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365 Days: Day 24., originally uploaded by iMachias.

When I was part of the traditional American work force I was faced with the same challenges day in and day out. Go to work at 8:00, feed my face at 10:00, break for lunch at noon, back to my desk at 1:00, feed my face at 3:00 p.m. and out at 5:00 p.m. Interspersed with the fun were telecommunications emergencies and countless pee breaks. And maybe some surfing on the internet if I was feeling daring.

It was a good job, but the challenges stayed pretty routine from day to day. I didn’t feel “movement” in my career. Hence, the return to college.

One of the exciting things about being a college student is the complete rearranging of my schedule each semester. My homework schedule that worked well for fall isn’t going to work for this semester and I couldn’t be more pleased. So far my professors are reasonable with expectations: Professor Frightful doesn’t collect homework at all this semester, he’s just going to quiz the hell out of us. My engineering classes allow at least a week to complete a given assignment and I don’t know what’s going on with my physics homework yet but I’ve heard rumblings that the instructor is “excellent”. This typically translates to “easy homework”, among other things.

I think I’m excited because I feel like I have a whole new set of challenges on the path ahead of me. The path is still the same and I’m still headed in the same direction, it just has some new additions and deletions along the way. I feel like the pavement has changed color a little bit. My new school schedule along with my “gigs” and whatnot along the way are giving me a feeling of contentment. It’s good to feel great.

To get all philosophical on you, one of the most important things a person can do is find the path of their life journey. There’s going to be detours and dead ends along the way, but when you’re not following your path you’re just wandering aimlessly.

I wouldn’t write it on a fortune cookie (too long), but it’s workable.

365 Days: Day 23.,
originally uploaded by iMachias.

I’m not as disciplined with the “365 days” photo series on my Flickr account as I thought I would be. I’ve already missed seven out of 23 days.

This afternoon I decided to get some fresh air after successfully completing my first round of homework for school. I resisted the urge to make a snow angel but I did go for a 1 1/2 mile walk.

I’ll probably have a video to post later tonight.

365 Days: Day 17.,
originally uploaded by iMachias.

Next Tuesday I start the next semester in my question for collegiate excellence. I am very excited about the slate of classes that lie ahead, even my final math course: Calculus with Professor Frightful and his cast of voices in the chalkboard.

So that I am fully prepared for school, I went and picked up my required books today. Last semester I was complaining about how one professor distributed handouts that were handwritten; today I discovered that one of my textbooks is completely handwritten!

Good thing I have such a hearty sense of humor.

365 Days: Day 9

Originally uploaded by iMachias.

A stormy day in Upstate New York equals a very busy day in a telecommunications network operations center. Sometimes it feels like to adequately multitask you need to be two people. Tomorrow is the last day of my encore performance with my employer and I have to admit I’m going to really miss the folks I work. However, it’s not like I’m moving away and will never see them again; I like to think that I’m leaving on good terms so I’ll stop in from time to time. Maybe I’ll remember to bring a plate of cookies or something the next time I visit.

Life is an adventure that must be experienced. I firmly believe it’s a journey of learning. And I fully believe that it’s important to make the best of it and embrace it. Don’t sit in the window and watch life pass you by, go out and drink in what the world has to offer.

It’s all good.

365 Days: Day 8.
Originally uploaded by iMachias.

It’s currently 65 degrees and the temperature is still climbing. I thought it made sense to take off my clothes and take a picture in the backyard.

So much for the foot of snow we had up until yesterday!

365 Days: Day 7.
Originally uploaded by iMachias.

Nearly 50 degrees at 10:00 p.m. in the beginning of January. How could anyone not be happy?

By the way, I get a lot of comments and questions whenever I’m seen in this shirt. People find the logo on the front to be interesting. It’s the logo for a software development company called Ximian, which was purchased by Novell a couple of years ago. I earned this shirt as one of the first beta testers of a product called Ximian Evolution (which is now Novell Evolution), a program that is much like Microsoft Outlook (and a whole lot more) except that it runs on Linux and Unix. I wear it often and I consider it a badge of geek pride.

I wish I could find a Mac fanboy shirt that I could wear. Does anyone have any suggestions where I could find one?

365 Days: Day 6.

Originally uploaded by iMachias.

It’s official. I have cleaned our home from top to bottom. Now, the trick is to keep it this way.

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays it was good to spend the entire weekend at home. Tomorrow I start my last week of work since I’m starting school soon AND they no longer need my services. The timing couldn’t be better. I’ll be training the “new guy” all week. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

As I look at today’s “365 days” photo, I’m a little surprised to see that I vacuum with my hand in my pocket. What’s that about?