Another 10 Things about Paul

Here We Go Again!

I am once again participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge. This challenge is to write 31 posts in the month of July! I did this in the past (a few times) and I am going to do it again!

One of those times (it was back 2 years ago – July 1, 2012), I started the challenge with a non-WordPress/non-technical post with a list of 25 Little known facts about me!. I decided to bring back that idea (not the same post, but a brand new list). This is a list of 10 things about me plus a short ‘Lesson Learned’ to each one of them.

 Bring On The List

1. I recently bought a Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide motorcycle. I have always wanted to get one, but felt intimidated going into the dealership. Once I overcame that, making the purchase was easy! Lesson Learned: When you are scared to do something, just do it!
2. I got married at the Happy Place on Earth – Walt Disney World. My wife and I actually went into the Magic Kingdom before the park was open and had a photo shoot at the castle! Lesson Learned: Always have fun!
3. I love to SCUBA dive and have dived (dove) at places like Roatán, Hawaii, St. Lucia, Bermuda, Florida, Hilton Head, and (of course) Walt Disney World (Epcot® DiveQuest)! Next up is Costa Rica next February. Lesson Learned: Some of these dives too place while I was ‘working’ – try to schedule fun even when you have to travel for business.
4. I am a Mac guy! I learned to program on the early Apple ][. Lesson Learned: When you love what you do, you tend to do it a long time! Find what that is, and you won’t be working, you will always be playing!
5. I was called a snob recently. And it is true. I tend to like good things – good motorcycles, good watches, good wine, good food, good gin, good music… It is all about the quality! I would rather pay for something expensive that will last, than pay for cheap stuff over and over and over again. Lesson Learned: Invest in the good stuff – it will last longer.
6. I studied a semester abroad – I went to the Polytechnic of North London and studied Humanities. This is a bit different than my technical Computer Science major! In order to do this, I had to take a leave of absence from Rochester Institute of Technology, apply to become a Visiting Student at SUNY-Cortland, and enrolled at the Polytechnic of North London. Lesson Learned: Where this is a will, there is a way. Find it and get the experiences you want!
7. I was center stage on Carnegie Hall. My father was a composer and conductor. He was conducting the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall and at the end of the performance he called my sister and I onstage. Lesson Learned: Sometimes it helps to know the right people! (Corollary to this lesson – Sometimes you have no choice and you truly do get lucky!)
8. Cufflinks – I love them and have a collection of them. The one I collect are fun! I have cufflinks of iPods, the Superman Emblem, Spiderman, sand from Bermuda, and some old antiques as well. Lesson Learned: I am not sure there is a lesson here J
9. I belong to a mastermind group that started back in 2006! To this day, we still meet weekly for out call. Of the other 3 people in the group, I have yet to meet 2 of them in person! Lesson Learned: When you find a good group of people, keep them around!
10. When I was first introduced to WordPress, I had no interest at all in learning it! I considered myself a ‘true developer’ and had no need for the easy breezy ways of WordPress. It took my 6 months before I realized the power that it provides! Once I made that realization, I have never looked back. Lesson Learned: When an ‘expert’ tries to teach you something, don’t be pig headed and think you know what is best! Listen to their advice, try it out and then make an informed decision!

There you go! Leave a comment below and let me know 1 thing about you! Oh, if you are interested in the original list, you can find it here: 25 Things About Paul.