Only took a year, right? But it is. I’m consolidating a little bit. I’ve been posting on various places, and maintaining three personal sites was too difficult with such little free time. I have been taking pictures, writing, and networking.

I recently did a career switch and now spend most of my time writing in Java instead of HTML or ColdFusion. I’ve started my Master’s degree so even freelancing web development and design has lessened due to time constraints.

There is much to share about Java and all the other things in my life, so I’m considering changing the direction of this site. (more…)

Speaking to you about the importance of testing is like preaching to the choir. What browsers do you test on? If you develop on a PC, do you also check on the Mac? I basically ignore IE on Mac because that has the most quirks and the fewest users according to various logs I check. Safari on Mac, however, I rarely have problems with. If it works in Firefox, it usually renders the same in Safari. Surprise. (more…)

What is it that they say about mechanics’ cars? Well, I spend most of my free time working on other people’s projects and not my own neglected space on the web. Last post in July? Wow… so much has changed.

Updates, in no particular order:

• We have a teenager! And she’s been successfully integrated into the web world. Another recruit. Muhahaha.
• Cooking lots. I missed cooking. I have zero time but have been finding it anyway to make up menus. Partly spurred on by the above update.
• I’m brushing up my Java skills and eyeballing a Master’s degree in CS. I just need to finish the Java class and pick a place to apply. Satellite campus of Virginia Tech? ODU? William & Mary? Something I can do without quitting my job and moving. No University of Phoenix please. Thanks.
• WordPress as CMS finally accomplished. More on this later. Of course, another version of WordPress is coming out….
• This semester, I am also taking Desktop Publishing Part Dos. InDesign is a sexy application. We’re working on our first project now and I’ll post a brief walk-through after class critique.
• Still doing freelance here and there. Even updated my gallery a bit with some web and design projects.
• Not been playing as much WoW even though there’s an expansion. See the above for reasons why. Yes, even though the druid fly form is more tempting than a cup of cocoa on a cold day.
• Williamsburg Adobe User Group (previously known as Williamsburg Macromedia User Group) is gearing up for activity again. I’m taking over the book review program since I’m such a bibliophile.
• I started making a Flash cartoon for last semester’s videography class. That was fun. That was hard. I was learning animation as I went so the later animation is better than the beginning. With enough bribery, I might post it including my “ZOMG! If only I had known that in the beginning….” thoughts.
• Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away recently. Fortunately, I have my hands on some of her photographs. I want to scan in a bunch of them and print out copies for the family. By the way, if you know or have children in the Hampton Roads area that have lost a loved one, I highly suggest Kidz-n-Grief.

I’m taking a Stress Management class through the college. I figured if I need a class then that’s the one. The interesting thing is that I’m having problems coming up with stuff for the stress journals. Life is good right now. Every so often there is an “OH GOSH!” moment but I’ve learned, overall, how to deal with them.

The latest lesson was on Occupational Stress. Ah, lovely beast how we love thee!

Role Problems as a Cause for Occupational Stress

• Role Overload: Job demands are so great that the worker feels in inability to cope
• Role Insufficiency: Workers lack the training to do it
• Role Ambiguity: Aspects of the job and workplace are unclear. Workers should know the criteria for career advancement and what is expected of them
• Role Conflict: Two supervisors each expect something different. “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

My Lightbulb is Getting Dim! (How burnout develops)

• Stage one (the honeymoon): Worker is satisfied and remains enthusiastic. As this stage continues, the tasks become unenjoyable and the worker loses energy.
• Stage two (fuel shortage): Fatigue sets in. Difficulty sleeping is a symptom.
• Stage three (chronic symptoms): Overwork leads to physical effects that include constant exhaustion and susceptibility to disease and psychological effects that include acute anger and feelings of depression.
• Stage four (crisis): Actual illness can develop that results in the worker not being able to attend the job.
• Stage five (hitting the wall): Severe enough to cause illness that is life threatening. Worker now has so many problems at work that his or her career is actually threatened. (more…)