Abecedarium
A collection of things I like or find interesting. Inspired by Nyuma.
A
Abstraction
Python is built on C, which is built on ASM, which runs on CPUs, which are built on formal logic, which is implemented with transistors, which only work because electricity, which is just... anyway. To me, the word abstraction is about appreciating that the things I do are only possible because of the hard work of many others before me.
B
Bruce Springsteen
The music is great, but what really hooks me is the live performances. I implore you to skip to 2:20 of this A Promised Land performance, listen for a minute or so, and then try to tell me you don't feel something!
Buffalo Bills
Go Bills. No further comments.
C
C++
My favourite footgun.
Chesterton's fence
In case you are unfamiliar. Sometimes I'll stumble across a piece of code and my first thought is 'I don't think we need this, perhaps we can get rid of it'. However, upon further exploration I am almost always wrong. It turns out that code did do something useful, I just lacked the context/knowledge that was needed to appreciate why it was there. It's a constant reminder of how much I have yet to learn.
D
Done is better than perfect
The perfectionist in me could give you a bunch of ways that taking this adage at face value could backfire. But you'd never hear those reasons because I'd be too busy trying to find the perfect words to say it. For me, this isn't about finding an excuse to put out poor quality work, it's about quieting the perfectionist that lives inside us all :)
H
Headphones
The best thing ever when you need a break from your surroundings.
J
Just keep showing up
That's all you can really do!
P
Piano
I was
forcedplaced into classical piano lessons as a child and ended up playing it for about 8 years. But I never actually enjoyed it, I just did it because for me piano was this ladder I was supposed to climb. Complete Level N so that I could reach Level N + 1. I quit at the age of 13, then returned after an 8 year break, and only then did I realize that the whole point was to actually enjoy playing the music, not just climb the levels. Now I play every week and I love it.R
React Native
JavaScript all the things!
Running
I ran competitively for 14 years, from elementary school all the way up to the collegiate level. It taught me a lot about who I am and has provided me with some truly lifelong friendships.
S
Subways
My favourite form of transit and it's not close.