tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51531848988321660152024-09-08T05:08:34.597-04:00Daring to excel means having the guts to speak up or take action, when needed... especially when others do not have the nerve.  It can be simple, easy, and harmless.  Or, it can be complex, difficult, and dangerous.  It means being aware of the efforts involved, the obstacles you may face, and the consequences of failure, and still being willing to proceed.  This very site is a small, somewhat complex, fairly easy (for me), and harmless (I hope!) example.  Enjoy!Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-27527462409882356252022-03-19T10:39:00.001-04:002022-03-19T10:39:05.832-04:00

Due to a spate of spam comments, commenting has been turned off for this blog. Eventually, all posts will be moved to a new home and this domain may be released, anyway. (Let me know if you're interested in buying the domain.)

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-16267737985738656842017-09-12T14:27:00.000-04:002017-09-12T14:33:38.938-04:00

   This week, in the USA, estimated taxes are due.  That means that if you don't have your taxes withheld by a W2 employer, you need to send the Infernal, er excuse me I mean, Internal Revenue Service a check for about 1/4 of the taxes you will owe on this year's income.  That doesn't apply for most people... but for freelancers, contractors, consultants, and other small

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-27316283007280152842015-04-14T07:59:00.000-04:002015-04-14T07:59:17.852-04:00

   You may remember the old Genesis song "Paperlate", in which Phil Collins sings: There's no need to be nice on the way up 'Cos you're not coming down!    Of course, most of us will come down.  Even if you don't, surely you'd like to go up faster, right?    Today, one of my favorite DJs, er, I mean, radio personalities (Paul Harris, whose blog and

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-63513371070117881082015-02-15T15:04:00.000-05:002015-02-15T15:04:56.399-05:00

   One of the biggest productivity sinks most of us face is email.  From the sheer volume (even after decent spam-filtering), to the necessity of actually checking your spam filter to make sure nothing got stuck in there that you actually need to deal with, to the temptation to waste even more time writing a reply, it sucks up hours of a typical busy professional's day.  How

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-52761113850429340312014-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:002014-12-15T00:00:05.698-05:00

   Today is not a widely honored holiday here in the United States of America.  But it should be.    Long story short, December 15 is Bill of Rights Day.  It was declared in 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt, at the request of Congress.  Since then, however, it has been largely ignored.  The Bill of Rights is a key part of what makes America America.&

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-13391761076620340582013-11-04T13:26:00.000-05:002013-11-04T16:08:59.593-05:00

   It's been a looooong time since my last post here.  Sorry 'bout that!  Been kinda busy working.  But an important thought occurred to me about tomorrow.    No, I don't mean the generic tomorrow, as in the near future.  I mean specifically November 5, 2013.  Or rather, the day after the first Monday (which, mind you, isn't necessarily the first

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-17340841813430795572012-10-07T16:29:00.000-04:002013-03-29T08:19:11.863-04:00

   Everybody has had the experience: "D'oh!  I forgot to follow up on that, and now the opportunity is gone!"  Whether the opportunity is for a job, a client, a lover, or whatever, you need to get back to them.  And yet, being merely human, we forget.   This is one of those areas where being an absolute geek can really help.  No, it won't help you figure

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-36055734176425758902012-03-29T09:00:00.003-04:002012-03-29T09:07:19.703-04:00

   I can't believe I haven't posted on this before.  Sometimes we humans can't see the forest for the trees.    Some of us find it difficult to excel in an office setting.  No, I don't just mean the fact that we're indoors, at a desk, staring at a computer.  That may be factors for some people.  More commonly, though, it's that you're slaving away for

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-15952006907026822422012-02-25T15:22:00.002-05:002012-02-25T15:22:50.468-05:00

   This is the text of a speech I just gave, winning the Area level of the Toastmasters International Speech Competition, which culminates in the World Championship of Public Speaking.  Since that obligates me to go on to the Division level, I'd really like to get your feedback on this -- just remember that it has to fit in five to seven minutes.  :-)  And as usual, I

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-45827309563682610802012-01-18T07:19:00.000-05:002012-01-18T08:12:28.037-05:00

   This post is black in protest of SOPA and PIPA, the House and Senate bills that will strangle freedom and innovation on the Internet, while doing next to nothing about "piracy", the alleged reason for the bills.  Take action! * Go sign Google's petition against them, at https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/, and any others you can find. * Contact your Senator and

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-53590338685341902282011-12-10T12:46:00.001-05:002011-12-22T07:11:12.934-05:00

   As I mentioned last time, I'm now mainly chasing Ruby on Rails (RoR) work.    (Don't worry, I'm not going to get too geeky on this blog.  If you want geekitude, though, see my coding blog, Attack of the Codosaurus, at http://www.codosaur.us/.  Here on Dare2XL, I'll throw out the names of some technologies, but won't expect you to know what they mean, other than

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-28636271660521043752011-11-09T21:31:00.001-05:002011-11-22T12:09:01.225-05:00

   As some of you already know, I am no longer with Rosetta Stone.  Long story short, I've been "let go".  Tragedy, you might think?  Comedy, in some ways, perhaps.  But I'm hoping to making it a turning point of my history.  How?  By making it a BID -- a Blessing In Disguise.    Those of you who have seen my code blog, codosaur.us, know I like

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-24366598694373664602011-03-18T19:18:00.000-04:002011-12-23T10:27:47.571-05:00

   This is a transcript of the speech I gave last night, winning second place in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest (for Area F3 in District 27):    Each and every one of us, Mr. Contestmaster, fellow Toastmasters, honored guests, and yes even I myself, ought to be committed... to our goals.    We've all heard time and time again, how

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-15128279529944153442011-01-23T13:42:00.002-05:002011-01-23T14:54:16.238-05:00

   As some of you may know, I live in Fairfax, and recently switched jobs from Reston to Rosslyn.  My former commute of half an hour by car, is now about an hour by CUE bus and Metro train, each way.  This means an extra hour out of my life each weekday.  Why, that's just got to mean a lot of lost time, doesn't it?    Well, yes it does -- but not as

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-12865376115846140752010-12-26T16:17:00.002-05:002010-12-26T16:20:21.985-05:00

   As many people have said, some go to the fountain of knowledge to drink... while others merely gargle.  Some want to swim in it.  Some just sail their toy boats on it, and don't actually partake of it.  Some even go to pee in it, and foul it for everyone else.    The way of excellence, though, is to bring a canteen!    First of all,

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-36886226050441382782010-11-20T21:14:00.000-05:002010-11-20T21:14:30.758-05:00

   Of course I don't mean stupid chances with major risks for minor possible gains, like jumping over canyons in a motorcycle, mouthing off to the gang of bikers at the bar, or voting for <insert personal least favorite political candidate here>.    But, don't be afraid to take any risks at all.  Even in the security business, they don't try to eliminate

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-29598290045315880122010-11-14T14:43:00.002-05:002010-11-14T15:10:45.714-05:00

   One great way to assess, and probably improve, your skill in something, is to enter competitions.  Some people claim that deliberate competition is evil, "macho", or the turf of chest-beating neanderthals.    Horse hockey!  I think these people are just afraid of competition themselves.  Getting over such fears is what this blog is all about, so

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-57163790322731167902010-11-07T17:49:00.000-05:002010-11-07T17:49:53.470-05:00

   There are several levels of daring to be different.  The one I mean, is the one often phrased as "Be yourself".  Some of you might be thinking, "well duh, of course I'm me, who else would I be???"    But some people sometimes believe that they need to hide their real feelings, hopes, fears, etc., for various reasons.  They may want to impress

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-7682262300602194432010-10-30T15:07:00.000-04:002010-10-30T15:07:54.916-04:00

   In the "Spiderman" movie, his mom said to him, "You're not Superman, you know!"    Are you?    Probably not.  At most, one of my readers is.  More likely, none.    Chances are pretty good that, once in a while, you run into something you're just not able to complete alone.  So what do you do then?    Some

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-81899277930468458152010-10-03T19:52:00.000-04:002010-10-03T19:52:24.453-04:00

   Remember the boss from last month's entry, who wanted you to rush rush rush and hop to it on his supposedly need-it-now task, which rarely really is?  That kind of boss is likely to also pile unreasonable amounts of work on you, especially claiming again that it's an "emergency".    Don't fall for it, unless of course it's a true emergency.  That means,

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-24360187206756865152010-10-03T19:35:00.000-04:002010-10-03T19:35:51.936-04:00

   Remember a couple months ago, when I wrote that Quitters Can Win?  In the software development arena, we have a tradition called "dogfooding".  It didn't originate with us, but we do try to do it when possible.    What's the connection, you wonder?  "Dogfooding" is short for "eating your own dog food" - click it for the Wikipedia explanation. 

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-83202584748612441642010-09-06T15:47:00.000-04:002010-09-06T15:47:51.486-04:00

   How many times has this happened to you, just before you leave for lunch? Boss: I need this report ASAP! You: Sure, boss, I'll get right on it.  (You cancel your lunch plans, work work work, and crank out a report.) You: Hey, boss, I just finished the report!  Had to skip my lunch plans, but I got it done ASAP, just like you said! Boss: Uh, thanks,

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-45600648561514658442010-08-29T15:07:00.000-04:002010-08-29T15:07:42.106-04:00

   I've got ideas.  You've got ideas.  All God's chilluns got ideas.    But do we act on them?  No, usually we file them away, procrastinate on them, and eventually forget them.  Instead we need to get committed.  No, I don't mean to a mental institution; I mean that we need to commit to actually bring these ideas to fruition.   &

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-62937076501723977612010-08-22T13:11:00.000-04:002010-08-22T13:11:23.213-04:00

   Today's entry is inspired by one of my favorite podcasters.  The podcasts contain mainly technical information, but there are a lot of politics about the subject too -- including lots of misinformation and outright lies.  Not from him, that is!  I mean in general.  Especially from the other side, of course.  ;-)    Over the past few years,

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153184898832166015.post-78448479474418931882010-08-14T22:01:00.000-04:002010-08-14T22:01:23.384-04:00

   Imagine trying to knock down a brick wall by pounding your head against it.  Literally.  You finally realize that it's not exactly the smartest idea in the world.  So you quit.    What?!  You quit?  But quitters never win, and winners never quit, right?  They (the infamous They) have been telling you that for you whole life!  So

Dave Aronsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05727750970755433075noreply@blogger.com0