgeting. Many quotients. I grinned. I’d taught them thatthings are possible, but you may save up a little Stuff or experiences? Start with mnemonic two weeks ago. It’s a way tolonger for things that require more money. What what you want, not what other people want to remember the results of multiplying or dividingit really comes down to is a question of time: do sell you. Treat it as an ongoing experiment. numbers.you want to do this more than other things you Evaluate your purchases and improve yourcould do? (For example: yes to cooking and decisions. Think about what you want to spend As I explained to the kids: you don’t have to stickgardening; a theoretical yes to improv, but it’s your time on, not just money. Good luck! to this in real life. You can certainly be friendsnot as high as other things on my list, so I focus with the friends of your enemy. But this mighton other things; no to the massage deals I see on 2011-04-24 Sun 16:45 help you remember the signs for multiplicationdealradar.com when I wander by.) If yes, then and division:budget appropriately. Don’t get distracted bylow-cost, low-value activities or expenses. (Or The enemy of your enemy is your friend:  The friend of your friend is your friend.worse: high-cost, low-value ones.) mnemonics and negative integers Positive times positive is positive. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22229  The friend of your enemy is your enemy. Positive times negative is negative.

April 2011 – sachachua.com 136  The enemy of your friend is your enemy. tough to be energetic and engaged when giving a So that’s a good start. Let’s say your work is Negative times positive is negative. presentation that you’ve given many times better than that. Let’s say you can improve your before. Even if you’re giving a new presentation, training as you learn – make new slides, add  The enemy of your enemy is your friend. if it’s your umpteenth lunch-and-learn this year, more resources, and so on. Negative times negative is positive. you might feel tired just thinking about it. Save time and create more value. RecordA B Result I want to share some tips that help me when I’m your presentation. Share your slides and your giving presentations, and I want to hear from you speaker notes. Now you can give yourself a betterFriend + Friend + Friend + what works for you and what you want to do even challenge: How can you improve your better. training so that it’s really worthFriend + Enemy - Enemy - attending? What extra value will people get First (and probably the most important for from you that they can’t get from recordings,Enemy - Friend + Enemy - people who give presentations a lot): If you’re slides, or speaker notes? bored by your own presentations – and admit it,Enemy - Enemy - Friend + this can happen – it’s very hard to avoid boring … others. How can you stay interested? It’s a good idea to build plenty of room for2011-04-26 Tue 20:05 Let’s take the worst-case scenario: Your job is to interaction into your presentations. That’s present XYZ every week. Same presentation. because people can get everything else from theGlad to see it stuck in her head! She answered all Same slides. You could do it in your sleep. extra resources, but this is where they can reallythe exercises correctly (and quickly, too). ask and learn. It’s also a great way for you to Instead of just going through the learn from people: what’s important to them, presentation, look for small ways you can what else they want to learn, how to make yourRemote training that rocks improve each time. Experiment with your training better. Teach less, listen more.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22230 timing. Try different examples. Ask questions.April 28, 2011 - Try different questions. See if standing up makes Attend other people’s training sessions. See whatCategories: ibm, presentation, speaking a difference in your voice. Experiment with the you like – and what drives you crazy. Take notes. capabilities of your web conference. This is aSome IBMers convinced me to share great time to experiment, actually – when you’ve It’s also a good idea to work on the nextpresentation tips with Lotus instructors. Here’s practically memorized the material and can actions for your presentation. You shouldwhat I’m thinking about: recover confidently from anything Murphy’s Law have a clear idea of what you want people to do throws at you. after your presentation. What changes do youYou know what’s really difficult in want them to make to the way they work? Whattraining? Staying interesting – and Would that help you stay interested? Yes. And resources do you want them to check out or/interested/ – session after session after other people will be interested because you’re bookmark? As you learn more by teachingsession. I used to teach university, and I’ve also interested. And you’ll be a better presenter at the people, build up those resources and refine thosegiven lots of presentations as an IBMer. It can be end, too. next steps. This is one of the areas where you can

April 2011 – sachachua.com 137make a real difference as a trainer – you can help Second: Make your summary your Q&Apeople get ready for and commit to change. slide. I can’t tell you how many presentations I’ve seen that end on “Thank you!”, “Q&A”, orYou can do lots of things to make your some other mostly-blank slide. This is probablynext steps even better. Can you make a the slide that will be shown the longest – make itchecklist that people can save and follow? Can count! Show a one-slide summary that helpsyou share recordings and other resources? Can people remember what they want to askyou tell people about other training they’ll find questions about and reiterates the next steps youuseful? For example, after this presentation, I want them to take. Don’t let your session trail offwant you to pick one small, specific way you can into Q&A, either. 5-10 minutes before the end ofimprove your next training session, and practise your session, summarize the key points andusing it until you get the hang of it. review the next actions so that people can remember them.Let’s talk about some of those specifics. Here arethree quick presentation tips that might help you Third: Consider adding video. Webcams aremake even better use of your web conference inexpensive and you can make your presentation(and if you’re not using a web conference for more engaging. If you do use video, make sure I gave a presentation using Autodeskremote training yet, switch to one!). your background isn’t distracting, and warn Sketchbook Pro and desktop-sharing in other people who might walk in! Lotus Live, and it worked out really well. IFirst: You can use the text chat for Q&A think I’ll do this for as many presentations as Ithroughout your talk. Why? It’s important to So that’s what I’ve got to share, and I hope you’ve can get away with. =) I’ll post a link to thesee when people have questions. It’s hard for found one or two ideas you can use to improve recording when it’s up. It was much more funmost people to interrupt speakers on the phone. your presentations. Let’s talk about it! What’s and much more flexible than annotating inYou can pause for questions, but you’re probably working well for you right now? What do you Microsoft Powerpoint. Here’s how I did it.not going to pause for questions often enough, want to improve?and it breaks the momentum. Some people might I pre-drew my one-slide talking points onuse the hand-raising feature in web or phone 2011-04-27 Wed 17:56 a single layer so that I wouldn’t have to countconferences, which is good, but it’s even better to on thinking, talking, and drawing all at the sameask people to type their question into the text time. I used an idea from children’s activitychat if possible. Why? You can prioritize Giving a presentation using Autodesk books: instead of drawing, you can usequestions, you can adjust your presentation on Sketchbook Pro and a web conference the eraser to make content appear, like the waythe fly, and you might even find that people are http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22231 you would scratch off black paint to revealanswering each other’s questions. If you find the April 28, 2011 - colours. I created a layer on top of my "slide",text chat distracting, have a moderator or buddy Categories: kaizen, presentation, sketches, speaki and I flood-filled this layer with white. I set thekeep an eye out for questions, or take a look at it ng opacity of this layer to 90% so that I could see theevery so often. traces of the images on the layer underneath. That way, I could use an eraser to reveal the

April 2011 – sachachua.com 138sketches below. I selected a large eraser to make 4. White background J- also shared the mnemonics she used toit even easier. remember many of the Greek letters. For The technique should work just as well with any example, she described λ as “Lambda, like MaryI also wanted to be able to draw new drawing program that supports layers, a web had a little lamb, going down a hill.” They’resketches or highlight items, so I selected a conference that supports screen-sharing, and a quickly developing in-jokes, too, like the way V-red ballpoint pen as my primary tablet or tablet PC that lets you draw or erase calls α Pisces, they call Μ big mu, and ω makesbrush. Red goes well with black and white. easily. the kids laugh.Because my Lenovo X61 tablet pen has a pen tipand an eraser tip, I could easily flip between Try it out and share your tips! W- and I have our own flashcards: Dutch, inrevealing pre-drawn sketches and adding new preparation for our upcoming trip, and Latin,sketches. I drew on the the white layer that I because we’re learning that too. Electronicgradually erased to reveal the underlying Study group: Flashcards and the Leitner flashcards offer convenience, of course, but papersketches. This meant that I could quickly remove method flashcards are so much more fun.accents or new sketches without disturbing my http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22217pre-drawn sketches. April 29, 2011 - In this week’s study group, we plan to teach the Categories: education, geek, learning, life, teachi kids about the Leitner system for flashcardJust in case I needed to go into more ng efficiency. I found out about the Leitner systemdetail, I added another layer on top, filled it by reading the comments in the Emacswith white, and hid the layer. That way, I could Flashcards are great for memorizing. They break flashcard.el mode years ago, when I was learningalways unhide it (thus blanking out everything topics down into learnable chunks, develop Japanese. The Leitner system optimizes learningelse I’d drawn), add a new transparent layer on random-access knowledge, and turn learning by reducing the repetitions for cards you knowtop, and sketch away. into a game with visual progress. Flashcards also well and increasing the repetitions for cards you make it easier for people to learn together, answer incorrectly. It works like this:I hid all the tools I didn’t need, and kept the testing each other on concepts.layers window open on the side so that I could Start with your flashcards in one group (group 1).easily switch to another layer. Then it was time to We’ve been teaching the kids in the study group Review the cards in a group. If you answer a cardshare my screen, turn on the webcam, and give using flashcards for multiplication facts, correctly, move it to one group higher. If youmy presentation! fractions, and the Greek alphabet. We also teach answer a card incorrectly, move it back to group them how to use cognitive theory to improve 1. Repeat with each group of cards. When youHere’s how you should set up your layers, learning–well, perhaps not in those words. For answer a card in group 5 correctly, you canfrom top to bottom: example, when J- wants to help her friends learn archive the card until you want to do a general the Greek alphabet (having handily mastered review again. This weeds out the cards that you 1. White layer, so that you can easily add recognition herself), we encouraged her to cycle can correctly answer five times in a row and lets layers on top of this for new drawings through letters in small sets (5 to 7 characters at you focus on the cards that you can’t consistently a time) instead of running through all the letters answer. 2. Translucent white layer with parts erased in one go. It’s the same technique we used when 3. Pre-drawn sketches they were learning the multiplication table.

April 2011 – sachachua.com 139I think the Leitner system is really cool. It’s an o [-] Withdraw USD, maybe convert o [ ] Draw! =)elegant algorithm with a physical some euros Time analysisimplementation. Neat! o Made battery-powered USB This Last charger using MintyBoost kit Category Delta Notes2011-04-24 Sun 14:16 week week o Got a haircut o Helped work on typing in “An Break 1.0 8.3 -7.3Weekly review: Week ending April 29,2011 Easy Method for Beginners in Latin” Drawing 0.5 0.6 -0.1http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22234April 30, 2011 - Categories: weekly  Life Exercise 2.7 1.8 0.9From last week’s plans o [-] Finish hem for red dress Learning 13.5 13.5 Lots of  Work o [X] Write some more! =) Maybe Latin braindump marriage stories? and o [X] Get Vijay up to speed on Checked out Amazon Mechanical hacking project C o Turk – not worth my time, would o [X] Review code for project I rather write =) Personal 0.9 14.7 -13.8 o [X] Make travel plans o Wrote future posts Preparation 1.5 0.7 0.8 o Got project I- sorted out, hooray! Plans for next week o More work on project C – lots of Routines – 0 things to fix in user acceptance  Work cooking testing o [ ] Tidy up project C o Worked on Idea Lab offering Routines – 10.7 6.8 3.9  Relationships general o Sorted out my utilization o [ ] Hang out with my family! Yay! Routines – 2.6 1.9 0.7  Relationships tidying o [ ] Celebrate my sister’s wedding! o [X] Host tea party – home-made o [X] Tidy up the strawberry and buns and bagels Sleep 57.6 60.4 -2.8 blueberry plants in the garden o [X] Prepare for trip o [X] Start some bitter melon Social 19.3 18.2 1.1 Study o [X] Host study group group  Life

April 2011 – sachachua.com 140 As previously mentioned, W- and I are re-typing not poeta. That’s because ē and e are two This LastCategory Delta Notes parts of Albert Harkness’ 1822 textbook "An Easy different characters. week week Method for Beginners in Latin", which was digitized and uploaded to Google Books as a PDF We wanted to keep the macrons as pronunciationTravel 2.7 4.5 -1.8 of images. The non-searchable book was driving and grammar guides. We didn’t want to require W- mad, so we’re re-typing up lessons. It’s a people to know or type letters with macrons.Work 43.9 37.1 6.8 decent way to review, and I’m sure it will be a Hmm. Time to hack Tiddlywiki. great resource for other people too.Writing 11.0 5.02 5.98 Saving TiddlyWiki plugins use Javascript. I found up posts Here’s what we have so far: An Easy a sample search plugin that showed me the Method for Beginners in Latin, Lessons 1- basics of what I needed. 9Wrapping up loose ends at work. Project I is I considered two approaches:well-sorted out, project C slightly less so. I let a We’re starting off using Tiddlywiki because it’s afew embarrassing bugs slip through to user wiki system that W-’s been using a lot for his 1. Changing the search text to a regularacceptance testing – I really should find a way to personal notes. He’s familiar with the markup. expression that included macron versionsmake it easier and more fun to do manual testing It’s not ideal because Google doesn’t index it, the of each vowelinstead of relying on automated tests! ;) file size is bigger than it needs to be (0.5MB!), and it’s Javascript-based. It’s a good start, 2. Replacing all vowels in the Tiddler textsLooking forward to seeing my family again! though, and I should be able to convert the file to with non-macron vowels when searching another format with a little scripting. My firstFAQ: The first approach was cleaner and looked much instinct would be to start with Org Mode for more efficient, so I chose that route. If the search Emacs, of course, but we already know what W-  Why do I do these weekly reviews? See on text contained a macron, I assumed the searcher thinks of Emacs. ;) knew what he or she was doing, so I left the text the practice of a weekly review. Most of the text was easy to enter. Harkness is alone. If the text did not contain a macron, I  What about the detailed time analysis? replaced every vowel with a regular expression quite fond of footnotes, numbered sections, and See more thoughts on time analysis. matching the macron equivalents. Here’s what lots of bold and italic formatting. We’re going to skip the illustrations for now. that part of the code looked like: s = s.replace(/(.)/g, "[/]*$1");"An Easy Method for Beginners in Latin" Typing all of this in and using it as our own if (!s.match(macronPattern)) {and macron-insensitive search for reference, though, we quickly ran into a // Replace the vowels with the correspondingTiddlywiki limitation of the standard TiddlyWiki engine macron matchershttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22225 (and really, probably all wiki engines): you had to s = s.replace(/a/, "[aāĀA]");April 30, 2011 - Categories: geek, javascript, latin search for the exact word to find something. In s = s.replace(/e/, "[eēĒE]"); order to find poēta, you had to type poēta, s = s.replace(/i/, "[iīĪI]"); s = s.replace(/o/, "[oōŌO]");

April 2011 – sachachua.com 141 s = s.replace(/u/, "[uūŪU]");} displayResults: function(matches, query) { story.refreshAllTiddlers(true); // update highlighting within story tiddlersThat got me almost all the way there. I could var el =search for most of the words using plain text document.getElementById(this.containerId);(so poeta would find poēta and regina would query = """ + query + """; // preventfind rēgīnae), but some words still couldn’t be WikiLinksfound. if(el) { removeChildren(el);A further quirk of the textbook is that the } else { //# fallback: use displayArea as parentcharacters in a word might be interrupted by var container =formatting. For document.getElementById("displayArea");example, poēt<strong>am</strong> is written And the source code: el = document.createElement("div");as =poēt”am”= in Tiddlywiki markup. So I also el.id = this.containerId;inserted a regular expression matching any // Macron Search Plugin // (c) 2011 Sacha Chua - Creative Commons el = container.insertBefore(el,number of ‘ or / (bold or italic markers when container.firstChild);doubled) between each letter: Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License // Based on }s = s.replace(/(.)/g, "[/]*$1"); http://devpad.tiddlyspot.com/#SimpleSearchPlu var msg = "!" + this.heading + "n"; gin by FND if(matches.length > 0) {It’s important to do this before the macron msg += "" +substitution, or you’ll have regexp classes inside if(!version.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin) { config.macros.search.successMsg.format([matchother classes. //# ensure that the plugin is only installed once es.length.toString(), query]) + ":n"; version.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin = { this.results = [];That’s the core of the macron search. Here’s what installed: true }; for(var i = 0 ; i < matches.length; i++) {it looks like. I was so thrilled when I got all of this this.results.push(matches[i].title);lined up! =) if(!config.extensions) { config.extensions = {}; } msg += "* [[" + matches[i].title + "]]n"; } config.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin = { } else { heading: "Search Results", msg += "" + containerId: "searchResults", config.macros.search.failureMsg.format([query]) btnCloseLabel: "Close search", + "n"; // XXX: do not use bold here!? btnCloseTooltip: "dismiss search results", } btnCloseId: "search_close", wikify(msg, el); btnOpenLabel: "Open all search results", createTiddlyButton(el, "[" + this.btnCloseLabel btnOpenTooltip: "Open all search results", + "]", this.btnCloseTooltip, btnOpenId: "search_open",

April 2011 – sachachua.com 142config.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin.closeRes Story.prototype.search = function(text, // Find out if the search string s has a macronults, "button", this.btnCloseId); useCaseSensitive, useRegExp) { var candidates = this.reverseLookup("tags", if(matches.length > 0) { // XXX: redundant!? var macronPattern = /[āĀēĒīĪōŌūŪ]/; excludeTag, !!match); createTiddlyButton(el, "[" + var s = text; var matches = [];this.btnOpenLabel + "]", this.btnOpenTooltip, // Deal with bold and italics in the middle of for(var t = 0; t < candidates.length; t++) {config.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin.openAll, words if (candidates[t].title.search(s) != -1 ||"button", this.btnOpenId); s = s.replace(/(.)/g, "[/]*$1"); candidates[t].text.search(s) != -1) { } if (!s.match(macronPattern)) { matches.push(candidates[t]); }, // Replace the vowels with the corresponding } macron matchers } closeResults: function() { s = s.replace(/a/, "[aāĀA]"); return matches; var el = s = s.replace(/e/, "[eēĒE]"); };document.getElementById(config.extensions.Ma s = s.replace(/i/, "[iīĪI]");cronSearchPlugin.containerId); s = s.replace(/o/, "[oōŌO]"); } //# end of "install only once" removeNode(el); s = s.replace(/u/, "[uūŪU]"); config.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin.results } To add this to your Tiddlywiki, create a new= null; var searchRegexp = new RegExp(s, "img"); tiddler. Paste in the source code. Give it highlightHack = null; highlightHack = searchRegexp; the systemConfig tag (the case is important). }, var matches = store.search(searchRegexp, null, Save and reload your Tiddlywiki file, and it "excludeSearch"); should be available. openAll: function(ev) { story.displayTiddlers(null, config.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin.displayR It took me maybe 1.5 hours to research possibleconfig.extensions.MacronSearchPlugin.results); esults(matches, text); ways to do it and hack the search plugin together return false; }; for Tiddlywiki. I’d never written a plugin for } Tiddlywiki before, but I’ve worked with}; // override TiddlyWiki.search() to ignore Javascript, and it was easy to pick up. I had a lot macrons when searching of fun coding it with W-, who supplied plenty of// override Story.search() TiddlyWiki.prototype.search = function(s, ideas and motivation. =) It’s fun geeking out! sortField, excludeTag, match) {

May 2011 – sachachua.com 143 say, accidentally corrupt the source code Thoughts from marriage: Learning repository for the project you’ve been working togetherMay 2011 on. In addition to remembering this general http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22218 feeling of out-of-it-ness, it might be a good idea May 2, 2011 - Categories: learning, life, marriage for me to come up with some small test for fullNegative productivity and learning from attention/alertness before doing anything Learning can be so much more fun when youoopses possibly irreversible. Then I would need to make learn with someone. Learning something withhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22221 it a habit, because it’s precisely when one’s your spouse can be even better.May 1, 2011 - tempted to cut corners and go ahead that oneCategories: geek, productivity, tips, work shouldn’t. W- and I enjoy learning things together. Last summer, we taught ourselves woodworking. WeSo I accidentally blew away my self-hosted photo Hmm, checking for patterns… checked books out from the library, spent hoursgallery because I overwrote the directories by at Home Depot looking at tools and picking outcopying them instead of using rsync. I attribute Sleep 8.8 hours per night – normal (if not a little over) lumber, figured out how to get 16′ planks homethat to being slightly out-of-sorts, but the truth is without renting a truck or becoming a trafficthat I might’ve made that mistake anyway bright hazard, and built deck chairs that actually fit us.and early on a well-rested weekend. Work 10.2 hours per workday so far – well above normal, and pretty high- Having a second pair of hands to hold something intensity work, too in place, having a second pair of eyes to checkAs it turns out, I back up my WordPress blog, but before you work – that saves a lot of time. W-not my Gallery2-hosted photo album. And I also helped motivate me past the necessary-but-hadn’t enabled server-wide backups before. You Work current, 45.9, 56.9, 40.1 – current slightly-annoying parts, such as remeasuring thecan bet I turned that on after I realized that. pattern week is third of more intense period chair slats so that they fit properly. I probably would never have tried it without him, and nowIt’s no big deal. The key thing I wish I hadn’t Anyway. Dealing with oopses. Instead of beating the chairs sit on our deck and provide an ongoingdeleted was the sketch I’d made of the highlights myself up about it, I’d rather fix what I can fix, trigger for happy memories.of 2008, but that’s in my paper backup of myblog, and the rest of my sketches are probably learn what I can learn, and then get on with a restful evening so that I can prepare for more We’ve been teaching ourselves Dutch insomewhere in my files too. It’s just stuff. awesomeness. Why beat myself up over a preparation for our trip to the Netherlands for mistake? Better to figure out how to minimize my sister’s wedding. W- made flashcards and hasThe trick to dealing with negative productivity is been helping me learn. Even with our limitedto catch yourself – ideally, shortly before you the chances of making a similar mistake in the future, and to get on with life. =) vocabulary, we’ve quickly developed in-jokes,mess up, but shortly afterwards is fine too. Do like the delight with which we encounter thenot make things worse in the process of (Well, after wringing a blog post out of it first…) flashcard for “spek” (bacon) or “gebakken ei”trying to fix things. (fried egg), and how I mock-shudder atIt’s better to detect your periods of negative 2011-04-13 Wed 20:36 “krentenbrood” (I’m not fond of currants orproductivity on non-critical operations than to, anything raisin-like).

May 2011 – sachachua.com 144We’ve also been working our way through a Latin 2011-04-24 Sun 09:07textbook as part of an Internet-based study Then I should not be able to delete agroup. We’re learning Latin together because submission And I should not be able to create a submissionwe’re curious about a proper classical education. Cucumber, Capybara, and the joys ofIf kids of bygone eras could be well-versed in integration testing in RailsLatin, Greek, and French, why couldn’t we get http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22220 Putting that in my features/contributor.feature"the hang of it too? I’m inspired by books like The May 3, 2011 - Categories: automation, geek, rails file and executing that with =bundle executeWell-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical cucumber features/contributor.feature gets me aEducation at Home. While the rest of the world Development is so much more fun with test lovely test with green signs all around.wrings their hands over the state of education, cases. They give you a big target to aim for, and itW- and I want to do something. This is not a bad feels fantastic when you write the code to make You’re thinking: Rails is awesome, but it’splace to start. them pass. Tests also avoid or shorten those late- not that awesome, is it? How can it know about night “oh no! I broke something!” sessions, the specifics of the application?Cooking provides many opportunities for because you can backtrack to versions that passlearning. We’ve been moving further down the the tests. (You are using version control, right?) Rails knows because I’ve written my own stepsupermarket food chain: definitions for Cucumber. Step definitions are So naturally, as I worked on my first IBM project simple. You can define them with a regularHow do we make time for this? Avoiding using Ruby on Rails, I wanted to know about how expression like this:financial pressure helps. A frugal lifestyle means to perform automated testing – not just at the When /^I view the dashboard/ dothat neither of us needs to work a second job, or unit level, but at the web/integration level. visit root_pathgets stressed out about work. We spend most of endour discretionary time at home because we enjoy I like using Simpletest in Drupal. I love thedoing so. A nearby library provides almost all the testing frameworks available in Rails. Then /^I should not be able to create abooks we want, and Internet booksellers fulfill submission/ dothe rest of our learning needs. Internet videos, You see, Cucumber for Rails allows you to write page.should_not have_button("Createaudio recordings, and websites also give us your tests in English (or something reasonably submission")plenty of resources. close to it). For example: endLearning pays off in many ways. If we model this Feature: Contributorkind of curiosity and life-long learning for J-, she You can also define steps that parse arguments In order to maintain securitymight be inspired to explore her own interests. from the string or call other steps: As a contributorIt’s like the way I learned a lot from watching my I want to be able to edit existing submissions Given /^there is a ([^ ]+) survey formom teach herself about business and education Scenario: Contributor should not be able to "([^"]+)"$/ do |year,name|and watching my dad learn about planes and create or delete submissions @company = Company.find_by_name(name)photography. Who knows what J- and other kids Given I am a company contributor assert !@company.nil?will be able to do if they learn that learning is And there is a 2010 survey for "Company X" Given "there is a #{year} survey"fun? When I view the dashboard end

May 2011 – sachachua.com 145You can even take multi-line input, such as The network grows. Now I might be able to easily you end up being unhappy, so we keep ourtables. reach out to one more company, one more schedule light and flexible. industry. Now I might hear about interestingAutomated testing is so awesome! ideas and trends outside my usual areas of focus. Work takes up another third of our life, so Now I might connect even more diverse worlds. we also make sure work is good. I love learning, working on open source, and helping clients andOn people changing companies It’s not all an easy win, of course. People leave coworkers make things happen, so I work withhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22223 behind these gaps, these unfulfilled possibilities. my manager to make sure I’ve got plenty ofMay 4, 2011 - Categories: career, work They also leave new opportunities. What will opportunities to do so. W- also puts the time into their successors create? How will the improving his processes and getting better atOver the past few weeks, several people I’ve had organization adapt around them? How will what he does.the pleasure of working with have left the everyone grow?company. I used to feel confused and a little We invest in making chores enjoyable. Adisturbed by people’s departures, particularly if I still work on helping IBM improve, in my own lot of this is mindset. For example, memoriesthey’d tried to find other internal opportunities little way. But now I can properly wish people of the great washing machine adventure turnand the timing didn’t work out. Quite a few of my good luck on their new adventures, and be laundry into something that makes me smile. Itmentors left IBM, and one of my colleagues even confident that things will generally work out. helps that our washer and dryer sound solightheartedly teased me about it. cheerful. (Really! Listen to someone else’s 2011-04-08 Fri 20:23 recording.)I feel much less worried about people leavingnow. I wish them luck on their next adventure, “Right, Sacha, but that took a lot of work.” youconnect with them through social networks so Tweaking married life for everyday might be thinking. But it’s surprising how athat we can keep in touch, subscribe to their happiness story can add more enjoyment to ablogs or follow them on Twitter, set myself a http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22219 routine task. For example: doing the dishes. Ireminder to follow up with them, and perhaps May 5, 2011 - Categories: highlight, life, marriage feel warm and fuzzy about the yummy food wewrite them a recommendation on LinkedIn. just made, and I enjoy remembering W-’s story One of the things that works really well for W- about this Fisher&Paykel dishwasher. You see,Here’s what I understand now that I didn’t and me in marriage is that we invest time and when I moved in, W- had a regular dishwasher.understand in the beginning: It’s okay. effort into making everyday life enjoyable. It’s He explained that he’d replaced his preferred not about big vacations or escaping from life; it’s dishwasher with a standard one because he hadWhen people leave for other companies, they about making regular life awesome. Let’s take a been thinking about selling the house. He keptcolonize those companies with the things they’ve closer look at that. telling me about how awesome this dishwasherlearned in ours. They spread skills and ideas was, and we joked that it was the kind ofthey’ve honed here, while learning even more Sleep takes up a third of our life. We make dishwasher that was accompanied by choirs.from new cultures and new situations. New sure we get enough sleep, as sleep deprivation When we decided we were going to stay, we tookthings become possible. leads to general tetchiness and negative a trip up to his parents to retrieve the productivity. There’s no sense in doing more if dishwasher. After I saw how it was cleverly

May 2011 – sachachua.com 146divided into two independent drawers and it had recharge, but also to grow, and we deliberately integrate into the Rails 3-based website. Aftertime-delay features, I became a convert. (It invest in capabilities that can make future some experimenting with Refinery CMS (looksseems it really does go “Aaaah!”) everyday life even better. slick, but couldn’t get it to do what I wanted) and Comfortable Mexican Sofa (looked prettyI’ve shown W- some clever ways to use the Is this kind of happiness a finite honeymoon-ish geeky), I settled on Rich CMS. I nearly gave updishwasher, too, like using the top rack as a sort of period? Maybe. Who knows? But it makes on Rich CMS, actually, because I’d gotten stuck,temporary holding space when the handwashed perfect sense to invest that energy into but the web demo helped me figure out what Iitems need more space than the dish drying rack. strengthening the foundation and building good needed to do in order to enable it.Tiny improvements make life more awesome. routines, and to enjoy the compounding benefits. It isn’t about big changes, just small and simple We’re still emptying and reloading the database aSharing a task makes it fun, too. W- and I everyday happinesses lot, though, so I wanted to make sure that I couldboth enjoy cooking, and the L-shaped kitchen save the CmsContent items and reload them. Ilayout means that we don’t get in each other’s 2011-04-23 Sat 11:32 didn’t want to back up the entire database, just away. Cleaning up together makes that more table or two. There were some gems thatenjoyable, too. Turn chores into social events to promised the ability to back up specific models,make the time fly. Rails: Exporting data from specific tables but I couldn’t figure it out. Eventually I decided into fixtures to use the table-focused Rake code I saw in orderWhat about other routines, like eating or http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22215 to export the data to fixtures (seems to be basedgetting ready for work? Again, this is May 7, 2011 - Categories: automation, geek, rails on code from the Rails Recipes book).something that can benefit from continuous task :extract_fixtures => :environment doimprovement. For example, we switched to Rails is pretty darn amazing. There are plenty of sql = "SELECT * FROM %s"batch-cooking lunches and freezing individual gems (Ruby packages) that provide additional skip_tables = ["schema_info"]portions. This not only simplifies mornings and functionality. They’re like Drupal modules, ActiveRecord::Base.establish_connectionsaves us money, it also makes me smile whenever except with more customizability (not just hooks) if (not ENV[TABLES])I have lunch. We tweaked our entrance workflow, and fewer pre-built administrative interfaces tables = ActiveRecord::Base.connection.tablesand now it’s easier to take off our coats and put (you win some, you lose some). - skip_tablesdown our bags. Little things. else For example, the client asked me, “Can we edit tables = ENV[TABLES].split(/, */)So that takes care of sleep, work, chores, and the static content?” Now if I had asked about this endroutines. What’s left? Mostly discretionary as a requirement at the beginning of the project, if (not ENV[OUTPUT_DIR])time – time that we can spend developing we might have gone with Drupal instead– output_dir="#{RAILS_ROOT}/test/fixtures"interests, enjoying hobbies, learning, relaxing, although the Rails Surveyor still feels cleaner elseand so on. We spend a fair bit of this time than a CCK-based survey type, so we might’ve output_dir = ENV[OUTPUT_DIR].sub(//$/,together: hosting study groups, learning Latin, stayed with Rails. )playing games. Sometimes we spend it on endindividual pursuits, like my tea parties or his Anyway, we were well into Rails now, so I looked (tables).each do |table_name|calculator. We use this time not just to rest and for a content management system that I could i = "000"

May 2011 – sachachua.com 147 Now we can re-create the development database On kids and the learning of tangible thingsFile.open("#{output_dir}/#{table_name}.yml", as often as we’d like without losing our page http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22228w) do |file| content! May 9, 2011 - Categories: life data =ActiveRecord::Base.connection.select_all(sql % 2011-04-24 Sun 16:29 “Treat her to a scoop!” said the man in the icetable_name) cream shop as we walked by. He waved us into file.write data.inject({}) { |hash, record| the ice cream shop, where W- chose maple Condensing requirements into use cases walnut and I chose butter pecan. Our orders were hash["#{table_name}_#{i.succ!}"] = record http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22208 rung up by a 4-year-old, all eagerness and tiny hash }.to_yaml May 8, 2011 - Categories: ibm, learning, work fingers at the cash register, coached by her mom puts "wrote #{table_name} to to punch in the buttons and wish us a good day. I#{output_dir}/" (From April 23:) thought it was delightful. end end I’m helping out with a proposal at work. The That’s one of the advantages of a family businessend team asked me to condense a 250+-page that deals with tangible things, I guess. I requirements document into a spreadsheet of use remember my dad teaching us how to transfer cases. I’m new to architecture, but I gave it my rolls of film in the darkroom. We didn’t help outBeing a lazy programmer who doesn’t want to best shot, sending the architect quick drafts so regularly, but it was great to learn about howremember table names, I also defined the that we could zero in on something useful. parts of the business worked.following Rake tasks:task :save_content => :environment do My first draft was too low-level, too detailed. My It’s a little harder to show J- the magic of ENV["TABLES"] = "cms_contents" second draft was a bit better, but still too building applications, so we focus on tangible granular. My third draft was at about the right hobbies instead: cooking, baking, woodworking,Rake.application.invoke_task("myproj:extract_fi level, but some use cases were still too big. My gardening, and so on. They’re good introductionsxtures") fourth draft was workable. Hooray! to the joys of learning and accomplishment.endtask :load_content do When you’re learning something that’s hard to 2011-04-25 Mon 08:40 pick up on your own, figure out how you canRake.application.invoke_task("db:fixtures:load") iteratively improve with feedback. Even if anend expert doesn’t have the time to walk you through Rails: Paperclip needs attributes defined the process, he or she might be able to quickly by attr_accessible, not just attr_accessorThen I can call rake tell you if you’re on the right track. See if you can http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22224myproj:save_content and rake break your work down into small portions you May 10, 2011 -myproj:load_content to do the right thing. Or can work on until you get them right, and apply Categories: development, geek, railsrather, my co-developer (a new IBMer – hello, what you learn there to the rest of the work.Vijay!) can do so, and then check his work into Good luck! I wanted to add uploaded files to the surveyour git repository. =) response model defined by the Surveyor gem. I’d

May 2011 – sachachua.com 148gotten most of the changes right, and the hectares and hectares of tulips and other blooms. in the ramps, locks integrated into bikes, and thefilenames were showing up in the model, but My family and I had been there before, when I freedom to bike without worrying too muchPaperclip wasn’t saving the files to the filesystem. was in high school. W- had never been to Europe, about opened doors or inattentive drivers…As it turns out, Paperclip requires that your so it was his first time for everything. Taking upattributes (ex: :file_value> for my file column) be gardening myself Geek: One of the advantages of being a geek istagged with attr_accessible, not that most people appreciate getting tech support.justattr_accessor. The wedding: We had a small civil wedding We don’t do this on a regular basis for family or ceremony in the gazebo in Agnietenberg, a friends, but if we happen to be in the sameOnce you define one attr_accessible item, you campsite in Zwolle. Kathy wore a white terno country and we have some time on vacation, whyneed to define all the ones you need, or mass- (full-length dress with butterfly sleeves) beaded not? =)assigning attributes with update_attributes will and decorated with hand-painted blue tulipfail. This meant adding a whole bunch of appliques; a fusion of Philippine and Dutch Dan had warned her husband that we were bothattributes to my attr_accessor list, too. cultures. John wore a suit. I wore the red dress I geeks and that we were not allowed anywhere sewed myself. =) I’ll link to photos when they near the computers or even the microwave,If you’re using accepts_nested_attributes_for, become available. because we might reprogram stuff. We ended upyou will also need to use attr_accessible there, looking into their WiFi router, writing down thetoo. Moments that made me laugh: password for them and their future guests, and setting the BIOS settings on one of theSharing the note here just in case anyone else  Seeing the world’s tallest ringbearer get computers so that it could recognize the printerruns into it. Props to Tam on StackOverflow for pressed into service (Mathew filled in for that was on LPT1. (Smart IO chipset for thethe tip! the actual ringbearer, who was late) parallel port! Gosh.) Most of the interfaces were in Dutch, but we figured it out. We also fixed up2011-04-01 Fri 12:41  When they celebrated the end of the Auntie Katharina’s computer, but that’s the next wedding ceremony with the Hallelujah story. chorusBack from the Netherlands  When my dad got flustered reading the Germany: We were hanging out in John’shttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22235 witnessing statement in Tagalog and house in Zwolle, and Auntie KatharinaMay 11, 2011 - Categories: family, life ended up putting in all sorts of other mentioned she’s been having problems with her things computer. My parents had been planning to getWe were in the Netherlands from May 3 to May Auntie Katharina a new computer for a while, so10 to celebrate my sister’s wedding. I still have to Den Haag: We visited W-’s friend Dan in The that she could talk to them using Skype. Daysort through all the pictures and sketches, but Hague and we had a lot of fun catching up. In the trip! After much back-and-forth, we convincedhere are some highlights: evening, we rented bikes from OV Fiets and Auntie Katharina to let us go on this adventure. headed to the beaches near the North Sea. The (After all, W- had never been to Germany, and itSeeing Keukenhof again: My sister and her Netherlands’ biking life made me so envious: would be so nice to visit Wiesbaden again, and…)fiancé timed their wedding so that we could catch separate bike lanes going practically everywhere, So we piled into the car, rushed back to thethe spring flowers at Keukenhof , which has rental systems, flat terrain, garages with grooves camp, packed our suitcases and backpacks, and

May 2011 – sachachua.com 149headed off to Germany. (Don’t you just love o [ ] Get ready for training trip for W- borrowed In Defense of Food from thebeing able to take a day trip to a different project I library. I read it with him, dipping in and out ofcountry?) We bought a laptop from the Media the book when he read nearby. Now we’re o [ ] Follow up on project CMarkt near Auntie Katharina’s house, visited her tweaking what and how we eat: buying organicson and her grandkids, then headed over to her o [ ] Refile time for project M vegetables, checking out a nearby butcher, andplace to set it up. Then it was a long drive back to preparing lighter summer fare.the Netherlands for a short nap before W- and I  Relationshipstook the train to the airport. That was definitely We signed up for a local spring share from Plan Bcutting it close, but we made it! o [X] Hang out with family some Organic Farms. The way that community- more! supported agriculture works is that you buy a o [X] Spend time with W-’s friend share in a farm’s produce and you get a portionWeekly review: Week ending May 6, 2011 Dan in The Hague of whatever’s being harvested. Plan B Organichttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22236 Farms works with several farms, so you can get a o [ ] Write and sketch stories from good selection of food (and your risk is probablyMay 12, 2011 - Categories: weekly trip lower, too). We signed up for a bi-weekly regular-From last week’s plans o [ ] Organize photos from trip sized share to see what it’s like. We’ll probably sign up for a weekly half-share for summer, as  Work o [ ] Catch up with mail the garden will yield fruits and vegetables too. o [X] Tidy up project C  Life After much anticipation, we picked up our first  Relationships o [ ] Plant more herbs and greens box yesterday! It contained: o [X] Hang out with my family! Yay! o [ ] Decompress  lettuce o [X] Celebrate my sister’s wedding! o [ ] Write more for upcoming trip  baby kale o [X] Tidy up the strawberry and Time analysis  living sprouts blueberry plants in the garden Between timezone changes and vacation… what  pea tenders o [X] Start some bitter melon time analysis? =)  apples  Life  shiitake mushrooms [X] Draw! =) First foray into community-supported o  potatoes agriculturePlans for next week http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22237  parsnips May 13, 2011 -  beets  Work Categories: cooking, food, kaizen, life  apple cider (mmm!) o [ ] Catch up on work

May 2011 – sachachua.com 150I rinsed and tossed handfuls of lettuce, baby kale, garden gets started, and to get fruits and We’ll gradually work our way up to Winnie illesprouts, and pea tenders with vinaigrette. I vegetables we won’t be growing ourselves. Pu. Maybe we’ll even put together our own Latinadded dandelion leaves from the garden. projects!(Mwahaha! It’s extra-satisfying to pull up weeds The community-supported agriculture sharesfor munching.) A sprinkling of pine nuts on the will be a great addition to our kitchen,greens, and tada! Salad. encouraging us to be more creative with our Weekly review: Week ending May 13, 2011 cooking and more diverse in our diet. It’ll be fun http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22238Meanwhile, W- cooked the sausages and – and it will be good eating! May 15, 2011 - Categories: weeklyprepared pasta with store-bought pesto. (Haven’tstarted our basil plot yet!) We added some sage, From last week’s plansoregano, and thyme from the garden – just a bit, Cattus Petasatusas the plants are still small. Yummy! http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22207  Work May 14, 2011 - Categories: latin, Uncategorized o [X] Catch up on workWorking with a random assortment of fruits andvegetables is a lot more fun now than it was back o [X] Get ready for training trip for On a whim, W- and I are learning Latin. Wewhen I was a student cooking for myself. I used project I figure that schoolkids used to learn Latin andto get the Good Food Box (another organic/local Greek, so we should be able to hack it too. So o [X] Follow up on project Cproduce subscription service) when I lived on we’ve signed up for an Internet study group,campus. Identifying the vegetables that came and o [X] Refile time for project M borrowed books from the library, and looked forfiguring out good recipes for them that wouldn’t other Latin resources. o Prepare for upcomingresult in too much waste – that was quite a presentationschallenge! I remember losing the list of the box We were delighted to find Cattus Petasatus, acontents and then flipping through the pages in o Added status tracking feature to Latin translation of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat. project Cmy full-colour fruit and vegetable identification There are even translations for some of the otherbook (a gift from my family), trying to figure out books, like Green Eggs and Ham. I like readingif I had beets or rutabagas. (Beets, as it turned  Relationships them in addition to our textbooks. They makeout.) Now, W- and I can bounce ideas off each Latin feel more contemporary. o [X] Hang out with family someother, we have more flexibility and a better- more!stocked pantry for quick meals, and we have the Learning Latin with W- is a lot of fun. He sharesfreezer space to handle odds and ends if needed. the ways Latin reminds him of French. He thinks o [X] Spend time with W-’s friendYay! I find it easier to say Latin than he does because Dan in The Hague of my background in Filipino, which also has a o [] Write and sketch stories fromI’m still looking forward to getting our garden lot of short syllables. We review our study group trip – wrote a fewgrowing. The plants look promising. I’m learning homework together, laugh at the contrivedhow to pack the garden more densely and to o [-] Organize photos from trip – examples, and look around for other resources.grow more kinds of food. But it’s great to enjoy haven’t looked at them! I’m so lucky my husband is a geek. =)lettuce and all these other things while the

May 2011 – sachachua.com 151 o [-] Catch up with mail – answered  Life You can set this behaviour on a case-by-case some mail, but not yet all basis with the tag @no-txn. o [ ] Set aside writing time while on o Got first Plan B Organic Farms business trip, and actually write Running the tests individually with bundle exec box. Had lots of salad. Yum! Plus o [ ] Think about what I want to cucumber ... now works. I still have to figure out dandelions, too. learn next – more sewing why the database gets dropped when I do rake projects? cucumber, though…  Life o [X] Plant more herbs and greens 2011-04-24 Sun 16:21 Rails: Preserving test data o [X] Decompress http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22216 o [-] Write more for upcoming trip May 16, 2011 - Finding the bright side of business travel Categories: development, geek, rails http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22240Plans for next week May 17, 2011 - Categories: travel, work I’m using Cucumber for testing my Rails project.  Work The standard practice for automated testing in I don’t like travelling. I’d rather be home: o [ ] Conduct training for project I Rails is to make each test case completely self- husband, cats, garden, library, home-cooked in Colorado contained and wipe out the test data after food, regular routines, everything I need where I running the test. The test system accomplishes want it to be. But we haven’t figured out o [ ] Keep an eye on project M this by wrapping the operations in a transaction teleportation and some clients want face-to-face o [ ] Sort out upcoming projects and rolling that transaction back at the end of the contact, so I go if necessary. o [ ] Prepare for social media / Gen test. This is great, except when you’re developing code and you want to poke around the test It’s a little hard to focus on the bright side of Y talk for client D environment to see what’s going on outside the business travel, aside from the opportunity to handful of error messages you might get from a meet people in person. Travel changes such a  Relationships large chunk of personal time. Long days trail off failed test. o [ ] Catch up on mail into the temptation to spend evening hours I set up my test environment so that data stays in catching up with work e-mail or flipping through o [ ] Write more about Netherlands the movies on the television. Restaurants place after a test is run, and I modified my tests trip overwhelm with choices and serve too-large to delete data they need deleted. This is what I o [X] Plant more herbs and greens – set in my features/support/env.rb: portions. Laughter and meows are replaced by basil basil basil basil Cucumber::Rails::World.use_transactional_fixtu the white-noise hum of hotel airconditioning. o [X] Make bagels res = false But there’s a bright side there, somewhere, new o Helped hem J-’s pants – made a opportunities that open up during every hair bow, ribbon, and brooch from I also removed database_cleaner. disruption. Here’s what I might be able to do this the scraps trip:

May 2011 – sachachua.com 152  Wake up earlier. There’s no one to Walking outside my comfort zone – bike? nearest bus stop is. As long as I keep the last bus disturb, and there’s more incentive to go push/kick scooter? times in mind, I’m pretty okay with asking for to bed early and wake up early. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22241 directions and waiting a bit at stops.  Spend more time writing and May 17, 2011 - Categories: analysis, decision, kaizen, travel Reasons why it might be worth hacking drawing. No meals to prepare, no dishes this: to wash, nothing else to do but work and write and draw. This walking-around-a-strange-city has its pluses and minuses. Plus: I got to see Denver’s It would be really awesome to reduce  Eat different kinds of food. Eat the downtown pedestrian zones and how they’ve set anxiety. I get fidgety if I’m walking by myself kinds of things we would find difficult to up the 16th Street Mall with plenty of trees and and there are few people around. Public transit prepare at home. Avoid the temptations. benches. Minus: My phone was dead, so I didn’t schedules tend to have gaps, and sometimes it’s Focus on soups and salads – maybe that have GPS, and I hadn’t fixed and brought my hard to find a place where I can get a cab. (Which will help… MintyBoost yet, and I didn’t have a physical map. of these roads will lead to a hotel? Hmm.) If I’m I missed my stop on the way back and ended up on a bike, I can cover more distances myself, with  Listen to more music. I rarely do so at walking an extra 4.5km. Easy enough to plan for the trade-off that I’ll just be worried about home. Here, it’s better than the constant next time. On my next trip, I’ll definitely bring a accidents. (Bright lights, reflective tape, road traffic and weather updates on the lobby power supply! caution, helmets?) Even a push scooter might get television that’s tuned to the news me quickly from a silent patch to someplace with channel. While walking around, I thought about what more light and/or people.I could enjoy business travel more, I suppose, if I would make exploration easier. GPS and offline maps are definitely big ones, which probably It would be great to not take cabs to clientstayed an extra day in the cities we visit. Here means just making sure that I can recharge my sites. Yes, I know, it’s a business expense. But Iloss aversion rears its behavioral-psychology smartphone on the go. still take public transit whenever possible, even ifhead, I think; I’d find it hard to tear myself away I don’t benefit from the savings. Part of it is beingfrom home a day early in order to walk around a The thing with walking is that if you make a aware of the moral hazard of a company expensecity by myself. This is not completely true. I mistake or you miss a stop, it takes a long time to account (when you change your behaviourhaven’t tried it, and I should give it at least one get back on track. On a car, you can swing knowing someone else is footing the bill), andtry. And for places I know we have friends in, I’d around quickly and be halfway across town in a part of it is fighting the hedonic treadmill(whenbe happy to come a day earlier or leave a day few minutes. On a bicycle, you can still cover a lot you get used to a level of consumption).later so that I can spend time with them. Perhapsthe next trip. of ground. Walking? Trudge trudge trudge trudge. In the dark, this can be a little scary. It would be great to see more of the places I stay at. Might as well, I’m there already. I’mIt’s difficult but essential to be where you are, not Walking also means I can’t cover that much an odd sort of traveller, though. I’m not driven tomis-placed. ground. I know I can take a taxi, but I find it hard take my picture beside famous landmarks. I don’t to shake the idea that taxis are a luxury. ;) Public collect knick-knacks. I occasionally meet up with2011-05-15 Sun 09:26 transit is good, but the schedules can be tricky. people, but I’m also fine connecting virtually. I CoPilot Live for Android shows me where the do like checking out thrift stores. I can’t stand

May 2011 – sachachua.com 153paying retail, and browsing through people’s spring and fall, when my town cruiser is hung on taxi companies, and enough cash in casedonations gives me a little idea of what people the bike rack. they don’t take credit cards.are like. How can I test this idea? What about push scooters? Other peopleI’m probably looking at two or three solo trips swear by them, as they fold up smaller and areover the next year and some light use back home.  Bikeshare program: Cheapest, if lighter than even the lightest folding bikes. ANo big deal – the null option (listed below) might available. Will need helmet and lock. May folded-up scooter is less bulky than a folded-upstill be cheaper. have a hard time adjusting bike height. bicycle, and many models can be rolled along like Dependent on bike sharing locations – strollers or shopping carts. Pushing myself mightHow can I cover more ground and reduce usually only downtown core. be interesting given the flat shoes I typicallythe cost of making mistakes? wear, though – I might change into a pair of  Rentals: Inexpensive for trips shorter sneakers. A push scooter would primarily beWhat about renting bikes? Most cities have than 1 week. Dependent on bike useful for getting around town on solo trips inbike rentals. I’m not sure if I can generally take availability, rental shop hours, and conjuction with public transit. It might also beadvantage of them – time, familiarity. Well, location. useful for going to the library or to the grocerymaybe a handlebar mount for my Android, and  Bringing bike over: $100+/trip + bike store for quick trips, and for getting to thespare power in case I need to charge up? If the packing materials. May be difficult to get subway station when I’m not biking to workweather forecast didn’t call for thunderstorms from the airport to the hotel with a (when rain is expected, or if my bike’s still up onthis week, I might’ve borrowed a bike and used it bicycle and a suitcase. Larger van, more the rack). I walk to the supermarket or libraryto get around. costly? about twice a week, but this is usually a social walk with W- and J- too.What about a folding bike? Two of my  Shipping bike over: Some people shipfriends take folding bicycles with them on trips. their bikes by FedEx or UPS. This is a How can I test this idea?That might work, too, because then I won’t have little scary, though, and requires that Ito think about rental hours or availability. I tend find a mailing store for the way back.  Check out the push scooters into pack light. My travel clothes fit in my carry-on,  Folding bike: $400-500, maybe more? Toronto. Check prices, feel, etc.which means I can keep the suitcase for the Might be easier to lug, though. Airline Rainbow Songs (Roncesvalles) sells thebicycle. A bicycle would give me better range and bike fees might mean that renting would Xootr Mg Push Scooter with fender/brakemight come in handy if I can’t hitch a ride with a be cheaper. Plus side: it will be my height, for $243.78. It’s ~$229 in the US, so itcoworker. Would a folding bicycle be worth the and I don’t have to worry about different looks like getting it in Canada will be fine,investment? It will primarily be useful for solo brake systems. although the US will have more choice.air travel, and I don’t plan to take more than two There’s also the Razor A5, which Toys Ror three such trips over the next year. (Note:  Taxi/bus: The null option is worth keeping in mind, given the few times I Us sells. Advantage of being short: I canWatch out for airline fees!) It may also be useful raid the teens’ scooter lineup, althoughfor subway or bus-assisted trips – not the one to might want a bicycle. This is really about making sure I have emergency power for the perks of grown-up scooters lookwork, but maybe when visiting friends. If it’s tempting.light enough, I might also use it for short trips in my phone, the phone number for local

May 2011 – sachachua.com 154  Check scooter prices in the US. Plan the Kindle instead of an iPad or Android tablet 2011-05-18 Wed 22:09 to spend an extra day looking around, because I wanted a device for travel (decent perhaps? Maybe I can visit friends and battery life and the ability to search for addresses have stuff shipped. / public transit directions). Roaming data Travel updates: GPS, Pearl Street, Vibram charges for iPad or Android use would be really toe shoes  Walking. The null alternative to a http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22243 expensive. Even if Amazon discontinues scooter would simply be more walking, Whispernet (as it might – who knows?), it’ll be May 20, 2011 - maybe with extra power for my worth it if I can get a good couple of years. Books Categories: geek, kaizen, shopping, travel phone/GPS or a separate GPS unit with will actually be a nice bonus, not the key selling longer battery life. Extra power for phone feature. From Thursday evening: Success! I spent late seems like a better bet, so that I can call a cab if needed – and I’ve got the afternoon and evening wandering around Pearl I read a ton of books, and the Kindle can read the Street Mall and thereabouts in Boulder, MintyBoost for that, I just need to fix the EPUB books I check out of the Toronto Public Colorado. electrical short. Library. It can also handle PDFs. You can bet that I’m going to try Albert Harkness’ “An Easy I walked around a bit more, checkingIf the forecasted thunderstorm lightens up, I’m Method for Beginners in Latin” as soon as I get out Buffalo Exchange and Goldminegoing to take the bus down into Boulder tonight the Kindle unboxed and charged up. I might as Vintage. I like browsing through second-handto check out some of their thrift stores and to try well learn something on the way to the airport. stores. You get a more eclectic, morethe dining options along Pearl street. While =) It’ll be better than my Android, which has comprehensive feel for a place’s style, and youthere, I can think about which of the options problems viewing PDFs with images in them. can often pick up some great deals. Both storeswould have given me the most benefit. The Harkness e-book is all images (it’s a scan of had smaller selections than Goodwill, but theyHmm. Thoughts? Experiences? Advice? an out-of-copyright book), so I haven’t been able had interesting items. I didn’t buy anything, to read it at all on my Android. though. Looking at clothes in general makes me2011-05-17 Tue 14:37 want to get back to my fabric stash and my Of course, there’s actually buying books from the sewing machine. =) I did look around for Kindle store and having them delivered on the inspiration, and I experimented with someOrdered a Kindle with free 3G fly… Tempting! I will have to set a book budget. I colour combinations and silhouettes.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22242 hardly buy books now – the library’s been enough for me – but I may get swayed by the newMay 18, 2011 - Categories: geek, kaizen, travel releases that will be instantly available.After much consideration (and you know how I Here’s hoping that Amazon’s deliveryanalyze my decisions), I ordered the 6″ Kindle mechanism goes without a hitch and I receive mywith free 3G and WiFi. I chose the smaller Kindle Kindle on Friday! If not, I’ll have to figure outinstead of the DX because I have tiny hands, and how to reship the package back home.the Internet said that the DX might get a littletiring to carry if you have small hands. I chose Fingers crossed!

May 2011 – sachachua.com 155 colorful pattern for extra fun. (Performance toe the local search for points of interest, which is socks! By golly.) how I found my way back to Hapa. Sweet! For dinner, I had udon topped with tofu at Hapa I can save battery for GPS by skipping Restaurant. It was so delicious and so filling! WiFi on my Android. With some discipline, I The soup was delicately flavoured and the tofu managed to avoid using my Android for WiFi was just right. They’re justifiably proud of their browsing until I was safely back in my hotel udon, and it was the perfect way to round off a room. WiFi drains the battery surprisingly cold, rainy day. quickly. I had run out of battery on Wednesday, when I had used my Android for lots of browsing I made it back to the Boulder Transit before leaving for my adventure. With WiFi off, Center with plenty of time to spare. The BOLT my phone battery lasted through a few hours of bus (Boulder-Longmont; the city has cute names GPS navigation, and it still had about 50% left for bus routes, such as HOP, SKIP, and JUMP) when I reached the hotel. From Phone took me to the Twin Peaks mall (fare: $4), and I walked to the hotel. Being able to review my Hey, this Vibram thing looksWhile walking along the Pearl Street Mall, I came route using the GPS made me worry much less promising. I’ve just started wearing this funny-across Outdoor Divas, a store focused on about missing my stop or walking around the shaped shoe, but I think it’s more comfortablewomen’s sports clothing and accessories. I found outside of the mall. than my other flat shoes. I’m already plottingsome travel things I liked. Outdoor Divas also when I’m going to be able to wear them next.stocked Vibram, the toe shoes I remember Thoughts: Unfortunately, not to the office, but I might headreading about on a productivity blog. I’d been downtown again tomorrow to check out thecurious about Vibram for a while. It’s supposed Neither a bike nor a push scooter Goodwill in Boulder. Besides, it’ll be raining. Noto be a more natural way to walk, because your would’ve been of much use for that sense puddle-wading with my leather shoes. Itoes can go where they’re supposed to go instead excursion. It was all about walking – but then know the Vibrams can deal with puddles. I mayof being confined and deformed by a narrow toe again, I stuck pretty closely to the pedestrian buy gloves and legwarmers, though!box. I have wide feet and I avoid shoes that mall downtown. For pedestrian-oriented places, Isqueeze my toes, but Vibram shoes would be might just need GPS and possibly 3G. For placestaking that one logical step further. MEC that are spread further apart or that lack Waiting for my Kindleoccasionally stocks them in Canada, but it was sidewalks, a bike might come in handy. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22244somewhat cheaper to get them in the US May 20, 2011 - Categories: geekconsidering currency values, foreign exchange CoPilot Live rocks. I set it to turn thefees, and taxes. Being able to fit them to find the backlight on near turns and to warn me of I’m waiting for the delivery of my Kindle. Well,right size for me was certainly helpful, and it was upcoming turns. This was great for walking I’m not really waiting for it. I’m waiting for mygreat having better shoes to walk through the around and for making sense of my bus ride co-worker so that I can hitch a ride with him torain with! I also picked up a pair of performance while minimizing battery use. I also really liked the office. But my Kindle has made its way fromtoe socks – wicking, fast-drying, and with a Arizona to Colorado, with a brief stopover in

May 2011 – sachachua.com 156Ontario. (What?!) It got loaded on a delivery Mentoring. We all know mentoring is good for mentoring you, particularly if you can’t maketruck at 7:27 AM this morning, and now we’re your career, but sometimes it’s hard to make that face-to-face connection with them ordown to the wire and wondering if it’ll get here time to find and meet with mentors. Here’s how develop familiarity by working together in abefore my non-morning-person coworker gets mentoring can make a big difference in the way colocated office?his coffee. No big deal if it doesn’t. I can pick it you work:up when I get back to the hotel. Mentoring can be difficult if you’re a remote  Information: Mentors can help you employee. In an office, you might bump intoI’m this close to waiting for it and then just learn complex tools or processes, review someone you admire and ask them questions,taking the bus to work, but that way lies your work, and avoid or resolve problems. your manager might walk over and introduce youtemptation – even though it would be great to to someone, or you might buy someone coffee orfully charge it before heading out later. Must.  Advice: Mentors can share insights you lunch while picking their brain. When you’reResist. didn’t even know you needed. Mentors remote, you need to be more creative about can also help you understand your hidden connecting with people.7:56. My coworker has made an appearance. Oh strengths and weaknesses.well! I’ll see my Kindle later. =)  Accountability: Mentors can help you On the plus side, you can connect with possible commit to your goals and stay motivated. mentors around the world. This means you can learn from very different perspectives. You canPresentation draft: Mentoring on the  Stretching: Mentors can challenge you get a sense of what life and work is like inNetwork to grow and call you out if you’re slacking different business units and geographies.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22245 off. Finding mentorsMay 21, 2011 -  Connection: Mentors can help youCategories: mentoring, presentation, speaking navigate a large organization and find just In IBM, you can use the Bluepages company the right people who can help you. directory system to find people who haveGail LeCocq asked me if I wanted to give a volunteered to mentor other people. IBM  Sponsorship: Mentors can help you Learning organizes speed-mentoring eventspresentation for the Other-Than-Traditional- find opportunities you may not hearOffice (OTTO) group in Toronto. At the time, I where you can connect with many possible about yourself, or convince people to take mentors, ask quick questions, and follow up forwas preparing The Busy Person’s Guide to a chance on you. Mentors can also speakLearning from the Network, so I suggested that. additional help or introductions. IBMers are also up for you when people are making usually open to e-mail requests or questions.When she got back in touch a ew weeks later to decisions.confirm, though, I realized that I wanted to talkabout a different topic instead. I suggested a  Social interaction: Regular mentoring Mentors can be older than you or younger thantopic on mentoring, which several people had conversations can bring some of that you, in the same business unit or in a differentasked me about. Here’s a rough draft. social interaction back into remote work. one, next door or around the world. Keep yourMentoring on the Network mind open, and reach out. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Challenges and advantagesView more presentations from Sacha Chua You can build a mentoring relationship overWhy So mentoring is good, but how can you convince time. Start by connecting with your potential someone to invest the time and energy into

May 2011 – sachachua.com 157mentor and asking for a small piece of advice. Act  Take notes. Mentors invest time into review. It’s a way of giving back to theon that advice if it’s good. Send a thank-you note helping you, and you can save them time community and investing in others!with the results. Ask for more advice, and share and increase the ROI by writing down Next stepsmore updates. Share what you’ve been learning what you’ve learned in a form that theyfrom other people, too. If it turns out to be a can easily share with other people. Now we get to the networking part of thisgood fit for both you and the other person, you presentation, where you might find a mentor or  Thank people!might ask if you can set up a regular monthly connect with a mentee. You’ll probably want penchat to learn more. Helping others and paper for this one, so you can write down people’s names. Let’s go around and introduceIf your potential mentor posts blog entries or Helping others is fulfilling, and you’ll learn a lot ourselves. Say your first and last name, thenprofile updates, you can use that to build a along the way. Even if you don’t consider yourself answer these questions: What do you need helprelationship as well. Read what they post, an expert, you’ve probably learned a lot of things with? What can you help people with? Then saycomment, and share any updates on insights you take for granted. You can help people get your first and last name again, in case peopleyou’ve picked up from them and applied in your started, save time, and learn more. Give missed your name the first time around. (Spellwork or life. Send thanks – or better yet, post mentoring a try! your name if you need to.) If you’re listening toyour thanks online too. someone’s introduction and something interestsMaking the most of mentoring Some ways to connect with mentees: you, feel free to connect on this call or through Sametime!  Have a clear idea of what you want to  Talk to your manager and other people learn, how your potential mentor can about the things you can help people What do you think? What would you like to share make a difference, and why he or she may with. They can refer people to you. with other people looking for mentors or want to help you. mentees?  Give presentations and share your slides.  Set up a regular time to connect with your There are many groups in IBM who 2011-05-20 Fri 14:55 mentor – once a month, for example. organize regular conference calls, and Meet in person if possible, or connect they’re always looking for speakers. using a video-conferencing program like  Attend virtual and real-life networking Notes from the airport: Missed my flight; Skype. events. Ask people what they want to not the end of the world after all  Talk about communication preferences learn or what could help them be more http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22246 with your mentor. Some people like successful. May 21, 2011 - Categories: highlight, travel having very focused meetings. Send them  Post profile updates or write blog posts. prepared questions before your This helps people learn what you’re good For the first time in my life, I missed my flight. I conversation. Other people prefer e-mail at and get a sense of who you are. was in tears. I called American Express, and was or blog conversations over phone on hold with them while they rerouted my conversations. Try that out. Don’t forget to mention your mentoring during itinerary through Vancouver. It will be an the Personal Business Commitments (PBCs) overnight flight and I’ll arrive Sunday morning instead of Saturday night, but I’ll arrive.

May 2011 – sachachua.com 158Then I called W-, who told me things were going day when everything will be back to normal. Why me. Boy, will I be ever so glad to see him!to be okay and helped me remember that I was stress out about things I can’t change and that Everything’s going to work out okay. Worst-casestrong. I don’t feel very strong at the moment – won’t be permanent? Everything is going to be scenario, I pay for the fare difference myself, andmy fingers shake – but I can feel the storm of okay. it takes me a little longer to save up for my nextpanic and frustration and self-pity pass. Denver goals. No big deal.International Airport has free wireless, but I The situation is not that much different from acan’t seem to connect to it. I used my Kindle to hypothetical world where I’m sitting in the W- is right. I’m strong. I bounce back almostsend him a Twitter direct message with the flight airport patiently waiting for my intentionally- involuntarily. Maybe this hiccup will help medetails the travel agent gave me. I may be booked flight to Vancouver with a connection to become even more resilient, if I remember tofrazzled, but I still turn to frugal workarounds for Toronto. I’ve done that before. After setting the take the right lessons from it, if a future crisisroaming charges. wheels in motion, it is an easy thing to shift to makes me think, “Aha, I know how to deal with that track, like rail lines that start at different this, I’ve survived something similar before”There’s a lesson in here about timezones, public stations and converge. I learn what I can from instead of “I’m such an idiot, I can’t do anythingtransit, and triple-checking my departure time stress, then call up that feeling of purposeful right, like that time I missed my flight.”against my printed ticket instead of my copied waiting.itinerary. Better to learn the lesson this time than Things I am glad about:at a more crucial moment – that’s what I always Missing a flight, surprisingly enough, isn’t thetell myself when I make a mistake large enough end of the world. (Even if you miss said flight on  Amazon Kindle 3G connection. I’veto throw me off-kilter. Better now than later. May 21, the supposed day of the apocalypse.) been talking about this so much on myBetter a small situation than a life-or-death one. Even though this is my first missed flight, the blog and on Twitter, I know! But in areasGoing home, with Monday a day off, on a US- travel agencies and airlines have handled without free, reliable WiFi networks, it’sCanada flight, a missed flight has much smaller innumerable cases like mine before, and they been really really useful to be able toripples than an inbound flight on a critical know what to do. The American Express agent search for information and post updates.business trip or an expensive personal trip found another route to get me to Toronto.halfway across the world–and I still get to distill although it takes much longer than my original  Travel agencies, airline personnel,from it whatever it can teach me about life and flight does, and arranged it for the change fee of and lots of other travellers. I’m glad Imyself. $150 plus the fare difference. Better than losing booked this work trip through American the full value of the flight, for sure! I don’t know Express, because they knew how to workThat’s the second thing I tell myself during these if IBM will allow me to expense the increase in the system in order to get me home. Forhiccups: It all becomes part of the story, the my fare, but if not, I can charge it to my our personal trips, I’m going to make surerough watersas well as the smooth. I’m learning experience fund – and thank goodness I have I write down the toll-free numbers for thethat after that initial flood of panic, I feel this one, so that unexpected expenses don’t plunge airlines so that I can get to them quickly ifpreternatural calm sets in. I can’t change the me into more lasting troubles. I already know the I need to reroute. I’m glad that airlinepast, so I don’t fret about it. No amount of process for paying part of my American Express personnel have handled many otherworrying is going to change my short-term card in case IBM policy doesn’t cover the missed flights before, and I’m a tiny bitfuture. This nervous energy can be channelled itinerary change. Even though the flight lands glad that other people have run into andinto writing. Not too long from now, there’ll be a early in the morning, W- will be there to meet solved these problems. Can you imagine

May 2011 – sachachua.com 159 being the first person to miss a flight in 2011-05-21 Sat 17:00 I think we’ll plant the front yard for herbal teas the and other edibles. =) That will be fun and useful! Here’s what I’d like to plant:  Chocolate stroopwafels. As I headed Victoria Day weekend: back to the garden out the door of our house, W- gave me http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22247 Common name Height two chocolate stroopwafels from our trip to the Netherlands. “For emergencies,” he May 22, 2011 - Categories: gardening Sage 2-3′ said. I ate the first stroopwafel on the way out, cheering myself up after facing the Back home and back to the garden! The plants had been very busy growing while I was away. Bergamot 2′ prospect of a week-long trip. I saved the second stroopwafel. This counts as an The oregano at the back has doubled in size. The peas are climbing up the twine. The blueberry Anise hyssop 2-4′ emergency worthy of a stroopwafel, I believe, and I will have it shortly. The bushes are flowering. The dill’s starting to thought itself is comforting already. sprout. Some of my spring onions have even Lemon verbena 4′, can be more made it, although a few had been dug up by (potted/annual?) compact  Air travel and computers. Isn’t it squirrels who disagree with my landscaping. amazing that we can fly through the air? Catnip (potted) 3-4′ And that computers can link together The Victoria Day long weekend practically marks different routes, different cities, different the start of the main gardening season. The Stevia (not hardy) 2-3′ companies? Can you imagine what it garden centres are open during the holiday, and might’ve been like to miss a steamship the herb and vegetable starters have joined the that runs only once a month? Peppermint (potted) 2′ annuals. People are out planting.  Writing. If you had told me in school Variegated common thyme 6-10″ that writing could be a comfort and a joy, W- and I walked around the neighborhood I might’ve fallen in love with it then looking at people’s gardens. Down the street, Awesome Garden Lady’s plants are lightyears Sweet woodruff 6-12″ instead of getting bored by all the book reports and critical essays we wrote for ahead of ours, and she’s already started teachers and never for ourselves. Writing harvesting herbs. We looked at the flowers in German chamomile 12-24″ will be my last and longest love, I think, other people’s gardens, the way the perennials even after time strips away friends and and annuals were arranged, the color Lemon balm (potted) 12-24″ family, and hands and eyes fail. combinations that caught our eyes. We identified fruits, herbs, and vegetables tucked into unusual Curly spearmint (potted) 12-24″  … places: mint slowly spreading across a front yard, alliums (onions, probably) with delicate bulb-likeThere are more thoughts for this list, but I’m at Pot marigold (annual) 18″ flowers, strawberries peeking out betweenthe gate waiting for the flight to Vancouver. hostas.Everything will work out. Purple basil (annual) 18-24″

May 2011 – sachachua.com 160 house. “They must’ve gone in together on a yard  curryLavender 12-24″ bag of soil,” W- said. It probably didn’t require  tricolor sage much neighbourly coordination – a casualGolden lemon thyme 6-8″ conversation, an offer of help – but we envied the  lemon thyme ease and connection it implied. We knew our  chamomileMarjoram 12″ neighbours on either side of our house, but not so much the ones across the street. How could we  lots of basilCilantro (annual) 18-24″ get to know more people in the neighbourhood?  lots of lavender Gardening, apparently, is an excellent way to  miscellaneous flowersThis is roughly based meet people over here. Investing in perennialson http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/gard and annuals turns out to pay social dividends. Weeding and cultivating the front yard will noen-plans-finder/herbal-tea-garden-plan-2, with We dug up and gave our front-yard irises to one doubt keep us busy throughout the season, andpossible substitutions for things that are not of our neighbours – we made space for new familiarity leads to conversations. I hope to gethardy in Zone 5. I’ll probably arrange it in some plants, and he added some more colour to his quite a few herbal infusions out of it too, andkind of a circle, with the taller plants in the garden. We replanted the front yard as a herbal perhaps even a garden party. Our back yardmiddle. tea garden, with the sidewalk box planted as garden is growing well, but is understandably rows of colourful annuals (including one row of limited as a conversation starter.The library has a couple of books on herbal tea edible flowers, the petunias). We dug up thegardens. Exciting! boxwood and juniper shrubs, placed the new If you’re an introvert with a front yard, you might plants, and chatted with neighbours and passers- want to give gardening a try too. It’s easier for2011-05-22 Sun 19:13 by who complimented us on our garden. We even both W- and me to talk to people when there’s an had an extended conversation with Awesome excuse to do so, instead of just chatting with Garden Lady Down the Street, who as it turns out people out of the blue. Gardening provides anGardening: Horticultural investments, is Mrs. Wong, and who gave us extra vegetable excellent excuse – people talk to us, or we cansocial dividends seeds and plenty of advice. ask about other people’s gardens as we walkhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22248 around. Lawns might draw remarks if they’reMay 23, 2011 - Here’s what we planted today: well-kept, but a more diverse and colourfulCategories: connecting, gardening, introvert garden will probably be easier. Have fun!  steviaIt started when we peeked through the bedroom 2011-05-23 Mon 17:35  lemongrassblinds and saw our next-door neighbour crossthe street to the house of the neighbour opposite  bergamotus. He waved to them and took a wheelbarrow of Experimenting with standing desks  spearmint (in a pot, of course) http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22249triple-mix soil from the cubic yard bag sitting infront of the house, rolling it back down the curb,  peppermint (in the same pot) May 24, 2011 - Categories: geek, kaizen, lifeacross the street, and up the other curb to his  garlic chives

May 2011 – sachachua.com 161(From May 12) People in IT tend to spend a lot of Doesn’t take a lot of money to experiment with proactively investing in presentations. I tend totime sitting in front of a computer. standing desks. Just a little creativity. =) create them on request. Presentations take a lotUnfortunately, sitting is bad for you, so we’ve of time for me to prepare, so I try to maximizebeen looking for ways to improve the structure of 2011-05-12 Thu 19:09 their ROI. In fact, I get a lot more value from theour work. blog posts that I write before a presentation (full speaker notes, ideas, etc.) and after aI came down one morning to find the router on The flow of opportunities in a large presentation (questions, lessons learned).the kitchen table – not the networking kind of companyrouter, but the woodworking kind of router that http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22250 Many of my PHP/Drupal, Ruby/Rails, and AJAXspins at more than 20,000 rpm. You see, W- May 25, 2011 - Categories: ibm, work work comes in through my manager, who knowsbuilt a bench-top router table last year. The about my different skills and interests.router table houses the router and has a long Henry Will asked me how I got to work on such Sometimes I search our professional marketplaceedge that fits into the Workmate vise for stability. interesting projects. What worked particularly for upcoming opportunities requiring those skillsWith the router lowered and the long edge set well: blogs? presentations? networking? so that I’l always have projects in the pipeline. Ialong the kitchen table’s edge, the router table actually like this work more than consultingturned out to be about the right height for a Working in a big company is a bit different from (which can be fuzzy and hard to define), so mystanding desk for W-. marketing yourself outside. In a big company, it’s manager and I try to pick development projects easier to establish and maintain large networks that will keep me busy and happy while stillI’m shorter than W- is, so I needed a footstool to of people, and the organizational structure also being flexible enough to accept consulting work.correct the ergonomics of our router-kitchen- helps pass messages up and down. When youtable combo. This was inconvenient, but we hook in through a number of connectors (for If you work in a company, it really helps if yourfound another option for me: the kitchen example, my manager), figure out the tools for manager knows what you’re good at and whatcounters. With my slippers (Kaypee Islander flip- finding opportunities on your own, or build a you’re interested in. He or she may be pluggedflops with thick soles and comfortable support; reputation, opportunities can flow easily. Outside into streams of opportunities, and help the rightI’ve had them for years), I found it easy to type a large company, word of mouth is still powerful, ones flow to you. It also helps to invest time intoon my computer throughout the day. but it can be difficult to build those relationships sharing what you know and helping other people over distance and with an large number of out. That way, people know what you’re good at,W- reported that the printer downstairs also competitors. and they can keep an eye out for things that fitprovides a platform at the right height for a too. You might get to the point of having toolaptop. Once you start looking around for I do a lot of work related to Web 2.0, social many opportunities, which is a great problem tosurfaces at about the right height, you find many. media, Gen Y, PHP, Rails, and AJAX. For have. If so, build relationships and help others by consulting and strategy work related to Web 2.0, sharing those opportunities. Good luck and haveIf standing works out, the next step might be to social media, or Gen Y, I find that most of the fun!find a semi-permanent place, maybe even hook leads come in through the presentations I’veup a monitor for even better ergonomics. given, or from people I’ve worked with in the past. Short presentations with catchy titles or Taking a break while working on designs can go a long way. I haven’t been presentations

May 2011 – sachachua.com 162http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22251 I try to use presentations to change my own life,  Delivery: Practise. Watch other people’sMay 26, 2011 - Categories: speaking too. At least I learn something, try something, do presentations for inspiration. something. Besides, all the ideas become part of Experiment. Find the fun in this again.I’m taking a break from working on me, raw material for unexpected combinations inpresentations. Not a long break – there’s still a the alchemy of learning.lot of work that needs to be done – but I need to Developing a workflow with Autodeskget myself back into the swing of preparing It’s a struggle to hold down the imposter Sketchbook Propresentations after spending so many weeks syndrome that threatens to choke me. I remind http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22252doing development. This means stopping when I myself that these rough presentations can be May 27, 2011 -can tell my mind is resisting, figuring out why, drafts for people to improve on, perhaps the Categories: design, drawing, sketches, speakingand tweaking how I work until it works again. spark that triggers something else. It’s okay. J- is digitally inking her writing assignment usingMany people would rather watch presentations Maybe I should stop accepting presentation Autodesk Sketchbook Pro on the Cintiq 12WXor flip through slides than read blog posts or invitations for now, and focus instead on creating drawing tablet downstairs. I’d become a big fanbooks or search results. for presentations. I really new presentations as a way of deadline-less of Autodesk Sketchbook Pro while working on itshould just become okay with slurping in tons of deliberate practice. I can commit to giving them on my laptop, so I thought she might prefer itinformation, digesting it, and regurgitating a in person only if I’ve created and revised them over GIMP. The pen-based controls are intuitive,summary. already. Maybe I should do what Jonathan and the feel of digital drawing is better than the Coulton does: set the challenge of making a frustration of redoing and reinking on paper.The core of the resistence: I’d much rather build Thing a week. He’s brilliant and he writes funny Now she’s off zooming in and out, adjusting hercool websites than talk about trends. songs. Maybe I’ll have more fun making brush sizes, and working with a large andDevelopment is clear. You know what you know. presentations when I get better at making zoomable canvas. =)You know when you’re making progress. You presentations through practice.know when you’re correct. At the end of the day,things are better. Ways I can get better at making presentations:Presentations are a whole lot fuzzier. There’s this  Research: Find sources, collect statisticsentire Jacobian struggle with a topic, trying to and quotes, read extensively, keep notes.get your arms around it, struggling to understand  Organization: Experiment withand be understandable. You’re never quite sure if structures, revise presentations, organizepeople will actually change their lives (even a thoughts.little bit?) after listening to you. I always try toinfluence people’s lives through presentations.  Design: Experiment with graphic design.Why spend time preparing or speaking for Try text again. Play with images. Don’tanything less? But then there’s more risk of get boxed in.rejection – or worse, apathy.

May 2011 – sachachua.com 163 and clone a series of rectangles for my o Biked to the office twice storyboard. Inkscape makes it easy to sketch o Presented “Mentoring on the elements here and there, rearranging them on Network” to 50 IBMers my storyboard, rotating and scaling them to fit. After I do a little masking and line adjusting, I import the finished slides into a presentation  Relationships program. Simple shapes are easy to colour. If I o [X] Catch up on mail need to shade things more, I can import the images into GIMP. o [X] Write more about Netherlands trip I can still do text presentations, but they’re a o [X] Plant more herbs and greens – little less fun. ;) Drawing takes time, but I like the basil basil basil basil practice. How do you do your presentations or drawings? o [X] Make bagels o Helped hem J-’s pants – made a 2011-05-27 Fri 18:52 hair bow, ribbon, and brooch fromI’ve been using Autodesk Sketchbook Pro to do the scrapsmore and more of my presentation planning, too.The workflow is slightly different from Microsoft Weekly review: Weeks ending May 20,  LifeOneNote. With OneNote, I can draw storyboards, 2011 and May 27, 2011then scale up the storyboards without any loss of http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22256 o [X] Set aside writing time whileinformation and without jaggy lines. (The joys of on business trip, and actually May 28, 2011 - Categories: weekly writevector drawing!) Autodesk Sketchbook Pro letsme scale up rough sketches, but the interpolation Things have been a little hectic around here. =) o [X] Think about what I want toisn’t always smooth. Instead, I storyboard Over the past two weeks learn next – more sewingeverything. Then I hide any layers I’m not projects?working with, lower the opacity of my storyboard  Work Found out what happens whenlayer, add new layers on top, and draw each slide oas a full-size layer. I do any colouring on a second o [X] Conduct training for project I you miss a plane (world does notlayer below the ink, so that the black lines stay in Colorado end)crisp. The finished layers are easy to copy to a o Lots of gardening! Redid front o [X] Keep an eye on project Mseparate presentation program. yard as a tea garden o [X] Sort out upcoming projectsSo how does my Autodesk Sketchbook Pro Plans for next week o [X] Prepare for social media / Genworkflow compare to Inkscape? When I use Y talk for client DInkscape (a proper vector drawing program) for  Workpresentations, I usually set up an infinite canvas, o Booked flight to New York

May 2011 – sachachua.com 164 o [ ] Finish Gen Y/Gen C What can I do to get back into the rhythm of Not too relaxed – I’ve got another short trip presentation having a solid, trusted system for calendar coming up – but I’m beginning to feel normal reminders and tasks? again. o [ ] Get started on project M o [ ] Wrap up on project C Put it in my way. I always check my Android in the morning. I can clean up my task list, add  Relationships calendar entries to my lock screen (I’m trying out Executive Assistant on my phone), and get o [X] Help J- with homework into the habit of checking those before I indulge o [X] Make cute cat soap holder in reading feeds. I added a calendar widget to my home screen too – I think that will help.  Life Set up interruptions. I can set my calendar o [ ] Fix this calendar bug: what can alarm to something I usually notice, such as my I do to make it easier to remember ringtone. When I combine this with using timed events and tasks? mutes instead of manually muting my phone, o [ ] Draw a presentation-style thing that should make it easier to let important things for myself =) interrupt me. Made a kitty soap holder http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22263 Here we go!Dealing with a bad calendar week May 30, 2011 - Categories: sewinghttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22257 May 29, 2011: bagels, banana bread, bok I think I’m getting the hang of crafting. When J-May 29, 2011 - Categories: geek, kaizen, life choi, bath stuff, and books said that she was thinking of sewing a stuffed- http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22260 toy-like soap holder for one of her schoolI’m having a bad calendar week. I don’t check my projects, I prototyped something along thosecalendar often enough, and I miss things. The May 29, 2011 - Categories: life, sketches lines to see how easy it would be to make. I likedother day, I missed a Skype chat. Yesterday, I how mine turned out:sprinted to the subway station in order to getdowntown for a 4:30 PM performance of theopera Orfeo ed Euridice. I made it to my 5th- Today was a wonderfully domestic day. I didfloor seat just before the lights dimmed. I’ve laundry, baked bagels and banana bread, helpedmissed other things in the past – not many, but J- make a soap holder based on Nyan Cat,enough to point to a clear life-bug that I need to planted bok choi seeds, and sewed a brighthack. orange cover for my Kindle so that I stood a better chance of finding it around the house. I’m starting to feel properly relaxed, slowly unfolding myself from the ack!stress!stress!stress! of travel.

May 2011 – sachachua.com 165 was a kitchen shortcut, bought from the I still like baked lasagna, but it feels odd to make supermarket rotisserie. it when the days are so long and the spinach is wilting. Salads don’t fill me as much as a warm meal would, except with a certain self-satisfaction. I Basic Vinaigrette (adapted from the Joy of tell myself that salad is better for me. This helps Cooking) me ward off the temptations of rice and adobo, About 1 1/2 cups, which is more than enough for pan-fried bangus, spaghetti bolognese. Mmm. If two people’s worth of salad as a main dish I can eat those in the heat of Manila summer, I can certainly make them during Toronto’s spring. 1 small clove garlic, peeled But we still have salad greens in the fridge, and 2 – 3 pinches of salt they will go to waste soon enough. We’ve signed Mash into a paste; the tines of a sturdy fork will up for a summer share of a community- do the trick supported farm, so more vegetables will come in. No sense freezing the spinach, then, or saving the 1/3 to 1/2 cup red wine vinegar or fresh lemonIt can act like a washcloth, and it can hold all beets. May as well eat them. Behavioural juicethose little scraps of soap that otherwise fall economics in the kitchen: the loss-aversion 1 shallot, minced – you can also use part of andown the sides. =) approach to eating well. onion; I didn’t have any 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional) So I stock up on slivered almonds, olive oil, and Salt and ground black pepper to tasteSeasons and salad days different kinds of vinegar, thumb through recipes Whisk with the garlic and salt – use the samehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22264 for inspiration, and talk myself into enjoying the fork you used to crush the garlic, to cut down onMay 30, 2011 - Categories: cooking fruits and vegetables that are harder to get the the washing rest of the year. Add slowly, streaming it in with one hand while In the Philippines, where it’s warm all the time, you whisk with the other: my meals felt abstracted from the seasons. Here 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil – or really, however in Canada, nature’s influence is practically much oil you need; taste periodically to make inescapable: what to buy at the supermarket, sure it still tastes like vinegar or lemon juice what I feel like eating, how I want to prepare it. instead of being too olive-y. Winter is baking season and soup season. SpringThe stove idles as we switch gear to salads. No brings the first salads. Summer is a burst ofheat. No cooking. Just the whirl-whirl-whirl of colour and flavour, barbecue afternoons and ice- Learning from Mr. Collins: Practice,leaves in the salad spinner, a quick whisk-up of cream treats. Fall winds down with an conversation, and what to do whensalad dressing, and whatever I can grab from the abundance of root crops and the return to pies. I someone says something meanfridge. Today: chicken on top of kale and lettuce miss being able to eat whatever I like. No, I miss http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22267tossed with a lemon vinaigrette. Even the chicken the constancy of those likes unshifted by the sun.

May 2011 – sachachua.com 166May 31, 2011 - you hours after an argument (there’s even a human. We’re not perfectCategories: communication, highlight, life, relati name for this: l’ esprit de l’escalier, staircase wit), communicators. Somewhere in there,onship but done deliberately, and for good and self- there might be something you can work improvement instead of for scoring points or with – or at the very least, an opportunity"You judge very properly," said Mr. Bennet, "and getting back at someone. Deliberate practice to step back, look at the person as ait is happy for you that you possess the talent of makes perfect, after all. whole, and appreciate what you can aboutflattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these that person. Everything teaches youpleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of For example, if someone says something sexist, I something.the moment, or are the result of previous study?" know my response won’t be silence, it will be  Ask for clarification. Sometimes this something like "That’s sexist!" in as joking a way"They arise chiefly from what is passing at the is enough to slow things down and raise as I can manage – and I’ve practised not taking ittime, and though I sometimes amuse myself with the conversation to a reasonable level. personally, so it bounces off me. (Kapoing!)suggesting and arranging such little elegant  Respond positively orcompliments as may be adapted to ordinary I’m still figuring out what to do when someone surprisingly. "I love you too" is aoccasions, I always wish to give them as says something mean. It happens to the best of popular come-back, even whenunstudied an air as possible," [said Mr. Collins.] us. I struggle to avoid saying mean things, too. responding to strangers’ insults. I’m glad my first instinct isn’t to fight fire withPride and Prejudice, Jane Austen  Call a time-out or walk away, fire, because that just makes things worse. I can particularly if things are turning into a recognize when something may be mean andIn Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins thinks up vicious circle. You don’t want to be drawn stick up for myself: "That’s mean!" – not "That’scompliments and practises them until they flow into a fight that throws you off your not fair!" or "That’s not nice!", which are a bitsmoothly. He comes off smarmy and balance. This doesn’t mean ignoring the soft. I can separate what someone says in thesupercilious, but the idea is generally issue entirely. Hit the pause button, heat of a moment from who they are and fromuseful. untangle the issues, and discuss them what I think about myself, and I’m working on when you’ve got some distance. getting faster and more instinctive at doing so.I have a confession to make: I practiseresponses. After I find myself tongue- I want to get to the point of being able to respond The Internet suggests several ways to deal withtied or I respond to something with less with loving-kindness to whatever life throws at hurtful words:grace than I want to, I rehearse it and similar me.situations in my mind so that I can figure out a  Ignore it. It’s a gift, like praise is, andbetter way to respond. I think about translations How do you deal with the occasional hiccup in you don’t have to take it. (There’s a Zen people’s niceness?that help me get to what people might really story about that…)mean, phrases to use, tones of voice to adopt,  Translate it. You can pick out the useful 2011-05-31 Tue 12:18ways to bring the conversation back on track. It’sa little like the way a witty retort might come to parts of hurtful words, work with them, and throw the rest away. People are

June 2011 – sachachua.com 167 and so that I don’t have to fuss about with Install php5-xdebug or whatever the Xdebug a WAMP stack package is for PHP on your system.June 2011 Edit xdebug.ini (mine’s in /etc/php5/conf.d) and  Samba for sharing the source code add the following lines to the end: between the Linux VM image and myVMWare, Samba, Eclipse, and XDebug: Microsoft Windows laptop [Xdebug]Mixing a virtual Linux environment with a  XDebug for debugging xdebug.remote_enable=onMicrosoft Windows development xdebug.remote_port=9000environment  Eclipse and PDT for development xdebug.remote_handler=dbgphttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22270 xdebug.remote_autostart=1June 1, 2011 - I like this because it allows me to edit files in xdebug.remote_connect_back=1Categories: development, drupal, geek Microsoft Windows or in Linux, and I can use step-by-step debugging instead of relyingI’m starting the second phase of a Drupal on var_dump. Warning: this allows debugging access from anydevelopment project, which means I get to write computer that connects to it. Use this only on Setting up Samba your development image. If you want to limitabout all sorts of geeky things again. Hooray! SoI’m investing some time into improving my debugging access to a specific computer, remove Samba allows you to share folders on the the line that refers to remote_connect_back andenvironment set-up, and taking notes along the network. Edit your smb.conf (mine’s replace it with this:way. in /etc/samba/) and uncomment/edit theThis time, I’m going to try developing code in following lines: xdebug.remote_host=YOUR.IP.ADDRESS.HEREclipse instead of Emacs, although I’ll dip into E security = userEmacs occasionally if I need to do anythinginvolving keyboard macros or customautomation. Setting up a good Eclipse Eclipse and PDT …environment will help me use XDebug for line-by-line debugging. var_dump can only take me I downloaded the all-in-one PHP Development [homes]so far, and I still haven’t figured out how to Toolkit (PDT) from http://www.eclipse.org/pdt/, comment = Home Directoriesproperly use XDebug under Emacs. Configuring unpacked it, and imported my project. After browseable = noEclipse will also help me help my coworkers, who struggling with Javascript and HTML validation, read only = notend to not be big Emacs fans. (Sigh.) I ended up disabling most of those warnings. valid users = %S Then I set up a debug configuration that usedSo here’s my current setup: Xdebug and the server in the VM image, and You may also need to use smbpasswd to set the voila! Line by line debugging with the ability to  A Linux server environment in VMWare, user’s password. look in variables. Hooray! so that I can use all the Unix tools I like Xdebug 2011-05-31 Tue 17:37

June 2011 – sachachua.com 168Hungry hungry compost and other garden when the birds and squirrels had them you can make tea from strawberry leaves.updates all… Looking forward to trying that!http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22277  Cilantro: First true leaves emerging.  Tomatoes: Growing slowly, but gettingJune 1, 2011 - Categories: gardening Thoughts of stir-fries dance through my there. I think we might have some kind of head. blight, though. =|The compost bin chomps through allthe organic material we give it. It’s  Dill: Starting to look all dill-like. Still Casualties: a Thai basil plant, and the currynowhere near the smooth dark brown small, though! plant in frontof finished compost yet, but when I  Lettuce: Starting to go to seed. I mayturn it every week, my two full bins have have a baby lettuce salad after all. I planted bok choi last weekend, and I plantedmysteriously become two half-bins of compost. some edamame today. We’re more likely to takeThe Internet says it takes a ton of organic  Mint: I had my first cup of home-grown the time and effort to cook the edamame than thematerial (a literal ton, mind you) to make half a mint tea the other day. Mmmmm. string beans I grew the other year. =) I alsocubic yard of compost. To make two cubic yards  Oregano: Thriving like anything. I must sprinkled a lot of lettuce and spinach near theof compost, then, you need about one Asian make pasta soon. borders, where I pulled up the lilies of the valley.elephant’s weight in organic material. (Yes, I All those sprouts are coming up now that I’mestimate tons in elephants, thanks to hanging out  Onions, garlic, and garlic home enough to keep the soil moist. (Note: Don’twith my dad at the zoo.) So I’ll probably buy lots chives: Growing around the garden. plant lilies of the valley in your garden unless youmore cow manure (moo poo, as we call it) to Quite easy to grow. I think I’ll pull up mean it. They’re invasive and will take over.amend the soil next year, instead of hoping that more perennials next year and plant Ditto mint, which I keep in a pot.)the compost bins will pull through quickly. those instead.  Peas: More than two feet tall now, Pity it’s no longer dandelion season. We pulledOther garden updates: climbing up the strings like they’re racing up almost all of ours and ate them as salads. If the other seedlings. The ones in the we have more next year, I may host a party. We  Asparagus: Tall and ferny. This is their unprotected box near the house are do have a berry tree out back that will be fun to second year, so we’re leaving them alone winning. harvest. We missed harvesting it last year, but we to grow and store energy for next year. caught a lot of berries on a tarp the year before  Spinach: Probably growing. I think I Four square feet of asparagus might be that. I think it would be a good combination with might be confusing it with weeds, so I’m too little, though. =) We’ll give it a try pastry cream, tart shells, maybe some powdered leaving that section alone for now. anyway! sugar on top. By that time, the tea garden should  Strawberries: The new runners have be growing quite well, too. Garden party! J- said  Basil: Still getting established in the established themselves and are even her friends are excited about our tomatoes and garden. Slow new growth. blooming, which is a pleasant surprise. peas, so we should have them over to harvest too.  Blueberries: Setting fruit. I’m going to All the plants are beginning to set fruit. Mmm… put up some netting this weekend or next Exciting times! Must pick up straw or weekend so that we have a chance of some other mulch so that I can keep the tasting some berries, not like last year berries off the ground. Also, it turns out It’s Bike Month in Toronto!

June 2011 – sachachua.com 169http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22271  June 12: Toronto Raw/Vegan Festival at  [X] Prepare for May tripJune 2, 2011 - 918 Bathurst StreetCategories: biking Life Anyone want to come along?While we don’t have anything  [X] Start gardenlike the awesome biking 2011-05-31 Tue 17:53  [X] Write and draw a lotinfrastructure of theNetherlands (oh, and all that flat land – envy!) or  [X] Focus discretionary time on plans andthe widespread bikes-on-every-bus mixed Monthly reviews: April and May 2011 experimentscommutes of Boulder, Toronto is still pretty http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22274decent when it comes to biking. June is Bike June 3, 2011 - Categories: monthly Mostly there, except for the driving bit! I mayMonth here, so there’ll be plenty of events just register for classes again, or set up a trainingcoming up! It’s a good time to take to the road Time flies! Travel throws me a little off track schedule with W- and stick with it. But it’sand explore routes I don’t normally pass. Here’s when it comes to reviewing, but that’s okay – I’m summer and I’d much rather bike than sit in awhat I’m thinking of: back on the ground and will probably stay home car. Excuses, excuses… =) for at least the next little while.  June 3: Friday Night Ride: starts near Here’s what went on in April and May: work, ends up near home, going all along Based on March’s plans: April: Started learning Latin. Worked on Ruby the waterfront. Biking from work on a Work on Rails project (yay!). Gave a presentation on Friday may be tough (I’ll be bringing a training. Helped with math study group sessions. laptop, maybe two) so I may skip this  [X] Get a good prototype together for Sewed a dress.  June 4: Saturday Morning Easy Roller project C Ride: starts near our place, goes to Port May: Celebrated my sister’s wedding in the Credit in Mississauga, and I can always  [X] Get the paperwork in place for project Netherlands! Wore the red dress I made. =D stop if I get tired along the way M Started the garden. Deployed a PHP site and  [X] Prepare for training on project I conducted training in Colorado. Started with  June 18: Bells on Bloor: also starts near community-supported agriculture. Shifted to High Park (I love being near a common  [X] Help with other work eating lots of salad and vegetables. Lots of bike starting point!), goes to Queen’s Park  [X] Assist with “Get Social, Do Business” learning. Some sewing, too.Not biking-related, but may still get me out of the Relationships My favourite posts:house:  [X] Put together more study group  Learning from Mr. Collins: Practice,  June 5: Catch Pirates of the Caribbean: resources conversation, and what to do when On Stranger Tides on the IMAX 3D someone says something mean screen downtown – maybe the 12:15PM  [-] Practise driving – eep! showing, or the 3:30 one?

June 2011 – sachachua.com 170  Developing a workflow with Autodesk reminders on my lock screen and on my home neighbourhood. W- still thinks they look funny, Sketchbook Pro screen, so there are plenty of reminders. I’ve also but that’s okay, he loves me anyway. started adding more events to my calendar, to  Notes from the airport: Missed my flight; increase the reward of checking it. Kindle 3G: Awesome for looking up things on not the end of the world after all the go, and for occupying myself during subway  Presentation draft: Mentoring on the Test cases: Yes, for code’s sake, yes! I’m rides. I’d still rather ride my bicycle than take the Network returning to a Drupal project after several subway, but reading classic literature makes up months’ hiatus, and one of the first changes we’re for the fare and the missed opportunity for great  Travel updates: GPS, Pearl Street, Vibram making is extensive: changing a field to a exercise. toe shoes taxonomy, changing lots of logic along the way,  Finding the bright side of business travel making sure all the forms work again… I Folding bike/push scooter: Still haven’t taken the am so glad I wrote a lot of tests covering the parts plunge. No local need to do so – I don’t mind  Back from the Netherlands I wrote, and I only wish that I got all the other saddling up my bike for short trips to the library  Tweaking married life for everyday developers to do the same. or supermarket. No travel plans ahead, either. happiness Laptop battery replacement: Replacing the Community-supported agriculture: We  Giving a presentation using Autodesk battery on my tablet was a good idea. I’ve been tried a bi-weekly spring share from Plan B Sketchbook Pro and a web conference getting tons of use out of it, particularly now that Organic Farms, and that’s been working out well.How do I want June to add to my life? I’m back in development. Although W’s new I’ve been having salads I finished the last of the tablet does look pretty tempting, I’m going to kale and the lettuceI’m looking forward to lots of gardening, lots of hold off buying new gadgets for a while.biking, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Some of Autodesk Sketchbook Pro: While usingmy friends are getting married – hooray! Work is Developer setup template: I added “Getting Autodesk Sketchbook Pro for presentationsramping up, too. Back on the development track, started notes” to our developer guide. Slowly doesn’t give me the overview, the infinite canvas,making useful websites… Yay! getting there! And I’m glad to see that virtual- or the clean lines of Inkscape, it’s a smoother machine-based development is much easier now, workflow, and I rather like it. I’ve been sketching too. more, too. W- has just gotten his own tablet, andDecision review: calendars, development, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro (trial version) was onestanding desks, toe shoes, Kindle, bike, Standing desks: The kitchen counter is now of the first things he installed. I’m lookingCSA, Autodesk Sketchbook, blogging my default standing desk. It’s well-lit, there are forward to practising drawing with him.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22278 plenty of outlets near by, and I can easily refill my water glass or grab a snack. Writing more about life: I like it. I think of itJune 4, 2011 - as writing for my future self.Categories: decision, highlight, kaizen, review Vibram toe shoes: Comfortable as anything, and then some. I prefer to wear these instead of Blog limits: I sometimes schedule my posts,Calendar reminders on my my flats when I’m walking around the and I sometimes post more than once a day. FineAndroid: Working so far. I see the calendar with you so far? If you find the e-mail frequency

June 2011 – sachachua.com 171a bit too much, it might be a good idea to check W-’s new Lenovo X220 arrived, so we’ve bothout Google Reader or another feed reader. You been busy drawing on our tablets. Getting thecan subscribe to my blog using that, too! hang of drawing cubes. =) Baby steps! Starting a Drupal project at work. It’s great to beBike ride in the rain back in the world of a gazillion community-http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22281 contributed modules, although I miss theJune 4, 2011 - interactivity of rails console. (drush shell isCategories: biking helpful, but not quite as awesome as that!) Getting back up to speed.I’ve just come back from abike ride organized by the I hope my manager can keep my engagementsToronto Bicycling Network. sane. More demand than supply. It’s a goodThe ride was supposed to go from High Park to I’d never been that far west on my bicycle, and I problem to have, but it’s still pretty crazy.Port Credit, but we stopped at the Tim Hortons haven’t biked in the rain for such a distance or Fortunately, he can sort all of those things outnear Alexandra Avenue and Lakeshore Road length of item. It’s not that scary after all, while I focus on code.because it was raining so hard. The Tim Hortons although I wish I’d worn my rain pants and mywe stopped at was just 3.5km from the gloves! Next week: the start of the summer CSA share,destination, though, so I’d count that as mostly more gardening, more writing, morethere. =) In total, I biked 33.7km in about two development, more awesomeness… =)hours of constant rain, although part of that time Weekly review: Week ending June 3, 2011 From last week’s planswas spent rather comfortably sipping hot http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22282chocolate inside the cafe. June 5, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly  Work o [C] Finish Gen Y/Gen CThis is where we ended up: It was very much a salad sort of week. I finished presentation – no longer needed the last of the kale and the spring lettuce from the community-supported agriculture box, o [X] Get started on project M discovering along the way that I’m not particular o [/] Wrap up on project C – getting about the kind of oil I use for salad dressing: there! regular olive oil, fancy-schmancy fruity olive oil, or expensive walnut oil. So run-of-the-mill olive o Set up Redmine for issue tracking, oil it is. I do like tossing nuts into my salad, and because of the git integration the hard-boiled eggs I’ve been keeping in the fridge have been convenient too.  Relationships o [X] Help J- with homework o [X] Make cute cat soap holder

June 2011 – sachachua.com 172  Life o [X] Go on group bike ride (High often. Maybe I just happen to be the most get- Park to Port Credit) folks-together-and-feed-them sort of person in o [X] Fix this calendar bug: what the different groups I’m in. This is okay, although can I do to make it easier to o [ ] Write about I’m curious about what it might be like to get a remember events and tasks? scenarios/planning regular potluck going. Or a regular cookathon o [X] Draw a presentation-style going. Hmm… Possible improvements: thing for myself =) – practising Plans for summer: Relationships, work, drawing cubes, not presentations, gardening, biking, drawing and  Shift us to salads and other yummy things but close enough photography, making, and finances to eat during summer.Plans for next week http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22283  Think through upcoming decisions and June 6, 2011 - Categories: highlight, planning scenarios, and write about them.  Work  Meet at least one person each week, o [ ] Get priorities and development Cate Huston asks for inspiration: What are you possibly around events I’m interested in. responsibilities sorted out for focusing on in June? Work is straightforward: Drupal web development until September, at  Think about cool things to offer during project M least, and probably similar work after that. get-togethers. Fruits and lemonade, o [ ] Continue working on Summer also makes it easy to decide what to do. mmm. development for project M Biking and gardening, yes. Baking and sewing,  Set aside social time and proactively o [ ] Bike to work to discuss project not so much. Social events, yes. But it’s a good reach out to people through the Internet. M with the information architect idea to go beyond these vague categories and figure out what I’d like to explore.  Set aside driving practice time, too.  Relationships  Schedule Latin-learning dates with W-, so This blog post is not really about focus. It’s more we stop cramming our Latin homework o [X] Watch “Thor” with Maira and of a list of things I’m thinking about, but at least on Saturday evenings. Scott it’s a shorter, more concrete list than just "stuff". o [X] Prepare some meals in =) Focus comes when I go through the different Work: Development is the way to go for me, I advance categories and focus on making one item for each think. I like it more than consulting. I like category happen. making things happen, and I like the way it o [X] Review short-term plans continuously sharpens my skills. Yes, it’s a global o [ ] Prepare lots of salad Short-term thoughts for summer marketplace, and the work may be tougher than consulting because it’s more easily virtualized. o [ ] Pick up summer share CSA box Relationships: I should take advantage of But that’s good, too – less travel. I can keep o [ ] Make a list of summer meals summer’s long days and warm weather by growing in this by learning more about Drupal meeting up with people. It might be awkward in and Rails, and improving my front-end skills. I the beginning, but I’m sure it will get easier. I would like to work on a Drupal 7 project and  Life should nudge my friends to organize things more another Ruby on Rails project this year. I want to

June 2011 – sachachua.com 173be the awesome backend developer or technical  Implement drip irrigation again, or find can leave the macro lens on the cameralead people like working with in order to make other ways of keeping seedlings well- all the time.websites happen. Possible improvements: watered  Upgrade my hard disk. Then I might use  Keeping a garden journal so that I can my tablet PC as my main photo  Get even better at automated testing track my progress and plan ahead processing device. (Selenium for web-facing tests?)  Practise sketching those cubes! Maybe  Develop more patience for manual Biking: I enjoy biking. It’s a great way to get to draw one thing a day, too. testing; yes, coding is fun, but testing places. I would like to bike more as casual prevents embarrassment and increases exercise and a way to get myself outdoors. I tend Making: My wardrobe has settled, so sewing is learning to bike as a way of getting from one place to lower-priority, although I like making gifts and another, instead of just taking a joyride. One way  Figure out continuous integration, accessories. We might make some shelves for the to bike more would be to just come to work more perhaps with Hudson living room and for upstairs, but that’s also not often, particularly when it’s sunny. Another way urgent.  Make sure I’ve got interactive debugging to bike more often would be to plan more events set up for both frameworks I like working that get me outside the house, because I’d rather Finances: Nothing special here, just saving up. with bike than take public transit if the destination We’re shifting our grocery patterns (lighter isn’t too far. Hmm… Possible improvements: summer meals, organic and local produce), so  Learn more about working with other developers: managing projects, workflow, I’m going to do some more price-checking to see  Plan more excuses to go biking. if the community-supported agriculture box is a etc.  Consider getting a lighter second-hand better deal than, say, shopping at the SweetGardening: I think it’s incredible. You put 21-speed bike? Not essential. Potato (a local health food store) or checking outseeds in soil, you give them some water, and farmers’ markets. I’ve been thinking aboutsunlight and nature do the rest. I want to take Drawing and photography: I’m slowly experimenting with dividend-focused stocks afteradvantage of the sunlight to learn a little more getting the hang of drawing, and now that W- has I reach one of my savings milestones, but I’m notabout growing our own food. I love how the a tablet PC, we can make it a relationship- completely sold on it yet, and I’m fine juststrawberries are starting to bear fruit, and how building thing too. Summer is a great time to putting money into low-MER index funds forthe peas race up the string-trellis I made. I want sketch or shoot the outdoors, use bright colours, now.to grow more and more fruits and vegetables so and have fun with drawing and photography.that someday, we can grow most of the produce Possible improvements: Plenty of good things to grow into.we eat. Possible improvements:  Get into the habit of shooting and  Increase my trial rate (and perhaps reviewing pictures. Shooting doesn’t Made a stuff sack for J- success rate!) by planting new things count if I don’t look at the pictures again! http://sachachua.com/blog/ weekly p/22287  Take pictures of the garden. It’s June 6, 2011 - convenient, personally fascinating, and I Categories: life, sewing

June 2011 – sachachua.com 174W- asked me if I could make a stuff sack for J’s Checking on one of my projects (a Ruby on Rails Moral lesson: Test your system before and aftersleeping bag, as it turned out she was going survey site), I realized that it was running you put in something to improve thecamping this week. These bags are handy for painfully slowly, taking 30 seconds to render a performance, because you just might be makingcompressing loose items such as sleeping bags, page. your performance worse. ;)jackets, clothes, and so on. You simply stuff asmuch as you can into the bag, and the bag keeps The first thing I checked was memory. I was on a Oh well. Live and learn!the items compressed. 256MB slice at Rackspace Cloud. Was the server running out of memory and swapping to disk? I 2011-06-07 Tue 16:19I had white ripstop nylon in my fabric stash, left put in the recommended settings forover from the time we were thinking of making a Apache+Passenger+Rails on 256MB:fabric softbox. J- measured the compressed Thinking about our development practicessleeping bag – 25” circumference, about 16” of RailsSpawnMethod smart http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22289height – and I started working on a simple PassengerUseGlobalQueue on June 8, 2011 -tubular stuff sack. PassengerMaxPoolSize 2 Categories: development, geek, kaizen PassengerPoolIdleTime 0The project came together quickly, even the PassengerMaxRequests 1000 We’re gearing up for another Drupal project.tricky part of sewing the circular base to the tube. RailsAppSpawnerIdleTime 0 This one is going to be interesting in terms ofMy seams were mostly straight and neat, PassengerStatThrottleRate 5 workflow. I’m working with the clients, an IBMalthough I had some bubbling near the bottom. information architect, a design firm, anotherFor the drawstring, we reused the free shoelaces IBM developer, and a development firm.that came with J’s new shoes. (Waste not, want The website was still crawling. I reviewed the Fortunately, the project manager (Lisa Imbleau)not.) The stuff sack ended up just the right size logs and found that ActiveRecord was taking a has plenty of experience coordinating thesefor the sleeping bag. Hooray! while. The Internet had a few performance inter-company projects. optimization tips, so I checked out the surveyI think I’m getting the hang of going from idea to controller to see if I could improve performance I feel a little nervous about the project becauseactual thing, and it’s a lot of fun. All the cat hair by preloading information. there are a lot of things to be clarified and there’sthat got sewn into the seams along the way a bit of time pressure. I’m sure that once we getprobably means I shouldn’t go into commercial As it turned out, I was already preloading into the swing of things, though, it’ll be information. So I tried turning off preloading by wonderful.production yet, though! removing the :include directives for my queries. I’m used to working with other developers within The system went back to a decent speed. IBM, and I’m glad I picked up a lot of goodNegative optimizationhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22288 practices from the people I’ve had the pleasure to You see, I’d been working with lots of work with over the years. I’m looking forward toJune 7, 2011 - Categories: geek, rails associations, and eager loading had probably learning even more from the people I get to work resulted in a gazillion rows in my result set. with this time around.

June 2011 – sachachua.com 175In particular, I’m looking forward to: Drush, Simpletest, and continuous automated testing is better than no testing, and integration for Drupal using Jenkins I’m comfortable creating Simpletest classes.  learning from how Lisa manages the (previously Hudson) project, clarifies requirements, and http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22290 Jenkins (previously known as Hudson) is a coordinates with other companies June 9, 2011 - continuous integration server that can build and Categories: automation, drupal, geek test your application whenever you change the  learning from the other developers about code. I set it up on my local development image what works and doesn’t work for them by following Jenkins’ installation instructions. I One of my development goals is to learn how to  planning more iteratively and getting set up continuous integration so that I’ll always enabled the Git plugin (Manage Jenkins – more testing cycles in remember to run my automated tests. I picked Manage Plugins – Available).  implementing continuous integration up the inspiration to use Hudson from Stuart Robertson, with whom I had the pleasure of Then I set up a project with my local git testing using Hudson and Simpletest repository. I started with a placeholder build step working on a Drupal project before he moved to  getting even deeper in Drupal: Views, BMO. He had set up continuous integration of Execute shell and pwd, just to see where I Notifications, maybe Organic Groups testing with Hudson and Selenium on another was. When I built the project, Hudson checked project he’d worked on, and they completed user out my source code and ran the command. I then  using a git-integrated issue tracker such went into the Hudson workspace directory, as Redmine acceptance testing without any defects. That’s pretty cool. =) configured my Drupal settings.php to use the  … while knowing when to just use pre- database and URL I created for the integration built modules, of course I’m a big fan of automated testing because I hate site, and configured permissions and Apache doing repetitive work. Automated tests also let with a name-based virtual host so that I couldIt’s also a good opportunity to figure out which of me turn software development into a game, with run web tests.our practices are new to others, and to write clearly defined goalposts and a way to keep score.about those practices and improve them further. Automated tests can be a handy way of creating For build steps, I used Execute shell with theSome things that have turned up as different: lots of data so that I can manually test a site set following settings: up the way I want it to be. I like doing test-driven  We organize our Drupal modules into mysql -u integration integration < development: write the test first, then write the subdirectories of sites/all/modules/: sites/default/files/backup_migrate/scheduled/si code that passes it. features, custom, contrib, and patched. te-backup.mysql Testing was even better with Rails. I love the /var/drush/drush test PopulateTestUsersTest  I use Simpletest a lot, and would love to /var/drush/drush test PopulateTestSessionsTest help other people with it or some other Cucumber testing framework because I could define high-level tests in English. The Drupal /var/drush/drush testre MyProjectName --error- automated testing tool. on-fail equivalent (Drucumber?) isn’t quite there yet. IMuch learning ahead! could actually use Cucumber to test my Drupal site, but it would only be able to test the web interface, not the code, and I like to write unit tests in addition to integration tests. Still, some

June 2011 – sachachua.com 176This loads the backup file created by Backup andMigrate, sets up my test content, and then uses drush_print("-------------------------------"); $current_group = ; foreach ($matching_classes as $class => $info)my custom testre command. foreach ($all_test_classes as $class => { $main_verbose = $verbose; $details) { $results[$class] =Code below (c) 2011 Sacha Chua if (class_exists($class) && drush_simpletest_run_single_test($class,(sacha@sachachua.com), available under GNU method_exists($class, getInfo)) { $error_on_fail);General Public License v2.0 (yes, I should submit $info = call_user_func(array($class, $verbose = $main_verbose;this as a patch, but there’s a bit of paperwork for getInfo)); }direct contributions, and it’s easier to just get my if ($info[group] != $current_group) {manager’s OK to blog about something…) $current_group = $info[group]; $failures = $successes = 0; drush_print([ . $current_group . ]); foreach ($results as $class => $status) {// A Drush command callback. } print $status . "t" . $class . "n";function drush_print("t" . $class . - . if ($status == fail) {drush_simpletest_test_regular_expression($test $info[name]); $failures++;_re=) { } } else { global $verbose, $color; } $successes++; $verbose = is_null(drush_get_option(detail)) return; }? FALSE : TRUE; } } $color = is_null(drush_get_option(color)) ? print "Failed: " . $failures . "/" . ($failures +FALSE : TRUE; // Find test classes that match $successes) . "n"; $error_on_fail = foreach ($all_test_classes as $class => $details) print "Succeeded: " . $successes . "/" . ($failuresis_null(drush_get_option(error-on-fail)) ? { + $successes) . "n";FALSE : TRUE; if (class_exists($class) && if ($failures > 0) { if (!preg_match("/^/.*//", $test_re)) { method_exists($class, getInfo)) { return 1; $test_re = "/$test_re/"; if (preg_match($test_re, $class)) { } } $info = call_user_func(array($class, } // call this method rather than getInfo));simpletest_test_get_all() in order to bypass $matching_classes[$class] = $info;internal cache } I didn’t bother hacking Simpletest output to $all_test_classes = } match the Ant/JUnit output so that Jenkinssimpletest_test_get_all_classes(); } could understand it better. I just wanted a pass/fail status, as I could always look at the // Check that the test class parameter has been // Sort matching classes by weight results to find out which test failed.set. uasort($matching_classes, if (empty($test_re)) { _simpletest_drush_compare_weight); What does it gain me over running the tests from drush_print("nAvailable test groups & the command-line? I like having the build historyclasses");

June 2011 – sachachua.com 177and being able to remember the last successful colours, and it’s more reliable. Seebuild. other sketchnotes if you want to explore!I’m going to keep this as a local build server (Update: @truejebus says TitanFile is hosted ininstead of setting up a remote continuous Canada.)integration server on our public machine,because it involves installing quite a number of What did you think about Democamp Toronto?additional packages. Maybe the other developers Have you blogged about it? Please share yourmight be inspired to set up something similar, thoughts and links in comments!though! Also check out Tom Purves’ writeup.2011-06-09 Thu 09:51 Managing configuration changes inSketchnotes from Democamp Toronto 29, DrupalJune 2011 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22300http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22295 June 10, 2011 -June 9, 2011 - Categories: development, drupal, geek, workCategories: democamp, democamptoronto, geek,sketches, sketchnotes One of our clients asked if we had any tips for documenting and managing DrupalUPDATE: 2011-06-10: Made demo notes more configuration, modules, versions, settings, and sovisual. =) on. She wrote, “It’s getting difficult to keep track of what we’ve changed, when, for that reason,Highlights from Social Leverage talk by Howard and what settings are in that need to be moved toLindzon. Keep an eye on the sentiment for your production versus what settings are there forindustry, figure out where there’s momentum, testing purposes.” Here’s what works for us.build domain expertise, and get in the game. Version control: A good distributed version500px, TitanFile, High Schore House, control system is key. This allows you to save andVizualize.me, We are TO Tech, Alphaslides. log versions of your source code, merge changes(Click for bigger version.) I liked High Score Sketched with Autodesk Sketchbook Pro on my from multiple developers, review differences, andHouse’s demo the best. They’d obviously tested a Lenovo X61T. Sketchbook is my new favourite roll back to a specified version. I use Gitlot and had fun along the way. =) note-taking program. Even though it doesn’t whenever I can because it allows much more have Microsoft Onenote’s handwriting flexibility in managing changes. I like the way it recognition and search capabilities, it encourages makes it easy to branch code, too, so I can start me to draw more compactly and to use more

June 2011 – sachachua.com 178working on something experimental without database into my local environment, so that I’m You want your integration server to be at theinterfering with the rest of the code. sure I’m working with the latest copy. default state for all features. On your local system, make the changes you want, then createIssue tracking: Use a structured issue-tracking Database backups: I use Backup and or update features to encapsulate those changes.or trouble-ticketing system to manage your to- Migrate for automatic trimmed-down backups of Commit the features to your version controldos. That way, you can see the status of different the integration server database. These are repository. You can check if you’ve captured allitems, refer to specific issues in your version regularly committed to the version control the changes by reverting your database to thecontrol log entries, and make sure that nothing repository so that we can load the changes in our server copy and verifying your functionalitygets forgotten. Better yet, set up an issue tracker local development environment or go back to a (make a manual backup of your local databasethat’s integrated with your version control specific point in time. first!). When you’re happy with the changes,system, so you can see the changes that are push the changes to the integration server.associated with an issue. I’ve started Turning configuration into code: You canusing Redmine, but there are plenty of options. use the Features module to convert most Drupal Using Features with your local developmentFind one that works well with the way your team configuration changes into code that you can environment should minimize the number ofworks. commit to your version control repository. changes you need to directly make on the server.Local development environments and an There are some quirks to watch out for: Documenting specific versions or moduleintegration server: Developers should be able sources: You can use Drush Make to documentto experiment and test locally before they share  Features aren’t automatically enabled, so the specific versions or sources you use for yourtheir changes, and they shouldn’t have to deal you may want to have one overall feature Drupal modules.with interference from other people’s changes. that depends on any sub-features youThey should also be able to refer to a common create. If you are using Features to Testing: In development, there are few things asintegration server that will be used as the basis manage the configuration of a site and frustrating as finding you’ve broken somethingfor production code. you don’t care about breaking Features that was working before. Save yourself lots of into smaller reusable components, you time and hassle by investing in automated tests.I typically set up a local development might consider putting all of your You can use Simpletest to test Drupal sites, andenvironment using a Linux-based virtual changes into one big Feature. you can also use external testing tools such asmachine so that I can isolate all the items for a Selenium. Tests can help you quickly find andspecific project. When I’m happy with the  Variables are under the somewhat compare working and non-working versions ofchanges I’ve made to my local environment, I unintuitively named category of your code so that you can figure out what wentconvert them to code (see Features below) and Strongarm. wrong.commit the changes to the source code  Features doesn’t handle deletion of fieldsrepository. Then I update the integration server well, so delete fields directly on the What are your practices and tips?with the new code and confrm that my changes integration server.work there. I periodically load other developers’ 2011-06-09 Thu 12:25changes and a backup of the integration server  Some changes are not exportable, such as nodequeue. Make those changes directly on the integration server.

June 2011 – sachachua.com 179Weekly review: Week ending June 11, 2011 o [/] Prepare lots of salad o [ ] Attend Linda and Tim’shttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22303 wedding o [X] Pick up summer share CSAJune 11, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly box o [ ] Make pestoFrom last week’s plans o [/] Make a list of summer meals o [ ] Maybe join Bells on Bloor?  Work o Sewed stuff sack for J-  Life o [X] Get priorities and o Worked on Latin homework with W- o [ ] Put in drip irrigation system development responsibilities sorted out for project M o Hung out with Gabriel Mansour o [X] Continue working on and Getting things ready for the next week: development for project M o Experimenting with doing more cooking and gardening chores on Friday (laundry, http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22304 o [X] Bike to work to discuss project M with the information architect compost, etc.) June 12, 2011 - Categories: gardening, kaizen o Did some more troubleshooting  Life Tired! Did lots of cooking and gardening today. for project I We went into full process-the-community- o [X] Go on group bike ride (High supported-agriculture-box mode today. I made o Shared more Drupal tips Park to Port Credit) pesto from the basil in the box (supplementing it o Attended Democamp o [/] Write about with basil from our garden) and another pesto o Discussed Idea Labs with scenarios/planning from green garlic. Chopping up the green onions ibm.com/communities and freezing them means more convenient soups o Watched X-Men: First Class later on. A quick stock made the most of the o Hacked together Profiles o Posted Democamp sketchnotes, woody ends from several breakfasts’ worth of summary tool for Darrel Rader revised sketch asparagus. W- prepared six packs of chicken leg o Set up continuous integration quarters (shake and bake, jerk chicken o Biked a lot, yay! marinade) and stirfried lots of vegetables. We with Jenkins, yay! o Took pictures of garden packed maybe 36 lunches – a few in the fridge,  Relationships and two neat columns in the chest freezer. Plans for next week o [X] Watch “Thor” with Maira and I also put in the drip irrigation system for the Scott  Work backyard. Well, most of the backyard. There has o [X] Prepare some meals in o [ ] Get started on development been some attrition among the 1/4″ irrigation advance with Snake Hill for project M fittings, so I set up only the vegetable garden near the house. Home Depot didn’t have the o [X] Review short-term plans  Relationships parts I wanted, but Lee Valley has them, so I

June 2011 – sachachua.com 180might pass by one of these days to pick those June 13, 2011 - I’m surprised that I quite enjoy reading my oldthings up. After I put in the soaker hose, I Categories: blogging, life, reflection, writing posts. I find it difficult to listen to mymulched the strawberries to keep the fruits off presentation recordings – I get impatient, I wantthe soil. I also put up nets around our blueberries I’ve switched to printing out my blog archives to move on – but I like reading, particularlyto see if that will improve our chances of actually monthly instead of yearly, so now I’m all caught when I come across posts I’ve forgotten writing.enjoying them ourselves. We’ll see – there are up again. It’s surprising how it all adds up. There’s a lot in here. It’s fun remembering whatsome serious-looking squirrels around here. Here’s my blog since just 2007, printed single- it was like to look for my first apartment, hanging space, double-column, double-sided, with out with friends, dealing with challenges. I likePlanted a few more square feet of beans and monthly indexes: revisiting my questions, decisions, and plans.some lettuce. It’s been cool lately, so maybe the There are many things that spark ideas for newlettuce still has a shot. Saw my first pea flower! posts and sketches.The tomatoes aren’t doing too well, though –they’re still scrawny. I’m sure we’ll get plenty of This print-out is part of playing the longtomatoes in our summer share box. game with writing. I’ve got electronic backups of my blog. A paper backup further increases theTired, but happy. We’ve gone through most of chances that I’ll be able to revisit these ideasour vegetable box, so I’m less worried about decades down the line. And it supportswasting it. We’ve got frozen lunches. We’ve got serendipity and reflective practice, too. Whosalad plans. Next week should be a little knows what I’ll rediscover or review?smoother, and the next week after that evenbetter, and so on. Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing the journey so far. Looking forward to what’s ahead!Decision review: Packing lots of chores intoFriday evening worked out. With the laundryfinished, I spent Saturday downtown. Might’ve There’s more beyond that, as I didn’t print out Decision review: Kitchen counterbeen a good idea to have my massage after the my older posts. Here’s a visual summary from computing (ad hoc standing desk)cookathon/gardenthon, though! my reflection on 8 years of blogging: http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22309 June 13, 2011 -And people wonder why I don’t dread Mondays… Categories: decision, geek, kaize;) n, review2011-06-12 Sun 21:01 I switched to using the kitchen counter as my standing desk last month, and it’s working reallyThis is what my blog looks like on paper well. I like working in thehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22307 kitchen: natural light, plenty of water and healthy snacks, and

June 2011 – sachachua.com 181the occasional cat-cuddling break. The kitchen home, where meals are frugal, tasty, and just the them into eighths, and baked them for about 8counter is just the right height for typing. I don’t right size for me. The kitchen is well-stocked. The minutes at about 400′F until they were crisp andhave an eye-level monitor, but if I keep good garden’s full of herbs. I’ve got a decent collection light brown. After testing a few, I assembled theposture and take frequent breaks (to cuddle cats, of favourite recipes, and I’m always learning chips and the guacamole on a plate and carried itfor example), my neck doesn’t hurt. more about cooking. over. Win!Standing up also keeps me from the bad habit of We’re heading into our second month of Now we just have to finish the parsnip and thecrossing my legs at the knees. I fidget more, too – community-supported agriculture. W- has signed lettuce, and we’ll be ready for Thursday’s box.do more stretches, take care of more little chores up for a weekly summer half-share from Plan B Cook or Die? More like Cook or Getaround the kitchen while thinking about code. Organic Farms. Every Thursday, we pick up a Overwhelmed By Vegetables…Good for circulation. box containing an assortment of vegetables, some of which I’ve never tried before. The box 2011-06-14 Tue 19:27Not a bad experiment. I think I’ll keep on going. arrives every week, a relentless parade of perishables. (You can postpone for vacations andNow if only we had counters at the right height in get a credit, but I think that would be cheating on Kaizen in the little things: The way thethe office. There’s a bar-height counter, but it’s a our experiment.) I’m getting pretty creative door openslittle too high for me to comfortably type on. about how to get through all of this plus the http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22313Maybe two recycling bins upended on a desk… groceries we buy. The nooks of our freezer are June 14, 2011 - filled with pesto in small Nalgene containers and Categories: biking, kaizen, sketches chopped green onions in Ziploc bags.Cook Or Die Season II: Community- One of my principles is kaizen: continuousSupported Agriculture I’m also discovering new recipes. I’d never made improvement. If you can make your life 1% betterhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22310 green garlic pesto before, but the Internet thinks every day, you’ll double your life’s awesomenessJune 14, 2011 - Categories: cooking, cookordie it’s good, so I gave it a try. Today I baked kale in less than three months. Even if you improve chips, although I oversalted my first batch; and life by 0.01%, you’ll still do pretty darn well overMy “Cook or Die” project started when I moved yes, they do taste oddly like potato chips. We’ll time. Today was one of those 0.01% days. I don’tinto an apartment-style dormitory shortly after see if I can get W- and J- to try them. We all like know why I didn’t think of this before.university. My room was equipped with a small seaweed, and the texture’s not far off.kitchen – really, just a hot plate, a microwave, You see, I often ride my bicycle to work. Thisand a toaster oven. Instead of always eating at I turned our ripening avocados into guacamole, means maneuvering my long-framed bicyclethe nearby KFC, I resolved to prepare at least one mixing in my chopped-up frozen green onions through the mudroom, out the door, and downof my meals each day. Hence: Cook or Die. (Well, from the vegetable box. I still had lots of the porch stairs. The door has two parts: theCook or Starve.) guacamole after making myself an omelette. actual door, which opens inward, and the screen Turns out you can freeze guacamole, but I door, which opens outward. If I roll my bicycleI’ve come a long way since I discovered that pita figured it was more useful to just share it with near the door, then open it, the door often getspockets were called pita pockets for a reason. I our neighbours, as they were having a small stuck in front of my bicycle. If I open both thehardly ever eat out now. I’d much rather eat at party. So I rubbed the tortillas with olive oil, cut door and the screen door, one of our cats usually

June 2011 – sachachua.com 182slips out and starts exploring the porch. (I’m to let in summer breezes, it didn’t click until I  Rice and beanslooking at you, Luke.) stopped and thought about why I was getting  Baked beans stuck in the bike room.Today I had an epiphany. If I open the house  Home-made bagels or biscuitsdoor but not the screen door, then I can get out Little things like that are the cruft of un-  Chicken pot pie or turkey pot piemore easily and I don’t have to worry about the consciously moving through life, and it’s so muchcats slipping past. This is what it looks like: fun to fix them. So many opportunities for  Shepherd’s pie improvement everyday! What are yours? Make-ahead meals 2011-06-15 Wed 20:33 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22314 June 15, 2011 - Categories: cooking Personal projects Patricia wanted to know what sort of meals we http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22315 like preparing in advance. We often make large June 16, 2011 - batches of frozen meals so that we can take them Categories: decision, hobbies, kaizen, life, produc to work or have them as quick, no-fuss dinners. tivity Here are some of our staples: I rein in work to about 40-44 hours a week so  Shake’n Bake chicken: well, really, the that it doesn’t run away with me. This gives me generic equivalent of it; baked some time during evenings and weekends to breadcrumb-style chicken with rice and work on personal projects. It’s a good idea to vegetables have clear personal projects in mind so that I don’t end up wasting the time mindlessly.  Jerk chicken: mostly W-, as it’s too spicy for me “Do you want to spend your time productively or  Lasagna unproductively?” I asked J-.Yes, I know, obvious, but I managed to get  Chicken curry “That’s a leading question,” W- said.through one whole year with this bicycle without  Tomato sauce for pastahaving that aha! moment, because I always “No, I’m serious about it. Unproductive time isthought of door-opening as an integral  Pesto good too, as long as you choose it consciously,” Ioperation: open the house door, then open the  Rotisserie chicken from the supermarket said.screen door. Close the house door, close thescreen door. Even though we sometimes leave  Roast turkey For example, I spend some time here and therethe house door open and the screen door closed  Soup playing LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean. I don’t

June 2011 – sachachua.com 183do it just because I can’t think of anything else to today I’d like to do something with the asparagus I’m starting to get the hang of working with ourdo or I don’t feel like doing anything else. I play stock so that it doesn’t go to waste. I’m also community-supported agriculture box: a weeklybecause I’m curious about how the game picking up the community-supported agriculture assortment of fruits and vegetables from farms indesigners have constructed puzzles and all those box today, so that will give me a new set of Ontario. I finished last week’s lettuce today,little secrets that dot the LEGO world. That’s challenges. This helps me develop the eminently supplementing it with lettuce from our cut-and-definitely not a project, though. useful skill of preparing healthy meals. Goal: come-again planter (which is actually working as Experiment with and collect summer recipes, planned!) and topping it with two eggs from lastWhat are the things I’m working on? Spelling then put together other seasonal notes. week’s share.them out will make it easier to pick a task thatmoves me towards them when I find myself with Writing: I enjoy writing. I like reading myblocks of time. archive and remembering the steps. I like practising writing every day as a way to shareLatin: W- and I are slowly working our way what I’m learning, and it’s a good way to keepthrough Albert Harkness’ “An Easy Method for learning about content and style. Goal: Review,Beginners in Latin.” We’re on lesson twenty-ish rewrite, and compile into an e-book.now. Most people are working off the scannedbook in Google’s digitized collection, but because Drawing: I’d like to get even better at drawing.the scans are images instead of text, the file is a It’s fun, and I’m learning how to communicatelittle slow and unwieldy. I bought the first edition through it. I want to feel more comfortable using(it’s now the oldest book I have) and we’re colours and drawing shapes. It’s all aboutworking on digitizing it properly, re-typing it in practice. Goal: Draw a graphical review eachwith all the finicky accents and footnotes. We’re week for a month.less than a fifth of the way through the book, sothere’s plenty of work to do on this front. Goal: Photography: It’s good, and we’ve got all this Today we picked up baby greens, two kinds ofDigitize the whole book and answer all the equipment already, so I might as well. ;) Besides, lettuce, broccoli sprouts, two tomatoes,questions. I enjoy taking pictures of the garden. Goal: Post kale, basil, green onions, and a dozen eggs. at least one photo a week for a month.Gardening: I want to get better at planning and I like processing the vegetables as soon asgrowing the fruits and vegetables we like. That What are you working on? possible so that I can lock in their freshness andmeans getting more practice at starting seeds avoid waste. I chopped the green onions andand helping them thrive. Gardening is relaxing, 2011-06-16 Thu 08:25 added them to last week’s freezer bag; they’ll seetoo. Goal: Grow, harvest, and measure the yield us through many recipes. I made lentil soup withthis year. the leftover asparagus stock, the green onion Getting the hang of community-supported ends, and some carrots we had in the fridge. ICooking: Our frozen meals get us through most agriculture ground the Genovese basil into pesto and poppedof the week, but I also cook new things based on http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22316 it into the freezer. I baked half of the bunch ofwhat we need to finish in the fridge. For example, June 16, 2011 - Categories: cooking, cookordie

June 2011 – sachachua.com 184kale as chips, making sure to go easy on the oil June 17, 2011 - Categories: garden, gardening swimming in lettuce. Today I changed my saladand salt. The results: dressing by using tamari instead of balsamic One of my gardening goals this year was to have vinegar, topping it with sliced egg. Bit more of an a cut-and-come-again bed for leafy greens. Asian taste. Next time, I’ll toss in some sesame The idea is to grow lettuce and other greens for seeds, too. continuous harvesting instead of waiting until the head has fully formed. We’re using a self- Salad greens are actually better in some shade watering planter from Rona perched on the deck than in the hot sun, so if you’ve been looking for rail. I can even harvest barefoot. (Well, in my things to grow on a balcony, consider growing slippers.) your own salad bowl. With the cut-and-come again method, you could get quite a few harvests out of them. An abundance of cilantro, now freezing in cubes; strawberries and peas http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22318 June 18, 2011 -The kale chips came out just right. Categories: cooking, garden, gardeningKale chips: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Wash, Awesome Garden Lady down the street gave usdry, and tear a bunch of kale into bite-sized two large bunches of lettuce and a bag of cilantro,pieces, removing the stems. Toss with a so I made an Asian-inspired salad yesterday:tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of salt. toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, tomatoes, hard-Spread kale on a baking sheet covered with boiled eggs, and the rest of our bag of babyparchment. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or however greens, dressed with tamari and olive oil. The I started these plants from seed, which was cilantro made it feel like eating one of thoselong it takes for the kale to become crispy but not another one of my goals. I’ve gotten two saladburnt. Munch away guiltlessly. Vietnamese sandwiches, except without the lunches out of this box already. The lettuce is meat. Yum. starting to set seed and the leaves are a littleSummer is short enough as it is. I might as well more bitter, but they’re still good to eat. I’ve goteat like it. =) Today I spent the morning chopping up the rest bok choi and other plants starting there, too, and of the cilantro and packing it into our ice-cube I tend to putter around and plant more every tray for freezing. That way, we can easily add week. cilantro to stir-fries, soups, and other meals.Gardening notes: Cut-and-come-againlettuce I should’ve considered the community-supportedhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22317 agriculture box too, because we’re now

June 2011 – sachachua.com 185 regular phone as alarm clock set slightly before o Had lots of salad smartphone. Plans for next week From last week’s plans  Work  Work o [ ] Smooth out session creation o [X] Get started on development form for project M with Snake Hill for project M o [ ] Work on Generation C and o Helped Darrel Rader with Profiles banking presentation summarization tool o Started thinking about possible  Relationships presentations on Gen C andMany herbs freeze well, which is a good thing banking, Drupal development, o [ ] Attend Linda and Tim’s career weddingbecause they usually come in large bundles. o Attended Dries Buytaert’s o [ ] Organize get-togetherIn other news, look at what’s in the garden: presentation on Drupal 8  Life  Relationships o [X] Join Bells on Bloor o [-] Attend Linda and Tim’s o [X] Harvest compost wedding – this Sunday, actually! o [ ] Spread compost in front garden o [X] Make pesto o [ ] Type in five chapters of Latin o [-] Maybe join Bells on Bloor? –The first of many, I hope! o [ ] Have soup and salad every day also this weekend in order to try to make a dent in o Received lettuce and cilantro from the lettuceWeekly review: Week ending June 18, Awesome Garden Lady2011 o Shared home-made guacamolehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22320 Thinking about speaking topics and baked tortilla chips withJune 18, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22321 neighbor June 19, 2011 - Categories: braindump, thinkingTired after lots of biking, cooking, and gardening,  Lifebut it’s a happy sort of tired. New hack working Holly Tse invited me to speak at Lotuswell: leaving smartphone downstairs to avoid o [X] Put in drip irrigation system Blossoming, an upcoming virtual summit fortemptation of late-night browsing, then using o Typed in a few chapters of Latin Asian women. We’re negotiating what my topic

June 2011 – sachachua.com 186might be. I’ve challenged myself to speak mostly The great thing is that negotiation teaches me a I’d rather encourage people to take these twoabout things that pass the following criteria: lot about what I want to write about and explore. approaches: develop their interest in other For example: people and use social tools to make it easier to  must be something I want to learn more cultivate those relationships, and start that about,  I’d like to share more stories and tips for journey of self-discovery and find something they other immigrants, particularly people can share with other people.  must be something I have experience in, moving by themselves, but I need to do and The first one is a bit harder if the people you care some more work in this area to clarify  must be something people will find useful things that are still prickly for me. about aren’t active on social networks, but you (not just interesting, useful) can also learn a lot by looking for people who  I want to write about happiness in the inspire you. When you find people you resonateI’m picky because I’m not selling anyone stuff. corporate world. So many blogs and with, you can learn a lot about them, life, andNo coaching services, no e-books, no here’s-the- books treat corporations as desolate yourself. For me, blogs tend to be better thansecret-to-happiness. This means I’m not wastelands and portray self-employment Facebook or Twitter for being inspired by otherspeaking to get exposure or to do marketing. It or startups as The Way. people, because people put more of theiralso means that speeches have to be worth the  I’m less interested in social media for thoughts and their personality into their blog.preparation time I’d take away from other things. personal networking and community For example, I love the way my mom tells storiesIs the speech something I can’t wait to work on, building, and more interested in writing and what I learn about her and our family. Theor is it something I’m going to end up your life as a way to practise continuous way Mel Chua shares her passion for open sourceprocrastinating until the last minute? Is it improvement. I think the ability to and life (we’re not related, but I’d have loved tosomething that might result in a good blog post connect with more people more deeply is be) teaches me more about how to let myand a presentation I can share? Is it something icing on the cake-pop – it’s not the reason enthusiasm shine through. I enjoy reading Rogerthat can help me grow in terms of content or I blog, but it does help me learn a lot Ebert’s journal and learning about culture andtechnique? more. growing old, and I like Penelope Trunk’s vivid stories. People tell me they enjoy reading myI invest time up front before committing to a Hmm, there’s an interesting thing there. You see, blog, too – the way I practise continuoustopic so that I can enjoy the preparation and people often ask me to do social media improvement and optimism, the joy I take in life,delivery more, and so that the talk will be more presentations. I prefer to focus on individual the things I learn along the way.useful for people who invest their time in behaviours instead of trends because I wantattending. I know I can be energetic and people to be able to do something. I dislike all As for finding something worth sharing withinteresting even when I’m annoyed with the this emphasis on personal branding and social other people – that’s an excellent place to start,situation or when I have strong doubts about the networking, because it’s so much like scare- especially for introverts like me. Writing helpstopic, but I really don’t want to make that mongering. “You MUST be on Facebook/Twitter you learn a lot more effectively. It gets things outhabitual. and your own blog or else you’ll be invisible and of your brain and into a form you can look at or irrelevant.” Social networking is fine, but I want share. to be really clear that it’s not about getting friends/followers/readers/comments.

June 2011 – sachachua.com 187Come to think of it, I take more of a self-centered graphically. If I want to use Eclipse for step-by-  Something sweet: strawberries andapproach to social media compared to most of step debugging, I can use sshfs, smbfs, or NFS to grapes so far; maybe apples or pears? (ohthe other presentations or blog posts I’ve come mount the files. my)across. It’s not the quick hit of here’s-how-to-  A simple dressing, a bit on the sweet/sourmake-the-most-of-Facebook-and-Twitter. It’s The key things I liked about Microsoft Windows side: balsamic vinaigrette, mostly, but Imore about becoming yourself and helping 7 were Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and Microsoft don’t need fancy oilothers. Hmm… Will flesh this out some more. Onenote. I can draw a bit using the GIMP or Inkscape, although I really need to figure out my  Maybe some additional protein: sliced smoothing settings or whatever it is that would eggs, nuts, or pairing the salad with aSwitching back to Linux as my make drawing as fun as it is in those other lentil soupdevelopment host programs. I don’t need those programs when I’mhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22322 focused on development, though, and it’s easy I just have to get through enough salads so that IJune 20, 2011 - enough to reboot if I want to switch. can get back to writing about other things. I’mCategories: development, geek, work getting better at photography, though! =) Hibernate doesn’t quite work, but I’ve beenI switched back to using my Ubuntu partition as suspending the computer or shutting it down,my primary development environment instead of and that works fine. Pretty cool!using Windows 7. I still use a virtual machine toisolate development-related configuration fromthe rest of my system. (500) days of salad http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22323Linux makes better use of my computer memory. June 21, 2011 - Categories: cookingI have 4 GB of RAM on this laptop. My 32-bitWindows 7 can only access 3 GB of it, a limit I I’m nearly done with the community-supportedregularly run into. The resulting swapping slows agriculture box’s haul of lettuce, although I stilldown my development enough to be noticeable. I have Awesome-Garden-Lady’s lettuce to getcould switch to 64-bit Windows, but reinstalling through. This one is a grape and walnut salad.is a disruption I don’t want to deal with right Next time, I’ll probably slice the grapes to make Portal 2 and teachable moments innow. On Linux, my processes can access up to them easier to spear with my fork. argument4GB of memory each, which means there’s even http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22324room for future expansion. I’m at just the right I’m learning that I like these in salads: June 22, 2011 -level now – using 3.9 GB, but not swapping out. Categories: argument, communication, life, teach  Crunchy and nutty warmth: Toasted ingUsing Linux also means that it’s easy for me to sliced almonds, toasted pine nuts, andedit files in my virtual machine. Instead of home-made glazed pecans; walnuts not as Portal 2 became an obsession in our householdsetting up Samba + Eclipse, I can use ssh -X to much as the others, actually after W- shared with us the Youtube clips of theconnect to my virtual machine and run Emacs ending songs, Still Alive and Want You Gone. I

June 2011 – sachachua.com 188downloaded the demo today, and J- flew through  helps improve sense of humour “Now think of ways you can address thoseit eagerly. The final demo level came all too soon. concerns.”  I will actually do my homework properly and thoroughlyAha. Teachable moment. “Maybe I can set a time limit, like 30 minutes…”  can create a topic of conversation“Do you remember the three Greek words we “That would take care of the first and second  can create more interesting stories to tellhave in the kitchen?” concern. How about the third?” others“Ethos, pathos, and logos.” “It’s like you don’t want to play it too much, but Pathos: you also don’t want to play it too little…” she“Right.” I wrote them down, with brief said.descriptions, under the title, “Why should we get  spend time together solving puzzles andPortal 2?” I read the title out: “Why should we getting a good laugh or two (bonding “Right. Because if you played only a couple ofget Portal 2?” factor) levels more, it would be a waste. But you played  fun! (lolz!) the demo and…”“Umm… Because it’s educational?”  more inside jokes “… it was amazing…”“How?” Logos: “… so the rest of the game…”“Speedy thing goes in, speedy thing comes out,that’s all I have to say.”  hand-eye coordination “… will probably be ten times as amazing…”  momentumI look at her and do the you-can-do-better-than- “… and you know you’ll enjoy it. There, see whatthat smile.  solve puzzles – helps make you better at happens? When you think of why someone solving puzzles would say no and you address those concerns,“I’m not good at this stuff.”  may help me with typing faster your argument becomes stronger.”“Try writing all of your ideas down. You can  can create inspiration for writing a book “Oh, I get it now.”make your arguments stronger by editing them or drawing a pictureafterwards.” “Great! Would you like to take this further by “Try thinking of reasons why we might say no, organizing your arguments into a proper speech,We’re still a bit fuzzy about the categories, but it’s too,” I said. After some thought, she listed: like this”, and here I sketched out what thegreat to see where she’s going. Here’s the list she speech would be like, with English mixed withcame up with:  might take up too much time fast-forwarded gibberish and hand-gestures so  too close to screen too often that she could get the sense of it.Ethos:  may not play it as often, may be wasted She laughed. “Sure!” she said.

June 2011 – sachachua.com 189Persuasion is a useful skill. Good to find really useful when navigating. I am so glad that One of the techniques I use is something I pickedopportunities to help people develop it! GPS + maps showed up during my lifetime. up from Your Money or Your Maybe this will help me get the hang of it too! Life (Dominguez and Robin, 1999) – there’s2011-06-22 Wed 21:21 an excellent blog post series on The Simple Must make sure it doesn’t edge out th other Dollar for people who want to catch up. I things I want to do. =) calculate the discretionary value of my time andPortal 2 use that to see if things are worth the time ithttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22325 Now starting coop split-screen mode with W-… takes to earn the money for them. One way to doJune 23, 2011 - Categories: geek =D this is by taking your income, subtracting taxes, fixed expenses, and work-related expenses, andSo we bought Portal 2 for the PS3, because you 2011-06-23 Thu 20:15 dividing it by the number of hours you spendcan unlock a PC version if you link your working or preparing to work. I like an evenPlaystation Network and Steam accounts. Turns stricter measure. I look at the discretionary partout the PS3 version plays pretty smoothly, too, so Mindful spending, experiments, and living of my bi-weekly savings allocations –J- is playing it now. The game has great spatial in line with your values that’s after taxes, savings, retirement, and otherpuzzles, is excellently designed, and http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22326 categories. I divide that by 14 days, so that I canentertainingly scripted and voiced. I’m looking June 24, 2011 - easily get an idea of how much of a typical week,forward to playing it myself. Categories: analysis, decision, kaizen month, or year I might be committing to a purchase. This is actually a small number,We don’t play many video games here. There’s so A friend was thinking about splurging on an because I take so much off the top for savings –much we can do instead: cook, garden, sketch, event that included an 8-course dinner for $95. less than a dollar per hour, which is why Iwrite, read books from the library, watch the He wrote, “I’d like to go, but that’s more than I’ve calculate by day instead. ;) Then I can easily get aoccasional movie (also borrowed from the ever paid for a single meal. Thoughts?” He said sense of how large a part of my year somethinglibrary) while folding clothes or eating dinner… that he had justified past splurges by telling will take up, and whether I think it will be worthBut there’s something to be said about the way himself, “Well, I’ve spent money on more it.games help people learn how to solve puzzles and frivolous things before.” He didn’t need toenjoy mastery. A bit of gaming is like salt and see me give him The Look to know that this was I often write down the options I’m consideringpepper on a meal, perhaps; it sharpens the not the best way to go forward. I gave him plenty and the costs, benefits, and consequences ofexperience, as long as you don’t add too much. of advice, and here are additional reflections. each. For example, when I was thinking about replacing my laptop battery, I listed the optionsAlso, Portal 2 is really cool. I think about spending carefully. If I can spend and estimated the value differences of each. I on the right things, minimize spending on the sometimes do this even for small decisionsSpatial puzzles. I can do those typical wrong things, and learn as much as I can from because I learn so much about my preferencesunwrapping puzzles and things-fitting-into- getting it right or wrong, I’ll enjoy better quality and values along the way. I consider intangibles,things puzzles that you find in those Mensa-type of life than I would otherwise. too, and I use this technique for non-financialbooks. I have a hard time finding my way around decisions as well. Sometimes I’m looking for aa first-person game though, and I find maps clear winner, and sometimes I’m interested in

June 2011 – sachachua.com 190just writing my thoughts down and seeing what what I value, enjoy, want to become, want to o [-] Organize get-togetherI’m leaning towards. support, and so on. That’s a great learning o Gave Gabriel advice adventure, too. The more I learn about what II also review my decisions to see how things want in life, the easier it becomes to say no to the o Helped J- learn more aboutturned out and if I need to tweak things further things I don’t want and to focus on the things persuasionin the future. For example: clothes from Value that matter to me (and to the people who matter o Bought Portal 2Village, yes; compost accelerator, no; watching to me).movie in a theatre by myself, maybe (better if Iget together with friends). If something turns out It’s all about getting better at making decisions –  Lifeto be really worth it (or really not worth it), then with money, with work, with love, with life, with o [X] Join Bells on BloorI learn a lot. This also helps me avoid analysis everything. You’ll make tons of decisions over o [X] Harvest compostparalysis, because even if I’m not certain about a time, so developing your decision-making skillsdecision, I’m sure I’ll learn something from it. In pays off tremendously. Money is a good way to o [X] Spread compost in frontfact, the more uncertain I am, the more I’ll learn practise: a finite resource (particularly if you garden– a tip I picked up from How to Measure think of it in terms of time) that you can choose o [-] Type in five chapters of LatinAnything (Hubbard, 2007), which defined a to spend in line with your values.measurement as whatever reduces o [X] Have soup and salad every dayuncertainty. Your Money or Your Life also How do you make spending decisions? in order to try to make a dent inencourages people to review their monthly the lettucebudget and expenses to see which categories they Weekly review: Week ending June 25, o Made strawberry and rhubarbwant to increase or decrease depending on what 2011 tartscontributes to their life. The practice of reviewingdecisions is key to making better ones. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22328 o Made lots of salad June 25, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly o Reviewed old blog postsI sometimes nudge myself towards action usingthe First Circus principle, a family favourite. From last week’s presentation o Blogged more picturesNot only does this tend to lead to interesting o Returned webcamexperiences, but this also takes advantage of  Worksome psychological biases. We’re more likely to o [X] Smooth out session creation Plans for next weekregret things we didn’t do more than ones we did, form for project Mand we’re also more likely to notice the presence  Workof something (in this case, joy or o [-] Work on Generation C and banking presentation o [ ] Visit client U to help withdisappointment) than to figure out the subtler Drupaleffects of deciding not to do something.  Relationships o [ ] Work on user registration andThose are decision-making tactics. Strategy, on o [X] Attend Linda and Tim’s profile editing for project Mthe other hand, involves getting a better idea of wedding

June 2011 – sachachua.com 191 o [ ] Help team members on board  3/4 cup (150g) white sugar Writing your way past “What have I been for project M doing with my life?” Mix all ingredients. Fill purchased tart shells or http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22329  Relationships home-made pastry circles (see original recipe). June 26, 2011 - Chill assembled tarts for 15-30 minutes in the Categories: blogging, kaizen, life, reflection, writi o [ ] Organize get-together? fridge. Preheat oven to 400F (200C), with the ng rack in the center of the oven. Bake for 25-30  Life minutes until crust is golden. Cool on a wire rack One of my friends is dealing with a quarter-life o [ ] Sleep earlier before serving. (The original recipe suggests crisis of the “what have I been doing with my serving with whipped cream or iced cream, ooh.) life?” variety. Comparing himself to other people or to where he had hoped he’d be at this point, heStrawberry rhubarb baking feels like he comes up way short. I shared somehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22327 advice, and here are some other thoughts thatJune 25, 2011 - Categories: baking, cooking came along the way.Okay, I was wrong. I guess it’s baking season all It’s a common feeling, right around birthdaysyear round. and other yearly milestones. Where did the year go? Why does time fly so quickly? Look at allThe strawberries from the garden are lovely, red these people your age – or younger! – doingand firm. I’ve baked strawberry shortcakes incredible things. What have you been doing withbefore, so I thought I’d give strawberry rhubarb your life?tarts a try. Rhubarb is available so rarely – all themore reason to experiment. (I think we’ll plant it Here’s how I deal with it: I write.next spring!) That’s because no matter how good your memoryRecipe from Joy of Baking: is, your brain’s probably going to be bad at remembering the highlights, lowlights, goals and  454g / 1lb sliced rhubarb – the recipe accomplishments of the previous year. You have called for 1″ pieces, but I had big chunky to deal with a number of limitations. The recency field rhubarb, so 0.5″ slices might be bias means you remember the most recent items better better. That leaves lots of fuzzy areas. And I liked spending my Saturday afternoon baking, because the brain is optimized for associations,  454g / 1lb sliced strawberries – this one’s trying out new recipes. It’s a little like going to a not linear access, you’ve got to have the right a mix of garden strawberries and local cooking class, except much cheaper. =) I shared hooks to get back into some memories. strawberries some tarts with neighbours so that we wouldn’t  1/4 cup (35g) all-purpose flour have too much dessert in the house. (Particularly Photographs are good, but they can only take you as we’re still planning to bake brownies too…) so far. There are a lot of important moments you

June 2011 – sachachua.com 192can’t take pictures of: you don’t have a camera Doesn’t matter if you feel inarticulate. Start to make eye contact. It wasn’t perfect, but it hadhandy, you don’t recognize it at the moment, it’s somewhere. fewer filler phrases, and it flowed more smoothlyintangible… Writing – even just a quick sketch, a than her first draft.private note – might help you remember. Don’t like writing for yourself? Tell people stories through e-mail or text messages and keep a copy She rehearsed with the cat-tree as an ad-hocWrite about your thoughts, your goals, your for your notes. After conversations, jot down podium. She didn’t drill it endlessly, but sheaccomplishments, your experiences, your notes to help you remember. Ask people to help practised it enough to get a sense of how thequestions, your answers. This doesn’t have to be you recall. words felt.public. This doesn’t even have to be coherent,although it helps if you can read your writing What have you been doing with your life? When she delivered the speech, she got laughs –afterwards. This gives you a record that you can Probably more than you can remember. =) Make and high-fives, fistbumps, and complimentsreview at the end of the year to see how far the most of each year, and that’ll help you make afterwards.you’ve come. the most of your life. There’s a beginning, perhaps – that feeling ofYou don’t even have to wait until the end of the competence, that “hey I can do this”, the way thatyear. Use your writing to remember why your Learning from the speeches of grade the music notes of her favourite songs aregoals mattered to you. Use your writing to seven students beginning to melt into melodies and her writingcelebrate the little victories as well as the big http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22330 is becoming more about thought instead ofones. Use your writing to make everything in life June 27, 2011 - Categories: learning, speaking mechanics.part of the story you’re becoming – and yes, thatincludes the tough parts. As part of the grade 8 graduation ceremony, J- One of the key things in helping people learn, I and the other grade 7 students spoke about the think, is to nudge people over that hump and intoUse your writing to slow down life – not all the students who were going on to high school. that “I rock” experience, so that they get to theway, just enough to make it livable. Not too point of being able to enjoy it.much. Writing about life means standing at a J- was initially unsure about her speech. Shelittle bit of a distance from it, so that you can didn’t know much about her honoree beyond a I wonder how more people can get over thatturn it over and look at it from different angles. few short facts and a couple of stories from her hump and enjoy exploring and sharing ideas.Might not work for everyone. But for the people interview. Her speech reflected it: generalitiesit works for – maybe you! – it could turn the like “nice” and “funny”, and two pieces from the Also, it turns out that you can learn a lot aboutquicksilver in that hourglass into something you interview that were strung together with little speaking from watching students. A few of thecan work with. transition. other speeches drew on clear, personal experiences. Others were delivered confidentlyDoesn’t matter if you haven’t been doing it We helped her edit her speech. She found ways to and capably. Many echoed a common outline –before. Now’s as good a time as any to get connect the pieces, trim unneeded words, and perhaps the suggested questions from thestarted. Doesn’t matter if you keep stopping. become more specific. Larger fonts and more interview: How long has the student attended theEven a spotty trail of stones is better than space between lines simplified reading. Slashes school? What are some characteristics you wouldbreadcrumbs in the forest of Hansel and Gretel. helped her find places to breathe and remember use to describe the student? What’s a memory

June 2011 – sachachua.com 193you can share about the student? Students were and avoid late nights spent recovering from  Create a symbolic link.described with generic adjectives: “nice,” mistakes.“funny,” “athletic.” Stories were left in the air, 2011-06-28 Tue 08:55with little connection to the beginning or end of *Drush (Drupal shell) is awesome.* It’s a bigthe speech. But that’s okay, they’re still learning. timesaver. We use it to download and enable(Aren’t we all?) modules (dl and en), clear the cache (cc), run Meaning and acknowledgement database updates (updatedb), launch a SQL http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22332Worth the time. console (sqlc), execute PHP (php-eval), run tests, June 29, 2011 - and so on. I use it a lot because I hate clicking Categories: book, education, learning, teaching2011-06-27 Mon 21:36 around. J- brought home her report card this week. She Even more powerful with a little bit of xargs did well in so many subjects that it’s hard to pickDrupal notes from helping a client magic so that it’s easy to run a drush command which strength to build on first. Herimprove her development environment against all the sites. Like this: mathematics study group sessions and sciencehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22331 projects paid off, as did her personal interest inJune 28, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek cat sites.txt | xargs -n 1 -I {} drush -l {} music. somecommandKeeping a to-do list helps you keep sane. If To celebrate her work, W- and I made a colourfulyou don’t have a full-scale issue tracker, use a card. She likes making greeting cards for us, and Design decisions: Multisite without sharedwiki page, text file, or something like that. It’s it was fun making one for her. tables; services or syndication for sharingreally useful to be able to get the list of things content between sites; central authentication foryou’re working on or waiting for out of your head It’s important to acknowledge good work. One admin users… time, W- was reviewing J-’s answers to the mathand into a form you can review. exercises he gave her. “Very good,” he said. He Bash script to create or clone*Drupal Features help you export configuration crumpled the finished piece of paper. multisites makes tedious things a little bitinto code.* This is much better than creating an simpler. Tasks:installation profile because you can update your I plucked it from his hands and smoothened itfeatures with new settings and apply them to out. “Ahem,” I said meaningfully.existing sites. Invaluable when working with  Create a database and give access to amulti-sites that may need to be updated. You user. “Oops. I tossed the other one already,” confessedmay need to clear your Drupal cache before you  Create the site and files directory. W-. I retrieved the previous paper from thesee changes applied. recycling bin and uncrumpled it. W- made a  Create the settings.php with the database point of scoring both papers and adding smileys.Version control is really handy even when settings. J- beamed.you’re working on your own. The ability to  Copy the base database into the newgo back in time to a working setup (code + database. Ah, behavioural psychology at home. You candatabase) can help you experiment more freely influence people’s motivation by acknowledging

June 2011 – sachachua.com 194or devaluing their work. In The Upside of Verbal acknowledgment of good work is good,  supporting a third (Ruby on Rails site IIrrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of but could it be at odds with the physical message built for a local nonprofit, almost done),Defying Logic at Work and at Home (Dan of tossing the paper into the recycling bin? Best andAreily, 2010), I read about experiments that to be coherent. So the paper is celebrated,  trying to wrap up on a fourth (PHP/AJAXexplored how motivated people were if they labeled, and put into a folder. dashboard for a call center in the US).thought their results were meaningless. As itturns out, people are strongly affected by the W- reminds me of this principle too, when I I’m doing the Drupal 6 development in a virtualimmediate perception of the usefulness of their forget. On the way home from work one day, I machine on my system, with an integrationwork. brought up how he spent some time selecting server set up externally. Consulting for the and copying items from the workbook onto a second project is done on-site or through e-mail.In a task involving assembling Lego figures, piece of paper for J-’s exercises. “Should we get a The Rails site is on a virtual server. Theparticipants who completed figures and put them workbook without explanations, so J- can test dashboard project is now on the company’sinto a box did more and enjoyed the task more herself?” I asked W-. servers (IIS6/Microsoft SQL Server), which I canthan participants whose figures were VPN into and use Remote Desktop to access. I’mdisassembled right after they finished completing “No, it’s okay. Besides, it shows her that I value glad I have two computers and a standing deskthem. Another experiment described in the book this,” W- said. “If I give her a workbook so that I (read: kitchen counter) that makes it easy to useinvolved finding pairs of letters on pages, a small can do something else, it’s not the same.” both!payment scheme that stopped at the 10th sheet,and three scenarios where: We invest learning with meaning and value, and Today was one of those days. I helped my new that helps. team member set up his system so that he could  people wrote their names on the papers start working on our project. He’s on Mac OS X. they completed, and they were positively It took us some time to figure out some of the acknowledged by the experimentr Context-switching and a four-project day http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22333 quirky behaviour, such as MySQL sockets not  people completed and submitted papers being where PHP expected them to be. Still, we with no names and without June 30, 2011 - got his system sorted out, so now he can explore Categories: drupal, geek, rails, work the code while I’m on vacation tomorrow. acknowledgement  people submitted papers that were Context-switching among multiple projects can In between answering his questions, I replied to then shredded, unread, right in front of be tough. I’m currently: the consulting client’s questions about Drupal them and the virtual image we set up yesterday. That  working full-time on one project (a mainly required remembering what we did and49% of the people who were acknowledged went Drupal 6 non-profit website) how we set it up. Fortunately, that part was fairlyon to complete ten sheets or more, while only recent, so it was easy to answer her questions.17% of the people whose work was immediately  consulting on another (helping anshredded completed 10 or more. Only 18% of the educational institution with Drupal 7 questions) Then I got an instant message from the person Ipeople whose work was ignored completed ten worked with on the fourth project, the call-centersheets or more. dashboard. He asked me to join a conference call.

June 2011 – sachachua.com 195They were having big problems: the dashboard Drupal 7 differ significantly in terms of API, and does? The canonical way to do it is to create anwasn’t refreshing, so users couldn’t mark their Rails is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish. I often look array (or other enumerable) and call the min orcalls as completed. It was a little nerve-wracking things up, because it’s faster to do that than to max member function, like this: [x,y].max.trying to identify and resolve the problem on the rely on my assumptions and debug them when Dealing with little API/language quirks like thatphone. There were two parts to the problem: IIS I’m wrong. Clients and team members watching is part of the context-switching cost. Likewise, Iwas unresponsive, and Microsoft SQL Server had me might think I don’t actually know anything by sometimes find myself wishing I could just usestopped replicating. The team told me that there myself and I’m looking everything up as I go something like rails console in my Drupal sites…had been some kind of resource-related problem along. Depending on how scrambled my brain is, =)that morning, too, so the lack of system resources I’d probably suck in one of those trying-to-be-might’ve cascaded into this. After some hurried tough job interviews where you have to write Take extensive notes. Even if you’re fullysearching and educated guesses about where to working code without the Internet. But it is what focused on one project and have no problemsnudge the servers, I got the database replication it is, and this helps me build things quickly. remembering it now, you might need to go backworking again, and I set IIS back to using the to something you thought you already finished.shared application pool. I hope that did the trick. On the bright side, it’s pretty fun working withI can do a lot of things, but I’m not as familiar multiple paradigms. Rails uses one way of Slow down and take breaks. Don’t let stresswith Microsoft server administration as I am thinking, Drupal uses another, and so on. I’ve drag you into making bad decisions. I felt muchwith the Linux/Apache/MySQL or even mixed in Java before. There were a few more refreshed after a quick nap, and I’m glad ILinux/Apache/PostgreSQL combinations. weeks I was switching between enterprise Java, did that instead of trying to force my way Drupal, Rails, and straight PHP. It’s not through the afternoon. This is one of the benefitsI felt myself starting to stress out, so I something I regularly do, but when the company of working at home – it’s easy to nap in andeliberately slowed down while I was making the needs it, well… it’s good exercise. Mental ergonomic and non-embarrassing way, while stillchanges, and I took a short nap afterwards to gymnastics. (And scheduling gymnastics, too.) getting tons of stuff done the rest of the day.reset myself. (Coding or administering systemswhile stressed is a great way to give yourself even I like having one-project days. Two-project days Clear your brain and focus on the topmore work and stress.) are kinda okay too. Four-project days – priority. It’s hard to juggle multiple projects. I particularly ones that involve solving a problem made sure my new team member had things toAfter the nap, I was ready to take on the rest. The in an unfamiliar area while people are watching! work on while I focused on the call centerclient for the Rails project e-mailed me a request – are tough, but apparently survivable as long as dashboard project so that I wouldn’t be temptedto add a column of output to the report. I’d I remember to breathe. =) to switch back and forth. Likewise, I wrote thearchived my project-related virtual machine documentation I promised for that project beforealready, so I (very carefully) coded it into the site Here are tips that help me deal with all that moving on to the Rails project.in a not-completely-flexible manner. I found and context-switching. Maybe they’ll help you!fixed two bugs along the way, so it was a good Breathe. No sense in stressing out and gettingthing I checked. Look things up. It’s okay. I find myself looking overwhelmed. Make one good decision at a time. up even basic things all the time. For example, Work step by step, and you’ll find that you’ll getContext-switching between Drupal 6, Drupal 7, did you know that Ruby doesn’t have a through everything you need to do. Avoid multi-and Rails projects is weird. Even Drupal 6 and straightforward min/max function the way PHP

June 2011 – sachachua.com 196tasking. Single-task and finish as much as you helped me learn how to deal with multiple What are your tips for dealing with simultaneouscan of your top priority first. chunks of work under time pressure, and I’m projects? getting better at it the more that work throws atI prefer having one main project, maybe two me. 2011-06-30 Thu 16:19projects during the transition periods. This isn’talways possible. Programming competitions

July 2011 – sachachua.com 197  Return library books and check out new Update: I found the image! onesJuly 2011 Mia is learning more about personal finance. She  Reset the litter boxes came across my post on my financial network map and virtual envelope system and wanted toFour-day weekend ahead Other things I can work on: know if I had a copy of the image.Unfortunately,http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22334 I don’t seem to, but it’s as good a time as any toJuly 1, 2011 - Categories: planning  Write a detailed blog post about our post an update. experiences with community-supportedToday is Canada Day. Monday is a floater day for agriculture What’s changed in the last two years?IBMers in Ontario. (IBM uses floater days to  Organize files on our server What have I learned about personalbalance out the number of holidays across the finances?provinces. Nice, isn’t it?) This adds up to a four-  Review old blog posts and write updates;day weekend. You can get a lot done in a four-day organize thematically? One of the key things I think people should learnweekend.  Prototype photo database W- was when they’re mapping out how they organize thinking about their money and how they want to organize theirI make lists of things to do so that I don’t give in money is this:to the temptation to spend the time working.  Learn how to play Portal 2′s “Still Alive”Time to review my initial list of unstructured so that I can help J- learn it The logical organization of your moneytime activities (update focusing on evenings and  Work on Latin digitization and homework doesn’t have to be limited by the physicalweekends), maybe think about plans for the organization of your money – which banksummer and long-term plans. I was thinking about sewing, but I’m fine in accounts, which jars full of coins, whatever. terms of clothes, so I don’t particularly need it.Things to work on: Last year, we used these long weekends for I make my logical decisions first: how much to woodworking. Shelves and cabinets would be save, what to save for, what levels of risk toChore-day: – just get everything ready for more nice, but again, we’re doing pretty well right now. accept. Then I use those decisions to guide howgood weeks: to organize my money: chequing, savings, GICs, Organizing and writing, I think. That’s the key. investments; registered, non-registered, tax-free,  Turn compost And maybe some more Latin. etc.  Wash clothes 2011-07-01 Fri 12:06 I use a virtual envelope system to keep track of  Tidy the house what I’m saving up for and how much I’ve budgeted for regular expenses. I like this more  Prepare large batches of food How I organize my personal finances than a straightforward budget because of the  Weed the garden, maybe plant another http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22335 flexibility. If I have a surplus in one category batch July 1, 2011 - Categories: finance (say, I don’t sew as much), or if I need to spend

July 2011 – sachachua.com 198more in a more important category, I can move geeky. I use it because I can quickly answer chequing account has the minimummoney around. questions like: balance needed to avoid fees. This account is mainly to make it easier for meCurrent envelopes (no particular order):  How much do I spend on groceries each to invest at TD (see TD Waterhouse). month?  TD Waterhouse: I switched from TD  Retirement: maximize RRSP room every Mutual Funds to TD Waterhouse so that I  What are the balances in my virtual year could hold investments in my tax-free envelopes?  Medium- and long-term investments: savings account (TFSA). I have three  At what prices did I buy my index funds? types of investment accounts here: my non-registered  How much did I make last year after tax? non-registered investments, my tax-free  Charity savings account, and my registered  Sabbatical: replace one year of income I use more financial institutions now. It does take retirement savings plan. All of them every 7 years me a little bit of time to check on my accounts at currently hold TD e-funds, but I may shift all of them, but I think the benefits outweigh the to ETFs later on.  Household costs. Here’s how and why I use each of them:  MBNA: The MBNA Smart Cash credit  Internet: web hosting and domain names card gets me 3% cashback on groceries  Phone: cellphone service  ING Direct: I’ve been using ING for and 1% cashback on everything else, savings for a while, and I’ve also shifted beating PCFinancial’s effective 1%.  Pet care: cat food, vet visits, long-term my payroll direct deposit to the chequing savings (self-insuring our pets) account I created. I use ING because of  Sun Life: Sun Life holds my defined- decent rates on GICs, the ease of creating contribution pension plan from work. I  Travel: visiting family sub-accounts, and instantaneous maximize the IBM match, but I keep the  Personal care: clothing, supplies, health, transfers between chequing and savings rest of my long-term investments at TD massages, etc. accounts. I don’t want to make it my only because I get lower management expense  Hobbies chequing account, though, because the ratios for similar index funds there. bank machine network isn’t as wide as  Dream: Larger expenses worth saving up the other banks. Overall, I’m at about 6% cash, 20% GICs, 49% for; experiences Canadian index funds, 9% US, 9% international,  PCFinancial: I used to use this as my and 7% bonds. 31% of that is in my RRSP. It  Play: Miscellaneous expenses main chequing and savings bank before I skews a bit more conservative because of the moved to ING. I also used to use this as GICs.I track almost all my expenses, with my primary credit card before I moved tomiscellaneous cash expenses grouped together if MBNA. I keep these accounts around Update: Here’s the old map:I can’t categorize them properly. mainly so that I can withdraw cash easily.I keep my financial data in plain text files using  TD Canada Trust: I have a chequingJohn Wiegley’s awesome ledger tool. It’s very account and a USD account here. The

July 2011 – sachachua.com 199 savings target this year. I can’t do anything about have entities with node references, it makes the markets, but I can do something about how sense to migrate the data referred to before much I save. We’re getting better at what we migrating the data that refers to them. If I can spend on, too, as we learn more about what we get a slice of the database – not all the records, value and enjoy. just enough to flesh out the different relationships – that would make testing the What have you learned about personal finance? migrations faster and easier. I would probably write a custom Drupal module to do the migrations, because it’s much easier to Getting a grip on a large database programmatically create nodes than it is to insert migration all the right entries into all the right tables. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22337 July 2, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek I’d commit the custom module to source code control frequently. I’d write some code Michael is working on migrating a custom to migrate an entity type or two, test the website with hundreds of database tables to migration, and commit the source code. As I Drupal, and he wanted to know if I had any migrated more and more of the relationships, I’d advice for keeping track of table mappings and probably check them off or colour them other migration tasks. differently in the diagram, making note ofHere’s what that map looks like now: anything I’d need to revisit (circular references, I’ve worked on small migration projects before etc.). (including migrating my own blog from lots of Planner-mode text files to WordPress!), but no I might break the custom module up into large projects like the ones Michael described. steps to make it easier to rerun or But if I needed to do something like that, here’s test. That way, I’m not reconstructing the entire what I’d probably do. I’d love to hear your tips! database in one request, too.It takes me 15-30 minutes a week to update myaccounts, reflect on my expenses, and review my I’d list all the tables and start mapping I’d take notes on design decisions. Whengoals. I like the steady progress. them to entities. What content types would I you migrate data, you’ll probably come across need to create? What fields would I need to data that challenges your initial assumptions.Good personal finance is boring. ;) It’s mainly a define? How are the content types related to each This might require redesigning your entities andmatter of time: saving up, adapting to changes, other? An entity relationship diagram can help revising your earlier migration code. When Iletting interest compound, learning more… The you get an overview of what’s going on in the make design decisions, I often write about thenext thing might be to move money from index database. options I’m considering and the reasons for orfunds to ETFs in order to take advantage of the against them. This makes those decisions easierteensy difference in management expense ratios, Then I’d start untangling the entities to to revisit when new data might invalidate mybut it’s no big deal. I’m on track to make my see which ones I can migrate first. If you

July 2011 – sachachua.com 200assumptions, because I can see ways at Bloor, and I made it back home by Happy people are sometimes derided aswhat may need to be changed. 4:30pm. unrealistic Pollyannas, other people’s way of bringing them down to earth. I’ve heard it fromHow would you handle a I covered 50km, finished two bottles of water people who don’t yet understand how I can be somigration project that’s too large (and wished I’d brought a third), and snacked on optimistic. The dictionary defines “pollyanna” asto hold in your head? one granola bar. When I got home, I had a an excessively or blindly optimistic person. refreshing shower, then read two books and took Curious about this, I requested Eleanor Porter’s a short nap. book Pollyanna from the library. In the pages ofFifty kilometers on my this easy-to-read book, I discovered a philosophybicycle So. Biking a long way. I think it’s the longest and similar to the one I live.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22339 farthest I’ve biked semi-continuously. I wasn’tJuly 3, 2011 - Categories: biking winded afterwards, just a tad wobbly, and W- You see, Pollyanna’s life centers on the Glad and I still got plenty of things done the rest of the Game that she plays – the game of finding atMaira and Scott suggested biking along day. I think it’s more like plugging away at this least one thing to be glad about in any situation.the Humber river trail, which stretches north- exercise thing, like perhaps you might on a An orphan taken in by her stern aunt, shesouthish all the way up to Steeles. I’d never been stationary bike, except that the scenery changes, inspires the town and eventually her aunt intoalong the north part of the trail, and it sounded there’s the occasional breeze, and you really playing this game. Invalids are comforted,like a great way to spend the Sunday afternoon. should put on sunblock (which I did). It’s not quarrels are patched up, life gets better allThey originally wanted to meet up at 12. It was hard. It’s just being present and keeping your around. When she runs into her own challenges,11:30 by the time I left. It would’ve taken me too legs moving, and maybe not getting run over by the whole town pitches in to help her play themuch time to get there through public transit, so cars on the stretches between the proper trails. toughest Glad Game she’s ever faced.I arranged to bike up and meet them at somepoint along the trail. I think it’s amazing being able to bike on a small I play something like the Glad Game too. Grew paved trail clearly in much use – we saw lots of into it unknowingly, took it as my own. ItThe Humber trail is an easy ride with the pedestrians and other cyclists – far away from becomes easier – almost instinctive – as you dooccasional hill. The only tough parts are that you the sights and sounds of the city, yet in the heart it. In the book,Pollyanna says:sometimes need to find the trail again. I got a of it, and never too far away from help or the restlittle lost along the way, but GPS and other of the world. There are many other things I can “Why, Nancy, that’s so! I WAS playing thepeople helped me get back on track. do in five hours, sure, but this is pretty good too. game—but that’s one of the times I just did it without thinking, I reckon. You see, you DO, lotsMy friends were running quite late, so I ended up 2011-07-03 Sun 20:25 of times; you get so used to it—looking forleisurely pedaling all the way to the beginning of something to be glad about, you know. And mostthe Humber trail near Kipling and Steeles. I had generally there is something about everythingmy Kindle with me, so I passed the time reading. Embracing Pollyanna that you can be glad about, if you keep huntingAfter we met up, we took the trail south. We http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22340 long enough to find it.”overshot Bloor and circled back, emerging at July 4, 2011 - Categories: happiness, philosophyRoyal York and Bloor. We headed our separate

July 2011 – sachachua.com 201The game I play isn’t quite the Glad Game, regular backup routines too. It’s a good time to What would good workflows look like?though. I don’t stop at being glad. I guess I play think about what I want from archives and how Ithe Learn-Share-Do Game. What can I learn can organize them to improve retrieval and Photos:from this situation? How can I share what I’m serendipity.learning? How will I respond – what will I do 1. Copy files off the camera and put them inabout this situation? This turns every joy and What would a good archive be like? my folders.success into something greater, and every 2. Use Bibble5 to rate the photos andheartache into part of the story.  [X] HTML and images of my blog, so that process them. I can browse it and recover even if I messIt’s a blend of the infectious optimism of the 11- up my database or my images 3. Export the pictures and upload them toyear-old Pollyanna and the resolute freedom of Picasa and Facebook.the Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl, who wrote  [X] Database backup of my blog, so that Ithis: can restore it more easily – test by setting 4. Order prints. up virtual hostBetween stimulus and response there is a space. Blog posts:  [X] Backup of my whole websiteIn that space is our power to choose ourresponse. In our response lies our growth and  [X] Backup of my personal files 1. Draft posts using organizer.org in myour freedom. (organizer.org, outline.org, ledger, etc.) Emacs, or use ScribeFire to draft  [X] Presentations graphical posts.There is no shame in being a Pollyanna, on facing 2. Illustrate them with sketches or photoslife with conscious optimism and deliberate  [X] Photos, sketches, and book notes, organized so that I can browse/search by (optional).gratitude. Optimism can be firmly rooted inreality, finding nutrients in its depths, using the keywords and other criteria, maybe get 3. Publish to blog.rocks of life as anchors. statistics 4. Save daily backups of database and o Inbox monthly backups of HTML.I play the Learn-Share-Do game. What game doyou play with life? o Processed 5. Print blog dump monthly. o Favourites? 6. Do a monthly or weekly review of  [ ] Backup of Twitter/Facebook activity, unpublished drafts to see if I can build onOrganizing my digital life them.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22342 perhaps using ThinkUp  [ ] Database of books I’ve checked out 7. Review past years’ blog posts to see if IJuly 5, 2011 - Categories: geek can build on any. from the library: title, author, ID, startW- upgraded our file server to a RAID-1 date, end date, and maybe any notes I have (possible link to Goodreads if I can What do I want to access from my laptop whileconfiguration (mirroring without parity or I’m at home?striping) using two 1.8-terabyte disks. Now we get that working?)can back up and reorganize our files, and set up

July 2011 – sachachua.com 202  Personal files / documents for just biology. It also means I can’t use a terms the session had. I ended up with a query straightforward OR search, because I shouldn’t that looked like this:  1024×768 versions of sketches and list sessions that require both biology AND favourite photos SELECT nid, vid FROM (SELECT tns.nid, another subject the person hadn’t listed, such as  Presentations organized by topic? chemistry. tns.vid, COUNT(tns.tid) AS match_count,What do I want to be able to access offline or Views didn’t seem to have a built-in way to do it. c.term_count FROM term_node tnsaway from home? I couldn’t think of a standard-ish way to describe INNER JOIN node_term_count c ON my challenge in order to find relevant posts on tns.vid=c.vid  Personal files / documents drupal.org. Content recommendation WHERE tns.tid in (55, 56, 42, 39, 41) modules seemed similar, but I wasn’t familiar GROUP BY tns.vid) AS resultHmm, might be worth saving up for a larger hard with any of them enough to know which one WHERE term_count = match_count;disk drive for my laptop, too… would be the closest to hack for my cross-type comparisons and 100% match requirements. SoHow do you get more value out of your archives? it was time to hack my Views query. When I was happy with the query, I used hook_views_pre_execute to change After several attempts, I settled on the approach my $view->build_info[query] and $view-Hacking Drupal views and taxonomy: of precalculating how many terms were >build_info[count_query]. With all the otherlooking for 100% matching of terms associated with each session node. I created a filters I needed, it eventually looked like this:http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22344 table with the information and used the following query to populate it in my install file. $view->build_info[query] = "SELECT *July 6, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek FROM ( db_query("INSERT INTO {node_term_count} SELECT tns.nid, tns.vid, count(tns.tid) ASI’m working on a Drupal 6 site that helps match SELECT nid, vid, count(tid) AS term_count match_count, c.term_count, workflow_node.sidvolunteers to speaking opportunities, or sessions. FROM node nI use Taxonomy to keep track of the FROM {term_node} GROUP BY nid, vid"); INNER JOIN term_node tns ON (n.vid=tns.vidqualifications so that I can maintain the AND n.nid=tns.nid)qualification hierarchy. Given a list of subject LEFT JOIN workflow_node workflow_node ON I also used hook_nodeapi to update the table onareas that a person is interested in, I need to find n.nid = workflow_node.nid insert, update, and delete operations.all sessions that match any of those subject areas. INNER JOIN node_term_count c ONThe quirk: the session must have at least Then I started experimenting through the SQL tns.vid=c.vidone of the person’s terms, and the person console. I used COUNT and GROUP BY to find INNER JOIN content_type_session session ONmust also have all the session’s terms. out how many terms the session had in common (n.nid=session.nid AND n.vid=session.vid) with the person. Selecting from that MySQL INNER JOIN node school_node ONLet’s say that our volunteer is interested in subquery let me filter the list to the nodes where (session.field_session_school_nid=school_node.speaking about biology and physics. I couldn’t the total number of terms equaled the number of nid)use a straightforward AND search. If I searchedfor biology AND physics, I wouldn’t get sessions

July 2011 – sachachua.com 203 query or function, but I’m going to stay with  ReadINNER JOIN content_type_school school ON Views 2 for now.(school_node.nid=school.nid AND  Practise musicschool_node.vid=school.vid) Whenever I write about stuff we’re doing with  Hang out with friendsINNER JOIN content_field_session_dates date Drupal, I often hear about even awesomer waysON (n.nid=date.nid AND n.vid=date.vid AND  Prepare for next school year to do things. =) Is this one of those times? Isdate.delta=0) there a little-known module that Does the Right  Work on life skillsWHERE (n.type in (%s) Thing?AND workflow_node.sid=%d It’s often easier to pick from a list than to think ofAND session.field_session_request_mode_value something to do in the moment, so here are some= %s Planning for summer ideas for things to do:AND (n.status <> %d) http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22345AND July 7, 2011 - Physical(DATE_FORMAT(ADDTIME(date.field_session Categories: education, life, planning_dates_value, SEC_TO_TIME(-14400)), %Y-  Swimming%m-%%d) >= " . date(Y-m-d) . ") J-’s now on her summer break. We’ve beenAND school.field_school_district_nid IN  Biking thinking of ways to help her use her summer($district_where) well. There’ll be time for unstructured play and  ExercisingAND tns.tid in ($tid_where)) for hanging out with friends, of course, but it’s  Running, playing in the parkGROUP BY tns.vid also good to help her develop initiative and life) as result WHERE term_count = match_count skills, fighting the temptations of video games MentalAND match_count > 0"; along the way.  Reading a book (critical reading – maybe Both W- and I are working through summer discussion at dinner?)I used variables because we’re saving our vacation days forlike $tid_where and $district_where to simplify Kathy’s upcoming wedding, so J- will need to be  Working on reading exercisesthe query. They use array_fill to create self-driven. She’s pretty good at dealing with theplaceholders for the arguments.  Working on math exercises inevitable what-do-I-do-now moments (and we all get those, if we’re lucky). She often practises  Going to the libraryResult: I think it works the way it’s supposed to. piano or ukulele, reads a book, or hangs out withIt passes my unit tests and manual testing, Creative friends. We can help by setting some challenges,anyway. If performance becomes an issue, I nudging her to work on mastery or life skills, andmight precalculate the results and store them in  Drawing (comics, sketches, etc.) – maybe giving her feedback on how she’s doing (such asa table. I hope I don’t have to do that, though. put together a sketchbook or comic book for writing or math exercises).Views 3 is supposed to have arbitrary data stores  Writing notes, stories, and so on Overall plans for the summer:that let you write views on top of any sort of  Playing the piano or the ukulele

July 2011 – sachachua.com 204  Visiting the AGO, the ROM, the science first so that we can guide her through planning ut piano/u /drawing to centre, etc. her own. Here’s the draft W- and I came up with: kulele / share  Taking pictures Categ 1 2 3 4 etc.  Exploring arts and crafts (ex: collage, ory sculpting) Life Mes Cleaned Cleaned up Made Physic Sat Basic Extended Stretchi skills s up after after cats lifeLife skills al on calisthe physical ng your self better / couc nics activity limits cleaned  Learning how to cook h all up after day others  Making life better: cleaning, tidying, / looking for ways to improve, etc. stay Techn Play Practise Created Learne  Volunteering (Free Geek?) ed ology ed d IT something d indo vide skills using somethi  Learning life skills: taking public transit, ors o (typing, technology ng on biking, etc. gam present and shared your  Negotiating/persuading Menta Play 1 unit of 2 units of 3 units es or ations, it with us or own / l ed work work of work surf etc.) others experiPlay vide ed mented o the with  Hang out with friends gam Inte tools es rnet  Play video games (time-limited?) all all  Play board games day day /We’ll encourage her to add to this list, too. watc hed Thinking of ways to build scaffolds for J-’sWe like the way her school uses rubrics to make TV learning through these lists of ideas and rubricsit clear what excellence looks like. We’re not all for self-evaluation inspires me to make some ofplanning to use one to grade J- for her summer day these for myself, too.work – grading summer! what a thought – but itmight be useful to work out one with her so that Creati No Drew / Memorized Discuss What would my discretionary-time activities lookshe can self-evaluate how she’s spending her ve crea wrote / part of a ion of like?time and so that she can motivate herself to push tive practise song / New workher limits. W- and I thought about the process outp d story/comic Physical

July 2011 – sachachua.com 205  Biking July 8, 2011 - Physic Sat Worked Turned Exercise Categories: life, philosophy, reflection  Exercising al and at the d for  Gardening worke standing compo hours Quinn wanted to know how I respond to systemic d all desk / did st / injustice, wicked problems, and other things thatMental day / some exercis are so far beyond individual scale that they tend stayed gardening ed to reduce people to helplessness. indoor  Reading a book, maybe blogging notse s I used to be paralyzed by these thoughts. I  Improving development skills fumbled with class divides, marked as privileged Mental Did Solved Read Worked by language and accent and access. I avoidedCreative OK at new one or on relationships because I worried about the work problems more learning statistics showing discrimination against married  Drawing – sketches, presentations, etc. or built books a new women and mothers. I felt torn apart by guilt  Writing notes, stories, blog posts new skill / over being part of the brain drain, tempted to functional Shared think of what-ifs.  Playing the piano ity at what I  Visiting the AGO, the ROM, the science work was I’m learning to pick my fights and focus on doing centre, etc. learning the best I can.  Taking pictures So, yes to… Even though it Creati No Blogged / Create Learned will probably be ve creativ practised d and a newLife skills e piano shared techniqu much harder to… output picture e/  Preparing a new recipe or experimenting s or memoriz Pursuing my passion for Deal with such with a familiar one sketch ed part code and writing, despite people if they make es of a song knowing that there are me a target  Making life better: cleaning, tidying, scary people out there looking for ways to improve, etc. Life Mess Cleaned Cleane Made  Learning how to drive Blogging about what I’m Contribute to open skills up after d up life self after better learning, sharing whatever source code while atWhat would a rubric for myself look like? I can IBM (it’s doable, othersCatego 1– 2– 3– 4– but there’s quite ary minim acceptabl good awesom bit paperwork ;) ) al e e In an imperfect world Both my husband and I Go with non- http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22346 keeping our names, and to patrilineal naming

July 2011 – sachachua.com 206 not knowing what he was doing. Then, accordingalways phrasing it as for children difference there to the myth, Amitabha – a great buddha ofdecisions we both make compassion – camefor ourselves Working reasonable hours Change the work- to him and said, “Now you’re being foolish. That at full capacity and life expectations for vow you took shouldn’t be taken literally. WhatPromoting equality Deal with gender- investing in building a full executives or you took was a vow of limitless compassion.”through avoiding role assumptions, life as well startups Avalokiteshvara realized that and understood it.deemphasizing subtle professional Through that recognition, he became a thousandmotherhood and discrimination times more powerful. That’s why theemphasizing parenting, against mothers, It isn’t about solving the world’s problems. It’s iconographical image of Avalokiteshvara oftenvaluing homemakers and and ageism in about facing the world lovingly, finding unknown has twelve heads and a thousand arms. You see,caregivers, and technology careers depths of energy in yourself so that you can keep once you take the meaning of saving all theappreciating people who on going even if life challenges you. others literally, you lose the sacredness of it. Ifchoose not to have you’re able to seechildren Here’s something from people wiser than I am: that compassion applies to every situation, then The bodhisattva vows to save all sentient beings, compassion becomes limitless.Managing my finances get everyone to livemyself and resisting the below their means but that is not a goal in the relative sense. The … The path is what there is to work with, andpull towards consumerism and manage their bodhisattva realizes that what she is saying in that work is there eternally, because sentient accounts reasonably that vow is completely impractical. You can’t beings are numberless, and we have to work with really do it. them eternally. We see this from the mythical story of the greatMicrolending and Get people to self- bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. He had a literalencouraging start, or solve Trungpa, Gimian, and Kohn’s Work, Sex, Money: mind in the beginning. He took that vow, “Until Ientrepreneurship systemic biases Real Life on the Path of Mindfulness (p73-74) save all six realms of existence, I will not attain against the poor enlightenment.” He worked and he worked and Sometimes it feels like the world rolls backwards he worked to fulfill his vow. He helped beings, faster than we Sisyphi can push it up. That’sLiving as full a life as I can Deal with the and he thought he’d saved hundreds of millionswith W- occasional biases okay. We get better and better at making little of them. Then he turned around and saw that an differences. We get better at making bigger and against and the even greater number than he had saved were still certain challenges of bigger differences. There’s no game over. There’s suffering, and he had flickers of doubt at that a relationship with a no happily ever after. There’s just the constant point. work and growth of being human. large age gap At the beginning, when he took that vow, he had Sometimes I roll backwards faster than I canMaking the most of where Move back to the said, “If I have any doubts about my path, may push myself up. I forget something. I ignoreI am and helping other Philippines and my head split into a thousand pieces.” This vow someone’s needs. I make mistakes. But if I canpeople get started make a bigger came true at this time. His head began to fall keep focusing on small things I can do to move apart. He was in tremendous pain of confusion,

July 2011 – sachachua.com 207forward instead of trying to keep score over the It’s easy to reflect on this because J- provides Opera Company. Maybe it’s the memoriesentirety of things, then it’s easy to find the energy good contrast. She’s on her summer break. At 13 (the particularly awesome date with W-to start again. years old, she’s independent enough to choose that kicked all of this off). Maybe it’s her own activities, such as sketching at home or knowing that the singers are doing this onThe world also rolls forward, unexpectedly, walking over to friends’ houses. She’s top of their other lives.through no effort of our own. Keep an eye out for comfortable spending time on her own, but she  Movies: Hmm. I watch some movies inthose moments. The world is full of things that lights up when she hangs out with friends. Not a theatres because I want to vote for themaren’t right, but it’s also full of things that are. day goes by without a get-together. with my dollars or because I think the theatre experience will be worth it I remember being a bit like that: enjoying lunchThinking about activities to share with (usually great effects or decent 3D). with friends at school, inviting people to ourothers Watching a movie is a fairly passive sort house for snacks, suggesting things to do andhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22347 of experience, though. movies to watch. But I’m also really comfortableJuly 9, 2011 - by myself or with W- and J-, so it takes effort to  Movies at home: I much preferCategories: analysis, kaizen, life, list, reflection organize or go to get-togethers. watching movies at home, actually – a cat or two on my lap, subtitles, the ability toOver the past two weeks, I had been planning to Time to break out a tool that I sometimes use to pause it whenever, a comfortable couch,go see Hugh Jackman’s concert with some help J- think of ideas: the list. If I think about maybe laundry to fold… The library isfriends. Apparently, he can sing quite well. activities I can share with other people, then it awesome. might be easier to get out there and do it, and it  Exercise: Biking. Walking around. I’d beI found myself hesitating even as I juggled might make it easier for other people to share up for that, even if biking involvescoupon codes and RSVPs. With a week to go and activities with me. relatively little conversation unless there’sseats selling out, I ended up deciding not to go. I some sort of picnic.realized that I’d rather spend a quiet evening Some ideas:with W- or by myself than watch a concert.  Cooking: Definitely. I wish more of my  Concerts and symphony friends organized potlucks, or were up toOne of my friends really wanted to go. He asked performances: Probably not. They tend coming over for one. In the meantime, Ime if there was anything stopping W- from to be more expensive, too. host tea parties as an excuse to preparewatching with us. I replied that it wasn’t really interesting recipes. I enjoy the process of  Musicals: Very rarely. I enjoyed “EvilW-’s kind of thing. Come to think of it, concerts cooking, particularly when I’m sharing it Dead” and “Wicked” greatly, and sprung with other people, and I like sharing thearen’t particularly my kind of thing either. for the awesomest tickets I could get. results. Other musicals tend to be .That made me think about what activities I might  Writing/reading/drawing/sewing: Ishare with friends, and about introversion and  Opera: I like opera. Watching opera think it would be really cool to sharefriendship. makes the music come alive for me. I more of my learning activities with prefer community opera by the Toronto friends. I might be up for a book club, for Opera Repertory over the Canadian example. Or a writing group with

July 2011 – sachachua.com 208 exercises. Or drawing lessons. Or sewing o [X] Work on user registration and o Backed up my photos lessons, although I’m more keen on profile editing for project M Plans for next week writing, reading, and drawing. =) I’d o [X] Help team members on board much rather develop skills than consume for project M  Work experiences. o Also worked on project C – more o [ ] Project M: Tidy up userIt’s a little weird working on understanding this. small improvements registration, get clients to startJ- plans the other way around: she calls people testing o Got lots of stuff done for project Mand invites them to hang out, and then theyfigure out what to do. I feel the influence of my o Applied Drupal theme from o [ ] Project M: Implement moreintroversion here. I often prefer to spend time design company reportswriting (look! here I am) than hanging out.  Relationships  RelationshipsI suspect it’s good to put myself in the way of o [ ] Host get-togetherlearning from other people’s lives, though, o [/] Organize get-together?especially since many people share their lives in Tentatively planned for July 15 o [ ] Help mount new cabinetsconversation and not online. Maybe it’ll come in o Biked along Humber trail with o [ ] Work on inventory app fortime. (I’m starting to have parent-y Maira and Scott momconversations about summer enrichment!) o Helped J- with homework and summer planning  LifeWhat activities do you share with other people? o Started drawing exercises with W- o [ ] Do some more gardening and J-Weekly review: Two weeks ending July 9,2011 o Got back into Latin Monthly review: June 2011http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22348 o Answered blog questions http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22349July 10, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly o Hung out with in-laws and J-’s July 11, 2011 - Categories: review friends’ parentsAh, holiday weekends. Forgot to do my review June was a good month for health-relatedlast week. =) o Checked out Free Geek as a experiments. The community-supportedFrom the other week’s plans possible volunteer opportunity; agriculture box meant that we had lots looks interesting of vegetables in the house. I joined several long  Work bike rides, getting plenty of exercise. Sun + warm  Life weather = garden growing at full speed, although o [X] Visit client U to help with my lettuce has bolted. At work, I dived back into Drupal o [-] Sleep earlier: Ah, Portal Drupal development. I’ve been working from o Organized my files home almost all the time because I really like the

July 2011 – sachachua.com 209standing-desk set up I’ve got at home – our  Thinking about speaking topics  Cook Or Die Season II: Community-kitchen counter, which is conveniently close to Supported Agriculture  Switching back to Linux as mywater and snacks. Good things all around. development host  Kaizen in the little things: The way the door opensJuly is shaping up to be a great month too.  Drupal notes from helping a clientSummer’s heat means more ice cream and less improve her development environment  Make-ahead mealsbaking. I’m fascinated by the way my social  Context-switching and a four-project day  Getting the hang of community-interactions are shifting: I’m growing more and supported agriculturemore comfortable talking about grown-up things(what J-’s learning this summer; what W- and I  Gardening notes: Cut-and-come-againare working on), and I get together less Life lettucefrequently with my old circles. Work is chugging  An abundance of cilantro, now freezing inalong nicely. It’s a good month to practise  Writing your way past “What have I been cubes; strawberries and peasmanaging the pipeline of opportunities, too, so doing with my life?”  (500) days of saladthat I can move from one engagement to anotherwithout many hiccups. Onward and upward!  Learning from the speeches of grade  Strawberry rhubarb baking seven studentsBlog posts in June: Planning/review  Meaning and acknowledgementGeek/work   Plans for summer: Relationships, work,  Portal 2 and teachable moments in gardening, biking, drawing and  VMWare, Samba, Eclipse, and XDebug: argument photography, making, and finances Mixing a virtual Linux environment with a Microsoft Windows development  Portal 2  Monthly reviews: April and May 2011 environment  Weekly review: Week ending June 3, 2011 Health/garden/hobbies  Negative optimization  Weekly review: Week ending June 11,  Thinking about our development  Hungry hungry compost and other 2011 practices garden updates  Weekly review: Week ending June 18,  Drush, Simpletest, and continuous  It’s Bike Month in Toronto! 2011 integration for Drupal using Jenkins  Weekly review: Week ending June 25,  Bike ride in the rain (previously Hudson) 2011  Made a stuff sack for J-  Sketchnotes from Democamp Toronto 29,  Decision review: calendars, development, June 2011  Getting things ready for the next week: standing desks, toe shoes, Kindle, bike, cooking and gardening CSA, Autodesk Sketchbook, blogging  Managing configuration changes in Drupal  This is what my blog looks like on paper

July 2011 – sachachua.com 210  Decision review: Kitchen counter that when he craves steak, he goes out and buys bits and pieces, develop routines for filling up the computing (ad hoc standing desk) it. freezer with ready-to-go meals. In fact, the community-supported agriculture box is an  Personal projects I can always want different things, I said. If interesting experiment: it removes choice and  Mindful spending, experiments, and cherry tomatoes aren’t ripening in our garden or forces us to be even more creative. living in line with your values on sale at the supermarket, I can get regular tomatoes, or other fruits and vegetables. I So here it is, and I wait for the first proper cherry generally don’t crave things. It’s great to dig into tomato of the season. I can buy them any time IOn cherry tomatoes, frugality, and a freshly-baked pan of lasagna or munch a sweet want, but I find that I want other things insteadwanting strawberry, but I can eat whatever fits the season while waiting. =)http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22350 or circumstance.July 12, 2011 - Categories: life Moving to Canada from the Philippines helped Love, web development, and imaginary me learn that, actually. I missed mangoes and friends cantaloupes like I missed colours in the http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22351 desaturation of winter. No market here stocks July 13, 2011 - Categories: geek anything like my remembered summer treats: green mango shakes, ripe mangoes at There’s an interesting thing here I’d like to breakfast, melons scraped into strips and made explore: love and web development. (If only into juice. Now they are rare treats, something to because you’ll probably never see Joel look forward to on our infrequent trips back to Spolsky write about it from this perspective…) the Philippines. Not passion. Love. Instead, I’m learning to like what I can get. Strawberries, then cherries and blueberries, then Passion gets all the press. Web development has firmer fruits like peaches and apples. Sugar peas plenty of opportunities for clever hacks andWe spent Saturday afternoon hanging out with and cherry tomatoes when they’re fresh from the technical brilliance.W-’s brother and his family, as W- was helping garden, basil and dill likewise. Now thethem move the fridge. Over the post-fridge- blueberries at the front are starting to darken, This is a quieter thing. It has to do with why Imoving barbecue, his brother Morgan and I were and I can’t wait to see what they’ll be like. develop and where I find the energy.chatting about gardens. I confessed that I grew (Taking the risk that I might be convinced tocherry tomatoes because I can’t stand paying the never buy blueberries again…) On all the projects I’ve had the pleasure ofpremium for them at the supermarket. building with IBM, I’ve been able to build sites With practice, it becomes easier to follow the for friends. Well, not quite. Most of the time theyMorgan pointed out that we make enough for me seasons and sales. We find more recipes for don’t know they’re friends. There’s nothingto buy cherry tomatoes if I want them. He said making use of the kale and zucchini that show up stopping me from imagining they are. Sure, I’ll in our agriculture box, get better at using up the put my business hat on when negotiating

July 2011 – sachachua.com 211requirements, but when I’m in the groove of Maybe someday code will just be code, but I hope Another garden milestone: We’re growing anddevelopment, I build for specific people. not yet. The time is going to pass anyway, and enjoying our own blueberries. The nets were a the work will need to be done one way or great idea. I can see why the birds and squirrelsSometimes it’s frustrating. This week I worked another. It’s better for me to care than to not didn’t leave us any berries last year. Now I wantmy way through a twisty, tangled bug in an app care. to edge the backyard in blueberry bushes.I’m building for a local nonprofit. It was one ofthose embarrassing “I can’t believe I didn’t come I’m moving past the imposter syndrome – Blueberry blueberry blueberry.across this when I was testing it myself” bugs, hooray for experience – but there’s still “wish Itoo, of which I still have far too many. You know was even better than this; oh well, learning The cherry tomato plants are hitting their growththat feeling when you disappoint someone? It opportunity” to get through. Maybe sharing this spurt. I’ve got two that I bought, four that Isucks, even if they don’t know it. I’m getting will resonate with people, help you feel you’re not started, and three that just volunteered in thebetter at pushing aside the self-recrimination alone. When you look at code, do you see people garden. No flowers yet, but we’ll get thereand ignoring that feeling of being so limited, too? eventually.focusing instead on moving forward, holding onto this idea of friendly encouragement. One step Blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, basil, peas. Iat a time. I’m learning, too. The first blueberries from our garden wonder what other garden joys I’ll discover. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22352It’s hard to be patient. I want to get things to July 14, 2011 - Categories: garden, gardeningpeople quickly. Sometimes I miss things. I’m A zucchini a day keeps the vegetableworking on getting better at placing myself on drawer okaythe other side of the screen, seeing any rough http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22353edges, then coming back out and sanding those July 15, 2011 - Categories: cookingoff.When it rocks, though, it rocks. Then the work isalso a gift, a little change in someone’s life.Maybe even many people’s lives. I’m lookingforward to learning how to make it rock more.Another thing I’m learning: taking that energyand applying it to a team. I want them to doawesome. I want them to feel awesome doing it.I’m still learning a lot about planning andcoordinating, but hey, it’ll probably only get The blueberries are so shockingly flavourful thatbetter from here. I wonder what the local supermarket has been selling us all this time.

July 2011 – sachachua.com 212 The other day, I made zucchini fritters. Today I http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22354 decided to make zucchini pancakes. I mostly July 16, 2011 - Categories: baking, cooking followed the recipe, except for the following moments:  “Soy milk? I’m fine with dairy, so I’ll just use regular milk.”  “Ground flax seeds. Hmm, I can do that… <grind grind grind> ARGH, this is taking forever! I’ll just add some egg replacement powder.”  “Honey… Hey, that’s not vegan. Fortunately, we don’t have any dietary restrictions. I wonder if it works with crystallized honey…” Result: W- woke up to a yummy and fillingThis community-supported agriculture Cucumber sandwiches. Chocolate cake. Burgers. breakfast. He said, “Is it the weekend already?experiment has surprising benefits. I’ve eaten Poutine. Free-flowing conversations that bring Did I sleep all Friday?”more zucchini in the past week than I have in the out all sorts of awesome things I didn’t knowpreceding year. It’s the combination of: about my friends. Mmm. I like zucchini pancakes more than I like zucchini fritters. This zucchini brownie recipe I’m trying  loss aversion: powerful force in Cucumber sandwiches, roughly based on needs some work, though. It’s a bit dry and behavioural psychology this cooks.com recipe: crumbly. I hate to admit it, but I think it needs  lack of choice: commitment device; more zucchini. Then again, I didn’t quite follow the recipe for that one. The other two zucchini  Peel 2 medium-sized cucumbers (or 1 also makes surprising contributions to large cucumber) and remove the seeds. happiness – people feel unhappy when turned out to be cucumbers, so this batch has just one zucchini. I’ll try it again with the next Grate it. overloaded by choice; I know I sometimes blank at the supermarket, and my lists CSA batch. (Because there’s always more  Mix the cucumber with 1 tsp salt. Put it are sub-optimal because they focus only zucchini…) in a strainer, put the strainer in a bowl, on a small set of produce and keep it in the fridge for at least 1 Zucchini zucchini zucchini. Slowly getting the hour.  thousands of Internet pages dealing hang of this! with zucchini recipes: because lots of  Mix a softened 8-oz package of other people have been in the same boat cream cheese, 1/2 tsp Cake was not a lie

July 2011 – sachachua.com 213 Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 tsp order to teach kids about them. I helped out by garlic salt. riding a bicycle around the zoo to check on visitors, remniding them not to throw stones at  Stir cucumber into the cream cheese mix. the crocodiles just to see if they’re alive, or giving Spread on buttered bread. cookies wrapped in plastic to the giraffes.  Refrigerate until ready to serve. The volunteer group grew. We had bird showsThe chocolate cake was roughly based on and educational field trips. We were joined bythe Portal recipe, except I was out of whipped volunteers from the International School, internscream, so I didn’t do the white dollops with from La Salle and St. Scholastica, students fromcherries on top, or the candle. So it was really veterinary schools…more like Black Forest cake. One day, I noticed that the zoo keepers just threwI always stress out in the lead-up to these get- food into the enclosures for the animals to eat.togethers. Is the house reasonably clean? (“I Photo (c) 2010 John Chua – All rights reserved, “Instead of throwing the food and just doing yourpromise, this kitchen was clean-ish before I used with permission job, why don’t we all get to know the animalsstarted frosting this cake…”) But then people assigned to us, and learn more so that we cancome, and the conversation gets going, and it’s From my dad, John Chua: take better care of them?” I asked.awesome. A zoo-keeper replied, Sir. Madaling sabihinCatching a break before I clean up the kitchen. I am a photographer and I would rather have my iyan… Mahirap gawain. (Sir, that’s easy to say,Happy. photos speak for themselves, but I need to tell but hard to do.) Maali’s story. I looked straight into his eyes and said, “WatchAn elephant love story: Real stories of I don’t own the elephant. I came to know Maali me. I will show you how.” I don’t ask people to doManila Zoo in 2001, when my daughter Kathy volunteered at things I wouldn’t do also. I looked for animals Ihttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22355 the zoo. She loved animals and wanted to help. could learn how to take care of in order to showJuly 17, 2011 - Categories: life As a father supporting the dreams of his them that it could be done. daughter, I went to Manila Zoo and helpedI retell this story for my dad, whose stories about convince the Zoo director to have these young That crossed out several animals right away.Maali and the zoo are mostly on Facebook and people do their volunteer work. Crocodiles: not only do they not speak English,harder to get to for people who aren’t already one they eat them. Tigers: also out. Snakes: Slimyof his more than 4200 friends. I’ve edited it for The zoo volunteers gave talks to students on field and don’t show emotions? Molly, the giraffe: sheclarity and storytelling, but you can read the trips, cleaned enclosures([Editorial note: Kathy just gets the carrots and leaves me.original thread if you connect with him on Chua has some great stories about cleaning theFacebook. I’ve also added a few editorial notes. crocodile pens…]), and organized zoo outreach One day, when I was going around, I made programs that brought animals to schools in friends with the old zoo keeper for Maali, the

July 2011 – sachachua.com 214elephant. The zoo keeper told me lots of stories, didn’t like horses. She didn’t like the Selecta I thought of was to bring Maali’s zoo keeper,and I became fascinated. I began to visit her Jingle played by the ice cream cart. Trombones because he needed to learn more about elephantseveryday, just watching her. She was bored. She or bands made her poop. too. Of course, my wife was disappointed. Whywalked around, doing nothing. not her? But the zoo keeper declined, so my wife Together with my daughter Kathy, we developed and I went to Sri Lanka to visit the PinawalaI asked the zookeeper what Maali’s favorite fruit behavioral enrichment programs for Maali and Elephant Orphanage. That’s where Maali stayedwas. Mangoes, he said. the other animals. Kathy went to South Africa as for a while after being rescued from a pit, before part of Cathay Pacific’s youth programs, where she was given by the children of Sri Lanka to theThe next day, I brought a kilo of ripe mangoes. I she volunteered at Johannesburg Zoo and made children of Philippines. In Pinawala, we met thewent to Maali’s enclosure and gave them to her. friends with their behavioral enrichment mahoots and showed them pictures of Maali andThe mangoes were gone in 60 seconds – program specialists. She learned a lot and me. They recognized me as one of them, and weeverything including the seeds. planned all these programs for Maali. I got a pail became instant friends. We even found the and started splashing Maali with water. We mahoot who accompanied Maali when she cameThen I noticed that when I talked to her, her eyes brought in sand for her. We froze fruits in ice to Manila.looked at me so attentively. I knew she was blocks. We hid food in tires for her so that shelistening. could find the food in them. We spread the I felt sad for Maali. She was alone and in a small peanuts all over her enclosure. I’d bring coconuts space. I wanted to know more about Maali, andI looked forward to seeing her every time I went or watermelons, we’d play football, and Maali the old man shared his stories. Before Maalito the zoo – of course, with a kilo of mangoes would eat them afterwards. The main idea was to came to Manila, there was a bigger elephanteach time. Then I got smarter. To extend my get Maali to look for her food, work for her food. named Sheba. Sheba was a circus elephant whoconversation with her, I started slicing the This got her to be active. was sold to Manila Zoo after the circus wentmangoes into smaller pieces. I started helping bankrupt. Sheba didn’t like Maali, so they had tothe old man carry the grass and clean the poo. I One day, Kathy told me about an essay contest be separated. The zoo built a smaller enclosure inmade sure the old man was beside me whenever offered by Discovery Channel called “Postcard the elephant space. While one elephant walkedI was inside the enclosure. from the Wild.” The contest asked: In just fifty around, the other elephant had to be locked in words, write down why you want to go to Sri the enclosure to avoid fights. It must have been aI watched every elephant episode in Discovery Lanka. “Wouldn’t you like to go to Pinawala and traumatic experience for Maali.Channel and bought all the books on elephants see Maali’s cousins?” Kathy asked. Shethat I could find at the bookstores. I learned that volunteered to help me tell our story. On top of I’d been caring for Maali for several monthselephants need to drink at least 50 gallons of 8×10 picture of Maali and me, we wrote: “I want when the Singapore Zoo director came to visitwater every day. I learned they love cooling their to go to Sri Lanka to learn more about elephants Manila Zoo. He saw me inside the enclosure withbodies with water and using sand to keep insects so that I can make Maali’s life better.” Maali. He called the attention of the Manila Zooaway. I learned that they could sense your FEAR director and asked him to call me to the office.by smell. I began to learn what made her angry It won.or afraid. She didn’t like the low-frequency The Singapore Zoo director asked me why I wasmurmur of diesel engines idling. She hated red Discovery Channel called me to offer me a 10-day inside the enclosure. I said I was a zoo volunteer.trucks, like the one that delivered Coca-cola. She tour for two people. I was excited. The first thing He told the Manila Zoo director that I should be

July 2011 – sachachua.com 215forbidden to go inside the enclosure. If anything “Sir, John Chua, Sir. I take care of an elephant in disobeyed orders. They gave me the metal hookhappened, the zoo would be blamed. Manila Zoo.” that mahoots use to control the movement of elephants.I told the zoo director: “Sir, if I don’t do this, who “Good, I will teach you a couple of things aboutcan do it? Nobody. I am willing to sign a waiver, elephants,” Mr. Tan said. Every day for a week, I I learned so much from the trip and couldn’t waitbut let me continue my work.” took the 5am train to Singapore Zoo and to make Maali’s life better back home. I brought reported to Mr. Tan at 7am sharp. back photos of all the enclosures, and the use ofThe Singapore Zoo director was impressed with open space inspired Manila Zoo.my sincerity. He said, “Mr. Chua. In case you All the mahoots in Singapore talked to thevisit Singapore, please visit me in my office at elephants in Singhalese, the native language of When I saw Maali again, I took the metal hookSingapore Zoo and let me find out what I can do Sri Langka. They taught me the type of food and all the things I had learned from Singaporeto help you in learning more about elephants.” that’s best for elephants. They taught me how to Zoo. The first thing I did was to hook Maali’s leftHe handed me his calling card. read elephant body language – the movements of ear like the way the mahoots showed me. She ears, when elephants are faking a charge or doing followed, but I saw that she was hurting. ISeveral weeks later, I was in the director’s office it for real. stopped. I said to myself, “This is not the way toat Singapore Zoo. He introduced me to the head go, John. You are not a trainer. You are not goingof the department and the other staff, and he They introduced me to a baby elephant male. He to have a show. This is not a circus. You are notasked me to see the chief trainer, Mr. Tan, the was so adorable, I hugged him. A mahoot said, going to hurt Maali because you want her tonext morning. “Hug him while he is still young. He is a male follow you, John. You are not going to hurt elephant, and later, he will be dangerous. Better MAALI.”When I met him, Mr. Tan was giving a bath to an to have a female elephant than male.”elephant lying on the floor. “Are you the one I threw the hook away and hugged Maali. I said,from the Philippines?” he asked. During lunch breaks, I roamed around the night “No, Maali. You can have your way. I am not safari area on a bicycle. In broad daylight, it was going to hurt you.” So that was the end to my“Yes, sir,” I said. so different. I saw a big bull elephant taking his career of being the top-notch Elephant trainer. daily stroll with a huge log in his trunk and long Sometimes Maali listens to me, sometimes she“Can you put those gloves on and come and help chains attached to him. I asked the mahoots why. doesn’t, and it’s okay.me? This elephant is constipated. I want you to They said that male elephants are dangerous andput your hand inside the rectum and pull out all unpredictable. Carrying a log keeps the I was afraid to get close to Maali. I knew that if Ithe poop that you can find inside.” elephant’s mind busy. If the elephant goes was close to her, I’d begin to love her and care for berserk, the long chains can be thrown around her. I’d begin to feel how she feels. When she was“Yes… sir,” I said. trees to hold him. (Later that year, that bull young, she met her cousins and relatives in the elephant killed his mahoot in the frenzy of being Pinawala elephant orphanage. She would haveAfter half an hour of this, Mr. Tan said, “Good in heat.) remembered them. You know how elephantsjob. Come, let’s have a break for tea. What’s your remember. It must have been traumatic for hername?” The mahoots taught me the weak points where to be captured again. She must have been put in they hit elephants whenever the elephants a red diesel truck – that’s probably why she gets

July 2011 – sachachua.com 216so angry at red diesel trucks – as she was taken with it. I always lose, so I need to buy new animals they take care of. Ask the countlessto the seaport. shoelaces every time we play. people whose lives have been touched.I’m afraid for her every night. No matter how big I never wanted publicity for Maali and myself. I’m glad people care about causes. Here’s oneshe is, she’s too weak to defend herself against We enjoy life by ourselves. While I don’t own where you can make a real difference: not bypeople who can harm her: zoo visitors who throw Maali and Manila Zoo provides most of the zoo, I calling for Manila Zoo to be shut down, but byplastic bottles and aluminum cans into her do my share. I buy food for her. I provide a water volunteering and by being inspired. Youenclosures, disgruntled employees who might spray machine for her showers, and other can make a difference through such little things:take their revenge, people who might poison her necessary things. I never complain. Even in the picking up litter, giving talks, interacting withfor their own greed in order to get Manila Zoo middle of a typhoon, I am always there for her to animals and people. Find my dad onclosed ([Ed. note: Manila Zoo sits on 5.5 hectares make sure she is okay. This one is for Maali. Facebook and now on Twitter. Feel free toof great real estate in Manila]). I’m afraid reshare this and get the real stories out.organizations will just take advantage of her forpublicity. I’m afraid I might lose her. Piano lessonsI have many dreams. I have made so many Sacha here again. I tell this story because Manila http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22356dreams come true. I dream that someday there’ll Zoo has broken out into public consciousness July 18, 2011 - Categories: lifebe a place for Maali. Not Manila Zoo, but thanks to an earnest but misguided blog poststretches of open sugarcane fields. When I shoot that’s calling for the zoo to be shut down. The J- and I have signed up for half-hour pianoon location in places like Pampanga or Batangas, cybersphere is abuzz. There are rumours that the lessons on Thursdays. The lessons are well-I dream of Maali grazing among the sugarcane elephant only eats one loaf of bread a day, and priced and the studio is a short walk from theshe loves. I often pay the workers to load that the zoo keepers maltreat the animals. There house. She’s been teaching herself lots of music –sugarcane in my car so that I can bring the are organizations putting together an online Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Still Alive. Nosugarcane to her. She loves them. petition to shut down the zoo. You know how substitute for lessons, though, and it would be easy cyberadvocacy is. Just a few clicks and you good for her to develop her technique and getOur weather, the climate, the greenery, the can feel like you’ve made a difference. Strident better at playing both hands smoothly.hospitality of the people… this makes it the best blog posts are easy to retweet or reshare.place for Maali. Have you seen how the children Music is like math or programming or language:respond to Maali? I love each time I let the But the real story is deeper and more inspiring a game of practising seemingly disjointed pieceschildren help me feed Maali. Many elephant than any sensationalist blog post or picket line. that slowly come together into fluency. Shesanctuaries pale in comparison to what we have My family has so many stories about Manila Zoo practises on her own, running through thein our country. There’s one in Tennessee – but because of the way my sister and my dad have melodies of computer games and classical music.the climate is cold for an Asian elephant, the taken it into their hearts. Ask my dad about She’s starting to get those experiences of flow, Isurroundings are dry, and the elephants don’t Maali and children. Ask my sister about nursing think. Sometimes I take a break to help herinteract much with people. Have you seen how a sick pony throughout the nights. Ask the zoo through a difficult chord or play a sequence forMaali plays with my shoelaces? She can untie my keepers about the names and stories of the her, and then she’s off again.shoelaces with her trunk. We play tug-of-war

July 2011 – sachachua.com 217Maybe that’s one of the reasons why people “I can’t be stressed out. Stressing out gets in the Work is heating up and there’s lots of things toencourage kids to get into music – those early way of code,” I said. “I just have to knuckle down do in life as well. Reasonably fast and steady winsexperiences of being good at something, being and get through it.” the marathon!able to turn imagination into experience. Plans for last week I worked on user registration some more and gotMe, I wouldn’t mind brushing up on lessons and that sorted out. Then I took a nap. Naps become  Workgetting better at playing. I sometimes help J- even more important in crunch times. They helpwith the tougher parts of music, and I do enjoy me reset my mind and avoid negative o [/] Project M: Tidy up userbeing able to play some of my favourites. Looking productivity. registration, get clients to startforward to sharing stories! testing – sent stuff for feedback I worked on user profiles some more. Then I o [X] Project M: Implement more started writing this blog post. Writing is reportsDealing with web development and stress important to me. I can postpone reading books,http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22357 playing the piano, or responding to personal  RelationshipsJuly 19, 2011 - Categories: work mail. (I might be a little slow in responding; if so, you know why!) Writing is good, though. So is o [X] Host get-togetherSo you know the Drupal project I was happily spending time with W- and J-. o [X] Help mount new cabinetstoodling along on? I thought I’d been pretty up- It’s a good project, and I think we can make it all o [X] Work on inventory app forfront about what we could realistically do in the work – not by scrambling to work tons of mom – couldn’t show it to her thistimeframe, and the project manager was on the overtime, but by being very clear about what’s weekend; Patch(dog) passed awaysame page with me. Some wires must’ve beencrossed somewhere, because today I handled the needed for a minimum viable product. We’re o Posted my dad’s story about thestatus update with the client and we had one of going to focus on just the things needed to get elephantthose difficult resynchronization conversations. them off the ground, and we’ll see what else we can do from there. o Helped nudge onlineOh dear. It might be a bit of a scramble to solidify conversations about Manila Zoo tothe additional components in time for the be more constructivelaunch. Future projects: I should definitely be there for status updates. o Got through most of theThe clients asked if anything bad had happened. vegetables, yayNo, it was perfectly normal developmental We’ll get through this!progress based on the requirements we  Lifediscussed. It just took time. Weekly review: Week ending July 16, 2011 o [-] Do some more gardening –After the call, I had a quick chat with my http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22359 Basil still growing happily inmanager. I told him what was going on, and we July 20, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly starter box, thoughtalked about some other projects in the pipeline. Plans for next weekHe asked me if I was stressed out.

July 2011 – sachachua.com 218  Work 46ºC (114ºF). I look slightly enviously at the  We wear hats when walking temperatures in Manila, with forecast highs of around. It’s amazing what a difference a o [ ] Scramble to get Project M 32ºC (89ºF). Airconditioning keeps the house good hat can make: it keeps the sun off closer to launch: user registration, comfortable, but not cold. When J- comes in your eyes, prevents squinting, and cools session workflow from the outside, the heat almost visibly cascades you down a bit. I really like my Tilley hat. off her. It’s the same kind W- has.  Relationships o [ ] Start piano lessons with J- Here’s how we’re dealing with it: How are you holding up? o [ ] Book Philippine tickets  We minimize cooking: Summer salads, burgers, and leftovers make for Starting piano again  Life low-fuss and low-heat meals. Well, http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22364 o [ ] Put together piano pieces to burgers still call for lots of cooking, but at July 22, 2011 - Categories: learning learn least it’s outside, so we don’t have to waste any airconditioning energy on it. J- and I have started piano lessons at a nearby We sometimes plug the rice cooker into music school. The teacher evaluated her as GradeDealing with a heat wave in Toronto the outside socket, but I haven’t felt like 3-4, and has assigned her some pieces to workhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22362 making rice lately. (Gasp!) In lieu of rice, on. Me, I’m slowly working my way throughJuly 21, 2011 - Categories: life I’ve been toasting bread to go with eggs, Alfred’s Adult All-in-One Piano Course Level 2. cooking couscous as a quick-and-low- effort carb to go with sauteed kale and chard, and enjoying the vegetable experiments that W- makes out of cabbage, potatoes, and other leftovers.  We use fans to improve air circulation. The house’s air conditioning is fine, but it’s much improved with a few strategically placed I was nervous. It was hard to remember to hit the fans. The fans often make it perfectly keys and breathe. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of comfortable even without air both over time. conditioning. My homework: the first part of the overture from  We drink plenty of water. Well, I the opera “Raymond”. This is the part that drink plenty of water. W- has the sounds like this: occasional Coke as a summer treat. =)The weather forecast calls for highs of 37ºC Juice is my summer treat. … except I sound more like clompclompclomp-(99ºF), with the humidity making it feel like ”How do I get my right hand to play a slur while

July 2011 – sachachua.com 219my left hand is playing staccato!?”- down. There’s a blog post with outdated pictures, priced public animal-related education before I’dclompclompslurclomp-WHEEZE-”Right, must an online petition, and lots of tweets and posts be convinced that shutting down the zoo makesremember to breathe”-clompclompclomp- from people who get caught up in the cause. sense. Having met the zookeepers, I doubt the”Oops!”–clompclompclompclomp. first is possible. Being realistic about our I know what it’s like to feel outraged and to help chances, I doubt the second one is probable orWell, everyone’s gotta start somewhere. =) mobilize online opinion to beat down something. that it’s even significantly better than the In 2005, I spoke up about a search for role alternative of improving the current zoo. models for women in IT that shocked me with itsRhetoric and the Manila Zoo; reflections pageantry. With other people sharing their I’ve led a privileged life. We never had to worryon conversations and a request for insight thoughts, it steamrolled into enough of a public about having enough money for the zoo’s PHP 40http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22365 relations mess that sponsors pulled out and the entrance fee each. (That’s less than 1 USD.) I’veJuly 23, 2011 - Categories: manila-zoo contest was cancelled – regrettably not just for been to some amazing zoos. But I can appreciate philosophical reasons but also for safety, as some a zoo that public school kids can come to in orderUPDATE: So I decided to face fire with love. =) extremists had threatened to throw acid. I don’t to learn that elephants aren’t just illustrations inCheck out Friends of Manila Zoo and share your stand for that kind of violence, and I’m sorry it books and that snakes aren’t actually slimy. I canstories! came to that. appreciate having a place where families can spend a frugal afternoon. I am much more inOne of the best things I learned from “Thank You Older now (and wiser, I hope), I wish I’d been favor of helping the zoo instead of shutting itfor Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer more constructive than indignant. It can be more down.Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of tempting to bring something down than to makePersuasion” is this: it better, to resign something as being I care a lot about Manila Zoo. I’ve gotten to know unsalvageable than to find the seeds of it better than most people have because my dadThe basic difference between an argument and a improvement in it, to be swept by the flood of and my sister have spent so much time therefight: an argument, done skillfully, gets people to reactions than to channel it into irrigating the volunteering. I’ve fed bananas to Maali thewant to do what you want. You fight to win; you fields of possibilities. elephant. I’ve marvelled at the stories of my dadargue to achieve agreement. and my sister of the animals they got to know: So here is what I want to do about this outcry how Daktari the tiger would lick my sister’s hand,I’m thinking about this now as I try to find ways against Manila Zoo: I want to help shift the all raspy; how one crocodile rose up to blockto nudge the online conversation about Manila discussion from criticism to constructive action, another that had been thinking of attacking theZoo towards more of an argument that builds a and I want to help bring out the stories that flesh volunteers; and of course, all those touchingbetter world instead of a fight that pits out the picture of the amazing place it can be. moments between children and their parents asoversimplifications against defensive reactions. they discover the wonders of the zoo.It’s difficult, but I believe it’s worthwhile. Here I confess my bias: It would probably take intentional, systematic cruelty from Manila Zoo I’ve seen the zoo’s sad side, too. I cried when theHere’s the situation: People for the Ethical custodians or a wonderful and funded plan for giraffes Sally and Molly died, and even moreTreatment of Animals (PETA) and other both transitioning the current zoo inhabitants to when I heard why – thoughtless visitors feedingorganizations are trying to get Manila Zoo shut better sanctuaries and providing for reasonably- them junk or littering in their area. I’ve tried to

July 2011 – sachachua.com 220convince visitors to stop pestering the animals in perhaps sponsored by companies. It’s a So here’s where we are. On one hand, there’s anthe hope of seeing activity. (Please don’t throw behavioural change, and that’s what makes it online campaign to shut down Manila Zoo. It hasanything at the tiger; yes, he’s sleeping, but that’s difficult. Manila Zoo isn’t an island of trash in the a clear, visible focal point. It has sensationalisticbecause it’s hot – wouldn’t you prefer taking a middle of a pristine city; we’ve got a lot to headlines and pictures. I try to believe thatsiesta at this time too?) collectively learn about taking care of our people are more likely to be earnestly surroundings. It’s just that at the Zoo, there are misinformed rather than intentionally deceptive.I have to work on keeping cynicism from gaining real consequences to our misbehaviour, and it’s I heard a PETA volunteer claimed in a pressa foothold. Having heard of PETA’s militant not as easy to amass a private army of cleaners. I meeting that Maali was fed only one loaf of breaddemonstrations and practice of euthanasia while can understand the zookeepers’ reluctance to go a day. My dad pointed out that if Maali can eat allsimilar organizations manage to achieve high too often into the tiger’s den to clean up the those bananas and mangoes and coconuts, surelyadoption rates, I confess to being less than juiceboxes people throw. (I wouldn’t go in there she could afford more than one loaf of bread.thrilled with them. When people argue that even once.) Perhaps the emphasis had been on only oneManila Zoo’s 5.5 hectares should be put to better loaf instead of trying to imply that that was alluse and that the zoo should at least be moved far Now, about this teasing animals by throwing she ate; telling the literal truth while leavingaway from the city, I hear echoes of other stuff at them, and about the zoo animals being things wide open to convenientpeople’s concerns that these reactions are being slow and bored-looking… Even in the best zoos misinterpretation? Ah, rhetoric.fanned by some commercial developer who I’ve been to, many animals rest in mid-day heat.desires that land. I’m trying to focus instead on The lions don’t actually sleep tonight; they sleep On the other hand, there are volunteers – pastthe good things in this furor: that there are many in the afternoon, then hunt when it’s cool. That’s and future – who are helping make a difference,people who care, and that maybe this is an why Singapore has a Night Safari. When you go and all the children and other people who haveopportunity to help people turn that caring into to Manila Zoo, don’t expect to hear elephants been touched by this up-close-and-personalpositive action. trumpeting and tigers roaring. Let them sleep, experience with the zoo. I don’t have the skill to and admire them from a (very safe) distance. mobilize people in a show of support – whatIt’s easy to say, hard to do. Easy to fill out an And don’t poke the chimps, either, even if they’re would it be, the “Actually, the Zoo is Okay; Yes, Itonline petition, harder to actually visit the place doing things that may lead to awkward Could Be Better, and Here’s Where You Canand look for ways to make a difference. Easy to conversations about the birds and the bees later. Start” campaign?” – but my dad does. He used toblame other people or the government, harder to post a lot on the public forums ofsee how you can make things better. Yes, part of it is because the animals could use PinoyPhotography.org, but now he mostly posts more behavioral enrichment. The techniques for on Facebook, so I’m here to bridge the gap andHere’s what I argue: You can make a difference, that are known – help animals play more as part help get the word out. (My small contributionand it’s not that hard. I think the biggest of getting their food. It’s like putting Maali’s this week: sponsoring a Flickr Pro account for myproblems are that people litter and that people mangoes inside tires (being careful to retrieve the dad and nudging him to use it so that he cantease the animals by throwing stuff at them. The tire when she’s done playing with it) and freezing share more pictures. ;) ) And it’s awesome thatzoo has tried signs. Volunteers and zoo keepers the tiger’s food inside ice blocks (ooh, tiger other people are thinking of re-forming the zoohave tried picking up after other visitors. What popsicles). Many of these ideas are surprisingly volunteer group and helping make the zoo better.can we try next? Maybe emotionally intelligent inexpensive. Volunteer, and you might be able tosignage. Maybe more trashcans around the zoo, help make them happen.

July 2011 – sachachua.com 221The real story is much more inspiring. I don’t particularly with such good things waiting at thewant people to pick sides, I want people to make destinations. =)things happen: either an awesome plan for a zooalternative, or a better Manila Zoo. Public transit day I use public transit a lot. W- occasionally takes it, http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22369 too. The sooner J- can learn to independently useSo, how do we do this? We’re probably never July 24, 2011 - Categories: life public transit, the more she can explore and dogoing to be able to nudge the people who are on her own. Exciting times!firmly against zoos or Manila Zoo. It’s difficultfor people to change what they say once they’ve Photo (c) 2009 Danielle Scott, Creativetaken a hard line on it, and doubly difficult when Commons Attribution Copyleft Licensethere’s face involved. Ah well. How can we showthere’s value worth preserving in the Zoo, andnot everyone’s calling to have it shut down? How Weekly review: Week ending July 24, 2011can we refocus other conversations on how to go http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22371forward from here? July 25, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly It’s been a busy week, what with all the hubbub about Manila Zoo. My dad and my sister have been doing brilliantly back home, and I’m supporting the Zoo the main way I can: Today was a day for buses, subway rides, and lots by gathering and sharing stories. I think we’ve and lots of walking around. We’re helping J- turned the corner. There are still negative learn how to navigate the city and use public reactions, but the positive responses are gaining transit. It’s a very useful skill, and she’ll need it to critical mass. get to karate and piano lessons near our house when she’s staying with her mom. I tagged along Work is going well too. Also busy there, what with W- for the company. There were lots of with my main project getting closer to user things to do at home, but it was still a great use of testing and launch, and the other I need to scope. time – company makes time pass faster. I’m sure things will work out just fine. Plans for last weekPhoto (c) 2001 John Chua – All rights reserved – After J- successfully navigated to Value Village,Used with permission her music lessons, and the house of one of her  Work friends, we celebrated by getting her the MapArt(Papa, you should totally think about releasing Pocket Toronto Atlas and a pack of Post-It flags. o [X] Scramble to get Project Msome of your pictures under the Creative We also had ramen down at Kenzo near Dundas closer to launch: user registration,Commons license – maybe Attribution, Square – mm! I think J-’s getting the hang of it, session workflow: Lots of bugsSharealike, and/or Noncommercial…) fixed, good progress

July 2011 – sachachua.com 222 o Made some improvements for Cats in high places compartments with a canopy like that of a four- Project C http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22373 poster bed. I don’t know why it has a canopy. July 26, 2011 - Categories: cat Maybe the designer has a cat who also likes high  Relationships places. o [X] Start piano lessons with J- Some cats love high places. With a little planning, it’s easy to give kitty a great view. Here Speaking of cat hacks, this video from Japan o [X] Book Philippine tickets are Luke and Leia hanging out on top of the new Probe (via Cute Overload) makes me think about cabinets we installed in the kitchen: breaking out the LEGO Mindstorms kit we have. o Helped organize Friends of Manila Zoo website and social legocat jpnprobe by peakfloods media presence – I think we’ve turned the corner Our cats are sweet and amusing, and they make us laugh much more often than they mess up. =)  Life o [X] Put together piano pieces to learn Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto meetup: Conferences, pollution sensing, o Started learning from a more and growing old at home interesting Latin book http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22380 We’ve left enough space for them to stand up and o Did lots of gardening walk around on those cabinets. How did they get July 27, 2011 - up there? Easy. They jump on the chest freezer, Categories: quantified, sketches, sketchnotesPlans for next week then up and across a series of shelves, then down to the pantry, and then up to the cabinet. I’ll see 14 people at hacklab.to today for the Quantified  Work Self Toronto meetup: about posting a video sometime. It’s a system o [ ] Get Project M ready for user similar to this one. testing o [ ] Work on scoping project T There are a lot of pet-related furniture hacks. We haven’t done anything nearly as serious – mostly just ready-made parts arranged to let the cats  Relationships climb up and over our heads. Oh, except for the o [ ] Help people connect with each cat perch that we made using lumber, sisal rope, other regarding Manila Zoo and leftover carpet.  Life Even without any special arrangements, cats will often find some way to amuse themselves. One of o [ ] Practise piano our cats loves hanging out on top of our laundry sorter, which is a covered set of three

July 2011 – sachachua.com 223 Stuff I’m going to do before the next meeting (~6 switching to Dvorak and going through self- weeks?) paced training exercises. Since you can’t exactly re-layout a piano keyboard to rejig your mental  Get back into tracking time so that I can connections, there’s nothing to do but to unlearn check on hobbies and share what I’m those habits and then learn new ones. learning with other people I’m working on dynamics, tempo, and getting the  Track community-supported agriculture hang of thinking in these different keys. I play box in more detail, cross-reference with the piano like I program. I get carried away by groceries the fun and easy bits, and then I slow down for the parts I have to think about some more. One To find out about upcoming meetings, join of the tricks with piano is to slow down even for the Quantified Self Toronto meetup group! the parts that you’ve figured out so that you can play at a sustainable pace throughout. Hmm. Maybe that’s like life, too. Piano lesson week 2 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22381 Good mental exercise. Glad I’m doing it. Going July 28, 2011 - Categories: learning for lessons (actual paid-for lessons that take up a chunk of my day, with exercises and homework I’m starting to get the hang of the first part of the I’m accountable for!) looks like it’s helping. overture from “Raymond” and this bluesy sort of piece from Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano course. It’s a bit mind-boggling, trying to figure out how to Long weekend ahead play staccato with my right hand while playing http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22384 smooth, connected notes with my left. I find it July 29, 2011 - Categories: sketches, work helps to stop thinking about the music and start listening to it. Obvious, you might think, but I have to work on figuring it out. Or on not figuring it out, and going with the flow. J- is also learning how to play the piano. She’s starting in grade 1 so that she can practise reading the notes. J- plays the piano like I type QWERTY: untutored, we hit the keys with whichever finger is closest, which is fine for pecking things out, but which can be limiting. I fixed that on the computer keyboard by

July 2011 – sachachua.com 224 skills in estimating, working with clients, digging then. They just want us up and out of bed. So I into the possibilities of Drupal and Rails, and pick them up and cuddle them a bit, and then patiently sanding down the rough edges of the they go off to nap. websites I’m building, so I’m making good use of the time. One day, W- had an idea. We got revenge on the kitties by meowing at them while they were As it turns out, piano is like yoga for the mind. napping. The morning meows stopped for a Playing the scales is relaxing. You can tell when while. Now they’re back again. your mind drifts, because your fingers get tangled up or you hit the wrong note. I guess sometimes aloof kitties just want company. Building stuff is relaxing, too. I just have to dig deep enough into it to remember that feeling.The long-weekend fairy has snuck up on me Software and making potsagain. (Don’t you just love it when that http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22387happens?) I’m tempted to scramble because Mornings at our house July 31, 2011 - Categories: geek, sketches, workthere’s so much to do at work, but that’s when it http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22390becomes even more important to slow down. July 30, 2011 - Categories: cat, sketches This is what software feels like. It’s squishyI like web development and the ability to build and floppy, and it fallssomething that makes people’s lives better. I over from time to timeneed to figure out a way to reduce the stress of while you’re making it.having a high “bus factor” – the risk to a project It changes. And at theif someone gets hit by a bus (or wins the lottery, end of the day, we’din a more positive version). You might think really, really, reallythat’s a risk with rare consequences – after all, like it to hold water. OrI’ve gotten hit by a bus precisely zero times. marbles, or kittens, or whatever people want to(Ditto for the lottery, but that’s also because I put into it.don’t buy tickets.) A high bus factor means that iftwo or more projects go critical around the same I think I’m going to focus on slowing down andtime, things get tough. building things better. This idea of a minimally viable product fascinates me. What’s theI liked working in a larger development team, but essential part of a system? How can we make thatI haven’t been able to do that recently. I’m trying Neko and Leia have taken to meowing us awake solid before moving to everything else? Maketo prepare for the future by investing in training in the morning. When I stumble out of bed and sure the pot can hold water before you glaze it.other people, but people shuffle in and out of pour some cat food into their bowls, they sniff,teams, so it’s tough. But I’m picking up good eat a few pieces, then wander off. Not hungry,

July 2011 – sachachua.com 225There’s a teaching story I like about separating them into keep-donate-repurpose o Attended Quantified Self meetupthe importance of practice. Making lots of pots piles. We reorganized the salad fixings and thecan be an easier and more effective way to learn spices. We emptied the chest freezer and the  Lifethan trying to make a single perfect pot, as long fridge freezer, separating different kinds of itemsas you’re paying attention and learning from the using cloth and plastic bags: vegetables in the o [X] Practise piano – 30-60pots you make. Well, that’s how the story goes. In green bag, meat in the red, and so on. Then a big minutes dailyreal life, it’s more like “But I want to make sure batch of cooking: two roast chickens stuffed with o Got back into the swing ofthis pot holds water, and why aren’t the sides couscous for lunches throughout the next few drawing – sketchnotes, drawingstraight, and I thought I plugged that leak, ooh, weeks, stir-fried rice to use up leftovers. I’ll try for funhey, look, that part’s all pretty now, well, here scalloped potatoes and oatmeal cookies again Plans for next weekgoes…” sometime – more practice needed. Now we’re staying up late for baked beans, which will finish cooking at around 2.  WorkWeekly review: Week ending July 31, 2011 o [ ] Send mid-year update tohttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22391 Tired, but it’s a great sort of tired. managerJuly 31, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly Plans from last week o [ ] Work on Project M  Work issues/requestsI thought I’d feel guilty about being on holidaywhile other people on my team – clients and o [X] Get Project M ready for user  RelationshipsIBMers in the US – are working, but it’s been a testingweekend well spent, and the Civic Day holiday o [ ] Work on Latin – 30 minuteswill be a much-welcome transition period (plus a o [X] Work on scoping project T dailychance for more awesomeness). o Bounced around ideas for an IBM o [ ] Help J- with piano comicIn addition to taking care of our usual chores, wespent Saturday volunteering at Free Geek o Put together update for my  LifeToronto. The idea behind Free Geek Toronto is manager o [ ] Practise piano – 30 minutessimple: help people learn computer skills and dailyreduce electronic waste by refurbishing or  Relationshipsrecycling old computers, which can then be sold o [ ] Draw – also 30 minutes daily o [X] Help people connect with eachat a low cost or donated. They really need people o [ ] Track a complete week of time other regarding Manila Zooto teach classes on how to build computers, soW- and I will start a series of classes next week. o Volunteered with W- at Free Geek TorontoSunday was a kitchen sort of day. We took the o Worked on cleaning up kitchenpots and food containers out of the cabinets,

August 2011 – sachachua.com 226August 2011 Life as a 27 year old was mainly about Lots of preparations outside work as well. We’ve preparation. W- and I got married in October been tweaking our household routines – in a ceremony as small as we could get away with simplifying the kitchen, improving the entranceLooking back at life as a 27-year-old – just us, immediate family, and practically- flow, reorganizing the living room. We’ve addedhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22393 family friends. I’m glad we did. The paperwork more vegetables to our life thanks to aAugust 1, 2011 - Categories: review, yearly helps us make our long-term plans more solid, community-supported agriculture program with and it feels great to namedrop “my husband.” We the stereotypical abundance of zucchini. I’mI’ll be celebrating my 28th birthday this August. celebrated my middle sister’s wedding in May, getting better at gardening. We got moreHooray! too. I’m curious how married life will influence vegetables and fruits out of the garden this year, the way my sisters and I interact. although bitter melons were a non-starter. OhI spent part of the Civic Holiday reviewing my yes, this was the year we disassembled a washingblog posts and memories. It’s been a wonderful We learned a lot about communication machine and a dryer in order to get the 27”year. In August 2010, I wrote: while planning our wedding, mostly inspired machines down a 26” staircase. I hadn’t seen that by Jay Heinrich’s excellent book Thank You for coming at all, but it was a wonderful experience.What will life as a 27-year-old look like? I’m Arguing and our decision to keep both ourexcited about long-term growth: marriage, names. I’m sure those skills will come in handy Lots of reflection and analysis this year,work, friendships, interests. I’m looking forward in the future as well. We’ve also been developing too. With a few exceptions, I’ve been able toto small, constant improvements in the way our teaching skills while helping J- and her share at least one blog post a day for the pastwe live. I want to get even better at learning friends learn more about math and other year, and that’s been really helpful forand sharing. When I turn 28, I hope to be able subjects. It’s worth investing the time into reconstructing and remembering. The Quantifiedto look back and say that I: making things understandable and enjoyable. Self meetups in Toronto have been inspiring me to measure, analyze my decisions, and review  helped build an excellent foundation for a At work, I’ve been developing some very them afterwards. Printing out my blog and loving partnership useful skills: gathering requirements; scoping flipping through the stories has helped, too. It’s and estimating projects; working with Drupal, interesting reading things I’ve somewhat  made a difference at work and grew in my Ruby on Rails, and Websphere (not all together, forgotten writing. There are my reflections on career fortunately!); working with other companies and routinely waking up at 5 AM – did I, before? But  experimented with ways of living better teams. It’s been a bit more stressful because I’ve it sounds like me, so I must have. Perhaps I’ll try and shared my results taken on more responsibilities, but it’s good that again. preparation for many possible next steps:  shared lots of ideas, questions, and consulting and development in IBM, or perhaps I’m getting better at drawing. I’m starting to insights with people a startup if a business opportunity seizes my feel more comfortable playing with colors and  lived another year of an awesome life. imagination. The richness of my extracurricular sketching ideas, relying less on the ability to life means I’ve cut back a little on non-project nudge drawings into the right shape and more on… and looking back, I can say that and more. work – the presentations I used to do, the the ability to repeat sketches until they feel right. communities I used to help out with – but I’ve I take informal sketchnotes at the events I go to, still been able to help make many things happen.

August 2011 – sachachua.com 227and I’m starting to develop note-taking and Rhetoric and advocacy: the value of a difference between what she’s trying and how I’dpresentation workflows that fit me well. different approach do it. (When life gives you lemons, write a http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22394 reflective blog post about them!) If I were inI levelled up in terms of personal August 2, 2011 - Categories: argument, rhetoric Anna’s shoes and I wanted to nudge someone tofinance by opening a discount brokerage move towards a more plant-based diet, here’saccount and investing in index funds. The market UPDATE: Changed the title from “the value of what I would try.has been up, down, and sideways, but I’m going the right approach” to “the value of a differentto keep investing anyway. It’s reassuring to see approach” – thanks to Aaron for the nudge! —that nest egg grow, even though it grows slowly.While the returns are nowhere near the I was thinking about how to respond to this. I You can very rarely make someone dobreathless rates I read about in personal finance found myself wanting to share rhetoric tips, so something. If you want to influence someone’sbooks written before the financial crisis, they’re I’m posting this as a blog entry instead of a behaviour, you have a much better chance if youokay. Updating my books makes me feel a little comment. =) can inspire them rather than if you criticize themmore grown-up, even though I don’t go for or force them. Part of that is building a bridgeanything more complicated than passive growth. On my post about the Manila Zoo, Anna between the two of you so that the other person commented: “Don’t you love animals? Then why can understand and listen to you, and part of thatMy interests shifted, unsurprisingly. I are you eating them? What’s the difference is helping the other person imagine how muchhaven’t sewed as much as I thought I would; between the animal that you ‘love’ and the better their life would be with your proposal.other hobbies keep me busy. Working at home animal that is on your plate? If you really lovemeans I’ve been biking less than I used to. I them, you’ll stop having them for dinner.” I know that can sound frustrating andhaven’t fired up our woodworking tools even slow. There have been many times I wished Ionce this summer. But there are new and One of the benefits of learning about could just wave a magic wand (or write arenewed interests that fill my hours: writing, rhetoric and argument is being able to program!) to get people to change theirdrawing, piano, learning Latin with W- and recognize what’s going on. Here, Anna tries behaviour, understand a new concept, or stop e-delighting in unexpected discoveries. For to set up a dichotomy: either you love animals mailing huge files around. But in all the booksexample, I learned cras is Latin for tomorrow, and are vegan, or you eat animals and don’t love I’ve read and through all the coaching I’ve done, Iwhich made me think about the word them. Relying on such a premise weakens Anna’s keep coming back to these lessons again and“procrastinate” – ah, “for tomorrow”, doesn’t case. I don’t have to accept this premise, and I again: you can’t change people’s minds for them,that make perfect sense now… can see other choices. and influencing cooperation can be much easier than sparking conflict.I think the year ahead of me – life as a 28-year- This looks like an inarguableold – will be a year of slowing down, polishing, situation: she’s not going to convince me to So I would start by building commonand finishing. It will be interesting. Drawings, adopt a vegan diet through these words, and I’m ground, instead of approaching itlinks, and plans to follow. probably not going to convince her to be more antagonistically. This is a common mistake for precise and more compassionate in her rhetoric. radicals, influencers, and people carried away by But I’d like to explore this anyway, because their passions. Goodness knows I’ve got enough there’s something interesting here about the examples of doing this myself in the early years

August 2011 – sachachua.com 228of my blog. When you get stuck in an “us versus Depending on whether I thought it was friends, but it’s easier when I remember thethem” mindset, it becomes difficult to connect necessary, I might include some social troubles animals go through and the kind ofwith people in a compassionate, respectful proof or alternative reasons. For example, world I’d rather build for them. Have youmanner. Instead of trying to imply that the plant-based diets can be healthier and less thought about shifting to a mostly-vegetable,person I’m talking to hates animals or is expensive than diets with a lot of meat. They can vegetarian, or vegan diet, too? I’ve found that ithypocritical, I’d probably start off by highlighting have a smaller environmental footprint, too. It’s usually comes out cheaper than my old meals,things we have in common. Something like this: good to anticipate and acknowledge the and I feel healthier and more energetic too. Hope“I’m happy to see you love animals a lot.” This difficulties. Growing plants isn’t automatically to hear from you soon!”validates what the other person has said, affirms guilt-free: see the clearing of land to supportthem, and starts off on a positive note. commercial agriculture; the dangers of Your mileage may vary, of course. You might feel monoculture, fertilizers, and pesticides; the that this more compassionate I’m-on-your-sideThen I would use personal experiences as consequences of transportation. approach is too mild for you. I present it as ana bridge, showing people I’ve been where alternative, so it’s easier to see that not allthey are and they can relate to me. If you I’d end by showing my respect for people’s advocacy has to be confrontational.want to make it easier for people to see what you choices and finishing on a positivesee, you need to show them that you’ve stood note. This would be a good place to thank the —where they stand, acknowledging challenges person again and highlight common ground,along the way. That way, you can connect with remembering that the goal isn’t to score points, Having reframed the comment in a morepeople and help them be inspired. In this but to open up a possible conversation enriched positive tone, what would be my personalhypothetical argument, it might be something by personal experience. response to it? I’m aware of the arguments forlike “I love animals too, which is why I’ve been and against vegetarianism and vegan diets. I doshifting to an all-plant diet. It’s sometimes hard —- eat mostly vegetables, thanks in part to ato stick with it, particularly when I’m hanging out community-supported agriculture program thatwith friends, but it’s easier when I remember the So here’s what that might look like, if I keeps me busy figuring out what to do withtroubles animals go through and the kind of wanted to influence someone to eat more zucchini, in part to concern over what goes intoworld I’d rather build for them.” vegetables and fewer animals. the food that goes into us, and in part to a stubborn frugality that dislikes paying theI’d soften the call to action. People don’t like Before: “Don’t you love animals? Then why are premium for steak. I don’t think I’ll ever follow abeing manipulated by false dichotomies or you eating them? What’s the difference between strict vegetarian or vegan diet, though, because Ipreachy advice. I would probably explore the the animal that you ‘love’ and the animal that is don’t like inconveniencing friends and family, orwaters with a question like, “Have you thought on your plate? If you really love them, you’ll stop proselytizing at the kitchen table. I’ll follow myabout shifting to a vegetarian or vegan diet, too?” having them for dinner.” own decisions when it comes to food I canBy backing off a little, I acknowledge the other control, but I’ll try to go with the flow when itperson’s choices and reasons instead of trying to After: “I’m happy to see you love animals a lot. I comes to what people share with me. (I still optmake decisions for them. love animals too, which is why I’ve been shifting out of balut and other things that make my mind to an all-plant diet. It’s sometimes hard to stick boggle, although many people consider such with it, particularly when I’m hanging out with things delicacies.) So even this tweaked message

August 2011 – sachachua.com 229isn’t going to make my decisions for me, but it This is me drawing like the way Exploding Dogwill leave me with more respect than aversion to makes me feel.how people try to get their messages across.Parting thoughts: If you come to aconversation prepared for a fight, that’s whatyou’ll get. If you come to a conversation with loveand compassion, you’ll have more opportunitiesto learn and grow. It’s amazing how much of adifference your starting point can make. It takespractice to be able to consider differentapproaches and choose one that fits, and, ifnecessary, to translate what other people say intowhat they might have meant. Hope to help morepeople think about and consciously choose howto approach conversations! My goal is to grow down until I can draw like a five-year-old again, but with a twenty-seven- almost-eight-year-old’s ideas.Learning by imitation: getting inspired byExploding Doghttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22401 Drupal and JQuery 1.5: Fixing the JSONAugust 3, 2011 - Categories: sketches encoding of ampersands http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22402I like the way Exploding Dog has these colourful, August 4, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek, workcreative drawings. It is awesome. I’ve never seenanyone less afraid of saturated colours. Except Drupal 6′s drupal_json method encodesmaybe Hyperbole and a Half. And five-year-old ampersands incorrectly for JQuery 1.5, causingkids. the rather cryptic error:One of the things I tell people who want to write Uncaught Syntax error, unrecognized expression:is that it’s okay to start off being unoriginal. ...Imitation is a great way to learn. So I’m going totake that advice myself. I haven’t drawn enoughto discover my original voice. I won’t get there (If you’re lucky.)until I try lots of styles.

August 2011 – sachachua.com 230The way to fix this is to borrow the JSON- were really excited about images and video, and theAllow iframes thread in the HTMLPurifierhandling code from Drupal 7. Here’s something Drupal’s Media module wasn’t going to be quite forum, this is what I came up with:you might be able to use: enough. So I’ve been fighting with CKEditor,function yourmodule_json_encode($var) { IMCE, and HTML Purifier to figure out how to Step 1. Create a custom filter return str_replace(array(<, >, &), make it easier. I’m hoping that this will be like in htmlpurifier/library/myiframe.php.array(u003c, u003e, u0026), practically all my other Drupal posts and <?php} someone will comment with a much better way to do things right after I describe what I’ve done. // Iframe filter that does some primitive =) whitelisting in a// Fix Drupal JSON problems from // somewhat recognizable and tweakable wayhttp://witti.ws/blog/2011/03/14/jquery-15-json- class HTMLPurifier_Filter_MyIframe extendsparse-error First: images. There doesn’t seem to be a cleaner way than the “Browse server” – “Upload” HTMLPurifier_Filterfunction yourmodule_json($var) { { drupal_set_header(Content-Type: combination using CKEditor and IMCE. I tried using WYSIWYG, TinyMCE and IMCE. I tried public $name = MyIframe;text/javascript; charset=utf-8); public function preFilter($html, $config, if (isset($var)) { ImageBrowser, but I couldn’t get it to work. I tried FCKEditor, which looked promising, but I $context) { echo $html = preg_replace(/<iframe/i, <imgyourmodule_json_encode(json_encode($var)); got tangled in figuring out how to control other parts of it. I’m just going to leave it as CKEditor class="MyIframe", $html); } $html = preg_replace(#</iframe>#i, ,} and IMCE at the moment, and we can come back to that if it turns out to be higher priority than all $html); the other things I’m working on. This is almost return $html;Use yourmodule_json instead certainly my limitation rather than the packages’ }of drupal_json wherever applicable. limitations, but I don’t have the time to public function postFilter($html, $config, exhaustively tweak this until it’s right. Someday I $context) {Hat tip to Greg Payne (Witti) for pointing me in may finally learn how to make a CKEditor plugin, $post_regex = #<imgthe right direction! but it will not be in the final week of this Drupal class="MyIframe"([^>]+?)>#; project. return preg_replace_callback($post_regex,2011-08-04 Thu 14:01 array($this, postFilterCallback), $html); Next: HTMLPurifier and Youtube. You see, } Youtube switched to using IFRAMEs instead of protected functionDrupal, HTML Purifier, and embedding Flash embeds. Allowing IFRAMEs is like postFilterCallback($matches) {IFRAMES from YouTube allowing people to put arbitrary content on your // Whitelist the domains we likehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22404 webpage, because it is. The HTML Purifier folks $ok =August 5, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek, work seem firmly against it because it’s a bad idea, (preg_match(#src="http://www.youtube.com/# which it also is. But you’ve got to work around i, $matches[1]));I know, I know. I shouldn’t allow IFRAMEs at all. what you’ve got to workaround. Based on if ($ok) {But the client’s prospective users return <iframe . $matches[1] . ></iframe>;

August 2011 – sachachua.com 231 } else { Weekly review: Week ending August 5, o [X] Practise piano – 30 minutes return ; 2011; thoughts on discretionary time daily } http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22406 o [-] Draw – also 30 minutes daily – } August 6, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly not quite daily, but did pretty well} We had a four-day weekend: Civic Holiday on o [X] Track a complete week of timeStep 2. Include the filter Monday, then an IBM floater holiday on Tuesday o Drew colourful things! (to balance the holidays other provinces get). Itin HTMLPurifier_DefinitionCache_Drupa o Posted yearly updatel.php. I don’t know if this is the right place, but I was much appreciated.saw it briefly mentioned somewhere. Plans from last week Plans for next week// ... rest of file  Work  Workrequire_once myiframe.php; o [X] Send mid-year update to o [ ] Wrap up project M managerStep 3. Create the HTML Purifier config o [ ] Set up meeting for project Tfile. In this case, I was changing the config for o [X] Work on Project M issues/requests o [ ] Follow up with project O“Filtered HTML”, which had the input format IDof 1. I o Reviewed the estimates and o [ ] Figure out what next week willcopied config/sample.php toconfig/1.php and set scoping for project T look likethe following: o Had mid-year chat with manager,  Relationshipsfunction htmlpurifier_config_1($config) { learned about Maqetta $config->set(HTML.SafeObject, true); o [X] Volunteer to lead a build class $config->set(Output.FlashCompat, true); o Sketched another possibility for at Free Geek $config->set(URI.DisableExternalResources, an IBM comicfalse); o [ ] Hang out with W-’s family $config->set(Filter.Custom, array(new  RelationshipsHTMLPurifier_Filter_MyIframe()));  Life} o [/] Work on Latin – 30 minutes daily; three times this week! o [ ] Sketch yearly update o [X] Help J- with piano o [ ] Practise piano some moreNow I can switch to the source view in CKEditor,paste in my IFRAME code from Youtube, and o Posted more info o [ ] Decide whether to continueview the results. Mostly. I still need to track on http://friendsofmanilazoo.org piano lessonsdown why I sometimes need to refresh the page and Facebook page Time trackingin order to see it, but this is promising.  Life Activity Hours Notes2011-08-05 Fri 16:34

August 2011 – sachachua.com 232 This block of four hours sounds familiar. I’veActivity Hours Notes Activity Hours Notes come across it in other places, like in my post about how long it takes me to prepare aBreak 6.5 Tidying 8.6 presentation (and thus the interest in increasing ROI). I think I’ve written about it in the contextCooking 8.8 Big cooking batch this Work 24.2 4-day weekend, yay! of time-tracking and unstructured time activities, week too. Four hours is enough of a chunk for me to Writing 6.5 get into the zone on something.Drawing 4.8 Yay colours! Right now, I split that 4-hourEating 7.0 Nudged by Christopher Olah, I’ve resumed my discretionary time chunk into daily time tracking. This time around, I’m particularly activities instead of devoting each chunk interested in how much discretionary time I can to one activity. For example, I might use halfExercise 2.6 Biked to work work with. It’s a little like tracking your expenses an hour to an hour for piano practice, half hour so that you can see how much you can save and if for drawing, an hour for Latin, and the rest forGardening 1.2 Tidied up dried peas your expenses are in line with your priorities. writing and socializing. This doesn’t give me the benefits of a deep dive, but it does mean I canLatin 4.3 Plugging away at “Latin This week was unusual, thanks to a four-day space learning out a bit and give my brain time to Made Simple” weekend. Comparing it with the last time I integrate new information into long-term summarized my time use, though, I can see some memory. Practising piano for half an hour eachPiano 4.5 At least half an hour each similarities. I still sleep for about eight and a half day is much more useful than spending four day hours each day. I still work around 40 hours in a hours at the keyboard one day and neglecting it typical week (24 here, for a 3-day workweek) the rest of the week.Reading 1.6 Plus the books I’d read at whenever I can. If I look at the daily breakdowns, breakfast, etc. I can get a decent idea of what discretionary time I’ve tried it the other way, using chunks of looks like on a weekday, a weekend, or a holiday. time for focused activities. Sometimes it’sRoutines 8.8 I’ll need more data points, for sure, but I can also the only way to focus, like when I’m working on check my numbers against my old time records. open source. But skipping writing for too longShopping 11.0 Lots of shopping: replaced makes me antsy, and trying to write seven blog Based on my numbers, I have around 4 posts in one go makes me miss out on that our microwave and our hours of discretionary time each practise of daily reflection and improvement. I toaster oven workday. This doesn’t include the daily think I’ll take the gang-of-snails approach rather routines of cooking, eating, tidying up, and so on. than the hare’s relay: slow and steadySleep 60.8 Average of 8.7 hours a day This is just the time I can choose to spend on progress on my key priorities instead of writing, drawing, learning Latin, practising the focused sprints.Social 6.5 piano, reading, connecting with people, or following other interests.

August 2011 – sachachua.com 233Splitting my discretionary time up into different back to me: place the canning funnel; ladle the went more smoothly. If we had more produce –activities also means I tend to spend less time on jelly into the jar; leave some headroom, scooping and a long weekend ahead of us – I could seethings with higher startup costs, like sewing. jelly out if needed; pop the bubbles; wipe the rim how I might’ve kept on going.That’s okay. There’ll be time for that too, maybe and the jar threads; use the magnet to pick upwhen these other projects get wrapped up or and place a lid; tighten the ring, then loosen it For us, canning isn’t about the $1/lb differencewhen the need for it arises. Weekends are a good just a little bit. between on-sale jalapeños and regular jalapeñostime for focused chunks. We need to see how the (or other produce), the ability to enjoy the tastebuild classes we’ve started doing at Free Geek It was still hard to imagine that I’d once prepared of summer while snow buries the earth, or evenToronto will shift our weekend routines, though. 95 bottles of jam/jelly/syrup during last year’s traditional recipes handed down throughWe’ll see how the numbers go. epic Canada Day weekend jam-making session – generations. The first time I ever canned tokens for our wedding guests and gifts for other something was during our August 2009Related: occasions. We’d somehow managed to give away staycation, using recipes from the Internet, and I or finish all of our blueberry jam. I’ve been don’t actually tend to reach for jam or jelly when  More thoughts on time analysis: waiting for blueberries to go on sale, but we I have toast. correlations and revealed preferences haven’t seen prices like last year’s – maybe the yield hasn’t been as good this year. But jalapeño I sweat through the canning process for other peppers were back to their sale price, so we reasons: enjoying tastes that are difficult to findJalapeño jelly scooped up enough for a double recipe. at the local supermarket (such as apricot syruphttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22408 and jalapeño jelly), and making gifts instead ofAugust 7, 2011 - As I bottled more jelly, the motions began to feel giving things that people might be able to buyCategories: canning, cooking, life, recipe more familiar. I was happy to see the recipe was elsewhere. At the end of the day, I think it’s just the right volume for the seven bottles I’d worth it.I stirred the jalapeño jelly mixture as it boiled, sterilized. I lowered the jalapeño jelly into themock-grumbling about the heat and humidity. large canning pot filled with hot water, set the Jalapeño jelly adapted from What’s“Why do we do this again?” I asked. There wasn’t timer, and turned up the heat. Cooking America; we had an extra pepper,a heat wave, thank goodness, but the canning so I added a little more liquid pectin.process had already raised the temperature After fifteen minutes, I used the canning tongs to Processed in hot water for 15 minutes,inside the kitchen by three degrees Celsius. To pull out a jar. As the air inside the first jar cooled based on our old recipe.save electricity, we had turned airconditioning and contracted, the lid was sucked in by theoff while I worked in the kitchen. So it was just vacuum. It popped reassuringly, resulting in a Fills 7 – 8 500ml jars, depending on the sizes ofme, a fan, and three stove burners going at once: slight depression in the center of the lid. Each jar your peppersthe jelly mix, the canning water bath, and a small popped within a few seconds of removal from thepot to sterilize the lids. canner. With each pop, the heat seemed to  4 whole jalapeño peppers recede a bit further, replaced with memories of jalapeño spread on cream cheese and crackers. I  9 jalapeño peppers, seeds removedI lifted the Mason jars out of the large canningpot, where they had been simmering for the last moved the jars to the kitchen table and started  2 medium or 1 large bell pepper (thefifteen minutes. The routine was starting to come working on the second batch of seven jars. It recipe recommends non-green peppers,

August 2011 – sachachua.com 234 but we were fine with green as we had Pour into sterilized jars, then process in hot }; them around) water for 15 minutes.  1 1/2 cup white vinegar Drupal.jsAC.prototype.populatePopup = In retrospect, I think I added too much pectin, function () {  1/3 cup lemon juice (I squeezed them last because I didn’t do the ounce-to-milliliter check // Show popup week) with the original recipe. We’ll just have to see if if (this.popup) { it’s too solid or still somewhat spreadable. Meep! $(this.popup).remove();  6 cups white sugar Worst-case scenario, we’ll treat this as our stash }  170ml Certo liquid pectin (2 pouches or 1 and make another batch for gifts. Oh my, this.selected = false; box) – do not substitute powdered pectin whatever shall we do… this.popup = document.createElement(div);  green food colouring this.popup.id = autocomplete; this.popup.owner = this;Remove the stems from the peppers. Puree the Drupal: Overriding Drupal $(this.popup).css({whole jalapeño peppers in a blender. Add the autocompletion to pass more parameters marginTop: this.input.offsetHeight +px,peppers without the seeds, and chop them in the http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22409 width: (this.input.offsetWidth - 4) +px,blender. Add white vinegar and the bell peppers. August 8, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek display: none });Transfer the pepper mixture into a large non- Drupal autocompletion is easy – just $(this.input).before(this.popup);reactive pot over medium-high heat. Get it to a add #autocomplete_path to a Form API element,hard boil (lots of small bubbles), then continue set it to something that returns a JSON hash, and // Do searchboiling it for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. off you go. this.db.owner = this;Now is also a good time to start sterilizing your if (this.input.id == edit-your-search-field) {jars and lids in hot water, if you haven’t done so What if you want to pass form values into your this.db.customSearch(this.input.value);already. autocompletion function so that you can filter } else { results? this.db.search(this.input.value);Remove the pepper mixture from heat. Add the }sugar and the lemon juice. Stir thoroughly. Put Searching, I found some pages that suggested }the mixture back on medium-high heat, and changing the value in the hidden autocompletereturn to a hard boil. When it’s boiling again, add field so that it would go to a different URL. Drupal.behaviors.rebindAutocomplete =liquid pectin and green food colouring (I used 10 However, that probably doesn’t handle the function(context) {drops), return to a boil, and boil for a full minute. autocomplete cache. Here’s another way to do it: // Unbind the behaviors to prevent multiple(If you omit food colouring, the jelly may turn search handlersbrown.) Drupal.ACDB.prototype.customSearch = $("#edit-your-search- function (searchString) { field").unbind(keydown).unbind(keyup).unbinThe original recipe calls for straining the jelly, searchString = searchString + "/" + d(blur).removeClass(autocomplete-processed);but we skipped that step because we don’t mind $("#otherfield").val(); // Rebind autocompletion with the new codetexture. return this.search(searchString);

August 2011 – sachachua.com 235 Drupal.behaviors.autocomplete(context);  Worked on to playing staccato with one Options: hand and legato with the other – shifted} to listening to the music and imagining A. Finish this set of lessons, then switch to what I want it to be learning on my own. I can find Youtube videos of the pieces in my piano book, which willYou’ll need to use drupal_add_js to  Dealt with some more nervousness help me with timing. I may also try differentadd misc/autocomplete.js before you add the pieces. I might continue my experiment withJavascript file for your form. Costs: regular practice times and see how far that gets me.Hope this helps!  CAD 20-25 per 30-minute lesson  Time for actual session (30 minutes + 20 B. Give the lessons another month. Possibly2011-08-08 Mon 19:16 minutes of walking total) talk to the teacher to see if I can refocus the lesson on the parts that motivate me more.  Practice time (30-60 minutes each day, orDecision: Piano lessons? 3-6 hours) C. Shop around – try differenthttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22410 teachers. Can do this, but I’m less inclined toAugust 9, 2011 - Categories: analysis, decision Considerations: do so.My last piano lesson is on Thursday, so I’m  I’m only interested in playing casually, so D. Dial down piano and dial up a differentthinking about whether or not to sign up for I don’t mind not doing dynamics or a lot interest. Writing. Drawing. Latin. Volunteering.more lessons, take lessons elsewhere, or do of other things. I just want enough music There’s a lot I can do with time and a little moneysomething else. to relax my brain and nudge my set aside for learning. imagination.Benefits from the past three lessons: I’m leaning towards D with a touch of A, maybe  I might focus on learning chords and favourite songs instead. The things I’ve practising every other day and working on other  Motivated to practise daily because of been learning in class didn’t really get me interests the rest of the time. Blogging it here to accountability and because I was paying closer to playing Still Alive, but I can remember my reasons for decisions. =) for lessons learn that by patience and careful  Picked up new exercises (two-octave practice. 2011-08-09 Tue 20:25 scales, triads)  I’m actually not that keen on my goal to  Paid more attention to dynamics, timing, finish all the exercises in this piano book. Lessons learned from project M and staccato It would probably feel good, but I don’t http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22411 mind putting this on hold and focusing on August 10, 2011 -  Got through pieces at a faster rate than I other interests such as writing and might have on my own Categories: drupal, ibm, kaizen, review, work drawing

August 2011 – sachachua.com 236I’m wrapping up a Drupal 6 project which was I could draw on my experience from the first On future projects, I would love to get to thefunded by one of IBM’s corporate citizenship phase and our ongoing discussions about the point of having clients and testers create issuesgrants. The Snake Hill folks we’ve been working client’s goals for the project. That was fun. themselves. Wouldn’t that be nifty?with will continue working with the client untilthey’re ready to launch. For my part, I’ve been in I’ll be turning the project over to the other Git for version control: I’m so glad I used Gituser acceptance testing and development mode development company, and the client’s to manage and share source code betweenfor almost a month, rolling out new features, concerned about whether they’ll be able to pick multiple developers. The other developers werefixing bugs, and getting feedback. things up and run with it. I’ve tried to write down fairly new to Git, but they did okay, and I figured as many notes as I can, and I also invested time out how to clean up after one of the developersThe project manager has shuffled some hours in briefing the other developers on the overall wiped out a bit of code after some commitaround and made sure that I’ve got some goals as well as the specific work items. Hope confusion. Git stash and git branch were really“support” hours for follow-up questions after we that works out! helpful when I was trying lots of experimentalturn the project over. code.What worked well Externally-accessible issue tracking: In the previous phase of this project, issue tracking Developing with a non-default theme: WeHey, I can do this stuff after all! I gathered consisted of e-mailing spreadsheets around. It had a lot of development items to work on whilerequirements, estimated the effort, negotiated was painful. One of the first things I did when we the No.Inc creative team got their Drupal themethe scope, communicated with the clients and started this phase of development was to set up together. Once No.Inc sent the theme, I layered itother team members, and generally did other a Redmine issue tracker on the client’s server. on top of the site, fixed the usual problems, andtechnical-lead-ish stuff. I’ve done that on other After we gathered and prioritized requirements, I had even more fun working on a site that lookedprojects, but usually that was just me working by logged them as features in Redmine and split halfway done. Definitely recommend getting amyself and talking to clients. This one was more them up over the different phases. I reviewed our reliable theme in place sooner rather than later.complex. It was fun figuring out what would fit, list of outstanding work and filed them as bugs,how things were prioritized, whether or not we too. As feedback came in, I tracked bugs. I took Mentoring people: I helped a new developerwere on track, and how to make things happen. advantage of Redmine-Git integration and start to get the hang of Drupal. It was a slowI’d love to do it again. (And with the way the referred to issue numbers in my commit process (must raise estimates even more whenworld works, I will probably get an opportunity messages. When people e-mailed me their dealing with newbies), but I hope the investmentto do so shortly!) feedback or posted messages on Basecamp, I pays off. I wrote (and updated!) documentation. I created issues and added hyperlinks. identified small tasks that he could work on first.Understanding a project deeply: I was on I checked on him every so often. I successfullythe first phase of this project as well, and the Having an externally-accessible issue tracker resisted the urge to just do things myself. Slowlyexperience really helped. We didn’t have any helped me worry less about missing critical bugs. getting there…disruptions in technical leadership on our part, I also shared some reporting links with theunlike in the first phase. See, last year, the IBM clients and the project manager so that they Decision log: I used a wiki to keep track of thetechnical lead who had been talking to the client could track progress and review the priorities. design decisions I needed to make, theended up leaving the country, so we had to repeat alternatives I considered, and what I eventuallya few discussions about requirements. This time,

August 2011 – sachachua.com 237chose. That was helpful for me. I hope it will help things right. Juggling multiple browsers still Better vacation planning: I realized we had afuture developers, too. doesn’t make me happy, but maybe I can turn it 4-day weekend the week before we had it, and we into a game with myself. Selenium might be forgot about some people’s vacations too. Heh. ILinux VM on a Microsoft Windows host, useful here as well. should get better at looking at the entire projectXMing, and Plink: I’ve tried lots of different span and listing the gaps up front.configurations in the course of this project. Continuous integration: I set up Jenkins forDoing my development inside a virtual machine continuous integration testing, but it fell by the Earlier pipeline-building: I nudged somehas saved me so much time in terms of restoring wayside as I wasn’t keeping my tests up to date project opportunities about a month before ourfrom backup or being able to tweak my operating and I wanted more CPU/memory for projected end date, but that wasn’t long enoughenvironment. I started with a Linux VM on a development. I ran into a number of to deal with the paperwork lag. Oh well! NextWindows host, using Samba to access my files embarrassing bugs along the way, though, so it time, I’ll set aside some time each week to do thatand either Eclipse or Emacs to edit them. That might be worth developing stricter discipline kind of future pipeline-building, and I’ll setwas a bit slow. Then I shifted to a Linux VM on a around this. I’m still envious of one of the Drupal myself reminders for two months and a monthLinux host, SSHing to the VM and using Emacs projects I heard about in IBM, which got through before the project ends. Not a big problem.from the VM itself. That was great for being able UAT without identified defects thanks to lots ofto do Linux-y stuff transparently. But then I manual and automated testing. If I add more My manager’s been lining up other Drupal andfound myself wanting to be back on Microsoft power to my development machine or offload Rails projects for me to work on. LookingWindows so that I could use Autodesk testing to another machine, that might be a good forward to learning all sorts of lessons on thoseSketchbook Pro (Inkscape and MyPaint aren’t way to stick to this process. as well!quite as awesome). I ran XMing to create an Xserver in my Windows environment, Closer communication with clients and Other Drupal lessons learned:used plink to connect, and then started a external developers: We set up short dailygraphical Emacs running on my virtual machine. meetings for the developers, but sometimes  June 2009Tada! I could probably make this even better by people still felt a little lost or out of touch. On future projects, I’ll make sure the clients have it  April 2009upgrading to 64-bit Microsoft Windows, addingmore RAM, and upgrading to a bigger hard disk. on their calendar as an optional meeting, and  Lots of Drupal-related posts(Alternatively, I could host the VM somewhere maybe see about getting e-mail from people whoelse instead of on my laptop…) can’t join on the phone. If I’m the tech lead on a 2011-08-10 Wed 17:08What I’m going to work on improving next future project, I’ll sit in on all client status updatetime meetings, too. We found out about some miscommunications only when I handled one of Thinking about blogging and planningBetter browser testing, including cross- the status calls. Fortunately, it was early enough aheadbrowser: I’m getting slightly better at testing that we could squeeze in the critical functionality http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22412the actual site, motivating myself with (a) while reprioritizing the others. Tense moment, August 11, 2011 -interest in seeing my new code actually work, (b) though! Categories: blogging, planning, writingthe remembered embarrassment of gaping bugs,and (c) the idea of slowing down and getting

August 2011 – sachachua.com 238Most of my blog posts look back – lessons Thinking about what chunks of knowledge I’d Many writers have a snippets file, also known aslearned, moments experienced. Some of them like to learn and share will help me write more a morgue. This blog and the Org text files I keepare written about the present: making decisions, deliberately instead of writing about whatever for unfinished or private notes will probably befiguring out knotty problems. A few of my posts crosses my mind, although casual writing like quite a useful resource over the years, if I canlook towards the future: goals, things I’d like to that can also be helpful in patching together make sure the data doesn’t get trashed.learn. memories. I like the idea of a lifeline of books, gradually adding to an outline of knowledge I’d I’m curious about time, decisions, writing,Here’s a rough categorization of the blog posts like to pass on. An Org-mode outline, even, so I learning, and life. We’ll see how this works. =)from the past two months: can use it to organize my snippets. 2011-08-11 Thu 07:29 June 2011 July 2011 This kind of list will help me separate brainstorming from writing. If I can keep a list ofPast 33 20 ideas that inspire me, then I can write even Living an awesome life as a 27-year-old: a during the blah moments. It’s like the way that a year in blog postsPresent 1 7 brainstormed list of ideas for single-panel comics http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22413 has helped me put together three for IBM’s August 12, 2011 -Future 5 5 intranet. Categories: birthday, blogging, review, yearly It will also help me plan research or note-taking. Happy birthday to me! =) I’m celebrating myMost posts were written in response to things If I want to write about discretionary time, it’ll be 28th birthday today. Here’s the year in blog poststhat happened that week, often even that day. good to track how I spend my time and research (August 2010 – July how other people spend theirs. If I want to learn 2011): http://sachachua.com/notebook/fileA blog doesn’t always have to look back. I’d like more about happiness, I can supplement s/sacha-chua-27.pdf .to get better at writing ahead: picking topics I personal experience with research.want to learn about and writing about them. This Blogging as a 27-year-old: 391 published posts,is an odd sort of thing. I’m looking ahead to the Planning ahead will help me recognize things I 382 pages long, more than 190,000 words. Ifthings I want to reflect back on. They’ll still count should stash in my archives for later use. If I you’re curious, you can see what I was bloggingas “past” blog posts, except I’m planning them want to write about my experiences doing buy- as a 26-year-old and as a 25-year-old.for the future. and-hold index investing over 10 years, I can think about what I’d like to include in that 2017 The short version: my birthday wrap-up. It’sIt’ll be like an editorial calendar – a list of ideas post. I’d probably want to mention my first been a great year, and I’m looking forward toto work off, and thoughts about what kinds of investment here (1.116 shares of the TD Canadian learning and sharing even more!information to seek out or save, and a way to Index e-fund, each share priced at $22.4100 onplan upcoming posts. Something that gets me to December 4, 2007) for extra flavour. I may also Monthly chunks: August 2010, Septemberwrite more post series like the one I did on the want to write about any hiccups along the way, 2010, October 2010, November 2010, Decembervalue of blogging. like how I’m dealing with this current financial 2010, January 2011, February 2011, March slump. (Portfolio underwater? Buying more.) 2011, April 2011, May 2011, June 2011, July 2011

August 2011 – sachachua.com 239My birthday wish: tell me what your life was like o Got build process notes sorted o [ ] Write, write, writewhen you were 28 what you wish you knew when out, followed up with Free Geek Time analysisyou were 28, or what I can improve on to make Torontolife as a 28-year-old totally awesome. =) Younger This Last Deltthan I am? Tell me who you’re planning to grow  Life Activity wee wee Notes ainto when you’re 28! k k o [-] Sketch yearly update(Happy birthday to my parents, too. After all, o [X] Practise piano some more D – Break 0.7 6.5 -5.8they did all the hard work.) o [X] Decide whether to continue piano lessons: I’ll study on my D– 4.2 4.8 -0.6 own for a bit DrawingWeekly review: Week ending August 12,2011 o Ordered movie ticket couponshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22414 D– 1.2 -1.2 Plans for next week GardeningAugust 13, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly  Work D – Latin 1.4 4.3 -2.9 Less travelIt was a wonderful week. I talked to clients about time, sothe scope of a new project and wrapped up a o [ ] Tidy up project M some more less Latinproject with another set of clients. And it was my o [ ] Shepherd paperwork for review time28th birthday on Friday, too! Whee. =) project TFrom last week’s plans o [ ] Work on my project D – Piano 6.6 4.5 2.1 At least assessments half an  Work hour each o [X] Wrap up project M o [ ] Learn about Maqetta day o [X] Set up meeting for project T  Relationships D– 0.7 1.6 -0.9 o [X] Follow up with project O o [ ] Help with build session Reading o [X] Figure out what next week will o [ ] Share thoughts on blogging and look like D– 11.0 -11.0 Moved self-discovery Shopping time to (http://lotusblossoming.com/sac  Relationships socializing ha) – Aug 16 9PM EDT and o [X] Volunteer to lead a build class volunteerin at Free Geek  Life g instead o [X] Hang out with W-’s family o [ ] Sketch year in review

August 2011 – sachachua.com 240 Thanks to my time-tracking, I could tell her that I’m tired of this stereotyping of This Last Delt I actually do manage to get eight-and-a-half to accountants, lawyers, and other “left-Activity wee wee Notes a nine hours of sleep everyday, but that I don’t brain” types as uncreative. There are limits k k watch television. =) to how creative you want your accountant to be, of course – but creativity loves constraints, andD – Social 11.5 6.5 5.0 Back to regular programming. Last week’s even Picasso worked within the physical average of about 4 hours of discretionary time limitations of paint. Within the constraints ofD– 6.3 6.3 per workday held steady. I had about 9 hours of what’s legal, an accountant can help you findVolunteerin discretionary time each weekend day, which was unexpected savings and opportunities tog up from last week. We spent more time cleaning optimize your business. I think of my web last week, because we were reorganizing. This development as intensely creative. On one level, ID – Writing 8.1 6.5 1.6 week felt like more of a typical week. write code; on another, I build new ways for people to connect and work together. (This isR– 6.4 8.8 -2.4 Life is great. also why I’m careful about work, life, andCooking happiness: burnout is a common danger.) Reflections on creativity Stop drawing lines between “left brain stuff”R – Eating 4.9 7.0 -2.1 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22416 and “right brain stuff.” If you let yourself August 14, 2011 - Categories: life separate those two, you can make up all sorts ofR– 5.9 2.6 3.3 Biked to excuses. “My job isn’t really that creative.” “IExercise work Creativity is about making something can’t draw.” “Oh, this is just a hobby.” Creativity new. So why is it that when we talk about isn’t just about arts and crafts. It isn’t somethingR– 7.7 8.8 -1.1 that’s reserved for the gifted. It’s for everything creativity, we usually think about artists andRoutines and everyone. kindergarteners instead of our everyday lives? Why is it that when we’re asked for examples ofR – Sleep 60.9 60.8 0.1 how we’re creative, we reach for doodling and Profoundly “left-brain” stuff can be photography instead of spreadsheets or code? profoundly “right-brain” as well. TakeR – Tidying 2.5 8.6 -6.1 mathematics. Whether you’re looking at grade The truth is that we create. school kids learning how to do multiplication forWork 40.0 24.2 15.8 Back to Constantly. Every moment we make something the first time, the teachers teaching them, or regular new that has never existed before, and that academics chasing down elusive proofs, there’s a work would not exist without us. We can’t help but lot of room for creativity there. create. Even when we’re vegetating on the couch, we’re creating our lives. The “creativity” we Profoundly “right-brain” stuff can beI met some clients for the first time, and they recognize, I think, is a combination of the profoundly “left-brain” as well. Leonardomentioned that they read my blog. One client consciousness with which we create and the da Vinci’s art was informed by his knowledge oftold the other that it’s a wonder I got any sleep. ability to create something unexpected. anatomy and his attention to detail. Fugues and

August 2011 – sachachua.com 241minuets were composed with mathematics in challenges as well: the limitations of the world balancing it on top of volumes of Childcraft onmind. we work with, other people’s conflicting ideas top of a set of shelves. A step back: the and desires. automated production of this in some remoteYou don’t even have to have a white-collar factory’s assembly line; the robots that do thejob to find opportunities for creativity in Be kind to yourself. Remember that you’ve work, the people who invented them and theyour work. You just have to make things got to start from somewhere, and here is as good people who manage them today, thehappen. For example, no training manual a place as any to start. orchestration of all these processes on the factorycould’ve anticipated what this guy turned his job floor. Further back: the invention of mass-into: Obstacles and constraints help you production. Forward: Our cats’ discovery that the become stronger at creating. If everything top of the cabinet makes an excellent perch. IA janitor sweeping the floor at a nursing home came easy to you – if you could wave a wand to could play all day among the unfolding levels ofmight see her work as creating a neater and more make your imagination reality – how would you complexity of a cabinet.comfortable environment for people. A greeter grow? Challenges provoke you to figure thingsmight take the opportunity to experiment with out. Not that cabinets are the most specialconversation. How about you? things in the world – I chose a cabinet simply — because the word sprung to mind. If you want to,Don’t leave art to the artists. Create your life you can reflect on a single grain of salt (theand create a better world. We tend to stereotype creativity as arts crystalline structure, the discovery, the richness and crafts, and ignore the beauty in things like of human history, the influence on words like— mathematical proofs, code, and cabinets. “salary”, the logistics that brought that salt to you, the way it makes recipes sparkle, the scienceWe constantly create. The trick is directing Yes, cabinets. The IKEA cabinet in our kitchen, around it).our creativity towards the kind of things we want for example. Your ordinary, run-of-the-mill,to build. The playground bully is creative, too. mass-produced sort of furniture. There are If you start looking, you’ll find a world of probably hundreds of thousands like it in the wonders around you.If you don’t think of yourself as creative, try world. But there is so much creativity wrappedthinking of a time you thought about doing up in this simple thing. Design, of course – how —-something, making something, becoming to create something simple, utilitiarian, andsomeone, and you went ahead and did it. affordable. Something that can be flat-packed, Thanks to #kaizenblog for the nudge!Imagination becomes life. transported, and reassembled – and beyond that, the idea of flat-packing, the business innovationsCreating can be frustrating. We judge that led to this being here. Take another step Volunteer notes: Free Geek Torontoourselves harshly. We feel our limitations. I can back. Think about the logistics involved in http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22417draw, but I can’t draw well enough to get the obtaining wood and metal and shaping them into August 15, 2011 -ideas out of my head. I can write, but there’s still this cabinet. The invention of screws and Categories: freegeektoronto, geeksomething missing. I can code, but I occasionally brackets and drywall fasteners. A step closer: ourwrite embarrassing bugs. Then there are external own creativity in installing the heavy cabinet,

August 2011 – sachachua.com 242From Saturday: We’ve just come back from learning a lot by osmosis, too, and will probably the organization yet to be able to understand orvolunteering at Free Geek Toronto, where we’ve be writing more about hardware on this blog. nudge the dynamics. Sometime!been helping people refurbish donated PCs. It’s agood idea: help people develop computer skills Future build classes might have more people who What could wild success look like?while reducing waste. Unusable components are have little experience with computers. We needseparated and bundled for recycling. to make it easier for them to get started. Here are Build classes run regularly. They have clear some things we and other people can work on: goals: each student will successfully assemble aWorking with computer components as old as computer, practising troubleshooting skills alongthe ones they get there can be challenging.  Update the checklist so that it matches the way. They’ve got a checklist, a short summaryPeople need to identify and isolate problems, the new process. guide, and detailed step-by-step instructions, asreplace parts that don’t work, and set up Ubuntu well as a troubleshooting guide. There are a lot ofLinux.  Update the build process summary. parts, but some have been pre-tested. The class  Write a fleshed-out version of the guide also helps students get to know otherW- and I started volunteering there after J- did a with step-by-step instructions and basic experienced volunteers, so that people feelshort stint with them during her school’s troubleshooting. comfortable coming and volunteering on theircommunity volunteering week. Free Geek own. After the classes, the students feel confidentToronto needed a lot of help, so we wanted to see  Go through all the video cards to confirm about building computers with the help of otherwhat we could do to get them to the next level. which ones support Unity, Ubuntu’s new experienced people, and they come regularly.They hadn’t had build classes in a while, so we interface. The build class facilitators sign up in three-weekvolunteered to lead Saturday sessions. We’ve also  Sort the IDE cables so that people can chunks; they do it for fun and for good. Severalbeen working with other volunteers to document easily grab the one they need. people volunteer to run these ongoing buildthe process and make it easier for other people to sessions, and other experienced volunteers hangpick up. My goals for this part are to write things  Clear out old equipment so that there’s out to work on their own interests. less confusion and better equipmentdown, go through a couple of iterations of buildclasses, and encourage at least one other person turnover. Maybe we somehow track the progress of a box,to lead build classes, so that we can then free up  Clarify the workflow/next steps: how so we can contact volunteers when a box theythe time to work on other things. volunteers can qualify for the course, built has been sold or donated, and we tell them where to put work in progress or finished the story of the difference they helped make.The build sessions have been going well. It helps materials, what’s the next step after the Maybe this encourages them to come back andthat we have a mix of experience levels. Today, build class build another one. Maybe there’s some kind ofone of the volunteers worked on a computer with build volunteer tracking, so we can tell when achassis intrusion detection. A small switch  Possibly split the installation from the build box hasn’t been worked on for a while, anddetected when the cover was off and set a flag in building part, so that we can quickly get invite people back or release it for the next build computers up and running using images.CMOS, which caused the computer to halt while class.booting. He and another volunteer figured out The organization also needs to sort out waitlists Might be interesting. =)how to reset the alarm and how to disable it. I’m and communication, but that involves interpersonal stuff and we’re not deep enough in

August 2011 – sachachua.com 243You know what I’m curious about? Well, on one my technical notes, my decisions, my “here’s how Session follow-up #1: Discoveringlevel, there’s getting better at working with I’m trying to figure out life” confusions – could Yourself through Bloggingcomputers. And then there’s the really save me a lot of time. So now I want to help other http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22422fascinating level of tweaking an organization and people get over that hump, get out of that rut, get August 17, 2011 -its processes. We’ll see. =) I’m sure I’ll learn tons going. Get writing. Categories: blogging, presentation, speakingalong the way! Holly Tse will be interviewing me at 9 PM EDT I enjoyed chatting with Holly Tse about blogging today (Aug 16) on how blogging can help and how it can help you learn more about life,Discovering Yourself through Blogging you with your process of self-discovery. I connect with people, save time, and do(free teleconference Aug 16, 6 PM PDT, 9 don’t have sound-bites or snazzy “here, buy this awesome. For the next day or so (Aug 17),PM EDT, 9 AM Philippine time) e-book” self-promotions, I just want to help you can listen to a free recording of myhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22420 people figure out how to use blogging to learn interview withAugust 16, 2011 - more about life. It’s not just about personal Holly at http://instantteleseminar.com/?eCategories: blogging, life, sketches, writing branding, search engine optimization, or being ventid=21913131 . I’m working on putting cool. It’s useful for getting the hang of things, together a transcript and some follow-up notes, taking notes, and sharing them with others. but here are some quick thoughts. Want to pick up ideas or ask Blogging doesn’t have to be about building questions? You can listen for free on the web or a personal brand or improving your on the phone – sign up search engine ranking. You can write as a at http://lotusblossoming.com/sacha and the way to learn, understand, remember, share, and access details will be e-mailed to you. If you use save time. the web interface, you can ask your questions using the Q&A interface right there. Please post Trying to figure out how to write about questions as soon as you think of them. I’ll work something possibly sensitive or on following up with a more detailed as we figure offensive? Take a step back and try to take a things out together. Can’t make it? I’ll post notes really, really positive approach. Don’t focus on on my blog (of course!). You can subscribe to past hurts, focus on how to move forward. Don’t make sure you get it, or if you leave a comment focus on what other people are doing wrong, here, I can send it to you too. =) focus on what you can do and what you can change about yourself. Write through things in You might also be interested in other things I’ve your private notes if you need to, then see what written about blogging, including this seven-part insights and ideas you can share with others.I used to hate writing. I thought it was just series packed with thoughts and tips on the valueabout term papers and book reports. It took of blogging. Hope that helps! Where can you find the time toblogging for me to discover that I could write for write? Holly Tse mentioned spending most ofmyself, not just for teachers, and that writing – her time focused on her husband and their

August 2011 – sachachua.com 244toddler, organizing this telesummit, and taking Thinking my way through a tough MS SQL updates that had just newly replicated, andcare of other essentials. I mentioned that Server 2000 replication problem dashboards polling the two servers wouldmommy blogging (and parent blogging in general http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22424 eventually get out of sync. Both servers needed to– let’s not forget the blogs!) was popular for lots August 18, 2011 - Categories: geek, ibm, work support read/write operations. The systems don’tof reasons: grown-up connections, memories, have a static master-slave relationship. Eitherideas, sanity checks, and so on. I also shared Thinking through a particularly tough replication one of the two servers could become the primarysome time-saving tips, like cooking in larger problem at work. You see, I’ve been working on a server – the first server to receive updates –batches. =) dashboard for a small call center. Since they transparently, depending on the failovers. sometimes have really short calls, they’d like theYou might be boring. In fact, you almost display to be as close to real-time as possible. I’m modifying the script to check for oldercertainly will bore yourself from time to time. Cisco handles the calls and stores the updates. It’s a trade-off. A larger window meansWriting will feel awkward if you haven’t been information in either of two Microsoft SQL more transfer time, higher server load, possiblydoing it a lot, and even if you have, it can still be Server 2000 servers depending on the failover more delays. A smaller window could missfrustrating. Keep writing. Don’t worry about situation, which use merge replication to stay in updates. If I set the dashboard to check the lastbeing interesting. Don’t worry if no one reads sync. We have a custom script that takes the call 45 seconds, I get a delay of about 25 secondsyour notes. Write in order to think clearly, write information and adds it to our own database. from the time that a call shows up on ain order to remember, and write in order to Then the PHP dashboard I wrote uses JQuery to dashboard looking at the primary server and theshare. You can grow into a good writer, but only poll the server every 5 seconds and display time the call shows up on a dashboard looking atif you write. You don’t need to win the Pulitzer updates. the secondary server. I’m reasonably happy withPrize to write notes that can help you and other the code.people. Since our database wasn’t part of the standard configuration, I also set up SQL Server I also need to change the SQL ServerHow frequently should you write? As replication for it. I have little experience with configurations, so I’m waiting for a maintenancefrequently as you can or would like to. =) Don’t Microsoft SQL Server and I found it even more window and the go-ahead to do so. Anything Ibeat yourself up if you can’t post every day or you stressful trying to look up steps while people can learn or clarify before then will help me makeblog sporadically. That said, try using writing as were watching (ah, web conferences), so I heaved the most of the limited time (and reduce stress,a tool for thinking. Try asking yourself questions a huge sigh of relief when I saw a row replicate which is also important). Here are some things Ilike: What do I want to remember? What did I properly. need to properly figure out:learn today? What do I want to do bettertomorrow? What do I want to work on learning? I originally programmed the dashboards to check  What kind of replication should I set up –If you do that, you’ll probably find that there’s only for any updates since it last checked. It turns transactional or merge?a ton of stuff worth writing about. out that I need to account for late  How can I set up push-push replication synchronization, too. It seems to take about ten without looping?More thoughts to follow. Feel free to ask more seconds, maybe more, for the information toquestions! Leave a comment so that other people replicate from one server. This meant that if the  Is it realistic to try to push this faster thancan also share their thoughts with you, or use the dashboard on the second computer had already database replications every 10-25contact form to get in touch with me. Have fun! checked for updates, it would miss the older seconds? There aren’t a ton of updates –

August 2011 – sachachua.com 245 maybe 1 a second at the peak – but they You know how it’s a good learning experience to with changes in small chunks instead of having do want the databases to replicate as work outside your comfort zone? This is really far to troubleshoot everything at the same time. This frequently as possible. Continuous out of my comfort zone. I tried asking for a comes in really handy when you’re trying to replication should be immediate – you proper DBA. I didn’t get one. No amount of isolate a problem. If you can tell which change can even do two-phase commits to make searching and speed-reading is going to turn me broke your system, then you can review just sure things are always in step – but I into an experienced one, at least for this project. those changes and look for ways to fix them. don’t know if I’m doing this right. I really hate this feeling – wanting to do right by the client, but feeling the limitations of my For example, some views I’d created in Drupal 6Working with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, I wish experience, and worrying about messing things had mysteriously vanished from the webI had lot of these things I’m reading about, like up even more. interface. Fortunately, I’d exported them to codeMS SQL Server 2005′s Database Mirroring and using Features, so I knew I could get them back. IMS SQL Server 2008′s Configure Peer-to-Peer I’m going to see if another attempt to set up needed to find out which change removed themTopology Wizard. There are these instructions proper continuous push replication will do the so that I could make sure I didn’t accidentallyfor setting up nonpartitioned, bidirectional, trick. I’m also going to try e-mailing people to ask undo the other relevant changes.transactional replication, but I don’t know if for their help, and see if our resource deploymentthey’ll really get me to where I want to go, and managers know of anyone in between git bisect to the rescue! The idea behind gitthey look complicated. The stored procedures engagements who might be able to help. It’s a bisect is the same one behind the marvelouslook familiar, though, so maybe that’s how I got long shot, but if I take enough long shots, it efficiencies of binary search: test something inreplication working even though the config might work. the middle of what you’re looking at. If it’s good,doesn’t reflect it. take the later half and test the middle. If it’s bad, You know, this makes dealing with cross-browser take the earlier half and test the middle. It’s likeTheoretically, I should be able to just reach out issues look like fun. But it needs to be done, and what people do when guessing a number betweeninto this really big company of ours and find a there will be rare moments like this anyway, so I 1 and 100. It makes sense to start at 50 and ask:Microsoft SQL Server expert who can set this up might as well learn how to even more effectively is the number greater than 50? If it is, ask: is theproperly in all of five minutes, but it’s ask for help in the company. number greater than 75? And so on. Handy trick,complicated. Something’s changed, or maybe I except sometimes it can be difficult to add orhave. I’m letting the focus on utilization get to 2011-08-17 Wed 20:13 subtract in your head and figure out the nextme. I hate having to say no to other people number you should ask.because I’m supposed to focus on billable work,and I know it’s a hassle and a half to set up Git bisect and reversing a mistaken patch git bisect does that adding-up for you. You startproject codes for spot consulting, and I don’t feel http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22425 with git bisect start in the root of your sourcecomfortable putting other people in that August 19, 2011 - Categories: development, geek tree. You tell it if the current version isposition. Anyway, I’ve posted a question in a considered broken, using git bisect bad. You tellcommunity with 500 members, and I’ll try 2011/12/09: Updated links it the last known working version, with git bisectreaching out to one of the community SMEs good changeset-identifier. Then it takes thetomorrow. Using version control software such as git is like middle of that range. Test it to see whether it slicing the bread of programming. It lets you deal works, and type in git bisect good or git bisect

August 2011 – sachachua.com 246bad depending on what you get. It’ll present you I may have wasted hours of my life watching  Lifewith another changeset, and another, until it can cartoons as a kid, but if those memories now o [-] Sketch year in reviewidentify the first changeset that fails. If you can encourage me to get through all these pianoautomate the test, you can even use the git bisect pieces, maybe they weren’t such a waste after all. o [X] Write, write, writerun command to quickly identify the problem. =) Plans for next weekNow that you’ve identified the relevant Then there’s the link between Looney Tunes andchangeset, you can use git show changeset- opera… I wonder what surprising connections  Workidentifier to look at the changes. If you save it to these childhood pastimes will make? o [ ] Get started on project Ta file, you can edit the diff and then usethepatch command to reverse and apply the diff. o [ ] Learn about project OAlternatively, you can undo or tweak your Weekly review: Week ending August 19, o [ ] Follow up on project Ichanges by hand. 2011 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22428 o [ ] Draw more IBM comicsThe git bisect section in the free Git SCM August 21, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly o [ ] Learn about iRisebook has more information, as does the manualpage. Hope this helps! From last week’s plans  Relationships  Work o [ ] Electronics hacking, yay!Kids’ cartoons and learning piano o [X] Tidy up project M some more o [ ] Wrap up build class for Freehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22415 Geek Toronto o [X] Shepherd paperwork forAugust 20, 2011 - Categories: learning, life project T o [ ] Update build process and checklistOne of the reasons I signed up for piano lessons o [-] Work on my projectwas because I’d flipped through the Alfred Adult assessments o [ ] Cook a new recipe (VietnameseAll-in-One Piano Course Level 2 book and found bun with nuoc cham?) o [-] Learn about Maqettamyself skipping pasts songs I didn’t recognize. o [ ] Catch up on mailLight and Blue? Theme from Solace? La Raspa? o Drew more IBM comics and sentMexican Hat Dance? them in o [ ] Transcribe interviewI looked up Youtube videos of people playing. So,  Relationships  Lifethis mysterious La Raspa? o [X] Help with build session o [ ] Sleep at some pointAnd the Mexican Hat Dance? o [X] Share thoughts on blogging Time analysis and self-discoveryIs it just me, or were those in Looney Tunes or This Last (http://lotusblossoming.com/sac Activity Deltasomething similar? week week ha) – Aug 16 9PM EDT

August 2011 – sachachua.com 247 August 22, 2011 - This Last This LastActivity Delta Activity Delta Categories: analysis, decision, kaizen, speaking week week week week I like reading much more than I likeD – Break 2.4 0.7 1.7 R – Routines 7.9 7.7 0.2 listening to someone talk, and much, much more than listening to myselfD – Drawing 4.2 4.2 0.0 R – Sleep 53.9 60.9 -7.0 talk. Text can be quickly read and shared. Audio isn’t very searchable. Besides, I still need to workD – Gardening 0.2 0.2 R – Tidying 5.0 2.5 2.5 on breathing between sentences and avoiding the temptation to let a sentence run on and onD – Latin 0.5 1.4 -0.9 R – Travel 0.8 0.8 because another cool idea has occurred to me. Perhaps that’s what I’d focus on next, if I everD – Learning 1.1 1.1 Work 40.8 40.0 0.8 resume Toastmasters; my prepared speeches can be nice and tight, but my ad-libbed ones wander. More pausing needed.D – Other 4.9 4.9 I used 46.4 hours of discretionary time (up from 39.5 last week, probably freed up by less sleep) So. Transcription. I could do it myself. I typeD – Piano 2.6 6.6 -4.0 quickly. Unfortunately, I speak quite a bit faster this week, an average of 5.1 hours each weekday and 10.4 hours on weekends. Sleep dropped to than I type, so I usually need to slow it down toD – Reading 3.4 0.7 2.7 an average of 7.7 hours a day, but I still felt 50% and rewind happy and energetic. I think it’s partly the shift to occasionally. ExpressScribekeyboard shortcutsD – Shopping 1.1 1.1 the new curtains, which block out more light, and are handy. I’ve remapped rewind to Ctrl-H so partly the acceptance of a later schedule. Like that I don’t need to take my fingers off the homeD – Social 11.2 11.5 -0.3 work, sleep expands to fit available time. row. But there’s still the there’s the argh factor of Sleeping later (but not too late) might be okay, listening to myself. This is useful for remindingD– 8.0 6.3 1.7 although I’ll want to check for delayed effects me to breathe, yes, but it only takes five minutesVolunteering over the next few weeks. for me to get that point. ;) The other night, it took me an hour to get through fifteen minutes, which I decided to shift piano and Latin time to other is slower than I expected. An hour-long podcastD – Writing 6.6 8.1 -1.5 pursuits, carving out time to learn more about interview should take about four hours of work, electronics and work on projects at home. =) then.R – Cooking 4.7 6.4 -1.7 Whee! Looking forward to blogging about those. I could use transcription as an excuse toR – Eating 6.1 4.9 1.2 train Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11, the Thinking about outsourcing transcription dictation software I’d bought but for this veryR – Exercise 2.5 5.9 -3.4 or doing it myself purpose but haven’t used as much as I thought I http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22427 would. It recognizes many words, but I have a lot

August 2011 – sachachua.com 248of training to do before I get it up to speed, and I transcribe audio for CAD 1.39/minute, and they  Contractor: Can be around USD 30 perstill need to edit. This would be a time guarantee a 3-day turnaround (total for 1 hour: audio hour, depending on contractorinvestment for uncertain rewards. I still need to CAD 83.40). Production Transcripts chargestime how long it takes me to dictate and edit a USD 2.05/minute for phone interviews. I’m going to go with dictating into Dragonsegment. NaturallySpeaking because I need to train it I could hire a contractor through oDesk or before I can get a sense of how good it is. It takesFoot pedals would be neat, particularly if I similar services. One of the benefits of hiring advantage of something I already own and amcould reprogram them for other convenient someone is that he or she can become familiar underusing. Who knows, if I can get the hang ofshortcuts. Three-button pedals cost from $50- with my voice and way of speaking. Pricing is this, I might use it to control more functionality.$130, not including shipping. In addition to based on effort instead of a flat rate per audio We’ll see!using it to stop, play, and rewind recordings, I’d minute, and it can vary quite a bit. One of mylove to use it for scrolling webpages or pressing virtual assistants took 14 hours to transcribemodifier keys. I often work with two laptops, so three recordings that came to 162 minutes total. “Hello, Monday!” comic series launchedit’s tempting. (And then there’s the idea of At $5.56 per work hour, that came to $0.48 per on IBM intranet home page; now I’m alearning how to build my own human interface audio minute, or $28 per audio hour. oDesk comic artist!device using the Arduino… ) – UPDATE: I’ve contractors are usually okay with an as-needed http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22436built one using the Arduino! I can’t wait to try it basis, which is good because I’ve scaled down my August 22, 2011 - Categories: ibm, sketchesout. talks a lot. (I enjoy writing more!) If you’re an IBMer, you might have noticed thisIn terms of trading money for time, I’ve So here are the options: rather odd-looking Top Story on our intranetbeen thinking about trying Casting Words, homepage:which is an Amazon Mechanical Turk-based  Type it myself: 4 hours of discretionarybusiness that slices up submitted files into short timechunks. Freelancers work on transcribing thesechunks, which are then reassembled and edited.  Dictation: Unknown hours ofThe budget option costs USD 0.75 per audio discretionary time, possible trainingminute, which means an hour-long interview will improvements for Dragoncost about USD 45 to transcribe. That option NaturallySpeakingdoesn’t have a guaranteed turnaround, though,  Foot pedals: Probably down to 3.5 hours /so I could be waiting for weeks. In addition, I audio hour, but requires a little money;tend to talk quickly, so that might trigger a hackability“Difficult Audio” surcharge of another USD 0.75per minute, or about USD 90 per audio hour.  Casting Words: USD 90 per audio hour, unknown timeframeFor better quality at a higher price, I could  Transcript Divas: CAD 84 per audio hour,work with other transcription 3-day turnaroundcompanies. For example, Transcript Divas will It takes you to this:

August 2011 – sachachua.com 249 Glad to make people’s Mondays a little bit the switches. I’d forgotten to write down the brighter! labels from Active Surplus and the box had no information. No problem. I snipped the ends off the connector, stripped the wires, opened up the Built a USB foot pedal using the Arduino foot pedal, and started figuring out the circuit Uno with the help of the 7-segment LED from the lab http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22429 kit. August 23, 2011 - Categories: electronics, geek Programming the Arduino was (W- and I are planning to go to the hacklab.to straightforward. I’d already played around open house today. Hope to see folks there!) with debouncing buttons based on the sample code. I extended my code to debounce three This weekend was definitely an electronics buttons. I looked up Arduino USB keyboard hacking weekend. Whee! resources (http://hunt.net.nz/users/darran/),More than a hundred comments so far, and it’s reflashed the firmware on the USB chiponly noon! Looks like lots of people appreciate a It started when I found a three-way foot (atmega8u2), looked up the USB keycodes tobit of humour on Mondays. =) The w3 editorial pedal at Active Surplus for the grand total send, and wrote the code. I set it up so that leftteam planned this as a 3rd-Monday-of-theof CAD 7.50. It’s the kind of foot pedal sends PageUp, right sends PageDown, andmonth feature, so the next one will come out musicians use to control their equipment: metal, forward sends F13.on September 19. sturdy, and with an odd-shaped connector at the end. I’d been meaning to try foot switches as a To clean up the circuit further, W- and II like IBM, so these comics will be more about way to control my computer (handy for went to Active Surplus for the second time thatgently poking fun at our culture than about sharp transcription and for using multiple computers). weekend. I bought some headers so that I couldcynicism or Dilbert-like humour. Someone’s got I wanted to get into electronics, as W- enjoyed it solder the wires to them and slot them neatlyto be able to look at the bright side of corporate so much. I was curious about the Arduino. I into the Arduino Uno. I ran into people I know,life. =) figured that making my own foot pedal would and I found myself directing them towards the mean lots of learning, fun, and relationship- components they were looking for. I think weThis comic’s visual style was inspired building time. Who knows, I might even get a might be spending too much time at Activeby Exploding Dog, which I love for its use of productivity boost out of it. Surplus. ;) (But it’s fun!)colours and simple shapes. I drew it on a LenovoX61 tablet using Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. USB foot pedal, then! I used my Kindle to During the bike ride back, I was thinking look up which model of Arduino could be about how to make the foot pedal evenI’ve requested a whole bunch of books from the convinced to act as a USB keyboard. The Arduino more awesome. W- had suggestedlibrary and am making time for regular practice. Uno was the best bet, so I picked one up at differentiating between short and long presses,Looking forward to learning more about comics Creatron, and W- got one too. With foot pedal so I worked on that. I started getting confusedwhile squeezing this into the gaps of my day job and Arduino in hand, it was off to the house to with the different flags and variables I was using.(consulting and Drupal/Rails web development). see what I could make from it. First: figure out I redid it as a finite state machine, and that was

August 2011 – sachachua.com 250so much easier to write. (By golly, I did get to use people will point out lots of ways it can be The quick answer: Set up continuous mergethat after all.) improved. In the meantime, here’s a picture: replication, then set its polling interval to the number of seconds you’d like.So now I have a foot pedal that cost mearound CAD 36.50, plus the time I spent The slightly-more-detailed answer:learning how to make it. It doesn’t require adriver. It pretends to be a normal keyboard. 1. After you set up merge replication, findBecause I’m using function keys that don’t your agent in the replication monitorconflict with anything on my keyboard, I can use under “Merge Agents”.AutoHotkey to translate them to whatever Iwant: other keys, sequences of keys, commands, 2. Right-click on your agent andeven context-sensitive shortcuts. I don’t have to choose Agent properties.reflash my firmware to change my keyboard 3. Click on the Steps tab.settings – I just reload my AutoHotkey script. 4. Find the step named Run agent.It’s awesome. I’ve used it to flip through an e- Double-click on it to edit its properties.book while eating lunch. I’m looking forward to 5. Edit the command and add -using it while transcribing my presentations. I PollingInterval number-of-seconds (ex: -might remap it to other functions while drawing PollingInterval 1). You might also want toor programming. Left: Foot pedal (it can rock forward or to either minimize logging by adding - side), middle: really, really long USB printer HistoryVerboseLevel 0 and -One of the limitations is that the long cable (will replace with shorter one soon), right: OutputVerboseLevel 0 to improvepresses can trigger key repeats. This is Arduino Uno with the cable wired in and the performance. (More performance tips)handy if you’re mapping it to something like program loaded.down-arrow, but not so handy if you’re trying to Step by step:use it as a keyboard shortcut prefix. I’d like to I’m looking forward to catproofing it in my newfigure out how to control key repeat and key project box. Not that anything can really be Set up your tables for replication:delay on a per-keyboard basis. If I can’t, I might catproof in this house, but at least I can removeeither figure out how to selectively debounce the the temptation of wire strands and LEDs. Use Enterprise Manager to create the tableskeys in AutoHotkey, or have a toggle that you need on both servers, if they don’t alreadycontrols whether keys repeat. exist. How to set up more frequent mergeNot at all bad for a weekend hack and my replications in SQL Server 2000 Configure publishers and subscribers:first electronic creation! I’ll ask the Powers http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22426that Be at IBM for permission to release August 24, 2011 - Categories: geek, work 1. Right-click on Replication andschematics and code. (Ah, paperwork.) The choose Configure Publishing,circuit is basic (umm, switches), and I’m sure Subscribers, and Distribution.

August 2011 – sachachua.com 251 2. Click on Publishers. Select your server. minimize logging by adding - I knew I needed to figure out how much time it HistoryVerboseLevel 0 and - took for updates to propagate from one 3. Click on Databases. Check OutputVerboseLevel 0 to improve dashboard to another. I measured it with a the Merge checkbox for your database. performance. (More performance tips) stopwatch, listening for the audio alerts from my 4. Click on Subscribers. Select the other dashboard: updates took about 45 seconds, server. The backstory: which was too long. 5. Click on OK. What’s an open source web development geek When I read that continuous updates were like doing with Microsoft SQL Server 2000? It’s a scheduling the updates to run every minute (anCreate the publication: long story involving PHP, AJAX, a critical expected average of 30s for updates, then), I situation at work (previous developer left IBM almost gave up. It was still too long, and I didn’t 1. Right-click on Replication – without a good transition plan), and a contact know whether what I wanted was even possible Publications. Choose New center. I had fun building the dashboard that the with the version I had. Publication. client needed, but I sweated my way through 2. Follow the wizard to create a publication setting up the SQL Server 2000 replication Fortunately, I came across a brief mention of including the tables you want to replicate. because I was trying to piece it together from PollingInterval, which sounded promising. After disparate web pages, and I forgot to account for lots of sifting through search pages, I found 3. Right-click on the publication and delays in replication. Result: the dashboards on enough to work with. I combined thoughts from choose Push New Subscription. the different servers got out of sync. a forum thread about merge agents, a tip 4. Follow the wizard to create a subscription on changing your polling interval, for the second server. I found myself getting stressed out. I felt and transactional replication performance tuning inexperienced and frustrated, and I hated leaving tips.Change the polling interval: clients hanging. I felt overwhelmed by all the information available on the Net, but I couldn’t I tested it with a different database until I was 1. Click on Replication Monitor – find exactly the kind of information I was looking confident about the steps to take and the possible Agents – Merge Agents to view the list for. I felt confused by the options and the version results, and I reported the progress at our of replication agents. differences. So I did what I always do in difficult checkpoint call. Once the clients gave me the go situations: I wrote my way through it. ahead, it took me ten minutes to make the 2. Right-click on your agent and changes and maybe forty minutes of checking, choose Agent properties. Writing helped me organize my questions and double-checking, timing, and cleaning up. 3. Click on the Steps tab. thoughts. I needed to figure out what kind of Results: the new configuration reduced replication would fit our needs. Merge average wait times from 45 seconds down 4. Find the step named Run agent. replication made the most sense, because two- to 4.6s, with observed maximums of 6.7s and a Double-click on it to edit its properties. phase commits could be problematic in failover lucky minimum of 2.0s. Decently fast, 5. Edit the command and add - situations. considering the Javascript dashboard checked PollingInterval number-of-seconds (ex: - for updates every 5 seconds. I checked the PollingInterval 1). You might also want to

August 2011 – sachachua.com 252network usage, too. Latency looked stable, so the much deliberation, I’ve put in an order for a project. That’s okay. It’s good to spend timeserver wasn’t getting overloaded. Lenovo X220 tablet. I’m looking forward to preparing my tools. =) working with even more memory, as the X220It felt great to solve that, and on my own, too. has a maximum capacity of 8GB. I’m also looking Lessons learned (I hope):We’ll see if the problem stays solved, but it looks forward to a cooler-running laptop with longergood. battery life. This X61T can get quite hot!  Back up your backups, and double-check them. Don’t count on Windows correctly Now that I’ve reinstalled, I’ve finally followed copying the folders you thought youRe-setting up my computer that practice of backing up a clean system. That copied. Copy the backups to somewherehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22438 will make it easier to restore the system to a else, too.August 25, 2011 - Categories: geek clean state when I turn it over to J-. When I get the new laptop, I’ll create a system image for that  Blog things as soon as possible. The one too. Internet is a great way to back up(From Wednesday night): With dozens of tabs information.open in a browser, dozens of buffers open inEmacs, and a virtual machine or two running in So far, this fresh install of Windows 7 is doing  External hard disks can be faster thanthe background, I envied W’s setup downstairs: fine. My memory usage hovers around 3GB, network backups. Take advantage of the12 GB of memory for much awesomeness. My although I’m still seeing some paging. I’m space.installation of 32-bit Windows 7 could only use 3 looking forward to editing more photos, whichGB of the 4 GB I had available, and the memory had been frustrating because of all the Onward!limits were starting to get in my way. I could use application crashes. We’ll see how this works out.4 GB if I booted into Linux, but drawing meant I In a few weeks, things will get even better.preferred to keep Autodesk Sketchbook Pro Mailing non-Emacs users your Org noteshandy. Oops. Just noticed that I hadn’t correctly copied http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22421 my backup, so my clean-system backup August 26, 2011 - Categories: emacs, org, tipsI backed up my files and installed 64-bit overwrote it. Darn. Fortunately, I had a networkWindows 7. I had to restore my old setup in backup from 8/22. (I did? Neat. Yay backups.) Andras uses Emacs Org-mode to take notesorder to retrieve some information from it. It’s a large backup, so I’ll need to copy it from my during meetings, and wanted to know how toFortunately, the restore process was network server to my external hard drive, and share those notes (including tables) withstraightforward. Getting all the Thinkpad drivers then mount the virtual hard drive from there. colleagues afterwards. Here are some tips forworking again wasn’t, though. I’ve got the pen We’ll see how it works. If I don’t manage to sharing Org notes with non-Org people.working again, but there are still fiddly little bits recover, well, I’ll just have to rewrite my footI have to track down. Total time so far: about pedal program. (See, I was just about to post it, You can copy the information as plainfour hours spread over two evenings. but then I decided to reinstall first. D’oh.) text. If you don’t have too much Org markup, you can copy and paste the text into your mailI want to fix up my X61 so that the important All this tweaking means I haven’t spent time on message. To get tables and other segments to lineparts work again, but I don’t want to spend too other interests like building a web app for our up nicely, make sure you format the text with amuch time restoring my configuration. After daily activities or planning my next Arduino

August 2011 – sachachua.com 253monospace font such as Courier New or Lucida Code and circuit for a six-functionConsole. Arduino-based USB footswitch http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22449You can export the information to HTML August 27, 2011 -and then copy it into your message. Export Categories: arduino, code, electronics, geek, sketcthe entire file with M-x org-export or export a hesregion with M-x org-export-region-as-html. Saveit to a file, open that file in your browser, thencopy and paste the information. If you findyourself working with the same files often,consider using Org’s publishing support tosimplify the creation of related HTML files. All the characters areYou can also publish your notes on an male, but that’s not me,internal or external blog. I post many of my that’s the book. I’m stillnotes on my blog (including this one!) working on making stuffusing org2blog.el. If you publish your posts on a up in my head.blog, you can send people a link, update yourpost with new information, and share your post Getting there. I don’t have a “style” yet, butwith others. learning how to do different kinds of styles can’t hurt.Hope that helps! I do know I’m not a satirist. I’m not going to take corporate culture apart, like Scott Adams does inPractising drawing Dilbert does. I figure there are enough people inhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22445 the worldAugust 26, 2011 - Categories: sketches I’d been thinking about footswitches for a while, I want to learn how to draw so that I can explain but I held off on buying one because they wereI didn’t grow up drawing. Now’s as good a time things, like the way Larry Gonick did in the expensive. Turns out that building your own isas any to catch up. Here’s me working through Cartoon Guide to Statistics (there’s a whole easy, even for someone with limited electronicschapters 1 – 7 of “Drawing Cartoons & Comics series!), and how Scott McCloud explains things experience. I do have the unfair advantage offor Dummies” last night: in Understanding Comics and his other books. I having a spouse who’s an electrical engineer, but want to tell stories. I want to point out little I figured out this circuit and code by myself! things about life that make me go “Aww…” The hardware for this circuit is really simple. If Let’s see where it takes us! you’re lucky, you might find a three-way foot switch at your local audio-equipment-carrying

August 2011 – sachachua.com 254surplus shop. If not, you could make your own, #define KEY_F16 0x6B buf[1] = 0;but I haven’t tried doing that yet. =) #define KEY_F17 0x6C int debug = 0; #define KEY_F18 0x6D if (keyDown) {The fun part is in the code that makes this a six-function USB keyboard. The code below maps #define KEY_F1D 0x6E switch (currentSwitch) {left, center, and right short presses to F13, F14, #define KEY_PAGEUP 0x4b case SWITCH_LEFT: buf[2] = isShort ?and F15, while left, center, and right long presses #define KEY_PAGEDOWN 0x4e KEY_F13 : KEY_F16; break;send F16, F17, and F18. Here’s the code: case SWITCH_CENTER: buf[2] = isShort ? void setup() { KEY_F14 : KEY_F17; break;const int redPin = 9; pinMode(redPin, INPUT); digitalWrite(redPin, case SWITCH_RIGHT: buf[2] = isShort ?const int tanPin = 10; HIGH); KEY_F15 : KEY_F18; break;const int bluePin = 11; pinMode(tanPin, INPUT); digitalWrite(tanPin, }const int orangePin = 12; HIGH); if (debug) {const int debounceDelay = 150; pinMode(orangePin, INPUT); Serial.println(currentSwitch);const int longPressThreshold = 650; digitalWrite(orangePin, HIGH); Serial.println(((int) buf[2]) - KEY_F13); pinMode(bluePin, INPUT); Serial.println("Down");int currentState; digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH); Serial.println(isShort ? "Short" : "Long");int lastSwitch; Serial.begin(9600); }long lastDebounce; delay(200); } else {long lastPressed; lastSwitch = 0; buf[2] = 0;int lastSwitchDebounced; lastDebounce = millis(); if (debug) { Serial.println("Up"); currentState = 0; Serial.println(isShort ? "Short" : "Long"); }uint8_t buf[8] = { 0 }; /* Keyboard report } }buffer */ if (!debug) { Serial.write(buf, 8); } int getCurrentSwitch() { }#define SWITCH_NONE 0 if (!digitalRead(orangePin)) { return#define SWITCH_LEFT 1 SWITCH_LEFT; } void loop() {#define SWITCH_CENTER 2 if (!digitalRead(tanPin)) { return int currentSwitch = getCurrentSwitch();#define SWITCH_RIGHT 3 SWITCH_CENTER; } if (currentSwitch != lastSwitch) { if (!digitalRead(redPin)) { return lastDebounce = millis();#define STATE_WAITING 0 SWITCH_RIGHT; } }#define STATE_SHORT_PRESSED 1 return SWITCH_NONE; // Serial.println(currentSwitch);#define STATE_LONG_PRESSED 2 } // Debounce it if (millis() - lastDebounce > debounceDelay) {#define KEY_F13 0x68 void sendKey(int currentSwitch, boolean isShort, switch (currentState) {#define KEY_F14 0x69 boolean keyDown) { case STATE_WAITING:#define KEY_F15 0x6A buf[0] = 0; // No keys pressed yet

August 2011 – sachachua.com 255 if (currentSwitch != SWITCH_NONE) { } This is a great combination for, say, reading an e- lastPressed = millis(); } book while eating noodles. currentState = STATE_SHORT_PRESSED; lastSwitchDebounced = currentSwitch; } On Linux, you can use Xmodmap or XBindKeys } to remap your keys. For the lastSwitch = currentSwitch; break; Mac, KeyRemap4MacBook might work – haven’t case STATE_SHORT_PRESSED: } tried it, though. // Wait to see if this counts as a long press if (currentSwitch == SWITCH_NONE) { After you upload the code to the Arduino, you’ll Picture! // Send the keystroke also need to reflash the ATMega8U2 chip so that sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, true); it can act like a USB keyboard. This sounds scary, sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, false); but the instructions on the Arduino site can help currentState = STATE_WAITING; you. When you’ve gotten the hang of reflashing } else if (currentSwitch != lastSwitch) { the ATMega8U2 with the standard firmware, // Shouldnt happen, but just in case youre reflash it with the Arduino-keyboard-0.3.hexusing a different footpedal... (Uno) or Arduino-keyboard-0.3-mega2560.hex sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, true); (Mega) firmware from Arduino Hacking. After sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, false); you reflash, unplug, and re-plug your Arduino, it lastPressed = millis(); should now appear as a keyboard. If you made a } else if (millis() - lastPressed > mistake, don’t panic. Just reflash the standardlongPressThreshold) { firmware onto it, and you can upload new currentState = STATE_LONG_PRESSED; programs again. sendKey(lastSwitch, false, true); } The last step is to map the F13..F18 function keys break; to something useful on the computer. I do this in case STATE_LONG_PRESSED: software instead of hardcoding it into sendKey so // Wait for the transition that I can easily change the keycodes without Making a USB footswitch turned out to be an if (currentSwitch == SWITCH_NONE) { reflashing the device. I’m on Windows 7 for work easy and fun weekend Arduino project. Hope you currentState = STATE_WAITING; and other reasons, so I use AutoHotkey to map can build on this idea for more awesomeness! =) sendKey(lastSwitch, false, false); the keys. For example, the following AutoHotkey I’m looking forward to finding my next project } else if (currentSwitch != lastSwitch) { code maps left and right to Page Up and Page idea. Hmm… // Likewise, switching between inputs Down, and the center to Alt-Tab.shouldnt happen with this footpedal, F13::Send, {PgUp} // but just in case... Weekly review: Week ending August 27, F14::Send, !{Tab} sendKey(lastSwitch, false, false); 2011 F15::Send, {PgDn} currentState = STATE_SHORT_PRESSED; http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22451 lastPressed = millis(); August 28, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly

August 2011 – sachachua.com 256The week looked intimidating at the outset, but it o [X] Learn about project O – set up o [ ] Follow up on looking for anturned out to be quite reasonable when I got virtual machine for Rails on information architect for project Tthrough it. Lots of hacking! I blogged about how OpenSUSE o [ ] Follow up on code for project II made a six-function USB footswitch, and I o [X] Follow up on project I – fixedfigured out how to control a 16×2 character o [ ] Prepare technology selection bugsdisplay using the Arduino’s LiquidCrystal library. notes for project O o [X] Draw more IBM comicsOn the web development front at work, I’ve been  Relationships o [X] Learn about iRise – nifty forfixing bugs and working on projects. I’ve also prototyping, but expensive o [X] Figure out LCD characterstarted refreshing my Ruby on Rails skills bybuilding little things at home to make my life o Helped debug errors in project M displayeasier. For example, I moved my clothes-tracking o [X] Help J- learn how to programnotes from paper to a simple Web dashboard  Relationships the Arduinowith autocomplete. Tracking the clothes I wearcan help me figure out what kinds of clothes I o [X] Electronics hacking, yay! o [X] Reupholster chairswear more often, if there are infrequently-worn o [X] Wrap up build class for Free o [ ] Transcribe blogging interview,clothes I might phase out, how long it takes for Geek Toronto reallyclothes to cycle through, and so on. I’m working o [X] Update build process andon another small Ruby thing that analyzes my  Life checklisttime. Eventually, this will grow into some kind ofhome dashboard that W- and I can use to track o [-] Cook a new recipe (Vietnamese o [ ] Sketch year in reviewshared information such as library books, bun with nuoc cham?) o [ ] Continue working ongrocery lists, upcoming calendar events as well as dashboard o [X] Catch up on mailpersonal stuff like my time- and clothes-tracking.=) o [-] Transcribe interview – made o [ ] Try microphone as sound myself a foot pedal, though! sensorLots of drawing, too. “Hello, Monday!” launched o [ ] Prepare month in review withat IBM, and my next comic will come out mid-  Life statsSeptember. I’ve checked out a whole stack ofbooks on cartooning, and am slowly working my o [X] Sleep at some point Time analysisway through them. Learning lots! Plans for next week This LastFrom last week’s plans Delt Activity wee wee Notes a  Work k k  Work o [ ] Make more improvements for o [X] Get started on project T – lots project T D – Break 1.9 2.4 -1.1 of progress!

August 2011 – sachachua.com 257 (Update: Noticed some post-midnight This Last This Last Delt Delt timestamps weren’t being correctly exported, soActivity wee wee Notes Activity wee wee Notes a a I’ve updated the output.) k k k k Slightly more discretionary time compared to lastD– 10.0 4.2 5.8 Lots of D– 3.8 8.0 -4.2 Short gap week. Further shifted piano and Latin timeDrawing practice Volunteerin between towards drawing and learning about electronics. g build Shifted volunteering time towards those, too.D– 0.2 -0.2 classes Learned lots! Bedtime shifted quite a bit later,Gardening though. Should probably look into tapering off D – Writing 5.0 6.6 -1.6 electronics / web development late at night,D – Latin 0.5 -0.5 because it’s so tempting to stay up for just one R– 12.2 2.5 9.7 Lots of biking more tweak. For example, I’m writing this atD– 9.5 1.1 8.4 Electronics Exercise 12:59 AM. Bedtime!Learning ! R– 8.2 7.9 - Drupal debugging story: Rules defined inD – Other 4.8 4.9 -0.1 Also Routines 0.8 multiple Features electronics http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22446 ! R– 1.5 4.7 - Cooking 3.2 August 29, 2011 - Categories: drupal, geek, storyD– 3.9 3.9 RailsPersonal hacking Fatal error: Unsupported operand types in R – Eating 2.0 6.0 - …../patched/rules/rules/rules.module on line for home 4.0 dashboard 347 R– 3.7 5.0 -1.5 That was the error message Daniel sent me whenD – Piano 2.6 -2.6 Tidying he asked for my help in debugging. After some digging, I found out that the rules had beenD– 0.1 3.4 -3.3 R – Travel 0.8 - Yay working defined in two features, so Drupal got thoroughlyReading 0.8 from home confused. After I commented out one of the implementations of hook_rules_defaults andD– 1.1 -1.1 Sleep 53.5 53.9 1.4 7.6 hours a deleted the relevant rows from rules_rules in theShopping night, still okay database, the site worked again.D – Social 7.8 11.2 -3.4 Work 40.1 40.8 - Daniel wanted to know how I figured out that 0.7 problem, so here’s the story.

August 2011 – sachachua.com 258The line number told me the rules had been defined in more than one When you’re faced with a fatal error involvingthat rules_sort_children was having problems. I module, which had thoroughly confused Drupal. unsupported operand types, figure out what kindadded a var_dump to it so that I could find out of operands it expects and print out anythingwhat kind of unexpected data was causing the Because it made more sense to define the rules in that doesn’t match. Then you can start figuringerrors. our site_structure feature than in the other out the real problem, which is how that data gotif (!is_numeric($element[$key][#weight])) { feature, I uncommented in there in the first place. I’ve used this to find var_dump($key, $element[$key][#weight]); the site_sitestructure_rules_defaults definitions form elements that were mistakenly defined,} and left the other feature’s rules commented. array elements that were unexpectedly null, and That worked. so on. Don’t be afraid to add debugging code to core or contributed modules, particularly if youThe output showed that the regular rules were I tried restoring the rule customizations from the can use source code control to restore a cleanfine, but our custom rules weren’t – weight was database, but that gave the same error. The copy. If you use a runtime debugger like XDebug,an array instead of an integer. database copy had multiple definitions, and I you can easily explore the data and the call stack. didn’t feel up to picking my way through the data If not, there’s always var_dump.I looked at the difference between the features in or writing a Drush script to manipulate the rows.code and the features in the database. The rules I re-deleted the customizations to get a clean Hope that helps!were being duplicated. I tried updating the copy. Just in case the other feature had morefeatures to match the information in the recent definitions of the rules, I compared thedatabase, but the code looked wrong, so I two. Aside from the extra tag, they were Batch cookingused git to stash the changes. I also tried identical, so I didn’t need to copy any http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22452reverting the features, but that didn’t solve the information over. It meant that Daniel would August 30, 2011 - Categories: cooking, kaizenproblem either. Time to dig deeper. have to make his changes again, though. From Sunday night: Cooking large batches ofI backed up the database, then deleted our Features: When it’s good, it’s very very good. food can be tiring, but for us, it’s worth it. Today,custom rules from rules_rules. Still problematic. When it’s bad, it results in quirky bugs. Make W- and I baked two pans of lasagna, stuffed andI commented out the rule definitions in sure you don’t define your rulesets in multiple roasted two eggplants (eggplant and sausageour site_structure.features.inc. The rules features. Drupal Features still has some rough stuffing), four peppers (rice, tomato, and sausageadministration page now successfully displayed – spots when it comes to Rules. I remember when I stuffing), and two roast chickens (couscous andbut mysteriously, the rule definitions were still created this feature with the rules in it – it dried fruit stuffing). No special recipes – justavailable. created duplicate rules, so I needed to delete the notes from the Internet and from cookbooks. old ones. Still, it’s a great way to export rules andI looked at the rule tags to see where else they other configuration changes to code, even though Cooking roughly 48 servings of food and cleaningmight be defined, and found that another feature it takes some getting used to (and the occasional up along the way took a little less than five hours,had included the rules. Aha! I commented those bit of database-diving). with both of us working in the kitchen.out. As expected, the rules disappeared from the Ingredients came to about $2 per serving. Eatingadministration page. I’d identified the problem: Anyway, that’s the story of how I identified that out costs roughly $6.50-11/meal. $210-$430 issue and worked around it.

August 2011 – sachachua.com 259after-tax savings is pretty good for 10 hours of template. For variety, we’d add two Shake-n- 3-year-old kid draws? For reference, here areenjoyable work. Bake chickens and a large pot of curry. We’d some typical developmental probably need 18 additional cups of rice, and stages:http://www.learningdesign.com/PortfolioNow we’ve got a pot of baked beans in the oven. more food containers. It would probably take 2-3 /DrawDev/kiddrawing.htmlBecause the beans will take a few more hours to more hours; maybe just one additional hour if webake, W- and J- made brownies. The difference use pre-sectioned chicken thighs and drumsticks. You can probably draw at least as well as ain sizes between the small and extra-large eggs If our freezer restocking time coincides with a typical 3-year-old child. It’s not hard. A circle, aprompted a quick economics lesson on pricing sale on chicken, I think we’ll give it a try. few lines, and your imagination can fill in thestrategies. In the meantime, I’ve heated up some rest. That’s drawing. Drawing doesn’t have to bestrawberry-rhubarb tarts for a late-night snack. Hmm… amazing. You can start wherever you are. YouLife is good. can even get better if you want.We could scale up even more. If we Getting rid of the “I can’t draw”s When I feel stuck, I draw the most stereotypicallyconverted the raw ingredients in our freezer to http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22455 kid-like drawings I can think of in order to getcooked portions, bought more food containers, August 31, 2011 - Categories: drawing, sketches me past the “I can’t draw”s. I celebrate the factand planned the additional recipes, we could that I can draw something recognizable. Thisdouble our capacity easily, and maybe even reach In a comment, The Average Jane said that she makes me realize my challenge is more about “Iquadruple the capacity. The chest freezer can can’t draw to save her life. I want to say can’t draw as well as I’d like to.” That’shold around 60 square Rubbermaid TakeAlongs something about that, because I keep hearing manageable. That’s just about time and attentionwith some additional room for loose ingredients, self-put-downs like that from people. I realized and practice. It doesn’t matter if I have years ofand the fridge freezer can hold some more. The that I’ve got very few “I can’ts” in my life. Maybe catching up to do. I can draw, and I can getInternet has many sites dedicated to once-a- I can nudge people towards that kind of feeling, better. Differentiating between my “I can’t”smonth cooking and other batch cooking ideas, so too. helps me stay motivated.it’ll be easy to find recipe ideas to add to ourrepertoire. So. Drawing. Forget all the pretty pictures that Do you tell yourself that you can’t draw? What other people can make. happens if you tweak your expectations?What would doubling our output look Can you draw as well as alike? Let’s say we use today’s cooking as a

September 2011 – sachachua.com 260 Sacha Chua: Thank you very much! I’m looking actually a really, really useful tool to just practise forward to things we’ll find out in the writing and thinking about your life and figuringSeptember 2011 conversation, particularly as I’ve managed to things out. And not only is it helpful to do that convince you to get into blogging again! for yourself, but when you start sharing it with other people–and here’s the difference betweenTranscript: Blogging (Part 1): Blogging HT: Yes, it will be interesting to find out. I also having a journal and using a blog–when you startand introverts want to mention that Sacha invites everyone to sharing your stories with other people, you’d behttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22456 submit their questions live right now. If you’re on surprised at the kinds of insights that you getSeptember 1, 2011 - the webcast, you can type into the Q&A box, and from other people: the lessons they’ll share, theCategories: blogging, tips, writing if you’re on the phone… You have to press.. encouragement they’ll share, and also the ways that you get to help other people too.Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this SC: Oh, just use the webcast.interview! After I transcribed it, I realized we HT: So, can you give us examples, then, frommanaged to pack more than 9,000 words into HT: Yeah, probably the webcast is easier, yeah. your own life and your own blog, where bloggingone hour. So that I don’t overwhelm people, I’m has led to some unexpected benefits?going to split this up into 15 logical chunks to be SC: if you are listening to the recording, though,published every Thursday. At the end of the blog please feel free to drop by my blog. I’m at SC: One of my unexpected benefits from thisseries, I’ll put them all together in a text file and livinganawesomelife.com. That’s blog… A couple of years ago, I was in the habit ofa PDF that you can read easily, and I’ll add livinganawesomelife.com. If you ask your posting not just my thoughts, but also my to-doinsights you and other people might share along questions there, I’d be happy to help. list online. It got to the point where I was feelingthe way. =) Here’s the first chunk! a little bit embarrassed because there were HT: That’s Sacha. She’s so comfortable with certain things I knew I had been procrastinatingHolly Tse: All right, good evening, and welcome technology. You can ask and she can talk at for weeks, such as going to the bookstore andto the Lotus Blossoming Telesummit. My name is exactly the same time. That is awesome. So, buying this particular book that I’d heard aboutHolly Tse. I’m your host for tonight, and joining Sacha, I wanted to ask you–because you have a but hadn’t gotten around to reading. So I’d beenus this evening is Sacha Chua. Sacha Chua is a really fresh perspective on blogging–how would procrastinating it for a good long while, andGeneration Y tech evangelist, and she’s you define what a blog is and how does that differ finally, someone went and bought me the book.passionate about blogging, and she’s been from what the “experts” say? Those are the funny things that happen when youwriting her own blog since 2002. So, if you’ve share bits and pieces of your life online.been thinking about starting a blog, or you have a SC: Well, really, what a blog is, at its very core, isblog and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, or it’s just a list of entries that are ordered in But I’ve also come across situations where I’meven if you’re a seasoned blogger, you’ll enjoy chronological order. It’s usually the newest items writing about something I’m figuring out,Sacha’s enthusiasm and you’ll probably pick up first, and you go backwards from there. Now, whether it’s my decision to take piano lessons orsome great ideas tonight. So, welcome, Sacha, many people think, Oh, blog, that’s for self- to stop taking them, or things I’d like to learn, mythank you for joining us. promotion, personal branding, or search engine experiences with all these different hobbies and optimization, or all of these new buzzwords that interests like woodworking or sewing, or all these have sprung up around it. But you know, it’s things I’ve been trying in my life, right… and to

September 2011 – sachachua.com 261be able to use that to reach out to somebody I Yourself through Blogging page to make it I gave up on dictation (temporarily) and typedwould never have thought of e-mailing or finding easier for you to find them. the text into Emacs, using keyboard shortcuts toelsewhere on the Web, and then having a control rewind/stop/play in ExpressScribe.friendship grow out of that. So it’s been really, Notes on transcription with and without a Type Typing without a foot pedal,really helpful, particularly as I– hard to tell from foot pedal 50% speedmy voice, but–I feel rather introverted, especiallyaround crowds, so this is a great way for me to http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22474get the conversation going without actually Length 15 audio minutes September 2, 2011 -having to start conversations myself. Categories: analysis, decision, experiment, kaizen , review Duration 60 minutes of workHT: I have been reading your blog and you keepsaying you’re introverted, but… it doesn’t come I finally sat down and transcribed the interview Factor audio minutes x 4across in your blog that you are. on discovering yourself through blogging, where Holly Tse puts up with my firehose braindump of Characters 14137 (~ 2800 words @ 5SC: We often think that introverts have to be things I’ve learned. It’s an hour of audio, more characters/word)these people who find it really difficult to than 53,500 letters, and about 9,500 actualcommunicate, people who like spending time by words. The words per minute measurement uses Typing ~50wpm (90 wpm input, 56%themselves… Well, you know, we all find a standard of five characters per “word”. This WPM efficiency)different ways of dealing with things. My means I clocked in at more than 180 wpm.favourite way of spending my evening is stillstaying at home and maybe doing a lot of reading I like reading much more than I like listening, I took a second look at the outsourcedor writing. I find conferences and networking and a transcript makes it much easier for me to transcription options. CastingWords had raisedevents really intimidating. But on the other hand, search and review what I said. After considering prices since I last checked it. Now there wasn’twhen you talk about reaching people online, the options, I ended up transcribing the much of a gap between CastingWords andtalking to them, maybe even becoming friends interview myself. I even built my own foot pedal. TranscriptDivas, another transcription companywith people I’ve never really met or maybe I’ve ;) So, here’s what I’ve learned. I’d considered. With TranscriptDivas,only met once or twice… There’s nothing transcribing an hour of audio would have coststopping people from doing that, and in fact, it I started off by trying to use ExpressScribe and around CAD 83 + tax, but I’d get it in three days.actually really helps, because then you’re not Dragon NaturallySpeaking for automaticalways trying to make small talk about the same transcription. It looks like I’ll need to do a lot of Type Transcription companytopics. You can actually get to really deep training to get this ready for transcription. Theconversations that have built on other fully-automated transcript was useless. I tried Cost CAD 83 + tax = ~CAD 95 / audio hourconversations. slowing down the recording down and speaking it into Dragon NaturallySpeaking (somewhat likeTune in next Thursday for the next part in this simultaneous translation?). This was marginally Before I signed up for the service, though, Iseries! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering better, but still required a lot of editing. thought I’d give transcription another try –

September 2011 – sachachua.com 262particularly as I was curious about my DIY foot Assuming sending it out to a transcription and delegation is taking that to a different level.pedal. company would have cost CAD 95/audio hour At its best, delegation will even let me “program” and transcribing the entire thing myself would things that I don’t know how to do. It’s like beingI told myself I’d do another 15 audio minutes so have taken 3 hours (including breaks), doing it able to write a routinethat I could see what it’s like to transcribe with myself results in a decent CAD 30/work hour of like doSomethingAwesome() and take advantagemy foot pedal. I ended up doing the whole thing. after-tax savings. Not bad, even though doing it of other people’s proprietary microcode!I used ExpressScribe to play back the audio at myself meant I procrastinated it for two weeks. It50% speed, and I set the following global might be cheaper if I hire a transcriptionist I’m going to ease up a little on long-termshortcuts for my foot pedal: center-press was through oDesk or similar services. With a investments and carvie out a chunk of my budgetrewind, left was stop, and right was play. I ended infrequent transcription needs, though, I’d for learning how to get other people to get thingsup using rewind more than anything else, so it probably spend more than two hours on done. Besides, with all sorts of weirdness goingworked out wonderfully. screening, hiring, and delegating. on in the markets, it’s probably going to heck in a handbasket anyway. ;) I’m still investing for theType Typing with DIY foot pedal, Hacking together an Arduino foot pedal was long-term, but I’ll redirect some of it to 50% speed definitely a win. Transcribing with it was okay, education. Books and classes can’t teach me how but not my favourite activity. I might send work to scale up, but working with people can.Length 45 audio minutes to a transcription company if there’s enough value in a shorter turnaround, because it took me I thought about what was making me hesitate:Duration 120 minutes of work two weeks to get around to doing this one. Good to know!  Money: Although you can hireFactor audio minutes x 2.6 inexpensive contractors, it’s still a non- 2011-08-31 Wed 21:45 zero cost. I compare my estimated costsCharacters 39400 (~ 7880 words) with eliminating the task, doing it myself, or putting it off until it makes more sense. Starting up my experiments in delegationTyping ~65wpm (90 wpm input, 72%  Time: It often takes me less time to do a again; the difference between what I wantWPM efficiency) task than to write instructions and debug to do and what I want to see http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22478 people’s output. I don’t feel pressured by time. The limit of 24 hours each day justDiscovery: Listening to myself at 50% makes it September 3, 2011 - means that I get to some things sooner,unfamiliar enough to not make me twitchy, Categories: delegation, outsourcing, va some things later, and some things not atalthough it can’t do anything about me being all.sing-song and too “like, really“. That might be Prompted by my sister Ching, I’ve been thinkingimproved through practice. about delegating again. She’s looking for a virtual  Trust: There’s the obvious level of assistant who can help sort out the details of difficulty in trusting other people with90wpm input was pretty okay. Faster, and I their move to California – research cellphone passwords and financial information, butfound myself pressing rewind more often so that plans, set up appointments, that sort of thing. there’s also the other level of trustingI could re-hear speech while catching up. Me, I’m generally curious about programming,

September 2011 – sachachua.com 263 them with communication on your What to outsource: Brainstorm lots of ideas. world is tough. She and her husband have moved behalf. Plan small chunks of work so that I don’t feel before – from the Philippines to Singapore – but self-conscious about running out of good things this involves a busy time (right after our other  Trying to figure out what to to delegate. Test my assumptions. sister’s wedding), lots more timezones, a really outsource: Web research is a natural long flight, and other things. So we can delegate candidate for outsourcing. Learning, I’m starting to understand another paradigm tasks that would make her life better. well… the work is inside your brain. shift I need to make: the shift from thinking about “How can I outsource what I do?” to I would like our family stories recorded andSo here’s how I’m starting to think: “How can I fund what I want to get done?” written down. I may not have the skills of a professional interviewer or the patience of aMoney: Yes, the cost of delegating might be There’s something there that I didn’t know the transcriptionist, but maybe someone can help memore than the direct value of the time I’d save in first time around. You see, I’d been thinking make that happen.the best case. But (a) it will help me learn how to about outsourcing as a way to support what Iscale beyond the hard 24-hour limit we all have, want to do, and the interesting goals are the I want my blogging, quantified-self-tracking, and(b) it’s cheaper than an MBA, and (c) it flows ones where the most work happens inside me. Emacs life to be awesomer. I can dig in and codemoney to people who appreciate the work. Thinking of outsourceable tasks was difficult. I myself (balancing that with my other codingLooking at the job postings and people’s didn’t really resonate with the advice other interests and with IBM), or I can sponsorresumes, I feel like I want to give people much people were giving on virtual assistance. I don’t improvements that help other people.more meaningful work than spamming blogs. run a business, I’m fine with work and with what I do in my free time, I actually get decent sleep… I want my blog to be more visual. =) I want myAlso, it’s a little embarrassing to write about It’s not about freeing up space so that I can do presentations transcribed. I want other people’sdelegating work. People assume you’re one of what I want to do, because I’m already doing presentations transcribed, like my mom’sThose People with executive assistants and all of that. lectures and my dad’s speeches.that stuff. I’m sure we can work that out. Here’s a different thought: If I switch to thinking I want our chest freezer full of individually-Time: Yes, it can take more time to write “How can I fund what I want to get done?” packed home-cooked meals, and I want to enjoyinstructions than to do a task. It also sometimes – to think of myself as a capitalist in the sense more variety.takes more time to write a program than to do atask, and I’ll still happily write a program that I can provide the capital for a change in the world – ah, now that opens up possibilities… It’s I want to put together more tips on happiness,anyway. This is like writing people-code. Maybe I a little like considering myself like and connecting for introverts, and geeking out inwon’t reuse instructions as much as I hope, like a Kickstarter or an Awesome Foundation on a life, and all these things I don’t read enoughthe way some of my scripts are ad-hoc. If I blog tiny tiny scale. about in published books or hear about enoughabout them, though, people can use them as in conversations.starting points. Going back to my sister, for example: I may not directly want to compare cellphone contracts for Time is an obvious bottleneck, but I’m aTrust: This one’s easy: start with low-risk tasks. her, but I do want her to enjoy a smooth and not- bottleneck too. If I dream dreams that I can’t do very-stressful move. Moving halfway around the by myself, though, then I can make more things

September 2011 – sachachua.com 264happen. Some things resonate with people and o Set up LotusLive Activity for o [-] Try microphone as soundthey voluntarily take up the cause – my dad is project T sensoramazing at moving people to make a difference – o Started project assessments for o [-] Prepare month in review withand some things happen faster if you compensate project M and project C statspeople for doing them. It’s a little like movingfrom “What do you want to do?” to “What do you o Changed settings for project C o Set up new laptop, yay yay yay!want to happen?” =D o Fixed calendar bug for project M o Hired virtual assistant, open toLet’s see where this idea takes us. o Helped out with communities of hiring more practice program o Started visualizing hours o Talked to people about theWeekly review: Week ending September Community Toolkit o Learned about keyboard shortcuts2, 2011 and productivity tools forhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22481  Relationships Windows 7September 4, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly o [X] Figure out LCD character o Filed all my previous notes fromIt felt like a reasonable week. Looking back, display Emacs (yay more memory and athough, I’m surprised by how much I finished! =) faster hard drive) o [X] Help J- learn how to programFrom last week’s plans the Arduino Plans for next week  Work o [X] Reupholster chairs  Work o [X] Make more improvements for o [X] Transcribe blogging interview, o [ ] Start on redesign for project T project T really o [ ] Do other coding tasks for o [X] Follow up on looking for an o Followed up on gifts project T information architect for project T o Started shopping for gifts for o [ ] Follow up on project O o [X] Follow up on code for project I friends o [ ] Revise drawings for Hello o [X] Prepare technology selection o Sent more travel details to family Monday! comic series notes for project O o Have been very good at o Prototyped project O with Rails responding to e-mail, yay!  Relationships o Prototyped project O with Drupal o [ ] Go to Quantified Self Toronto  Life 7 and Maestro meetup, share notes on time o [-] Sketch year in review tracking o Solved bugs for project I o [X] Continue working on dashboard

September 2011 – sachachua.com 265 o [ ] Reply to questions about This Last This Last quantified self Delt Delt Activity wee wee Notes Activity wee wee Notes [ ] Follow up on cat hotel / vets – a a o k k k k choose an option o [ ] Volunteer at Free Geek D – Break 2.4 1.9 0.5 g build Toronto: take inventory of classes equipment, filter cards, improve D– 0.6 0.6 checklist Delegating D – Writing 11.3 5.0 6.3  Life D– 2.0 10.0 -8.0 New laptop R– 6.2 12.2 -6.0 Walking, Drawing Exercise Thursday o [ ] Dashboard: Make hour CSA bike visualization more flexible D– 9.5 -9.5 o [ ] Dashboard: Get input from Learning R– 6.4 8.2 -1.8 CSV Routines o [ ] Brainstorm other ways I can D – Other 2.5 4.8 -2.3 Setting up use delegation to improve life laptop, R– 7.4 1.5 5.9 Cooking transcriptio Cooking sprint o [ ] Take advantage of long n weekend to plan projects R – Eating 5.0 2.0 3.0 o [ ] Replace curtains (Value Village D– 12.7 3.9 8.8 Setting up or Canadian Tire?) Personal laptop, R – Tidying 3.7 3.7 0.0 delegation o [ ] Look into buying summer flat shoes while they’re on clearance R – Travel 0.6 0.6 Was at the D– 0.1 -0.1 office on o [ ] Laptop: Copy photos and Reading Friday sketches onto new hard drive o [ ] Try microphone as sound D– 2.0 2.0 Sleep 56.0 53.5 2.5 8 hours / sensor Shopping night o [ ] Prepare month in review with stats D – Social 9.1 7.8 1.3 Work 40.1 40.1 0.0 Got lots of stuff doneTime analysis D– 3.8 -3.8 Short gap Volunteerin between

September 2011 – sachachua.com 266Discretionary time averaged 5 hours / workday, I spent some time this morning taking an Cheese8.7 hours / weekend day (more weekend time inventory of what’s in the freezer, so I can plan totaken up by cooking sprint). Less discretionary use those ingredients up. Here’s what we’ve got. Cheese ends 0.5L To be grated fortime overall, but more time on workdays. lasagna BakingInteresting combination. Sleep back up to eight Grated 8 cups Gift from Tania – I usehours a day, stdev of 1.2 hours. Slightly tired, but Butter 2lbs Cooking and baking; parmesan it in lasagna and otherwell-fed. Possible RSI twinges, maybe aggravated rarely goes on sale, so I pasta dishesby typing sprint during transcription? May need could just get this onto take more breaks. an as-needed basis Nacho cheese 1kg Great for potatoes, mix fries, nachos, and so on Crisco 0.5 block Mainly for bakingGood week! Looking forward to focused hacking vegan treats for tea Romano 497g To be grated forduring the long weekend. parties. I haven’t been cheese lasagna hosting tea parties lately, though. Shredded 120g Quick way to make lotsThinking about improving our freezer use mozzarella of things betterhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22480 Lard 1/4 cup Pies and egg tarts – more useful during DessertSeptember 5, 2011 - Categories: cooking, kaizen baking season Strawberry 8 From my experiment.We have a 5.3 cu. ft. Haier chest freezer in Pie crust 2 discs Left over from the last rhubarb tarts A bit sour; needs aaddition to the freezer drawer built into the dough baking season spoonful of sugar each.fridge. We’ve had the chest freezer for two years We don’t usually havenow, and it’s been really useful. I want to see if Yeast 1 bottle Coconut buns, mmm dessert, though.we can make even better use of it before we Bread Turon half pack When we feel likeconsider scaling up. There isn’t that much space fryingto grow in the current place we have the freezer, Bread 1 1/3 loaf Very handyand moving the freezer elsewhere would make Vanilla ice 1 cup Just a little bit left – Burger buns 4 For burgers; useful inless convenient. I’d rather figure out how to use cream must finish it while the summerthe freezer space more efficiently. weather’s warm BreakfastOne easy way to to do that is to shift more of our Fruitfreezer space from ingredients to prepared Bacon 500g Mm, breakfast Fruit 3.5kg For smoothies; mustmeals, giving us more time between cooking Longganisa 1 pack of Breakfast have this while thesprints. We tend to do a cooking sprint every 12 links weather’s warmthird weekend. If we organize our space betterand add more recipes to our cooking sprints, we Steamed 5 packs Delicious – we tend to Mashed 3 cups For banana bread andmight be able to cook once a month and enjoy buns go through 1 pack / banana for smoothiesmore variety, too. person

September 2011 – sachachua.com 267Herbs Chicken 460g J-’s lunches sausages nuggetsBasil 1 cup Raw ingredients for Misc. pesto. Can also be Garlic scape 2 cups Dinner added to pasta sauce. pesto Bag of ice 1L Drinks cubesCilantro 1.5L Stir-fries Jamaican 12 J-’s lunches beef patties Ice packs 3 To cool things downCurry leaves 1 pack Thai curry Lasagna 8 portions Dinner SeafoodDill 2 cups For… umm… mixing Basa 1 fillet This one’s pretty old. I with cream cheese? We Pesto 3 cups Dinner don’t cook fish often. I should throw it out. saved this from the Roast 12 Lunch Crab sticks 2 packs x The occasional sushi; CSA box. chicken with individual couscous meals 340g probably should useLemon zest 0.5 cups For banana bread this up and then just Spaghetti 1 Lunch buy on an as-neededOregano 1 cup For pasta sauce. with sauce individual basis mealIngredients Halibut 1L Gift; must defrost and Stuffed 5 J-’s lunches fry sometimeCarrot tops 3 cups Vegetable stock? But chicken we have so much stock Shrimp 340g Mm, pad thai. breasts already. Meat Stocks and saucesChickpeas 680g Curry, someday Bones for 3 chickens From our last cooking Beef mix 4 cups For nachos, burritos, orChopped 1 cup Also good for instant (ground beef, pasta sauce stock sprintonion noodles or quick onions, recipes Chicken 1 cup This must be from the garlic) gravy starter other time we roastedGreen onion 2.5 cups Great for instant chickens. We don’t Burger 4 Must finish this while noodles patties the weather’s warm often make or eat gravy, thoughParsley 4 cups Soups and sauces Dry salt 412g For baked beans, bellies because the pork Chicken 14 cups We have so muchPeeled ginger 1 cup Stir-fries and other stock stock. We should use it Asian dishes bellies are sometimes not stocked at the more often. Maybe I’llRed beans 1 kg Chili, someday supermarket use it to cook rice.Meals Italian 4 For pasta sauce Turkey stock 2 cups This is from last year. I

September 2011 – sachachua.com 268 should toss it out. Some things are clear candidates for tossing. There’s a simpler module called Node Quick Some things are there because the community- Find, but I’m going to go with Finder for nowVegetables supported agriculture box had more produce because of the options that Finder offers.Carrot sticks 340g From my let’s-freeze- than we could finish in a week (dill, etc.). For the-carrots experiment many items in our fridge, though, it’s more of a There was one small thing I needed to tweak. shift from stocking up to buying ingredients as Finder Node goes to node/nid, but we’veChopped 380g For chili or other we need them – not a bad idea, particularly if we got Revisioning set up to view the currentcarrots dishes scale up and plan recipes well. I estimate that revision of a node and not the latest. Fortunately,Mixed 1.5kg For frozen lunches prepared meals take up a ninth of our current Finder took that into account and providedvegetables freezing capacity. There’ll be room to grow once enough hooks to let me change the behavior. we get through these raw ingredients. Here’s what I needed to do:Okra 520g For pinakbet. Hard to function mymodule_finder_goto_alter(&$result, get at the nearby We’ve adopted a few freezer practices that have &$finder) { supermarket, so we turned out to be quite useful. Standardized $finder->base_handler[#module] = keep a stash. containers make food easy to stack. Grouping mymodule; Dependent on loose items into large bags (red for meat, green } bittermelon for vegetables, and so on) makes it easier to dig availability, though, through the freezer in search of something. I can function mymodule_finder_goto($finder, and that’s also rare. figure out a better way to index the infrequently- $result) { used frozen items so that we get visual reminders $vid =Shredded 2 cups Zucchini delayed is to use them up – maybe in that home dashboard revisioning_get_latest_revision_id($result-zucchini zucchini denied. I I’ve been building. Hmm… >nid); should sneak these into brownies sometime. drupal_goto(node/ . $result->nid . /revisions/ . $vid . /view);Spinach 0.5 L For smoothies; must Drupal: Finding nodes through } have this while the autocomplete weather’s warm http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22476 You’ll want to use more if logic if you’re workingSteak-cut 1kg Regular fries or chili September 6, 2011 - Categories: drupal with different kinds of Finders, of course, butfries cheese fries. Yum, this was enough to handle what I needed. Hooray although frying is The clients wanted a quick way to jump to the for hooks! latest revision of a node. I was delighted to scary. discover that the Finder module made it easy to Finder doesn’t seem to support Features, so I’llVegetable 1.1kg When I figure out how create an autocomplete shortcut to nodes and need to configure things again once I move toends for to get through more users. It offered way more features than I production. No problem! I’ve added some notesstock stock, I’ll cook this into would’ve coded myself. Finder lets you match to myself in the issue-tracking system we’re a vegetable stock nodes on title, author, CCK fields, and so on.

September 2011 – sachachua.com 269using, and I’ve asked the clients to try this new  Scents: Of the five scents they had  Exhibits prompt you to explore thingsshortcut out. (leather, laundry, flowers, earth, vanilla), you might not have sought out by yourself it turns out that I like the smell of clean (ham radio, etc.)Drupal: There’s a module for that. laundry the most. So domestic!  Exhibits validate interest (paper airplanes2011-09-02 Fri 14:17  Oil pumps: Mechanics and hydraulics, can be cool!) yay  Can use exhibits to support classroom  The globe: I hadn’t realized China was so learning: http://www.ontariosciencecentrDecision: Not getting an Ontario Science mountainous. I enjoyed seeing the e.ca/school/curriculum/chart.asp#g4to8Centre family membership continental shelves and looking at thehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22482 underwater contours, too. Disadvantages?September 7, 2011 -  Paper airplanes: The paper supplies wereCategories: analysis, decision, life all gone, so I picked up other people’s  Busy-ness and noise can be planes and refolded them or just threw overwhelmingFrom Sept. 5: We had fun at the Ontario Science them. I liked how they had hoops and a  Tends to encourage shallowCentre. I like science centres. I have lots of great target if you wanted to try stunt or explorations/entertainment instead ofmemories of going to science centres and playing precision flying. deeper engagement. Hard to slow downaround with exhibits. We’ve decided not to buy a and get deeper into something because offamily membership for now, though – we’ll just A number of new exhibits joined most of the old background noise, consideration for otherbuy tickets as we go. Here’s what I’ve been stalwarts. I was looking for some of the exhibits I people, and distractions from otherthinking: remembered, but I couldn’t find them. That’s exhibits okay! =)Cost of family  Priceymembership: $120/year Break-even Advantages?point: at least two visits per year Alternatives:  Equipment and exhibits make it easier toExhibits I liked today: explore scientific principles (ex: pumps,  Discussing J-’s science lessons levers, sound, etc.)  Using our microscope  Stereoscopic photographs: I always like these. I think depth perception is  Multisensory experience / scale helps in  Planning and conducting small fascinating. understanding (ex: anatomy, geology, and experiments so on)  Reptiles (special exhibition): The snake-  Checking out resources necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) was  Special exhibits provide additional like http://www.thevirtuallab.org/curricu really cool. I also liked the exhibit reasons to return lum/grade-8-science showing how the fangs of snakes hinge  Volunteers share their interest in science when they close their jaws. J-’s grade 8 curriculum topics:

September 2011 – sachachua.com 270  Understanding Life Systems: Cells that’s okay because the membership will cover  Kinetic sculptures additional months during which we might make o Microscopes, diagrams,  Rock polishing and panning for gold at a fourth visit. flashcards, discussions Science North (ah, the stories)  Understanding Structures and We’re going to put off getting a membership until I think one of the things I loved about growing up Mechanisms: Systems in Action we determine what frequency we’d like to go. with the science museum in Manila was that We’ve had a family membership to the Ontario o LEGO, physical structures there were often few visitors there. Looking back, Science Centre in the past, and we made I can wish now that it was better patronized, but  Understanding Matter and Energy: Fluids excellent use of it including trips to museums I remember really appreciating the freedom. I with reciprocal agreements. With lots of things o http://www.sciencebuddies.org/s got to spend all the time I wanted building cience-fair- changing this year, we’re going to hold off on that catenary arches, playing with the magnets and projects/project_ideas/ApMech_ commitment to avoid the “I’m going to pay for iron filings, clapping into that big echo tunnel, or the gym so that I get encouraged to use it” effect. p039.shtml confusing my mind with perspective tricks. Most We like science, and there are many, many ways  Understanding Earth and Space Systems: of the science museums I’ve been to have been to explore it. Water Systems crowded, which is a great thing, but which can be overwhelming. Maybe going on a weekday will Also – Is it odd that I recognize Ontario ScienceEvents that might be interesting: help. Winter, perhaps? We’ll see. Centre exhibits described in other museums? I was reading Andy in Oman’s blog post about the I felt today’s trip was worth the time, money, and  Robots Rule – Nov 12- OSC donations and I vividly remembered most of opportunity cost. It might have been even better 13: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/c the exhibits mentioned. Including that land-like- if we slowed down, got deeper into a few exhibits, alendar/default.asp?eventid=1017&ddm a-cat one, which I tried many times. (Cat-related! and maybe tried more of the timed shows. I tend myyyy=01112011 ;) ) I had hoped to try it today with my Vibram to like mechanical exhibits more than exhibits toe shoes, but it’s probably abroad. What can I  Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop – Oct 13 that focus on screen display or video. say? I like science centres. =) to March 18: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/c And yes, I still want to spend at least a week in Some of my favourite exhibits from other science alendar/default.asp?eventid=1111&ddmm the Smithsonian. ;) centres: yyyy=01102011Back to the decision. We’ll probably not pay for a  The giant soap bubble exhibit from the Transcript: Blogging (Part 2): Growingfamily membership immediately. We’ll Exploratorium into bloggingreconsider this if we find ourselves going again  Tactile Dome (Exploratorium) http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22458within a year, and if we foresee a third trip within September 8, 2011 -the year. If we end up going twice in a year, then  Catenary arch building blocks Categories: blogging, tips, writingour total cost is roughly the same with or without  Foucault’s pendulum traced with sanda membership – no loss there. If we go three  Newton’s cradletimes, then we’ll end up paying more in total, but

September 2011 – sachachua.com 271Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this to have to go through the entire process of Dusting off my Sony Vaio U1interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put learning things again. Whereas if I write things http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22485them all together in a text file and a PDF that you down, then other people might be able to learn September 9, 2011 - Categories: gadgets, geekcan read easily, and I’ll add insights you and from that too.other people might share along the way. =) (Findprevious entries) Here’s the second chunk! HT: It sounds like a really good learning tool for yourself and for others, then.Holly Tse: Yeah, you mentioned to me that youhave [around] 2,000 readers for your blog. Now, SC: In fact, a lot of people have started looking athow did that grow to that level? blogs and social networks in terms of personal learning networks (PLN). So that’s theSC: Oh, one reader at a time, I’d guess. I started educational jargon around it: personal learningoff writing just about very technical things. I’d networks. It’s not just about the notes that youbeen using my blog as a way to take notes in keep. If you think about the kinds of blogs thatuniversity, so I wrote about my philosophy you’d like to subscribe to so that you can learnclasses, computer science, and some of the open from something from them, the kinds of peoplesource programs I was working on. As I started who inspire you–role models–because you canpublishing my notes, I saw that, hey, you know, probably find their blogs or find them on socialthis is a great way to learn from other people. I’d networks and add that kind of regular inspiration Years ago, my dad gave me his Sony Vaio PCG-write about something, and then always, to life. U1 – one of the smallest laptops around. It hadsomeone would come along with an even better an 867MHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, 256MBway to do things, or would come along and say, There’s so much that you can learn that isn’t in a memory, a 1024×768 pixel screen that measured“Thank you for sharing that. You saved me five textbook or isn’t in a commercial page or all that only 6.4” diagonally, and a total weight of 820minutes” or “…two hours”, or “You saved me a stuff. You can learn from people’s stories, and grams with the regular battery. It used 30W perday of searching around and trying things out.” that’s an incredible thing. If you have a blog, then hour. It was tiny. It turned heads at computer you can tell your own stories, and you can write conferences and at cafes. I even managed to sellAs I figured out that hey, this is really useful for about what all these other things make you think. advertising on it during one of my experiments.technical discovery, I started using it as well to How they inspire you. How you’re putting thatwrite about other things I was figuring out. inspiration to good use in your life. It’s an The screen was small, but I managed to write aPersonal finance, life after university… all these excellent way to build those relationships. lot of code on it anyway. The two-handed mousethings. and scroll-switch even made it easy to use while Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this walking around. I used it so much that theI guess people like the fact that I’m figuring series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering keyboard showed obvious wear and the mousethings out, I’m optimistic about it, I’m trying my Yourself through Blogging page to make it cap was completely worn away. I have a lot ofbest to write about all these different things that easier for you to find them. memories bound up in this little device. It wasI’m learning because I know that if I don’t write quirky-fun. It had personality beyond that of myit down, I’m going to forget, and then I’m going

September 2011 – sachachua.com 272Fujitsu Lifebook, my later Eee netbook, or even When I picked the options for my laptop, I made Busy week. Good week. Lots of stuff done. SQLmy current X220 tablet. sure I included a fingerprint sensor. I like being Server 2000 still frustrating, though. Oh well! able to log on to my laptop using my fingerprint. Drupal and Rails hacking going well.During the Labour Day weekend, W- dusted off It’s faster than typing, and I don’t have to flip it From last week’s plansthe PCG-U1 and worked on restoring it. He out of tablet mode. I’m glad that the LastPassremoved all the keycaps, brushed all the debris password manager can use a fingerprint to  Workout, and painstakingly rearranged the silicone authenticate, too. Neat!domes under keys until the regular keyboard o [X] Start on redesign for project Tworked again. He’s so awesome. Here’s how I tweaked my fingerprint scanning to o [X] Do other coding tasks for fit the way I like to work even more. First, I project TI don’t know what we’re going to do with it yet, opened the Lenovo – Fingerprintbut we’ll keep it around instead of donating or Reader settings in my Windows Control Panel. I o [X] Follow up on project Orecycling it. I thought about just keeping a unchecked Use fingerprint scan instead of o [X] Revise drawings for Hellopicture of it, but there’s something about picking power-on button. I don’t mind pressing the Monday! comic series: Bluepagesit up and holding it that a picture just doesn’t power button, and I think this will save a trickle done, next: work from homecommunicate. It’s so cute! of power. o Resolved server crash issue forPossibilities: Then I clicked on More settings and project I unchecked Enable indicator lights on o Improved Community Toolkit  Picture frame sensor. This turned off the green LED that had code – fixed bug previously been a little distracting. The fewer  Dashboard bright things I have in my field of vision, the o Regularly checked in on project I  Flashcards better. Tada!  Relationships  Cooking recipes I think it’s incredible that I can authenticate o [X] Go to Quantified Self Toronto  Portable notetaking device when a tablet using a fingerprint. I know it’s been around for a meetup, share notes on time is overkill and a smartphone isn’t enough; while, but it’s still amazing to think of how the tracking say, if I want to use Emacs or speech algorithm might work. Hooray for all the geeks synthesis who worked on making this possible. o [X] Reply to questions about quantified selfAh, technology… o [-] Follow up on cat hotel / vets – Weekly review: Week ending September choose an option 9, 2011Tweaking the fingerprint settings on my http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22487 o [X] Volunteer at Free GeekLenovo X220T Toronto: take inventory of September 11, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly equipment, filter cards, improvehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22477 checklistSeptember 10, 2011 - Categories: geek, laptop

September 2011 – sachachua.com 273  Life o [ ] Follow up on project I This Last [X] Dashboard: Make hour [ ] Prototype some more for Delt o o Activity wee wee visualization more flexible project O a k k o [X] Dashboard: Get input from CSV  Relationships RY o [X] Brainstorm other ways I can o [ ] Help with build class D – Break 2.0 2.4 -0.4 use delegation to improve life o [ ] Follow up on cat boarding o [X] Take advantage of long D – Writing 7.2 11.4 -4.2 weekend to plan projects  Life o [-] Replace curtains (Value Village o [X] Get a massage D – Personal 12.3 13.5 -1.2 Dashboa or Canadian Tire?) rd o [ ] Prototype decision tracker hacking o [-] Look into buying summer flat (Org?) shoes while they’re on clearance – o [ ] Start putting together notes for D – Delegating 0.1 0.6 -0.5 postponing until next year myself o [X] Laptop: Copy photos and Time analysis D – Social 19.2 9.0 10.2 Science sketches onto new hard drive Centre This Last and o [-] Try microphone as sound Delt Activity wee wee Quantifi sensor a k k ed Self o [-] Prepare month in review with stats Sleep 58.8 55.4 3.4 8.4 D – Drawing 3.2 2.0 1.3 hours o Practised with photo flashcards of per people’s names and faces D – Shopping 2.5 2.0 0.5 week,Plans for next week back up to D – Reading 5.6 5.6 Getting  Work normal through lots of o [ ] Put together and give IBM books Drupal Users Group presentation Work 32.2 40.1 -7.9 3-day on Source code and configuration weekend D – Other 2.5 -2.5 No management electroni DISCRETIONA 52.0 43.3 8.8 o [ ] Implement more features for cs project T

September 2011 – sachachua.com 274 I like analyzing my decisions. Writing about the Expected costs: Writing time (the software is This Last Delt alternatives I consider helps me think about free), occasional social risks of publishingActivity wee wee a them more deeply. Reviewing my decisions helps decision notes k k me learn even more. Sharing the decisions and the thought processes behind them helps me Expected benefits: Even more confidence in hacking help other people. decision-making, ability to help more people with similar decisions, interesting records, fewerPERSONAL 14.8 17.6 -2.8 How can I get even better at tracking and sharing moments of doubt (very few already, but just inCARE my decisions? I want to get even better at case!), deeper analysis remembering my reasons for decisions (usefulP – Eating 2.8 5.0 -2.1 during moments of doubt), revisiting my Alternatives considered: assumptions, and writing down additionalP – Routines 6.3 6.4 -0.1 benefits or costs.  Don’t write about decisions: Right. I’ve posted the occasional decision review, but I  Write only about major decisions: SmallP – Exercise 5.6 6.2 -0.6 decisions are useful, too! think I’d benefit from something more structured than my blog. Maybe it’s time to resurrect some  Keep decision notes just as blog posts:UNPAID 10.2 11.7 -1.5 kind of a personal wiki system. Hard to review over time.WORK I’d like to have a system for logging and regularly Next review: In three months ( 2011-12-11 Sun)UW – Cooking 3.1 7.4 -4.3 reviewing decisions. I might prototype this using an Org-mode large outline text file. I already use  How many decisions have I writtenUW – Travel 1.4 0.6 0.8 it to write about the decisions I want to make or about? the decisions I’ve recently made. I can go backUW – Tidying 5.7 3.7 2.0 and write about other decisions I’ve made, and I  How many decisions have I reviewed? can start structuring the file. Using Org Mode  How many notes have I published? will make it easy to organize decision notes intoReorganized my time categories to match up with an outline, integrate it with my task and calendar  How have I used my notes to helpthose used by OECD Society at a Glance reports reminders, view table-based summaries, and improve my decision-making?for ease of comparison. publish snippets to my blog. If I get into the habit of scheduling reviews and thinking of questions that I might ask myself during a decision review, Deliberate practice, typing faster, andThinking about getting better at decisions then I can learn even more from the decisions I Emacshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22488 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22486 make.September 12, 2011 - September 13, 2011 - Categories: emacs, geekCategories: analysis, decision Decision: Write about decisions with more structure in Org and with regular reviews

September 2011 – sachachua.com 275I type at about 90-95 wpm. I wonder: Would it rate on QWERTY and Dvorak, but Dvorak  added the question-and-answer modebe worth getting even faster? How would I go feels better) that the code hinted atabout doing it without increasing my risks of  to reduce the friction between thoughtRSI? I’m thinking about this because of Zombie-mode Typing of Emacs lets me stay in and writing even moresomething I read in Moonwalking with Einstein: the “this is going way too fast for me” zone,The Art and Science of Remembering Everything.  to transcribe things more efficiently sometimes repeating a single word until I’veOn page 172, Joshua Foer writes this about gotten the hang of it or I’ve given up. For  to explore just how fast I can godeliberate practice: example, I haven’t figured out how to type My brain’s more of a bottleneck than my fingers CreativeCommons in 2 seconds. The closest I gotThe secret to improving at a skill is to retain in 10 tries was the one time I typed are, so typing isn’t getting in the way of much.some degree of conscious control over it while It’s still something to be curious about, though! “CreativeComomns”, which was sooo close.practicing–to force oneself to stay out of Usually, the timeout kicked in on the last fewautopilot. With typing, it’s relatively easy to get The open-source Plover stenography characters.past the OK plateau. Psychologists have program looks really interesting. I’m going to bediscovered that the most efficient method is to on a Windows-host-Linux-VM system for a Maybe it’s because I also have to hit Enter toforce yourself to type faster than feels while, so I’ll need to wait for the Windows port submit what I’ve typed. Hmm, I wonder if I cancomfortable, and to allow yourself to make (or shift back to Linux as my host OS). redefine some keys…mistakes. In one noted experiment, typists wererepeatedly flashed words 10 to 15 percent faster Most typing tutors / speed measurements I’ve Successfully typing CreativeCommons in 2than their fingers were able to translate them seconds still gets me around 95wpm, though, and come across aren’t quite what I’m looking foronto the keyboard. At first they were’nt able to because they display lots of text and scroll reading + typing + pressing Enter makes itkeep up, but over a period of days they figured difficult to get down to 1-second time limits (darn through it, which is good for buffering things inout the your head and not so good for training past the those reaction times!). Maybe I’ll use my newobstacles that were slowing them down, and point of failure. Typing games tend to kill you Q&A support to play around with typingovercame them, and then continued to type at once you miss too many words. sentences.the faster speed. By bringing typing out of theautonomous stage and back under their If I spend more time typing in autocorrecting Enter Emacs. Among many many things, Emacsconscious control, they had conquered the OK has at least one typing game. It’s not built in, but environments or shifting to editing after typingplateau. you can get it from the Emacs Wiki: The Typing (it’s good to review anyway), then I might be able of Emacs. A few quick modifications later (which to loosen up enough to type faster. =)If I were to invest time into typing better, it I’ll post next week if I get permission), and I’ve:would be for these reasons: There are plenty of sites and apps to help people get from 30wpm to 60wpm or whatever, but not  added a “zombie mode” that will keep the really YouTube videos have mostly people  to lower the risk of RSI by making correct game going even after you hit your movements, like the way shifting to banging away on keyboards. Are you the fastest threshold of failure typist among your friends? Have you worked on Dvorak helped me tweak my brain to type more effectively (I type at about the same getting even faster? Do share!

September 2011 – sachachua.com 2762011-09-09 Fri 20:08  Revise checklist and instructions. Cross- Strip boxes with problematic components reference them with identifiers and (no troubleshooting motherboards or instructions to update the checklist power supplies).Free Geek Toronto: Notes from the build (“Check box #5 and write down thesession  Downgrading Unity 3D requirement amount of RAM.”) This will make thehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22490 because finding an acceptable video card checklist easier to work with. can be time-consuming. Reinstate UnitySeptember 14, 2011 -  Revise checklist to make sure the boxes 3D recommendation only after we haveCategories: freegeektoronto, geek, volunteer use a font that’s available on multiple inventory of video cards that support platforms, and check into other Unity 3D.Last week’s build session went well. Four formatting issues. Consider usingstudents assembled computers and got all the  Trim inventory so that floorspace is clear, graphical icons if checkbox Wingdingsway to the Ubuntu installation section, while the obsolete parts Work with monthly continue to be problematic.rest were close. recycling so that obsolete components are  Consolidate validation and evaluation clearly segregated and ready to go.Written instructions and checklists made a big checklists for now, because information is Reorganize outgoing area so that skidsdifference. Students worked through the duplicated and evaluators are not using can be easily filled and maneouvered out.instructions independently, leaving us free to the template. Alternatively, consider  Find other volunteers who can helpfocus on helping students with troubleshooting. adopting the template for the evaluation facilitate build classes. Maybe renamingThe instructions also helped us provide more process. Tweak evaluation form as build classes to build sessions will make itdetail than we might remember to mention, and necessary. less intimidating for volunteers.they forced fewer synchronization points (“Okay,  Time install process so that we can give Requirements: awareness of where partseveryone, look here at this thing”). students an idea of when to start are at Free Geek Toronto, ability to look installation and when to postpone things up, light troubleshootingIt also helped to have a prepared environment. installation to the next day.All the tools were at hand, such as CPU paste and  Speed up installation by setting up a locala battery tester. Most of the computers we  Adopt a strategy of low-hanging fruit: network proxy. Not essential, though.worked on had been properly evaluated, focus on building easy-to-build boxes so Timing will help us see if this makesalthough there were a few that had been missed. that we can get those ones out the door enough of a difference.Still, it was generally an enjoyable and not first. Minimize troubleshooting, because  Clear enough build space so that peoplefrustrating experience. problematic boxes pile up on the “in can work on a second box while waiting progress” shelves. Focus on increasing for the install.I’ve revised the instructions to clarify some other build velocity.points that were missing before. Onward and  Clear undated boxes from “in progress” Goals:upward! =) shelves. Re-evaluate boxes. Recycle boxes below minimum requirements. Prepare  Help students become comfortableHere are some ways we can make this even boxes that require no obvious enough with building computers that theybetter: troubleshooting for future build classes.

September 2011 – sachachua.com 277 drop by and build computers (possibly with your stuff. So I put almost everything on my From Tuesday: J- has started with other people’s help) even outside own blog. If I think other people might find it Grade 8, the year before high build classes. (Measurement: return useful, I might post a link and share it with school. Last schoolyear, we visits, # of computers completed) somebody or share it with everybody on Twitter invested more time into or Facebook. helping her learn, and that  Improve build velocity and throughput worked well. I wonder what (Measurement: # of computers built and It also works the other way too. I might have a we’ll learn about learning tested) conversation with someone on Twitter. Most this year.  Create an organized and welcoming recently, actually – last Friday, I was having a enviroment: clear floor space so that conversation with people on Twitter about J- was preparing for a quiz on pre-confederation people can walk around, well-organized creativity. And it made me stop and think about Canada. To help, the teacher had labelled the parts, inventory levels matched to need what I think about creativity and stereotypes and settlements with A, B, C, and so on. J had made and incoming/outgoing rates “left-brain” and “right-brain” stuff that most her own mnemonics. For example, D stood for people think of when it comes to that. You know, ReD River Settlement. But the letters weren’t “I’m not creative because my work involves assigned in any obvious order, so J- wasTranscript: Blogging (Part 3): Blogging numbers or code or whatever, and creativity is memorizing an arbitrary association.and other social tools drawing and painting and whatever.” Anyway, ithttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22461 made me think about all this stuff, and I wrote Placing the information on the map was muchSeptember 15, 2011 - about it, and then I took that and shared that more useful. We scanned in J-’s handout, then J-Categories: blogging, tips, writing back into Twitter. So it feeds itself. traced it using Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. With a blank map, J- could then add layers with herHat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this On the other hand, if you’re not on Twitter or labels. After a few tries, she could correctly labelinterview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put Facebook, you can still blog. It’s a great way to all the areas in less than a minute and a half. (…them all together in a text file and a PDF that you write, and it’s a great way to get your thoughts and so could I! That will probably come in handycan read easily, and I’ll add insights you and out there, too. for any citizenship tests.)other people might share along the way. =) (Findprevious entries) Here’s the third chunk! Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this We created a new map for Canada’s current series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering provinces, and we quizzed ourselves on that too.HT: You mentioned social media, so… If you Yourself through Blogging page to make it For kicks, we took J’-s jigsaw puzzle of thehave a blog, how does Facebook and Twitter fit easier for you to find them. provinces of the Philippines, mixed up the pieces,into the mix? Do they need to fit in the mix? and assembled everything without looking at the picture. That was fun, although I was a bit slowerSC: You can if you want to. You don’t have to. Learning new tricks about learning: maps putting together Mindanao’s provinces than IWhat I often find is that my blog is the primary and history was at Luzon and Visayas. (More travel?)place where I put things, because a third-party http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22505company like Facebook or Twitter–sometimes September 16, 2011 - Out of curiosity, I flipped through the otherthey change their mind about what you can do Categories: learning, life, sketches, teaching pages in her folder. One of the sheets had a

September 2011 – sachachua.com 278timeline of events. “What if we could learn the 9. Mr. and Mrs. News and Mr. and Thoughts:order of these events?” I asked J-. Mrs. Canada getting together around the kitchen table – Nova 1. It’s better to find useful associations than 1. She looked at me, probably as Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada West, arbitrary ones. intimidated as I was. I remember having and Canada East 2. Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and other such difficulty with trivia like that in my 10. Tripping over a giant rubber eraser drawing programs can be good history classes. Time to see if I could pass in an HBC bag blocking the educational tools. on some tips fromMoonwalking with corridor – Rupert’s Land, HBC Einstein and other mind-hacking 3. Learning something might not be resources. 11. Walking up the stairs and meeting important, but learning how to learn a man with a big toe – Manitoba joins something – ah, that can be valuable. 2. I told J- about the idea of a memory palace – exaggerating the characteristics 12. Peeking into the guest room and 4. The memory palace technique is great for of items you need to memorize, then seeing a busy party – BC joins remembering sequences. Exaggerated imagining them in specific locations in a 13. Going to the bathroom – PEI images stick in your brain. place you know well. We walked through the process of imagining reminders: 14. Going to J’s room and seeing her toys in a circle – Consolidated Indian Back to school, back to study groups 3. golden blueberry bushes in the Act http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22511 front yard for the prospectors of the gold rush September 17, 2011 - We imagined it while we were in the living room. Categories: life, math, teaching 4. our cats meowing to be let out of She physically traced the steps and talked about the door – Ottawa the things she imagined. Then she mentally We started our first study group session on retraced the steps. Even after watching a movie Friday with a quick review of multiplication. J- 5. a colony of dust bunnies on the (Pom Poko, by Studio Ghibli), she still shelf – BC became a colony and V- warmed up by reciting the multiples of 6 remembered the sequence. Let’s see if she ends to 9. Good retention from last year, and we’ll see 6. Americans politely fighting over the up using it in school! how practice helps them improve. After the litter boxes – the American Civil War warm-up, we went over a shuffled deck of It’s fun adding tools to J’s learning kit. She multiplication flashcards. 7. Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins on picked up the strategy of inventing mnemonics. the sofa, discussing their She made flashcards to practise the Gnommish impending union – Discussion at The teachers had given them a quiz in school, so alphabet from the Artemis Fowl series. Now she we covered some of the topics they found Charlottetown knows about mapping and the memory palace confusing. W- and I explained the difference 8. … while Mr. Collins’ 72 relatives technique. For dates, we might try the Major between convex and concave shapes using angles crowd in front of the system, if we can wrap our minds around it. I and lines. I drew different figures and quizzed bookcase (recalling Lost in Austen) – 72 wish I’d learned about these things when I was in them on the classifications. J- and V- drew their Resolutions in Quebec school, but hey, good to pass on the hacks! =) own figures, and they classified them together.

September 2011 – sachachua.com 279Squares and square roots were another point of In my May monthly review, I wrote: often so that I can pair program or go toconfusion. We started off with a graphical review meetings, things have been busy.of what squaring means, and what a square root I’m looking forward to lots of gardening, lots of Plans from last weekis. I used a tip from John Mighton’s “The Myth of biking, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Some ofAbility”: I tweaked my exercise to vary in scale my friends are getting married – hooray! Work is  Workwithout varying in difficulty. (What’s the square ramping up, too. Back on the development track,root of 31337 x 31337?) After J- and V- making useful websites… Yay! o [X] Put together and give IBMunderstood the relationship between squares and Drupal Users Group presentationsquare roots, we covered approximation and This summer had much less gardening and on Source code and configurationfactorization as ways of finding the square root. biking than I would’ve expected. The flood of managementJ- and V- practised finding the square root of vegetables from the community-supported o [X] Implement more features fornumbers like 225 and 144. agriculture program meant that I didn’t really project T feel like growing more. I worked on developmentWe’ve encouraged them to take notes so that it’s projects with global team members, so I stayed o [X] Follow up on project Ieasier to review lessons. The extra study group home instead of biking into the office. o [-] Prototype some more fortime will definitely help, too. Grade 8 will help Fortunately, friends’ marriage plans went on project Ostudents learn how to solve real-life problems, so exactly as expected. =)we’ll be sure to show more of the calculations of o Revised IBM comiceveryday life. Here we go! September is all about preparation. We’re o Gave project C tips on finding preparing for an upcoming trip, work projects, Ruby on Rails people and personal projects. Winter’s coming, too.Monthly review: June, July, and August There’s so much to get ready. If I stop and think o Tried out Maxivista for extending2011 about it, I’ll feel overwhelmed, but bite-sized my Windows desktop onto myhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22520 chunks will get me through it. Here we go! second laptop; interesting, although a little quirkySeptember 17, 2011 - Categories: monthly, review o Tried out VirtuaWin for virtualOh dear. This is turning into a quarterly thing, Weekly review: Week ending September desktops.which tells me that I need to figure out what I 16, 2011want out of these monthly reviews and how I’m http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22519  Relationshipsgoing to distinguish them from my weekly September 18, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly o [X] Help with build classreviews. This week felt slower than normal. Looking back, o [X] Follow up on cat boardingIn monthly reviews, I want to evaluate my though, I can see that it was pretty packed. My o First study group: square roots,projects and reflect on any trends. It’s not easy to sense of time is a little off, I guess. School has convex/concave shapesget that kind of perspective weekly, and a year is started, so we’ve been helping J- with hertoo long a time to wait. That’s what my monthly homework. Between that and going to work more  Lifereviews should be, I think.

September 2011 – sachachua.com 280 o [X] Get a massage o [ ] Draw This Last [X] Prototype decision tracker in Time analysis Delt o Activity wee wee Notes Org mode a k k This Last [X] Start putting together notes Delt o Activity wee wee Notes for myself a h to the k k Teensy o Built my first Teensy USB project board! ! 43.0 52.1 -9.1 o Read lots of Kindle samples for Discretionar one of our upcoming projects y D – Personal 0.8 12.3 -11.5 Less hacking o Tried out Tales of Monkey Island demo, considering getting game ! Personal 16.5 14.8 1.8 (hmm… time…) care D – Reading 2.9 5.5 -2.6Plans for next week D – Sewing 1.6 1.6 Made a ! Unpaid 15.5 10.2 5.3 work cushion  Work for the o [ ] Test project T and develop kitties A – Sleep 52.5 58.7 -6.2 Stayed up more features later D– 3.4 2.5 0.9 Getting o [ ] Start on project O Shopping things for A – Work 40.5 32.2 8.3 Regular o [ ] Follow up on project I our trip work week  Relationships D – Social 12.1 19.2 -7.1 Helping J- with o [ ] Help with build class D – Break 3.4 2.0 1.4 Watching homewor o [ ] Pack for the trip k D– 0.1 -0.1 Delegating  Life D– 3.5 3.5 Build Volunteerin class o [ ] Write backlog of blog posts for D – Drawing 1.9 3.2 -1.3 Some g trip sketching o [ ] Delegate another two tasks D – Writing 11.4 7.2 4.2 Wrote a D– 2.0 2.0 Moved lot of o [ ] Fix sleep analysis in my time Electronics my tracker dashboard posts! footswitc

September 2011 – sachachua.com 281 September 19, 2011 - The part in which I think out loud and This Last Delt Categories: ibm, sketches, work make things less funny in the process ofActivity wee wee Notes a understanding humour k k I wasn’t sure which variant would work out best, so I’ll let the intranet editorial team pick their I’m not entirely happy with the helpdesk setupP – Eating 1.7 2.8 -1.1 favourite, and I’ll share others I considered here: here. It’s a classic joke, but it twinges the same part of me that replaces "user" with "person"P – Exercise 2.6 5.6 -3.0 whenever I can. Also, totally awesome people use the systems I build. I run into far moreP – Routines 12.2 6.3 5.9 Prepping programmer bugs and d’oh moments myself than to go to classic "user errors". “Is it plugged in?” is further work / along the spectrum than “Have you rebooted?”, coming as rebooting is (unfortunately) still very much a back from valid approach to problems. Anyway, it was a work, joke that needed to be made. Now that we’ve staying made it, we can move on. up later “Toronto” refers to Watson’s mystifying responseUW – 4.0 3.1 0.9 to a question about US cities – understandableCooking when you learn about how Watson works, but Watson is the still interesting and strangely reassuring. question-askingUW – 6.3 5.7 0.6 trivia-spouting The "server on fire" bit refers to this ideaTidying Jeopardy-winning of printer on fire, which I think I came across in a artificial intelligence compilation of funny Linux source codeUW – Travel 5.2 1.4 3.8 Went to that IBM has been comments. There’s a story about that, of course. the office working on. Aside three from handily beating I wonder what related situations might be times this human contestants interesting. Relationships are fair game. Time week and prompting rounds of “I for one welcome our travel: Watson in scenes of childhood or old age? new robot overlords”, Watson might have Watson in the distant past, or in the distant interesting applications in medicine, law, and future? There’s inverting it: imagining a cluster other challenging fields. What else might we use of people madly looking things up behind theIBM Comic: Watson on helpdesk duty; this kind of power for? scenes like a distributed Mechanical Turk (thevariantshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22502 old-school kind). There’s swapping other things I don’t think Watson can recognize speech yet, in: what would a cat be like with response but maybe someday! probabilities? Hmm…

September 2011 – sachachua.com 282Update on typing: Added AutoCorrect 1. Bring Canadian dollars and convert to Your results may vary depending on the rates.hotkey script, now clocking in at 118wpm Philippine pesos at home It’s good to do the math! =)http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22494 2. Buy US dollars and convert them toSeptember 20, 2011 - Philippine pesos at homeCategories: autohotkey, kaizen Transcript: Blogging (Part 4): Parenting 3. Buy Philippine pesos in Canada and bring http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22462While poking around the AutoHotkey them over (paying attention to import September 22, 2011 -installation, I found an autocorrect script. conditions) Categories: blogging, tips, writingAutocorrect might help me be less twitchy about 4. Use our credit cards as much as possible,typos, which could help me speed up further. and carry a smaller amount of cash (see Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing thisInstead of clocking in at 90wpm, I now reach options 1-3 for handling cash) interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put118wpm as measured them all together in a text file and a PDF that youon http://www.typingtest.com. There are Based on the online rates of Toronto Dominion can read easily, and I’ll add insights you andprobably some learning effects because I’m using Bank (TD Bank) and the Bank of the Philippine other people might share along the way. =) (Findthe same typing test, but repeated practice Islands (BPI), it turns out that it’s cheaper to buy previous entries) Here’s the fourth chunk!should level that out, and trying different texts US dollars in Canada and convert the US dollarsshould mix it up. to pesos when we’re in the Philippines (option 2). HT: Okay. I’m going to tell you my situation. I’m That results in 3% more money than bringing a full-time mom. I look after my son. My day canAutoHotkey is pretty darn cool. One of the good CAD and converting to PHP in the Philippines go from 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM at night, which isthings about using AutoHotkey for (option 1), and 8% more than buying PHP in actively looking after my son. That doesn’tautocorrection is that it works across all Canada (option 3). This is good to know, because include cooking or prepping for meals orapplications (even Emacs!). I can easily tweak we used to buy PHP here. TD buys back US shopping or me time (and I say that with a littlethe AutoHotkey script to add, delete, or change dollars but not Philippine pesos, so that’s handy laugh). I don’t have a lot of time. Right now, I’msubstitutions. too. in the middle of running a telesummit. I’ve got a couple of interviews I need to record this week.I’ll keep track of my time over more trials as I Even better than the cash rates, though, are our Just before I connected with you, I was busilyexperiment with different things. Good to play credit card rates. MBNA Smart Cash seems to putting spices on top of personal pita pizzas soaround with this! have a foreign currency surcharge of 2.5% or so that I could get them in the oven, have them over the spot foreign exchange rate. With 1% cooked, take them out to the backyard to give to cashback, that results in around 2% more than my husband and son. They’re outside because myPlanning for currency conversion option 3. We’ll probably tally up our expected son is a toddler and he likes to yell, so they’rehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22493 cash expenses, convert enough to cover them, graciously going outside so that you won’t hearSeptember 21, 2011 - Categories: decision, travel then use our cards for the rest. I’ll still check with them during this call. In fact, this might be the MBNA to make sure there aren’t other fees to only telesummit in the world where I have a catWhat’s the most effective way to convert money consider. and a toddler who occasionally co-host with me.for spending during our trip? Here are the So this is my situation. I honestly don’t have a lotoptions I considered:

September 2011 – sachachua.com 283of time. So, convince me: why should I start a on, and you can connect with people, and you have that habit of reflection and improvementblog? can share your stories about what’s happening in and then connect with all these other amazing your life. You might be sharing this with just people.SC: It’s actually interesting, because you’re a family. You might be sharing this with friends.parent, full-time, very busy taking care of very You might be sharing this with new friends, and You can get most of the benefits by reading otherimportant things in your life… There are a lot of strangers you haven’t met yet. So it’s a great way people’s stories, and gradually improving yourbloggers whose lives are like that. This entire to take care of the social interaction and the life, but it’s so much more when you can writemommy-blogging phenomenon has really taken learning and all of these wonderful things. about it and afterwards, look back and see howoff. People [even] make good money doing this much your life has changed, see all the differenttoo. They’re writing about the things they learn. Now, in terms of freeing up additional time for things you’ve learned, and pass those on to otherThere’s a ton of learning when you’re raising sanity and other priorities in life… One of the people, too.kids, of course, and so they do that and they other things I discovered while writing about allshare their stories and that’s totally all right. For these little productivity tips that I was exploring So, you’re not hopeless. People have surviveda lot of these mommy bloggers or parent bloggers was the idea of cooking a lot of things at once. things like that before. There is always time for– part of it is that sense of being able to take a And yes, you’re thinking this is probably not very things that are important to you, and bloggingstep back out of a very busy and a very hectic day, possible considering you’ve got so many things to can actually help you save time.have a little time for yourself, have a little bit of organize, and you’ve got a kid and a husband andadult reflection time so that you don’t go crazy. all that stuff… HT: You’ve given me some great reasons there.Part of it is that desire to remember these days. First, it can allow me to carve out some time forPeople are writing about what it’s like to go But we’ve switched over to cooking maybe once a myself for reflection. It can help me rememberthrough their pregnancies or their first days of week or if we’re lucky, once every two weeks, just what’s going on in my life and in my son’s life asanticipation, or the very firsts – you know, all going through lots of lots of food – chopping it all he develops–these milestones. And the seconds, and the up, cooking it all up, and then freezing it nicely –thirds, because all these things are special. You we’ve got this chest freezer that we stash things SC: And don’t forget your husband!know that soon enough, the years will pass, and in now, and that saves us time too. You can find athen it will be hard to remember what it felt like. lot of people writing about their experiences HT: my husband too, and it’s a great way toIf you’re writing about that… doing things like this: once-a-month cooking, or connect with other people who are going through every so often, they cook, or they split things up similar situations. So.So there’s carving out time for yourself, the and they share it with other families they know…ability to remember, and the ability to connect I actually know two moms–I’m going to justwith people. Especially when your schedule is all So no matter what it is, there are other people throw it out there, because they’ll probably catchcrazy – especially with people who have really who have been in your situation. There are other the replay, I’ll actually ask them to–because Iyoung kids whose sleep schedules haven’t sorted stories you can learn from. If you write about it, know two moms who have been talking andout yet – it can be really hard to plan social get- then you’re also asking yourself these questions, talking and talking about starting a blog. Theytogethers. But if you’re connecting with people reflecting on it, figuring out how you can make haven’t started. One of them, she has a blog, butthrough the storytelling, through blogging, then things better, even if it’s just a bit a time. she kinda [mothballed] it a bit. She’s busy. Sheyou’ve got a little bit of that sense of what’s going Blogging is just that extra little bit that helps you has a seven-month-old. I know, when you’ve got

September 2011 – sachachua.com 284a baby, it’s a little bit more challenging to find When I installed it, I found out that I needed to W- and I are big fans of batch cooking. Makingthe time. But the other one, she has time, so I reinstall my JQuery library (must’ve been out of large batches of food and freezing individualthink… I’m going to throw it out there and hope date?). After that, it worked fine. portions means that our weeks go smoothly.that they’re inspired to start a blog. There are no last-minute scrambles to cook On one hand, I feel a little odd scheduling posts dinner. We hardly ever buy lunch at work.Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this so far out. Do these posts lose something of their Sometimes it’s like winning a very small lottery –series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering ability to help me find my way back to moments? will this lunch container be the one with the extraYourself through Blogging page to make it I write less during the weeks when I’ve queued stuffing in it? Mmm. It takes just a little moreeasier for you to find them. many posts; less urgency, so I capture less of the time to make a double or triple recipe, and it day-to-day moments. usually comes to about as much cleaning up.Working with the Editorial Calendar On the other hand, if posting in advance helps The community-supported agriculture programplugin for WordPress; on scheduling me write and lets me capture and share thoughts adds a bit of a wrinkle. Getting fresh vegetablesposts that might’ve languished in my private notes file, every week means we cook at least once a weekhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22497 I guess that’s okay. At least this tool makes it instead of every other week or so. The variety ofSeptember 23, 2011 - easy to reschedule posts when something more produce means we try new recipes as a way toCategories: blogging, geek, tips, wordpress interesting catches my eye. use up the produce: potatoes, zucchini, and eggplants might go into curry, green beans getIn preparation for our trip to the Philippines, I’ve The next step for blogging awesomeness would turned into pakbet or sauteed vegetables. Evenbeen spreading posts out over several days be to choose topics that I want to learn more though it means we don’t get the full convenienceinstead of posting multiple entries a day. about – a proper editorial calendar of concepts! of once-a-month-cooking (or howeverThe Editorial Calendar WordPress plugin makes – and use that to direct my learning. Some of our infrequently we can manage), the CSA programit easy to move posts around by dragging and upcoming projects lend themselves very well to has been fantastic – more vegetables than we’ddropping. Here’s what it looks like in the this, so it will come in due course. normally eat, and all local and organic too.administration screen: Anyway, this Editorial Calendar plugin is handy. Cool weather and a slow start meant our garden If you post regularly, you might want to check it wasn’t as productive as it was last year. The out: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/editor tomatoes have barely even started, and the bitter ial-calendar/ melons aren’t going to produce anything at all. We did get a few wonderfully sweet handfuls of blueberries and strawberries, so that’s Batch cooking, community-supported something. Still, with tides of vegetables coming agriculture, and gardening in every Thursday, I haven’t felt much like http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22491 cultivating lettuce or even harvesting our basil. September 24, 2011 - Categories: cooking, csa, gardening

September 2011 – sachachua.com 285The CSA we’re with (Plan B Organic Farms) From last week’s plans Plans for next weekoffers a fall share from Oct 18 to Dec 31. It lookslike a great haul, so I think we’ll sign up for that.  Work  WorkWhen gardening season starts up again, I’ll o [X] Test project T and develop o [ ] Add summary to project Tsketch a new plan for the garden to take into more features o [ ] Migrate project Taccount the kinds of things we get from the CSA. o [X] Start on project ONo onions, garlic, lettuce or zucchini, but yes to o [ ] Follow up on SQL search forherbs and bitter melon, maybe okra. Yes to peas, o [X] Follow up on project I – project Iwhich were ever so yummy. sorted out miscommunication, o [ ] Gather requirements for fixed SQL server config, restarted project OMaybe I’ll try farmers’ markets too. I do like the search for SQL expertconvenience (and the commitment device!) of o Provided project C with advice on  Relationshipshaving all the vegetables picked out, even if it finding Ruby on Rails developersforces me to get creative with all the zucchini. o [ ] Pack for trip o Had another Hello Monday comic published on IBM intranet home o [ ] Help with build classIt might be good to try out other CSA programs,too. Cooper’s CSA comes out a little cheaper and page  Lifegets delivered to the house. That’s going to bemuch appreciated in winter.  Relationships o [ ] Draw o [X] Help with build class o [ ] Get through reading backlogDo you use a community-supported agricultureprogram? What do you think about it? o [-] Pack for the trip o [X] Suspend library requests o Picked up more gifts Time analysisWeekly review: Week ending September o Attended Eoin Colfer’s book event23, 2011 at the Toronto Public Libraryhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22522September 25, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly  Life o [-] Write backlog of blog posts forDrupal geeking at work, and a little bit of prep tripfor an upcoming Rails project (which gotapproved, yay!), plus some stressful o [X] Delegate another two taskstroubleshooting (solved the problem, still going o [X] Fix sleep analysis in my timeto look for an expert who can review my tracker dashboardconfiguration). Getting ready for our trip, too.Life is packed, although my suitcase isn’t (yet). o [X] Draw

September 2011 – sachachua.com 286 This Last theoretically pay someone else to do: chores,Activity Delta Notes cooking, and so on. I also include travel and week week! Discretionary 46.0 42.2 3.9 commute time. Personal care involves daily! Personal care 19.4 15.3 4.1 routines. Discretionary time includes connecting with other people, responding to mail, exploring! Unpaid work 10.5 15.5 -5.0 personal interests, and other things I choose toA – Sleep 51.0 54.5 -3.5 Hmm, that’s interesting. Stopped snoozing, generally went to bed do. around 11 PMA – Work 41.0 40.5 0.5 I slept an average of 8.2 hours a day. I’veD – Break 6.8 2.5 4.3 Tales of Monkey Island went on sale, so I picked it up been trying a different pattern: stay up until I feelD – Drawing 0.7 1.9 -1.2 sleepy, and wake up at around the same time.D – Electronics 2.0 -2.0 This gets me mostly in sync with my night-owlD – Personal 13.9 0.8 13.1 J- was not with us every day, so homework got replaced by hacking husband W-, who gets by on less sleep than I do.D – Reading 1.1 2.9 -1.8 (Maybe it’s because he drinks coffee and I don’t.) Lately, I’ve been working on being in bed by 11,D – Sewing 1.6 -1.6 and sometimes even earlier.D – Shopping 11.9 3.4 8.5 Trying to find dress clothes and shoes for J-; shopping for our trip, too Staying up means getting more discretionaryD – Social 6.9 12.1 -5.2 time, as my wake-up times generally don’t shiftD – Volunteering 3.7 3.5 0.2 unless my phone’s powered off or I sleep throughD – Writing 0.9 11.4 -10.5 Side-effect of having a backlog of posts; must tweak my alarm. (Happened twice, fortunately with noP – Eating 2.3 1.7 0.6 consequences.) I think it has to do with lots ofP – Exercise 5.8 2.6 3.2 sunlight in the morning – it makes it much easierP – Routines 11.3 11.0 0.3 Time spent getting ready for work to get up. Sunrise will get later and later, though, so I’ll need to adapt.UW – Cooking 1.5 4.0 -2.5UW – Tidying 5.9 6.3 -0.3 More usefully, staying up later means creatingUW – Travel 3.1 5.2 -2.1 the possibility of chunks of focused time, which is share my results. I’ve got seven full weeks of data great for things like playing around with the from August 6 to September 23, and I can start Arduino or working on personal code. For someQuantified: How I spent seven weeks exploring a few interesting angles. interests, a four-hour chunk may be better thanhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22527 two two-hour chunks. Setting up forSeptember 26, 2011 - Influenced by the OECD time study, I’ve woodworking or sewing can take time, forCategories: analysis, geek, quantified categorized my time into sleep, work, unpaid example, so it might be better to batch things. work, personal care, and discretionary time.At the other Quantified Self Toronto meeting, I Sleep and work are self-explanatory. Unpaidpromised to get back into time tracking and to work cover the routine things I could

September 2011 – sachachua.com 287Did I take advantage of those chunks of time?Here’s what the numbers say: (see table) Time in 49 Typical activities daysThis tells me that freeing up a 4-hour chunk 4-5-hour 3 working on personal projects (2), electronics (1)isn’t super-important, and that I can squeeze chunksa lot of activities into the nooks and crannies of aregular sort of day. 3-hour 5 volunteering (4), blogging (1) chunkSleep: When I stayed up late, I felt like thediscretionary time was occasionally of lower 2-hour 21 writing (6), personal projects (5), electronics (3), drawing (2), piano (1), relaxing (1),quality. It’s not quite about being tired, more like chunk volunteering (1), learning (1), reading (1)not being as excited. Maybe being up early gives 1-hour 41 writing (10), personal projects (7), drawing (7), relaxing (6), other (3), reading (3), volunteeringyou a certain smugness and feeling of control. chunk (2), piano (1), learning (1), sewing (1)Maybe it’s about momentum. I can see if I canmove my chunks of time earlier in the morning Less than 1 153 writing (42), drawing (26), personal projects (21), relaxing (21), reading (14), other (9), piano(downside: less ambient socialization), or if I can hour (8), learning (6), delegating (2), Latin (2), volunteering (1), gardening (1)tweak my afternoon my momentum (start work alittle earlier, use a nap or household routines to Percentagetransition from work, then rock on). 12-Aug 19-Aug 26-Aug 2-Sep 9-Sep 16-Sep 23-Sep Total of total timeTracking time affects how I spend my UW – Cooking 6.4 4.7 1.5 7.4 3.1 4.1 1.2 28.4 2%day. It’s like the way tracking expenses caninfluence what you choose to spend on. (I track UW – Tidying 2.5 5.0 3.8 3.7 5.7 6.3 3.6 30.5 3%practically all my expenses – tracking’s great formaking better decisions.) Mostly, tracking time UW – Travel 0.8 0.6 1.4 5.2 2.8 10.8 1%encourages me to keep work within limits,because I know I’ve only got so many P – Eating 5.0 6.1 2.0 5.0 2.8 1.7 2.1 24.5 2%discretionary hours to spend on my owninterests. Unpaid work total 8.9 10.5 5.3 11.7 10.2 15.5 7.6 69.7 6% P – Exercise 5.9 2.5 12.2 6.2 5.6 2.7 5.5 40.5 3% P – Prep 0.0 0.0 0% P – Routines 7.7 7.9 8.2 6.1 6.3 11.0 8.7 55.9 5% Personal care 18.6 16.4 22.4 17.2 14.8 15.3 16.3 120.9 10%

September 2011 – sachachua.com 288 I tend to work about 40 hours a week, Limiting my work hours also means that I focus We’re going to experiment with scaling up. I’vesometimes a little more. This doesn’t mean that I more on work when I’m at work. I’ve planned the considered outsourcing or getting assistance withwatch the clock, waiting for the seconds to tick projects based on how much time I think I’ll need food preparation, but I still have to crunch theby. If I’m in the zone, I’ll code until I come to a to finish the work, and I don’t want to get into a numbers on whether the increase ingood place to stop. I’ve been tweaking my non- last-minute scramble at the end. Although my discretionary time makes up for the increase inbillable work to focus on the things I can make estimates factor in a reasonable buffer for our food budget. There’s no point in doing it ifthe most difference in. For example, I maintain a meetings and other interruptions, I still don’t I’m going to waste the time, but maybe itLotus Connections toolkit to help people make want to waste that margin. Result so far: pretty compares well with delegating or postponingcommunity newsletters and get metrics. I tend to happy clients. My manager is happy too, as my other things I want to do.focus on small, quick fixes that help many estimates aren’t over-optimistic. (In fact, I tendpeople. Anything bigger than that gets added to to turn things around quickly, but that’s more of My “discretionary time” allowance staysmy list, and I encourage people to find someone a bonus.) It also helps that I know I’ll have pretty consistent. It turns out that I havewho can work with the source code if they need it discretionary time for exploring other interests. roughly 4.6 hours of discretionary time duringsooner. I also nudge people to send happy-notes weekdays and 9.3 hours of discretionary timeto my manager, as he needs to provide air cover Our routines fit our life well. There aren’t during weekends. What I choose to spend thatfor these sorts of things whenever there’s a heavy any big gaps where I could significantly improve time on tells me about my changing interests.focus on utilization. things for a small investment of time or money. For example, I’ve been shifting time from Latin I’m working on misplacing things less often. and piano to electronics and drawing. I’m pretty 12-Aug 19-Aug 26-Aug 2-Sep 9-Sep 16-Sep 23-Sep Total Percentage of happy with that decision, although I’m thinking discretionary time I might shift some time back to Latin so that I don’t lose too much to forgetting. We’ve beenD – Break 0.7 2.4 1.9 2.4 2.0 3.4 6.0 18.8 6% volunteering a lot, so we’ll see how that worksD – Delegating 0.6 0.1 0.7 0% out.D – Drawing 4.1 4.3 10.0 2.0 3.2 1.9 0.7 26.2 8%D – Electronics 2.0 2.0 1% Discretionary time:D – Gardening 0.2 0.2 0%D – Latin 1.4 0.5 1.9 1% How can I make this even better?D – Learning 0.2 1.2 9.5 10.8 3%D – Other 4.9 4.9 2.5 12.2 4%  Plan the projects I want to focus on, list the next actions, and see how much of myD – Personal 3.9 13.5 12.3 0.8 12.8 43.2 14% discretionary time is used for makingD – Piano 6.6 2.6 9.2 3% tangible progress towards long-termD – Reading 0.7 3.4 0.1 5.5 2.9 0.3 13.1 4% goals. It’s like the way I analyze myD – Sewing 1.6 1.6 1% expenses based on short-term goals andD – Shopping 1.1 2.0 2.5 3.4 11.9 20.9 7% long-term goals.D – Social 11.5 11.2 7.8 9.0 19.2 12.1 4.7 75.5 24%D – Volunteering 6.3 8.0 3.8 3.5 3.7 25.4 8%D – Writing 8.1 6.6 5.0 11.4 7.2 11.4 0.8 50.4 16%Total 39.5 46.4 47.0 43.3 52.0 43.0 40.9 312.2

September 2011 – sachachua.com 289  Shift wake-up a little earlier so that I can  David Seah shares a template for I like the Aeron chairs and the absence of kitties experiment with two smaller chunks of outlining books. I like the idea of using who communicate their desire for an early time instead of just one evening chunk. the physical structure of the book (pages) dinner by nipping my ankles. I find the sounds of to build its logical structure. The template the office distracting: the white noise of  Experiment with greater delegation. takes more space than my “dogear and airconditioning, people’s conversations, the  Experiment with finer-grained tracking then transcribe into an Org text file” clackety-clack of lots of fast typists in one place… using notes. approach, though. (I’ve tried book darts, but they’re hard to place on the go.) I find that listening to music with words  Continue adding to my life dashboard Maybe I’ll try this template for some of interferes with programming or writing. Classical (currently tracking time and clothes). the nonfiction books I’ve got on the music is nice, but background conversations2011-09-02 Fri 19:45 shelf… come through during the soft parts. I’ve started using white noise generators like Simply Noise,  The New York Times describes the bike which do a good job of masking distracting culture in the Netherlands, and how itFrom the feeds: entrepreneurship, sounds through randomness. My coworker permeates life. It’s in the little things, liketeaching, biking, riding knows she’s free to interrupt me when I’ve got how Dutch drivers learn to open theirhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22523 my earphones on, so that’s fine. doors with their right hand, forcing themSeptember 27, 2011 - Categories: feeds to turn and look for bicycles. I had a lot of The office is also a source of a little social anxiety fun biking in the Hague when we visited of the “I really should recognize more names and  Tim Ferris writes about how to estimate friends, and I wish Toronto was as much faces, but sometimes I blank out” variety. Maybe your market size using Google and fun to ride in (and as flat!). Hat-tip toBen I can make visual flashcards and go through Facebook so that you can see if your Casnocha for sharing the link. them to memorize people’s names and faces. business idea might have a million That would make it better. dollars’ worth of customers. I like reading about entrepreneurship, although I’m Getting better at working at the office I don’t get to nap at the office, so it’s more postponing getting started because I’ve http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22498 important to take regular breaks to keep my got a lot of projects going on right now. September 28, 2011 - Categories: kaizen, work energy up. It’s easier to get a lot of light, though It is possible to build really cool things in – the office has huge windows, a high ceiling, a one weekend, so that’s tempting… I’ll be working on a new project with a local light colour scheme, and a little park next to it. coworker soon, which means I’ll probably come That’s pretty good. Walking around the block is a  Alas, A Blog writes about making a school to the office more often. I’ve been spoiled by the appearance over Skype. I think it’s great way to take a break. ability to work from home on all of these projects awesome that videoconferencing makes it where I’m either solo or working with a remote possible for teachers to bring all sorts of Winter will be here soon enough. What can I do team, so I need to figure out how to make the to make winter work even better? I can wear role models into their classrooms. I hope most of being in the office. J-’s school tries this out. brighter colours, leave heavy things in my drawer (yay, I have a large drawer!), and read books on my Kindle. That should make things better than

September 2011 – sachachua.com 290last year’s winter, which was better than the year once small thing that you would like to do better need to dig deeper to find the interesting gems.before that. This particular winter promises to be the next day. If you can keep doing that, then Can you share more about that, please?interesting, and it may require a lot of hacking. you’re going to get better at remembering all these little things that you would’ve forgotten. SC: This is totally something that happens. YouOnward and upward! Being able to get a sense of perspective about don’t understand these patterns until you start how far you’ve come. Being able to figure out, writing. You know how you end up talking about okay, how can I build on these improvements some topics again and again, because it turns outTranscript: Blogging (Part 5): Getting further? those are the things that you’re really interestedstarted in? Or you might think, oh, I think I’m going tohttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22463 I think that if you change your expectations to be interested in sewing, but then if you look atSeptember 29, 2011 - that–so instead of thinking, oh, I’m going to what you actually do day by day, it doesn’t reallyCategories: blogging, tips, writing write this, but then I have to be famous and then rank high on your list. When you start capturing people have to comment, and get to be like a New these things in your life in a form that you canHat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this York Times columnist–to: I’m just going to write look back on, whether it’s keeping track of howinterview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put about my life. Something small. It doesn’t have to you’ve been spending your time or going backthem all together in a text file and a PDF that you be profound. It doesn’t have to be interesting. It’s over your archives and seeing what you writecan read easily, and I’ll add insights you and okay to bore yourself. In fact, you might as well about, the things that you keep coming back to–other people might share along the way. =) (Find do that, because you have to dig deeper to find all the things that you keep talking about, the thingsprevious entries) Here’s the fifth chunk! these things that only in hindsight turn out to be you keep writing about–those are the things that interesting. have a lot of interest for you. The more that youHolly Tse: What would you advise them for think about them, the more you learn aboutsomeone to get started? What’s the quickest way Anyway. It’s okay to bore yourself. It’s okay to them. I can write about a lot of things again andto get started? write small, simple things, just slices of daily life, again, and I’ll keep learning something about just questions and ideas to help you grow. That is them. I can write about time, I can write aboutSacha Chua: I think the quickest way to get totally okay. personal finance, I can write about cats… There’sstarted is to ditch your expectations. A lot of just so much to untangle, to discover about thesepeople think: Oh, I’m going to start a blog, but it You don’t see a lot of that advice in books about things. It’s okay to write about something againhas to be really interesting, and it has to get blogging because they’re all focused on–well, not and again because there’s something more youplenty of comments on the first day in order for it all, but many of them are focused on how people can learn from it, and there’s something moreto be worthwhile. That doesn’t really happen. can grow side businesses through blogs, or how you can share with other people.What you want to do is you want to write just for they can change their search engine rankings.yourself. Whether you want to start off writing a You know what? You can use a blog to just write, Most of this will be boring, especially if youprivate blog or a journal, or maybe you want to to explore, to ask questions, and maybe connect haven’t had a lot of practice writing. The first fewjust go ahead and tell stories even if no one’s with other people, and that is totally all right. times around, you’ll be thinking, oh, myaround to listen to them… It’s already worth it, grammar is kinda funny and I’ve got typos herejust for you. It’s already worth it if you can write HT: Now, it’s interesting that you mention that and there, and it’s boring. No one is ever going todown a single thing that you learned that day, or you may bore yourself at first. You said that you read this. I’ve looked at my blog archives. I sat

September 2011 – sachachua.com 291down and read through everything–not in one Look at how neat mysitting–but I read through every single post that foot pedal looks now! It’s int currentState;I’d written. From 2002 to 2007, I was writing much better than my int lastSwitch;about technical things that were probably dangling-wires prototype long lastDebounce;interesting to just me and maybe five other with the Arduino. At just long lastPressed;people. Anyway, it was there. It was only later, 0.7” by 1.2”, the Teensy int lastSwitchDebounced;after I’d figured out more in this process that I USB board was small #define LED 11realized that okay, here’s where I don’t agree enough to tuck into the base of the foot pedal.with other people. Here’s where I want to explore Now it looks almost exactly like how it looked uint8_t buf[8] = { 0 }; /* Keyboard reportsomething different. It’s only when you can write when I bought it from the store, except that the buffer */past that, when you can tell the difference connector at the end of the cable is USB insteadbetween what you’re supposed to think and what of some funky plug. #define SWITCH_NONE 0you actually think, or where you are and where #define SWITCH_LEFT 1you want to be… And you don’t get there without Thanks to Teensyduino, I didn’t have to rewrite a #define SWITCH_CENTER 2thinking a lot about it, without writing it down. lot of my code. The Teensy was much easier to #define SWITCH_RIGHT 3 turn into a keyboard, because I could use theWriting down is important. If you’re just standard bootloader instead of reflashing back #define STATE_WAITING 0thinking about it, you can fool yourself into and forth between the standard bootloader and athinking: this is what I’m really interested in, this HID keyboard hex. The only wrinkle was that the #define STATE_SHORT_PRESSED 1is where I’ve got a clear opinion. When you write Teensy library used keyboard scancodes instead #define STATE_LONG_PRESSED 2it down, you’ve got to be honest with yourself, of the USB keycodes I had used before. I couldn’tand then you find out whether you’re making figure out how to send F13 using the Teensy void setup() {sense or not. Most of the time–especially in the library, so I changed it to send pinMode(redPin, INPUT); digitalWrite(redPin,beginning–you’re not going to make sense. Shift+F1…Shift+F6, and I updated my HIGH);That’s okay. AutoHotkey script to map the new keys. pinMode(tanPin, INPUT); digitalWrite(tanPin, HIGH);Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this If you happen to have the same foot pedal, you pinMode(orangePin, INPUT);series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering can solder brown and black to GND, orange to digitalWrite(orangePin, HIGH);Yourself through Blogging page to make it B0, blue to B1, tan to B2, and red to B3. pinMode(bluePin, INPUT);easier for you to find them. digitalWrite(bluePin, HIGH); Here’s the new code: Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(LED, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(LED, const int redPin = 3;Converted my Arduino foot pedal into a HIGH); const int tanPin = 2;Teensy foot pedal! delay(200); const int bluePin = 1;http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22506 lastSwitch = 0; const int orangePin = 0;September 30, 2011 - lastDebounce = millis(); const int debounceDelay = 150;Categories: electronics, geek, teensy currentState = 0; const int longPressThreshold = 650;

September 2011 – sachachua.com 292 digitalWrite(LED, LOW); case SWITCH_RIGHT: if (isShort) { // Send the keystroke} Keyboard.set_key1(KEY_F3); } else { sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, true); Keyboard.set_key1(KEY_F6); } break; sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, false);int getCurrentSwitch() { } currentState = STATE_WAITING; if (!digitalRead(orangePin)) { return if (debug) { } else if (currentSwitch != lastSwitch) {SWITCH_LEFT; } Serial.println(currentSwitch); // Shouldnt happen, but just in case youre if (!digitalRead(tanPin)) { return Serial.println("Down"); using a different footpedal...SWITCH_CENTER; } Serial.println(isShort ? "Short" : "Long"); sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, true); if (!digitalRead(redPin)) { return } sendKey(lastSwitchDebounced, true, false);SWITCH_RIGHT; } } else { lastPressed = millis(); return SWITCH_NONE; Keyboard.set_modifier(0); } else if (millis() - lastPressed >} if (debug) { Serial.println("Up"); longPressThreshold) { Serial.println(isShort ? "Short" : "Long"); } currentState = STATE_LONG_PRESSED;void sendKey(int currentSwitch, boolean isShort, } sendKey(lastSwitch, false, true);boolean keyDown) { if (!debug) { Keyboard.send_now(); } } Keyboard.set_key1(0); } break; Keyboard.set_key2(0); case STATE_LONG_PRESSED: void loop() { // Wait for the transition Keyboard.set_key3(0); int currentSwitch = getCurrentSwitch(); if (currentSwitch == SWITCH_NONE) { Keyboard.set_key4(0); if (currentSwitch != lastSwitch) { currentState = STATE_WAITING; Keyboard.set_key5(0); lastDebounce = millis(); sendKey(lastSwitch, false, false); Keyboard.set_key6(0); } else if (currentSwitch != lastSwitch) { int debug = 0; } digitalWrite(LED, keyDown ? HIGH : LOW); // Serial.println(currentSwitch); // Likewise, switching between inputs if (keyDown) { // Debounce it shouldnt happen with this footpedal, if (millis() - lastDebounce > debounceDelay) { // but just in case...Keyboard.set_modifier(MODIFIERKEY_SHIFT) switch (currentState) { sendKey(lastSwitch, false, false);; case STATE_WAITING: currentState = STATE_SHORT_PRESSED; switch (currentSwitch) { // No keys pressed yet lastPressed = millis(); case SWITCH_LEFT: if (isShort) { if (currentSwitch != SWITCH_NONE) { }Keyboard.set_key1(KEY_F1); } else { lastPressed = millis(); }Keyboard.set_key1(KEY_F4); } break; currentState = STATE_SHORT_PRESSED; lastSwitchDebounced = currentSwitch; case SWITCH_CENTER: if (isShort) { } }Keyboard.set_key1(KEY_F2); } else { break; lastSwitch = currentSwitch;Keyboard.set_key1(KEY_F5); } break; case STATE_SHORT_PRESSED: } // Wait to see if this counts as a long press if (currentSwitch == SWITCH_NONE) {

September 2011 – sachachua.com 293Here is the relevant AutoHotkey snippet I’m —- Another foot pedal story —- transcription. I told her to look for "Sacha Chuaworking with: Arduino USB footswitch" as a way to get to my+F1::Send, {PgUp} One Saturday, W- and I were at Active Surplus to notes on building a 6-way USB footswitch using+F2::Send, !{Tab} buy some electronic components and to browse the very same footswitch she was thinking of+F3::Send, {PgDn} their ever-interesting collections. I overheard a buying. We had a short but great conversation+F4::Send, {PgUp} woman looking for a footswitch. As she asked about hacking stuff. I hope she ends up making+F5::Send, !{Tab} one of the Active Surplus employees about the something awesome out of the footswitch!+F6::Send, {PgDn} switch characteristics so that she could turn it into a USB keyboard-type device, I couldn’t help but tell her the footswitch was totally awesomeWheeee! It looks so neat now. I’ve still got some and that I’d done something similar recently. Sheflakiness to work out, but it looks awesome! was also interested in building a footswitch for

October 2011 – sachachua.com 294October 2011 equilibrium. "No sense in getting upset," I can be dealt with. Reflection helped me grasp a reminded myself. In the grand scheme of things, situation and know that I can wring an idea or a it’s not a big deal: six dollars’ worth of tokens, an story or an aha! out of it, which means there areIt turns out that “I suck” moments are hour of subway time spent writing, and a little never really any total losses. That comfortingmore negotiable than I thought stress before a clear mind kicks in. Worst-case thought minimized the initial stress, and then Ihttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22542 scenario, I’d be out the forgotten money and the had enough mental space to focus on what I canOctober 1, 2011 - Categories: happiness, life time. It would be an expensive lesson, but I could do next, what’s going well, and what can be consider that tuition for a lesson that might save improved.I was unpacking my bag at home before I realized me a lot of grief later, the entrance fee for anI had forgotten cash at the bank. In the middle of experience that might be worth writing about, Do you occasionally get those “I suck” momentscatching up with W-, I found a mental void when and the fluctuation that tests the capacitance of too? What could help you hit eject on the DVD ofI grasped for my memories of my errand, like my happiness. negative self-talk and focus instead on makingsitting on a chair that isn’t there. the most of the next moment, and the next, and Fortunately, the bank staff resolved the problem the next?In preparation for an upcoming trip, I had in less than three minutes. The teller hadwithdrawn US dollars and Canadian dollars from remembered shortly after I’d left, and shethe bank branch near by work. I received the US cancelled the CAD transaction so that it didn’t Weekly review: Week ending Septemberdollars, but not the Canadian dollars, and both I affect my account. A quick chat with an available 30, 2011and the teller had forgotten about it by the time teller, and everything was sorted out. Relieved http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22543she cheerfully asked me if there was anything (and with the withdrawal tucked securely into my October 2, 2011 - Categories: review, weeklyelse I could help with. After a short conversation bag), I headed home.with an acquaintance I met, I left the branch, Lots of scrambling, but we’re through!brainstorming ideas on the way home. And I found it interesting that tranquility was easy to From last week’s plansthen– oh, drat. recover. Years ago, I might have let that “I suck” moment throw me off my balance. I still  WorkWhen I realized that the cash was missing, I occasionally run into this situation at work. Evencalled the bank branch and left voicemail. Then I after a positive resolution, I might still have o [X] Add summary to project Tcalled the branch again. As I contemplated serial- begrudged my absentmindedness the effect on o [-] Migrate project T – postponeddialing the possibly unattended phone, W- my schedule, berating myself for inattention. Iencouraged me to get back on the subway to see tested it mentally by considering this: what if I’d o [X] Follow up on SQL search forif I could still catch the teller on her shift. ended up losing the cash for good? It would be project I – found possible experts(Hooray for banks that are open late!) I left my inconvenient, but I don’t think I would have let it o [X] Gather requirements forbag, picked up some energy bars, and hurried spoil my day. project Oback, rehearsing possible arguments. Keeping a tranquil mind was much easier when I o Added user management toOn the trip there, I felt the tendrils of an "I suck" didn’t give in to the temptation to mentally project Omoment curling about the edges of my berate myself. It turns out that “I suck” moments

October 2011 – sachachua.com 295 o [ ] Tidy up more project T issuesActivity This week Last week Delta Notes! Discretionary 44.5 45.4 -0.8 o [ ] Import data for project O! Personal care 15.7 17.8 -2.2  Relationships! Unpaid work 9.0 9.2 -0.2 o [ ] Celebrate anniversary – dinnerA – Sleep 52.5 54.6 -2.1 at Pho Hung?A – Work 46.2 41.0 5.2 Preparing for migration (postponed), getting things ready before we go o [ ] Spend time with familyD – Break 0.1 6.8 -6.8  LifeD – Drawing 0.7 -0.7D – Personal 20.9 13.2 7.7 Working on home dashboard o [ ] Delegate blog-checking to virtual assistantD – Reading 7.0 1.1 5.9 Clearing my reading stash o [ ] Add library pickup checkD – Shopping 1.4 11.9 -10.5D – Social 3.6 6.9 -3.2 Time analysis (see table)D – Volunteering 3.4 3.7 -0.3D – Writing 8.1 0.9 7.1 Queueing posts Tracking and organizing my clothes:P – Eating 4.3 2.3 2.0 substituting mathematics for fashionP – Exercise 5.0 5.8 -0.8 sense http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22539P – Routines 6.4 9.7 -3.3 October 3, 2011 -UW – Cooking 1.9 1.5 0.4 Categories: analysis, clothing, geek, organization,UW – Tidying 2.6 4.6 -2.0 photography, quantified, railsUW – Travel 4.5 3.1 1.4 Commuting to work every day o Set up Redmine issue tracking for o [-] Draw project O o [X] Get through reading backlog  Relationships o [X] Suspend library requests o [-] Pack for trip o Added clothing to home dashboard o [X] Help with build class Plans for next week  Life  Work

October 2011 – sachachua.com 296 keyboard macros + Rails console = quick and easy data munging.) I used Acts as Taggable On for additional structure. It turns out that the math for complementary and triadic colour schemes is easy when you convert RGB to HSL (hue, saturation, lightness). I used the Color gem for my RGB-HSL conversions, then calculated the complementary and triadic colours by adding or subtracting degrees as needed (180 for complementary, +/- 120 for triadic). Here’s what the detailed view looks like now:Inspired by my sister’s photo-assistedorganization of her shoes, I decided to tackle my Clothing summary, sorted by frequency (30 dayswardrobe. Taking an inventory would make it of data as of writing)easier to simplify, replace, or supplement myclothes. Analyzing colour would help mesubstitute mathematics for a sense of style.Combining the images with the clothes log I’vebeen keeping would make it easier to seepatterns and maybe do some interestingvisualizations. Geek time!I took pictures of all my clothes against aconvenient white wall. I corrected the images And the clothing log:using Bibble 5 Pro and renamed the files tomatch my clothes-tracking database, creatingnew records asneeded. AutoHotkey and Colorette made the taskof choosing representative colours much lesstedious than it would’ve been otherwise. After Icreated a spreadsheet of IDs, representativecolours, and tags, I imported the data into myRails-based personal dashboard, programmingin new functionality along the way. (Emacs Thoughts:

October 2011 – sachachua.com 297  White balance and exposure are a little  Work with Color  David of Money under 30 shares how he off in some shots. I tweaked some makes money blogging. He focuses on representative colours to account for that. affiliate advertising. If I develop a blog as It would be neat to get that all sorted out, From the feeds: Saving money, making a part-time source of income, I probably and maybe drop out the background too. money, balancing life, reading books, and wouldn’t want to deal with the hassles of It’s fine the way it is. =) making rainbows filtering Google Adsense ads that I don’t http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22524 agree with or that I find offensive, so  Matches are suggested based on tags, and October 4, 2011 - Categories: feeds affiliate advertising, information are not yet sorted by colour. Sorting by products, and/or services might be the colour or some kind of relevance factor  PassionSaving shares ten money-saving way to go. would be extra cool. tips: focus on getting over the $100,000  David Seah’s diagram of work-life  Sorting by hue can be tricky. Maybe hump (yay!), add income tax when you baselines nudged me to visualize my time there’s a better way to do this… consider costs, multiply by 25 to estimate and figure out more about my activity  My colour combinations don’t quite agree capital needed for each of your spending requirements. I don’t have the kinds of with other color scheme calculators I’ve categories, translate money into time, rules of thumb that he has, but maybe tried. They’re in the right neighbourhood, have short-term savings goals, focus someday! So far, I know that I’ve got at least. Rounding errors? on your goals, save for particular changes about 4 hours of discretionary time to you want to make, think of saving as a work with on weekdays, and that sleep  I’ll keep an eye out for accessories that normal thing to do, spend consciously, hovers between 7.5 and 8.5 hours. Going match triadic colours for the clothes I and be mindful of your limited savings most frequently wear. to bed at 11 means I’ll get up at around 7 potential. or so, and that means I’ll be at work by  Quick stats: 28 casual tops, 15 skirts, 12 around 8:30. An hour of tidying is office-type tops, 8 pairs of pants, 5 pairs I started calculating the time cost of enough to start laundry, sweep the of slacks – yes, there’s definitely room to things when I came across that tip bathroom, and put away clothes. trim. It would be interesting to visualize in Your Money or Your Life (Vicki Robin, Homework help and socializing takes this further. Graph theory can help me Joe Dominguez, Monique Tilford). I around an hour, too. figure out if there are clothing calculate my rate after I take out my combinations that will help me simplify savings and fixed expenses. To avoid  We’re always interested in good books to my wardrobe, and it might be fun to plot getting confused about whether I’m using read, so I’m looking forward to checking an 8-hour workday, a 16-hour waking out Katie Zenke’s recommendations for colours and perhaps usage. Hmm… day, or a 24 hour day, I calculate a daily geeky books for kids. The comments areOther resources: rate instead. It makes it easier to stand in great, too. front of something and think: yes, that’s  This rainbow layer cake looks great. It  Academichic: Fashion 101: How to worth a day of my life; or no, I’d rather be makes me think of Nyan Cat. combine colours: complementary colors financially independent a little bit earlier. and the two-thirds rule Lots of interesting posts turn up in my Hat-tip to Lifehacker for the link! feedreader. I’m thinking of sharing highlights

October 2011 – sachachua.com 298weekly so that I nudge myself to go back and errors. Besides, with tools and metrics, I can kept a journal sporadically. Most of the time, I’dreview them, see what I’ve done with the make testing more like a game. get a fourth of the way through a notebook andinformation, and share the ideas with you. then I’d misplace it, or I’d lose interest in all that Onward and upward! stuff, and it would be hard to go back to those notes again.Learning browser-based testing withSelenium Transcript: Blogging (Part 6): Looking But with a blog, especially with a blog that’shttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22512 back backed up, I can go back to old stuff. And that’sOctober 5, 2011 - http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22464 how I can see, oh yeah, here’s where my thinkingCategories: development, geek, work October 6, 2011 - is different now. Back then, I used to think that Categories: blogging, tips, writing having a relationship would get in the way of theI want to get better at testing my applications so cool things I want to do with my life. Now I canthat clients and end-users run into fewer bugs. Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this see that having a good relationship can supportI’m learning how to use Selenium to write interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put the things I want to do with my life. You get to dobrowser-based tests. So far, I’ve written eight them all together in a text file and a PDF that you that kind of spot-the-difference thing, and thattests and fixed three bugs. This is good. can read easily, and I’ll add insights you and helps you learn even more about who you are other people might share along the way. =) (Find and who you want to be.I’m using the Selenium IDE, and I’m looking previous entries) Here’s the sixth chunk!forward to trying other options. I like the way So yeah, I’ve had those moments. I’ve had bugsthat the Selenium IDE lets me record and step Holly Tse: So, I have to ask you then… When in my published code. I’ve embarrassing typos.through tests easily. The Selenium Stored you started blogging, or even today, do you ever I’ve had places where I was just plain wrong, andVariables Viewer plugin was really helpful, sometimes read your posts and go, “Man, I’m places where I’ve changed my opinion, but that’sbecause it made it easy for me to store values and boring, and oops, I think my grammar’s funny”? part of being human. All in all, I’m really gladview them. I’m slowly getting the hang of I’ve got that record.different commands and asserts. Next week, I’m Sacha Chua: Occasionally, I let embarrassinggoing to read the command reference so that I typos slip through. A lot of the times, I’m looking Tune in next Thursday for the next part in thiscan index the possibilities. back at my posts from two years or six months series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering ago and I’m thinking, “I wrote that?” Most of the Yourself through Blogging page to make itPeople tell me I’m a fast developer. I want to try time, it’s a good “I wrote that?” though. easier for you to find them.swapping some of that speed for better accuracy Sometimes it’s a “Wow, I’ve come a long way– slowing down and doing things right, with tests since then” kind of “I wrote that?” But it’sto back that up. It feels like it takes a lot of time fascinating because when you give yourself Decision review: Marrying W-to click around and wait for the pages to respond, enough time to be unfamiliar with the things that http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22544or even to run these web-based tests and iterate you’ve written down – which means that you’ve October 7, 2011 -until I’ve gotten them right, but it’s better for me been writing for a while and you’ve made a habit Categories: decision, life, relationships, reviewto do it than for other people to run into these of it – and you have it in a way that you can refer back to, not like… So, in my pre-blogging days, I

October 2011 – sachachua.com 299W- and I celebrated our first wedding think. There’s been a shift in how I relate to my group applications: one desktop for client T, oneanniversary last Sunday. It’s been a fantastic family, too – we’re more grown-up and less desktop for client I, one desktop for client O, andyear! Time to review just how fantastic it was, stressed. one desktop for other stuff, such as drawing. Theand how we can make next year even better. most memory use I’ve seen on this system so far Even though more people are going through life is less than 6 GB (out of 8 GB), so running virtualReasons for getting married (instead of without marrying, it still seems that getting desktops doesn’t make the performance of mycontinuing to cohabit): married is acknowledged as one of those other apps worse. growing-up milestones. The simple wedding ring  [X] Build a stronger foundation for long- I wear shifts small-talk conversations. People Using virtual desktops helps me keep things term plans (including paperwork): Yup, more frequently talk to me about kids than organized, but I also want to be able to quickly really helps before. Thanks to being part of W- and J-’s lives, switch to Emacs and take notes without caring I can relate to the anecdotes people tell of family about which desktop I’m on. Fortunately,  [X] Reduce social friction from uncertain and teenagers. VirtuaWin makes it easy to set up an application relationships: Yup, worth it to run on all desktops. Left-clicking on the  [X] Bring families together: More grown- Life is great. VirtuaWin icon in my status bar lets me set my up relationships, too Emacs window as “Always Show”. To make it Next year even easier to consistently get to Emacs, I pinnedOur day-to-day lives are much like they were the program to the task bar (right-click on thebefore the wedding, but being married has subtly Next year promises to be exciting. We’ve task bar icon and pin the program), moved thechanged things. Long-term planning is easier developed great household routines like bulk- pinned program to the first slot on the task bar,when you’ve got the commitments and cooking, we’ve been tweaking our space for and got into the habit of using Windows+1 topaperwork in place. better flow and organization, and we’ve been switch to the application. Yay! improving our communication practices for anIt’s great being able to use familiar words that fit even stronger relationship. With a solid VirtuaWin is a free open source program forinto social structures. I like being able to foundation in place, we can step up our game. Microsoft Windows.namedrop my husband, and I grin when W- tells Looking forward to it!a salesperson that he has to discuss things withhis wife. J- occasionally refers to me as her 2011-10-02 Sun 15:20 Monitoring multiple WordPress sites forstepmom when she’s talking to her friends or comments using Yahoo Pipeswriting on her blog. It still takes some getting http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22525used to, but it’s handier than saying “my dad’s… Tweaking my Windows 7 setup more: October 9, 2011 -umm… girlfriend? partner?” in situations when Emacs on all virtual desktops! Categories: blogging, geek, wordpressreferring to people by name doesn’t give enough http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22529context. October 8, 2011 - Categories: emacs, geek As the de facto blogging geek in the family, I’m keeping an eye on my blog and three otherClear relationships also make it easier to relate to I’ve been using VirtuaWin to set up four virtual (mostly inactive) blogs:family. I get along better with W-’s family now, I desktops on my computer. This makes it easy to

October 2011 – sachachua.com 300  My blog http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22545 thought about how I could use the same October 10, 2011 - Categories: geek technique to make the trip better. So I made a  Friends of Manila Zoo spreadsheet of the days we’d be gone, wrote  The Business of Photography It’s easy to pack for business trips: two pairs of down the general activities, and started planning  Adphoto Pressroom Tilley slacks, X Tilley long-sleeved tops, other what to bring. (Table 1 Trip matrix) accoutrements, and I’m good to go. Trips home Table 1 Trip matrixI need to monitor comments that slipped can be challenging: some casual, some dressy,through spam filtering, WordPress version some whatever. I used to pack for trips back This was okay, but it didn’t let me see how well Iupdates, and so on. Fortunately, I don’t have to home by throwing random clean clothes into my balanced the outfits. So I remapped my table,regularly come up with content for all four! suitcase. Okay, I exaggerate. I tried to put some using tops and bottoms as columns and rows, some rhyme and reason into it. Sometimes and labelling the intersections with the days.I wanted to make it easier to check comments on things just don’t line up, and I end up in thismultiple sites. Instead of checking each site horribly clashing outfit. Cream White tee Pink Dressregularly or configuring them to send me e-mail tee tee(too much e-mail!), I used Yahoo Pipes to Somehow everyone else in the family has Dress 9combine the blog comment feeds from each site developed a signature style, smooth and Brown 7 10into one main feed. Then I added that feed harmonious. (My dad and Columbia shirts; my skirtto iGoogle, along with gadgets for weather, mom and violet, my eldest sister and smart Stretch 15 5 8calendar, and mail. Tada! Dashboard. clothes, my middle sister and stylish dresses…) pants Also, my dad and my sister are professionalDo you manage multiple WordPress blogs? How photographers. Not only do my fashion mistakes Cargo 13 11 6do you stay on top of them? stick out like a sore thumb, but they’re also pants immortalized in our family pictures. Board 14 12 shortsGeek travel: Planning outfits using Having discovered that I can substitute geekinessmatrices for style when it comes to pairing colours, I Okay. Confession. It didn’t actually turn out this neat. The first time around, I ended up with two Friend Weddi repeated outfits and more blank entries, so I Trip Bohol Bohol Bohol Bohol Trip s ng swapped items until I balanced things more 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 evenly. It was fun solving this geek problem withDress X real-life constraints like avoiding wearing oneBrown skirt X X item twice in a row. Solving it was like scribblingStretch pants X X X my way through a game of Sudoku or figuringCargo pants X X X out just the right vertex colouring for a graph.Board shorts X X W- took a look at my compact bundle of clothesCream tee X X X and said, “Is that all you’re bringing?” TornWhite tee X X XPink tee X X X X

October 2011 – sachachua.com 301between the desire to test the combinatorial  Fluent in 3 Months shares how a personal If you like these kinds of experiments,possibilities of my geekily-derived travel assistant can make travelling much check out Quantified Self. There arewardrobe and the practical benefits of bringing easier. Wouldn’t it be great to have meetup groups around the world – greatmore clothes just in case, I followed his advice someone sort out local arrangements for for show and tell, and great forand wrapped a few more items around the jars of you? For our trip to the Philippines, inspiration.home-made jalapeño jelly we also packed. We’ll everything was sorted out by my familysee how closely I can stick to my spreadsheet- (my sister’s awesome at planning trips),  Tracy Kenny (Talecatcher) shares storiessupported plan, though! but I might take advantage of this idea if about home-schooling and co-schooling.Table 2 Combinations we travel anywhere else. J- goes to school, but that doesn’t mean  Matthew Cornell shares 24 productivity learning stops there. We help her with experiments he tried. I’m fascinated by homework, we sneak learning intoFrom the feeds: Ramen, personal everyday conversations, and we host the way people measure and improveassistants, productivity, co-schooling, and study groups so she and her friends canbeing yourself their lives. Thoughts on his experiments: get extra practice with math or otherhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22526 o Two-by-two charting: I should try subjects.October 11, 2011 - Categories: feeds this. Tasks? Interests?  Cate Huston shares her talk on being o Daily planning: Might be good for yourself on the Internet. From time to  Ever since we realized that instant getting back into the hang of using time, people ask me about personal noodles are a great way to get through Org as a planner, not just as a brands and blogging. I tell people to focus lots of vegetables from our community- notebook. on being themselves and becoming supported agriculture box, I haven’t made better. Cate does too, but she illustrates a regular salad. It’s all about the o Estimated versus actual completion times: I’m getting her talk with XKCD comics, so I think the Nongshim udon piled high with shredded end result is funnier. rapini and other leafy greens, sliced pretty good at this when it comes to work. Maybe I’ll extend it to onions and radishes, and (if we haven’t Lots of interesting posts turn up in my used up our egg quota yet) one or two personal tasks, too. feedreader. I’m thinking of sharing highlights soft-boiled eggs. Ramen love is rampant o Task input/output: That’s a nifty weekly so that I nudge myself to go back and on the net. Patricia of Baon Ko Bento idea. Work is fine (burndown review them, see what I’ve done with the writes about stir-fried instant ramen. charts, etc). I wonder how I can information, and share the ideas with you. Gizmodo(!) shares suggestions on things track that in my personal life, too. Working through my backlog! you can add to ramen, Serious Eats o E-mail: I’ve gotten much more shares ramen hacks, and Seattle responsive when it comes to social Weekly gives you ideas for every meal of Working with FTP sites e-mail. I think it was a matter of the day. I haven’t tried the other recipes http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22492 setting aside 15 minutes each day yet, but I’m tempted to. (Hat-tip to October 12, 2011 - Categories: geek, linux to manage my personal mailbox. Lifehacker for the other links.)

October 2011 – sachachua.com 302One of the Drupal sites I’m working on is on a Type help at the lftp command prompt to find and cons… Do a cost-benefit analysis…” (turnedweb host that allows only FTP access, not SSH or out more, or check out the lftp webpage. Hope out to be worth it, so I did go ahead and do that)SCP access. I set up a local development this saves you time! – so, making decisions, or whether I want to useenvironment so that I can play around without it to do a quick review of what happened in theaffecting the integration or production site. This last week, what do I want to do in the next week,also lets me use drush to do a group upgrade of Transcript: Blogging (Part 7): Learning how do I want to improve things a little bitmodules without downloading and installing how to write further… to things like, here’s a little thing I’mthem one by one. But without the convenience http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22465 going to forget, but I’m going to need it sometimeof rsync over ssh, how can I easily transfer my October 13, 2011 - in the future, so I’m going to stick it in here soupdated code to the server? Categories: blogging, tips, writing that I can Google it. This has happened. I have searched for stuff, found the answer on my blog,lftp is a free Linux/UNIX tool for working with Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this completely forgotten that I’d written it, but havefiles over FTP. Packages are available on major interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put been so glad that I did.distros, so installing it as easy as apt-get install them all together in a text file and a PDF that youlftp or working with your distro’s package can read easily, and I’ll add insights you and So yeah, write as often as these situations occurmanager. To start an lftp session, type lftp other people might share along the way. =) (Find to you. I write whenever I’m trying to figureuser@host. It supports the usual FTP commands, previous entries) Here’s the seventh chunk! things out, or when I want to remember, or whenbut it also has a few nifty additions. For example, I want to share something with other people.here are some commands I use often: Holly Tse: Now you mentioned that when you Let’s say somebody e-mails me a question I think had a written journal that you wrote it in rather other people might be interested in the answerlftp mirror somedirectory :: Recursively copy sporadically. I know with your blog, you write to. I’ll write it on my blog and send them a link.somedirectory from the remote computer to the more often. Do you have a recommendation as to That way, it’s there for search engines. It’s therelocal computer lftp mirror -R somedirectory :: how often someone should blog? for other people who want to share it…Recursively copy somedirectory from your localcomputer to the remote computer lftp mirror -R Sacha Chua: As often as you’d like to. Which is There’s always those stories and tidbits. It’s notsomedirectory destination :: Recursively copy to say that you should never beat up for not that you’re going to have any lack of material.somedirectory to destination – saves me a lot of writing often, and you should never beat yourself There are a lot of stories you can tell. If you takecd and lcd-inglftp mirror -R --dry-run up for forgetting to write. It doesn’t matter if you the story that you care most about telling, andsomedirectory :: Don’t actually copy come back to it after a couple of months or you do this as often as you’d like to build thesomedirectory; print out the commands that whatever. habit… I block out time daily now, because I getwould have been run fidgety if I don’t write for a long time. Block off The thing that really helps me write regularly is some time to do it, whether it’s daily or weekly,It’s smart enough to transfer only files that have that I don’t just use this as a way to look back. I or whenever you feel like doing it, wheneverchanged, which is much better than having to don’t just see it as a way to build audience or do you’ve got a story to tell or something to figureremember and copy them. It can also use parallel other things like that. I use my blog as a way to out, and write.connections for extra speed. figure things out. Whether it’s “Do I replace the dead battery in my laptop? What are the pros

October 2011 – sachachua.com 303HT: So you don’t need to be a skilled writer, like As I was telling you in our previous chat, back tailored to my passions. I wanted to focus ona journalist, to have your own blog. then, I was, “I’m a programmer. I don’t do irony. Web 2.0 consulting and open source web I want things to mean what they say and say development, and I did. I’ve facilitatedSC: You don’t get to be a skilled writer until you what they mean.” So writing for me got workshops around the world, coached clients andwrite. This is something surprising, but it is true. stereotyped as this terrible effort to write co-workers, and helped flesh out and implementYou don’t expect to sit down at your computer something–an essay, a book report, a term social media strategies. I’ve gotten pretty good atand be the next Stephen King or Stephanie paper–that ended up being measured against Drupal, and I’ve done sites in Ruby on Rails, too.Meyer or whoever else you want to look up to. somebody else’s yardstick. You’re writing for I’ve learned a lot about automated testing,But you don’t get to that part until you write. somebody else, a teacher who… I felt like I was system administration, automation, and otherEven if you never get to the part of being a making stuff up. I’ve since then made peace with useful skills. I’ve been promoted, and I’ve takenprofessional Writer (with a capital W), the fact these teachers. (Facebook friends, we’re talking, on additional responsibilities like estimatingthat you’ve got these notes and they make sense we have conversations and all that…) effort, preparing statements of work, and leadingto you–maybe they don’t make sense to anybody other developers.else, but they make sense to you–even if they But it took me until past university, when Idon’t make sense to you after half a year… As figured out that writing is a great way to learn Energylong as you’re going through that thinking about life. I went from taking my technical notesprocess, it’s already okay. You don’t have to win a to writing about this cooking thing can be Well past the honeymoon period, I’ve somehowPulitzer Prize, you’ve just got to write about your actually (inaudible) sometimes… So I was writing escaped the cynicism that saps the energy oflife. about my CookOrDie project. Writing about that, many recent hires. I see IBM like I saw it in the and writing about all the other things I was beginning: an organization with its ownHT: I think it’s a great time for you to share how learning, was the thing that unlocked it for me. challenges, but still fundamentally inspiring andyou did in English class in school, and why– This idea that writing isn’t just something you do wonderful. When asked how I am, I find myself in school! answering “Fantastic!” – and meaning it.SC: I did terribly in English class in school. I’mparticularly good at taking standardized tests. It’s Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this I’ve kept myself engaged by taking responsibilitya little bit of probability and you rule out a couple series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering for my motivation. My manager helps byof questions and all of that stuff… Anyway, what Yourself through Blogging page to make it showing me how to work with the system andhappened was that I did really well on the easier for you to find them. helping me find projects that fit me well. In theentrance test for my school, so they put in Merit end, though, I choose how to respond to theEnglish. Merit English consisted of sitting small triumphs and frustrations of everydayaround in a circle with other similarly “gifted” Decision review: Working at IBM work. I’m generally good at celebrating successesstudents discussing English literature. Which is http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22540 and fixing annoyances, which helps a lot.all very nice and good, but wasn’t something I October 14, 2011 -really was interested in. Even then, I read a lot Categories: career, decision, ibm, review, work I’ve worked on making my experience of IBMmore nonfiction than I read fiction. So we were pretty good, and I’ve had a remarkably wonderfulsitting around this circle discussing the Love I joined IBM four years ago today, sliding right time as a new hire. I’ve been lucky that both ofSong of J. Alfred Prufrock and the irony therein… from my master’s degree into a position that was my managers have been great allies, and that I

October 2011 – sachachua.com 304have plenty of co-workers and mentors who community owners to create newsletters, invite you to check out what they’reshare their insights and help me figure out IBM. get metrics, and perform other tools; working on. =)Investing in tools pays off: automation minimizes  answering questions and sharing  The system is not that scary. Sometimesfrustrating work, and an extra laptop makes resources on using Lotus Connections for things don’t work out or they’re moredevelopment go faster. I often find myself saving facilitating virtual brainstorming difficult than they could be. Most of thetime by referring to the notes in my blog, and the time, people are great at being flexible.blog has helped me connect with clients, co-  drawing comics about life at IBMworkers, and other developers.  I think I’m figuring out a growth path that I find myself thinking about these side projects doesn’t involve aspiring to be anTime like a semi-passive income stream of good executive. I’d like to become a good, solid karma. I look for places where a little effort can developer like my role models are. I’d alsoI continue to work around 40 hours a week, translate into a lot of benefit. like to train/mentor more people so thatwhich forces me to be good at estimating how we can increase our organizationalmuch I can do within that time and focusing on Things I didn’t expect when I signed up, capacity for these kinds of projects.doing it. It means that I have time for other but which worked out really well:priorities, such as life and relationships. It also Looking aheadmeans that I can bring a lot of energy to work  I’ve worked on a number of websites forbecause I don’t feel like it’s taking over my life. I non-profits. More than half of my months I could happily continue doing this sort of workminimize travel, as trips require a lot of at IBM involved one non-profit project or for years, I think. I like the mix of developmentpaperwork and disrupt a lot of things. another, sometimes balanced with and consulting. I might gradually move to another project and sometimes as my leading more projects and training people alongIn the beginning, I took on lots of volunteer main focus. It turns out to be incredibly the way. It would be a good way to scale up. Thethings: coaching other IBMers on Web 2.0 fulfilling and one of the reasons that kind of projects I love working on – small rapidthrough the BlueIQ initiative, writing a lot on my might convince me to stay around. Wins web development projects – don’t typicallypersonal blog, skimming through everything all around: clients have better web involve large teams, though. Growth willpublished in IBM’s internal blogosphere. (Back capabilities, IBM gets to help make a probably involve going deeper (say, customizingthen, it was possible – there was just one place to difference, my department earns internal Drupal and Rails even more), building assets sofind people’s blogs, volume was manageable, and dollars, and I learn and use cool skills that we can save time, and mentoring peopleyou felt like you really got to know people.) Now, while working on fascinating challenges. working on other projects.I’m more selective about the things I volunteer todo, and I try to help other people build their  I’ve been able to try all sorts of things. I like working with IBM, even though sometimescapabilities as much as possible. That means the Presentations, blog posts, comics, videos, I grumble about the paperwork. I really like theseoccasional bit of work on: virtual reality discussions, group non-profit projects I get to work on, and it’s hard videoconferencing, telepresence, to imagine having quite the same kind of set-up research… I guess when people know anywhere else. I learn a lot from our commercial  a Lotus Connections community toolkit you’re a positive geek who might come up projects, too. that makes it easy for lots and lots of with related ideas, links or tools, they

October 2011 – sachachua.com 305Good financial planning makes riskier choices steps I took, and I could even add assertions so I can check if the timestamp is present on a page:easier to consider. A different position? A career that I didn’t have to check things myself. assertTextPresent Node title ${timestamp}change? We’ll see. The status quo is pretty darnawesome, though, and there’s plenty of room to Timestamps helped me doublecheck that newgrow. data was successfully submitted, and that my e- I thought I would get impatient with the slow mail messages weren’t using the old data. Here’s pace of web testing compared to directly testingWould I make the same decision again, if a time how to store a timestamp: the underlying models using code (Simpletestmachine took me back to October 2007? Yes, rocks for this). The visual feedback from storeEval { var stamp = new timestampwithout hesitation. watching my browser step through the tests Date(); var year = stamp.getYear() + 1900; helped me appreciate the time I saved comparedFour years. Thanks to writing, I know where the to clicking through things myself. (And I hadtime went, and I can see how I’ve grown. There’s var month = stamp.getMonth() + 1; extra time to write notes in Emacs or commentstill a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to my code while the tests are running!)sharing that with you. var day = stamp.getDate(); var hours = The Stored Variables Viewer stamp.getHours(); var (http://seleniumhq.org/download/) plugin wasThe joys of development with Selenium mins = great for viewing timestamps, saved HTMLweb-testing stamp.getMinutes(); var snippets, and other things stored during testhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22530 time; var secs = cases. In a pinch, it’s a decent way to exploreOctober 15, 2011 - Categories: development, geek stamp.getSeconds(); if something in the Selenium IDE context – store a (month < 10) { month = variable, then view it.I’ve started using the Selenium web-testing "0" + month; } if (day <framework as part of regular development, and I 10) { day = "0" + day; } if Selenium IDE is a free Firefox plugin that youlike it. Selenium makes it easy to automate (mins < 10) { mins = "0" can gettesting web applications, but it’s also useful for + mins; } if (secs < 10) { at http://seleniumhq.org/download/ Good stuff!developing web applications. secs = "0" + secs; } timestamp = "" + year +I was working on improving the administrative "-" + month + "-" + day Weekly review: Weeks ending October 7interface of a Drupal site. To test the new + " " + hours + ":" + and October 14, 2011features, I needed to switch back and forth mins + ":" + secs; } http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22546between different users, and I needed to move October 16, 2011 - Categories: review, weeklynodes through a workflow. Masquerade made it alittle bit easier to switch between user roles Then I can refer to that timestamp when filling We’ve just come back from a short trip to thewithout logging out and logging in, but there was out forms, like this: Philippines (Oct 5 – Oct 15) where we celebratedstill a lot of clicking and waiting involved. my sister’s wedding. It was a lot of fun, and ISelenium made it easy to record and tweak the type Node title ${timestamp} can’t wait to see how life unfolds. W- and J- took

October 2011 – sachachua.com 306practically all the pictures, so I’ll post them and o [ ] Project T: Catch up on tasks, Woke Wakingstories from the trip as we get things sorted out. prepare for launch Day Slept Slept up hoursFrom the other week’s plans o [ ] Project O: Catch up on work, set up integration server 2011-10- 5:44 11:23 17.65 6.35  Work o [ ] Project I: Follow up on SQL 07 AM PM o [-] Tidy up more project T issues – Server configuration partially complete, more work to 2011-10- 7:30 7:30 PM 13.43 10.57 be done next week o [ ] Pick up new computer, 08 AM replacement badge? o [X] Import data for project O 2011-10- 6:46 11:42 16.93 7.07 o Filled out new computer form,  Relationships 09 AM PM yay! Looking o [ ] Help J catch up with school o Found SME for prjoect T, briefed 2011-10- 7:48 11:52 16.07 7.93 o [ ] Share stories from trip on project 10 AM PM o [ ] Catch up with laundry  Relationships o [ ] Catch up with blog comments 2011-10- 5:32 9:36 PM 16.07 7.93 o [X] Celebrate anniversary – and email 11 AM dinner at Dr. Generosity o [ ] Go to Quantified Self Toronto 2011-10- 7:50 9:59 PM 14.15 9.85 o [X] Spend time with family meetup (Friday) 12 AM o [ ] Go to secondary schol info  Life night 2011-10- 7:31 9:36 PM 14.08 9.92 o [C] Delegate blog-checking to 13 AM virtual assistant – Cancelled, not  Life needed o [ ] Take it (relatively) easy 2011-10- 7:57 11:13 PM 15.27 8.73 o [-] Add library pickup check – Not 14 AM Time analysis yet implemented o Added clothing analysis to home Vacation threw my schedule out of whack, in the dashboard best way possible. Timezones confused my time- Passioneer survey (Submit your answers tracking thing, too. So, no pretty graphs this by Oct 18)Plans for next week week! http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22555  Work October 16, 2011 - Categories: passion Jet-lag assisted days, once things settled down:

October 2011 – sachachua.com 307Many people struggle to name a single passion. I’d change about my life, except perhaps getting As predicted, September was a month ofDo you have several, or maybe too many to list? better at remembering, sharing, and delegating. preparation. Work projects winding down andKirsten (Good Ship Lifestyle) has put together a I’m okay where I am, and it’ll get even better starting up; little things to take care of before our19-question survey to explore demographics and from here on. trip to the Philippines; personal projects like myinterests for a potential Passioneer/Renaissance home dashboard… It was a good month,soul/polymath-type community. She’ll be What might grow out of this survey? I’m not productive but not overwhelming.tallying up results on October 18 (Wednesday), really keen on joining Yet Another Socialso if you want to participate, check it out here: Network, but I wouldn’t mind some kind of October will pass before I know it – and indeed, directory where I can look up blogs or Twitter I’m writing this halfway through. We spent theThe Passioneer Survey profiles by interest, and a blog aggregator might first half getting ready for or enjoying our trip to be convenient, too. I don’t want to hear a lot of the Philippines, where we celebrated my sister’sIt looks like folks are trying to figure out what pitches on how to convert my interests into wedding. The rest of October will involve gettingfields people work in, what interests might be income, although I’m sure other people would back into the swing of work, focusing on projectsgood for a community / blog, other resources appreciate that. I get a lot of that through other – maybe even setting up a new work laptop, ifthat might be useful, and some demographic channels already, as it’s one of those “how to I’m lucky. That will make winter commutesinformation that might be useful for advertisers. make money on the Internet” staples. I’d like to better, because I’ll be able to work with just oneAmusing oddity: the field selections are radio read the personal blogs of people exploring deep laptop and I can leave that one at the office.buttons, not checkboxes. interests and fascinating combinations. That would be worth some time and attention. Personal projects: My home dashboard isQuestions that made me think before answering working out quite nicely. Travel provided a greatthem: I’m curious about what you might share in terms excuse to improve the clothing logs / of interesting resources and frustrations. Check analysis part. There are lots of little tweaks I  What about your passions frustrates you out the survey, and stay tuned for results. can do to make it even smoother, but it’s already on a regular basis? quite handy now. In addition to the survey, the blog post also has  If you could change anything about your links to other blogs you might check out. Most of I’d like to add more library functionality this life, what would it be? the blogs focus on personal development or month: showing the number of books that are coaching. Of the bunch, I like Strong Inside ready for picking up, tracking the date/timeCome to think of it, nothing about my passions Outthe most, because the personal touch lifts it they’re read, and maybe displaying some otherreally frustrates me, much less on a regular basis. above generic productivity advice. statistics: mean time between books? This mightOh, there’s the usual quibble about the make a nifty line graph: number of books goinglimitations of time and skill, but that’s okay. It’s Passioneer Survey in and out of the house per week.okay to not have enough time for all the differentthings I want to do, because that forces me to It would be really nifty to calculate the totalidentify the things that really matter to me. It’s Monthly review: September 2011 volume and/or a bag-packing list, so I knowokay to not have enough skill to do everything I http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22558 if I can fit everything into two bike bags, if Iwant at the level I want, because learning is part should bring a backpack, or if I should wait untilof the experience. So there isn’t really anything October 17, 2011 - Categories: monthly

October 2011 – sachachua.com 308W- can either accompany me or take the car. Seth Godin shares how to get past writer’s block http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22563(Yes, I have library days like that.) Amazon has by pointing out people don’t get talker’s October 19, 2011 - Categories: life, travelproduct dimensions, so it might not be block. Write every day, even if it’s not brilliant.impossible to build my own tool, although there Low standards are useful. I’m working on writing I like jet lag. Used well, it’s a low-effort way tomight be some packing inefficiencies. The next even more – some posts for my blog, some notes reset one’s sleep schedule. I’ve been waking up atstep would probably be to build a tool that for myself. 5 AM for the past couple of days. I realized thatautomatically deactivates my holds when I get starting work early usually means that I end upclose to full capacity, but that might be way too Chris Guillebeau writes about writing 300,000 working the entire day anyway, so I’ve been usinggeeky. Just In Time library checkout words a year – a book, lots of blog posts, and the extra hours for personal projects on mymanagement. ;) assorted articles. Writing 1,000 words a day is a laptop. Result: lots of improvements to my great way to use time. I’d like to get better at personal dashboard application, lots of reading,Yes, the library is very much worth our taxes and organizing this stream of ideas, too. and lots of writing. Because W- is similarlydonations. jetlagged, our mornings and evenings are Jonathan Stray shares a computational synchronized. We’ll probably drift towards laterI’ll save the blog review for November or journalism reading list. I’m interested in evenings eventually, but we might as well makeDecember, once routines are back to normal. analytics, visualization, and using data to help the most of it now.One of the good things about being forgetful is tell stories. The new breeds of journalists are too.that I learn a lot by going back over old posts. Yay! I occasionally experiment with early wake-upMaybe I can hack an “On This Day” feed into my times, and I usually write happy blog posts abouthome dashboard or my iGoogle page, so that I Lifehacker features the AutoKey text expansion it whenever I do.can see slices of days. You can see “On This Day” tool for Linux. AutoHotKey for Windows (alists when you view single blog posts on my blog, different tool) has become one of my favourite  2008: Kaizen: Moving timeand they’re interesting slices of life through the ways to automate everything from text shortcuts around, Weekly review: Week ending Augyears. I also want to review my old blog posts, totransferring information to slides using a 1-ishadd more notes, and format them for the Kindle template. It boggles me that a similarly geekyso that I can go through my notes in an easier-to- tool has not yet become popular on Linux.  2010: Experimenting with morningsflip-through format. AutoKey looks interesting. Does anyone know of anything better? I’m not sure if that’s because this idea of wakingLife is great! up early is bound up in social approval or Lots of interesting posts turn up in my whatever it is (waking up early is considered feedreader. I’m thinking of sharing highlights good, so perhaps I feel satisfied and a little smugFrom the feeds: Writing, more writing, weekly so that I nudge myself to go back and when I manage it?), or because I really do like it.journalism, and automation review them, see what I’ve done with the But I also don’t mind late nights of hacking andhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22541 information, and share the ideas with you. having fun, although I can’t stay up as late as W-.October 18, 2011 - Categories: feeds He drinks coffee and I don’t, so I have lower tolerance for reduced sleep. Jetlag-assisted early days

October 2011 – sachachua.com 309Anyway. Mornings. The office opens at 7 AM, Sacha Chua: Writing is a tool for thinking, Life goes too fast, but it also goes too slow, and soand I can’t get in unless it’s open. I used to be because it slows things down enough for you to writing becomes your way to get it to work at theable to badge in through the IBM street-front, look at it. As I’m talking at my usual nervous pace at the pace that you can work with.but the IBM reception has moved to an inner speed here, things are flying by pretty fast, right?location, so no more badge access for me. This I’m not going to remember a lot of these things Tune in next Thursday for the next part in thismeans that on weekdays (particularly in winter), until I go back and I write things down and I series! I’ll add new entries to the Discoveringthe earliest I should leave the house is 6:30 AM. think through, hey, what did I want to say here, Yourself through Blogging page to make itMorning routines typically take me an hour, so a or what else do I want to do… Thought and easier for you to find them.good time to wake up is around 5:30 AM. I’ve speech and life move by so quickly. If you slowliked these 5 AM wake-up times, though, because things down enough to write just a little bit aboutthat gives me a little time for personal projects in it, then you have something more to work with. I Figuring out how to plan for a monththe morning: small improvements to my didn’t know that when I was in school. I’m glad I http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22565dashboard, a few chapters of a book, and so on. learned that, and I want other people to discover October 21, 2011 - just how useful that is, because life moves too Categories: kaizen, life, planningWhen I finish work and head home, I’m pretty fast, and it’s great to be able to slow this down.much ready to have dinner, tidy up, and go to I’ve been doing weekly reviews since Octoberbed. I’m continuing to track my time use, and Have you ever noticed that life also goes too 2006 (210 weekly reviews over ~260 weeks, ormaybe the data will help me get a sense of my slowly? about 80% coverage), so I’ve got a good sense ofdiscretionary time when my sleeping patterns what fits into a week. I’ve also consistentlystabilize. HT: It can, yeah. doneyearly reviews I tend to do ones by age more than by calendar year, as I think it might be moreJet lag: not a bad thing. SC: Especially when things are changing just a useful in the long run. Monthly reviews and little bit at a time. So you’re looking at your son, plans have been sporadic, though, and maybe for example, and he’s changing. He’s in the early that’s because I haven’t sufficiently distinguishedTranscript: Blogging (Part 8): Slow life years, so he’s changing a lot, every month, but them from weekly reviews.down and speed it up you’ll get to the point where today is kinda likehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22466 yesterday, and the next day is kinda like today, I’m starting to figure out what months are usefulOctober 20, 2011 - and the day after that is kinda like the day before for: experimenting with habits. A month is aCategories: blogging, tips, writing it. All these little changes are harder to see, but if good chunk of time to make one change to you’re writing, you’ve got that record – even if routines or habits. It might not seem like a lot,Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this you’re writing once a week about what you’re but if I assume a life expectancy of 90 yearsinterview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put seeing and what you’re observing – then you can (quite generous), that’s still something like 750them all together in a text file and a PDF that you look back and say, “Oh yeah, a year ago, you were months. If I assume that 25% of those monthscan read easily, and I’ll add insights you and still learning how to speak.” “Oh yeah, five years (~190 experiments) will successfully result in aother people might share along the way. =) (Find ago you were still learning the multiplication 1% cumulative improvement in my quality of life,previous entries) Here’s the eighth chunk! table.” “Look at how far you’ve come.” Imagine then than’s still almost 6.5x awesomer than if I how much he’s learned since then! didn’t. Of course, those are totally thumb-in-the-

October 2011 – sachachua.com 310air estimates, and I’m not accounting for Stories from the trip: Making my peace So we’re going back to this second home we’vediminishing returns (or senescence, or with endings created for ourselves. We’ll do our laundry, pickdistraction, or whatever). But the time is going to http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22550 up the cats, restock our groceries. We’ll go topass anyway, so I might as well. =) October 22, 2011 - work and focus on our projects. Fall will turn into Categories: life, reflection, travel winter. (We call it baking season to dull its edge.)Tracking will help me get an idea of my actual We’ll get on with the rest of our lives, and othersuccess or relapse ratio. It’s a little harder to Reflections during the flight back: people will do the same. It’ll be fun.quantify the magnitude of improvement, so Iwon’t worry too much about that. As I I try not to take even everyday routines for Looking ahead… You know, it’s okay. Timeaccumulate data, I’ll be able to ask more granted. There are only so many weeks and passes. That’s what time does. This is neitherinteresting questions. weekends in a lifetime. Extraordinary times — good nor bad. It just is. significant moments, all-too-short visits of familyCalculation function for Emacs Lisp, just in case and friends — pass even more achingly. The road ahead looks exciting too.this is useful for anyone else. This is part of life as an immigrant visiting home.(setq sacha/life-expectancy 90) Every second ticks toward a departure. Every Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto(setq sacha/birth-date (8 12 1983)) departure involves a Stoic confrontation of Oct 21 2011(defun sacha/memento-mori () inevitable loss. It’s not just the big losses. Even http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22572 (interactive) before then, you lose the everyday moments and October 22, 2011 - (let* ((expected (list the untold stories. Categories: quantified, sketches, sketchnotes (elt sacha/birth-date 0) (elt sacha/birth-date 1) The only way through it is to hold on to the David Phillips talked about surveillance and his (+ (elt sacha/birth-date 2) sacha/life- reasons for this part of the story. It’s difficult to impressions of the Quantified Self conference, Iexpectancy))) remember this when I leave for a different showed my personal tracking system, and Brent (days-left (- (calendar-absolute-from- horizon, but I’m getting better. Part of it is talked about tracking lots of biomarkers. Heregregorian expected) learning so much more from the varieties of love are some notes: (time-to-days (current-time))))) and life around me. The trick isn’t to extend the (message "~ %d years or %d months or %d lessons I’m learning from the people around me,weeks left; make the most of them!" with so many this learning phase, just as (/ days-left 365) students can’t be in school forever. The trick is to (/ days-left 30) learn more deeply, apply what I learn quickly, (/ days-left 7)))) and share what I’m learning along the way. All things must end so that new things can begin.I should build this into my personal dashboard. Moments must become memories so that we canHmm… apply the lessons we’ve learned from them.

October 2011 – sachachua.com 311 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22566 o [X] Catch up with blog comments October 23, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly and email o [X] Go to Quantified Self Toronto Back to work! Transition was smooth, thanks to meetup (Friday) some weekend time spent catching up with mail and getting things ready for a good work week. o [-] Go to secondary schol info Lots of progress on my home dashboard – night – next week clothing, library, time analysis, etc. Quantified Self meetup was fun.  Life From last week’s plans o [X] Take it (relatively) easy  Work o Added lots of functionality to my home dashboard: clothing o [X] Project T: Catch up on tasks, matches and status, library books, prepare for launch measurement tracking (ex: time) o [X] Project O: Catch up on work, o Experimented with routine set up integration server improvements: hair towel, o [X] Project I: Follow up on SQL podcasts, drawing Server configuration o Scheduled more blog posts o [-] Pick up new computer, Plans for next week replacement badge? – postponed, waiting for shipment  Work o Helped people with communities o [ ] Project O: Flesh out autosave o Brainstormed ways to help on the form improve other people’s happiness o [ ] Project I: Follow up on SQL and connection at work Server changes  Relationships o [ ] Project T: Follow up on pre-Quantified Self Toronto: Update from launch changesOctober 2011 o [-] Help J catch up with school – next week o [ ] Interview at least two peopleView more presentations from Sacha Chua. about happiness and connectivity o [X] Share stories from trip in our consulting practice o [X] Catch up with laundryWeekly review: Week ending October 21,  Relationships2011

October 2011 – sachachua.com 312 o [ ] Help J catch up with school This Last I liked the planning method, so I built the Activity Delta Notes analysis into my home dashboard. This is o [ ] Attend secondary school info week week P – Exercise 3.8 3.8 what my clothing logs tell me: session P – Routines 11.7 11.7 o [ ] Sort and share pictures UW – 1.9 1.9 Cooking  Life UW – Tidying 5.6 5.6 o [ ] Take notes on library books UW – Travel 7.1 7.1 o [ ] Copy measurements into home Category Average Weekday Weekend dashboard Sleep 7.5 7.5 7.6Time analysis Work 5.9 8.1 0.6 This Last Discretionary 6.1 3.7 11.9Activity Delta Notes Unpaid work 2.1 1.9 2.6 week week! 42.4 106.0 -63.6 Personal care 2.4 2.8 1.3Discretionary! Personal 16.6 16.6care Geek travel update: Mostly as planned! Unpaid 14.6 14.6 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22549work October 24, 2011 -A – Sleep 52.8 62.0 -9.2 Timezones, jet Categories: geek, quantified, travel lag?A – Work 41.6 41.6 Back to work I planned my packing for the Oct 5 – Oct 15 tripD – Break 0.8 0.8 to the Philippines using several matrices. LifeD– 0.2 0.2 worked out mostly as planned. This was how IDelegating thought it would work out: Here’s that listed by date (also from the Cream tee White tee Pink tee Dress same page):D – Drawing 0.8 0.8D – Other 10.6 10.6 Dress 2011-10-9D – Personal 16.2 16.2 Brown skirt 2011-10-7 2011-10-10D – Reading 1.0 1.0 Stretch 2011-10-15 2011-10-5 2011-10-8D – Social 5.6 106.0 - pants 100.4 Cargo pants 2011-10-13 2011-10-11 2011-10-6D – Writing 7.1 7.1P – Eating 1.1 1.1 Board shorts 2011-10-14 2011-10-12

October 2011 – sachachua.com 313Clothing item 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 Total Thought roundup: Podcasts, drawing,pink board shorts A 1 cats, and towelsdark brown capri pants A 1 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22567white Wanko lace B A 2 October 25, 2011 - Categories: thoughts, Tidbitscream v-neck shirt A A 2rose shirt A A 2 Here are some bits and pieces that probablybrown cable sweater A A 2 won’t end up in their own blog posts, but which Ipaint-spattered stretch A A A A 4 thought might be useful to share.pantscream shift dress A 1 Making better use of time by listening tolight blue Jockey T-shirt A 1 podcasts: I tried using BeyondPod to downloadwhite Jockey shirt A A A A A 5 and play podcasts during commutes and chores.brown skirt with pattern B A 2 Bonus: Turns out it has Tasker support. I’ve setbeige vest A A 2 up Tasker to automatically play podcasts when Iblue cargo A A A A 4 plug in my earphones. By default, BeyondPodTotal 4 2 2 4 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 4 pauses when I take my earphones out. Handy! and can’t easily be matched with skirts, but I’ll I’m not sure whether I’ll stick with the freeA and B distinguish different outfits on the same keep an eye out for other tops that would be a version, buy the $7 app, or use a differentday. good fit. The travel pants my dad got me should podcast player yet, but it’s a neat idea. also make it easier to use my travel tops.I might need to fix the clothing logs as the Practising drawing during the commute: Ipictures come in. I forgot to track some of the I should plan for clothes to dry in two days, not can’t really listen to podcasts while I write orearlier days, so I filled them in from memory. one. Maybe even three days, for safety. read – verbal interference – but I can practise drawing. I’ve started drawing in a small notebookI wore the white T-shirt / stretch pants We packed just the right number of clothes, I whenever I have a chance to sit down during mycombination on the plane rides, hence the think. I didn’t feel like I packed too few clothes, commute. Nothing amazing, just deliberatedouble-counted days. and I didn’t end up with lots of clothes unworn. practice: straight lines, boxes, circles, faces. It’s really easy to draw lots and lots of faces. DrawNext time, I should bring more polyester and less W- totally won in terms of clothing. It turns out plenty of circles, add two dots in almost anycotton. I brought the cotton T-shirts because they that scrubs are excellent for air travel: a loose fit location, and then let your mind fill in the rest. Iwere easy to mix and match. They were fine in for comfort; pockets for pens, passports, and like drawing so many faces close together withthe city, where we spent most of our time in boarding passes; and room to avoid aggravating the randomness of the occasional subway jolt.airconditioned comfort. The polyester top I sunburns. With all those variations, I get to see which kindsborrowed from W- was much more comfortable of faces I like.in hot weather. It dried faster after washing, too. Yay geek travel!Many of my polyester tops are more sport-like Cats can be very cuddly: You know how cats are supposed to be independent and aloof? Luke

October 2011 – sachachua.com 314is a complete sucker for attention. Leia likes This must be why there are lots of classical music What can you talk about motherhood? Do youputting her arms around my neck and being pieces that sound alike – composers figuring want to share about your experience?cuddled. Even Neko heads for our laps (well, W- things out, too.’s lap these days, not that I’m jealous or Sacha Chua: I can’t talk much aboutanything) whenever we’re on the couch. I like the simple style I picked up from Sachiko motherhood. I’ve got a sneak preview here. I Umoto’s Illustration School: Let’s Draw Happy have a stepdaughter. She’s 13. What I’m learningTweaking routines – hair towel: Turns out People. Two dots, a nose, a mouth. That’s all we from that is that kids are learning all thesethat a hair towel / turban is much better than need. Actually, people want to see faces so much, incredible things. We’ve started doing mathusing a regular towel. It keeps my hair out of the you can pretty much pick anything with two study groups. We nudge her to learn more aboutway, dries my hair faster, results in less laundry, “eyes” and bilateral-ish symmetry. spelling and math and science and all of theseand helps me avoid forgetting wet towels. My things… But just watching what she’s learning…mom was onto something when she gave it to It’s fun to draw faces. They make me happy even She actually has a blog too. She updates itme. if I don’t fill in the rest of the figures. sporadically. She talks about what she’s learning at school and her favourite video games and all Practice will help me learn how to draw better. these other things.Practising drawing: variations on a theme Faces, then torsos, then legs, then arms, thenhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22562 hands. Just looking at how people are learning, andOctober 26, 2011 - learning from their stories as well–that’sCategories: drawing, kaizen, sketches Progress! incredible. Whether you have kids or whether you don’t, whether you’ve got nieces and nephews or you don’t, whether you’re learning Transcript: Blogging (Part 9): Learning from your coworkers or people who are older from others than you, there’s so much you can learn from http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22467 other people’s stories. October 27, 2011 - Categories: blogging, tips, writing It’s a little difficult for people to tell everybody all the stories that might be relevant to them. It’s Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this such a good thing when you can come across interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put people who are also in the habit of sharing their them all together in a text file and a PDF that you stories with anyone in the very efficient way of can read easily, and I’ll add insights you and doing it through a blog. other people might share along the way. =) (FindYou need to doodle your way through lots of Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this previous entries) Here’s the ninth chunk!faces until you get the hang of drawing them the series! I’ll add new entries to the Discoveringway you like them. I haven’t quite figured them Holly Tse: People might think, okay, Sacha, Yourself through Blogging page to make itout yet, but I’m getting there. Minor variations you’re Generation Y, you’re in your twenties… easier for you to find them.on a theme help me understand things better.

October 2011 – sachachua.com 315Decision review: Switching from My Linode account has been up for only a short Community-supported agriculture: The fallRackspace Cloud to Linode while, so we’ll see how it works out. Everything’s shares have started, and I’ve added minimalhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22521 back in working order, though. CSA-tracking to my home dashboard. LookingOctober 28, 2011 - Categories: decision, geek forward to playing with the data. Considering Linode? From last week’s plansI moved my website from RackspaceCloud to Linode in order to take advantage of  Linode referral (I’d get $20 if you stay an  WorkLinode’s cheaper rates. A virtual private server active customer for 90 days), or o [X] Project O: Flesh out autosaveon Rackspace Cloud cost me around $26 per  the regular non-referral link on the formmonth for a 512MB slice and data transfer.Linode promised $20/month for a 512MB slice. o [X] Project I: Follow up on SQLThere’s a 15% discount if you prepay for 2 years, Weekly review: Week ending October 28, Server changesand they emphasize that this isn’t a contract – if 2011 o [X] Project T: Follow up on pre-you change your mind and leave, they’ll credit a http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22574 launch changespro-rated amount. October 29, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly o [X] Interview at least two peopleIt took me about five hours to switch over. Most about happiness and connectivity New work laptop! Awesome. The Lenovo T420 in our consulting practice –of that was spent backing up and double- (1600×900 resolution) is even wider than my interviewed one personchecking my settings. I also fiddled around with X220i. Setting it up was relatively painless, andRails so that I could get that up and running o Set up new laptop – yippee! I’m looking forward to using it to make nextagain, too. (I haven’t quite gotten the hang of Happiness just went way up. week even better.rvm, so I had to deal with version annoyances.)Now my site’s up, and things are pretty sweet. o Came up with some ideas for Work was pretty hectic. Lots of progress on the happiness and connectivity – different projects I’m working on. Still not extended game of human bingo,I spend a little extra on virtual private hosting wizardly fast with Rails, but glad to be able to photo flashcardsinstead of shared hosting because virtual private quickly finish bugs and new features. Onwards!hosting gives me more flexibility. I really like o Helped people with Web 2.0being able to SSH in and manage my own server, questions Life: Wow, this was a school-heavy week. Weeven though it means I’m also responsible for photographed the Halloween party last Saturday o Scheduled IBM Drupal Usersconfiguration and optimization. I can run other in order to help out with the yearbook, we Group automated testing talk fortools on it too, such as my weekly library renewal attended a secondary school information night, November 16script. (Yes, I have a script that renews our books and we hosted a study group on Friday. Nextand tells us which ones we need to return.) It’s o Project O: Lots of new week promises to be a bit lighter, and I’m lookingconvenient being able to manage a few sites functionality and bugfixes! forward to carving out more time for personalwithout paying extra for each, and to be able to interests like writing and hacking.mix PHP, Rails, the occasional Emacs session.  Relationships

October 2011 – sachachua.com 316 o [X] Help J- catch up with school o [ ] Facilitate another fun study This Last group Activity Delta Notes o [X] Attend secondary school info week week session o [ ] Help J- with writing D – Drawing 0.7 0.8 -0.1 Practising drawing faces o [X] Sort and share pictures  Life D – Other 0.1 10.6 -10.5 o Facilitated math study group on D – Personal 6.6 16.2 -9.7 Less work on exponents and scientific notation o [ ] Have massage! dashboard this o Helped J- with history o [ ] Write about more quantified time self stuff D – Reading 4.4 1.0 3.3 Reading lots of o E-mailed one of my godmothers books and because she’s currently in Toronto o [ ] Find other quantified self bloggers testing my o Met with energy advisor for pre- library-related grant assessments o [ ] Improve measurements for additions to home dashboard dashboard  Life Time analysis D– 2.1 2.1 This Last Shopping o [X] Take notes on library books Activity Delta Notes D – Social 17.1 5.6 11.5 School week week o [X] Copy measurements into ! 37.5 42.4 -4.8 Halloween home dashboard Discretionary event, high school info o Bought a domain for my ! Personal 12.6 16.6 -4.0 night, study quantified self ideas care groupPlans for next week ! Unpaid 12.2 14.6 -2.4 D – Writing 5.3 7.1 -1.8 Didn’t feel like work a lot of writing.  Work A – Sleep 61.1 53.2 7.9 A few naps; Want more! consistent [ ] Project O: Lots more work P – Eating 1.3 1.1 0.2 o early-morning wakeups P – Exercise 1.8 3.8 -2.0 Quick walk to o [ ] Project I: Follow up on SQL subway and Server changes A – Work 44.5 41.1 3.4 Thought I back would be taking o [ ] Project T: Follow up on pre- more time off P – Routines 9.5 11.7 -2.2 launch on Friday, UW – 1.9 1.9 0.0 Batch-cooked overcorrected Cooking oatmeal, o [ ] Prototype flashcards – D – Break 1.3 0.8 0.5 packaged our probably Rails rib lunches D– 0.2 -0.2 Delegating UW – 6.6 5.6 1.0 Getting ready  Relationships

October 2011 – sachachua.com 317 This Last From October 7: I skittered across the pool in theActivity Delta Notes opposite direction from the floating divider and week weekTidying for energy the furry caterpillar I glimpsed. It had huge hairs inspection etc. sticking out of it, which sometimes means majorUW – Travel 3.7 7.1 -3.4 Commuting to irritation, which means me being far away. W- work was unperturbed. Amused, even. "I think I’ve figured you out," W- said afterwards.Details: (Things may not multiply exactly due torounding errors) "Oh?" Weekday WeekendActivity Average average average "Yes! You: Furry cat? Okay. Furry caterpillar?Sleep 8.7 8.2 10.1 Not okay."Work 6.4 8.8 0.2Discretionary 5.4 3.8 9.2 I nodded. I’ve been taking advantage of jetlag to wake upUnpaid work 1.7 1.1 3.2 earlier than usual. I go to bed when I’m tired and "Jelly? Okay. Fish? Okay," he said. "Jellyfish? wake up when I’m ready. Most of the time, IPersonal care 1.8 2.1 1.2 Not okay." wake up on my own, although I set my alarm forCount 5 weekdays 2 weekend 6 AM as a safeguard. From 2011-10-15 to 2011- days "Now that you put it that way, it makes a lot of 10-28, I woke at 5:41 on average, with a median sense." of 5:12 and a standard deviation of 1:09. (Weekends…)Stories from our trip: Furry caterpillar Image © 2007 zenera, Creative Commonshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22552 Attribution ShareAlike License I liked being up early in the morning. No guiltOctober 30, 2011 - Categories: family, life, travel about hitting snooze, no rush to the bathroom, some time for personal projects or work Quantified Awesome: Data from waking momentum before the workday starts. up 3 hours earlier than normal http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22575 I was curious about a few things: October 31, 2011 - Categories: kaizen, life, quantified  Around what time should I plan to be in bed if I want to continue waking up early?  Does waking up early actually give me more discretionary or work time, or do I give up time because I get sleepier in the evening?

October 2011 – sachachua.com 318  Waking up early usually means I’m tired the alarm clock, and evenings because I I do like the sleep quality. People can spend a lot at the end of the day. What kind of an eventually look at the clock and go "I really of time and money in the quest to improve their effect does that have on the things I feel should be in bed." sleep. I had been playing around with using like doing? eyemasks or eye pillows I’ve made myself, and Waking up early and going to bed when I’m had even considered getting a light-based alarmFortunately, I’ve been collecting time data for a reasonably tired means wasting less sleep time clock and/or blackout curtains. Going to bedwhile, so I can compare it with a similar two- fidgeting, enjoying better sleep and morning when I’m tired means not needing any of thoseweek period where I’d wake up around 7. Let’s quality, and less stress in the morning. Based on things, so I can save that money for other things.see how the data stacks up against the data from this two-week sample, the difference is around2011-08-20 to 2011-09-02, a two-week period 24 minutes a day. It’s hard to tell whether the In a previous experiment with early-morningalso without any long weekends. increased wakefulness of being up early and on wakeups, my husband and I noticed that our my own schedule compares well with the stress schedules were diverging a bit. He’d stay up late,Going to bed and bleariness of mornings jumpstarted by an I’d wake up early, and we had less conversation alarm clock and stress. I think it’s worth it. time. He was similarly jetlagged this timen = 14 for each condition Besides, if I zoom out and look at more than just around, so we’ve settled into a good routine with Late Early the two-week period – say, two-month period plenty of time in the evening and some high-Wake-up average 8:33 AM 5:41 AM 2011-08-01 to 2011-09-30 – I find that I actually quality morning time too. It’s been working well.Wake-up median 8:30 AM 5:12 AM sleep around 8.0 hours on average, so the difference isn’t that great. Waking up early and discretionary timeWake-up stdev 0:29 1:09Bedtime average 1:03 AM 10:16 PM Late Early I wonder if jet lag affected my numbers, Discretionary time average 6.4 hours 5.7 hoursBedtime median 0:59 AM 10:09 PM increasing the amount of time I needed to sleep.Bedtime stdev 0:38 1:15 Weekday average 5.2 hours 3.8 hours If I look at just last week’s data (2011-10-22 toSleep average including naps 7.8 hours 8.2 hours Weekend average 9.4 hours 10.6 hours 2011-10-28), though, it turns out that I ended up sleeping a little more after I had theoretically Work 5.7 hours 6.1 hoursSo if I want to get up at around 5:30, I should be recovered from jet lag: 8.7 hours on average, or Weekday average 8.0 hours 8.4 hoursin bed by around 10. 8.2 hours on weekdays and 10.1 hours on Weekend average 0.4 hours weekends. Part of that might be due to the Unpaid work average 1.9 hours 1.2 hoursI tend to sleep less when I sleep later. Work gives Halloween event we photographed on Saturday – Personal care average 2.4 hours 2.8 hoursme a reason to pay attention to my alarm clock, I got a case of introvert overwhelm and napped Sleep average 7.8 hours 8.2 hoursso even if I hit snooze and have lower-quality for 4.5 hours afterwards to recharge. No Discretionary + work 12.1 hours 11.8 hourssleep, I’m out of bed. I used to stay up late so that significant differences, though: unpaired t-testI could spend more time hanging out with W- or between number of hours slept during first week For productive time, I looked at the sum of time Iworking on projects. Sometimes it took me a (M=7.6, SD=1.5) and second week (M=8.6, spent on work and the time I spent onwhile to go to bed because I’d get carried away SD=1.4); t(12)=1.49 p=0.16. We’ll see how the discretionary projects. This took into account thehacking. My standard deviations for the late numbers work out as my routine stabilizes. extra time I shifted towards working last week. Itcondition are pretty low – mornings because of turns out that there’s a little difference between

October 2011 – sachachua.com 319the discretionary + work time I had (late: Looking at my time graphs, though, I see that get work back under control. As we improveM=12.2, SD=2.0; early: M=11.8, SD=2.1), but it’s when I woke up early, I didn’t really have the routine processes like cooking, we’ll free up morenot significant either (unpaired t-test t(26) = chunks of discretionary time that I’d hope to time for other pursuits too.0.45, p = 0.65). So it looks like waking up earlier have in the mornings, and my evenings weredoesn’t mean giving up too much – or gaining a more fragmented and other-focused. When I Summarylot – in terms of focused time. woke up late, I tended to have more me-time at the end of the day, and I still had enough energy It looks like waking up early doesn’t have aActivity substitution to make the most of it. significant impact on how much time I sleep or how much focused time I have. I like the sleepIf I have about the same amount of discretionary A previous analysis showed that even when I quality and the lack of stress in the mornings. Ittime anyway, does waking up earlier affect the stayed up late, I didn’t really have many might come at the cost of not having a longerkind of things I spend my time on? This one is discretionary activities that used a four-hour window of discretionary time focused onharder to figure out, because other variables chunk of time, so waking up early doesn’t mean personal projects, but social time is goodaffect how I spend my time. I spend more time I’m missing out on activities that need a long too. Overall, I’m happy with waking updrawing when I’m attending events or preparing chunk of time. However, after-school hours tend early and the resulting shifts in myfor presentations. I spend more time working on to involve discretionary social activities, and I schedule, and will continue waking upmy personal dashboard when I’m buzzing with usually carve out time for personal projects early and going to bed late.ideas. I spend more time writing when I don’t either late at night or for a short time in thehave lots of posts queued up. It’s hard to say. morning. Testing your assumptions and trying new things is much easier when you collect data. I’m  Interactive time graph from 2011-08-20 Overall, I’m happy with how I spend my thinking of sharing observations every Monday. to 2011-09-02 discretionary time. I feel like I’ve made Check back next week for more! reasonable progress on my personal projects, and  Interactive time graph 2011-10-15 to I’m glad I’ve been able to help with things like Photo of Toronto at dawn © 2009 Mac 2011-10-28 homework. I might shift things around so that I McGillivray, Creative Commons Attribution can write and program more, probably when I License

November 2011 – sachachua.com 320 GeekMom. I like the occasional caramel apple, way to go for me, because that gives me offline but the store-bought ones are enormous, and access, synchronization, and all sorts of otherNovember 2011 we’re slowly phasing out sweets and desserts. goodies. This might still sneak into one of our experimental kitchen days, though. Here’s what I want to do:From the feeds: Selling benefits, notfeatures; caramel apples; graphic novels Another GeekMom find: Amy Craft 1. Provide a knowledge map that links tofor kids recommends graphic novels geared towards kids. blog posts and other resourceshttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22589 J- likes graphic novels, and has been working her way through the Toronto Public Library’s manga 2. Flesh out that knowledge map withNovember 1, 2011 - Categories: feeds, Tidbits collection. summaries 3. Build a coherent personal wiki Enjoy! Here are other capabilities I care about: Photo of pumpkins © 2010 llstalteri, Creative Commons Attribution License 1. Link easily between concepts 2. Keep tables and other forms of data Planning an Emacs-based personal wiki – 3. Keep private and public notes, but Org? Muse? Hmm… publish only the public ones http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22593 4. Publish parts of the tree November 2, 2011 - Categories: emacs 5. Publish as separate files, for ease of I miss my Planner wiki! I think it’s time to browsingElizabeth Sandberg’s story about a savvy pie organize things into a personal wiki again. Blogspumpkin seller reminds me of the advice to sell 6. Use the same markup I use in Org Mode are great for chronological updates, but I need to (or something that can be easilybenefits, not features. be able to group ideas into more than just transformed), so that I don’t have to do categories, and WordPress pages aren’t as anything fancy when copying entries overShe wasn’t actually selling pumpkins. She was convenient as a proper wiki. Org-mode outlinesselling the only remaining ingredient I needed are also good, but they can get unwieldy whenfor an easy, award winning recipe — two pie I thought about using Muse because of its large. I have an 1.7MB outline right now, all plain project-publishing support, and because of thepumpkins. She was selling me what I came to the text, and I can’t fit it into my head.farmers market for — not individual produce good experience I had with Planner anditems, but a delicious meal. Emacswiki (the predecessor to Muse). Muse What kind of tool should I use? I thought about supports Org-format tables, but it uses a whether I wanted a web-based wiki editing different way to signify code blocks, examples,Speaking of food, Laura Grace Weldon shares an environment. I realized that editing andintriguing inside-out caramel apple recipe on and other parts. For ease of implementation, publishing the wiki from Emacs is probably the

November 2011 – sachachua.com 321then, I’ll probably see if I can get Org Mode to Sacha Chua: It’s a tough question, especially should do” and high-and-mighty and whateverdeal well with the case of either multiple small since even with how careful I am on my blog to else. Trying to bring that incredibly positivefiles, or narrowed portions of one large file. not offend anyone, I’ve accidentally offended “Well, here’s where we are; let’s figure out howAnyway, the first step is to organize my people before. One time I was writing about my we can move forward” approach to it willresources, and that will be useful no matter teaching reflections. I was teaching computer probably will do you much more good. It willwhich wiki system I end up using. science in university, and I was writing about probably make you feel better in real life also! what I was learning in the process. The example IDo you have an Emacs-based personal wiki? often bring in here is the Sartrian existentialism HT: Once again, it’s like using your blog to figureWhat do you use, and what do you think about we learned about in philosophy classes in school things out. In this case, it’s a way to take a stepit? where when you make a choice, it’s as if you were back and try to step away from the heated choosing for everybody. In this case, my writing emotion you might feel, and to think of a way to about what I wanted to do made this friend of constructively write it… and that might result in aTranscript: Blogging (Part 10): Difficult mine feel that I was criticizing the way he taught. constructive way to approach it in real life.situations We had a bit of a fight about that.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22468 SC: That reminded me of a time when someoneNovember 3, 2011 - In terms of offending people… Accidentally close to me said something pretty mean–Categories: blogging, tips, writing offending people, there’s not much you can do, thoughtlessly mean, but still pretty mean–to me. because you can’t control other people’s I stopped and I thought about it. I managed toHat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this reactions. When you’re writing about something slow down and respond nicely during theinterview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put sensitive that you know might offend people… I situation itself. Afterwards, also, I stopped and Ithem all together in a text file and a PDF that you often like to step back and look for the really, thought about it. I thought, well, how would Ican read easily, and I’ll add insights you and really positive way to look at it. Not the fake- like to respond in the future, too? Do I want toother people might share along the way. =) (Find positive and not the constructive-criticism “I will take the approach I did (stay calm, don’t take itprevious entries) Here’s the tenth chunk! smile as I will tear you apart” – which personally, and all that stuff)? I realized that unfortunately is the way most people put having that space – being able to decide whatHolly Tse: I heard you mention a lot about a constructive criticism – more along the lines of kind of response I’d like to have, and maybe evenblog being about sharing stories. We have a “This is what we’ve got. What are some small rehearsing some of the things I might do in thequestion here about Charles from Sydney. He’s things I can do to make this better?” When you’re future when faced with a situation like this –asking, “What happens when you blog about talking about what you can do, whether it’s… In really really helped. It’s like a fire drill. The nextsomething that’s private or could offend others if terms of modifying other people’s smartphone time you find yourself in a situation like that,you were to publish it?” For example, he wants to use, maybe I’ll take my conference calls you’re not going for the knee-jerk reaction.write a blog article about the bad manners he elsewhere, or maybe I’ll mentally rehearse You’ve already thought: okay, for the kind ofencounters at his workplace, particularly different things that I can say to people in case person I want to be, this is how I want toinappropriate use of smartphones. What advice their conversations are disturbing me. respond. And I want to respond with love, evendo you have? though sometimes people have a harder time When you’re focused on what you can do about maintaining their self-control. It happens. People it, then you come across less “this is what you are human, and that’s okay.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 322HT: So I take it then that you blogged about the focus on, you attract into your life. You’re a great also asked a friend before, but that was for aincident too. example of someone who’s very positive, and weekend. With our cats occasionally throwing up you’re surrounded by positive influences. or pooing outside the litter box when they’reSC: I did. I wrote about it because people run upset, I didn’t want to inflict that on friends,into these situations. If what I’ve written or what SC: I wouldn’t go so far to call it the “law of even if I was happy to pay market rates. WeI’ve thought about can help somebody else put in attraction”, which I don’t quite subscribe to. I’d wanted to make sure the cats were watched overthat little bit of a gap between something bad say that you get better at seeing the things you’re and played with during the day, so we decided tohappening–someone saying something mean to looking for. For example, if you’re writing about give cat boarding a try.you, or someone doing something that annoys the things that you’re grateful for–which is ayou–that gap between that stimulus and your great practice, by the way, if you need cheering Boarding cats is more expensive than hiring a catresponse to it–and the quote by Victor Frankl is up or if you want to make your life extra happy– sitter. We felt anxious about having someone elseone of the things I used in that post as a point of if you’re writing about the things that you come into our house while we’re away, though, soreflection… Between that stimulus and response appreciate and are grateful for, then you get we considered the difference a worthwhileis our freedom to choose our reaction. Writing better at recognizing and appreciating those premium for peace of mind – no litterboxabout it, thinking about it–bringing your things. If you write about how you want to accidents or throw-ups to worry about, and noconscious or more positive or more loving mind improve things, then day by day, you’ll find more worrying about stuff missing either. We alsoto bear on it–really really helps. opportunities to improve your life. It’s amazing liked the ability to specify instructions like when you build that habit of asking yourself feeding Neko small, frequent meals – if you giveI should say that it is also possible to use all of these questions, or looking for the bright side of her a lot of food in one go, she sometimes rushesthis writing and blogging to descend into a things… You do get better and better at it. And and then throws up.vicious circle of feeling really really bad. For why, yes, I do have a blog post about this too. Iexample, if you wanted to take this as an think I called it the martial art of happy-do. There was a small risk that the cats would pickopportunity to rant about all the things that are up colds, ticks, or fleas from other cats, but wegoing badly in your life, and how miserable you Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this decided we could deal with that.are and all that stuff… Being able to look back at series! I’ll add new entries to the Discoveringyour archive will probably make you feel a lot Yourself through Blogging page to make it After calling up a few cat boarding places, weworse. It’s a powerful tool. Be careful with it. Try easier for you to find them. settled on Lonesome Kitty, a nearby cat boardingto focus on the things that you’d like to see, place. I checked out the location, and it seemedbecause people do tend to find what they’re fine. The resident cats looked bright and alert,looking for. I like to focus on the really really Decision review: Cat boarding and none of them were obviously scratchinggood stuff, and I’m surrounded by it, surprisingly http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22573 themselves. We decided that it would be better toenough. November 4, 2011 - board there than with a veterinarian because vet Categories: cat, decision, review, travel offices tend to be busy (and occasionally full ofHT: Very true. We actually had a speaker last sick animals!), so we e-mailed our confirmation.week talking about the “law of attraction” and We were going to be away for a week and a half, On the day before our flight, we dropped the catsshe basically says the same thing. From a so we needed to make plans for our three cats. In off along with enough cat food for their stay.spiritual, metaphysical perspective, what you the past, J- had done a little cat-sitting for us. I’d

November 2011 – sachachua.com 323 Maybe my time analysis will help me see where Averag Weekday Weekend the time came from. Hmm…Activity Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Total e average average From last week’s plansSleep 8.0 6.9 7.9 7.0 7.2 7.9 5.7 50.7 7.2 7.2 7.4  WorkWork 0.0 1.1 8.2 12.6 9.8 7.7 7.2 46.5 6.6 9.1 0.5 o [X] Project O: Lots more workDiscretionary 5.6 6.3 4.5 1.6 3.5 1.9 9.0 32.4 4.6 4.1 5.9 o [X] Project I: Follow up on SQL Server changesUnpaid work 1.7 7.8 0.5 1.0 1.6 3.0 0.6 16.2 2.3 1.3 4.8 o [-] Project T: Follow up on pre-Personal care 8.7 2.0 2.8 1.7 1.9 3.5 1.6 22.2 3.2 2.3 5.3 launch – meeting next week o [-] Prototype flashcards – Thursday and Friday. Between meetings and my probably RailsAfter we got back, Luke and Leia sought own desire to make good progress, I ended up o Submitted annual resultsattention more often than usual, and Neko had a working a regular day.cold. (The poor dear.) The cats were okay, o Shared lots of visualizationthough, and life returned to normal a week or so I don’t feel particularly time-deprived this week. examplesafter we got back. I’ve made good progress on a stuff-tracking component for my personal dashboard, and I’ve  RelationshipsThe cost of boarding three cats worked out to improved the tracker for community-supported o [X] Facilitate another fun studyaround $32 per day. A cat sitter would have cost agriculture produce. I read lots of books. We grouparound $23 per day. Lonesome Kitty has since hosted another study group, too. I’ve preparedthen raised its prices to $36 for three cats / day. lots of food for the coming week. o [-] Help J- with writing – maybe next week2011-09-25 Sun 09:06 My bottleneck is more like energy and interest, not raw time. A lot of things are down on my list.  Life Working long hours on client projects means o [X] Have massage!Weekly review: Week ending November 4, being less inclined to spend additional hours on2011 extracurricular work stuff. I’ll see if I can work o [X] Write about more quantifiedhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22614 out a lighter work week next week so that I can self stuffNovember 5, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly save time and energy for these things. In o [X] Find other quantified self particular, the Lotus Connections Toolkit is one bloggersI worked 46 hours this week. Most of the of those high-leverage things – a little effort canovertime was from a 12-hour sprint on Tuesday, go a long way. o [X] Improve measurements forgetting all our tests to run again after weeks of home dashboard – addedcollective neglect. I tried to cut back on work on summary

November 2011 – sachachua.com 324 o Added stuff tracking to dashboard This Last This Last Activity Delta Notes Activity Delta Notes o Improved CSA tracking week week week weekPlans for next week Discretionary 32.4 37.5 -5.1 oatmeal saves a little Personal care 22.2 12.6 9.6  Work bit of time, Unpaid work 16.2 12.2 4.0 but not o [ ] Work on project O: write more much tests Sleep 50.7 61.1 -10.5 Work 46.5 44.5 2.0 Extra time UW – 9.0 1.9 7.2 Processed o [ ] Project O: get e-mail templates Cooking the finally sorted out getting tests to pass vegetables, o [ ] Get project T closer to prepared launching D – Break 1.3 -1.3 lamb korma o [ ] Prototype flashcards D – Drawing 0.1 0.7 -0.6 UW – 4.6 6.6 -2.0 D – Other 9.4 0.1 9.2 Worked on Tidying o [ ] Work on Lotus Connections Toolkit migration personal UW – Travel 2.6 3.7 -1.2 Worked tracking from home system one day,  Relationships D – Personal 0.6 6.6 -6.0 biked to o [ ] Have Maira and Scott over for work board games? D – Reading 4.9 4.4 0.5 another day o [ ] Help out with home renovation D– 2.1 2.1 0.1 planning Shopping So it looks like most of the extra time got moved D – Social 4.3 17.1 -12.8 from sleep, hobbies, and socialization. We didn’t o [ ] Follow up on things Mom was have J- this week, so we spent less time helping interested in D – Writing 11.1 5.3 5.8 Made time her with homework (just the Friday study group). for this I made more time to write, which felt good. I’m  Life also experimenting with doing more up-front P – Eating 1.9 1.3 0.6 o [ ] Make lots of food cooking instead of waiting until our home-made P – Exercise 11.3 1.8 9.5 Biking on frozen lunches dwindle, so I spent more time o [ ] Continue tracking stuff weekends, cooking this week.Time analysis walking to subway for I’d like to get work under control next week. This This Last workActivity Delta Notes probably involves comparing the relief and week week P – Routines 8.9 9.5 -0.6 Pre-cooked happiness I can get by scratching the itch in my

November 2011 – sachachua.com 325brain (bugs, tests that still need work…) versus when work is so fun that it can suck you into flow development to help me change my behavioursother things that might have less immediate but experiences. Flow isn’t bad, but it’s also not in life?still valuable payoff (working on my personal always good.projects, investing in relationships). It seems like Here are some results from my very firstan excellent idea to work when something’s I’ve circled around this idea for several integration test of real life:taking up brainspace so that I can get it out of my paragraphs now, so there’s probably somethinghead, but there’s always more work to do. here that I need to pay attention to. Hmm. Feature: Development-driven behaviourSolving one issue leads to another, and another,and another. Work can pose an infinite number — Scenario: Check for overdue books #of challenges with short-term payoffs. Down this features/life.feature:2path lies a dangerous temptation to neglect other Also, wake-up times have edged forward a little When I check our library items #things, though, so I think it might be more useful bit. Let’s see how the end of Daylight Savings features/step_definitions/life.rb:3to get better at putting those brain-itches into Time changes things, too. Then there should be no items that are overdueperspective. # features/step_definitions/life.rb:7I’m sure that if I sit down and make space to Quantified Awesome: Development- Scenario: Check my work load #think about it, I can come up with ideas for non- driven behaviour and integrated tests for features/life.feature:5work activities that create even more value. I life When I look at my time use for the past 7 daysneed to externalize that list, because it can be http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22632 # features/step_definitions/life.rb:11hard to compare a clearly-defined work task November 5, 2011 - Then I should have time data #(solve issue X in our queue) with a vague idea Categories: development, geek, quantified features/step_definitions/life.rb:19that I may want to spend more time on And I should have worked between 40 and 44relationships or personal projects. It can be In terms of testing code, behaviour-driven hours # features/step_definitions/life.rb:24difficult to admit that some clearly-defined tasks development is fantastic. You can write your tests <46.5166666666667> expected to be(ex: get the Lotus Connections Toolkit working in pretty much plain English using a testing tool <=again) end up with lower priorities than like Cucumber for Rails, which makes it easier to <44.0>. (Test::Unit::AssertionFailedError)exploratory tasks (ex: do a freezer audit and communicate with other people (including ./features/step_definitions/life.rb:26:in `/^Inudge us closer to a better finished meals:frozen clients!). There’s a certain satisfaction in getting should have worked between (d+) and (d+)ingredients ratio). your tests to pass, and when they break, you hours$/ know something needs fixing. features/life.feature:8:in `And I should haveThere’s also the risk of procrastinating things worked between 40 and 44 hoursthat are really worth doing. At some point, the I’ve been thinking about what automated testsmental cost of carrying these ideas around (or might look like in life. It turned out to be easy to Scenario: Check if Im sleeping #even stashing them in one’s to-do list) outweighs prototype, thanks to the data I’m already features/life.feature:9the benefits of other activities. Still, it’s a good collecting. It’s almost like development-driven When I look at my time use for the past 7 daysidea to make sure your priorities strongly behavior: can I apply the tools I use in software # features/step_definitions/life.rb:11influence how you spend your time, particularly

November 2011 – sachachua.com 326 Monthly review: October 2011 Then I should have slept between 8 and 9 @summary = @log.summarize(@start_time, http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22628hours a day # @end_time) November 6, 2011 - Categories: monthly, reviewfeatures/step_definitions/life.rb:29 end October was an excellent month. My work laptopFailing Scenarios: Then /Î should have time data$/ do upgrade meant that I could bring just one laptopcucumber features/life.feature:5 # Scenario: assert @entries != nil to work instead of two. I’ve added lots of thingsCheck my work load assert @entries.size > 0 to my Quantified Awesome personal dashboard. end J- has caught up at school, and is doing well.3 scenarios (1 failed, 2 passed) We’re looking into how to make the house more7 steps (1 failed, 6 passed) Then /Î should have worked between (d+) and energy-efficient. I’m learning more about0m0.833s (d+) hours$/ do |min, max| cooking, and have picked up some new recipes. assert_operator @summary[A - Work] / Life is good. 1.hour, :>=, min.to_fCucumber highlights failing tests in red and it assert_operator @summary[A - Work] / From my plans from September: I added librarylists the failures as well. 1.hour, :<=, max.to_f functionality to my dashboard, tracking the end currently-checked out items as well as someHere’s the steps.rb that I’ve started fleshing out: statistics on the books I’ve read (retail price, Then /Î should have slept between (d+) and number of pages, and so on). I think I’ll postponeWhen /Î check our library items$/ do (d+) hours a day$/ do |min, max| nil # Actually stored in database, so we dont the blog review to December or August. average = @summary[A - Sleep] * 1.0 / (1.hourneed anything here. This is more for semantics * (@end_time - @start_time))end In November, I’m going to focus on having a assert_operator average, :>=, min.to_f place for everything and everything in its place. assert_operator average, :<=, max.to_f I’m experimenting with the stuff-tracking I’veThen /^there should be no items that are endoverdue$/ do added to my personal dashboard. Looking assert_equal 0, LibraryItem.where(status = ? forward to sharing screenshots and experiences,AND due < ?, due, Date.today).size and maybe even opening it up so that other I am pleasantly boggled that this is possible, andend people can track their things too. I’d like to see if will probably write all sorts of odd tests now. I can complete a month of tracking stuff, and Because Cucumber can fill in web forms, click onWhen /Î look at my time use for the past (d+) what I find myself needing to add to it. Let’s see stuff, and so on, I might even be able to use it todays?$/ do |arg1| how that works out! check information on other sites. (When I check @start_time = Date.today - arg1.to_i.days my mail, then all the messages in my inbox @end_time = Date.today - 1.day Blog posts this month: should be less than a week old?) @log = TimeTrackerLog.new @entries = @log.entries(@start_time, Oh, the possibilities…  Review:@end_time)

November 2011 – sachachua.com 327  Weekly review: Week ending September  The joys of development with Selenium  From the feeds: Saving money, making 30, 2011 web-testing money, balancing life, reading books, and making rainbows  Weekly review: Weeks ending October 7  Working with FTP sites and October 14, 2011  Monitoring multiple WordPress sites for  Life: comments using Yahoo Pipes  Weekly review: Week ending October 21,  Decision review: Marrying W- 2011  Decision review: Switching from  Figuring out how to plan for a month Rackspace Cloud to Linode  Weekly review: Week ending October 28, 2011  It turns out that “I suck” moments are more negotiable than I thought  Monthly review: September 2011 Quantified Awesome: How much music do  Stories from the trip: Making my peace you have?Quantified Awesome: with endings http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22599  Stories from our trip: Furry caterpillar November 7, 2011 - Categories: geek, quantified  Sketchnotes from Quantified Self Toronto Oct 21 2011  Thought roundup: Podcasts, drawing, I don’t listen to music a lot. Words interfere with cats, and towels my programming or writing (hmm, I should test  Tracking and organizing my clothes: substituting mathematics for fashion  From the feeds: Writing, more writing, to see how big the effect is), and I got used to sense journalism, and automation working in silence or with white noise. Some people have a lot of music, though. R. Galacho  Geek travel: Planning outfits using  From the feeds: Ramen, personal wrote this Python script that uses the ID3 matrices assistants, productivity, co-schooling, and information in MP3s to sum up listening time in being yourself each genre, and wanted me to share it in case  Geek travel update: Mostly as planned  Practising drawing: variations on a theme anyone else might find it useful:  Jetlag-assisted early days # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-  Quantified Awesome: Data from waking Tips: up 3 hours earlier than normal __doc__="""  Transcript: Blogging (Part 6): Looking muasure v.0.1Work: back  Transcript: Blogging (Part 7): Learning How long could you listen... Many times Ive  Decision review: Working at IBM how to write talked with friends about  Tweaking my Windows 7 setup more: my digital record collections size (mmm... we are  Transcript: Blogging (Part 8): Slow life talking in the Emacs on all virtual desktops! down and speed it up order of GB) and how long could Ive been listen  Learning browser-based testing with  Transcript: Blogging (Part 9): Learning if I make a playlist Selenium from others

November 2011 – sachachua.com 328with the hole collection and play it completely. This program is distributed in the hope that it content_types[content] +=Well, I made some will be useful, but id3v.info.lengthmind calculations setting up average time and WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the except HeaderNotFoundError:making a proportion to implied warranty of sys.stderr.write("Error reading file %sn"the number of files taken in my HDD. MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A % mp3_file) PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNUSo, spare time and the speed and versatility General Public License for more details. total_time = timedelta(seconds = lengths)inherent to Python give me avg_length = timedelta(seconds =the rest. You should have received a copy of the GNU float(lengths / len(collection))) General Public License file_str = StringIO()Music Measure (Muasure for short) calculates along with this program. If not, seethe total time of your <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>. file_str.writelines(["Total time : ",music collection. Finally show data in screen and """ str(total_time), "nAverage time: ",writes a text file __author__="R. Galacho" str(avg_length), "nn"])with that information into collection base __version__="0.0.1" ord_content_types =directory (so if you clean __date__="20111010" OrderedDict(sorted(content_types.items(),your screen you dont have to relaunch the key=lambda t: t[1], reverse=True))process). import os, sys, re for (k, v) in ord_content_types.items(): from datetime import timedelta total_time = timedelta(seconds =The only parameter expected is the base location from mutagen.mp3 import MP3, content_types.get(k))of your record HeaderNotFoundError file_str.writelines([k.ljust(15), ": ",collection (by default is the current directory from collections import OrderedDict str(total_time),"n"])when invoked). from cStringIO import StringIO print file_str.getvalue()Written, tested, runned and commited on GNU def get_total_time(directory, collection): if os.access(directory, os.W_OK):Emacs 23.2.1 (i686-pc-linux-gnu, GTK+ Version content_types = dict() result_file = open((%s%smuasure-data.txt2.24.4) ;) lengths = 0 % (directory, os.sep)), w) for mp3_file in collection: result_file.write(file_str.getvalue())This program is free software: you can try: result_file.flush()redistribute it and/or modify id3v = MP3(mp3_file) result_file.close()it under the terms of the GNU General Public lengths += id3v.info.lengthLicense as published by content = str(id3v.get(TCON)) file_str.close()the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of if content_types.get(content) == None:the License, or (at content_types[content] = def main(collection_dir):your option) any later version. id3v.info.length directory = os.path.expanduser(collection_dir) else:

November 2011 – sachachua.com 329 if not os.access(directory, os.R_OK): mentioned quite a few sites and she found them Hans Rosling shows you can do play-by-play super-helpful (like, give-Sacha-a-hug helpful! =) commentary for statistics and have people on the raise Exception("Not enough permission on ). Just in case you find these handy: (no hugs edge of their seats.%s" % directory) required) OKCupid visualizations are fascinating. It turns collection = [] Flowing Data is one of my favourite blogs for out that one can get all sorts of insights out of a pattern = re.compile(r.mp3) data graphics inspiration. Data Visualization is massive online dating database. The blog posts cool, too. are cleverly written and often include practical for dir, subdirs, files in os.walk(directory): tips, like this one on profile picture collection.extend("%s%s%s" % (dir, os.sep, f) IBM Many Eyes attractiveness, camera types, flash, depth of field,for f in filter(lambda x: pattern.search(x), files)) This collaborative visualization project makes and time of day. They have mind-boggling data. coming up with charts and graphs so much You may not want to open the blog posts in a collection = map(os.path.abspath, collection) easier. Lots of data sets and lots of examples to school or work context, though. get_total_time(directory, collection) explore, too. Note: don’t upload private data. What are your favourite sources for visualizationif __name__ == "__main__": inspiration? if len(sys.argv) > 1: main(sys.argv[1]) else: Thinking about how to get even better at main("./") bulk-cooking http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22600This requires Python 2.6 or later and Python- November 9, 2011 -mutagen 1.19 or later. Categories: cooking, kaizen, life, productiWhat else can you automatically extract from the vityfiles or data you already have? People have doneinteresting analyses based on geocoded photos, We like cooking intimes of tweets, and so on. Have fun exploring! bulk. We find it to be an efficient way to make sure we’ve got Protovis has a graphing library and a gallery of healthy, inexpensiveVisualization resources pretty examples. I’d love to play around withhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22612 meals ready for the graphs like this. RaphaelJS has a few examples, workweek. How can we improve our processes?November 8, 2011 - Categories: visualization too. Graphing libraries generally do. Cost and delegation: I’ve been tracking theOne of my coworkers asked me if I knew cost per portion for the meals we prepare in bulk.interesting examples of visualizations. I Cost per portion tends to be between $1 and $3,

November 2011 – sachachua.com 330while eating lunch outside tends to be about $8- Prepared meals and ingredients: We don’t Prepared 1- or 2-person meals tend to cost12. I can prepare about 20 portions in 3 hours (+ use a lot of prepared ingredients like pre-cooked around $4 to $5 per portion. Bulk meals liketidying up of one hour or so), and have scaled up bacon, chopped carrots, or peeled potatoes. lasagna casseroles cost around $1.50 per portion,beyond that too. If we use $12-15 per hour as the They’re more expensive than regular ingredients, which is actually cheaper than our cost perreplacement cost of labour (it looks like you can and they’re typically not as fresh. We do use portion for lasagna. Pizza costs around $2 perhire housekeepers for around that range), that frozen vegetable mixes, which are much handier portion when it’s on sale.works out to around $100 of savings if I than cutting off corn kernels and chopping upoutsourced preparation, and $160 if we do things carrot bits ourselves. We occasionally buy  Upside: Save time, try different recipesourselves. chicken drumsticks or thighs in order to save us time and mess in quartering them, and we also  Downside: Higher costs, package size isI might experiment with this by hiring someone buy rotisserie chicken. We like frozen steamed non-standard and throws off our storagewho’s experienced in bulk cooking and freezing, buns, and J- has frozen nuggets from time to schemeparticularly if we can squeeze in 40 portions or time. We buy the occasional frozen pizza whenmore on one day. (It’s possible – see Once a it’s on sale. In summer, we buy frozen burgers. Tools: I need to get better at using the tools weMonth Cooking.) If it works, then it can save us a We like the packaged lamb korma and the have: breaking out the food processor andchunk of focused time. Jamaican beef patties. Canned soup is also chopping up lots of things, using the stand handy. We hardly ever buy other frozen meals, blender or the immersion blender for soups and prepackaged stock, and other convenience foods. purées, and so on. If I can use the food processor  Upside: Time, new recipes to do all the onions, then freeze chopped onions  Downside: Cost and risk I would totally go for pre-chopped onions, as I for use in future recipes, that would save me a lot hate crying over them. (None of the little fixes of crying.Variety: Along those lines, we can adjust our I’ve tried have worked so far; I’ll keep trying togrocery shopping so that we can eat even better. I hack this!). I would also go for peeled and  Upside: Save timewas pleasantly surprised to find that lamb korma chopped garlic, because I use so much of it.worked out to around $1.25 per serving. It still  Downside: More washing (so it’s good to Fortunately, I can make my own packages. I’ve do this in bulk)felt like such a treat. We don’t have to eat chicken chopped and frozen most of our onions and all ofmost of the time, then! our garlic. We’ll see how that works out! I’ll keep Meals:ingredients ratio: Right now, both our an eye out for other supermarket offerings, too. chest freezer and our under-fridge freezerWe can experiment with new recipes for bulk Being in a community-supported agriculture compartment are at about about 1:4 (meals tocooking, and we can revisit old favourites. Next program means we buy very few additional ingredients by volume). We can make aon my list: beef bulgogi, proper lamb korma vegetables (I’m currently drowning in a sea of concerted effort to spend weekends either(should try a few different recipes), lasagna (it’s broccoli rabe). We might experiment with using cooking or editing one stack of frozen ingredientsbaking season again!), shepherd’s pie… prepared meals to explore new recipes (like the in order to replace it with one stack of frozen way prepacked lamb korma firmly established meals. Then we can shift to the chest freezer  Upside: Yum! that we have a taste for it) and with using containing practically all frozen meals and the  Downside: Slightly higher costs, time prepared ingredients to make bulk preparations fridge freezer containing ingredients. spent experimenting easier.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 331  Upside: More convenience and variety, no Transcript: Blogging (Part 11): Looking When I was doing my most recent review – when need to dig around in the freezer for a back at the year I turned 28 – I flipped back through my blog meal, gradual editing of food in the http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22469 posts in August 2010, and I started just reading freezer November 10, 2011 - forward. As I went through things, I was, like, Categories: blogging, tips, writing “Oh yeah, this was the year that we disassembled  Downside: Commits a chunk of our the washing machine and managed to weekend (4-5 hours for every 21 Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this successfully put it back together!” Yes. We had to portions?) interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put do that to get the 27″ machine down a 26″ them all together in a text file and a PDF that you hallway or something like that. Anyway. It wasMeal density: Instead of packing individual can read easily, and I’ll add insights you and quite an adventure, and the blog post is on myready-to-go portions, we might store just themain dish. That would double or triple our other people might share along the way. =) (Find blog, of course. Little things like that, that I previous entries) Here’s the eleventh chunk! might otherwise be really fuzzy aboutfreezing capacity, but it would require moreplanning. Every three days, then, we would take remembering (“Oh yeah, we did this some timeout enough food for the next three days and Holly Tse: We have another question here from ago, but I don’t really know when”)… It wasdefrost it. The next day, we would repack Charles. He’s asking, “Can you comment on the there, in my blog, and it reminded me aboutlunches. We would always make a large pot of benefit you’ve made by preparing yearly digests other things. Reading about all these things of your blog in PDF format and printing out your reminded me about things I hadn’t written down,rice each week, and we would keep frozenvegetables in stock. We might keep a few blog?” He says he always enjoys reading your but which has happened anyway. It’s like beingindividual portions for emergencies. annual review of your life. able to take a step back and bring up all those different feelings and ideas and memories. It’s a Sacha Chua: Awww… So I started keeping a fantastic thing, and I would never have thought  Upside: Cooking main meals less often, that I’d enjoy writing that much. having more variety paper backup of my blog after my mom inspired me, because she started printing out my stuff too.  Downside: Defrosting and repacking Also, it’s kinda fun to flip through what you’ve Yearly digests. Even if you really just stop, look at takes time and foresight, might grab one actually written. We don’t have any visuals now, what you’ve done, celebrate all these memories… of those multi-portion containers by but I’ve got this thick binder that’s maybe 3-4″ See what you’ve learned that you can share with accident when rushing to work thick, double-sided printed paper with two other people. Then think, okay, what do I want columns printed on it, and all of that stuff… I’ve the next year to look like? What are some of theFor this month, I’m going to focus on improving been writing for a while. You don’t have to write ideas here that I want to build on?our meals:ingredients ratio, so that we can that much. It’s okay. But it is fun being able togradually clear out the old ingredients and look at it. Every year – sometimes twice a year, I’ve actually moved away from having bucket listprovide a good base for future experiments. I since I tend to do one around my birthday and I sorts of goals. You know how people make lists: Imay also prepare a large bag of chopped onions tend to do one around the Christmas/New Year want to climb Mount Everest, I want to dive into see how well that works. holidays too – I look back at what I’ve done over the Great Barrier Reef, I want to eat at a 5-star the past 12 months, where I wanted to be by the restaurant… I started feeling like that was likeDo you cook in bulk? How are you improving time I would’ve done my review, and I match how people collect stuff, except this is collectingyour processes? things up. What did I learn? experiences. It’s cool for people who do that, but

November 2011 – sachachua.com 332after lots of reflection (also on my blog), I November 11, 2011 - Categories: decision, travel Public transit pass (Metropass): $121decided it wasn’t really for me at this stage. Interms of saying, “What are the things I’d like to After a pleasant weekend bike ride with W-, I Public transit tokens: 40 tokens at $2.50 =learn next year?” “What are the ideas I want to thought I’d get back into the habit of biking to $100, plus extra tokens if I need to go to thefocus on?” Next year, I want to focus on slowing work. client site and the office on the same day.down and doing things deeply. Doing things well.Writing more. (If that’s even possible…) But I’d stopped in August because I didn’t want to Because a Metropass was not much morewriting, and polishing… I’ve gotten good at risk damaging my new laptop. During a bumpy expensive than paying for public transit tokens,building things quickly, trying things out trip to the office, W’s previous laptop had using the pass is more convenient than jugglingquickly… What can I do to make it easier for bounced unnoticed out of his panniers and onto tokens, I decided to go for a pass. Work coverspeople to learn from it or make use of it? the road, where several passing trucks flattened the expense, but even if I were paying for it it into a pancake. Fortunately, it was a work myself, I’d probably still make the same decision.Being able to sketch out this idea for myself, and laptop, so replacement wasn’t difficult. If I With the transit tax credit of 15.25%, the after-then over the next few months, being able to go damaged my spiffy new souped-up laptop, tax cost comes out to around the same as buyingback and track how I’m doing with that — though, I’d probably regret it a bit. (Yes, stuff is tokens for weekday travel, and weekend travelwhether my goals still call to me or whether I stuff, but it’s okay to be cautious.) So I commuted would be a bonus.want to shift to something else… Having that via subway, wheeling along a small suitcase withwritten down gives me the ability to do that, my personal laptop and my work laptop. I’m going to take the subway this month,whereas doing some hand-waving or letting the although I might still bike if the weekends aremonths and the days just flow past without any The small suitcase’s wheels finally gave out, and I pleasant. I’ll use the time to listen to podcastskind of record… This is why people wake up and switched to bringing a backpack. It was tough like the Psych Files (behavioural psychology =ask, “Where did my life go?” Well, when I wake with two computers, but fortunately I received a hacking your brain) or to draft posts. Maybe Iup, I know where my life’s going, and I know much-anticipated hardware upgrade at work. might even pick up a few more books for mywhere my life went, and it’ll be fun figuring out Because my new work laptop could handle Kindle. We’ll see. =)how much more I can do in the years ahead. running my development virtual machines and the programs we needed for work, I startedTune in next Thursday for the next part in this leaving my personal laptop at home. This meant Weekly review: Week ending Novemberseries! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering that I could bike into work if I wanted to. 11, 2011; thinking about the temptation toYourself through Blogging page to make it workeasier for you to find them. I biked to work once. The next day, up much http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22634 earlier than sunrise, I thought about whether I November 12, 2011 - Categories: review, weekly should just give in to the idea of getting a publicDecision review: Metropass instead of transit pass instead of trying to tough it out and I realized that I was feeling conflicted aboutbiking to work in November bike for as long as possible in November. tracking my time because I treated the numbershttp://sachachua.com/blog/ as prescriptive statistics instead of descriptivep/22613 Biking: Exercise; ease of doing errands; will still ones. “I should work around 40 hours a week, or prefer to take transit when rainy or snowy I might be letting it tempt me away from other

November 2011 – sachachua.com 333things in life.” “I should sleep around 8 hours a delayed my lunch so much that it interfered with with this kind of scaffolding.day.” It meant that I spent a little bit of extra supper plans). My lunch times have been movingmental energy keeping things in check, later, and my wake-up times have been doing so But I should also focus on learning how to buildparticularly in resisting the urge to work just a as well. Those are probably good clues that I can things myself, and imagining new things, andlittle bit more. be misled by what I feel like working on, and that investing in strategic delegation or elimination of the brakes are worth the mental energy. tasks, and building relationships…This week, I tried not thinking about time andjust working on whatever felt like the most There’s a little bit of that “just one more thing!” It’s okay. I’ll eventually get the hang of this. Thisvaluable thing at the moment. By suspending frustration I have to learn how to deal with, and is just something many people go through, andvalue judgement, I could see what it’s like to some awkwardness with scheduling, and it’s some people even figure it out. Burnout is awork without that friction – to track time as a better to fix that now before it develops into the danger for many people in my profession –way of describing my day, without feeling odd full-fledged kind of work addiction that many interests usually break down before fingers do.about how I actually spend it. people have. Over time, it might get easier, So while it’s frustrating to not scratch a mental particularly as other skills and interests develop. itch until the next week, and it’s embarrassing toI ended up working 54.4 hours last week. I slept have outstanding bugs, and it’s far too much fun6.9 hours a day. With the brakes off, I still But work is fun! And it’s a great way to develop to check things off a list, I’m going to keepmanaged to spend 35.9 hours on discretionary my skills! Awesome clients and coworkers, working on slowing down.pursuits (close to another week’s total of 37, but fascinating projects that help make a difference… From last week’s plansnot as high as a total of 45.4 hours during one of I’m growing so much as a developer. My nextmy late-night weeks). goal is 100% test coverage, now that I’ve figured  Work out how to use rcov, rspec, and Cucumber. I wantI can’t cut out the value judgment, though. Even to pack as much learning as I can into each o [X] Work on project O: write morewhen I’m not comparing it with some arbitrary project, because it’s so good to be able to learn testsnumber like 40 hours of work, I can tellsomething’s a little bit off. Weekday Weekend Activity Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Total Average average averageI’m not under any strong pressures at work, butcoding is just so much fun and I keep wanting to Sleep 6.6 6.8 7.2 5.7 8.0 7.4 6.4 48.1 6.9 7.0 6.7fix just one more thing. It’s easy to focus on workbecause there’s a good pay-off for doing things Work 0.0 5.8 10.3 11.6 8.7 10.6 7.3 54.4 7.8 9.7 2.9earlier rather than later: more functionality todemonstrate to clients, more things to get Discretionary 6.7 7.1 4.3 5.3 2.6 1.5 8.2 35.9 5.1 4.4 6.9feedback on, more awesomeness. Unpaid work 9.2 1.8 0.3 0.0 2.1 0.9 0.5 14.8 2.1 0.8 5.5I’m happy, but I’m a little fuzzy and I had an out-of-sync moment last Thursday (forgot that W- Personal care 1.5 2.5 1.8 1.3 2.6 3.6 1.5 14.8 2.1 2.2 2.0was planning steamed buns for breakfast, and

November 2011 – sachachua.com 334 o [X] Project O: get e-mail This Last Activity Delta Notes templates finally sorted out week week o [X] Get project T closer to ! Discretionary 35.9 32.4 3.5 launching – chased down a few more bugs ! Personal care 14.8 22.2 -7.5 o [X] Prototype flashcards ! Unpaid work 14.8 16.2 -1.4 o [-] Work on Lotus Connections Toolkit migration – some more A – Sleep 48.1 50.7 -2.6 work needed A – Work 54.4 46.5 7.9 Time came from not biking  Relationships D – Drawing 0.1 0.1 0.0 o [X] Have Maira and Scott over for board games? D – Other 12.4 9.4 3.0 Work on quantifiedawesome.com o [X] Help out with home D – Personal 0.1 0.6 -0.5 renovation planning D – Reading 2.5 4.9 -2.4 o [X] Follow up on things Mom was interested in D – Shopping 2.1 -2.1  Life D – Social 16.1 4.3 11.8 help with homework and study group; board games with Maira and Scott o [X] Make lots of food o [X] Continue tracking stuff D – Writing 4.6 11.1 -6.4Plans for next week P – Eating 1.8 1.9 -0.1  Work P – Exercise 3.7 11.3 -7.7 used Metropass, but started walking from one station away o [ ] Give a presentation on P – Routines 9.2 8.9 0.3 automated testing o [ ] Get project T closer to launch UW – Cooking 6.1 9.0 -3.0 beef bulgogi experiment o [ ] Finish applying the theme for UW – Tidying 6.9 4.6 2.3 project O UW – Travel 1.8 2.6 -0.8 Worked at home 2 days this week

November 2011 – sachachua.com 335 o [ ] Set up production at our tickets and said, "Congratulations! You’re Dean Vaughn’s How to Remember Anything has environment for project O at the wrong terminal!" – but so cheerfully that it great tips on making object locations more took the edge off my panic. memorable by visually exaggerating the o [ ] File expenses association between an object and its location. I scrambled to find my cellphone. I called my For example, if you put your keys on the table,  Relationships parents, who had dropped us off. "Eep! Terminal imagine locking your door with the entire table. o [ ] Host another study group 3!" Fortunately, they weren’t far off. More hugs, a The unusual association will probably make it quick un-pile and re-pile of luggage, and we were easier to recall one-off locations, but o [ ] Help out with home at the (relatively) new Terminal 3. We had flown renovations planning out of and into that terminal for our domestic There’s the classic advice to have one place for flights, so I was familiar with it, but this is the everything, and put everything in its place. This  Self first time we’d flown out of it for an international works if you have foresight, discipline, and an o [ ] Add contexts to stuff-tracking flight. organized space. Our house looks more like like a Martha Stewart centerfold… the “before” picture. o [ ] Get system ready for Anyway, it stuck with me a little. =) It’s fun to see Quantified Self demo people having fun at work. Because I’m a geek and I’m tired of rummagingTime analysis through the house for things I’ve misplaced, I added a simple system for tracking things to myNext week, I want to sleep more, work less, and Quantified Awesome: A place for home dashboard. I’ll start by tracking the thingschannel some of that extra time back into everything, and everything in its place that frustrate me the most. Infrequently-useddiscretionary work. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22602 things like loyalty cards and passports, November 14, 2011 - frequently-moved items like my lunch bag or my(see next table) Categories: geek, kaizen, life, quantified mouth guard… A month is a good size for experimenting with On my dashboard, I can see what’s out of placeStories from the trip: Terminal 3 life. This month, I’m focusing on having a place and where it should be returned. Here’s ahttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22551 for everything and everything in its place. screenshot from November 4:November 13, 2011 - Categories: life, travel Brains are bad at recall. Infrequently-used itemsFrom October 15: After fade into the fog of memory, like the loyalty cardsmany hugs, we piled our and IDs I stash in a sometimes too-secret place.luggage onto a cart and Frequently-moved items end up with confusedheaded briskly into Ninoy associations: did I leave my belt bag on top of theAquino International dresser, or is it on the kitchen table? UnderAirport Terminal 1. stress, recall is an even more difficult task, and it’s easy to glaze over and miss something whenThe security guard looked you’re trying to think of where else it might be.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 336I can view a summary and do some quickupdates: I’ve just added this idea of a context, whichThe detail page makes it easy to see where groups together things. This way, I can checksomething is, change an item’s location or view whether everything’s in the right place, and I can Slowing down and tracking things might help meother things that are associated with it. Here, my mark everything moved in one go. improve my peace of mind. Even if I don’tkeys are in my belt bag, which is on the kitchen always update my system, I think seeing a list oftable. possible locations will help a lot. A table of stuff, current locations, and home locations will also make it easier to ensure that everything has a rightful place. I can identify things that are out of place and where they should be returned, which would be great for daily and weekly sweeps. I think this would be even better if I built an Android app, as sometimes web access from my Android is slow. (Or maybe it’s my web hosting: I’m using too much memory, so I’m swapping out.)

November 2011 – sachachua.com 337I hope to collect interesting data over time. One of the great things about spending time with Photo © 2006 lincolnian, Creative CommonsMaybe usage stats will tell me what’s worth my family is seeing them with old friends, the Attribution ShareAlike Licenseimproving or eliminating. Maybe this is kind of friendships developed over decades andsomething I’ll discontinue after a month, or despite distance.maybe it’s something I’ll open up for wider use. Massages, physical feedback, andWho knows? I’ll give it a try to work out the Mel Chua shares this poem by James Hayford: behaviour modificationusage patterns, then maybe I’ll look into http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22576tweaking my personal dashboard so that people Time to plant trees is when you’re young So you November 16, 2011 - Categories: kaizen, lifecan try using it to track their own lives too. will have them to walk among – So aging, you can walk in shade That you and time togetherWhee! made. – James Hayford, "Time To Plant Trees" IBM benefits include anLike this? Check out my other self-tracking Greg Wilson writes about friendship and running allowance for massages byposts. partners in life: registered massage therapists (RMTs), and I try In the end, the search for that feeling is the to make the most of it eachFrom the feeds: Friendship, planning common thread through almost everything I’ve year. I like getting massages for preventive care. Iahead, and crossroads done. … We are none of us long in this life, want to know about bad habits before they warphttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22554 and I think we all want to believe that when we my posture or worsen into injuries. Massages areNovember 15, 2011 - have to run our last lap, we won’t have to run it also a great way to learn more about muscles,Categories: feeds, friendship, Tidbits alone. I think we all want friends to keep pace habits, and how the body is structured. They’re with, day after day, while we’re alive, so that we relaxing, too, but that’s icing on the cake. can be sure that someone will be out there, still running, I’ve been having my massages at The Well of when we’re not. Alternative Medicine since 2008. We started going there because we knew Marta, the owner, I want to enjoy and be inspired by great from krav maga. W- used to get his massages friendships through the decades. It’s easy to be from Marta. I’ve been working with Shelagh insular, but if no man can really be an island (or Albert for my massages, so she’s used to my at least be healthy doing so), I might at least be a asking lots of questions. peninsula. =) It can be difficult to stay awake during a good Speaking of planning ahead, Trent (The Simple massage, but I try to pay attention to the kind of Dollar) has great advice on what to do at life’s feedback that the massage is giving me. In crossroads. Living a frugal life and keeping particular, I’m looking for tense muscles and expenses down means that we can take more stubborn knots. I often ask Shelagh to risks, yay.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 338recommend some exercises I can do in order to the stretches onto that habit, then they might scary. Anyway, I grew up in the Philippines. Istretch and relax those muscles. become part of my routine too. love love love all sorts of things that I miss from there. Mangoes, and my friends, and all of thatI pay attention to the You can get more out of your massages by using stuff… And of course, family and relatives…height of the tables I work them for physical feedback and behaviour anyway, so. The Philippines! And Canada! Now Ion because I spend a lot modification. Have fun! have two homes. I’m definitely Filipino. I willof the time at the still cook with bagoong and patis and try to getcomputer, and I don’t Massage photo © 2009 Nick Webb, Creative by with… In Toronto, it’s fantastic. You’rewant to end up with a Commons Attribution License. Image of surrounded by all the different ethnicities. Itense neck, hunched trapezius from Gray’s Anatomy lithograph, now always hear Filipino accents around. It’s likeshoulders, or repetitive public domain. being home except it occasionally gets cold.strain injury. I asked Anyway, that’s my story. I moved to Canada inShelagh to focus on my 2005 to pursue my master’s because I wasneck and shoulders so that we could see if my Transcript: Blogging (Part 12): Two homes offered a scholarship, and hey, why not… Andnew work conditions (more work at the office or http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22470 then I fell in love, which is rather inconvenienton client sites instead of at home) affected my November 17, 2011 - when you’re planning to move back home. Soposture or neck muscles. She found that I was Categories: blogging, tips, writing that kinda helped me tough it out until Igenerally okay, although my upper trapezius was discovered the trick to dealing with winter.a little tense. She recommended some sideways Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing thisneck stretches. interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put The trick to dealing with winter, by the way, is to them all together in a text file and a PDF that you call it baking season, and then to bake.I also typically have tight spots in my gluteus. I can read easily, and I’ll add insights you andasked her how much of that might be caused by other people might share along the way. =) (Find HT: Yeah, I’m originally from Toronto, I knowsitting with crossed legs versus how much might previous entries) Here’s the twelfth chunk! how cold winter can be up there. I’m inbe caused by sitting a lot. Shelagh said that I California now, so I’ve turned into a softie now.don’t have any particularly bad habits, but many Holly Tse: I actually wanted to ask you,people who sit a lot have the same issues, and speaking of looking forward and looking SC: You get no sympathy from me whatsoever ifthat some stretches would help. I may also see if backwards, since this is a telesummit about you complain about the weather. Anyway, that’sI can create a makeshift standing desk setup at Asian women owning your voices and sharing another the blog has really helped me. I’ve beenthe office or at the client setup, and streamline so their voices with the world… Where were you writing about all these stories. I can tell how Ithat I’m carrying one laptop (or even no laptop, born and what is your ethnicity? grew out of most of my homesickness. Still hitsjust lunch!). every so often, but I can see those shifts. I can Sacha Chua: I grew up in Manila. My mom and use these stories to keep in touch with my friendsI’m pretty good at remembering to stand up and my dad and my middle sister are still there. It back home, and to make new friends here as well.stretch, a side benefit to my habit of drinking was actually very difficult to move to Canada in It’s been really, really helpful for me. Even withplenty of water (around 2.5L per day). If I tack the first place. Coming from a tropical country Facebook and Twitter and Google Plus and all from the Philippines… Oookay, winter is really these other social networks, there’s still that need

November 2011 – sachachua.com 339for a place to tell your own stories, share your The X220 arrived on September 1. From per usage hour to about $1. If I use it for two orpictures, and have these conversations without it September 1 to October 27, I used it for work and more years before replacing, cost per usage hourbeing fragmented over all these different places. life. My work laptop arrived on October 27. goes down even more. Here’s how that time breaks down:I was glad that I’d gotten into writing, especially I haven’t done as much drawing with the newduring those difficult times. I’m sure that September 1 to October 28 (58 days, 443 computer as I thought I would, but that’s becausewhatever challenges come in the future, I will try hours) building a personal dashboard has been fillingbest to write my way through them. my spare brain space, and I’ve been drawing on paper too. I should see about building in aTune in next Thursday for the next part in this routine of regular drawing lessons and exercises.series! I’ll add new entries to the DiscoveringYourself through Blogging page to make it Other stats: I’ve been using the free Workraveeasier for you to find them. program to remind myself to take breaks. One of the side benefits is that it can also report on some and occasional use during our trip to the usage statistics, such as keystrokes and mouseDecision review: Lenovo X220 tablet PC Philippines clicks.(with graphs!)http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22622 October 29 to November 4 (7 days, 21 hours; day before time of writing)November 18, 2011 -Categories: decision, gadgets, geek, laptop, reviewMel Chua asked about my experience withtablets, so I thought I’d look at the results ofgetting a Lenovo X220i tablet PC last August. 464 hours so far (probably undercounted)J- needed a replacement laptop, so I passed Keystrokes are reported using the axis on the left, Total cost so far $1300 = ~ $1150 + memory andalong my Lenovo X61 tablet and took the and mouse clicks are reported using the axis on hard drive ~ $150?opportunity to buy a new Lenovo X220i tablet. I the right. For ease of comparison, I’ve made the ~ $2.80/usage hour (not including electricity,kitted it out with maximum memory and a keystrokes scale ten times bigger than the scale etc.) over 65 daysdecent (but not solid-state) hard drive. For a of the mouse clicks. This tells me that how muchwhile, I did my work development on it as well. I kept using my X220 for programming while I I think it’s definitely worth it, especiallyAfter my work laptop got upgraded, I switched to eased into using the X420 (so my work hours are considering it’s only been two months. If Iusing the new work laptop for development and undercounted in the table above), and that I used assume use of about 2-4 hours each day, that’swork mail. Now I use the X220 for drawing, about 900 hours for the rest of a full year or a the X220 very lightly during our trip (October 4writing and personal projects. to October 15). total of 1360 hours or so, which brings the cost

November 2011 – sachachua.com 340Total number of keystrokes: 2,287,106, or much more awesome, though – portability is a decent way to experiment, but it’s not veryaround 450,000 words if I were typing just means actually using it more often! portable. The Cintiq is not portable at all, andwords instead of programming, navigating my doesn’t get you that much more compared to asystem, deleting and replacing stuff, and so on. History: I saved up for the Cintiq because I relatively recent tablet PC. Hope that helps!I’m surprised to see my mouse stats: a little over wanted the reassurance of being able to see what1 mouse click for every 20 keystrokes. I’m not I was drawing without having to rely on hand-eyeentirely sure how Workrave handles tablets, so a coordination. I also reasoned that keeping the Weekly review: Week ending Novemberlot of that might come from drawing. drawing functionality separate from processing 18, 2011Unfortunately, I don’t have stats from my X61 – (so a tablet instead of a tablet PC) would make it http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22640it might’ve been interesting to do a comparison easier for me to upgrade the processor/hardware November 19, 2011 - Categories: review, weeklyand see if I did end up using it much more. specs, because I could just upgrade the computer it was connected to. Good week! Lots of progress on coding andAlso, I now have even more appreciation for the testing work projects as well as Quantifiedthings I can do with time-tracking and Workrave Getting the Cintiq was a good decision at the Awesome. Getting there…data. =) Yay multipurpose or effectively free time. It helped me learn how to draw more From last week’s plansdata! Who knows, maybe I’ll even set up things quickly and more confidently. I ended uplike ManicTime so I can automatically track at spending my drawing time downstairs, though,  Workthe application level. so I bought a small Bamboo Pen + Touch for portable experiments. I used that one from time o [X] Give a presentation onJ- is delighted with the hand-me-down X61 and to time on the kitchen table, but I found myself automated testinghas been doing her homework on it. She’s even rarely using it elsewhere because I needed toostarted taking it to school. She draws with it, too. much desk space, and the separated visualIt’s getting a lot of good use. feedback wasn’t much fun. When I got an X61 second-hand, that was amazing, and I had muchConclusion: Good decision. Would make the more fun drawing with it. Later, I crunched thesame decision again if I needed to. In fact, would numbers and realized that buying a currenthave probably gotten a new tablet at an earlier Lenovo X220 cost about the same as buying adecision point. =) used X61, replacing the battery, and adding other stuff. When J-’s old laptop broke, we decided toOther tablet notes for helping people decide: pass my X61 down to her, and I got an X220. (Which is awesome!)If you need the finer resolution, pressuresensitivity, and visual feedback of a Cintiq, it’s a In short: a tablet PC was more than worth it forterrific pro tool. If you don’t mind not being able me, and way more fun than a regular PC or ato see your screen and you’ll usually have a flat regular tablet. I’d recommend that as the path ofsurface to work on, a small tablet is a less least regret, although not if it involves going toexpensive experiment. Tablet PCs are much, debt or eating unhealthily. A small drawing tablet

November 2011 – sachachua.com 341 o [X] Get project T closer to launch renovations planning fun! o [X] Finish applying the theme for o Helped repoint the bricks using Plans for next week project O lime mortar o [X] Set up production o Crunched some data on  Work environment for project O Homestars reviews o [ ] Project O: Get ready for big o [-] File expenses – postponed o Helped out with study group on demo Think on Your Feet o [ ] Project O: Get to 100% test o Rails: Learned how to extend ActiveRecord::Base with my own o Wrote down more stories. coverage association methods o [ ] Project T: Bugfixes, final round o Rails: Started running coverage  Life of testing? tests o [X] Add contexts to stuff-tracking o [ ] File expenses o Rails: Built an interactive tutorial o [/] Get system ready for o [ ] Move flashcard app to internal feature for project O Quantified Self demo host o Rails: Added import users / o Changed Quantified Awesome to o [ ] Get ready for flashcard demo activate users for project O use Twitter Bootstrap – now it looks all Web 2.0-y  Relationships  Relationships o Fixed bugs related to library o [ ] Go to Rails Pub Nite on o [X] Host another study group cards, food tracking Monday o [X] Help out with home o Played Lego Harry Potter 5 – 7: o [ ] Host study group o [ ] Build memories into QuantifiedActivity Sat Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Tot Ave Weekday Weekend average Awesome n d al rage average  LifeSleep 8.2 9.3 7.7 7.8 8.6 8.9 8.2 58.7 8.4 8.2 8.7 o [ ] Work on user support for Quantified AwesomeWork 0.0 0.0 9.2 8.5 8.5 8.1 7.5 41.7 6.0 8.3 0.0 o [ ] Simplify stuff interface – whatDiscretionary 7.2 8.8 2.1 4.6 4.0 2.3 5.2 34.2 4.9 3.6 8.0 would it take to make it a system my mom can start using?Unpaid work 1.0 2.2 2.1 1.2 1.4 1.9 1.5 11.2 1.6 1.6 1.6 o [ ] Get ready for Quantified SelfPersonal care 7.7 3.7 3.0 2.0 1.5 2.9 1.6 22.2 3.2 2.2 5.7 Toronto demo

November 2011 – sachachua.com 342 o [ ] Fix mobile version This ThisTime analysis Last Delt Last Delt Activity wee Notes Activity wee Notes week a week a k kOkay! I decided to work less and sleep more, andI did. I still got plenty of stuff done at work (lots bounds learningof development, a presentation, and more!).Interestingly enough, discretionary time was D – Break 8.2 8.2 This is all P – Eating 4.9 1.8 3.1 Moredown a little from last week, even though it felt LEGO relaxedlike I had more free time. Oh, that was because I Harry mealscounted repointing the bricks on Saturday as Potter…exercise time, although it could also be filed P – Exercise 9.2 3.8 5.4 Repointing,under social. D – Drawing 0.9 0.1 0.7 A little bit lots of of planning walking This for the Last Delt P – Routines 8.2 9.2 -1.1Activity wee Notes website week a k D – Other 7.5 12.4 -4.9 Lots of UW – 5.1 6.1 -1.0! 34.2 35.9 -1.7 progress on CookingDiscretionary my Quantified UW – Tidying 2.9 6.9 -4.0 Should do! Personal 22.2 14.8 7.4 More Awesome morecare exercise project! tidying up today! Unpaid work 11.2 14.8 -3.6 Less D – Personal 3.6 0.1 3.5 cooking UW – Travel 3.2 1.8 1.4 Commuting D – Reading 0.5 2.5 -2.0 to workA – Sleep 58.7 49.1 9.6 Yay more every day sleep (more D – Shopping 1.6 1.6 than a full night of D – Social 9.4 16.1 -6.7 Study I think I’m on the right track. Next week will additional group probably involve more socializing (Rails Pub Nite sleep, meetup, etc.) and more hacking (getting even!) D – Writing 2.4 4.6 -2.2 I should Quantified Awesome ready for demo on Nov 30), write more so I might take time away from cooking andA – Work 41.7 54.4 -12.7 Keeping it blog posts playing, and maaaybe a little from sleep. within about what reasonable I’m I totally fell off the waking-up-early bandwagon. I think that’s due to playing LEGO Harry Potter,

November 2011 – sachachua.com 343because I ended up going to bed around 11:30 November 21, 2011 - Categories: quantified can get better at estimating and dealing withinstead of around 10. I could reset and save the risks, costs, and benefits.game for weekends, which stretches it out for People often ask me why I measure what Ilonger enjoyment. measure. I do it because I’m curious, and It doesn’t cost a lot of time or attention to track. measurement lets me collect the data I need to For example, I prefer to manually track myI could also wait for J- and only play it with her, answer those questions. For example: activities using an app on my smartphone (Timeturning it into a social-ish activity. We’d Recording for Android Pro, although there’s acomplete it in a little less time, but playing would  How do I use time, and does that align free version). It takes me a few seconds to switchbe a little less flexible for me. It’s okay, I can just with how I want to use my time? activities, and I do that as I’m heading out thespread it out over time. door, waiting for the subway, or doing other  How do I use money, and does that also things that don’t need a lot of attention. It doesLife is good. align with my priorities? take some time to analyze my data, particularly  How much time does it take me to do as I build many of my own tools. That also counts things, and how can I optimize? as professional development time (Ruby onLearning how to model with Google Rails, visualization, etc.), though, so it mightSketchup  How much of my things do I really use, even be more of a benefit than a cost.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22646 and where does it make sense to improve or to eliminate? I love reading about behavioural psychology,November 20, 2011 -Categories: geek, learning  How can I reduce the time I spend economics, and other sciences that illuminate looking for things by simplifying and by our predictable irrationality. I can see how IWe’d like to learn more about organizing? compare in terms of sleep, leisure, and other3D modeling, so W- checked areas that researchers have explored. It’s fun  How can I reduce waste in the kitchen by finding patterns and getting a sense of what liesout Beginning Google making perishable foods moreSketchUp for 3D ahead. prominent?Printing (Sandeep Singh,Apress.  How many books do I read and in what What could help me take this to the next level? areas? How much value do I get out of theHere’s the model I made library? (Tons!) I’ve started sharing work in progress to motivatefollowing the first tutorial in the book and 2.8 myself to track data. This also makes it easier to  How much progress am I making towards refer to data and visualizations when sharinghours of learning with W-. It’s fun! my goals, and do those goals really matter observations. The more I add to it, the more I to me? come up with ideas for improving it.Google SketchUp has a Ruby interface. I wonderif I can use that to visualize my data… There might be long-term advantages to I’d like to organize my posts better, so that you tracking, too. I’ll be able to see trends and can easily find experiments and ongoing changes that might not be noticeable day-to-day. observations. It will also help me see what I’veQuantified Awesome: Why I track I can use data to support longer-term decisions. Ihttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22598 changed and review my decisions.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 344I’d like to write more about how people can try hiring Drupal developers. A comment in the blog want to come back to this post and other tips onthings out themselves, and build publicly- post led to this funny learning curve graph, this topic.available tools to simplify analysis. That way, I which reminds me of the Emacs learning curve.might get to learn from other people’s There are similar hiring tips for Rails developers. Spending money well: Jason Chen points outobservations and be inspired by the changes they that you may want to spend your money wheremake. I like the work I’m doing at IBM (mostly you spend your time. Fortunately, I track both nonprofit projects funded by IBM grants, yay time and money, so I can tell if my priorities lineReading primary research would be great, I changing the world!), but it’s interesting to see up. =) (Good laptop? Yes, worth it!)think. I can find some papers online, but not all. lots of demand for Drupal and Rails skills. I wantSummaries in popular psychology books often to get wizardly at Rails and/or Drupal, and Iskip the details, like the methodology the think this will be fun. Ruby on Rails: Extendingresearchers used. I’ll see which journals are ActiveRecord::Base to define your owncarried by the Toronto Public Library. I can also Winter vegetables: Thanks to the community- ActiveRecord association methodstry writing to the authors to ask, or I can look supported agriculture program, we have three http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22641into getting a digital subscription to the butternut squashes, one pepper squash, lots of November 23, 2011 -University of Toronto’s Robarts Library ($79.10 turnips, and lots of kale. We’ve just gotten Categories: development, geek, rails, workfor six months or $135.60 for one year, mostly through turning all those beets into borscht. I’maccess to ProQuest 5000). learning about all these winter vegetables. One of the things I really like about Rails is the Fortunately, Cheap Vegetable Gardener has tips ability to add to existing classes so that your codeI also want to connect with other people who also on what to do when you’re swimming in kale, can be cleaner. For example, in the app we’remeasure and experiment. I like going to beets, squash, mustard, or chives. working on, I need to be able to display a list ofthe Quantified Self Toronto meetups, sharing my offers associated with an organization. I alsoexperiences and ideas, and following up with Connecting with people: A post from Linked need to filter that list of offers by differentsketchnotes of those sessions. Edison and Intelligence on social networks and criteria. If the user is not in tutorial mode, I needthe Quantified Self forums might be good ways to relationships led me to the Mackay 66 Customer to filter out any tutorial-related offers. I want toconnect with people outside Toronto as well. Profile – a 66-question template that you can use show offers with different workflow states, too. to gradually flesh out your knowledge of aPlenty of room for growth! person. I like questionnaires. I think this will If I had to do this in straight SQL, I would need help me get better at talking to people – I can to write many queries to cover the different pick one or two questions to focus on, then cases, or write my own query-building engineFrom the feeds: Development, food, gradually fill in the blanks. Maybe I should build that takes conditions into account. In the Drupalconnecting with people, e-books, finance a CRM into Quantified Awesome… world, I might try to build a View with lots ofhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22643 arguments, and then useNovember 22, 2011 - Categories: feeds, Tidbits Publishing an e-book: Allison Abel shares tips a views_pre_execute hook to monkey around on publishing your own e-book. I’m collecting with the generated SQL.Drupal / Rails development: John (from data and ideas for a possible mini-book onjohn & cailin) posted good interview tips for quantifying life and changing behavior, so I’ll

November 2011 – sachachua.com 345In the Rails world, things are much simpler. Istarted off by chaining queries, because you can self.current_offers.where("offers.workflow = list =add conditions to the end of an ActiveRelation ?", Donation::OPEN) end @organization.offers.filter(current_user).currentand go from there. That gave me code that looked end .direct.allocatedlike this:base = That would allow me to replace the code above (If I really wanted to.)Offer.includes(:donation).where("organization_i with something like this:d = ? AND (donations.deadline IS null OR I couldn’t figure out where to add the methods sodonations.deadline >= ?) AND (NOT @direct_offers = that they’d be defined in the right place. If I(offers.workflow_state IN (?, ?, ?)))", @organization.current_offers_by_workflow(Do added the methods to the Organization class,@organization.id, Time.now, Offer::DRAFT, nation::DIRECT) they couldn’t be called on the ActiveRecordOffer::ALLOCATED, relations. A little bit of searching, and I figuredOffer::CONFIRMED).order(offers.deadline) @open_offers = out how to do it in Rails. It turns out that@direct_offers = base.where("offers.workflow = @organization.current_offers_by_workflow(Do you can extend ActiveRecord relations with your?", Donation::DIRECT) nation::OPEN) own methods! Here’s how.@open_offers = base.where("offers.workflow =?", Donation::OPEN) You’ll need to extend ActiveRecord::Base with your own methods. I put this … so if I wanted to filter out tutorial entries, I in config/initializers/activerecord_extensions.rb.Then I asked myself: How can I make this code could do that in def current_offers by adding aeven cleaner? I thought about adding instance where clause for the tutorial column. module ProjectNameActiveRecordExtensionsmethods. For example, in my Organization class, def filter(control)I could define the following: But it seemed clunky to have to specify all these exclude_tutorial = true instance methods in order to filter by different # Include the tutorial offers for users inclass Organization ways. What I really wanted was to be able to tutorial mode # Other stuff goes here chain my custom filters together, so that I could if control.is_a? User and control.tutorial def current_offers write code like this: exclude_tutorial = false # You can also pass filter(false) to turn off @direct_offers = these filters for testingself.offers.includes(:donation).where("(donations.deadline IS null OR donations.deadline >= ?) @organization.offers.filter(current_user).direct elsif !control @open_offers = exclude_tutorial = falseAND (NOT (offers.workflow_state IN (?, ?, ?)))",Time.now, Offer::DRAFT, Offer::ALLOCATED, @organization.offers.filter(current_user).open endOffer::CONFIRMED).order(offers.deadline) if exclude_tutorial end and then eventually be able to do things like: def current_offers_by_workflow(workflow) scoped.joins(:donation).where(donations.tutoria l=?, false)

November 2011 – sachachua.com 346 was writing so much… I thought, well, all these else end "Undefined behaviour" raise people are getting e-mails, and they’re scoped end subscribed to all this stuff… Maybe I should end throttle it down to one blog post a day. If you end stop and you think about it, you learn so much # other methods go here... I love the fact that Rails lets you modify so much each day. You experience so much each day. Ifend in order to make building sites easier. It’s like you don’t have at least one thing worth writingActiveRecord::Base.extend Emacs for the Web, and it makes my brain about each day, there’s more in your life that youProjectNameActiveRecordExtensions happy. can hack and improve. There’s so much going on each day. For me, blogging has become such a useful tool that I like writing every day.The trickiest part was figuring out how to do a Transcript: Blogging (Part 13): Onconditional filter, and that’s what scoped is for. I frequency Some days are a little slower than others. Maybewanted to include the tutorials if the user was in http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22471 I have a hard time grasping for the right thing totutorial mode, so my function should be a pass- November 24, 2011 - say. I’ve posted my thoughts on grocerythrough in that case. I couldn’t return self or nil, Categories: blogging, tips, writing shopping, for example. For the most part, I justbecause that broke the sit down and I think, “What did I learn today thatassociations. scoped turned out to be the magic Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this somebody else might want to learn?” “What do Ikeyword that refers to the current scope of the interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put want to do to make things better the next day?”query. them all together in a text file and a PDF that you There’s always an opportunity to do this. can read easily, and I’ll add insights you andWhat if you want to use the same words in other people might share along the way. =) (Find It all depends on your comfort level. You candifferent contexts? For example, “pending” might previous entries) Here’s the thirteenth chunk! write every week, every month, sporadically ifneed to result in two different queries depending you want to… On the other hand, if you flipped iton whether you’re asking for pending offers or Holly Tse: This is a question that probably is around and you stopped thinking, “I’m going topending requests. ActiveRecord::Base is used for worth asking again, because Charles has sent have to blog; what do I blog today?” and youall classes, but you can use self to find out what another question about your recommendation if think, “Well, there’s so much happening in life;class is being used for scoping. For example: you should write every day, or every week, or just what do I want to write about most? What do I write when the fancy takes us. He says, “I know most want to remember? What do I most want todef pending share?” You’re surrounded by stories. You’re that having a regular deadline or writing quota if self == StandingRequest has a positive benifit.” Do you use any deadlines surrounded by ideas. Then you just have to deal or quotas when you’re writing your blog? with the frustration of not being able to get it allscoped.where("standing_requests.workflow_stat out and into other people’s heads as easily as youe=?", StandingRequest::PENDING) Sacha Chua: In terms of choosing a quota for want to do so! There’s just so much to write else my blog – and I have a blog post about this called about. Write as often as you can. Write because it # Replace with other cases as I find the need “One post a day” – my quota is actually in the helps you, not just because you need to. Write asfor them reverse direction. I found myself so excited that I

November 2011 – sachachua.com 347a way to have fun, and learn more about yourself other people? Then you’ll find that your life is fulland life and everything. of material.HT: Good answer. Basically, whatever works for Tune in next Thursday for the next part in thisyou. series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering Yourself through Blogging page to make itSC: Whatever works for you, but you know, this easier for you to find them.writing daily thing is actually really reallyawesome. Of course, I’m going to be nice. I’m notgoing to stand over you with a whip and say, Decision review: Scheduling posts and“Back to work! You haven’t written your blog using themespost for the day.” But life is just full of awesome http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22627amazing things. Even though it seems like sitting November 25, 2011 -down and writing for fifteen minutes or thirty Categories: blogging, decision, reviewminutes is an interruption that takes you away With Post Calendar, my admin interface looksfrom your day, if you flip it around–if you write I started using Posts Calendar to plan my blog like this:in the process of doing something… while preparing for our trip to the Philippines. I wanted to schedule posts, and I also wanted toFor example, if I’m working with a particularly neatly organize a 15-part blog series so thatknotty programming problem or I’m trying to people knew what to expect. Even after wefigure out a difficult decision, I’m not waiting returned from our trip, I continued using Postsuntil the end, when I’m busy and other things Calendar to organize my posts into roughdemand my time; I’m writing in the process of themes.figuring things out. Then, afterwards, it’s just:Can I tidy these notes up and share them with Before I started using this editorial calendarother people? Which parts am I saving in my plugin, I mostly managed my posts using aprivate notes, and which parts am I sharing on modified WordPress post index that gave memy blog? That takes five minutes, ten minutes to some additional information. I wanted to avoidclean things up for other people after I’ve been flooding people with lots of posts, so I set it up towriting in the process of learning. warn me if I’d double-posted and also if I had gaps between posts. This is what that interface It’s much easier to move posts around, to seeSomething I’d recommend too: don’t just sit looked like: gaps, and to get nudged into making patterns.down and think, “I’ve got to write a blog post; Hence: quantified self / tracking posts onwhat am I going to write about?” Use it to learn. Mondays, blogging-related tips on Thursdays,Use it in the process of living. Then decide: Is decision reviews on Fridays, and weekly reviewsthis something I can share with other people? on Saturdays or Sundays depending on when IWhat can I do to this so that I can share it with get to do them. Tuesdays are a good time to post

November 2011 – sachachua.com 348other bits and pieces, like items from feeds and Because I tend to write about what’s going on in people to enjoy it? If you blog, what are yourbooks, or a round-up of other thoughts that don’t my life today instead of trying to write “timeless” experiences with planning or scheduling posts?merit their own blog posts yet. Sundays might be articles, sometimes I feel odd about postingfor telling stories from life. screenshots or stories that might be dated. I still keep personal notes in any sort of order, so I’m Weekly review: Week ending NovemberThis involves more structure than I’ve used on not losing stories or ideas because of the blog 25, 2011my blog in the past. I started by posting notes as structure. The value I get from reviewing http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22647soon as I wrote them, which was a littleoverwhelming. I limited my blog to around one Weekday Weekend Activity Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Total Averagepost per day, but the occasional topic sprints average average(Emacs week! Drupal week!) were probably lessuseful to a mixed audience. (My mom skips most Sleep 8.8 9.9 6.5 11.2 7.9 8.1 7.3 59.6 8.5 8.2 9.3of my geek posts, although she occasionallychecks out a few.) With this kind of plan, I think Work 3.7 0.0 9.0 7.5 9.5 11.1 12.6 53.4 7.6 9.9 1.8I’m making it easier for people to pick which Discretionary 8.3 9.5 5.6 0.2 2.0 0.5 3.5 29.5 4.2 2.3 8.9topics they’re interested in and tweak theirreading habits without necessarily learning the Unpaid work 1.6 3.0 1.2 1.3 2.4 1.9 0.0 11.4 1.6 1.3 2.3ins and outs of category-based feedsubscriptions. Personal care 1.6 1.6 1.7 3.9 2.4 2.5 0.6 14.2 2.0 2.2 1.6The plan helps me remember to write about chronological printouts is a bit lower now that November 26, 2011 - Categories: review, weeklydifferent parts of life, too. Like the way status blog posts are less tied to the time theymeetings help motivate me to make regular happened, but I might play around with other We’re getting ready to launch a big project, soprogress each week on projects, regular blog methods for supporting memories. Despite the I’ve been working overtime. The Ruby on Railsposts nudge me to keep moving along. It’s a little disadvantages, I think the system is working well system is coming along well, and our demo onlike the 20-mile march described by Jim Collins for me. Thursday went wonderfully. Although I’m tornand Morten Hansen in the recently-published between spending extra time on that versus otherbook Great by Choice. Regular progress can be Conclusion: For me, this is a good projects (Quantified Awesome or the Lotusmuch more effective than sprints and waits. decision so far. A possible next step is to post Connections toolkit, for example), I’m learning aKnowing I want to post something about self- more frequently if I find myself getting a big lot and I want clients to be delighted, so it’s okaytracking every week, I make time to work on my backlog and if my rate of writing is much higher for now.systems and analyze my data. Knowing I want to than my rate of posting. I treat “one post a day”review a decision or think through a future more as a guideline than as a rule, anyway. =) I had a lot of fun at the Rails Pub Nite ondecision every week, I keep an eye out for Monday. It turns out that I know many people inopportunities to do so. I should dedicate a day to What’s it been like for you? How can I tweak my the Rails scene, and I enjoyed hanging out withsharing things I’m learning at work, so that I get blog to make it even easier for you or other them.into the habit of posting those regularly as well.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 349A couple of weeks of crunch, and then life should o [-] Simplify stuff interface – what Thisbe back to normal-ish. would it take to make it a system Last Delt Activity wee NotesFrom last week’s plans my mom can start using? week a k o [-] Get ready for Quantified Self  Work Toronto demo ! 29.5 34.2 -4.8 Channelled o [X] Project O: Get ready for big Discretionary into work o [X] Fix mobile version instead demo Plans for next week o [-] Project O: Get to 100% test ! Personal 14.2 22.2 -8.1 coverage – at 92% care  Work o [-] Project T: Bugfixes, final round o [ ] Project O: Get ready for launch ! Unpaid 11.4 11.2 0.2 of testing? – mostly there, check work again Monday o [ ] Project T: Get closer to launch o [-] File expenses o [ ] File expenses A – Sleep 59.6 58.7 0.9 That’s good o [X] Move flashcard app to internal o [ ] Work on Connections Toolkit A – Work 53.4 41.7 11.7 Lots of host overtime; did o [X] Get ready for flashcard demo  Relationships this instead of o [ ] Clear furniture so that playing Harry  Relationships insulation can be installed Potter o [X] Go to Rails Pub Nite on o [ ] Go to Quantified Self Toronto D – Break 0.9 8.2 -7.2 Less playing Monday meetup this week o [X] Host study group: long o [ ] Add memories to Quantified D – Drawing 0.9 -0.9 division, repeating decimals, Awesome views of 3D objects, nets D – Other 4.1 7.5 -3.5 Slightly less o [ ] Get Quantified Awesome ready o [-] Build memories into for other users work on Quantified Awesome Quantified  Life Awesome  Life D – Personal 3.6 -3.6 o [ ] Take pictures of rest of clothes o [X] Work on user support for o [ ] Increase test coverage to at Quantified Awesome D – Reading 0.5 -0.5 least 60% Time analysis D– 2.8 1.6 1.1 Shopping

November 2011 – sachachua.com 350 November 27, 2011 - Categories: family, life The end product must be completely hers, This Last Delt though, because it’s much better to have anActivity wee Notes J-’s schedule is pretty packed these days: week a average result that she feels she truly owns than k homework, high school applications, and the an excellent result that she feels confused by.D – Social 18.6 9.4 9.2 Visiting occasional extracurricular (karate or yearbook). family, going We compensate by making time to help out. She We’re also trying to help her learn how to to Rails Pub learns a lot more with guidance than by manage her time and energy. Like many people, Nite, helping floundering on her own, and she works more she shows frustration and elation clearly in her with independently as she gains confidence and skill. face and in her posture: slumping when she runs homework into problems, brightening up when she solves Right now, she’s working on her Media Studies them. The odd thing is that both are self-D – Writing 3.0 2.4 0.6 homework. Their task is to analyze a commercial reinforcing states. It’s hard to solve problems and create a multimedia response to it, when you’re tired and unhappy; it’s easy to dealP – Eating 2.2 4.9 -2.7 identifying the marketing strategies that food with life when you’re happy and energetic. companies use. The multimedia commenting toolP – Exercise 2.9 9.2 -6.2 Hitched a was a little frustrating in the beginning, but she’s A very useful trick is that of knuckling down and couple of starting to get the hang of it. We helped her doing something even when you’re feeling blah rides, so figure out some of the intricacies of the tool, and about it. If not that, then redirect your energy didn’t walk to we helped her refocus when she was getting into something that will help you keep moving the subway distracted. Now she’s planning her comments so forward. You can lose a lot of energy to the station as that she can record things smoothly. friction of frustration, or you can use that energy often as I to take the next step. normally do I’m getting better at helping without getting impatient. Sometimes it’s difficult. I bite back J-’s slowly learning the value of choosing herP – Routines 9.0 8.2 0.9 suggestions. I remind myself that the purpose of response to work, I think, and that’s a the exercise isn’t to come up with the best tremendously useful lesson. So we help, but notUW – 3.5 5.1 -1.6 Mmm sweet results, or to learn a lot about behavioural so much that the path is smooth. A little strivingCooking potato fries psychology and marketing. The exercise is so that is good for learning. she can become a little more aware of theUW – 2.4 2.9 -0.5 marketing strategies that try to convince us toTidying Quantified Awesome: 116 web resources buy things, and so that she can learn how to learn about a new tool. for Quantified SelfUW – Travel 5.6 3.2 2.3 http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22592 We provide a little scaffolding. We walk through November 28, 2011 - the tutorials with her. We give her some Categories: braindump, quantified, surveyThoughts from helping with homework suggestions on how to edit and trim her drafts.http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22648 We help her get over the technological humps.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 351I like reading about other people’s adventures in them through the process of working with it, and To make things easier on the reporting side,self-tracking and experimentation. It’s a great then tell them about the next steps they can take. I extended ActiveRecord::Base with my ownway to pick up ideas and connect with other People should be able to stop the tutorial at any association methods that filtered the queriespeople. There’s Quantified Self, but it has a time, and they should be able to start the tutorial depending on whether or not the user was inhandful of authors. One morning, I went through from the beginning whenever they want a tutorial mode. These custom associationtwenty pages of search results in order to put refresher. methods made it much easier to make sure alltogether this list for you and me. the relevant queries were filtered. People will be on a system that other people use(In case you’re curious, it took me a little over and that generates reports, so all the tutorial I really liked adding an interactive tutorial to thistwo hours to put this together, and Google information needs to be hidden from reporting project, and I think I’ll use that technique forChrome hung twice.) and from people who are not in tutorial mode. Quantified Awesome as well. Online help is good, but it’s even better if people can practice onIn no particular order… I started off by writing a Cucumber test that something and know it won’t mess up anythingContinue reading “Quantified Awesome: 116 web described how things should work: what people else.resources for Quantified Self” » should see, what they could do, and so on. To keep all the tutorial-related methods in one Things I’m learning from trackingRails experiences: Building an interactive place, I put them in a file http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22649tutorial called tutorial_methods.rb and I included these November 30, 2011 - Categories: quantifiedhttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22642 methods in my controller. I added a conditionalNovember 29, 2011 - div to myapplication.html.erb that displayed the Library: I’ve been tracking the list prices of theCategories: development, geek, rails, work tutorial in a consistent spot if a tutorial was library books I read, and it’s mind-boggling to specified for the current page. Then I defined a think that I can go through 1,075 CAD and 10,671One of the risks for this Rails project that I’m function that took the current page and figured pages’ worth of books from the library just inworking on is that new users won’t have enough out what needed to be done for a tutorial. This November. The library is so worth my tax dollarsramp-up time before we finish the project. We’re function created a sample offer at the beginning and donations, considering all the other monthsplanning to wrap up in December, which is the of a tutorial, performed the behind-the-scenes in the year.end-users’ busiest time of year. The project also work to approve the offer once people finishedhighly depends on external factors we can’t the first step, and loaded the tutorial text from Food: By golly, does the CSA program ever givecontrol, so it might be weeks or even a few the localization file into an instance variable. us a whole lot of vegetables – 39.7 kilos over themonths before people get a chance to try the 6 weeks I’ve been tracking, or roughly 6.6 kilosmost important parts of the application. I decided to use Rails’ built-in per week. The cost per week is $25, giving us a internationalization support instead of putting cost of $3.78 per kilogram or $1.72 per pound forTo make it easier for people to get started, we the tutorial in the database so that it could easily organic produce. Granted, quite a lot of that hasdecided to build an interactive tutorial into the support multiple languages, although I might use been in the form of squash (6.2kg so far). Isystem. When people log in, the tutorial should a gem to support internationalization of database should check out the prices at ourcreate an offer that they can respond to, walk values if we need to.

November 2011 – sachachua.com 352neighbourhood organic food store so that I can I did change a few things. I changed the home I recently switched to a different way of trackingsee what the difference is. location of my work laptop to work, which is time, on the suggestion of Andrew Louis. Instead great because I don’t have to carry it back and of using Time Recording (which gave me instantStuff: I started tracking stuff – actual, physical forth all the time. I changed the home location of reports, although it was useful only for time), Istuff – as my focus in November. My goal was to my belt bag from the dresser to the front shelf. I started using Tap Log. This lets me takehave a place for everything and everything in its like using the web app to track the location of the timestamped structured notes, which also meansplace, which turned out to be easier when I Kindle, as that sometimes moves between my I can capture more information such asaccepted that the “place” for things might be backpack to my bedside table, but not so often conversations or feelings. On the downside, Idifferent based on the context (going to work, that it’s habitual. have to write my own analysis program to figurehome from work, going to bed, and so on). out the time spans and totals. Another Clothes: I’m more adventurous when it comes alternative would be to use Time Recording forI got some value out of tracking, but there was a to pairing colours thanks to tracking and paying time tracking and Tap Log for everything else,little friction preventing me from making the attention to these things. I’ll wear a yellow shirt but the duplication of effort was getting in mymost of it. Tracking through my web app was fast with a violet scarf, for example. It might not be way, so I’ll probably build a tool for summarizingwhen I’m returning things, but it took a few more an exact match of colours, but it tickles my fancy. time use from these timestamps in time for myclicks when I’m taking things out of their regular weekly review.places unless a context is involved. Maybe if I I’ve worn almost everything in my closet, withbuild a native Android app, things will be faster. the exception of two pants that I need to hem and Next steps: adding memories to the system, a black velvet top that I haven’t had the occasion working with the new timestamp-based systemMy stuff use has settled a bit. I generally don’t to wear. for tracking my time…need to add new locations for things, and even ifI stopped updating, my logs would still tell me Time: Time use has swung a bit. An upcomingwhere things are likely to be. If I don’t need up- launch has skewed my time towards work, but Ito-the-minute tracking and I don’t need accurate think we’re at the point now where I can easestatistics, then my web interface will do. back into a 40-hour week for more sustainable progress and lower risk of bugs or burnout.

December 2011 – sachachua.com 353 out a way… Even if you’ve got a publicly okay and it prompts somebody else to respond to version of the story, there are all these interesting them, then we all win. That’s something I wouldDecember 2011 bits and pieces that nobody would quite figure never have thought of, it’s outside my experience, out, and there are all these stories I wanted to tell and yet I get to learn from it because I’m first. So I have these private notes too. I don’t listening in on this conversation, and otherTranscript: Blogging (Part 14): Writing for have quotas for any of them. I write in the people are too. I really like comments.yourself and writing for others process of figuring things out, and then I figurehttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22460 I would love it if people kept commenting–and out what’s the widest group I can share this with.December 1, 2011 - people do. They comment about the mostCategories: blogging, tips, writing In fact, my mom used to tell me to e-mail her surprising things, even. I’d write about more often, and I was thinking, well, most of the something like burning my pancakes, and I’d getHat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this stories that I’d probably e-mail in a family update all these comments, including lots of tips on howinterview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll put are things I feel comfortable sharing on my blog. not to burn pancakes. It’s surprising to see whatthem all together in a text file and a PDF that you Again, that push towards sharing things as people resonate with and what people leavecan read easily, and I’ll add insights you and widely as possible… You never know what kinds comments on. I’m so glad that facility is there. Ifother people might share along the way. =) (Find of ripples they’ll trigger, what kinds of things it were just me talking at people, broadcasting,previous entries) Here’s the fourteenth chunk! you’ll learn from other people. Don’t worry too I’d be limited to what I know. If it’s just me much about balance. Write. Post as much as you replying to people’s questions, then they’re justHolly Tse: You also mentioned you’re writing to feel comfortable with. Feel free to keep private limited to what I know. When the conversation isshare with other people, but you’re also writing notes. That works too, especially if that helps you in comments, then everybody can see everybodyfor yourself. What’s the kind of balance there… remember and understand things. Have fun. else. Even better when it’s on other people’s blog posts that link to mine… The conversation doesSacha Chua: In terms of the stuff I post, a lot of HT: You must get a quite a number of comments get a little bit harder to track, but it’s soit is for me. A lot of the things I publish on my on your blog. Do you answer all the comments? awesome. Then you get to see people’s thoughtsblog are there because I want to look back at this What’s your opinion on comment etiquette? in depth.forty, fifty, sixty years from now, and I want to beable to remember bits and pieces and build on SC: I do try to answer most of my comments, but For example, I’m going to post notes of this onthe ideas I had before. A lot of this is me. Some of what I really really like is when people start my blog. After the teleconference, you can go toit is answering other people’s questions, or answering each other in comments. That’s where livinganawesomelife.com. If you search for lotusputting things out there just in case it will help I get to learn something extra new. When people blossoming summit or if you look in my bloggingsomebody searching sometime later. comment with a question, one of the great things category, you’ll find notes like this, and you can about that… If people e-mail me, I’m the only one go through what other people have said. Or,There’s some public stuff on my blog, but there who gets to see that, unless I post it to my blog ideally, if you’re going to write your own stuff,are also bits and pieces that are a bit rough right afterwards. When people leave a comment on my you can link to it. Then I can find your blog postnow, or that need some filling in, or that are blog–maybe they’re asking a question or sharing or you can tell me, and I can respond to that too.incomplete and need some thinking about, or an insight, and sometimes that doesn’t require a There are all sorts of conversations going on atthat are simply private because I haven’t figured response, such as when they’re sharing a story– all sorts of levels.

December 2011 – sachachua.com 354HT: So that’s livinganawesomelife.com. phone (probably $99.99). That comes out to we don’t have to rely on the glossy maps around $250 plus tax for the year. published by cellphone companies. CoverageSC: That’s an easier to remember domain name. Mapper shows user-generated dataMy name is harder to spell for most people. If A comparable plan would be WIND Mobile’s for Mobilicity andWIND Mobile. Ouryou want to go to that too – sachachua.com. Smart plan ($25/month) with unlimited calls neighbourhood, J-’s school, and her mom’s place and text. The phone would be almost free (put on look like they’ll mostly be okay.HT: sachachua.com . It’s also on the Lotus the Wind Tab and paid off through phone use),Blossoming telesummit site. so we’d be looking at $300 plus tax for the year. Decisions, decisions…SC: You can follow me on Twitter, too. Like Mobilicity, WIND offers a small discount for multiple accounts. I’m occasionally tempted to Weekly review: Week ending December 2,Tune in next Thursday for the next part in this check out Wind Mobile’s $29 unlimited 2011series! I’ll add new entries to the Discovering talk/text/data plan, although (a) I’m almost http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22651Yourself through Blogging page to make it always in WiFi zone, (b) the Kindle is handy for December 3, 2011 - Categories: review, weeklyeasier for you to find them. looking things up if I really, really need to, and (c) the Nexus One battery life is a bit short, so I This week was busy because we were getting won’t be doing a lot of mobile browsing on the ready to launch Project O. Launch date forUpcoming decision: Considering different rare occasions that I’m outside a wireless project O is on Tuesday, launch date for project Tcellphone plans for J- network. I may switch within the next year, but I is on Wednesday – exciting times!http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22650 don’t mind holding out until then, as theDecember 2, 2011 - Categories: decision, gadgets promotional rate is good for only one year. I switched to using Tap Log for Android instead of Time Recording for Android so that I couldJ- currently uses a prepaid cellphone with Virgin Will network coverage be sufficient? Fortunately, easily capture other data (mood, reading, etc.) inMobile in order to coordinate with us, her mom,and her friends. She’s had it for a while and has Weekday Weekend Activity Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Total Averagebeen pretty good at using it, although we’re not average averagehappy with Virgin Mobile’s billing and creditssystem. We’re looking around for a better Sleep 7.8 11.8 7.9 12.3 7.5 8.5 8.8 64.6 9.2 9.0 9.8cellphone plan for her, ideally something thatlimits the risks of accidental charges while Work 2.9 0.0 10.7 8.2 6.4 6.2 7.4 41.8 6.0 7.8 1.4allowing important contacts any time. Discretionary 8.8 2.9 1.5 0.8 4.5 1.6 2.6 22.7 3.2 2.2 5.8Mobilicity’s current 50% promotion lookstempting. Their least expensive plan Unpaid work 3.9 2.7 1.1 0.6 0.9 0.5 1.4 11.0 1.6 0.9 3.3is $12.50/month for unlimited talk andtext assuming 12 months’ preauthorized credit,although you’ll also need to add the cost of the Personal care 0.7 6.6 2.8 2.2 4.7 7.1 3.8 27.9 4.0 4.1 3.6

December 2011 – sachachua.com 355addition to activities. I’ve just finished writing  Life This Lastthe code to analyze the timestamps, so I’ll be able Activity Delta Notes o [-] Take pictures of rest of clothes week weekto use the week’s data in today’s review. o [-] Increase test coverage to at ! 22.7 29.5 -6.8W- got the furnace upgraded, so that’s another least 60% Discretionarthing checked off our list. y Plans for next weekNoticed I was feeling fatigued at work, so I slept ! Personal 27.9 14.2 13.7more. Now back to normal, I think.  Work care o [ ] Survive launch of project OSlow and steady wins the race! ! Unpaid 11.0 11.4 -0.4From last week’s plans o [ ] Survive launch of project T work o [ ] File expenses  Work A – Sleep 64.6 59.6 5.0 More tired o [ ] Upload new cartoon this week, o [X] Project O: Get ready for so I slept launch  Relationships more o [X] Project T: Get closer to launch o [ ] Clear furniture and simplify stuff A – Work 41.8 53.4 -11.6 Cut back o [-] File expenses so that I o [-] Work on Connections Toolkit o [ ] Add more memories to have some Quantified Awesome slack for o Put together cartoon and logo for next SamePlace  Life week’s o [ ] Experiment with tracking hectic  Relationships launches mood more o [-] Clear furniture so that insulation can be installed o [ ] Add public/private and D – Break 0.9 -0.9 todo/done to text notes o [X] Go to Quantified Self Toronto D – Family 0.1 0.1 meetup Time analysis D – Harry 0.9 0.9 Played o [X] Add memories to Quantified As mentioned, I rejigged my time tracking Potter with J- Awesome system to use Tap Log instead of Time o [-] Get Quantified Awesome ready Recording. D– 5.0 4.1 0.9 Added for other users Quantified Tap Log This Last Activity Delta Notes Awesome analysis, week week

December 2011 – sachachua.com 356 The furnace had finally been replaced, so it was This Last This LastActivity Delta Notes Activity Delta Notes time to win our basement back. W- and I set to week week week week work, methodically going through the stacks. We memories UW – Cook 5.7 3.5 2.2 kept a garbage can and a recycling bin close by, and made frequent trips to the living room inD – Read 3.5 3.5 I, UW – 3.2 3.2 Separated order to drop off things destined for donation. Claudius; Subway this from Claudius UW – A few things made it back into the basement or the God Travel various nooks around the house, duly labeled and added to my stuff-tracker. The vast majorityD– 1.8 2.8 -0.9 UW – Tidy 1.9 2.4 -0.4 of the things did not. Imagine – we could haveShopping up skipped all those weeks of squeezing past those stacks if we had done this kind of review in theD – Social 8.5 18.6 -10.1 Study UW – Travel 5.6 -5.6 first place! group, Quantified UW – Wait 0.2 0.2 Tried Today we’re going to work on clearing the second Self tracking floor and moving furniture around so that the Toronto waiting insulation installers can get to wherever they for a little need. Along the way, we’ll probably bundle upD – Writing 3.0 3.0 -0.1 bit, more things for donation or disposal. decidedP – Eat 9.7 2.2 7.5 not to We’re working on having less stuff, and progress feels liberating.P – Exercise 2.9 -2.9P – Plan 3.7 3.7 Figured Clearing out the basement http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22652 Quantified Awesome: How I’m starting to out my use Tap Log for Android plan for December 4, 2011 - Categories: life http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22661 the next year We spent most of yesterday afternoon December 5, 2011 - reorganizing the basement. We had moved boxes Categories: android, geek, quantifiedP – Routines 6.5 9.0 -2.5 out of the basement in order to make room for the water meter installation, and we decided to At Rails Pub Nite the other week, AndrewP – Walk 8.0 8.0 Separated Louis showed me his timestamped-based self- postpone putting them back until we finished this from tracker inspired by Your Flowing Data and with the furnace upgrade. In the meantime, we P– similar semi-structured text entry systems. He squeezed our way past flip-top bins and bankers’ Exercise had a year of data in his system, and had built a boxes filled with who knew what. fascinating dashboard.

December 2011 – sachachua.com 357Nudged by the idea, I moved from using Time then “Writing”, and I’d add a note about writing Because I’m interested in activity tracking, I needRecording to capturing timestamped data, and for my blog. to infer ending timestamps from the data. Somestarted using Tap Log for data entry because it of my records are associated with activities. Somelets me set up categories for quick entry. You can have up to three of them capture other data, such as thoughts. levels of categories. Here’s the basic idea behind my code:I wanted to use Tap Log to capture the following Timestamped entries cantypes of data: be associated with  Read each timestamp and copy it into my numbers, ratings (1-5), or database, updating the record if it already  activities (work, sleep, etc.) so that I can text. You can review log exists do weekly and long-term time analysis entries in the application itself, or you can export the  Re-sort the records by timestamp  meals, so that I can get a sense of what I log as a CSV and process it  Delete time records for this period eat and when yourself.  For each timestamp in the updated  thoughts, so that I can jot quick ideas, The CSV will give you the period: keep track of things I need to follow up on, and copy information into other following data: o If this is an activity (based on the systems category)  latitude, longitude, altitude, accuracy,  moods / feelings  Close the last activity and gpstime, street, city, state, country, zip save it as an activity recordI’ve set up my Tap Log to start with high-level  samples, _id  Set the last activity to thecategories. From this screen, I can quickly enter  timestamp, DayOfYear, DayOfMonth, current activitytext or choose an activity. DayOfWeek, TimeOfDay I also added some text analysis to look for notesThe “Text” button is in  catOne, catTwo, catThree tagged with !memory, !todo, !private, and otheryellow, which means that  number, rating, note tags I’m starting to find handy.the next screen will have atext entry screen. “Sleep” is For my use, I focus on _id (for updates), Tada! http://quantifiedawesome.com/tap_log_rin red, which means that it timestamp, catOne, catTwo, catThree, number, ecords:needs no additional input – and note. I usually keep GPS off on my Googleit creates a log entry, and Nexus One in order to save battery. Besides, GPSthat’s it. Entries like performance on that phone isn’t very good. W-“Discretionary” lead to wins our GPS battles all the time thanks to hisother menus, which are set trusty N8. You might find the GPS taggingup similarly. handy, though.For example, if I’m planningto write, I’d start by tapping “Discretionary”,

December 2011 – sachachua.com 358 Observations: I like the ability to capture text It’s a packed week, which means it’s even more and ratings quickly, and I look forward to taking important to slow down. Stress and hurry result advantage of that. I’ve been tracking activities in mistakes, which make things worse. Yes; slow just as much as I did on Time Recording, so the down, write things out, follow the steps, and lack of on-phone activity summaries hasn’t make time for notes, and I’ll make it through to gotten in my way. the end of the week. Each minute will pass with or without me anyway, so I may as well make the What would make this even better? I’d like most of it. built-in time tracking, although that might mean that people would need to indicate which buttons Writing is part of the way I keep sane. I notice correspond to activities. I’d like to have full that when I go for too long without writing, I feel Tasker integration so that I can automatically a little fidgety, a bit unraveled, somewhat frayed create entries based on different events, but I can around the edges. So, writing. There’s something get around that by logging the information about leaving myself these notes to mark the separately and then merging it based on time. passage of time, punctuating the otherwise Sometimes I wish I could have four or five levels breathless stream with commas and periods andand activity graphs of categories, but I can use text for now. Mostly, I the occasional tangential paragraph.at http://quantifiedawesome.com/time/graph: just need to keep adding to the analysis tools I’ve been building on Quantified Awesome: tags, Sleep. Sleep is important, too. I’ve been getting a activities, summaries, paging, and so on. decent amount of sleep. So that’s where I am. Let’s see where this helps Not stressing out is important. It’s particularly me go! useful to remember that there isn’t that much more I can do this week to affect the way the next few days play out. We’ve prepared and prepared, Busy, busy, busy week and now we’ll see the results. http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22662 December 6, 2011 - Categories: work Oddly enough, thinking about the worst-case scenario helps. Even if both launches were toast, Tuesday, Dec 6: Launch project O. Wednesday, the contractors botched the insulation, and lots Dec 7: Launch project T. Thursday, Dec 8: Have of other things happened, we’d adapt. Things insulation installed (W- taking care of would be okay. coordinating with contractors). J-’s with us too, so homework help will take up part of our Best case: what if things go without a hitch? evenings. There’s probably more, maybe, but Then, hypothetically looking back, I’d like to we’ll see. have worried just enough to improve my notes

December 2011 – sachachua.com 359and productivity without worrying so much that routed to our temporary address, everything else And /etc/postfix/virtual:the stress got in the way. Balance. delivered normally. We’ll see how this works! @example.org change_to_real_email@example.comThe more I get used to this, the easier it is to not Here’s our /etc/postfix/main.cfget overwhelmed. =) It’s just one thing at a time.All I have to do is to do one thing well, and the smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP Don’t forget to run postmap /etc/postfix/virtual;next, and the next, without losing sight of my $mail_name /etc/init.d/postfix reload afteroverarching priorities. biff = no changing /etc/postfix/virtual and your append_dot_mydomain = no configuration. readme_directory = noGeek tidbits: Postfix configuration fordevelopment and testing smtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert- Transcript: Blogging (Part 15): Tools tohttp://sachachua.com/blog/p/22601 snakeoil.pem help you get started http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22472December 7, 2011 - smtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-Categories: development, geek, ibm, rails, work December 8, 2011 - snakeoil.key Categories: blogging, tips, writing smtpd_use_tls=yesFrom November: smtpd_tls_session_cache_database = Hat-tip to Holly Tse for organizing this btree:${data_directory}/smtpd_scache interview! At the end of the blog series, I’ll putWe got the mail information for our Rails site, so smtp_tls_session_cache_database = them all together in a text file and a PDF that youI reconfigured the mail server. We’re doing a lot btree:${data_directory}/smtp_scache can read easily, and I’ll add insights you andof development, and testing mail is much easier myhostname = domain.goes.here other people might share along the way. =) (Findwhen you can send example mail addresses to alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases previous entries) Here’s the last chunk!one bucket of mail. Here’s how I set up the server alias_database = hash:/etc/aliasesto redirect everything addressed to myorigin = /etc/mailname Holly Tse: We probably have under three@example.org to a test mail address. mydestination = domains.go.here, example.org minutes left. We’ve got one more question here relayhost = from Carla, and it seems like the mostFirst, I set the mail server up for local delivery mynetworks = 127.0.0.0/8 [::ffff:127.0.0.0]/104 appropriate question to end this. She’s asking,only, and I confirmed that I could send mail from [::1]/128 “What recommendations would you give ona local user to another local user account. Then I mailbox_size_limit = 0 which blogging tools to get started easily?”experimented with rewriting, recipient_delimiter = +usingvirtual_alias_maps to rewrite addresses to inet_interfaces = all Sacha Chua: Whichever you find easiest. Fora specific account. I confirmed that worked. Then default_transport = smtp most people, that’s either wordpress.com orI checked the database to make sure we didn’t relay_transport = smtp blogger.com, or something like that.have live e-mail addresses, reconfigured the mail virtual_alias_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/virtual WordPress.com or blogger.com. The tools don’tserver to deliver Internet mail, and crossed my inet_protocols = ipv4 really matter as much as the attitude and thefingers. A few quick tests showed that mail wasbeing delivered as planned – example.org mail ideas you bring to it. Some tools make it easier to

December 2011 – sachachua.com 360post than others. Things like Tumblr or broadcast), Sacha’s so enthusiastic about December 9, 2011 -Posterous are also gaining in popularity. But blogging, she convinced me to start blogging Categories: analysis, blogging, geek, reviewwhat you really want to do is get into the habit of again, so… Yay! Congratulations Sacha!thinking, “What do I want to share? What do I How many posts did I post per month, notwant to learn?” Then you almost can’t help SC: And this is where you repeat your blog URL including this or future posts? (See the geekfinding tools that fit the way that you work. so that everyone can check it out. appendix below to find out how I got to the pointThat’s the main thing. of being able to run code snippets like this:) HT: Yes, so it’s hollytse.com – I have to spell itHT: WordPress or Blogger, but really, whatever out, I have one of those names too – posts = WpBlogPost.published.posts.year(2011)works. Whatever works for you. hollytse.com. posts.count(:id, :group =>SC: I think the much more important thing there SC: I look forward to finding out about all these month(post_date)).sort { |a,b| a[0].to_i <=>is the habit of saying, “Well, what do I want to wonderful blogs… The blogs that you, dear b[0].to_i }learn? What can I share? What’s different about listeners, are going to start or continue… I’d lovetoday? What do I want to remember?” That’s to learn from you and your experiences too.probably the best tool recommendation I can We’re all figuring things out. No one’s a real expert, and we’re all going to learn from each Result: [["1", 32], ["2", 34], ["3", 33], ["4", 33],make – that mental tool of asking yourself those other’s stories. ["5", 34], ["6", 39], ["7", 33], ["8", 33], ["9", 31],questions. Then writing–even if it’s boring, even ["10", 33], ["11", 31], ["12", 8]]if you feel awkward and gangly like a high schoolstudent trying to figure out what to put in an HT: Okay, great! Thank you so much! I hope everyone has a good evening and we’ll connect in This is a straightforward SQL query to write, butessay–write for yourself, and you’ll gradually ActiveRecord and scopes make it more fun, and Ifigure things out. the blogspace. can easily slice the data in different ways. SC: Have fun! Becuase I’ve connected Rails with my WordPressHT: Yes. Very good. It’s not just about the data, I can use all sorts of other gems. Fortechnology. It’s about why you are blogging. HT: Thank you. Good night! example, Lingua::EN::Readability can give meSC: It’s almost never about the technology. If text statistics. It’s not a gem, but it’s easy tothere’s anything I can do to help you get started Tada! You can find this 15-part series install with the provided install.rb. Code tends towith that, get in touch with me. I’m @sachac on at Discovering Yourself through Blogging, throw off my word count, so let’s get rid of HTMLTwitter. You can follow the link from there to get including a text and PDF version. tags and anything in pre tags, then calculateto my blog if you want to, and you can leave some text statistics:comments on that too. include ActionView::Helpers::SanitizeHelper Blog analysis for 2011: 173,363 words so far; also, using the Rails console to work require lingua/en/readabilityHT: Thank you very much for joining us this with WordPress # Needs lots of memory =)evening. I want to say to everyone who is http://sachachua.com/blog/p/22664 post_bodies = posts.map { |x|listening to us or catching the audio replay strip_tags(x.post_content.gsub(/<pre.+?</pre(which is available for 48 hours after the >/m, )) }

December 2011 – sachachua.com 361all_text = post_bodies.join("n").downcase J- 133 delighted 4report = Lingua::EN::Readability.new(all_text) Drupal 111 suck 4Number of words in 2011 173,363 Rails 97 sad 2Flesch reading ease 65.3 Emacs 77 I recently used the N-Gram gem to analyze theGunning Fog index 11.0 zucchini 23 Oh, the summer of all that text of Homestar reviews looking for recurring zucchini… phrases. I suspected that one of the contractorsFlesch-Kincaid grade level 8.4 we were considering had salted his reviews, and unusual recurring phrases or spikes in frequency I want to get better at clear, specific descriptions. might be a tip-off. I can use the same techniqueAccording to this, my writing should be readable That means avoiding adjectives like ‘nice’ and to identify any pet phrases of mine.by high school seniors, although they’ll probably hedging words like ‘really’.have to be geeks in order to be interested in the csv = FasterCSV.open(ngrams.csv, w)first place. really 227 Hmm, I can cut down on this n_gram = NGram.new(all_text, :n => [2, 3]) maybe 211 This one too csv << "NGRAM 2"The Readability library has other handy n_gram.ngrams_of_all_data[2].sort { |a,b| a[1]functions, like occurrences for finding out how probably 211 Down with hedging! <=> b[1] }.map { |a| csv << a };frequently a word shows up in your text. csv << "NGRAM 3"I 4375 #4 – It’s a personal blog, awesome 88 I overuse this, but it’s a fun n_gram.ngrams_of_all_data[3].sort { |a,b| a[1] after all word <=> b[1] }.map { |a| csv << a }; csv.closeyou 1926 #9 – Not so bad nice 15 The war on generic adjectives continues.my 1555 The ten most common 3-word phrases on my Let’s look at feelings: blog tend to be related to planning andtime 933 explaining. It figures. I can stop saying “a lot of”, happy / happiness / wonderful 107 though.people 897 busy 33 Phrase Frequencywork 710 worried / anxious / worry 30 i want to 158W- 200 tired 20 a lot of 126presentations 190 excited / exciting 21 so that i 94

December 2011 – sachachua.com 362 I modified it to connect to a different database. Ibe able to 86 i’m getting 12 added some scopes for easier queries, too.that i can 76 I wonder what other questions I might ask with class WpBlogPost < ActiveRecord::Baseyou want to 74 this data… establish_connection Rails.configuration.database_configuration["worone of the 68 Geek appendix: Using the Rails Console to dpress"] work with WordPress datathat you can 63 set_table_name "wp_posts" The Rails console is awesome. You can do all set_primary_key "ID"in order to 55 sorts of things with it, like poke around your data objects or run scripts. With a little hacking, youi need to 55 can even use it as a smarter interface to other has_many :comments, :class_name => databases. "WpBlogComment", :foreign_key =>Some frequent two-word phrases: "comment_post_ID" For example, I decided to get rid of all the syntaxi can 425 formatting that Org-mode tried to do with my blog posts when I published them to WordPress. def self.find_by_permalink(year, month, day,you can 408 title) Fortunately, this was the only use of spantags in my post content, so I could zap them all with a find(:first,Two-word phrases starting with “I’m…” regular expression… if I could confidently do :conditions => ["YEAR(post_date) = ? AND regular expressions in the MySQL console. MONTH(post_date) = ? ANDi’m going 52 DAYOFMONTH(post_date) = ? AND post_name In the past, I might have written a Perl script to = ?",i’m not 29 year.to_i, month.to_i, day.to_i, go through my database. If desperate, I might have even written a Perl script to do a regular title])i’m looking 25 expression replacement on my database dump endi’m working 24 file. scope :posts, where("post_type=post")i’m learning 23 Rails to the rescue! I decided that since I was scope :published, likely to want to use data from my WordPress where("post_status=publish")i’m sure 16 blog in my Rails-based self-tracking system scope :year, lambda { |year| anyway, I might as well connect the two. where("year(post_date)=?", year) }i’m thinking 15 end I found some code that created ActiveRecord # http://snippets.dzone.com/posts/show/1314i’m glad 14 models for WordPress posts and comments, and class WpBlogComment < ActiveRecord::Base

December 2011 – sachachua.com 363 establish_connection if WpBlogPost.where(post_content LIKE ?,Rails.configuration.database_configuration["wor WpBlogPost.find(comment_post_ID).comment %<span style="color:%).each do |p|dpress"] _status != open errors.add_to_base(Sorry, comments are s = p.post_content.gsub /<span closed for this post) style="color:[^>]+>/, # if wordpress tables live in a different database end s.gsub! </span>, (i.e. wordpress) change the following end # line to set_table_name p.update_attributes(:post_content => s)"wordpress.wp_comments" end # dont forget to give the db user permissions to endaccess the wordpress db set_table_name "wp_comments" I specified the database configuration in set_primary_key "comment_ID" config/database.yml, and granted my user access Cleaning up subscripts (accidental use of to the tables: underscore without escaping): belongs_to :post , :class_name => wordpress: WpBlogPost.where(post_content LIKE ?,"WpBlogPost", :foreign_key => adapter: mysql %<sub>%).each do |p|"comment_post_ID" encoding: utf8 s = p.post_content.gsub /<sub>/, _ database: wordpress_database_goes_here s.gsub! </sub, username: rails_username_goes_here p.update_attributes(:post_content => s) validates_presence_of :comment_post_ID, end:comment_author, :comment_content,:comment_author_email After I rigged that up, I could then run this little bit of code in Rails console to clean up all those Now I can use all sorts of other ActiveRecord entries. goodness when generating my statistics, like the def validate_on_create code above.

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2011 - sachachua.com

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