Tag: life

Why I’m Launching A New Career In Web Development

Carl Setzer1 Comment

Just over a month ago, I learned I was being let go from my current role. I’ve wandered this path before, so I, initially, wasn’t terribly concerned. However, the more I thought about it, the more concerned I became. Mainly, I’d been laid off twice in less than a year. Thinking further, since 2009, I’d been laid off 4 times. I’m a bit tired of that. Yeah, even being a tech-savvy executive assistant/project coordinator, that work is too easy to outsource. Plus, with digital assistant growth, the lessening of friction for scheduling, the ease at which most folks can book their own travel, and you see the recipe for a dying career. I’m ready to be, shall we say, more essential.

Pretty much all of my life I’ve had a fascination with technology. As a young boy, my love of robots and radios (I had a particular fascination with shortwave radios), evolved into space and aviation, then into computers. Early PC games and BBSs then morphed into a vocational certificate in Information Processing (mainly databases and spreadsheets). Looking back, my biggest contribution to most of my past roles has been digitally based. Whether it’s my ability to fix a copier, 90% of PC issues, set up and manage a network, use things like Photoshop and AutoCAD, or build a website, those were the things that added the most value to the world around me.

I believe that the web holds our future. We will interact with most systems and data with web tools. SaaS models are already driving there…in the fast lane. Web development is a fast-growing path (projected 27% growth over the next 10 years), with decent salaries to boot.

So, it looks like fun, and there’s a need, which seems like a great combination. Thus, off I go.

Life & Career Update

Carl Setzer

Update in the life of Carl: this Friday will be my last day at my current job. Though tinged with sadness (great people to be missed, though a commute to Bellevue I rejoice in leaving behind), I move forward. After exploring some re-training options, I plan to study Web and Application Development at Edmond Community College. Though still ironing out details, this path excites me. With a gap in my time starting next week, I plan to spend time catching up as many people as I can. Friendship: life’s best present.

Easter Saturday In Edmonds

Carl Setzer

We managed to squeeze a walk in my favorite seaside town yesterday: Edmonds. Though our day was full with prep for Easter, an evening get-togethere with dear friends, and getting the weekend’s errands done as we sacrifice Sunday’s productivity for fun and family. Sure, we squeezed some productivity into the walk, stopping for a few necessities along the way.

I love walking, both as a means of exercise and as transportation. I’ll be writing more about this.

After church, playing some brass church music, I’ll be heading to Bellingham to spend time with family.

What ate you doing this Easter Sunday?

Productivity In My Home Office

Carl Setzer

Today, as my son had a medical appointment, I opted to work from home. My office is quite well set up for such. Much better than many of the other places I’ve lived.

I’m rather fond of this space. It’s MY space. Decorated to my sensibilities, and with my momentos and such.

Yet I faced disappointment.

I’m often ambitious regarding what I want to do during a day. And when I’m home, free of distraction (relatively, at least), I think I can get monumental amounts of work done. It never works out that way. Now, I often get way more done that I would’ve in my office, at least in diving into projects deeply, and reviewing certain minutia. But my task lists tend to be ridiculous, which I think is facilitated by electronic to-do tools like Todoist. All I need to do is move the stuff I didn’t get done into another day. I am trying to be more thoughtful about what I’m attempting to accomplish on a given day. Giving thought to priority, to my goals, my objectives. So much of my career has been spent chasing after whatever goals have been dropped into my lap on a given day. I have needed to spend time focusing, which, though challenging, has been really fun, too.

And, someday, I’ll get a realistic idea of what I can actually do in a day. Someday….

The Future Laughed At Me This Weekend

Carl Setzer

My wife and I were at a sandwich shop. I had cash in my wallet (which I often don’t), so pulled out a twenty. I’m aware of all the costs a small business absorbs with digital transaction, so was thinking it would be nice. And it was, but they were a bit puzzled. They didn’t have the change on hand to break the bill. And, very politely, asked if it was ok to pay via card. Which, of course, was fine by me.

It did strike me, though, as a sign of the changes the economy has gone through. When I managed cashiers, I had to make sure we had able cash and coins to make change. HAD TO! Running of of change was a huge failure, and pretty much ruined our ability to do business. Credit cards were a small fraction of transaction, most being cash or check. And now, I get the impression that the incident above almost went down like “oh, yeah, I should’ve hit the bank and got cash. Oops!” Followed by a “meh”. Maybe I’m wrong, but I got the impression cash was something of an inconvenience.

I expect many of these small business folks are simply embedding the costs of e-transaction into their model. So many people I know, myself included, rarely have cash any more. It’s probably far easier to let paper currency go the way of the dodo.

I guess it’s time to, finally, set up my Google or Samsung pay apps. Maybe even buy some Bitcoin!

Maybe….

Thinking about 2017 and moving forward 

Carl Setzer

It’s been a mixed year for me. I started a new job, one that pushed me far outside my comfort zone. As a rather cautious soul, that’s been quite challenging at times to deal with. The frustration of too much to do with constrained tome. 

Another frustrating element for me: learning new stuff. It’s one thing to expand my knowledge, quite another to learn a new role, where a company depends upon my effectiveness. It’s a rather terrifying sensation. 

More positively, I’ve grown as a martial artist, and my family has done some great stuff. I’ve deepened friendships I valued, and grown to new ones. I’ve also spent the past few weeks studying myself, seeking to deepen my understanding of what brings me joy, what brings me success. 

There’s great emotional risk in doing such. What if those ideas I’ve invested so much energy in turn out to be bad fits? Of course, my internal counterpoint needs to be “why would I want  to invest time, emotion and energy into something that robs joy and beauty from my life?

So, exploring, growing, developing: that’s my theme right now. What about you?

Walks, Hikes, Life, Community

Carl Setzer

Earlier today I talked with an acquaintance about walking. He, like me, loves to walk. Lately, it’s been my main form of exercise. I’m a bit wimpier than my chum, not really willing to walk when it’s pouring. Perhaps I need to invest in some rain gear. But, being outside… that’s beauty.

Hiking brings joy to do many. There was this chap, Paul, who loved the AT (Appalachian Trail). After he died, far too young, his wife had the idea for his boots to take to the trail. A call went out, the great community that resides on the trails stepped up. Facilitated by the folks at REI, the collective took the journey and have shared it with us. Watch and listen with your heart. It’s worth it.

Motivational Thought by Eric Whitacre

Carl Setzer

I’ve loved Mr. Whitacre for years, ever since discovering his Virtual Choir projects (if you haven’t experienced them, go do so right now…I’ll wait).

I appreciate this post. Music runs deep within me. I find inspiration, focus and energy within the dancing notes. The reminder of its power: important.

What does music mean to you? I’ve talked with folks who feel “music…meh…” That’s something I can’t comprehend. Just so alien to me.

Has music saved you? Brought you focus and drive? Are there any songs that you turn to? I’d love to hear your stories.

Me and My Neti Pot!

Carl Setzer

Last week was pretty awful for my allergies, with all of the smoke coming down to greater Seattle from BC. So, with a dollop of rain on Sunday, and the changing winds, our smoke has cleared and my allergies have been far less cranky. Well, for a few days.

Now, though, something has started blooming. I’ve noticed a nice fragrance, but then the burning itching starts in the ol’ nasal passages. That’s where my neti pot has become a dear friend.

The clearing granted by the flushing of all things nose-y has, for years, made my life better. Allergy meds have had their place, don’t get me wrong. I greatly appreciate where we’ve come in that regard. Remembering the old days, of the drugs that filled you with grogginess, or the ones that amped you up (once I think I actually was having heart palpitations. Even though they aren’t perfect, they’ve been wonderful, really improving my life.

That silly neti pot, though. It flushes out the worst irritants, doesn’t dope me up or amp me out. This little bit of ancient technology has been, well, life-changing. Seems silly, perhaps, but I’m quite grateful I discovered the thing.

Though I love tech, and high-tech solutions, there’s value in the simple, and ancient. Flushing out my poor nose with water; who would’ve thought that we be the most dramatic learning in my adult years…at least in regards to living with allergies.

Now it’s Safeway, or Everything Changes 

Carl Setzer2 Comments

A few weeks ago, one of my local grocery stores rebranded.  After Safeway and Albertsons merged a few years back, the writing was on the proverbial wall. The Safeway branded store across the street was shuttered. A few months back, I noticed the start of a remodel. While talking with friends there, I was told the store would become a Safeway soon. That’s now done. 

A few days ago I noticed I felt somewhat sad looking at the sign. Well, the store has been an Albertsons as long as I can remember. Went there with my mom, watched the changes of the area, yet it was there. No longer, though. 

Lynnwood, this little suburb north of Seattle, hasn’t been as radically transforming as Seattle or the Eastside. Well, until recently. Stalwarts of my childhood have closed, buildings getting torn down, land redeveloped, vacant lots becoming neighborhoods. Housing prices sprinting upwards. 

Change. Pretty rapid change, too. 

Communities consist of these institutions, and their interactions with our citizens. The uniqueness of Lynnwood morphs, so what will become of the charms we value? I value?. 

Defining their value, though, is hard. I see the value to government, and our local business community. I’m a real estate agent and currently work in construction. I get that. Yet I worry that the influx of national chains and steep housing price inflation erode that which makes this community unique. Lynnwood has always been about commerce. But it’s also had a place for very one-of-a-kind businesses. Those are the ones vanishing. 

So many long-time residents I know feel concerned. Those things that build attachment vanish. What holds us here? At what place do we surrender to inflation and move to someplace more affordable? I guess that’s the question at the end of all this. 

I don’t know, my friends. Just don’t know.