Career Decisions Ia: More Thoughts

I have been thinking about the topics to spend time on over the next 18 months or so, what my goals should be for those topics as well as for the larger programming effort, and what kind of job do I want.

Topics
Of course, I'll study HTML/CSS, data structures, and some form of OOP. Perhaps Javascript/JQuery, too? I have a bit of Python, and quite a bit of Ruby. Should I do more? Should I be looking at understanding more network and operations topics? I haven't really a clue. Maybe I should be looking at a curriculum from a university to guide my pursuit.
What experiences do I want to gain? We have considered setting up our own server and hosting our own pages for the experience? What contributions do I want to make? Lots more questions than answers here. Once I know more about my goals and the specific types of jobs I want, I will know more about what topics to pursue.

Goals
A yoga teacher once asked me, "if you never improve your practice beyond what you do today, would you still practice?" This is one of the most profound questions I have ever had to answer. If I modify the question for this path, it would go something like, "if you never change careers, would you still pursue this knowledge?" The answer here is yes. I would probably not be as focused as I currently am, but I would definitely be interested in these topics even without the career-change motivation.
So then, what can I accomplish with these tools beyond a career change? What do I want to do with these new tools? I have some ideas, don't you know, and I am exploring this more :)

Jobs
Luckily, I have a better idea of the type of job I would prefer. I find design discussions horribly boring. I really don't give a rip about the type of font, or its freaking color. Serif or Sans-serif? Is there a difference I actually give a crap about? Can I read it? Good enough! I tend to gravitate to the backend of systems, and it seems like the place for me. I don't think I am a deploy or build engineer, but I would like to learn more to make the determination.
While I think test devs are the unsung heroes of the SDLC, they just seem to deal with a ton of crap from all sides and a frequent de-valuing of their piece of the process. Maybe it depends entirely on the place?

Career Decisions I: The Set-Up

I have been thinking for a long time about a career change. I love being an ontologist. I love the work and current company. But I am concerned that changes are coming, and I could be looking for another job soon. Unfortunately, ontology jobs are not a dime a dozen, or even a dollar a dozen. I estimate I have about 18 months before any changes really hit us at current company.

I could probably stay in ontology if we were prepared to move. However, C's business is going well, and we love the PNW. I did try to set my self up as a consultant once last company closed its doors, but I hate self promotion, and I do not think there is enough demand for ontology work on the fly.

I have a smattering of other experience. In my last company, I transitioned into PM-ing (Product for this company, but other places could call it Program Management). I liked it. I tried very hard to obtain a PM position after last company closed, but I got no kind of love there. It was very discouraging.

Additionally, I also have done some coding. As the developers at last company were building the backend entity store, I coded a tool for my own use. I have taught myself Ruby and taken some coding courses through coursera.org. I love the problem solving and the happiness of making something finally work.

I have contemplated a switch before now, but just haven't had the confidence to do it. It seems possible with some work, but without a game plan, it is hard to know what I should have in my toolkit before taking the plunge. My next step is to create a plan for gathering knowledge and experience and then implement it with monthly check ins. I reckon I have about 18 months before changes in my current situation happen, and that seems like a decent amount of time

I wish http://howtocode.io/ was ready, it looks like a perfect program!

Chicken, Apples, and Cream - Normandy Style

I love Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table. Recently, I took her Chicken, Apples, and Cream - Normandy Style recipe and changed it up a bit. According to her, cream and apples are a staple of Normandy. This dish really made me want to visit!

We usually buy whole chicken. It is less expensive than pre-cut chicken, and organic chicken is expensive enough!! I decided to bake the chicken and then finish the sauce. I was worried the liquid wouldn't be enough, so I increased it. I should not have done that. Next time, I will skip the broth all together and just use the juices from the baked chicken.

Here is my version:

flour
salt and pepper
whole chicken, cut into pieces
container of mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
one apple: cored, peeled, and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 T Calvados
1/3 C cream

Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour, salt, and pepper. Brown the chicken in a dutch oven, add the apple and mushrooms and then toss in a 350 degree oven until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. Remove the chicken pieces and start boiling the juices down on the stove. Add the Calvados and cream and reduce until thick.

This is a super tasty sauce, and it is great with something that soaks up that sauce. We used polenta.

Henry Shirt from "Sewing For Boys"

I have been really excited to sew from the book "Sewing for Boys". I previously used one of the patterns to make D's Christmas pj pants. I really like how the book's patterns include so many sizes. It feels like I can make his clothes until he goes to college! (Just kidding, little guy)

I found some awesome dinosaur fabric at fabric.com, and finally got to try the Henry shirt. I love this shirt's style in the contrasting fabrics and the large pockets on the side. Here is my finished product:

The sleeves and yoke of the shirt were all one piece. I had to really wrap my head around some of the instructions, and I found I could not sew from the middle of the back around the sleeves and to the collar all at once as instructed. I had to sew from the middle back out from the bottom of the sleeve in one go, then finish the rest of the sleeve to the collar in another.

I really like how so much of the pattern has the seams encased. I am so whiney about finishing seams. I do it, but I don't like it :P

I really didn't like the collar. Oddly, the fact that the under collar was smaller wasn't a problem for me. It stretched just like the authors said it would :) The collar and stand are all one piece, and it really flattens out. I think it is easier to make a collar stand up properly when there are two pieces. That said, it isn't so bad. Here is the collar close up:

Here is the shirt on my guy:

As you can see, it is a bit big on my lean fellow. This is as the authors intended and will work well here in Seattle. It can be brisk in the morning and warm in the afternoon in the summer, and in the autumn just cool enough to need layers. 

When I make this shirt again, I will probably use buttons and maybe add a button to each of the side pockets for fun. I might lengthen the shirt too. I wonder if cutting through the collar's interfacing will help make a collar that stands up better. 

Developing a Core Wardrobe - Pt I

For a while I have wanted to redo my wardrobe. I had a few years of changes, first being pregnant and then trying to lose that weight. I have finally felt stable over the last six months. Now, it is time to make a functional wardrobe that would serve me professionally and in my free time.

I started with this article 
http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/2011/07/french-chic-expanding-on-core-wardrobe.html
and the breakdown is along the lines of
button downs (2): white, pink
sweaters (2): yellow v-neck, grey cardigan
t-shirt (1): white,
pants (2): gray, jeans
skirts (3): multi, black, grey
dresses (3): grey, peach, multi
outerwear (3): long coat, jacket, blazer
The article points out the original set as being too sparse. I agree! I even think that about the expanded set of clothing. 

I love that this set of clothing is so super coordinated, and I want to pick out a set of colors that will focus my shopping and sewing. I have mixed feelings about the black/gray palette. I like browns, too, but maybe that is not helpful in developing a core closet. Maybe it is possible to do a black/grey primary neutrals for winter and brown/beige for summer? I am having a tough time deciding which ones to go with here.

In general, my current closet contains quite a bit of dark colors, and I usually find it easier to dress and buy for winter than summer. I have trouble with summer: finding colors I like and that look good on me. Maybe time for a color analysis.

I *was* making good muslin progress!

I swear it, it is true. I have put together the outer front and back pieces for the M5759 muslin and was getting ready to put the two together when these three beauties fell into my lap:

A tap class buddy had three sergers unloved in her basement and brought them over for me!! I was so excited I couldn't stand it! So, the three thread Baby Lock is the only one with a power cord. We managed to get it to start, and it looks like with some adjustments, it will be a good little machine. I have no idea about the other two. I saw cords for sale on Sewing Parts Online, and as soon as they arrive, we can test. I am partial to the Elna Lock, for some reason. I'll probably test out all three and see which I like best. Then, find homes for the other two. I don't think it will be hard at all. A few friends have already expressed interest!

I have never used a serger before, and I am so excited to learn. I tend to stay away from knits because I do not do well with them on my regular machine.

Jacket Muslin - the unsticking

I hope, anyway.

As I have most of my pieces of muslin fabric, lining, and interfacing now cut, I hope to begin actual sewing soon.

Our little muffin man had his first earache at the ripe old age of 30 months. I sincerely hope it is the last! It was brutal for him and us :( Big muffin man was also under the weather part of the time, so as last one standing, I did all the things.

M5759 - muslin

Finally getting to sewing the muslin for this jacket, and I am super excited:

I have plans to go through all the steps in creating the muslin, including the lining and interfacing. I contemplated not adding the interfacing to the muslin, because I am cheap and lazy. I need the practice, and I do want to see how the piece will hang. Needing the experience won out.

I have cut the outer muslin pieces, the interfacing, and the lining. I am using a bedsheet from Goodwill for the lining. I think that is a fabulous way to save money on muslins!! I found a white king sheet for $4 last time, and I was thrilled.

After this muslin, I will tackle the jacket with the black and white houndstooth with the red lining.

I find I am not very adventurous sartorially at. all. Seriously, I wear a pattern, and I am getting crazy. I tend to stick with classic color combinations, and so I am trying out interesting shapes, like in this jacket.

Python is a blast!

I am probably in the beginner/intermediate range for programming. I have used Ruby tons, but I wanted to learn more about coding. (Totally self taught...)

I signed up for Coursera's Learn to Program: Crafting Quality Code, but it uses Python. I didn't fancy trying to learn Python *and* the prinicples for the class, so I am reviewing the basics with the already finished class Learn to Program: The Fundamentals.

Python has been lots of fun so far. I am two weeks into the Fundamentals. I have taken two quizzes and have started the first homework. I had some problems getting Python's IDLE to play nicely on my Mac, but I had to fix my Tcl/Tk installation. Pretty straight-forward fix! And, I am loving Python's ease of use so far.