Julio’s Musings Around Columbia County, New York

As if by surprise AOL Music released a new version of it’s profile page that now provides a listing of the audio tracks that one has listened from their iTunes library or from other sources such as someone’s profile.

Though the page is still somewhat sparse (save for the audio listen list), it provides the payoff one looks for when visiting a Music site which is music that can be listened to.

Here is the link to Julio Hernandez-Miyares’ Profile

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares, AOL Music[/tags]

Recently, I complained (whined) about the challenges working in an organization namely a large organization. Being part of technology development it may just seem like the normal ramblings from a member of a profession that likes to complain. If you have been in this profession any amount of time you have both heard how clueless the non-technologists among us are or how everyone’s code is never up to snuff.

AS I have gotten older (and hopefully wiser) , I have become more inured to those type’s of attitudes. It’s not that Non-technologists are clueless by default, its that they speak a different language; product features, monetization, business models etc. How it happens when it depends on software is of little interest to them just like its of little interest how a car works as long as it performs it basic function reliably.

For Technologists to truly succeed and have fun doing do in an organization that needs more space then a typically sized garage, they need to become conversant with the language of their business partners.
They need to assess and adapt to different types of forums. Yes, if you are in an architectural review, geek out. When you are in a forum discussing the next set of feature enhancements for a product, leave the geekiness at the door. Otherwise the communication will be stilted at best
and totally useless at worse. Furthermore it will just sharpen the perception that Technologists are solely bit fiddlers and best treated as car mechanics. I am not saying going into a business centric forum and signing up for BS bingo. Its just no one cares about object oriented patterns or unobtrusive javascript and the infinite variety of jargon we keep neatly nestled at our fingertips.

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares,ADLC,Agile[/tags]

It has been a tough winter here in Columbia County, New York which is 100 miles north of the hustle and bustle of New York City. Had the normal number of sub 0 degree nights; and that is fahrenheit but the worse was the ice storm of January ’09 which left a path of destroyed tree limbs besides the 6 days with no utilities whatsoever. (Luckily I have a propane powered Generator so all was not lost except internet service)
Now that the snow has finally melted and am here observing the aftermath on a pseudo spring day , I can’t imagine the number of days it will actually take me to clean this mess up. Sure, I can hire someone and believe me with the economy in this here parts, I will find many takers, but I just can’t bring myself to pay for brawn. At least most of the time. That is something I still have. Well , guess I have to count the coins and see if I get my kids to do it.
[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares,Columbia County[/tags]

Though the collapsing economy has hit New York City hard, that is nothing new in its long history. Yes, there are more open pits or barricaded lots that may revert to mosquito laden urban lakes or parking lots while waiting for the next boom instead of boom cranes constructing the next skyscraper. Nevertheless the just ended boom was so vast that the city is still a sea of Kangaroo cranes with the skyscrapers inching skywards and 10′s of thousands of construction workers still gainfully employed.

As good fortune would have it, the World Trade Center site viewed above is such a sea (though not only one) of construction. Funded by Insurance proceeds and the good credit of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey it’s financing has not dried up due to the insolvency of so many financial institutions. In the background barely discernible in the photo is the core of 1 World Trade Center with steel over 100 feet above grade.
In the foreground is the recently installed crane for 4 World Trade Center, the shortest at 975 feet of a group of 4 massive towers that will be rise in tandem.

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares,World Trade Center, New York City Skyscrapers[/tags]

You know times are tough (economically speaking) when the cops come out in force not to maintain social order but to disrupt it further by performing Ticket Biltzes”. Here in Columbia County , New York they must be truly desperate for their raises and jobs as they are strewn about trying to catch unsuspecting motorists a few miles over the speed limit. The fact there is not much traffic in this idyllic county 100 miles north of New York City makes it like “shooting fish in a barrel”. Just think how fast you can move on a road just like photo above. No, not like a put put American driver but imagine you drove almost anywhere else in the world.
Just remember next time you fall for the exhortations of higher spending and by extension taxes for purposes of more police! In actuality you will end up paying twice. Oh, and your house will still get robbed as the safety patrol will be too busy manning the speed trap check points.

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares,Columbia County, Police State[/tags]

I have not seen it for myself though I will see for myself today (Sunday March 1,2008) but a friend went to Wal-Mart on Saturday just before noon and came away depressed.

Why? You ask? Because at 11:30am on a Saturday with good weather the Wal-Mart was mostly empty. That is the time everyone says “let’s go to the temple”! Well I say that but given the full parking lot I get the feeling most other folks here in the boondocks of Columbia County, New York say the same thing.

Before you get the wrong impression of my tastes, I only go to Wal-Mart for the regular stables; Clorox, Detergent, Salt, gardening equipment etc etc. I learned long ago not to depend on it for anything such as furniture or things of “taste”.
Given the fact almost everything you may need to carry on in 21th century in life is at Wal-Marts often at 1/2 the price and you get better service from friendly people then the struggling mom and pops, its just foolish not to take clear advantage.

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares, Wal-Mart[/tags]