Mike Bland: posts tagged "personal" Index of and tag-specific Atom feed for posts on Mike Bland's blog tagged: personal 2025-11-16T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/tags/personal.xml Mike Bland mbland@acm.org https://mike-bland.com/about.html The Bzlmod Migration Bootcamp and the NoVA Live Music Mingle Fundraiser 2025-11-16T00:00:00-05:00 2025-11-16T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2025/11/16/the-bzlmod-migration-bootcamp-and-the-nova-live-music-mingle-fundraiser The Bzlmod Migration Bootcamp is now available online. But I'm more excited about the NoVA Live Music Mingle Meetup fundraiser I participated in last night to benefit disabled adults in Northern Virginia. Copyright 2025 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Reorienting 2025-01-02T00:00:00-05:00 2025-01-02T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2025/01/02/reorienting A brief reflection on the start of my journey to rediscover what it means to be human. Copyright 2025 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. EngFlow and Migrating to Bzlmod 2024-07-01T00:00:00-04:00 2024-07-01T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2024/07/01/engflow-and-migrating-to-bzlmod I ended my post-Apple sabbatical by joining EngFlow in March, which is at once a new start and a bit of a homecoming. I also just published my first EngFlow blog post, Migrating to Bazel Modules (a.k.a. Bzlmod). Copyright 2024 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Coding Mechanisms 2024-02-05T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-05T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2024/02/05/coding-mechanisms It's easy to forget that technologists are people, too. You can't fix all your bugs with moar code. Here are some of my own nontechnical, human struggles, in case others find comfort in seeing reflections of their own. Copyright 2024 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Narrowing the Imagination Gap with the Test Pyramid in Action 2024-01-23T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-23T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2024/01/23/narrowing-the-information-gap-with-the-test-pyramid-in-action The "Making Software Quality Visible" series will resume shortly. Before that, I'm excited to share a new training project I've developed. I'm also about ready to start a business or find another job soon. Copyright 2024 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Software at Scale 53 - Testing Culture with Mike Bland 2022-12-29T00:00:00-05:00 2022-12-29T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2022/12/29/software-at-scale-53-testing-culture-with-mike-bland A conversation with Utsav Shah about automated testing adoption, culture change, and leadership. Copyright 2022 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. The Snowflake Fallacy and Instigator Theory 2022-12-05T00:00:00-05:00 2022-12-05T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2022/12/05/the-snowflake-fallacy-and-instigator-theory We're more alike than different—but it can be easier to convince the rest of the world of that than our own teammates. Copyright 2022 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Leaving Apple 2022-11-07T00:00:00-05:00 2022-11-07T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2022/11/07/leaving-apple I learned to focus, simplify, and know my own value. Copyright 2022 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Starting at Apple 2018-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 2018-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2018/11/06/starting-at-apple In a bizarre twist of fate, after a great run at Cvent, I've taken the unexpected opportunity to join Apple. Copyright 2018 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Déjà vu in fast forward 2018-08-05T00:00:00-04:00 2018-08-05T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2018/08/05/deja-vu-in-fast-forward A lot of my work at Cvent is reminiscent of my past, but my colleagues and I are discovering how to do it faster and better than we did at Google. Copyright 2018 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Breaking the silence 2017-12-26T00:00:00-05:00 2017-12-26T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2017/12/26/breaking-the-silence It's not that I haven't had enough to say these past few months, but rather that I've had too much—including a significant career announcement. Copyright 2017 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. A birthday wish 2017-08-16T00:00:00-04:00 2017-08-16T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2017/08/16/a-birthday-wish At this point, I don't think I'm making an unreasonable request for a very specific birthday gift that would delight us all. Copyright 2017 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. So now what? 2017-01-31T00:00:00-05:00 2017-01-31T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2017/01/31/so-now-what Staying busy as a coping mechanism has given way to frustration and outrage that I'm struggling to put to good use. Copyright 2017 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. The Triumph of Evil 2016-11-17T00:00:00-05:00 2016-11-17T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2016/11/17/the-triumph-of-evil I was forcefully reminded of the wages of complacency last night, in a rather intense, personal fashion. I'm ready to act. Copyright 2016 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Pink Elephants and the Black Knight 2016-10-20T00:00:00-04:00 2016-10-20T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2016/10/20/pink-elephants-and-the-black-knight I believe Donald Trump embodies the worst of everything that is wrong about the United States of America, about men, and about humanity in general. We must not elect him. Copyright 2016 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Another break, another speech 2016-04-26T00:00:00-04:00 2016-04-26T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2016/04/26/another-break-another-speech I've resigned from 18F, am taking some time off, and am speaking at the Beyond20'16 conference next week. Copyright 2016 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. The Next Step 2014-09-29T00:00:00-04:00 2014-09-29T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2014/09/29/the-next-step I'm moving to Washington, D.C. to join the 18F team, to help change how development is done throughout the Federal government. Copyright 2014 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Why I Quit Berklee Again 2014-06-16T00:00:00-04:00 2014-06-16T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2014/06/16/why-i-quit-berklee-again I've dropped out of Berklee a second time, both to pace myself and pursue programming again for a little while. Copyright 2014 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Request for Berklee Tips 2013-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 2013-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2013/09/11/request-for-berklee-tips A call for advice and other forms of help regarding my nascent musical career at Berklee Copyright 2013 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Coffee with Milk and Concrete 2013-08-26T00:00:00-04:00 2013-08-26T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2013/08/26/coffee-with-milk-and-concrete A reflection on my experiences at Berklee to date, including the realization that music and language are isomorphic human activities Copyright 2013 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Finishing Business 2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00 2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2013/01/16/finishing-business Tuition is paid, new ID card is in-hand, and I'm all set to start classes at Berklee College of Music next week Copyright 2013 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Day of Thanks 2012-11-22T00:00:00-05:00 2012-11-22T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/11/22/day-of-thanks A few things I'm thankful for this year, especially in the wake of the 2012 United States election Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. One More Thing 2012-10-27T00:00:00-04:00 2012-10-27T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/10/27/one-more-thing A thought experiment regarding potential criticisms of my blog, in light of a comment by Rob Galanakis on my Leaving Google post Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Leaving Google 2012-10-26T00:00:00-04:00 2012-10-26T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/10/26/leaving-google The reasons I decided to leave Google, why I decided to return to music and Berklee, and why I've written so much about Google in this blog Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave 2012-09-18T00:00:00-04:00 2012-09-18T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/09/18/land-of-the-free A personal reflection on the 2012 United States Presidential election, the current United States political and social climate, and Jimi Hendrix Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Happy Days 2012-09-05T00:00:00-04:00 2012-09-05T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/09/05/happy-days In the middle of moving to Boston, I find an old email to friends sent at the beginning of my adventures with the Testing Grouplet at Google. Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Damn It All 2012-09-01T00:00:00-04:00 2012-09-01T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/09/01/damn-it-all I learn that I'm still a programmer after writing tools in Ruby and Go to help publish my blog, which I've also now published on Google Code. Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Unfinished Business 2012-05-31T00:00:00-04:00 2012-05-31T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/05/31/unfinished-business The Great American Road Trip is long since over, I've semi-retired from the tech industry, and I've decided to return to Berklee College of Music. Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. GART Update from Sheridan, WY 2012-02-17T00:00:00-05:00 2012-02-17T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/02/17/gart-missoula-to-sheridan After driving through Montana and Wyoming during my Great American Road Trip, I better understand Dog Day Afternoon. Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. GART Update from Boise, ID 2012-02-10T00:00:00-05:00 2012-02-10T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/02/10/gart-boise Highlights of my Great American Road Trip from Memphis to Boise Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Day 3, Feb 1: Bristol, VA to Memphis, TN 2012-02-01T00:00:00-05:00 2012-02-01T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/02/01/gart-bristol-to-memphis My pilgrimage to the birtplace of Rock 'N Roll during my Great American Road Trip Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Day 2, Jan 31: Harrisburg, PA to Bristol, VA 2012-01-31T00:00:00-05:00 2012-01-31T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/01/31/gart-harrisburg-to-bristol Back home in Virginia for the second day of my Great American Road Trip Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Day 1, Jan 30: Hoboken, NJ to Harrisburg, PA 2012-01-30T00:00:00-05:00 2012-01-30T00:00:00-05:00 https://mike-bland.com/2012/01/30/gart-hoboken-to-harrisburg My Great American Road Trip begins, as I take the PATH to Hoboken and drive to Harrisburg, PA, then cave in and announce the trip on Google+. Copyright 2012 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details. Silicon Valley Waldorf School 2011-10-24T00:00:00-04:00 2011-10-24T00:00:00-04:00 https://mike-bland.com/2011/10/24/silicon-valley-waldorf-school The New York Times reports on a Waldorf elementary school in which children of Googlers are enrolled. Copyright 2011 Mike Bland. Except as noted, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. See https://mike-bland.com/policies.html for details.