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My Last Post Here [message #43508]

Mon, 18 April 2005 08:38

David Fanning
Messages: 11724
Registered: August 2001

Senior Member

Folks,

This is my last post here (shy of 10,000 posts, I think).
I've been touring college campuses with my middle son
the past week and I have decided to return to college
and study either Musical Theater (if I can learn to sing,
which is doubtful) or Film and Video Production.

That is, I will be if I can overcome the strong feelings
of fear I have upon entering unisex bathrooms. (In my
day we thought we were on the cutting edge with coed
dorms.) I'm pretty sure I would have been arrested 30
years ago for going into the places I was forced to go
into on this trip. And I still can't help thinking
the sheriff is going to clap me in irons every time I make
eye contact with these pretty coeds in their, uh, pajamas. :-(

No wonder people don't seem to be able to write
computer programs as well as they used to....

Cheers,

David

--
David Fanning, Ph.D.
Fanning Software Consulting, Inc.
Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43659 is a reply to message #43508]

Tue, 19 April 2005 09:34

David Jackson
Messages: 8
Registered: October 2003

Junior Member

"David Fanning" <davidf@dfanning.com> wrote in message

> I still sit in front of a computer a lot, but I've realized
> more and more there are other things I want to do with my
> life. I've been learning to garden. I'm taking yoga classes.
> I've given up playing tennis as often as I used to.
> I've even hired a "change coach" to help me clarify what
> is most important to me and to develop strategies for
> creating a life that is even more congruent with who I
> want to be as a person and what my values are.

Wow...sounds great! I think most people never take the time to really think
about what it is that's important to them. Like when you're on your death
bed...what will you be sorry you didn't spend more time doing?

> Then, when you go hang out at college with a bunch of
> young people, you just get totally transfixed by how
> many interesting things there are to do in this life,
> and with how much potential there is to--I don't know--
> show up in the world! It is exciting. I was overwhelmed.
> It went to my head. I probably said some things I shouldn't
> have said.

Yes, and this was one of the reasons I became a college professor. I wanted
to spend my days in an environment like this. It *is* exciting (and boy do
I ever appreciate it) but unfortunately most college students just don't
appreciate what they have till long after they've graduated (do I sound like
an old curmudgeon?).

> So, even though I didn't *really* mean that was my
> last post (I'm desperate to get to 10,000, after all!),
> I think--for a while--I will be posting less and seeing
> if I enjoy it more.

Well, it's good to hear you'll still be around, even if only occasionally.

Peace,

David Jackson

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43675 is a reply to message #43508]

Tue, 19 April 2005 06:22

David Fanning
Messages: 11724
Registered: August 2001

Senior Member

Haje Korth writes:

> I am still in denial. You *MUST* be joking, right? Has IDL made you that
> desperate that you drop it altogether? (I hope you will not use it for Video
> Editing, I heard there are cheaper packages out for that without the need of
> having to program first. :-)))

Well, I was *mostly* joking (although not about the unisex
bathrooms). But, like all good jokes, there has to be a
certain amount of truth there somewhere or there is no hope
of it being funny.

But the fact that so many people have taken it seriously
has had a profound effect on me: I'm now taking it
seriously myself!

There was a time when all I ever wanted to do was work
with IDL. I loved it. I loved talking about it. I loved
answering questions about it. I loved writing programs
with it. I had no problems sitting in front of a computer
12-14 hours a day.

I still sit in front of a computer a lot, but I've realized
more and more there are other things I want to do with my
life. I've been learning to garden. I'm taking yoga classes.
I've given up playing tennis as often as I used to.
I've even hired a "change coach" to help me clarify what
is most important to me and to develop strategies for
creating a life that is even more congruent with who I
want to be as a person and what my values are.

Then, when you go hang out at college with a bunch of
young people, you just get totally transfixed by how
many interesting things there are to do in this life,
and with how much potential there is to--I don't know--
show up in the world! It is exciting. I was overwhelmed.
It went to my head. I probably said some things I shouldn't
have said.

But after I said them, I think I realized there was more
truth there then I originally intended. :-)

So am I really leaving? Yes and no. I'll be around a bit.
I still have to make a living, after all. And tuition is
a stern taskmaster. But I'm going back to Germany for a
couple of months to work with Karsten and his friends at
the GSF on some active contouring projects we have in
mind. I hope to carve out some more time to write. I was
surprised by how much I enjoyed that last time, and by
how much I discovered about myself and my family by doing
it.

It may be, in the end, that I fall in love with IDL all
over again. It's happened several times with my wife, so
there is no reason to think it couldn't happen with IDL, too.
But for the time being I am taking a break, intentionally
choosing to be less active here and maybe more active in
other areas. (I actually would like to teach some IDL
courses or seminars while I am in Europe.)

So, even though I didn't *really* mean that was my
last post (I'm desperate to get to 10,000, after all!),
I think--for a while--I will be posting less and seeing
if I enjoy it more.

This has been, for a long time, the best newsgroup in
the world. You can't even imagine how much I will miss
it. You really are, all of you, the most supportive and
friendly group of programmers I have ever been privileged
to know. It has been a great deal of fun. I've learned more
from you then you will ever know. Thank you. And I hope
to see you all again.

Cheers,

David

P.S. Let's just say Joseph Campbell's _Myths to Live By_
may not have been the best book to take on the plane last
week if a safe life is what you were after. :-)

--
David Fanning, Ph.D.
Fanning Software Consulting, Inc.
Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43677 is a reply to message #43508]

Tue, 19 April 2005 04:56

Haje Korth
Messages: 651
Registered: May 1997

Senior Member

David,
I am still in denial. You *MUST* be joking, right? Has IDL made you that
desperate that you drop it altogether? (I hope you will not use it for Video
Editing, I heard there are cheaper packages out for that without the need of
having to program first. :-)))

Cheers,
Haje

"David Fanning" <davidf@dfanning.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1ccd82444b1f4a759899c7@news.frii.com...
> Folks,
>
> This is my last post here (shy of 10,000 posts, I think).
> I've been touring college campuses with my middle son
> the past week and I have decided to return to college
> and study either Musical Theater (if I can learn to sing,
> which is doubtful) or Film and Video Production.
>
> That is, I will be if I can overcome the strong feelings
> of fear I have upon entering unisex bathrooms. (In my
> day we thought we were on the cutting edge with coed
> dorms.) I'm pretty sure I would have been arrested 30
> years ago for going into the places I was forced to go
> into on this trip. And I still can't help thinking
> the sheriff is going to clap me in irons every time I make
> eye contact with these pretty coeds in their, uh, pajamas. :-(
>
> No wonder people don't seem to be able to write
> computer programs as well as they used to....
>
> Cheers,
>
> David
>
> --
> David Fanning, Ph.D.
> Fanning Software Consulting, Inc.
> Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43678 is a reply to message #43508]

Tue, 19 April 2005 04:57

Haje Korth
Messages: 651
Registered: May 1997

Senior Member

So, we will finally have to grow up and solve our own problems...

Haje

<tianyf@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1113871596.796205.157250@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com.. .
> This may be a very bad news to us who like IDL. Anyway, thank you for
> those responses to my questions, and good luck to you!
>
> Tian.
>
> David Fanning wrote:
>> Folks,
>>
>> This is my last post here (shy of 10,000 posts, I think).
>> I've been touring college campuses with my middle son
>> the past week and I have decided to return to college
>> and study either Musical Theater (if I can learn to sing,
>> which is doubtful) or Film and Video Production.
>>
>> That is, I will be if I can overcome the strong feelings
>> of fear I have upon entering unisex bathrooms. (In my
>> day we thought we were on the cutting edge with coed
>> dorms.) I'm pretty sure I would have been arrested 30
>> years ago for going into the places I was forced to go
>> into on this trip. And I still can't help thinking
>> the sheriff is going to clap me in irons every time I make
>> eye contact with these pretty coeds in their, uh, pajamas. :-(
>>
>> No wonder people don't seem to be able to write
>> computer programs as well as they used to....
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> David
>>
>> --
>> David Fanning, Ph.D.
>> Fanning Software Consulting, Inc.
>> Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/
>

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43684 is a reply to message #43508]

Mon, 18 April 2005 18:01

enod
Messages: 41
Registered: November 2004

Member

This may be a very bad news to us who like IDL. Anyway, thank you for
those responses to my questions, and good luck to you!

Tian.

David Fanning wrote:
> Folks,
>
> This is my last post here (shy of 10,000 posts, I think).
> I've been touring college campuses with my middle son
> the past week and I have decided to return to college
> and study either Musical Theater (if I can learn to sing,
> which is doubtful) or Film and Video Production.
>
> That is, I will be if I can overcome the strong feelings
> of fear I have upon entering unisex bathrooms. (In my
> day we thought we were on the cutting edge with coed
> dorms.) I'm pretty sure I would have been arrested 30
> years ago for going into the places I was forced to go
> into on this trip. And I still can't help thinking
> the sheriff is going to clap me in irons every time I make
> eye contact with these pretty coeds in their, uh, pajamas. :-(
>
> No wonder people don't seem to be able to write
> computer programs as well as they used to....
>
> Cheers,
>
> David
>
> --
> David Fanning, Ph.D.
> Fanning Software Consulting, Inc.
> Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43685 is a reply to message #43508]

Mon, 18 April 2005 17:46

enod
Messages: 41
Registered: November 2004

Member

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43686 is a reply to message #43508]

Mon, 18 April 2005 17:46

enod
Messages: 41
Registered: November 2004

Member

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Re: My Last Post Here [message #43721 is a reply to message #43508]

Sat, 23 April 2005 05:54

Wonko[3]
Messages: 9
Registered: February 2003

Junior Member

davidf@dfanning.com (David Fanning) wrote:

> This is my last post here (shy of 10,000 posts, I think).

Whoa! Now this is a surprise.

> I've been touring college campuses with my middle son
> the past week and I have decided to return to college
> and study either Musical Theater (if I can learn to sing,
> which is doubtful) or Film and Video Production.

What? Oh, well. Whatever you like. Have fun!

Alex
--
Alex Schuster Wonko@wonkology.org PGP Key available
alex@pet.mpin-koeln.mpg.de

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