Jerad Bitner Making the best things!

The cold hard rain dripped down my face, erasing the warmth
  only remembrance remained.

So used to the shielding when heat returned
  unnoticed and without all the same.

Then brightness shined, a key was found
  to try that diligent construct; cold hard lock.

Will it fit; turn that intricate mechanism
  surrounding that which has rusted?

I hope.

A couple months ago (right after I made a big move) I started hearing thing about the financial crisis and banks going under. Talking with my friend who travels a lot, I came to hear that when America sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold. Another friend of mine introduced me to a film called "Zeitgeist". With the uncertainty of living in a new area, trying to gain respect at a new job, and making new friends, I started worrying. Actually worrying is an understatement, but I'll not be dramatic.

However, after hearing about Lullabot's new venture, and especially Ed Sussman's blog post, "Why Start (Up) Now?" I gained a little hope. Then I got a twitter from Kevin Rose today where he talked about Paul Graham's post, "Why to Start a Startup in a Bad Economy". I must say that I'm feeling better. Again an understatement, but dramatics really aren't my thing.

Drupal, you've done it again... become the vector of change in my life by presenting me with opportunities that are seemingly too good to be true. Last year it was New York and Sony BMG. This year it's San Francisco and a start-up called ParentsClick Network. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better and that maybe I've hit the height of reaching my dreams in life, another one comes within my grasp, and giving in to my free spirit, I jump at the chance to make a dream a reality.

Ted Serbinski is a guy whose progress I've followed since that first Lullabot class in Rhode island, less than two years ago (1/15/07) when the world of Drupal really opened up to me. He was a Lullabot at the time, teaching theming and some jQuery. He left Lullabot later that year to start a journey into entrepreneurship (and MothersClick) that has started to pan out nicely. I've great respect for his coding skills and believe in his business sense. So when he approached me about a job working with him in San Francisco, a place I've always wanted to live, I was very excited.

Here's the new one!

There's an ideal of late that I've seen repeated within literature and movies that intrigues me. It is that of the men and women who have ideals. Ideals that they do whatever it takes to uphold. I find this a respectable character trait that I find myself wanting to mimic. To uphold.

When you see wrong being done what do you do?

When you see something happening that you do not agree with, what do you do?

When there are ideals being upheld by the populace that you do not agree with, not becuase you are bias or jaded or just plain sick of, but because you KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are absolutely wrong, what do you do?

Some choose to do more, some choose to hide, some choose to reason that they're not the one who can do anything about those things that hide in the dark of the mind and pervert the perception of those that would stand for what is right. But YOU know what is RIGHT. You KNOW what is WRONG. And even though you doubt yourself and how you feel about the subject of the matter, you KNOW in that inner most place that is untainted, unforgettable, unmoving... you KNOW.

This weekend I'm leaving for PA for a week long vacation of nature, family and friends. Saturday I hope to be going to the Lycoming County Fair, Sunday going to see Wall-E with a friend. I'll also be using my spare time over the weekend to get everything ready for a three day backpacking trip through the mountains where I grew up. I've not been out there by myself in years and I really want to just take my time hiking through the mountains around Rose Valley Lake where I grew up.

When I return from that, I'll be heading out to the family cabin in Belleville where a family reunion is taking place, full of family on my mother's side. Great Aunts and Uncles and hopefully time enough to talk with them all to glean what wisdom I may from them. I've come to think that you have to know where you come from in order to figure out where to go next in life. And that's the big question I ask myself every so often, so hopefully some time alone, and then with family and friends will help me figure that one out.

Next weekend I'll be home at my mother's then, visiting with her, my brothers and my father's parents who will be visiting. I think we're planning on going to Ricket's Glen where there is some nice camping, a good place to hike some waterfalls, and a beach on the lake for swimming.

For a long time I've thought that a major distinction in life that people must try to make is the difference between needs and wants. I've told many of my friends that if they just try to make this distinction in their own life, they will live a much happier, balanced life.

I was going through an old hard drive today and found many of my old writings on lots of different topics, but this one just jumped out at me as it is probably one of the most profound truths and holds some of the most engaging questions of life. The entry is dated 1-11-07:

We've got to stop thinking that we are the only ones that matter.
Where does one find the strength to accomplish such a feat? What is the formula for molding one's self unto this task? We all want something greater than what we already experience in this life, but we must learn to separate that which we want, from that which is needed.
Define what is needed.
Can we tell by ourselves what is needed, or is it defined by those around us? Should it be defined by those around us, or by something greater? If by something greater, then what is that greater something? If by those around us, then whom?

I've pondered on these things most of my conscious life, and still look for the answers. I doubt I will ever stop.

Swept away are the remnants of old, smaller dreams thought too impossible now become reality, even though torn
Reality torn asunder, pulling back the curtain to reveal the secrets of life lived fully, unhindered by shame
Shameful regrets, swept away, replaced by a new reality, revealed through conscious will and positive karmic energy
Positive energies flow through willful projections when unhindered by fear, guided by respect and discipline
Respect being key, replaces that which eats at everyones soul of late, fear and the assumption of security, apathy

Swept away and free to dream, your life becomes clay in which to mold a destiny, in harmony with the lines which exist
See the lines, look ahead down that path which your decision may take you to make a wise choice... prosper
Fear and doubt be swept away, leaving assured security molded by discipline and experience, always increasing, improving
Constant reshaping of thoughts and patterns of reasoning, learning to optimize, conceptualize, visualize
Look forward to what is to come, and what will be swept away

Sit down with me and Dave as they kick back some Johnny Walker Green label for St. Patrick's Day and talk about our impressions of DrupalCon Boston 2008!

DrupalCon Boston 2008 Wrap-up

The fifth release of DrupaLMAO's coverage of DrupalCon 2008. Listen as we sit down with Earl Miles to get his reactions to DrupalCon Boston and to talk about Views 2, Views in core, and Panels 2.

Earl Miles Interview