Another year draws to a close and I thought I might post some resolutions – perhaps making them public will help me meet them. The Happiness Project suggests that its a good idea to realise the difference between resolutions and goals.
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Still some way to completing my degree part-time (at the end of this academic year I’m half way). I’m not soliciting my services – just looking for advice from the community and if anyone has a few minutes it’d be very much appreciated.
I enjoy mathematics and programming, my degree modules have revolved around the two, covering Java and VB.Net (its a very Windows centric place the Open University but it’s getting better). I’m in the UK and would like to go back to Edinburgh for family reasons when I leave the services in a couple of years time. Looking at the job boards, there’s a lot of Java contracts in the area.
Has anyone got a job with only open source experience? Does anyone know of any open source projects that are Java based and would be a good starting point to build on the fundamentals? Are there other qualifications or courses that you recommend? What are employers looking for? Does anyone work in a specific field that utilises both maths and programming? Is there a language that is in particular demand or do you find that good experience is more value? What’s a realistic starting salary?
I bought a new laptop the other week, a Samsung NP-RV511-S02UK. I have been using a Samsung NC10 dual booting Ubuntu and XP. An NC10 is a wondrous thing but when push comes to shove, a 1280×600 resolution is too small for Visual Studio work – especially when you want to see a PDF at the same time.
Physiotherapist thinks that it’s going to be a while before I’m back running, although I haven’t had a specific diagnosis (the Army seems to feel physiotherapy is a panacea). He thinks there’s a 75% chance of recovery without further referral. So no impact PT and watch what I eat.
It’s all quiet on the education front – my next course (or module as the new terminology dictates) isn’t until the end of September. The Open University also sent me out my contract for TU100′s Café forum – never read so much legalise.
On leave just now, which is nice. Kids are busy with youth club activities this week so I’m pretty much just relaxing at home. Re-read World War Z (someone I know is an extra in the upcoming movie) and re-played Final Fantasy VII.
I’m also drudging through Assassin’s Creed II. Don’t get me wrong it’s a great title but I’ve already done it. I rented it and finished it. Then I saw it on offer and bought a copy to play the add-on levels. FYI, the Platinum versionwon’t read the original’s save game.
Talk about first world problems, lol.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
For The Fallen (1914), Laurence Binyen
I’ve never been to the US before but I’m going to San Diego this week with work.
Although I’m not sure how much free time I’ll have, as I’m there for a few weeks I was wondering if there’s anyone has any recommendations on what to see.
My son suggested Rockstar San Diego (Red Dead Redemption is very popular here just now) but frankly I’d like to see a bit more than that.
So, any thoughts?