What's Important
So, what's important to me? What is valued, what goals?
Education
My primary education goal was achieved in August '98: a masters in computer
engineering from Syracuse University. That covered all aspects of computing,
from quantum mechanics to exotic languages to distributed processing.
The next steps involve specialized education connected with my work.
As a Kodak employee working in computer generation of final movie images,
future education includes image science, high speed / massive data embedded
system processing, cinema digital audio formats, etc. The longer I stay
at Kodak, the deeper the required knowledge.
Other education is also important. Knowing many skills, facts and philosophies
is important. Read, practice, be aware.
Work
Some 9 years after getting my BSCE, I've finally achieved my dream job:
digital cinema system programming. Fast voluminous data, embedded systems,
cool graphics, programmable hardware, cryptography, object-oriented programming,
ground floor of a major new technology, more...it's all here. Time to settle
in and get deeply ingrained in this project. I've wanted and worked for
this a long time, and will not be quick to give it up.
Home
I primarily grew up in the country. Space between homes, big (and do mean
big) garden, wood heat, nearby forests with nifty waterfall, collecting
wild apples, poking thru old abandoned foundations, camping, clean air,
quiet, big yard, dirty fingernails, safety...I wanted to stay there (did
'till 25), wound up on the edge of Rochester, and eventually escaped the
sardine mentality and returned to the country. A casually considered ideal
is a simple cabin on a lonely lake in the Adirondacks or Rockies (with
a sattelite data feed, of course). More practically, home should be about
30 minutes or less - via fast roads - from a medium-sized city.
I've long studied and pondered my ideal home. Most considered was a
log cabin somewhere in the country. Other options include various forms
of "real" building material: logs, bricks, post & beam...something
more substantial than quick-build 2x4s. A house should have character,
be carefully designed, open and facilitating the life of the occupants.
A year ago I bought my grandparent's house. They designed and built
this ranch some 30 years ago, an open and well lit design, set on two rolling
acres and surrounded by hay fields. Peace, privacy, and beauty, all 35
minutes from almost any point in Rochester. My grandparents created it;
no wonder it fits me so well.
Would I leave my home? Preferably only for a superior custom home, and
persuaded by a strong reason. I could live in a city, provided convenient
and interesting enough, but would remain quietly unhappy. Living so close
to thousands of others in inartistically designed cramped spaces is apalling
when the beauty of God's creation can be enjoyed with a simple glance out
the window elsewhere. Better the company of a few loved ones in the Rocky
Mountains than being lost in a crowd on Broadway.
Hobbies
One's hobbies should be meaningful, beyond mere time-spending (though I
do succumb to that). Reading quality literature, maintaining an interesting
home, time with loved ones, creating art, combat training, exercise, studying
history, current event awareness, travel, and quiet observation of life
and nature.
Relationships
I keep fairly few active friends, being a bit of a hermit. Those few are
very important. Highest of all is a woman of wifely potential, one who
is greatly worthy of love.
When the time comes, my wife will be of highest importance in all my
earthly matters, one whom I will deeply love and intensely care for and
never leave. Children may come, and must recieve intense attention
- from both parents - as gifts from God. A family should do most things
together; even when doing different activities, there should be a sense
of closeness. All other matters - work, home, hobbies, etc. - are subordinate
to family, adjusted to satisfy the needs of family and never more important.
The same is expected from all family members.
Such attention and service to others is paramount. This can only work
if both persons do so equally.
Summary
Ultimately, life must be lived in accordance with God's word (the Bible
is final say...given careful study), and in service to family and others.
Personal needs are considered and satisfied as a means to serve and please
others (one is hard pressed to serve when miserable). Life must be kept
simple, uncluttered by society's pressures, and pursued through and to
quality and consideration. Have few things, do few things, but make sure
they are excellent. Surround oneself with quality people. I may not live
up to these goals, but they are the goals.