2009 Resolutions (draft)

Not in any order of priority:

1. Break caffeine addiction.
2. Maintain savings goals: $125/mon for stocks, max out Roth, 7% 401k, $400/mon short-term savings account.
3. Take salsa lessons while maintaining current dance classes. Hopefully convince Brad.
4. Learn to sew.
5. Volunteer once a month.
6. Eat fruit for breakfast instead of cereal.
7. Do cardio at least 3 days per week while maintaining 2 yoga sessions and 1 strength training per week.
8. Read at least 1 book/novel per month and more during summer (at least 2).
9. Dontate $50 per month to charity. This may be less if husband adds to contribution.
10. Increase entertainment activities and keep budget dedicated for this. i.e.: Go out twice a month

Belly Dance!

Belly belly belly belly belly! I freakin' love it. I'm going into my fifth month of instruction and have recently upped to a second class. The more I learn, the more I love. Also, to better perform the moves I've begun taking yoga. There is some definite overlap there and they should benefit each other. Anyway, I've been obessesed with it. I've found music, clothing, additional classes, anything I can get my hands on.

Music:

• Turbo Tabla
• Balkan Beat Box
• Taraf de Haïdouks
• Muzsikas
• Istanbul Oriental Ensemble

Clothing:

• Ebay vedors: Sirik, Left Coast Trading
• Sharif Wear
• Flying Skirts

SKF - new rule

Do not buy SKF when the price is over $120.00. Wait it out.

OOP fundamentals in C#

// INHERITANCE //
public class ChildClass : ParentClass
// declare a class to inherit from another
{
public ChildClass() {} // constructor
}
// POLYMORPHISM //
public virtual void PolymorphicMethod()
{
// implementation goes here
// child classes can override the implementation
// b.c. of keyword 'virtual'
}
public override void PolymorphicMethod()
{
// used in child class to override a virtual method of a parent class
// by using keyword 'override'
}

// ENCAPSULATION //
public class MyObjectModel
{
// fields hidden from outside world by limiting scope
private string _Field1;
private string _Field2;

public void UpdateFields()
{
// class method updates private members
_Field1 = "Field1";
_Field2 = "Field2";
}
}

// ABSTRACT CLASS //
public abstract class MyAbstractClass
// abstract class can have 0 or more methods abstract
{
private string _Field1; // member variable
public string MyConcreteMethod()
// abstract class can provide concrete methods too
{ // implementation provided
}
abstract public string MyAbstractMethod();
// no implementation provided
}

public class MyConcreteClass : MyAbstractClass
// class that inherits abstract class
{
public override string MyAbstractMethod()
{ // implementation of inherited, abstract method
//(required)
}
}
// INTERFACE //
interface MyInterface
// interface must have all methods abstract
// and no member variables
{
void MyAbstractMethod1(); // no implementation provided
string MyAbstractMethod2();
}
public class MyClass : Parent Class, MyInterface
// inherits both class and interface
{
public MyClass() { } // constructor
public void MyAbstractMethod1()
{ // must provide implementation
}
public string MyAbstractMethod2()
{ // must provide implementation
}
}

Firm stops with IBD stocks

Stops should be set to accept a maximum of 7-8% loss when trading any of IBD's top rated stocks. Rationale: IBD is tracking "big-dog" investors. When heavy-hitter investors start trading a stock, it can follow profitable channels. But, when they move on to something else, these IBD stocks often fall fast and hard without recovery. So, if the decline goes beyond 7-8%, it is likely to just keep going. GHM may be an example of this, as well as MOS, RRC, or KWK. Not sure if this is completely accurate, but it seems plausible.

We allowed a greater loss margin for GHM and ended up losing 11.5% on the trade.

One-month goal - starting 01 Sep 08

I know I can do this. I know I can! As long as I make myself do it for the month of September, I will be satisfied. Then if I feel like dropping some, I can, but not before.

• Mondays & Wednesdays - 6am Strength training class
• Tuesdays - 6pm Belly dancing class (yes!!!)
• Thursdays - 6am Krav Maga Bag training
• Saturdays - 10am Krav Maga Level 1 class

Crazy? Maybe. Possible? Definitely.

If I cannot stick to this schedule then I cannot justify paying for all three (gym, KM, BD).

Recent notes

• Europe post is coming soon, but not here - I need to have my journal handy
• Mr Malcolm was born!
• Job recruiters who sound like frat guys on my voicemail do not get return phone calls
• Cranberries apparently make my stomach hurt and this was a sad fact to learn
• Since using baking soda and vinegar to wash my hair it stinks when I blowdry so I may have to stop
• Apple cider vinegar is an excellent conditioner despite the unpleasant odor (which goes away when my hair is dry)
• I am soooooo freaking bored at work
• I may go back to Quest in a month or so if they can pay me appropriately
• An offer with Unisys is vaguely possible

SQL - Searching by first letter of record example

To search by the first letter of a last name in a table called Contact:

SELECT * FROM CONTACT
WHERE SUBSTRING(LASTNAME, 1, 1) = @SURNAMELETTER

Stops

I have to set stops from now on! I'm down over 16% on MOS. I should have tapped out around a 5% loss, tops. Damn it!

Life

• Went to the Radiohead concert last night with the Bowmans, the Taylors, and our friend David. Awesome show, excellent weather, great people watching.
• Signed up for knitting class which starts in late August
• Start next belly dance class tomorrow
• Started new strength-training exercise class at my gym. Can hardly walk because my hamstrings are so freakin tight. Going to keep with it though. Group fitness classes are good because I'd never make myself work that hard otherwise.
• In talks with old employer about coming back
• About to begin talks with Unisys for possible QA, home-based opportunity

Environmentally friendly draino

Enviro-friendly mixture to unclog a drain without unleasing toxic chemicals which may later polute our water supply.

From here:

Pour about ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain and then add about ½ cup of white vinegar. When it stops “bubbling,” follow up by pouring in a big pot of boiling water.

Dance classes

Pablo and I have completed Beginner Salsa I and II. We are not continuing because his Fall semester classes begin next month. It was pretty fun but challenging. I don't really like Salsa music so that kind of ruins it. hee hee

Bellydancing, on the otherhand, I am continuing. I just completed my 8 week beginner class and start another 8 week session next Tuesday. I like that music so it is a bit easier to get into. Wee hoo!

Chicago trip recap

• Stayed at the W Chicago Lakeshore - Too expensive for my tastes but it was fabulous. The service is excellent, lots of ammenities and perks. Unfortunately, the guestroom we had employed a shuttered opening from the bathroom to the bedroom and the bathroom door was thin, woven strips of wood. This means no privacy! Oh well, still cool.
• Ate at the Chicago Diner, as usual, for lunch Saturday.
• Dined at a restaurant new to us called the Green Zebra and loved it. It is a vegetarian menu though it also includes some fish. Brad got the Weep salad and the Crispy Tofu. I got the Thai Carrot Soup and the Curried Potato Potstickers. This was some of the tastiest food I've ever had.
• Went to a pub which was super cool called Five Star Bar. My brother would love it. Rather, my brother would love the waitresses.

More interview questions

• Current projects
• Performance reviews
• Code reviews
• Role of Business Analysts
• Emphasis on test-driven development
• Organizational units

See original list here.

Development life cycle

From us.sogeti.com

Married!

Fun with emails

Me: Do you guys have a boombox?

Dad: Um, no, I sold it in 1987. If you need one, call Mom and she'll pick one up. Do you need some Hammer pants to go with it?

Learned at work today

Enabling sorting of a gridview control (easy luckily):

Dim ds As New DataSet
'Call data method to populate dataset
ds = objData.whatever()
GridView1.DataSource = ds
If SortExpression <> "" Then
'Apply a sorting filter if applicable
Dim view As DataView = ds.Tables(0).DefaultView
view.Sort = SortExpression
GridView1.DataSource = view
End If
'Bind the data
GridView1.DataBind()

Fun with emails

me: Tonight will be fun. It's the last dance of my single life!!! We need special, commemorative hair pats [this is a dance move dear reader].

Pablo: I don't think your life is really going to change all that much after this weekend. GEEZ! I've already got a routine in the works in my lil' head.

me: Whatever - I will instantly gain 15 pounds. And my voice will develop a higher-pitched whining tone. I hear I might also feel like watching Oprah too.

Pablo: So, you will turn into Peg Bundy.

me: Basically.

Personal care au naturale

I tried the hairwashing natural alternative linked in yesterday's post with mixed results (wash with baking soda, rinse with apple-cider vinegar). My hair isn't exactly clean, but it is clean enough. It's like having "day-two hair." There is a large section on the top-back of my head which is of questionable cleanliness. The rest is clean, that part not so much. Also, my hair smells slightly of vinegar. Not enough for anybody else to smell, but I catch a whiff every now and then. It was particularly noticeable when heat-styling with my flat iron this morning. Things that may possibly have gone wrong:

• My water is too hard
• I didn't use enough baking soda
• I used too much vinegar
• I had too much product in my hair
• I needed to wash twice (which I do with conventional shampoo)

On the upside my hair is very shiny and the texture is good on the clean parts. The vinegar smell was only strong when my hair was wet and is a non-issue dry. It was easy to comb through after my shower without any tangles. My hair definitely was conditioned. I'm not surprised since I've always heard beer was a good rinse. Since apple-cider vinegar is also fermented I guess it makes sense that it would work too.

So, I'm going to try it again to see if I can't get it right. Then I'm moving on to deodorant.

Note: this might be a good routine if I plan on wearing my hair in curls - as the day progresses, a natural wave is forming and there is a bit of volume on the ends.

Natural alternatives for personal care

Call me what you want ('dirty girl' is my fave) I'm seriously considering natural, homemade personal care products.

• Hair washing
• Deodorant (Sarah maybe we can split a batch!)
• Teeth

Things to ask at next employer interview

• Leadership/PM's role in application development - hands on vs. independent; can I expect an architect to lead and develop plans?
• Application architecture (tiered? converted from older technologies?)
• Technologies most often used
• DBA's role
• Standards - how are they complied with? verified?
• Quality control and testing
• Number of hours average developer works each week
• Number of hours supervisor works each week
• Amount of interaction, team-focus
• Work area - isolated vs. close together
• Opportunities for certification/education and emphasis on this area

Stock note

Note: If a stock goes up an unusual amount before noon, take profits (i.e.: RRC went up 8% between 10 and 11 am last week then after noon fell hard)

Things I learned at work today

1. Can pass querystring values into sql reporting services data parameters without any extra code as long as they have the same name. SQL Reporting Services tutorials
2. Can override control properties set in skin file by using "StyleSheetTheme=" in the page directive instead of "Theme=". This assigns the same hierarchy as CSS formatting.

Ideas for things to do in Chicago

Going to Chicago July 18 - 20. Below are some ideas of what to do while we're there:

• Chicago Diner (for sure)
• Lincoln Park (bring swim clothes!)
• Chicago River historical/architecture cruise
• Check out apts Hawthorne House 3450 N. Lake Shore Dr
• Check out apts 3000 N. Sheridan Sat 10a-5p
• Check out apts 3260-3270 N Lakeshore
• Superior 110 building sales center (motivation/dreaming) 747 N. LaSalle, 3rd floor Sat & Sun 12p-4p
• SoNo residence sales center (also dreaming, but fun) 1454 North Dayton Sat & Sun 12p-5p
• Chicago Spire sales center (there is a theme here) NBC Tower 455 North City Front Plaza Drive 18th floor (Water & N Columbus) Sat & Sun 11a-5p

The Internet's First Ever Morrissey Dedicated Shop

Awesome.

http://www.viva-moz.com/

Back to blogging (finally)

Here's what is new in my life:

• Graduated college (again)
• Getting married in 2 weeks
• Going to Amsterdam in 6 weeks
• New job (still programming, just somewhere else now)
• Salsa classes
• Belly dance classes
• Stock market
• Considering move to NYC instead of Chicago next year
• Blogging after a 1.5 year hiatus!