Upgrading SolidWorks

Ok, so its that time of year again, where my fingers are crossed and my sphincter is taught, otherwise know as SolidWorks (SW) upgrade time! For those that might not be "in the know" SW is the software program that I use for all my "real job" mechanical design work. It is also a stressful time as sometimes the process doesn't go as smoothly as one would hope. I've taken all the precautions that I could, such as uninstalling the older version first, cleaning out the old registry files, and sprinkling chicken blood all over my cubicle and computer. Luckily I don't work around any vegans.

30-minutes into the process and I am at 18% completion for installing the new version, SW 2011, SP4! The funny thing about upgrading on this particular date is that the beta version of SW 2012 was just released today. That's pretty confident of SW Corporation to do. Why you ask? Its because everyone knows that the world will end in 2012, or more specifically, there will be a major change in the world on or after December 21st, 2012. I'm not a betting man, but my vote goes towards the start of the Zombie Apocalypse on the 22nd.

Thoughts on Mistakes

I was lead to a blog post from 2009 that struck a cord in me. You can click above to read the entire thing, but I am going to paraphrase it here. Mark Love, the author, wrote about Risk and how there are two types of risk or mistakes one must endure: physical and mental. He wrote in the context of being an artist and craftsman, and I can't agree more. Some may use different words, perhaps emotional instead of mental for some.

Physical mistakes involve things that you have done yourself, such as bang your elbow on the door jam, broken a piece you are working on, or perhaps chipping a tool. We take these sorts of mistakes in stride. We know that is bound to happen sooner or later, and while maybe not totally prepared, we know what we have to do to over come it.

Mental mistakes are a little harder to pin down. It is that which we do to ourselves, that had we had the time to think about, we probably could have avoided. This would include such actions as cutting something too short, or reversing numbers in your head due to fatigue. These types of mistakes are harder for us to overcome, simple because we are the only ones at fault.

For me, it has always been the mistakes that I struggle with. Call it second guessing if you want, but I am sure I am not alone. When it comes to the types of art I create, it strikes even closer to home. A great piece and a mediocre piece are separated by a very thin line, with mental and physical mistakes precariously balanced on that line. It can teeter at any moment, towards any direction. When it does it always causes me to question myself because I know that at any moment "I’m only as good as the thing I’m about to do." The pieces that have come before only indicates how good I was, not how good I am, or where my potential might lead.

I've had a few good pieces wrought with my hands, some I am very proud of. When I start a new one, they are always on my mind, making me wonder if I'll surpass my previous achievements, or if I've already hit my stride and am now on the down slope? I don't ever know the answers until I complete a piece, and it is that personal challenge that keeps me going, full steam ahead, damn the mistakes.

Thoughts of Seneca

Because we are hurt most by what we do not expect, and because we must expect everything, we must hold the possibility of the most obscene events in mind at all times. No one should take a risk without an awareness of the darkest possibilities. ~Philosopher Seneca, paraphrased by me.

I have always held the belief that if I imagine the worst possible scenario, and it never comes to fruition, then I can handle any circumstance. Its good to know that I can channel dead philosophers.

Life is Amazing

I apologize now for the nature of this blog post. It is not like my other posts, but I feel like yelling from the top of a mountain! The only problem is I live in FL where there are no mountains, so all who follow me will have to put up with this.

I was minding my own business at the neighborhood bar last Friday, and my life made a dramatic change for the better. I was supposed to go watch a friend's band play around 9pm, and decided to pre-game first with some Seven & 7s. One thing led to another, and I didn't feel like driving, so I decided to skip the band and hang out longer. Good thing I stayed till Last Call.

As the lights came on, I saw an old flame sitting across the bar from me. I haven't seen, emailed, or carrier-pigeoned this person in over 25yrs! The circumstances of our original break-up have been clouded by time, with both of us thinking it was due to the other person. The amazing thing was the instant recognition we both shared. You read or hear about chemistry or electricity filling the air, heck, you might have even experienced it once or twice in your life. I can say that having all the life experiences that I've had in my short 42 years on this planet now, I thought I had experienced it once before too. If I did, that past electricity is equivalent to a hearing aid battery, and after this weekend, I can say I've been revived with an external defibrillator!

I am one happy Mango at the moment.