bguerra

28 year old here.

There is actually quite a bit of reassurance in that comment. I'm a full time developer and part-time student. I read through the articles linked above because I'm trying to decide on continuing my studies in the fall after receiving a promotion at work. The return I get from my work projects far outweighs what I've learned in school and I'm getting paid for it!

That comment shares a feeling I _don't_ want to have. If I have any motivation to learn something, why waste it on forced material that may not be relevant to me. I'm leaning towards not taking classes. Instead I can focus on learning technologies to integrate into systems I've built. I can read more for fun (which I was able to do this summer). I can finish that game I've been working minutes at a time for the last few years. I can build that bookshelf that I desperately need, to replace the particle board one that's falling apart in my room.

No hate here. If you're younger than 28 (or not) and you have regrets after reading it, you can still change that path. It might just take a bit more work or motivation that you were putting elsewhere.

I was about to recommend skateboard shoes to the comment above for the same reason.

It has been years since I've skated, but I've always liked the simple style of some skate shoes. After experiencing the same wear-out with running/walking/training shoes I went back to skate shoes. The last pair I bought five years ago and the soles are just now wearing out.

It occurred to me that most are designed to be durable against constant contact with sandpaper. While they aren't _as_ comfortable as running shoes, I found a pair that I really like. Being both simple in look, lightweight, and comfortable.

I appreciate that input as that's the point I'm reaching. Senior devs that I've worked with have said the same thing. However, I haven't found a convincing argument for upper management.

What would you recommend for things like school work?

I do full time development work but I'm self taught. When I was hired the company agreed to pay for part of the tuition to get a degree. I'm still a couple years away from completing all the courses, but I just can't handle a lot of the material. Much of it is outdated and a lot is biased based on the instructors past work and experiences. Last year I had to take a class on ASP.NET (web apps, not MVC). The school's introductory database class used MS Access.

I know there are benefits to these from a historical standpoint. Understanding where the technology came from. Access may also be easier for absolute beginners to jump into. Much of it just seems like a waste of my time though since I know these systems have been replaced. Having to work full time _and_ study technology that I know isn't commonly used has worn me down quite a bit. I no longer have the drive to learn that I once did. The obvious answer would be to find a better institution to attend classes, but I have a limited budget to spend on tuition annually and few colleges will allow for the schedule I need to continue working.

I was once hounded by reporters and criticized for not being up-to-date on the news. At the time, I lived down a small, back-alley road. There were only a couple houses along it. Apparently, several weeks prior, there was a major hit-and-run collision a mile down the main road where a man in a truck struck a motorcycle. The rider and passenger of the motorcycle were father and son. Neither survived. It was a sad story.

I didn't know about this event until news reporters came flocking down our small gravel street. For several days they were asking for interviews of anyone who lived down the road. Every single one of them was perplexed by my not knowing anything about the story, which was apparently "all over the news". Furthermore, they couldn't understand why I wouldn't give a statement after finding out the truck driver was one of my neighbors. A man I had never met before, or even seen. I informed them I had never met him, wasn't aware of the situation so I couldn't speak to it, and would go on assuming any other neighbor of mine is innocent and minding their own business. They could go about thinking every one of their neighbors is responsible for every recent murder and see how it goes for them.

I know that kind of constant reporting has been commonplace for a long time, but I wish there was a better way to show others that you don't need to read every news article or event to understand what is happening around you. I don't need fear to drive my instinct of what can kill me. I'm a rider as well and chose to join the community ride for the father and son. That seemed like a much better way to show support with other people that lived around me.

Though Sam and Frodo never actually got to eat the 'taters', the author did include some form of potatoes from that reference. He mentions it in the section about rabbit stew.

Sam’s advice on potatoes - “boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew” - also inspired us to serve a triple side dish of new potatoes, cooked in the ways prescribed.

Nice! Watching the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition in one sitting is an annual event for my close group of friends. This will be our 8th year. It's an exhausting 12 hour venture. We have a hard start time of 11:00am and have food prepped prior to the start. Though we've never integrated food from the books beyond wine, ale, and potatoes (boiled, mashed, or in a stew). Thank you for posting this, Nate.

If anyone plans to take this on, I can provide some advice beyond the article. First off, we've found that smaller groups work better. Too many people and it becomes a louder forum. Also, most newcomers pass out a short way into Two Towers. Make sure you're rested up. It may seem like you're simply sitting for several hours, but it is long and unusually exhausting. Also, too much of that previously mentioned wine and ale will only assist the dozing. Pace yourself if you're including drinks. Have the food prepped early in the day (hour before you start at least) and scheduled to bring out at certain times to help minimize delays. The biggest delay is bathroom breaks. We have these scheduled at the disc swaps, but emergency stops are understandable. If you're watching with a group, decide whether commentary should be included or not. Some people like to make jokes and quote lines the whole way through while others get really into it and just want to watch. It's helpful to determine which group you are early on. If you're in the quiet camp, know that there is almost no one talking by the end. Even if you're the most heartless person, after sitting through and watching the Fellowship's struggles, few people can refrain from welling up after Aragorn says "My friends...".