Way Post Natal

1) What is the most important thing to you in deciding on a career or individual job?

Alright, this is actually a decently tough one. Currently, as a job (not a career), I operate in the world of software development. Why did I choose this? I suppose the quick and easy answer is that I could learn technical crap at an alarming rate, I have no degree to speak of, it was decently challenging at first, and the money was good.

I've operated (whether from right convictions or not) on the idea that I can be a "Christian" employee anywhere, so I didn't have any compunctures about devoting my "career" time to software development.

One of the main things that led me down the software road was the challenge of learning new things, which now seems to be rather boring. I suppose its akin to climbing a big mountatin. Sure there are other peaks, but none as satisfying as that inital huge challenge. And then there's the fact that I like people much more than computers which kinda messes up my whole career choice.

I suppose I am rambling and not really answering the question.

The easiest and most simple answer is the glorification of God.

That's my most important thing. However, a lot of other considerations enter the mix. Money is one. For the church and for the family (not necessarily in that order... I haven't ferretted that out yet.) Another is influence exerted. This includes all sorts of things such as atmosphere (and a realistic view of how it affects me), co-workers (and how they affect me). Then there is consideration for how fulfilling the job is. An unfulfilling job is my bane.... but one I've learned to live with in certain circumstances throughout my life. I don't like debt more than I don't like an unfulfilling job.

So, I guess if I could choose a direction, independent of what I see as my financial responsibilites, I'd probably do full-time work at the church and with my family.

2) Why do you blog?

Right now, I mostly blog to embed some of the things that my children do in my own mind and to share them with others. I've considered going the serious introspection route as many others have done, but haven't gone there yet. The stream of conciousness thing is, ummm, out for me.

3) What are the factors in your life that have contributed most to your personality?

That's a tough one. I would say the good restraint portion of me (if there is such a thing) came from my parents. The exuberance of my life comes directly from understanding my position in Christ and that positions unassailability. The sarcasm and joking probably comes from two places: Hell and my siblings. Since I am often not as restrained as I should be, I would say that is me not having shed the old man, and since I can be quick sometimes in good ways, that comes from years of sharpening under the loving, but sometimes painful thumb of my siblings.

4) What counts as “success” in life?
A good death, in which, people's view of me is that, "He was a servant of Jesus Christ."
Of course some "success" is not up to me, but I'd really also love to have all of my children belong to the kingdom. Hmmm... maybe that one is first. Either way, they are coeval in my mind.

5) Where is a location, foreign or domestic, that you would like to visit, and why?
Austria. It is the birthplace of the tonality that is most commonly used in music today. Its history is rich with both musical mathemiticians (of whom I am suspect) and passionate musicians. It also is a beautiful place and seems like a rather isolated country on the world-front. Which is good, I guess, unless you are a theonomist or a politician. Or have a call to interact with the world as a whole.

I mean, check out the Sound of Music. Is that some beautiful scenery or what?