We continued on with databases today and it has begun to be more complex. Whereas before we were dealing with one or two tables at a time, our exercises today dealt with over ten tables, all relating to a fictional DVD store (which I assume has gone out of business circa 2010, like all over video rentals stores. I miss you BlockBuster.)
We were assigned both pair programming and solo exercises. For the pair, I was with Diane, the only woman in the .Net class. To say that Diane is an overachiever is an understatement. She has children and since I have a child myself, I can relate to the chaos parenthood can add, even when you have a significant other helping you out.
Diane talks regularly with her children on the phone during breaks. She also keeps a part-time job as a fitness instructor at a gym, sometimes working till nine or ten o’clock after a twelve hour day of coding. So, already, you can see that this is a busy lady.
But wait, there’s more!
While working together today, I overheard Diane talking on the phone about buying a large amount of stickers. When I inquired about this, Diane revealed that she is also currently running for political office. She’s in the middle of a campaign to get on the McCandless City Council.
Two thoughts occurred to me upon receiving this news:
- I’m not sure what type of time commitment is made when one runs for office, but it can’t be small.
- If the good people of McCandless don’t elect Diane, they’re insane.
So, this time next year, Diane very well might be a programming fitness expert with a kingdom of her own just north of Pittsburgh. All hail!
From Retail to Programming 