Software is my primary game.
This is my playground. I
love making the abstract real. Embedded systems is
my first love, because so often it's like puppetry;
one can make physical things happen in the real world.
One can make magic that the rest of the world
can see; more so than on a monitor or printout. I've
often bragged that "I can make a computer dance."
And this is my forum. The writing the programs
is not as challenging as I once found it. If I can design
it, then I know I can code it. Because of that,
I now concentrate on creating architectures and designs.
This is such a fertile field for challenge, I
could play here forever. But when I raise
my eyes from the monitor, I see that there is more
magic that I can do...
I'm an "Hourly Gunslinger".
An employer once called me that
in making a comparison against his "regular employees".
It was intended derisively, but it fit well with
my self-image, and I wear it as a badge of honor. He
was talking tough (by email) about getting rid of those
like me, but that would have been bad business for him.
The employer needed me to do what his regular
salaried employees couldn't or wouldn't do. I
get the job done... every time! The hourly gunslinger
can't get lazy, or he's done for. He must sell
himself, or he's a goner. He must understand the
market, or he can't exist in it. Yes, I'm still
an hourly gunslinger; and if the client lets me
do what I do best, they'll win every time.
I'm great as a team member, but
I love running the show.
As a manager I'm easy going
and direct. I think I bring out good things in
the people I supervise, and I believe they like my management
style. The business side of things presents a
few challenges of its own, and I enjoy bringing my own
twists to the solutions.
About software I could go on ad nauseum.
In time, I'm sure I will.
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