You're Either Part of the Solution or Part of the Problem

"You're either part of the solution or part of the problem."

That saying is one of my favorites.  First, I would ask you be careful using this saying.  It can easily be taken as a criticism on insult, depending on when you use it.  In fact, I rarely will say this to anyone.

The value in this saying is to keep it to one's self and use it as an evaluation criteria for whatever you are doing.  As human beings, we often partake in destructive behavior.  I must admit that I have picked a fight with my wife for no good reason.  More often I've complained out of my frustration about some situation.  I've tried to train myself to stop, and ask "am I part of the solution or part of the problem?"

It's not a good feeling to realize you're part of the problem.  Don't beat yourself up.  Just stop!

Are YOU part of the solution or part of the problem?

All I Want for Chrismas is My Friendship Back

Dear Santa Clause,

I write you this year with a short Christmas list.  In fact it only has one item on it.  I want to re-kindle a lost friendship.

Back in the eighties, when I was in college, I met an incredible person.  She taught me about joy, optimism, and love of life.  She showed me the world was a lot bigger than what I was seeing through my tunnel vision.  We had the most wonderful of conversations.

Unfortunately, in the course of all that, I fell in love with her.  That messed everything up.  Through the tangle of emotions and circumstance, we parted.  Over the years, I have summoned her memory as inspiration countless times.  I hold her in the highest esteem. 

Earlier this year, I reached out to her through social media and tried to reconnect.  I am secure in my marriage and only wish to have a friendship that will enrich both our lives.  Unfortunately, I was dumb in my approach.  I sent her a Facebook message.  In it, I wrote she could get back to me if she wanted to, but I would leave her alone and not badger if there was no response.  Of course, I have no idea if she even saw the message...

Santa, if your magic powers really exist, let Michelle see this post.  Help her understand my best of intentions and have her reach out to me.

Yours,

Dan

Merry Christmas to All!

Diversity T-Shirt Day ???

So, today is 'Diversity T-shirt Day' at work.  Notice went out for the following:

Wear a T-shirt that displays what is important in your life whether it be a hobby, an affiliation, a belief, a way of life, etc.
Remember, "Diversity is...You" so everyone has something to contribute!

As I walked the halls this morning, I saw two people wearing Washington Redskin t-shirts.  This says something, though I'm not quite sure what...

The Wolfbane Manifesto

I was reading Gretchen Ruben's
blog post:  "Do You Love Manifestos as Much as I Do? Here’s My Habits Manifesto."  It got me to thinking...



What follows is not so much a manifesto as it is a set of rules I've come up with over the course of my career.  Some of these rules have hard-learned lessons behind them.  I've broken them up into categories to give them some kind of order.

My plan is to write blog posts about each one and link to them from here. 



Working In General

• When starting a new job, hit the ground running.
• If something doesn't seem right, speak up.
• Fixin' to work on something is a form of procrastination.
• Step back and look at issues from the other side.  Don't let emotion blind you.
• You cannot know everything, but you can know where to look or who to ask.

SW Development

• You can write software to do anything given enough time and money.
• If you are stuck on a problem, walk away, clear your mind, and then look at it fresh.  If that doesn't work, explain the problem to someone else.  You will most likely solve it just from the telling.
• Automation Rule of Three:  If you do it once, its an anomaly.  If you do it twice, it could be a coincidence.  If you do it a third time, you should automate because four and five are sure to follow.
• The software is not done until the last user is dead.

Leadership and Working with People

• Never ask someone to do something you are not willing (regardless of being able) to do yourself.
• You need to manage up and manage down.
• Everyone has something to contribute.

Where does Wolfbane come from?

Over the years, I'be been asked where the name Wolfbane comes from.  I was given this name in High School and many of my friends from that time still call me that.  By the way, there is a rule:  YOU CANNOT SET YOUR OWN NICKNAME!  

Wikipedia defines 'wolfsbane' as the plant Aconitum.  It contains a toxin that when extracted was historically used to kill wolves.  This probably had nothing to do with my nickname.

The nickname thing started at a restaurant in Clifton Heights named The Clam Tavern.  Everyone had a nickname:  Tonto, Squal, Gino, and others.  Mine was given to me by Louis Louvinere who started by calling me 'Hane-bane' then 'banes' then finally wolfbane.

This was enhanced by my 'songs.'  The big ones were 'Hungry like the Wolbane' by  Duran Duran and 'Wolfbane's in London' by Warren Zevon.  The other was David Bowie's "Fame."  Listen to the words and substitute Bane for Fame.

Bane, he's a man who takes things over
Bane, let him loose, he's hard to swallow
Bane, puts you there where things are hollow
Bane

Bane, he's not a brain, he's got the flame
That burns your change to keep you insane
Bane

Bane, what you like is in the limo
Bane, what you get is no tomorrow
Bane, what you need you have to borrow
Bane

Bane, "Nien! It's mine!" is just his line
To bind your time, it drives you to crime
Bane

Bane, Bane, Bane, Bane, Bane, Bane ...

This is all silly high school stuff, but at least it shows creativity on the part of my friends.  As my two sons reach the age for nicknames, I dread the idea of either of them being called 'E-Ho.'

Another day in Government Paradise

You know you are in a bad conversation when the words "but Dan, this is the government!" are said five times

Team Honored for Impact on New Combat Systems Acquisition Process

 My team received this award recently.  You are probably better off clicking on the link below to read.  It's nice to be recognized for what took up over a year of my career.

Aegis Excellence Awards 014