Jeff Carouth :: Beta

jcarouth is M.I.A.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 20.20

I, like many bloggers in the blogosphere, have neglected my blog; if only I had a real reason for being so scarce. I suppose I could blame it on my new job, my girlfriend moving down here, and my being in a transitional phase of my life--you know, becoming an adult. Wihout further adieu, here are the happenings from the past month:

I started working at Texas A&M University in the Department of Research & Graduate Studies Systems Group. I am a programmer in a team of web application developers using PHP and Python. So far, I've been given some interesting projects and free reign to implement them using my choice of technologies/frameworks/methods. I've taken the opportunity to spend my time harnessing the power and flexibility of the Zend Framework. As of tomorrow, my first beta of a minor project will be released for testing by the department.

A friend of mine, Daniel Cousineau, introduced me to some automation tools that have revolutionized my development workflow: Phing and Xinc. Check out his blog post about how he implemented these tools in his environment. In using Xinc, I began to uncover some of its quirks and the desire to improve it took over me. I think that's the curse of being an application developer. I always think I know the best way an application should be implemented and how it should work. I could be wrong, but I'm the developer. After some banter around the Xinc Google group, I was selected to join the project. It's an honor and a privilige to work on this project.

Tonight was a meeting of the Bryan/College Station PHP Users Group. I didn't know this interest group was in existence, but thankfully I am a card-carrying member of the Agile development movement AgileBCS. Today we had a presentation on beginning steps with the Zend Framework and automating the workflow using Xinc and Phing (Daniel gave the presentation on Xinc as he is also a developer on the project). I'm happy to see the technological community growth in this area.

I'll be spending the next two weekends in Houston. Lisa has an appointment with her eye specialist on Friday, my older sister Cheryl's birthday is on Saturday, and next weekend my family from up north (Maryland) will be visiting.

Finally, I will be actually developing my new website soon. With the new experience I've had with the Zend Framework I am ready to build something fierce.

I should have some interesting technical articles soon.

• Tagged:
• college station
• hobbies
• life

Recognition is Sometimes the Best Reward

Tue May 06, 2008 at 10.19

The other day I was thinking about motivation. What motivates me? Probably in part because of my recent job interviewing and questions related to how I think, how I solve problems, how I plan things, etc but also just as a general thought. Why do I do the things I do?

I don't know when exactly it hit me, but I think that I am not alone. Motivation to me is recognition. One could easily attribute this to my ego, or narcissism, and I wouldn't really say you are wrong, but the truth is deep down everyone has an ego and everyone is at least partly a narcissist. Even if that isn't true, you can't prove it!

I came up with this conclusion yesterday when I received a ping (instant message) from a friend of mine. He entered a free photography contest and ended up in second place. If you have not seen his work before, Dan is a highly talented photographer. The thing that is most amazing is that he is completely self-taught. He has no formal training. Check out more of his work on his flickr photostream. Don't get me wrong, he definitely deserves the recognition and I am proud for him, but this is what made me think about myself and how I am motivated.

Since I am currently on a quest to build muscle, it's nice to see people I haven't seen for a few weeks. Generally their reaction is "Dude, you got bigger since last time I saw you!" That recognition is enough to validate the hours I spend in the gym, the sweat that pours from my body, the grunts, the strain, the pain. It makes it all worth it in that moment.

Now, I'm not alone. Think about the last time a female friend of yours got her haircut. When you told her, "Hey, I like your new haircut!" was she not glowing with elation? Ours is a world of validation, and I must say I enjoy the recognition as much as the next person.

• Tagged:
• life

My Studio: It VANISHED!

Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 00.49

My short lived portrait career is now seemingly at a close for the time being. After returning to College Station I put up a backdrop (really a maroon fleece blanket my mom made that is doubling as a slipcover for this god-awful chair in my lifing room) and began experimenting with lighting and such for portraits -- more specifically self portraits. However I have recently acquired a new roommate and she will be taking over the last room in my apartment meaning my studio will not get put together.

I do, however, have the plans to make some do-it-yourself studio equipment (background stand, light stands, and diffuser for lights) out of pvc pipe and some clamp on light fixtures which I will be diving into soon (note: posts to follow), but I'll just have to find a different place to put the stuff. I'll probably end up storing it when not in use in my rapidly retreating empty space in my closet.

Anyway, I leave you with the last photo taken in my studio before the background was taken down...

• Tagged:
• photography
• hobbies
• life

My Entrance Into the World of Photography

Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 11.31

Well, I've done it; I've gone out and bought myself a shiny new digital SLR camera. I decided on the entry level D40x from Nikon (yes Cannon fans, I said Nikon) and I currently have both the kit lens (18-55mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6G II) and a telephoto lens (55-200mm AF-S f/4-5.6G).

I received the camera via FedEX on December 24, 2007 and since then I have been shooting tons of photos learning the ins-and-outs of the menu system, as well as getting used to not using a point-and-shoot on "auto" mode. It will be a new experience for me, but it is something I really enjoy and hope to be able to shoot a few events for people in the future.

Currently, there is an extra room in my apartment that I have been using as a makeshift studio for self portraits. I'm going to be making some muslin backgrounds -- thanks to this article -- and then work on some studio technique.

The only problem I can foresee is subjects. I'll have to go find some willing "models" in college station that will help me get better at studio photography. I can probably make use of the studio in the ENDS department, but they have direct light which I don't know if I should be learning how to use at the moment.

Anyway, this post has been littered with photos that I've taken over the past few days. They are all hosted on my flickr photo stream, so check them out when you get a chance (clicking any of the images in the post will take you to that photo on my flickr account).

• Tagged:
• photography
• hobbies
• life