Archive for March, 2003

Focus and Warp offs

Tuesday, March 11th, 2003

I just read an excellent article related to an entry I recently made, which was followed up by Mike here.

I tend to agree with the viewpoint that it takes 3 hours of individual concentration to get anything done (in general). Although I, and my work, have benefitted significantly from interactive like work as Mike suggests, I think the 3 hours of uninterrupted focus suggested in the article, are a great way to get things done, as long as you can avoid what he calls “warp-offs.” Which is my key obstacle to overcome. I think I am going to make a concerted effort to catch myself right before I do this, and take that energy and re-apply it to my work. I may even keep a log for a few days so I can find what is usually the trigger of the warp-offs. I guess this means no gaim, no irc, and no email.

Apparently before I got a chance to flesh out this entry, Slashdot got a hold of it and now the site is running a little slow. But I swear I saw it first, on someone elses blog. :-)

Mind Games

Tuesday, March 11th, 2003

Getting up way to early to go to the gym is not really that hard physically, the biggest obstacle to overcome is your rationalization reflex. Your brain really wants you to go back to sleep, so you can easily think of a million reasons why you should lay back down.

Luckily, for me, I have been able to convince myself yet again that I should go. The deciding factor is usually something along the lines of, “Well I am already standing. If I just start putting on my gym clothes the momentum will get me there, and I can check off the little box on my weight tracking spreadsheet to say I went to the gym again.”

So far this tact has generally worked for me since November 17, 2001 … to the tune of about 85 pounds, and putting me in pretty good shape.

Happy Birthday Niko

Sunday, March 9th, 2003

Well today is my cousin’s Niko’s birthday.

I spent the day there learning about the unending energy that a just-turned 8 year old can muster.

Hopefully he enjoyed the day, and the opportunity to cobine the sports of wrestling, soccer and football into one mahem filled activity in his basement

Happy Birthday to …

Friday, March 7th, 2003

ME!

March 7, 1976 I was born.

So you wonder what I am doing today, well I am going to a huge celebration, but it is not entirely for me. Michelle’s brother Chris is getting married to Jen. So I am guessing the focus of the celebration will be on them, not on me. Unless my suspicions are true and the marriage and their child Madison are all a big ruse just to throw me off the trail of a surprise party.

Congratulations Chris and Jen, thanks for the big party.

Focus

Thursday, March 6th, 2003

I find that my focus is sometimes really strong, and then for apparently no reason it diverges to nothing, and suddenly I am writing a senseless entry on this site. I am really into the work I am doing, but then out of nowhere I can’t focus and start looking around for things to do.

I think just stronger mental discipline will cure it, just force myself back to work and I will cause my interest to peak again, as soon as I see a neat problem or situation that I need to solve.

Diving back in!

DMCA

Wednesday, March 5th, 2003

Here Rich Kulawiecis gives an interesting, and probably highly accurate, interpretation of why some of the major players in the software industry oppose some of the suggested restructuring of the DMCA.

If that kind of stuff is interesting to you, contribute to the Electroninc Frontier Foundation and you’ll certainly find Declan McCullagh’s Politech interesting reading.

like clockwork, now orange

Tuesday, March 4th, 2003

My instructor in Shaolin Kempo Karate, Jim Wing, told me today that I will be testing for orange belt on March 15th.

I started Karate in the first week in December, Acheived my yellow belt in January. In February I signed up for the advanced training program, and now I will be progressing nicely through the material on to orange belt.

Lookout purple belt, here I come!

PS TWO

Tuesday, March 4th, 2003

My parents got me PS2 for my fast approaching birthday. (March 7th)! I wasn’t sure if I wanted one for a while, because I was worried it would sit unplayed, since I am usually rather busy, between work, the gym, karate, my general thirst to increase my knowledge, and most importantly, spending time with Michelle, I am usually rather short on down time.

But I have already spent a few hours playing, and am glad to get back in the console scene. And the simple distraction factor is always welcome, I find it a few minutes fully committed to playing a game helps me focus more thouroughly on my work later.