This page is dedicated to non-technical aspects of our lives as developers.

Look here in each issue for commentary and insight into the struggles and joys of balancing life and logic.

In the last issue, we asked for your comments about how you serve outside home and work.. Read on to see what some of your peers have done after-hours to help others.

I'm employed by Digital Alchemy as an IT administrator/beginning developer. I dedicate at least one weekend a month and two weeks a year to serving in the Texas Army National Guard. I've been serving in the reserve armed forces since December of '94. Although I'm needed to work a lot after hours and on weekends, my supervisor, Wayne Willingham, is very understanding and quite accommodating when the time comes to put my uniform on.

I barely missed deployment to Bosnia in '96 because I was in training. Now, my current unit is very likely to be called up to active duty as a result of the state of war our country is in. I'm very fortunate that my employer gives me the needed time off, not just because the law requires it, but because I have his blessing to serve.

I don't have a subscription to CoDe Magazine… I always read Wayne's copy… if I do get activated, I guess I'll have to get my own subscription, and have it forwarded to where ever I may be deployed.

Jerry A. Goodson

My church sponsors the Boy Scout program and they asked me if I would be a den leader for the Cub Scouts (boys age 8-10 years). I have five children of my own ranging from 3 to 11 years old. I thought this would be a good way to helping my 8-year-old make some new friends and have fun. I started out with 4 boys a couple months ago and now have 9 in my den. My wife has been very patient with 9 energetic boys jumping up and down on her furniture and I've had great fun so far doing the activities with the boys.

Ryan Jentzsch

Developer Jeff Burke Clowns Around

Jeff Burke puts his extra time to good use in an unusual way, working with puppets to entertain children in hospitals. Here is his story.

As a Shriner Clown visiting kids in Shriner Childrens Hospitals, puppets have really made a difference. The excitement of a kid seeing an adult dressed as a clown lasts as long as it takes to say “Ooh, Aah.” Then they want to know what happens next.

Mason, my buddy, who happens to be a puppet, quickly attracts their attention. Regardless of their language, culture or illness, they understand exactly what he means when bows, tilts his head or blows them a kiss. While Mason does not speak, he does whisper either to myself (which I can repeat) or to individual kids (which they can repeat, or keep to themselves).

Mason loves to peek around doorways when going to meet children. This casual introduction slowly prepares kids for what's next, a full size adult (who looks very different) carrying a puppet. Mason can enter, entertain and quickly respond to what the children are willing to let happen. Mason loves to be talked about and asked questions.

While I have a plan as to what the puppet entertainment is going to be, it has never followed the script exactly. We begin with me sitting on the floor talking to Mason, so we are on the same level as the kids. This quickly attracts most kids, and at least gets the attention of those really shy.

Using the KISS puppet technique (keep it simple, silly, and I am the silly one) the “script” is usually limited to Mason telling me that his nose no longer squeaks and he needs help to fix it. This leads into some jokes and music.

Mason always gets his squeak back with a StarTrek-style “mind melt.” This includes all the audience at the end and prepares for the follow up walk around where they can all test out his newly improved nose, and he theirs.

Jeff Burke

NEXT ISSUE'S TOPIC:

What non-business travel have you enjoyed recently?

The rest of us might want to get a clue from you about interesting trips you have taken recently. No, computer-related conferences do not count. Send your comments by January 25 to:

david@code-magazine.com

David Stevenson