Today’s kata was in python.

The question was a classic computer science ask.  Identify an anagram.  As a reminder an anagram is simply rearranging the letters to form a new word.  The only rule, you can’t add or subtract a charcter.

My solution beat out 99.3% of the previous solutions in execution time.  The bell curve had a mean of 68 ms and my solution ran in 36 ms on aveage through the 34 tests.

As I studied the language, it was made abundantly clear that Python is a strong, dynamically typed language.  In other words, Python will determine the type based on the variable value that it is passed at the time of execution and it will not arbitrarily change, which can happen in Pearl.

In practice, this is pretty easy to see.  For example, when you have a number and string, the difference is obvious.

My roots are in C and C++, which translates to knowing what you want and being very clear from the instantiation.  Do I want an integer, float, or double?  Python takes that complicated decision away from and puts a number into the best “parking space” based on the value.  

This seems like a sound plan, who wants to park a mini cooper in a space designed for a semi tractor-trailer.  What a waste of space!  Same applies for variables.

Where I protest is telling me it is a dynamically typed language, but then turn around and pull this out of the hat. 

In Python, it is not necessary to preclude the variable name with the type; however, you must remember if you instantiate with a square bracket, parenthesis, or a curly brace.  In the rare instance you just give up and list a bunch of items, that’s ok, it will be born as a tuple. 

Is this not typing the data structure and taking the power of the dynamic typing away?

I digress, as languages are always full of quirks and inconsistancies.  It s easy to see how dynamic typing is easy with a simplistic variable and where it becomes impossible with a more complex data structure. 

However; I still contend that remembering to put a keyword defining what I want before the variable name is easier than trying to remember which esoteric bracting system I need to use. 

Today’s challenges are only tomorrows masteries. 

Onward and upwards I go.      

What I focus on gets 100% of my attention and care.  That seems to be such a wonderful quality, until I try to add all the pieces together.  While there are many pages in my book, they are all of different stories, different interests, so diverse that you would think my book was of many people. 

Why is this relevent now?

Recently, I decided that I was ready to re-start my career in technology.  Like most things that I do, focusing on ONE thing that I want to be good at and continue as a career has proved challenging.  

It all started when I began to compare my efforts with others.  Oh, don’t get me started, I know that is something one should never do, but alas there I was staring at all the GitHub accounts and blogs that were filled with a single focus.  These people are masters at this, how do I replicate this in the next 48 hours?  No, really, I did seriously consider that as a viable option.

While a resume is a very outdated way of presenting who we are as a person and a professional, it is still held in high regard.  Yep, dating myself here, but I was part of the generation that went to the copy store and found the most expensive paper I could afford to print my resume on.  Now, that same resume is held online for all to see and there is no need to impress with the weight of the paper and font selection. 

Diversity in Thought and Action 

Let’s just look at the last 12 months.  These are the things that don’t end up on a resume, but they are the actions I took which led me to where I am today.

Last year at this same time I was attending clases once a week, with field trips on Saturdays, to become a Texas Master Naturalist.  It was such an in-depth four months taught by amazing PhD’s in their given field of study.  We dug fossils up one week and handeled preserved fish the next.  

This has nothing to do with my interests in technolgy and it did not add to my GitHub account, but it was a very worthwhile experience.

Now, we are right up to the Christmas season and I spent a few weeks crocheting F-Bombs for my spouses entire team, along with homemade hand scrub for their spouses, and a cute mason jar with a mixed drink.  Oh, and lest I forget a personally curated present for each of their children. Very Pinterest worthy in the end.  Yep, still not GitHub worthy.

Next, came the season of building.  My adult son had returned home and so we needed to build out a room for him.  Over the next few months I learned many new skills: framing, drywalling, wiring, insulating, outside sheeting.  There was a lot of hard labor that happened in this short time.  Again, still not GitHub worthy. 

Now, we have the season of learning.  This started in February of this year.  I attended DSS, a data science conference, with my spouse.  This kicked off the 30 days of free access to DataCamp that culminated in a paid subscribtion.  Boy did I fight hard, in some circles this might have been referred to as raging against the machine.  I could not wrap my head around Python being a good choice as a development tool.  So, I plodded my way through the exercises, sending my spouse snippets of code demonstrating my underlying point that Python should never have seen the light of day, let alone be used to solve the world’s problems, but I digress, the end result is that we are still empty on the GitHub worthy content.

Then along came an opportunity.  It started as a joke, and quickly changed into something of substance.  My spouse made the offhanded comment that I should work with him.  I picked up a book and started down the path of learning all there is to know about Linux System Engineering.  In the end I consumed three full texts with an average page count of 700+ pages.  I worked exercises, and applied my new found knowledge to some home machines.  No one, and I repeat, no one, can mess up a Linux box better than a child.  

It was during this time frame that the family experienced two devestating storms.  One that ripped the gooseneck off our house and tore down our power line.  This led to us taking down several trees and tons of cleanup, things like fishing the basketball hoop out of the pool.  The second was a lightening strike so close to the house that it went up the ground, frying oh so many electronics.  The graveyard of appliances, computers, switches, routers, and all things with cords would make any one cringe.  

On the other side…

So, here I am, on the other side of that year.  Picking up Python with a new understanding, it is just different, and it really does have value, back at with DataCamp, and with the inkling to start applying for jobs. 

Yet, here I stand feeling like the imposter before I even begin.  What do I have to show for all the studying and work I have put in?  Where is my blog full of my lessons and awesome tidbits to share with others that may be sharing the journey of learning data science? Where is my GitHub account that is brimming with juicy exercises?

Well, a funny thing happened between my intentions of last year and where I stand now.

Life. 

In the end, I am faced with the fact that part of what I would bring to any potential employer is diversity of experience. 

1. I was not afraid to pick up dead fish, wade through streams, or sit on the side of the road and dig up fossils.  It brought me great appreciations for the ecology of where I now call home. 
2. My f-bombs are still talked about today.  As a matter of fact, two new people have started and I have but only a few days to make sure they have f-bombs.  
3. I picked up the hammer and skills to build, even though I never had in the past.  Under the tutalage and guidence of my spouse, I learned several new skills. 
4. I was never afraid to open a terminal window and navigate a Linux system, now I am not afraid to diagnose a boot issue, network connectivity, performance, or a myriad of things that I just let my spouse handle in the past.
5. I have come to terms with Python and I am learning how to adapt my C++ knowledge to utilize Python for data science. 

While my GitHub account may not be brimming with hundereds of snippets of code, and my blog is filled with anyting from recipes to how to lead a team to success…I am, in the end a very well rounded person. 

Three Epiphanies 

I woke up this morning and decided that I was silly to compare myself.  Yeah, I know, that was a pretty obvious one that I should have already concluded, but alas, I am still human.

In short, I can end with this.

1. I do not look like an average candidate and I never will.  Guess what?  I also decided that is a GOOD thing!
2. My experiences, no matter if it is learning to wire a plug or recover the /boot directory of a Centos box, they all matter. 
3. While job hunting can be a very de-humanizing event, the results do not define me.

Alas, it was a long journey to get here, but one that needed to be taken. When the right company is willing to take a chance on me, they will not be disappointed.  I can help remodel the building, do a little system adminstration work on the side, and still program up a pretty killer application.

Daily Kata

What do you choose to practice everyday? Success is created one small practice at time. I find to engage my joy fully I need to be showing up in a daily way. I thought I would take a moment to write about the five things I do every day to consciously orchestrate joy.

1. Get up and move — Sometimes a walk, sometimes more, but the body was made to move. There is so much science out there about oxygenating your brain or burning off last night’s pizza. In the end, it comes down to finding happiness in however your body articulates. I know for me there are days when the only movement I get for hours is adjusting my chair, but those are not the good days.  I find that when I am stuck on a solution, or just a bit sleepy after lunch, the best remedy is to get up, even if that means to the whiteboard for a furious brainstorming session.  I recently came across a pattern of movement that is so beneficial.  Their mantra is “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”  It is called Original Strength, check them out, take ten minutes out of every day and regain the strength you were born with.
2. Learn Something New — Just like our bodies were made to move, our brains were made to think.  Learning is such a fundamental part of being human.  Maybe you will find a new hobby!  This could be as easy as learning a new word, in your own language or bonus points for one that is not your native language.  Knowledge is never wasted, it never expires, and it makes sure you can always kick ass in trivia challenges.
3. Help Someone to Laugh — A good belly laugh does everyone good.  To find a true expression of joy, find something that not only makes you laugh, but also the person you are with.  Do something silly that will imbue joy into the day.  There is always room for a good giggle and sometimes being the reason someone giggles brings just a wee bit of extra joy your way.
4. Try It — I don’t presume to know what IT is for you, but try IT!!  There is something you have been thinking about, something that you are unsure about, something that you want to do, but you’re not too sure about…NOW…DO IT NOW!!  Time is something that moves whether you are paying attention or not, there is no time like the now.  Get out there and do the things that you want to do, try the new foods, explore your neighborhood.  Doing is definitely a way to find joy.  Only through exploration can we unlock the hidden gems that are waiting for us.  This journey only happens once, so make it a good trip!
5. Meditate — You don’t have to go all woo-woo, but seriously taking some time out of your day to close your eyes, breath deep into your gut, and let your mind go wild is all it takes to get a little euphoria.  Getting a little extra oxygen certainly plays a major part in helping your brain move about freely!!  Who said meditation has to be about a quite brain!  Maybe for you meditation is about expressing what you are normally shoving to the back of your thoughts.  Letting those thoughts dance and play is definitely a way to find joy.

Bonus…life is too short for cheap yarn.

This amazing picture was taken by Bonbon on Flickr, to see more of his amazing work click here.

When you have only 45 seconds to get your Zen on, can you do it?

Today, I was trying in vain to go through a guided meditation.  It started out so innocently as just wanting a few moments to re-center and focus.  The babbling brook fountain was actively creating the right environment, so I surveyed the situation. 

Check, check, check, all is right in the world!

Mind you the guided meditation I found was for TEN WHOLE MINUTES!

I put on my headphones, and prepared myself for the peace that was to come.  Listening to that wonderful waterfall and golden silence (being a parent has taught me that silence is sometimes more valuable than gold, but platinum silence is just not a thing yet…I’m working on it.)

OK.  I got this!

Ready, set, pushing the play button now!

After the first interruption I was good.  Got right back to it.  Then there was the sounds of singing.  Singing?  These kiddos are in the middle of taking a test online…there is not supposed to be singing!!

Singing managed.

Eyes closed, recording playing, one breath in, and there were eyes staring at me.  I felt them boring a hole into my back.  I tried to ignore them.  I tried to say it was my mind playing tricks on me as I was trying to meditate, but alas I gave in.  Sure enough not two steps behind me was a little that needed something.

I was 45 seconds into my bliss when I realized that for now it was going to have to last, for now.

Today will be the start of my scientific adventure into finding the vibe that moms give off when they are trying to be alone.  You know the one, it is the same one that children mistake as a call to action.  The most common occurrence happens when a well meaning mom thinks that her time in the restroom should be alone time and the littles in her life suddenly have so many questions.

I’m quite positive that if I can counteract that “alone” vibe I will no longer need to worry about seeing the water bill the month after the kids decide that a homemade swimming hole is just what the back yard needed while mommy was meditating.  But I digress, it is not all about the money, it is about finding ten minutes of bliss when needed.

All kidding aside, it is not unusual that mom’s struggle to find time to do some of our most mundane, every day tasks, like showering, without a knock on the door with a perceived emergency.

Some moms have found that they can snare a little time in the morning.  I am NOT a morning person.  Not to mention, two of my littles often compete to see what it is like to be up before the sun…that is an unfortunate truth in my house.  Yet, trying to zen at 10pm just doesn’t seem right either.

The truth…My health, my sanity, and my focus depend on meditation!!

So, until I can find the magic “I need attention now” vibe shut off button, it is up to me to find the time.  In the meantime, here are a few solid pieces of advice for getting your Zen in places you might not have thought about.

Remember, you are not alone in your journey and sometimes solving the problem requires enlisting those very vessels of unintentional interruptions.  Better yet, teach them the benefits of meditation and make it something you incorporate into your daily routine.

So my teenage son just asked what I was doing, and without thinking I told him I was writing an article about Squirrel Zen. I wish I had a camera to capture the look that darted across his face.

On to the story… I was watching a young squirrel play in the background and I started thinking about attention span.  Of course that leap didn’t happen in a vacuum, I was also looking online for the perfect Father’s Day gift and came across a squirrel disguise right at that very moment.

Look a squirrel! —————————————————————————–>

Treasure Your Squirrel-A-Holic

Think of the most optimistic person you know and you are probably thinking of an influencer.  This person fears above all else social rejection, but loves to be the life of the party.

I wanted to take a moment to talk about the influencer as they are most often mistaken for someone with a short attention span.

Here are 5 things that you need to know about the influencers in your life.

1. Fast Paced!  They like things to change up a lot in the day.  Their attention will drift in really long meetings unless there are lot of topics and exciting exchanges of ideas.  What this means for your team… They will also bring the change in the meetings, interjecting creative solutions.
2. Non-Linear! While they are thinking about the end and the few parts in the middle that will get them to the goal, the person trying to nail down step one with the influencer might as well try to nail Jell-o to the wall!  What this means for your team… These are the dreamers.  They see the big picture and since they typically communicate very well they will be able to spin that vision to others.
3. Optimistic!  The influencer will wait to the bitter end to throw in the towel and even then someone else will have to throw it in for them.  What this means for your team…  If you have ever read the story “Three Feet From Gold” then you will know that in the end the optimist will make that three extra feet to the finale!
4. Persuasive!  The influencer is very powerful with their words and presence, they will negotiate, cajole, and energize those around them.  What this means for your team…  The influencer is your sales person, they will take an idea, make it theirs, and get others to follow along.
5. Flattery!  With an influencer the old adage, “Flattery will get you every thing.” is indeed held true.  What this means for your team…  Giving the influencer the proper public acknowledgment will mean that they will continue to be focused on the success of the team.

Now the truth has to be told.  I have a *tad* bit of influencer in my character.  I began this post over two years ago.  At that time, the teenager mentioned still lived here.  Probably the biggest lesson of this entire article and the bonus:

Freezes!  The influencer will freeze, forget, and move on when there is something that they cannot figure out.  In this case the article was originally calling out ten things you need to know… When I reached four, my fingers stopped typing and I didn’t look back (that is until now).  What that means for your team… When you see that an influencer is stuck in a loop and not achieving the results that are needed, typically it is an infusion of creativity that will get them moving and shaking again.  Don’t give up on such a valuable asset just because they get stuck in the muck!

May you find that all the Zen you need in a world where we have Squirrel-a-Holics (or more lovingly referred to as the influencers in your world).