Parks Computing
Pedagogy for the Autodidactic Programmer
Welcome to the personal web site of Paul M. Parks. This is where I keep my web development skills current while sharing snippets of code, utilities, libraries, and what little development wisdom I've gathered in my career. It's also where I show off my family, talk about my hobbies, or just pontificate from time to time.
If you find the articles interesting, or if you'd like more information on a particular topic, let me know [paul@parkscomputing.com].
New Guitar Tutorial Videos
I've just started creating a series of videos on Youtube on how to play the Eddie Van Halen instrumental "Spanish Fly" from the album Van Halen II. I've been promising these videos for about a year, after already having posted three different versions of the tune to Youtube (one at half speed). So far I have an introductory video and a video on the first section of the piece. By the time I'm done, I expect to have well over an hour's worth of videos spread out over six to eight clips.
Here's the introductory video:
Here's the introductory video:
Labels: guitar, personal, video
Posted March 7, 2010 0 Comments
Buy Some Stuff!
Ever since I was in high school, I've been drawing this little guy you see pictured here:
My wife has named him "Smart Sam". I finally applied for a trademark on the drawing, but the funny thing about trademarks is that you have to actually be involved in some kind of trade. So, now you can own your very own Smart Sam Stuff! I opened up a shop on Cafepress a while back but never bothered to publicize it until now. So, go grab a t-shirt, or a coffee mug, or wall clock, or maybe a onesie for Junior. If there is some other bit of clothing or gadget you'd like to see this beautiful face stamped on, let me know!
My wife has named him "Smart Sam". I finally applied for a trademark on the drawing, but the funny thing about trademarks is that you have to actually be involved in some kind of trade. So, now you can own your very own Smart Sam Stuff! I opened up a shop on Cafepress a while back but never bothered to publicize it until now. So, go grab a t-shirt, or a coffee mug, or wall clock, or maybe a onesie for Junior. If there is some other bit of clothing or gadget you'd like to see this beautiful face stamped on, let me know!
Labels: merchandise, personal, Smart Sam
Posted February 3, 2010 0 Comments
New Contract
I've been signed to a new contract with my current client, on a new project working on self-service grocery again. This one should carry me well into next year, but I'm always keeping my eyes open just in case.
Labels: consulting, personal, software
Posted December 4, 2009 0 Comments
GWA Football: 2009 State Champs!
The George Walton Academy Bulldogs are GISA state football champions for the 2009 season! They defeated Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany, GA in the class AAA championship game yesterday, with a final score of 42-24. I am so proud of all the parents, grandparents, students, alumni, faculty, and friends who made the trip down to Albany, some of whom (like us) left Thanksgiving vacation early to be there. It felt like a home game: the fans were loud, the cowbells were clanging, the band played, the Dark Army ran up and down by the field, and the cheerleaders nearly fell over from doing high-kicks for every point scored. Hats off to Deerfield-Windsor for playing tough to the very end, and never giving up. Congratulations to both teams for making it to the championship.Next year George Walton Academy will move to the GHSA, and will be returning most of their current team, so we look forward to more exciting football next season.
GO DAWGS!
Labels: football, GWA, personal
Posted November 28, 2009 0 Comments
GWA Band Marches at Walt Disney World
To cap off a fantastic competition season, the George Walton Academy Marching Bulldog Band marched in a parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. My elder daughter, Madeline, is a member of the color guard, and my wife and I traveled down to Florida and watched the band march. It was a wonderful experience.
I tried to get some pictures (click the photo below to see them), but they didn't turn out so well. Fortunately another band dad got some good video of the band (below).
Most of the band parents were running along the parade route, taking pictures and video, and when we ran out of sidewalk we just fell in behind the band. In the second video below you'll see Jennifer and I sharing a laugh with some other parents about plowing our way through the crowd to keep up with the band. I sure hope Disney lets us come back!
I tried to get some pictures (click the photo below to see them), but they didn't turn out so well. Fortunately another band dad got some good video of the band (below).
Most of the band parents were running along the parade route, taking pictures and video, and when we ran out of sidewalk we just fell in behind the band. In the second video below you'll see Jennifer and I sharing a laugh with some other parents about plowing our way through the crowd to keep up with the band. I sure hope Disney lets us come back!
Labels: band, GWA, personal, video
Posted November 14, 2009 0 Comments
Busy Until January
I've been assigned to a new project through the end of 2009 so I'm unavailable for now, but if I'm not picked up for an extension I'll be looking for new projects in 2010. Take a look at my resume and let me know if I might be a good fit for any contract or consulting opportunities in your organization. I'm currently W-2 with a small consulting company, but I'm open to 1099 or corp-to-corp starting next year.
Labels: consulting, personal, software
Posted November 2, 2009 0 Comments
George Walton Academy: Champs!
Congratulations to the George Walton Academy Marching Bulldog Band for taking first place in the Group VI Open division of the USSBA Southern States band competition this past weekend in Chattanooga. My elder daughter, Madeline, is a member of the color guard. They put on a fantastic show, winning caption awards for overall effect, percussion, and music. They also won the Marine Corps Esprit de Corps award. Way to go, band!
Update: Photos here. Posted October 27, 2009 0 Comments
Does Your Company Need a Consultant?
My current project is coming to an end, and although I'm looking at a couple of new projects to pick up, I thought it might be prudent to update my resume. If my skills look like they might be a match for a need you have in your company, please let me know!
Posted October 23, 2009
0 Comments
Looking for Havanafolks.com?
The site www.havanafolks.com should be working fine now. If you still can't get there, please let me know. I apologize for messing up the redirect yesterday. I share web space with my brother Phil, and yesterday when I was converting to Blogger I messed up the redirect that forwards his traffic to his folder. He actually gets a lot more hits than I do, so I feel pretty bad. Sorry, bro!By the way, the picture is of me and my brothers, Phil and Steve. It was taken at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary / family reunion a couple of years ago, and I think it probably says all I need to say. Posted April 27, 2009 0 Comments
Guitar Videos
I've uploaded some videos of me playing the guitar to my YouTube site. Go take a look and let me know what you think.
I've got a lot more stuff that I plan to upload, such as a step-by-step instructional video series on how to play Spanish Fly, which is so far the second most-difficult piece I've ever learned. The most difficult, by far, is Paganini's Caprice No. 24. I'm still trying to polish that one before I post it.
Here's a sample:
Posted April 26, 2009 0 Comments
I've got a lot more stuff that I plan to upload, such as a step-by-step instructional video series on how to play Spanish Fly, which is so far the second most-difficult piece I've ever learned. The most difficult, by far, is Paganini's Caprice No. 24. I'm still trying to polish that one before I post it.
Here's a sample:
Posted April 26, 2009 0 Comments
Updating More Often
I wired my site up to Blogger so now I won't have any excuse for not updating my site more often. Maybe now I'll drop a new entry in every few days, or perhaps even start writing regular articles.
There's still a lot of content linked from my top menu that's old and out of date. I will probably start moving a lot of that to archive eventually and replace it with more up-to-date content. Posted 0 Comments
There's still a lot of content linked from my top menu that's old and out of date. I will probably start moving a lot of that to archive eventually and replace it with more up-to-date content. Posted 0 Comments
My Workout Routine
In case you're wondering: No, a buff computer geek is not in the same category as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and little green men. I've been on a bodybuilding program for the last 5 months, and I look and feel better than I ever have.
Update: I've resumed working out after a layoff, and my new information is at http://www.parkscomputing.com/cppwiki/index.php?title=High_intensity_training.
Posted September 30, 2003
0 Comments
Update: I've resumed working out after a layoff, and my new information is at http://www.parkscomputing.com/cppwiki/index.php?title=High_intensity_training.
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