chriswelch.com

Gates & Allen, Hewlett & Packard, Jobs & Wozniak, Page & Brin, Mom & Dad. These are all examples of the power of two. I don't like stating the obvious, but God really knew what he was doing when he made an Eve for Adam. The old adage is true: one is the loneliest number, and three is a crowd.

So what is so magical about two? Well, it's far too late at night to do any kind of research on the subject, but it seems to me that "two" satisfies a couple very basic needs in life: we want social interaction and we want to specialize.

Specialization? Sure! From the very early days of human culture, economies formed through specialization, under the very simple premise that we are more productive when we specialize; more happy when we have people around us. Don't want to do the paperwork? Let Joe do it. Joe doesn't want to do sales? You do it. Neither of you wants to keep the office clean? Well, that's tough, but it's a lot easier when you can comiserate together.

So my simple idea and advice to businesses everywhere: Find a partner. Preferably a smart, hard-working partner, but a partner none-the-less.

Oh yea...I finished college yesterday!

On Wednesday I will officially be done with all the course work necessary to complete my Information Technology degree! Horray! You have no idea how much this excites me. If I'm lucky, and I can stay really focused, I'll get to keep my highest honors by not dropping below a 3.8 GPA. All I need is 2 A's and 2 B's in my classes. Of course I don't want to cut it too close, but then again at this point I'll take whatever I can get.

In other news, the problem with becoming a socialite is that it's really difficult to be by yourself. Imagine a Friday where every person you know is too busy to do anything. Oh crooo-ell world!

Well, I thought I'd never see the day. Even though I voted for him, I didn't actually expect G.W. to win the election, and I certainly didn't expect the Republican sweep that occured throughout the country.

Is it possible that Bush will have a stronger second term than his first?

In related news, Travelzoo is offering low-priced one-way tickets to Canada...

First the news... My car had some problems and I had to take it to the garage. Over $500 later, I have new brakes, a new exhaust system and a fresh quart of oil. You know, it's a lot cheaper to keep up an older car than it is to buy new, but it sure is a heck of a lot more inconvienient. Thankfully, Frank was able to give me a ride.

In my Organizational Behavior class we had to take a personality survey. Well actually, we took a battery of personality tests, ranging from what we would prefer as job benefits, to how we would work on teams. These tests ranged in name from "The Big 5" to the Meyers-Briggs.

The real shocker for a lot of people was that I, little ole' me, was not an extrovert. Yes, it's true. I am more reserved than many may think. I suppose I used to be even more introverted than I am today, but still my predeliction is for being by myself.

Well, that just won't do. I don't believe that people can never change their personality, and I aim to prove it. This year, I have three goals:

1. Build a network of contacts for my business,
2. make a living, and
3. become an extrovert.

Now while I believe it is possible to change a person's core personality, I have no doubt that it will be a challenge.

My big plan hasn't coalesced yet, but for now it goes something like this:

1. If I feel like not talking to someone, cause I don't want to risk rejection, get over it and just do it, at least once during a day.
2. Make a substantive effort to go out of my shell at least once during the day. That could mean striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger or introducing myself, etc. Just doing something to positively affect change in myself.

Now some of you may wonder how I'm doing. Well, let's take a tally:

1. I went dancing for the first time in my life. I was a complete wierdo, but I got out there, I did it and I had a good time while I was at it.
2. While walking out of a classroom to go sit somewhere more comfortable, I stopped, turned around and found someone I didn't know and struck up a conversation. It went totally smoothly and I learned things I didn't know.
3. On a couple of other occasions I ceized the opportunity to strike up conversations with people I didn't know. All of which were successful.

Now of course I don't want to sound like I'm all of a sudden an outgoing son of a gun, because I'm not. Many times I feel very awkward about doing these things, but each time it works out it only gives me positive reinforcement. I'm looking forward to the day when my everyday self is as out of my shell as I am when I'm on vacation.

They say that blondes have all the fun, but nay, nay, it's the extroverts that have the best time ;)

I've been using new Peer-2-Peer software called eMule. It's very good and based on eDonkey's Kademlia network. I recommend you give this client a try. Or you can try the original, eDonkey2000. Both have much more relevent searches than Kazaa and no spyware.

I really wanna update this darn Web site. I've been thinking about taking off the homepage that usually resides above this blog for the sole reason that I never add new images. I've had the same images there that I've had for years. The only problem is that when they're gone, the site will be decidedly less colorful. I need to change the color scheme to kick it up a little up in heyah.

While I programmed the entire site, I'm seriously considering moving over to Movable Type, which is a lot more robust while provided most of the features I want. Their hosted product, TypePad though offers cool features such as blogging from your cell phone and adding cell phone pictures from wherever you are. Very cool...

Anyways, I also wanted to let y'all know that I've added a whole bunch of pictures to the My Life section of Photos including my graduation pictures. Enjoy :)

Sometimes it's wierd to think about all the things that happen to us in our daily lives we don't expect. For example, George W. Bush whom I expected was going to lose, seems like he may actually win... again.

Meeting people you didn't expect to see, and getting to know someone who you never thought you would. Just when you think that life couldn't be any more ordinary, something extraordinary happens.

Funny the way that happens...

I'll tell ya, I've been pretty busy, recently. In fact, I'm gunna be pretty busy for the next 10 weeks. Just take a look at my schedule. I'll be glad when school is over, and with all the reading I have to do at work and school, I'll never want to look at another book again ;)

I'm sorry, I don't mean to complain. I kinda like being busy, but if I wasn't a multitasker before, I sure as heck will be one after this quarter. On my list of todos: getting As in all my classes to maintain my Magna Cum Laude graduation recognition, hiring a salesman, designer, and intern, and finally take good care of my clients.

Also, I've made some minor tweaks here and there around the site, including updating Where am I?, Links, and finally fixing my european journal so that it reads from first to last (instead of last to first like this blog). Anyways, I've been busy but I won't be out of touch, so stick around!

Update: I didn't want to forget. On this, the 3rd anniversary of 9/11, I just wanted to reflect on the terrible things that can happen to a people from time to time, and say how lucky we are to live in a country where even in turbulant times, we are able to live our lives free from the oppression of a totalitarian government. Where we have the right to speak out against our government, and have a life only dreamed of in other nations. God bless America.

I just received word this very night that Signal18 along with the folks at Orange & Rockland have been awarded a "2004 Standard of Excellence WebAward" for the Orange & Rockland Web Site, with Christopher Welch of Signal18 listed as Web Developer.

If you don't believe me, you can see the award for yourself here:
http://www.webaward.org/winner.asp?eid=2153

How cool is that!?

The public announcement has not yet been made and more details are to come as they become available...