Time to go personal

For a long time I used this blog for work / industry related posts because a) that was a part of my job and b) when I was writing code I had technical contributions of value to add.

Today, I realized that I would like to blog again. To have a writing outlet. For the last few years I've been working on my MBA / MSF (almost done), moved into management at a huge company (which is my first time), and trying to be a good spouse and parent.

I've used hockey as a physical outlet to disconnect and get to those moments of oneness that we can have when a group joins and focuses on a common objective. I love those moments and I actively look for them. I try to create opportunities for them. To bring the type of people together that can do this.

I finished skating in a hockey tournament today and I am filled with angst as we were unable to achieve this objective. And I have sadly come to the conclusion that I will have to leave this team. My recreational time is too scarce and therefore, very precious. I need a group of people who will play as a team. No hot dogs, no ice hogs. I need everyone to play as hard as they can, to work to have their best game. To put the team first. That did not happen this weekend. I think it's time to move on.

I've been thinking about this for hours now. I will likely think about it for many more. But I think the decision to walk away has been made. The next decision is what to do next.

Word...Time Flies!

In the crazy world I call my life it doesn't really seem that long since I last posted. Sure, I've been busy and time flies when you're busy, but wow. Long time, no post.

I've been consulting, keeping my eyes on the job market, recently retired as SF Bay .NET UG co-chair, cut back on coaching, started an investment club, applied to an MBA program and got accepted, still playing hockey,... yea busy.

I wanted to remind folks that the Silicon Valley Code Camp is coming up on us fast. I just signed up to do two talks. (More on my plate but good more.) Don't forget to sign-up early so Peter has enough food, tell your friends, give a talk. You know...get involved. Check out the site, I suspect there are still volunteer opportunities. We could use your help and it's a great way to meet folks.

Job Hunt 2008

It's been a roller-coaster ride this year. At the beginning of 2008 FonJax struggled through the usual startup hiccups culminating in a successful sale. (As in, we sold the company.) Then at the prompting of my family I took a position at a "more stable" company only to find the US office being shut-down and myself back on the job market. While I made phase 2 of the shutdown, my last day is the end of this month and it's time to start hunting around again.

I am looking for something that is either managerially challenging or technically challenging. Both would be ideal.

If you have something real that you would like to discuss, and you've taken the time to research me, please feel free to contact me. I've tried to make it very easy for prospective employers to verify my skill set. Use your favorite search engine and search on "Kim Greenlee". All technical and hockey references are me.

Silicon Valley Code Camp 2008

Thanks to everyone who donated their time, energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to this year's event. For those folks who attended my sessions and wanted the slide decks…I have uploaded files to the wiki pages attached to my sessions.

Remember that code camp is by developers for developers. So if you've never presented, start thinking about a topic. Some of us have been throwing around the idea of training sessions for presenters. When we get that going I'll make an announcement here.

Code Camps are Coming...

The 3rd annual Silicon Valley Code Camp is coming in November and the San Luis Obispo Code Camp in September. I am planning on speaking at the Silicon Valley Code Camp and seriously thinking about San Luis Obispo. At past code camps I've presented on the basics of threading...the stuff that is more at the operating system level but I think vital to deciphering threads regardless of what the stack above them is..., debugging, and architecture for startups.

I have been considering putting together a talk on the process of groking a new code base, which is something all of us will have to do many times in our career. I don't know what the process is called. Maybe there isn't a name and I should make one up! Since I know some of the .NET UG members read this blog I am wondering if you guys have an opinion on what you would like to hear about.

So of the topics you've heard in the past and topics that may interest you in the future...what do you want me to speak on? I only want to do two talks so give me your ideas.

Thanks much.

Cackl.com…The Yokes on You

A buddy of mine just created a joke site and wants to get the word out to folks and I was one of those tapped to blog about it. It's still a work in progress so post your ideas for improvement here and I'll pass them on to Mike and his team. Otherwise, enjoy and…if you're a jokester…post a few of your own.

Cackl

Out and About – July 15th, North Bay .NET User Group

I'm heading up to Sebastopol next week. The talk is titled Threading: Back to Basics and I'll be covering how threads work, .NET specific thread stuff, decomposition, and tip and tricks. You can sign up here for the North Bay .NET User Group. Make sure to sign up so they have a good head count.

Comcast? Internet? Huh?

One would think in this day and age that an Internet Service Provider would understand how the Internet works. But apparently Comcast doesn't have a clue. Not only was I NOT notified that their system would be down…they also don't seem to know how to brand their own 'under construction' page to let their users know what is going on…

After I got a hold of a tech support person, who was rude, there was no estimate as to when I would get email back. Thanks Comcast because not having access to my email is a really big deal for me. I mean it's not like I’m not trying to run a soccer team, a hockey team, play on a hockey team, run a .NET user group, or coordinate a dozen other things that I need to manage in my spare time which…wow…just happens to be at 10:30pm.

Doesn't it actually look like they lost their URL? or that there are a bunch of DNS servers offline?

Click to view image...



Update: Comcast hacked I actually suspected something like that but the Comcast rep told me the site was "down for maintenance". I hate liars. Come on folks a little honesty please.