Three Months

I am rapidly approaching the three month anniversary of me starting my new job. It has been a very interesting timespan. I've learned a ton about the actual nuts and bolts of large software projects: 

1. My skills with C++ have dramatically improved, while I've simultaneously been pushing it to its boundaries. I'm regularly confronted with issues solved in C++11 or C++14. My skill with templates has increased to the point that last week I used them to write code only possible with templates (I think). The language's warts and wrinkles are slowly becoming second nature to me, all while I try to prevent them from forcing me down ugly roads. 
2. Principals of software design that never took in a scholastic setting are starting to have real impact. A more visceral understanding of decoupling provided by factories, the perils of inheritance etc. 
3. The vital importance of excellent tooling.

I've really been enjoying my time. My team has been fantastic, and our project, [REDACTED], is going quite well. 

Winter is Coming

... Even in Toronto. 

We got a small snow storm this morning. None of it stuck around, but still, it was the first time that winter had seemed unavoidable. 

Recent Reading

I've been reading quite a bit lately, though not a lot has left a bit enough impression for me to write about... I burned through a bunch of Terry Pratchett, and while I love him, his books are like delicious bon-bons for me.

After I finished my latest book I realized I really should take some notes on what I've been reading to share. 

The Rook - Daniel O'Malley

The book opens with our main character opening her eyes for the first time - her memory haas been wiped - surrounded by corpses, with a letter from the previous-occupant of that body in her pocket. Turns out, she worked for a supernatural spy agency, with a mole. 

I really enjoyed The Rook. The main character is likeable, and the writing is quite good. I have some qualms about the last quarter, but not nearly enough to make me question reading more, when it appears. 

Ancillary Justice, Ancillary Sword - Ann Leckie

I don't want to say too much about these two; I am of the opinion that the more blank you go into the first one, the better the first book plays out. What I will say is that Leckie is building a fantastically interesting science fiction universe, and I enjoyed both books. 

I found the second book to be a smidge weaker, but I think that is because I have a feeling it is really part 1 of a larger book. 

The Golem and the Jini - Helene Wecker

The lives of two magical creatures, a Golem and a Jini, cross in turn of the (20th) century New York. A really satisfying read drawing from two different historical mythologies. I found there was a small section that dragged on too long, but the book was redeemed by the ending. 

Good Omens - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I thought I had read this before, but about half-way through I was convinced I'd never seen it before. 

Unfortunately, I seem to be the outlier. I didn't particularly enjoy this book. I have loved much that each author has done individually, but... I don't know. It's hard to summarize simply why this one didn't do it for me, but, at the end of the book I was more relieved that it was over than happy I'd had the ride. Could just be me. 

Take Care

So my wrists decided to chime in yesterday, informing me 'You haven't been taking very good care of yourself!'

Though I actually disagree, I think it's better I listen to my 'money-makers'. So, today I paid more attention to posture, to wrist position. I tried to move and stretch much more. 

Everything helps!

Geometric

Skywards 

It's hard to believe it's late September here. I've been sitting out on the balcony in my pyjamas every chance I get, reading and enjoying the hell out of the warm sun. 

It'll be terribly sad when it gets too cold or too rainy to be outside on the weekends. Working inside all the time I've developed quite the appreciation for any time I can get in the sun. 

Missing Sunrise

This morning I got up well before sunrise -- in fact, it's not scheduled for another couple of minutes. It's too bad, as I really enjoyed mid-August, when the sun rose just before I did. No amount of coffee can beat being woken by sunrise. 

I'm not excited for December. Most days I will be on the bus to work when the sun rises, and still in the office when the sun sets. 

One month

Well, my one month anniversary at work went by without a hitch. I am getting stuff done, slower than I want, but probably at an OK pace. 

We are settling in, slowly but surely. We have a couch now, and the home office is setup. I haven't really done anything in there though. 

I want to do a longer post later, but for now, let's leave this here.  

A New Journey

So, I meant to write something longer, but I don't think longer is really necessary. 

After finishing my masters, I have started a new journey, working for IBM Canada in JIT compilation. This blog continues, but, as expected thoughts are my own (though I expect rarely to speak as an IBMer). 

I'm on the bus now, headed towards my sixth day of work. Week one went well, if a little slow due to setup and catchup. I hope this week I will hit a good working speed. 

Onwards I go!