I’ve been pouring over your blogs and this quote finally got my hand of the mouse and onto the keys to comment. So much of this article felt like you were my alter ego telling truths on me that modesty and a well-developed sense of low self esteem (let’s keep the fun in dysfunctional) would cringe to brag so. But there is nothing wrong with honestly assessing (y)our talents.

I soldered my first computer together in 1978 so I got digital back when a digital clock was the kind where the little number pages flipped down and a bit was 12-1/2 cents as in “shave and a haircut six bits.”

But I digress…

Yes, yes, yes to all the insights in this blog: rediscovering the wheel for yourself; technology offers leverage that is largely untapped; custom can paralyze; etc.

But the joy buzzer that launched my hand off that mouse was your description of the healer of inefficiency as that was the sort of thing I used to do continuously, perhaps obsessively, but didn’t think to charge $100/hour. I helped a friend publish a guide by setting up a database on a Kaypro II and showed him how to format the text with codes which could be transferred (via sneakernet on a 5.25″ floppy) to a print shop with the latest/greatest typesetting setup saving a bazillion dollars in typesetting, layout time, production time, and turned it around from “I never knew this was going to be so much work” to “All I need to do is update the data and we can publish yearly!”

Alas and alack, technology has exhausted me, no doubt from the constant blood loss stemming from trying to remain perched on the cutting edge. I now just want a toaster: I want to put my cold, white bread into a machine and have it come out warm and brown. Tweaking has left the realm of streamlining and entered the ICU of trying to play keep the address book data, calendar data, financial data on life support and maintaining a system of organization while the technology whizzes by. I used to have over 150 QuicKeys memorized (I’m a keyboard player so they were just another chord progression to play).

But I digress…

Despite the morose tone of this I have been inspired by your writing if only that it is possible …if I can just keep whistling “Keep on the Sunny Side” while new versions of operating systems render years of organizing unusable. (see Mac System 9 to OS X)

Ok, you can throw this away, I have vented and feel better. I’m looking forward to your continued upbeat, zen, helping handed, head-tilted view of the world.

Jess

eP.S. I guess I broke the cardinal rule if only towards myself. Nothing a little editing wouldn’t have cured had it not been 12:39 in the ayem.

With all that Virgo, Adam, I bet you’re a great leader and an insightful teacher powered by an ability to listen…

Here’s hoping!

Yes, it does, indeed! I have a theory that Truth can never technically be introduced — Truth is usually recognized.

When you have an “Aha” moment, it’s usually something already within you that resonates…

A great teacher or coach can show you where these systems already exist for you and give you the vocabulary and tools to simplify and apply his system to your own.

With all that Virgo, Adam, I bet you’re a great leader and an insightful teacher powered by an ability to listen…