Currently, I am a point of sale system specialist for Ruby Tuesday, a role which focuses on updating current systems and implementing new software and hardware.
My education is in video game programming, where I learned a great deal about object oriented programming, software engineer, and general algorithm design.
On the side, I’m the Lead Programmer for a small independent game development studio, Grand Arc Designs.
This role involves managing other programmers, writing game code, controlling configurations and builds, controlling bugs, and some public relations work.
My background prior to Ruby Tuesday was in restaurants, where I spent over 5 years in management, with a focus on controlling labor costs.
My skillset mostly revolves around computer hardware and programming, though I dabble in a lot of other technical topics, like physical computing.
I have 5 years’ worth of experience in C++ programming, with a focus on game development, approximately 1 year in C#, and over 2 years Sybase SQL for business development,
and over 20 years working with computer hardware both as a hobby and professionally.
I’m comfortable in a leadership role, for which I have solid communication skills, and am a very reliable person in general, sometimes going years without missing a day of work.
My Goals
In the short term, I am looking to make the jump from support to development. Though support can be interesting at times, I enjoy development far more.
As for exactly which sort of development, I am currently torn. My background in C++ tends to lend itself to C# development, and I can see building applications and libraries to be fulfilling.
Likewise, the experience I have had in UI/UX and creative design in general makes front end web development sound appealing. I believe either of these would be a good next step for me.
In the longer term, I would love to gain a higher role on a development team. Management and leadership have always been fulfilling roles for me, and I believe that my blend of enthusiasm for people and for technology would make me invaluable in that role.
My Hobbies
Though I do enjoy programming as a hobby, I have a fairly wide range of other interests, most of which revolve around creating or repairing something, or involve music. The vast majority of the skills I've picked up here are self-taught, which should demonstrate my ability to learn new skills.
Electrical Engineering
I thoroughly enjoy working with circuits and electrical components. I lean towards projects that involve physical computing,
like Raspberry Pi and Arduino projects, or robotics, where I believe my knowledge of Artificial Intelligence might be useful.
I have a wide array of parts and tools to this end, and an even longer list of projects I'm considering tackling.
Saxophone
I was a fairly talented saxophonist in my youth (making 17th of 95 competitors in High School), but it's a skill I had forgotten about and recently picked back up.
My focus with it right now is mastering chords/scales in order to learn to improvise (to play music off the top of my head that actually sounds good).
Ballroom Dance
Dance is a fairly new hobby for me, having just started a couple months ago. I took it on thinking it was something a well rounded person should have some experience in, and found that I really enjoy it.
I may still have two left feet, but that's something I expect to change in the future.
Woodworking
I have long had an interest in making my own furniture. So far, my projects in this area have been more about function than form, but I am learning the finishing side of things.
Recently, I used these skills to stain/seal my stair case (a huge improvement over the carpet that was there), and to build a gaming table with a 60" Plasma monitor set in the center.
Home Improvement
Since becoming a homeowner several years ago, I have consistantly learned how to do new things in the home improvement realm. Over the last two years I have framed and finished the majority of a basement, learned to lay flooring and tile, learned how to read building code, and how to do electrical work.
Though I do enjoy these sorts of projects, it was the practical aspect that really got me into it. Being able to do most of this myself has made these projects far more affordable, in addition to satisfying.
Auto Mechanics
This is a hobby I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with. A lot of projects I have completed in this field were out of necessity rather than enjoyment;
I have had to replace head gaskets (which involves disassembling the top half of an engine), clutches (requiring the removal of the transmission and exhaust system), and several other smaller parts (radiators, alternators, and etc).
Sometimes I get to do upgrades, which I do find much more enjoyable. Recently, I replaced the intake manifold on my Mustang with a performance unit. It was the first time I had taken that engine apart.
Hiking
More recently, I started exploring some of the local hiking trails; it seemed a shame to have lived this close to some of the most beautiful trails in the state for as long as I have without exploring them.
I have completed 4 different trails so far; I typically try to take on one or two a month. I eventually want to expand this into backcountry camping (backpacking), as this area is extremely close to parts of the Appalachian Trail.
