Monday, January 21, 2008

Random thought of the day

I think Mexican ninjas would've been sweeter than Japanese ones.
Launching a startup is one of the most mentally unhealthy things you can do. (Especially alone.) All your fear and inadequacies sit there and stare back at you and say, "How you gonna pull this off, fuckface?" I've wanted to quit, but I have to finish now. I don't even care if I lose money now, I've got to finish.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Years of experience in the industry is a poor indicator for how much somebody can actually accomplish. What matters is how many of those moments were focused, and is the stuff you're learning useful for the future.

And if you're 3 or 4 times more productive and useful than another employee in your field, no company will ever pay you 3 or 4x what that other employee makes. The only way out of a company not valuing you accurately is starting your own company.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Asstastic Countrywide

I'm getting the following message trying to transfer money from my savings account at Countrywide Bank:

Our online banking system is currently unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please try again later.


I read on Paul Kedrosky's blog that the entire financial sector is being cluster bombed in order to scare out rumors that a large financial company is filing for bankruptcy protection, with Countrywide stock down 28%. I had to make sure Countrywide still has FDIC protection this morning (imagine if any bank ever lost it; the run on the bank would be catastrophic! I should know more about the protocol for losing FDIC coverage...) Countrywide is even putting press release style messages above my account info, saying that their business is actually looking up, which of course erodes my confidence further.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

One nice thing about working alone...

is that I can start dancing during the workday if Justin Timberlake commands it.

Monday, January 7, 2008

When programs make you look dumb

I normally attempt to take responsibility for all my actions (or at least I like to fantasize that I do), but if a program allows me to make a single mistake, I consider it the failure of the program (and it's my failure if I wrote that program). I recently wrote on my own facebook wall accidentally, if your first instinct is to say, "wow, you're not that smart", your attitude is holding back progress in software.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Google maps for grocery stores

My dad wants Google Maps for grocery stores. You should be able to type in your shopping list and have the quickest route through the store printed out for you.

The dried sweetened hibiscus flowers...

from Trader Joe's are tasty

wtf?!

Slavery was legal in Saudi Arabia until 1962!