2011: A Year in Review

      2011 Has marked a critical year in my life. It's been my first year Fully employed, and I'm extremely thankful for that. The choice I had to make a year ago between a job that made big money vs. a job that I loved doing. Most people would have chosen the first one if they looked at it just by the numbers. But I had something else sway me the other way. After trying to make the big corporate standard engineering job work, I found that it just wasn't worth it. Sure you'd make good money but you'd waste it all by the time you had it in hand. Your mental health is worth a lot more than you think as well.

       It's also been a year of great change.

What happened to the old website?

      For those of you who were redirected from DCLTech.com, I've decided to pull my Photography and Contract engineering services off of the market - I have enough return customers for Photography as it is, and I'm quite busy with my full time job as well. However, I will be updating this blog with occasional photo work as well, so stay posted if you enjoyed the photos I took in the past.

 Thanks, -David

Harris Hill Gymkhana!

Watch my compiled video of the Harris Hill Road Gymkhana!

I tried some new camera and processing work to make it more documented to the steering inputs.

A new start for the year

After almost 5 months of unemployment, some emails I had sent earlier in the year finally came through.  I landed a full time job at a great place to work, and I started near the beginning of January.  This marks almost 2 Years since I graduated and hit the market.  Looking back, I'm not sure what to think of it.  Lots of things happened in these past two years that built my character and understanding, and maybe that's what it took to get to where I am today.

Regardless, I stoked at the new job!

Maybe the best defense is a good offense

This marks the one month mark of unemployment for me, and I think I'm going to try the opposite of the current trend.  In this economy's downtime, people are downsizing and holding back.  It's the "safest" thing to do.  However, maybe that isn't the best thing to do right now.  Maybe the best is to expand while others contract.  Take advantage of the market's state and invest the time, effort, and capital.

I have been fortunate in that I have to opportunity, the networks, and the resources to even make this venture - and I think I'm going to take it.

Let's see where it goes.

Recommended Reading: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a book that teaches exactly what it says - how to be effective.  Some may consider this a "self-help" book, but if you notice its following or how many companies put this on their required reading list, its more than just that.  It teaches on a personal, professional, and human level to be more effective.  The book has a structured diagram and explains each of them in chapters, with each of the chapters being perquisites to the other chapters.

What are some of the advantages to the book?  One of the biggest advantages is it teaches about yourself and things that might be holding you back - and then gives solutions and reasons for them as well.  Each chapter has multiple examples of a solution, and why it worked.

On a personal level, it helps you either achieve what you want, or help you understand your situation.  On a professional level, it helps you work well with other people regardless of your position, from subordinate to supervisor.

I'm on my second read through right now, and so far its just as good a second time.

IT band injurty: Update

After months of work, I have finally removed the majority of the issues and pain surrounding my knee.  Several slow bike rides, lots of work at the gym, and LOTS of Trigger Point products to help get me back to the road again.  Hopefully I'll be back to 100% in a few months!