A little something for people interested in becoming a Developer

Having recently “graduated” from a local non-profit programming bootcamp (Nashville Software School) I am often asked a various questions by friends and people I meet about getting into development.  The questions typically boiled down to “what steps to take to see if they have an aptitude for development, and what self-education resources are out there?”

I would tell them about NSS, how I heard about it, some of the steps we took in preparation for class, and tell them I would email them some resources we used as pre-work for along with other things I found helpful along the way. After doing this a few times I thought I should really find an easier way to share this information rather than forwarding an email over and over.

With this in mind, I thought “what better way to share this knowledge/information than to make a living, breathing GitHub repository?” This way it’s editable, shareable, open to collaboration, and always available for people to see. The “Code Shoulder” was born!

I am constantly adding new things I come across, and would love to see some pull requests from other like minded folks trying to help those who want to follow the developer path. By no means is this comprehensive, nor is it perfect. Just a collection of things I’ve found to be helpful (or possibly helpful!) to me on my journey thus far.

The Code Shoulder – A GitHub Repo by Eric Denton

I like puns.

Werkin’ It Out

I’ve had a roller-coaster of “health and wellness” levels in my life.

Early 1990s
In High School, I was actually quite fit and didn’t really know it. Participating in the Marching Band as the 4th Bass Drummer is a great way to get/stay “fit.” I was also on the Tennis team albeit being “last seed” is basically a nice way of not having to say no to everyone who tried out…
Average Weight – 165

Late 1990s
In College, I got lazy and discovered 1LB boxes of Cheez-Its and Playstation. Ridge Racer baby! Ugh. I was reasonably in shape due to the large amounts of walking and having a dorm room on the top floor and no working elevator. I tried a little here and there to get active; Wally-ball, Golf, and a little Nordictrac every now and then helped, but wasn’t enough.
Average Weight – 190

2000s
After I got settled into a “career path” and getting married, I pretty much let my health and wellness go. And go… annnnnnd go… I always had good intentions and a desire to be healthier, but would act on them rarely or give up soon thereafter. Take-out, fast-food, snacks, and way to much TV take their toll.
Average Weight – 215

2010
Post-divorce. After a succession of jobs and other situations that I didn’t necessarily love, and having been forced to move home (mortgage and apartment payment just wasn’t feasible) due to monetary restraints: I decided to make some changes. I started eating better, and portioning properly. I began walking my dog like he (and I) needed to be walked. I started dating. I got a GREAT new job.
The accumulation of all of the changes did wonders. I got off my ass and started a Couch-to-5K program with an awesome group of people in East Nashville (EAST NASTY!). I dated some more. I did the Country Music 1/2 Marathon!!? Two years prior to this feat, I couldn’t have imagined EVER doing this: finishing in 2:16:38!! This is a pace (10:26/mile) that even up until today I have a hard time fathoming that I maintained for TWO HOURS AND SIXTEEN MINUTES.
Average Weight – 172

2011 and Onward
I’ve maintained a lot of the benefits health-wise, but have backslid a bit on my diet. From a low of 172lbs, I’m now hovering around 185… I’m walking the 1/2 Marathon this year with my family, and am considering P90X, Insanity, or something similar to get me back where I want to be and even past that. I CAN AND WILL.
I’ve met someone (stopped dating!) I love and after a year together, we’re getting a place together around May. She’s a little whip, so I have no doubt that we can work together to get, and stay, HEALTHY!
Average Weight – 180 (and going down… 🙂

-e

Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick.

Some links I find interesting:
Beach Body! – A great range of workout video series that fit most styles, aptitudes, and goals…
Simplefit.com – Says it all. Found out about it at Lifehacker.
RunKeeper – I can’t begin to tell you how useful this is. I use it EVERYTIME.