>After reading through several Chatter Threads, most of the time with much laughter, I must comment. I have not been a nerd or geek my whole life. I didn't realize this until about 12 years ago. It was a tough decision for me, considering at that time I didn't even know I was in the closet, much less that I needed to 'come out'. Since I have not always been a nerd, but a convert, I feel a have a perspective that many do not share due to my life before geekdom.
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>In this time I have maintained that programmers are not made, they are born. You've seen them. Someone who can quote the Language Reference to you verbatim, but couldn't program their way out of a paper bag. Along with my born vs. made theory, I have decided the vast majority of developers are truly left-brained, with a decided tendency toward the creative. Thus you will find many developers who also excell in the fine arts such as music or art or theater. Just read through many threads if you don't think we have a flair for the dramatic. Along with this 'type' of personality comes a sometimes volatile temperament.
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>So what am I getting at? It is obvious some of you guys hate each other with a passion. It is also obvious you are very talented and passionate about your positions. So, having rambled for a while (I enjoy rambling): Don't lose your passion, don't get pissed off and threaten to leave and divorce us, don't stop having lively engaging and hilarious snipe attacks and most of all have a Happy Holiday season.

Michael,

Can't pass this up without a comment. *g*

I have also done a variety of "other" kinds of work ranging from running a Christian halfway type home for 5+ years to building Jack La Lanne health spas in California to managing over 2 million sq feet of building maintenance to being a chemical compounder where we made small animal products to being a deckhand on a private yacht.

I have found a commonality between these different 'tasks' and it is this: In each and every one of these taks the ability to create and solve problems is foremost. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what "job" someone may have there is always some sort of creative process involved, even if it means finding ways to avoid death by boredom. *g*

I also think that women who are in the programming professions tend, as a statistical sampling, to be far better than most of the fellows. This is IMO a direct result of some physiological differences.

It has also been my observation as well that this creative bent is indeed often expressed by music. My nephew is very talented musically as well as being quite the young geek. The family really tries to keep us separated at gatherings or we'll drift into unintelligible conversations. *g*

In my mind the "trick" to doing this kind of work is to absolutely not take yourself seriously. Thos who do all too oftn end up making themselves appear silly. As you pointed out "be passionate" and take your work seriously; just not yourself.

Best,

DD