Comments for An Utter Waste of Time http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:14:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Free UAB by John Brown http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2011/11/03/free-uab/#comment-545 John Brown Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:14:05 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=379#comment-545 I just wrote a letter similar to the sentiment of what you both shared. Even as a UAT grad and UAB graduate school graduate I think it is utterly embarrasing for even us UA graduates. It is the same thing when UAT tried to tell AU where to play the Iron Bowl. They really believed that they could control that dynamic. Of course AU showed them other wise. We are dealing with people who could be clinically diagnosed as borderline insane. Fortunatly, in more progressive states this sort of thing never really goes on. If you look at it, LSU did this with the University of Louisiana and it has gone on somewhat in Mississippi with Southern Miss and how they have been treated. Common theme: both those states are politically, socially and economically regressive. It is just a symptom of the "larger disease" of living in a pathetic "non-progressive" state like Alabama. Alabama Athletics is the only thing the state has had to "hang it's hat on" and that is why these factions are so virulant to change. I recently wrote a letter to a State House of Representative friend of mine concerning what he should do if a bill comes his was to vote for "total autonomy" to the Huntsville and Birmingham campuses. He is an AU man so he understands! Honestly, if we do desire to "break away" from UAT we do need to "tickle" the sentiment of Auburn supporters. That is our best hope in becoming the University of Birmingham. We can sell them on the fact that: "you support us and have fun pissing off UAT at the same time." I strongly, believe many of them would go for that. John Brown UA College of Arts & Sciences 1999 UAB Graduate School Of Education 2004 I just wrote a letter similar to the sentiment of what you both shared. Even as a UAT grad and UAB graduate school graduate I think it is utterly embarrasing for even us UA graduates. It is the same thing when UAT tried to tell AU where to play the Iron Bowl. They really believed that they could control that dynamic. Of course AU showed them other wise. We are dealing with people who could be clinically diagnosed as borderline insane. Fortunatly, in more progressive states this sort of thing never really goes on. If you look at it, LSU did this with the University of Louisiana and it has gone on somewhat in Mississippi with Southern Miss and how they have been treated. Common theme: both those states are politically, socially and economically regressive. It is just a symptom of the “larger disease” of living in a pathetic “non-progressive” state like Alabama. Alabama Athletics is the only thing the state has had to “hang it’s hat on” and that is why these factions are so virulant to change. I recently wrote a letter to a State House of Representative friend of mine concerning what he should do if a bill comes his was to vote for “total autonomy” to the Huntsville and Birmingham campuses. He is an AU man so he understands! Honestly, if we do desire to “break away” from UAT we do need to “tickle” the sentiment of Auburn supporters. That is our best hope in becoming the University of Birmingham. We can sell them on the fact that: “you support us and have fun pissing off UAT at the same time.” I strongly, believe many of them would go for that.

John Brown
UA College of Arts & Sciences 1999
UAB Graduate School Of Education 2004

]]> Comment on Old Dog, New Tricks? by Roberto Valerio http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2012/01/04/old-dog-new-tricks/#comment-543 Roberto Valerio Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:57:27 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=494#comment-543 Dear Jeff, I did not realize my comment at TechCrunch made it into your blog. Just to clarify things: I am 38 and to master some of the tasks at my startup I do a lot of reading and learning every day. And I am a firm believer that constant learning about new things keep you motivated and agile at your job. Still, there are some skill sets that take years to master correctly. It would take me years to become a good doctor starting today. It would take me years to become a good mechanic. And yes, it would take me years to polish my old days programming skills to become a great coder again. I guess I was a little upset about CodeAcademy's promotion: Sign into our service, follow our programming course and you will be the coding the new Facebook in no time. In 1999, this was probably true. Some lines of badly written code could make you a startup millionaire. Today, some lines of badly written code could compromise your whole startup. That's why I leave the coding work to the experts of today. And I try to focus on things I got experienced in: Hiring, motivating and managing good developer teams, making sure I offer them any assistance they need to build great products. It's a great help that I know some stuff about programming as well - and I guess CodeAcademy can be great for beginners to get a basic understanding. But I still believe that at some point you should focus your free time and resources on things you are already quite good at to make sure you become an expert in a few things, not an average in all things. Kind regards, Roberto Dear Jeff,

I did not realize my comment at TechCrunch made it into your blog. Just to clarify things: I am 38 and to master some of the tasks at my startup I do a lot of reading and learning every day. And I am a firm believer that constant learning about new things keep you motivated and agile at your job.

Still, there are some skill sets that take years to master correctly. It would take me years to become a good doctor starting today. It would take me years to become a good mechanic. And yes, it would take me years to polish my old days programming skills to become a great coder again.

I guess I was a little upset about CodeAcademy’s promotion: Sign into our service, follow our programming course and you will be the coding the new Facebook in no time. In 1999, this was probably true. Some lines of badly written code could make you a startup millionaire. Today, some lines of badly written code could compromise your whole startup.

That’s why I leave the coding work to the experts of today. And I try to focus on things I got experienced in: Hiring, motivating and managing good developer teams, making sure I offer them any assistance they need to build great products. It’s a great help that I know some stuff about programming as well – and I guess CodeAcademy can be great for beginners to get a basic understanding. But I still believe that at some point you should focus your free time and resources on things you are already quite good at to make sure you become an expert in a few things, not an average in all things.

Kind regards,

Roberto

]]> Comment on Free UAB by Albert http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2011/11/03/free-uab/#comment-538 Albert Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:19:53 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=379#comment-538 There's no disputing the facts, and everything you've stated here is just that - fact! Your sentiments about this situation mirror that of mine and countless others. I sat in with FreeUAB members and some of its' supporters at the most recent board of mistrustees meeting on February 2 & 3. You had to be there to fathom the level of arrogance and lack of equality for all campuses in this system. Although the turnout was strong & passionate by those in favor of the movement, there wasn't enough of a student presence on hand, in my opinion, also, the Mayor of Birmingham , William Bell, who professed a few months ago to be a staunch supporter of the on-campus stadium, was conspicuous by his absence on both days. I know he had the groundbreaking for the baseball stadium for Thursday, & I understand that, wish I could have been there, too, but that was only for 2 hours or so, plus , he was right down the road,a few blocks from where the rally was taking place and subsequent sit-in for the BOT meeting. He was also a no-show on Friday, too, (if he was there, I sure as heck didn't see him) and that's when he really should have been there, especially when SGA President Brad Watts (hope I got his last name correct) gave an impassioned, direct and impacting speech to the board, cautioning them that many times when UAB wanted to have something to make its' campus unique and progressive, only to be told no by some "millionaire boys club" disguised as an entity claiming to have the best interests of our campuses at heart (but we know better, don't we, UAH?), it happened anyway in spite of the obvious attempts to obstruct its' progress in things other than academics and medical endeavors, & that the stadium would be no exception. In addition to invoking the words of Dr. Volker(If I'm not mistaken) about our city "not dreaming enough dreams", he uttered the one line in the direction of that board looking them squarely in the eye as he did so, that defined the entire moment..."Defeat is a word that UAB does not know the meaning of." I've said all along that this stadium issue is a "political football", and make no mistake, the stench of politics & economic elitism was definitely in the air at the Alumi House this week. But the resolve of Free UAB was made even greater by making its' presence known and felt at this time. Students of UAB, I implore you to be as proactive as you possibly can where this movement is concerned. We're talking about the future of this University, its athletic program, and the city of Birmingham as a whole, they're all tied together,whether you care to believe that or not and let's determine who is really in charge of this city and its' endeavors to progress. Who's really running Birmingham? It's my personal observation that nothing would please this board more than to be able to kill off UAB athletics altogether. Please take that into consideration the next time you choose not to get involved. Free UAB! Unleash The Dragon!! Let Us Build Our Stadium! This kind of oppression from outside forces aimed in our direction has gone on for far too long... There’s no disputing the facts, and everything you’ve stated here is just that – fact!

Your sentiments about this situation mirror that of mine and countless others. I sat in with FreeUAB members and some of its’ supporters at the most recent board of mistrustees meeting on February 2 & 3. You had to be there to fathom the level of arrogance and lack of equality for all campuses in this system. Although the turnout was strong & passionate by those in favor of the movement, there wasn’t enough of a student presence on hand, in my opinion, also, the Mayor of Birmingham , William Bell, who professed a few months ago to be a staunch supporter of the on-campus stadium, was conspicuous by his absence on both days. I know he had the groundbreaking for the baseball stadium for Thursday, & I understand that, wish I could have been there, too, but that was only for 2 hours or so, plus , he was right down the road,a few blocks from where the rally was taking place and subsequent sit-in for the BOT meeting. He was also a no-show on Friday, too, (if he was there, I sure as heck didn’t see him) and that’s when he really should have been there, especially when SGA President Brad Watts (hope I got his last name correct) gave an impassioned, direct and impacting speech to the board, cautioning them that many times when UAB wanted to have something to make its’ campus unique and progressive, only to be told no by some “millionaire boys club” disguised as an entity claiming to have the best interests of our campuses at heart (but we know better, don’t we, UAH?), it happened anyway in spite of the obvious attempts to obstruct its’ progress in things other than academics and medical endeavors, & that the stadium would be no exception. In addition to invoking the words of Dr. Volker(If I’m not mistaken) about our city “not dreaming enough dreams”, he uttered the one line in the direction of that board looking them squarely in the eye as he did so, that defined the entire moment…”Defeat is a word that UAB does not know the meaning of.” I’ve said all along that this stadium issue is a “political football”, and make no mistake, the stench of politics & economic elitism was definitely in the air at the Alumi House this week. But the resolve of Free UAB was made even greater by making its’ presence known and felt at this time. Students of UAB, I implore you to be as proactive as you possibly can where this movement is concerned. We’re talking about the future of this University, its athletic program, and the city of Birmingham as a whole, they’re all tied together,whether you care to believe that or not and let’s determine who is really in charge of this city and its’ endeavors to progress. Who’s really running Birmingham? It’s my personal observation that nothing would please this board more than to be able to kill off UAB athletics altogether. Please take that into consideration the next time you choose not to get involved. Free UAB! Unleash The Dragon!! Let Us Build Our Stadium! This kind of oppression from outside forces aimed in our direction has gone on for far too long…

]]> Comment on A Fanboy’s Story – Part II by And so the Third Age Approaches an End | An Utter Waste of Time http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2010/07/13/a_fanboys_story_-_part_ii/#comment-476 And so the Third Age Approaches an End | An Utter Waste of Time Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:46:30 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=29#comment-476 [...] be the end of the Third Age of my comic book reading hobby.  I have chronicled both the First and Second Age here before and I hate to think the Third Age is coming to an end because I feel like some of the [...] [...] be the end of the Third Age of my comic book reading hobby.  I have chronicled both the First and Second Age here before and I hate to think the Third Age is coming to an end because I feel like some of the [...]

]]> Comment on A Fanboy’s Story – Part I by And so the Third Age Approaches an End | An Utter Waste of Time http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2010/07/09/a_fanboys_story_-_part_i/#comment-475 And so the Third Age Approaches an End | An Utter Waste of Time Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:45:23 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=28#comment-475 [...] be the end of the Third Age of my comic book reading hobby.  I have chronicled both the First and Second Age here before and I hate to think the Third Age is coming to an end because I feel [...] [...] be the end of the Third Age of my comic book reading hobby.  I have chronicled both the First and Second Age here before and I hate to think the Third Age is coming to an end because I feel [...]

]]> Comment on Book Completed – The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Ladyglutter http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2012/01/09/book-completed-the-invention-of-hugo-cabret/#comment-474 Ladyglutter Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:57:06 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=499#comment-474 Thanks! Definitely going to check it out! :) Thanks! Definitely going to check it out! :)

]]> Comment on Time Enough at Last by Ladyglutter http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2012/01/05/time-enough-at-last/#comment-473 Ladyglutter Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:55:09 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=496#comment-473 As usual, we're in the same boat. Here's some things we do that may or may not help you. 1) We cut out TV, drastically. I know that might chafe, but it helped so much. The kids usually don't get any screen time during the week, which means that we curtail our own screen time at least while they're awake. 2) The kids' homework time generally includes 20-30 minutes of mandatory reading time. Their homework time has become family reading time. This is in addition to times that we read together, but that isn't as often lately. 3) One night a week is family game night. That is some built in quality time every Tuesday that makes up for a world of other nights of exhaustion and vegging in front of the TV. 4) Cleanup time is together time, too. Yeah, that one sounds good in theory. It sucks in reality. :) 5) This one is the big failure at our house - we try to make workout time a family together thing, too. But when we HAVE done this, it has been great. As usual, we’re in the same boat. Here’s some things we do that may or may not help you.

1) We cut out TV, drastically. I know that might chafe, but it helped so much. The kids usually don’t get any screen time during the week, which means that we curtail our own screen time at least while they’re awake.

2) The kids’ homework time generally includes 20-30 minutes of mandatory reading time. Their homework time has become family reading time. This is in addition to times that we read together, but that isn’t as often lately.

3) One night a week is family game night. That is some built in quality time every Tuesday that makes up for a world of other nights of exhaustion and vegging in front of the TV.

4) Cleanup time is together time, too. Yeah, that one sounds good in theory. It sucks in reality. :)

5) This one is the big failure at our house – we try to make workout time a family together thing, too. But when we HAVE done this, it has been great.

]]> Comment on Hugo by Book Completed – The Invention of Hugo Cabret | An Utter Waste of Time http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2011/12/06/hugo/#comment-470 Book Completed – The Invention of Hugo Cabret | An Utter Waste of Time Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:18:24 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=421#comment-470 [...] daughter and I finished reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret last night.  We saw the movie last year and a friend loaned us a copy of the book.  We read the book over the last few weeks together and [...] [...] daughter and I finished reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret last night.  We saw the movie last year and a friend loaned us a copy of the book.  We read the book over the last few weeks together and [...]

]]> Comment on Do or Do Not. There is no Try. by Jeff http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2011/12/28/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try/#comment-465 Jeff Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:50:34 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=465#comment-465 Yeah, I got it from iFixit.com. Just go to the site, select iPod and eventually it will ask for either your model or serial # and it will come up with the right kit for your model. if this is for the iPod touch I recommend you look at both the iFixit guide and other online videos on how to disassemble the unit. Also, be sure you know how to handle the adhesive and where to put it before you actually get to sticking the screen back down. That is where I made a mistake. Honestly, getting it repaired by Rotten-Apples.net went really well and cost about the same as the repair kit. I would consider letting someone else do it unless you feel completely confident in what you are doing and even then some experience probably helps. Yeah, I got it from iFixit.com. Just go to the site, select iPod and eventually it will ask for either your model or serial # and it will come up with the right kit for your model. if this is for the iPod touch I recommend you look at both the iFixit guide and other online videos on how to disassemble the unit. Also, be sure you know how to handle the adhesive and where to put it before you actually get to sticking the screen back down. That is where I made a mistake. Honestly, getting it repaired by Rotten-Apples.net went really well and cost about the same as the repair kit. I would consider letting someone else do it unless you feel completely confident in what you are doing and even then some experience probably helps.

]]> Comment on Do or Do Not. There is no Try. by Eric Phillips http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/2011/12/28/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try/#comment-464 Eric Phillips Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:28:47 +0000 http://www.anutterwasteoftime.com/?p=465#comment-464 I've got the same issue right now. I have not tried to repair it yet. I have the current generation iTouch. Can you share which kit you got? Thanks for the tips! I’ve got the same issue right now. I have not tried to repair it yet. I have the current generation iTouch. Can you share which kit you got? Thanks for the tips!

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