Elliott C. Back: In Aere Aedificare

It’s an ominous word, that one, and yet it’s incredibly important for me to wake up and realize how little time I have. My day can be divided into a 12 hour chunk from 7 AM to 7 PM when I am working and eating. Then I need 7 hours of sleep. That gives me five hours for the day, less if I work later or have a long dinner, or just want more sleep. There’s not a lot you can get done in small four hour chunks, so I need to set my mind on it and establish some goals for myself, firm, workable goals in order to get them done.

“I’m quite excited about what the future brings for this website and myself.”
“But it won’t happen unless I conspire with all my will.”

First, I need to begin work on secret project X. Tomorrow I will code the backend; php/mysql will suffice to code the functions insert, update, flip, delete, rate, and comment [ed note–done]. Wednesday I will test the backend code against a basic layout. Thursday I will layout the page elements and begin working on the javascript. At this point, secret project X will be nearly done and I can polish details during the weekend, and prepare it for release.

Second, I need to finish the design of my new blog layout. Admittedly, it’s taking a long time. First on my list of priorities is to get my idea of tagging working properly, then to improve the overall layout. The menubar needs a lot of work. The comment form will receive particular attention; my ideas for this are actually innovative, for once. WP 2.1 code needs to be installed immediately, then the usual gamut of caching, searching, etc plugins must be installed and tested and tucked into corners. The theme must be widgetizable.

Third, I just bought a site. It’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this. I’m not quite sure what to do. My thoughts on the matter are: 1) get the site operational on my servers, 2) reduce its operating costs, 3) increase community appeal by allowing visitors to tag and comment on context, 4) monetize, 5) promote. It’s going to be very new to be trying to turn over a business site, instead of the usual pseudo-personal blob dabbling I’ve done.

Finally, I have another idea for a business-oriented site that will leverage the “blogs are hot” mentality. It will probably take about a month of undivided time to execute, because the service it provides will be quite high-load. However, I had an inspiration last night for the interface and I will jot it here:

^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

    = - .. a
    = - .. b
    = - .. c
    = - .. d

  ## ## ## ##

I am really not kidding you ^.^! If I can accomplish these four menial tasks, I will have accomplished the following goals:

• Diversified my online holdings
• Founded new profitable, self-sustainable business
• Increased the worth of my existing blog properties
• Won the undying affection of my Wendy

I know it all sounds a little vague, endearingly romantic, and naive, but trust me on this one. I’m a professional, I’m in my game, and I’m going to turn out some good work soon. I just need to focus my mind away from the distractions of games, movies, tv, books, sloth, food, and all those things that slow the mind, and keep low the spirit. Fly, Halcyon! Fly, Moon!

I took a totally awesome digital photo of a Squirrel this morning. I should bring my camera with me more often:

Squirrel climbs tree in snowy East Elmhurst

It might very well be the best photo I’ve taken with my Canon S3. For once the zoom, the lighting, and the image stabilization all worked together to get me a well-lit, clear, crisp closeup of a living animal. I’m so excited!

According to a survey recently conducted in the UK, “one out of every eight men surveyed would willingly ditch their girlfriend for a hot gadget.” Apparently 17% of my age group would do it. Can you imagine that there’s a 1:5 chance your boyfriend would rather have a new iPhone than you? WOW!

So, an iPhone might keep me busy for a few hours, but my girlfriend has the potential to keep me happy forever. It’s so weird. I really can’t fathom anyone valuing a gadget over their girlfriend!

Those workers now making $5.15 an hour, or $10,300 a year, on their minimum salaries have just received a raise of 41%. Over the next few years, if the Senate approves the wage hike, these minimum wage employees will make $14,500.

I’m not sure the economics of this are a good idea. First, it only benefits the 450,000 or so Americans making minimum wage. Second, it does nothing to offset the costs of their employers. Why not let the free market decide wages?

A minimum wage doesn’t do anything for people who make significantly more than it, either. If wages are to be raised, why are minimum wages being raised? If compensation is based on market merit, shouldn’t those making more money get a raise for their hard efforts? If minimum wages are paid to those jobs or individuals who are least useful to the market, shouldn’t they be then paid less?

It seems to me that the minimum wage system is an unnecessary burden to a developed society. If jobs need to be done, people will pay a premium to have them done. Without minimum wage, I find it unlikely that people will as a whole make less money than before. If you look into the history of the minimum wage, you’ll see that it came about as a means of avoiding strikes, thus actually giving corporations the ability to set a low grade of pay. Take back your freedom, vote away minimum wage!

Every year there are things to be done, but this year I have a few extremely concrete resolutions. These aren’t the kind of things that will make my body strong, or cure me of some minor addiction. Nor are they resolutions to try adventure for its own sake, or to experience new thrills. Rather, these resolutions are the sort that will ensure a life of happiness and a gloriously bright future.

Resolution #3: To pay at least $2000 a month towards my student loans, thus eliminating them in less than a year.

Resolution #2: To increase my skills at the guitar, learn and create new music.

Resolution #1: To give Wendy everything I can, and then a little more.