I Heart Computer Programming

I don't know if people know this, but I some self-employed web development work on the side. This helps keep me (somewhat) sharp as a programmer and a problem solver. I've also been benefited greatly by working more closely with The Captain on these projects over recent months. Considering aspects such as code quality, personal integrity, and idea creativity, I have found that working with someone else has been well worth it.

Some weeks are busier than others, depending on projects and deadlines. My hours are flexible, which means if there is work to do, then I try to set aside time here and there to do it. This has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that I can take off a whole day and just... goto DL with my wife for her birthday.

But one disadvantage, I'm finding, is that my life and sleep schedule can be thrown totally out of whack, simply because I ♥ Computer Programming. That is, when I get into the zone, I can sit down and write and debug code for 6+ hours without standing up to drink, eat, or go to the bathroom. Dangerous? Probably not. Obsessive? Maybe. But I really do enjoy it that much.

Which leads to the schedule problem. Because what if I get into the zone at... 10PM? Then, it's quite possible that I can sit there, in the dark, and just... code. Until... 2, 3, 4 in the morning. Even though it's a super-productive time, that can throw me off body-schedule-wise for two days. Even tonight, I sat down at about 12:45AM just to debug some stuff on a small project. Was going to spend... 15 minutes, put it away, and goto bed. But I got into the zone, and didn't want to put off until tomorrow (oh wait, it's already tomorrow) the things that were going through my mind which I could just do right now. So, before I know it, it's 2AM.

I am finding that my most productive hours are usually the AM hours. That could be 7AM-11AM. Or... that could be 12AM-4AM. I think that the former is preferable, for my sanity, my physical health, and my marriage.