Code Monkey

I tried to post this morning but my database was down. However, my rock awesome hosting company had it running again in no time.

Not too much to report this morning. I am still in the C++ class, which went well enough yesterday until I figured out that what the workbook is teaching us is not C++ exactly, but the Microsoft-ized version of C++, since we are using Visual C++ to code and compile. UGH. I don’t want to learn the Microsoft-ized version, I want to learn the basic syntax. I want to learn cin and cout instead of Console::ReadLine and Console::Write. So I stole a programming book off Matt’s bookshelf yesterday afternoon, and am now working from that and an online tutorial.

Gavin helped me figure out a plan of attack for all the stuff I have to get through in order to get my paper written, so I’m feeling a bit better about that. In college, I swear I worked BETTER when I was under pressure. These days, I seem to have lost that talent. All it takes is one little setback and I flip out, convinced that I am never going to get everything done.

The woman sitting in front of me in class threw a mini-tantrum earlier this morning because the instructor wasn’t teaching her exactly what she wanted to know. She asked a question, he answered, but it wasn’t the answer she wanted and her frustration was evident in the tone of her voice. “I want to know the SYNTAX,” she said. “I want to know why THIS doesn’t work. Should this come before or after?”

As she expressed her frustration, I suddenly realized that I have probably sounded just like that lately. I have noticed a distinct lack of patience on my part with the programming and sim-related difficulties we’ve been having at work lately. I know I’ve been whiny and probably unpleasant to work with. I am just so tired of setbacks, and so frustrated with not being able to turn on the light bulb and suddenly just GET IT.

I am just so ready to have something that works, after months of delays.

I’m almost halfway through Harry Potter. I had to put it down last night at about 12:30 knowing that if I kept reading, the story would continue to snowball and pick up steam, and then I’d be up till 5 a.m. trying to finish.

Tonight, perhaps.