I know, I know, it’s been a while since I last blogged.  I’m catching from every which way so I figure I better get this over and done with.

The new job is going well, I’ve learned quite a bit and there seem to be some good opportunities here to learn and grow professionally even more.

There isn’t too much excitement these days.  I’m finishing up some projects around the house, waiting for Guitar Hero III to come out, and working a fair amount.

I have found time to watch my beloved Packers.  It’s been a pleasant surprise, but I still think they are an 8-8 team and the lack of a running game will catch up with them soon.  Hopefully they can prove me wrong!

I’m thinking I need a trip to Vegas, it’s been too long for me.  Although the weather window in Vegas is quickly closing.  May need to hold off for a tropical vacation this winter.

I just need to post and write a few things down, so here it goes.

1) Tina got a new car tonight. A 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. It’s a nice mid-sized SUV. It makes me want a new car, but I’ll wait a bit and save some more cash. Good for her!

2) If you didn’t already know I am moving on in my career. I am leaving President Homes and going to a place called Penchant Software. They are a true IT company, something I’ve always longed for. They are smaller (12 people) but with half of them being developers, it’s gotta be good. I am excited about the change and the opportunities that will arise there.

3) I swear I came up with one of the greatest ideas (albeit, it’s strictly hobby and won’t make me a millionaire). Look for announcements in the coming months. Granted when it comes to outside, DIY type endeavors, I am not the greatest with execution as I tend to have many things going on, but this one might really be fun for me too.

4) I’m really hoping to hit the powerball tomorrow night. That will negate #2 and leave me plenty of time and yearning for #3, as well as facilitate #1. Sounds like a win win win.

5) Speaking of wins, I am looking forward to volleyball playoffs which being this Thursday. Hopefully we can do some damage. Problem is two of our players are gone the second week… Hutch? You around? We need you and a girl

6) Oh yeah, I’m pumped about my first ever Fantasy Football money league. It’s a keeper league, I guess I walked into an open spot. I am lucky enough (hopefully) to keep Joseph Addai and Ocho Cinco, along with getting the third pick in the draft. Hopefully LJ comes to his senses, I’d hate to have to pick Frank Gore or Sean Alexander.

7) I’ve enjoyed watching the Brewers and Cubs battle it out in the NL Central this second half of the season, but mark my words, St. Louis will win the division.

In closing… Go Pack Go!

At work today, I noticed (not for the first time, but it’s under my skin now) a severe lack of documentation.. of ANYTHING.  Servers, our environment, procedures, policies, code, applications… you  name it, you won’t find it.

I won’t deny that I have been a tool in the lack of documentation.  It just so happens I came here there wasn’t any and there still really isn’t any.  During 8 months and countless projects that I have been working on here I have had some opportunity to write documentation, but it never seemed a priority in the project timelines and was never required as a deliverable.  As time has crept on I admittedly haven’t been as diligent as I should have in completing or creating appropriate documentation.

Now that it’s really under my skin and I have some freer time, I’ve decided to get back on that train.

I’ve implemented trusty  Trac as our/my project management tool.  My goal was to use it for bug tracking, wiki, project timelines, roadmaps, and source code browser. Alas this small company mentality just doesn’t seem to see the value in it.  I’m not sure what it is…. does it scare them, do they think “it’s not for me it’s an IT thing”.  I feel I have clearly communicated it’s importance and benefits.  While it has caught on with a few for bug tracking at least, it’s still (for me) very beneficial in doing what it’s supposed to do.  It keeps me sane and without it I’d  probably be lost.

I am hoping to make a good dent in it over the next week or so, although there is so much to do I’m not sure how far I’ll get.  I guess I look at it as a opportunity to freshen up and extend my documentation writing skills.

It’s been awhile and I keep getting harassed to post something. I’ll take the highroad and won’t name names since most of the harassment comes from non-bloggers.

As you may or may not know Courtney and Jason are just about due for their first child. It’s a pretty exciting time around family. Of course this means one more birthday in the month of October which is already pretty full. My money is on the 18th, same as danger doug.

Tina picked me up a guitar for my birthday. Surprising enough I’ve found a fair amount of time to play and have nailed down most notes, a couple of songs (can you say Jingle Bells, Old MacDonald, and a small piece of Love Me Tender). It won’t be long before I am jamming to some Johnny Cash or Jimmy Page.

I have also decided to move on from MotivAction. I came across what I believe will be a great opportunity and just couldn’t pass it up.

That’s all folks. Hope you enjoyed it. And you can count on another post soon.