Mike Bland: posts tagged "personal"Index of and tag-specific Atom feed for posts on Mike Bland's blog tagged: personal2024-02-05T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/tags/personal.xmlMike Blandmbland@acm.orghttps://mike-bland.com/about.htmlCoding Mechanisms2024-02-05T00:00:00-05:002024-02-05T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2024/02/05/coding-mechanismsIt'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 Action2024-01-23T00:00:00-05:002024-01-23T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2024/01/23/narrowing-the-information-gap-with-the-test-pyramid-in-actionThe "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 Bland2022-12-29T00:00:00-05:002022-12-29T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2022/12/29/software-at-scale-53-testing-culture-with-mike-blandA 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 Theory2022-12-05T00:00:00-05:002022-12-05T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2022/12/05/the-snowflake-fallacy-and-instigator-theoryWe'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 Apple2022-11-07T00:00:00-05:002022-11-07T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2022/11/07/leaving-appleI 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 Apple2018-11-06T00:00:00-05:002018-11-06T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2018/11/06/starting-at-appleIn 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 forward2018-08-05T00:00:00-04:002018-08-05T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2018/08/05/deja-vu-in-fast-forwardA 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 silence2017-12-26T00:00:00-05:002017-12-26T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2017/12/26/breaking-the-silenceIt'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 wish2017-08-16T00:00:00-04:002017-08-16T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2017/08/16/a-birthday-wishAt 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?2017-01-31T00:00:00-05:002017-01-31T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2017/01/31/so-now-whatStaying 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 Evil2016-11-17T00:00:00-05:002016-11-17T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2016/11/17/the-triumph-of-evilI 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 Knight2016-10-20T00:00:00-04:002016-10-20T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2016/10/20/pink-elephants-and-the-black-knightI 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 speech2016-04-26T00:00:00-04:002016-04-26T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2016/04/26/another-break-another-speechI'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 Step2014-09-29T00:00:00-04:002014-09-29T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2014/09/29/the-next-stepI'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 Again2014-06-16T00:00:00-04:002014-06-16T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2014/06/16/why-i-quit-berklee-againI'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 Tips2013-09-11T00:00:00-04:002013-09-11T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2013/09/11/request-for-berklee-tipsA call for advice and other forms of help regarding my nascent musical career at BerkleeCopyright 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 Concrete2013-08-26T00:00:00-04:002013-08-26T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2013/08/26/coffee-with-milk-and-concreteA reflection on my experiences at Berklee to date, including the realization that music and language are isomorphic human activitiesCopyright 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 Business2013-01-16T00:00:00-05:002013-01-16T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2013/01/16/finishing-businessTuition is paid, new ID card is in-hand, and I'm all set to start classes at Berklee College of Music next weekCopyright 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 Thanks2012-11-22T00:00:00-05:002012-11-22T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/11/22/day-of-thanksA few things I'm thankful for this year, especially in the wake of the 2012 United States electionCopyright 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 Thing2012-10-27T00:00:00-04:002012-10-27T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/10/27/one-more-thingA thought experiment regarding potential criticisms of my blog, in light of a comment by Rob Galanakis on my Leaving Google postCopyright 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 Google2012-10-26T00:00:00-04:002012-10-26T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/10/26/leaving-googleThe 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 blogCopyright 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 Brave2012-09-18T00:00:00-04:002012-09-18T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/09/18/land-of-the-freeA personal reflection on the 2012 United States Presidential election, the current United States political and social climate, and Jimi HendrixCopyright 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 Days2012-09-05T00:00:00-04:002012-09-05T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/09/05/happy-daysIn 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 All2012-09-01T00:00:00-04:002012-09-01T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/09/01/damn-it-allI 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 Business2012-05-31T00:00:00-04:002012-05-31T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/05/31/unfinished-businessThe 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, WY2012-02-17T00:00:00-05:002012-02-17T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/02/17/gart-missoula-to-sheridanAfter 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, ID2012-02-10T00:00:00-05:002012-02-10T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/02/10/gart-boiseHighlights of my Great American Road Trip from Memphis to BoiseCopyright 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, TN2012-02-01T00:00:00-05:002012-02-01T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/02/01/gart-bristol-to-memphisMy pilgrimage to the birtplace of Rock 'N Roll during my Great American Road TripCopyright 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, VA2012-01-31T00:00:00-05:002012-01-31T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/01/31/gart-harrisburg-to-bristolBack home in Virginia for the second day of my Great American Road TripCopyright 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, PA2012-01-30T00:00:00-05:002012-01-30T00:00:00-05:00https://mike-bland.com/2012/01/30/gart-hoboken-to-harrisburgMy 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 School2011-10-24T00:00:00-04:002011-10-24T00:00:00-04:00https://mike-bland.com/2011/10/24/silicon-valley-waldorf-schoolThe 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.