Design Limbo
Trying to find a way out of limbo
Blog Back Online
Jun 27th
Finally took the time to fix some issues with the blog that were causing it to crash when you browsed to it. I’ve been extremely busy with work, home, school and other activities and blog posting was one of the victims, but as I get a little more free time back I’ll be posting again. Some post to follow in the coming days, weeks and months.
Code Jammin’
Nov 3rd
Every once and a while, maybe once a month, I have the most productive and enjoyable coding time. It usually happens on a Friday night after I get home from work. It starts when I get home, grab a bottle of Crown Royal or Captain Morgan Black Label, a cup, some ice and Coke. I then saunter into my home office, close the door and start iTunes. I pour my drink, open up Visual Studio, pick a solution and go.
This may sound strange to some, or maybe all, and if someone walked in on me while I was deep in code it would look down right sad and strange. My music blaring, drink by my keyboard and C# on the screen. But I have to say, after doing this for a few years it’s one of the most enjoyable development experiences I ever have.
I haven’t perfected it, but I’ll work the rest of my lifetime to do so, but here are some tips for enjoyable Code Jammin’.
Tips for Code Jammin’
- Pick a project that’s fun or sparks your interest
- Pick music that has a great beat that you enjoy
- Have a beer or mixed drink, don’t get hammered, just loosen up
- Code to the music
- Do not overthink, take the path of least resistance
- HAVE FUN!
When I have a Code Jam session I know I look like a complete idiot. Occasionally I throw my hands up to the music, I’m singing to the music, talking to myself, talking to the computer and pretty much acting like someone who needs to be committed. But I when I develop in this state I don’t get hung up on problems, I don’t whiteboard or spike, I just do. Is the code elegant or an architectural masterpiece? No, but guess what? I don’t care. It’s functional, it’s simple and I can always change it latter.
I get more done, more working and simpler code in a few hour session then I might get done all week. I’ve gone back to the code latter on and vary rarely have I just outright changed it. I even keep the stupid jokes that I sometimes put in the comments, or strange variable names.
Don’t code something that’s tedious or that doesn’t spark your interest. I always have about 5 or so personal projects going at one time and switch back and forth between them. That way I never get bored and there is always a unique and interesting challenge to solve.
Development, just like everything else in life, will be as fun as you make it.
The Kihap (Keeyup or Kiai) In Martial Arts
Nov 2nd
Ok, so this isn’t even remotely technology related, but I figured I would share something I learned. While taking an MMA martial arts class we are instructed to Kihap, or yell, when striking. The instructor says it’s intended to focus your energy and throw your enemy off balance. I was interested in the ‘focusing your energy’ part so I did what any rational techie would do, I went to Google!
Kihap is basically a battle cry, carried over into modern times. But there are actually some very positive benefits.
- It strengthens your core by tightening your abdominal mussels. This translates into more power in your motion and increased defense. The Kinetic Chain, also called Kinetic Linking, is the way your legs can pass their power through your torso and into your arms. To be effective every part of the chain must work as one unit.
- It makes your breathe. Heavy physical activity requires energy, the cellular process in your body to generate energy (ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate) requires oxygen. There is another process that doesn’t require oxygen, but it generates far less ATP.
- It can help you focus. With lots of repetition your mind and body can be programmed a certain way. National Geographic has a show called Fight Science, in one episode SWAT team members could control their heart rate even with highly elevated levels of adrenaline.
- It startles your opponent. To me this one is a side benefit, but still valuable. It’s possible to avoid the fight completely buy dropping back and letting your Kihap out. Might make them think twice.
It doesn’t really matter what sound you make, you can benefits 1 and 2 via remembering to breath properly when striking. Some people make a “Tsst” sound when striking, as long it comes from the abdomen it should still provide benefits.
I don’t believe letting out a long blood curdling battle cry is beneficial when striking. Your Kihap needs to be very quick, one maybe two syllables max. The reason I’m saying this is because if you have a long Kihap when striking your jaw is in a vulnerable state, it’s open. A tight jaw will help guard against dislocation or outright breaks.
Another negative might be that your signal your intent if you Kihap to soon in your strike against a trained opponent, or signal the end of your attack. For example in class we Kihap at the end of the pattern, which means the attack is over. A large component of fighting in information warfare, your reading your opponents weaknesses, trying to conceal your own and conceal your intentions.
So there is something to this ancient activity. It doesn’t summon the power of the spirit world to let you shoot a fireball out of your hands, but it give you more power, a better defense and might scare your opponent off.
National Geographic’s Fight Science: SWAT
