Recently, Window & Door Magazine awarded my employer, GED Integrated Solutions, the 2008 Crystal Achievement Award for "Most Innovative Machine." It was for our i3 Smartload Welding System.

Last week, I was supposed to take my Microsoft 70-548: Designing and Developing Windows-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework exam. On Monday of last week, I had finished with my exam preparation book. I went online to schedule the exam. I saw that Tuesday was already booked, but Wednesday was free. Since I am currently taking Wednesdays off, I signed up for the 9:30 AM slot. I wish I had paid attention to the date. Apparently, fellow exam takers had filled all the slots for last week and I had inadvertently registered for this week.

Several weeks ago, I received notice from my school that they would be holding a programming competition. Yes, I enjoy writing code. But, in a competition? I was dubious. I know I can code. But, could I code within the required time frame? Eventually, I signed up. I figured that the worse thing that could happen is that I would lose; if nothing else, it would be a good experience.

Last Wednesday, I took the Microsoft 70-536: .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation exam. I was a bit nervous. The testing center is located at the Lorain County Community College. I had driven by the LCCC numerous times but had never ventured on campus. Since Rachel is more familiar with the area (and because I wanted some moral support) she came with me.

I hope everyone had a safe holiday weekend. I did not do too much. I mostly stayed inside and worked on school work. I am off of work for the next couple of weeks. So, I am hoping that things will stay quiet.

As a software developer, I spend an inordinate amount of time pounding away at my keyboard. Recently, my wrists have started to bug me while at work. Several years ago, I got a couple of natural keyboards. I finally brought one into work. It should help to alleviate my pain as well as increase my typing efficiency.

I don't know if anyone of you watches systm. Anyway, on the last half of Episode #10, they showed an LED panel that reflects the number of Diggs a particular website has received. My program was lucky enough to be chosen as the LED controller. For more information, go to the Digg the Digg Button website.

I suppose that the title of my last blog post, "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is," is rather appropriate. My last post was in March. I generally like to do at least one post a month. Anyway, here is my overdue entry:

I am still enjoying work. I keep thinking, "I can't believe that they are paying me for having fun." It is good to have a job that you enjoy. At any rate, I think that most of my coworkers like having me working there as they have given me the nickname "Code Monkey." Now, the phrase is a bit derogatory, but it is all in good fun. I still prefer being called "Ace," but I like the "Code Monkey" song.

I guess that I have been a bit busy. It has been several weeks since my last blog update. I do not know if anyone likes my entries or even reads them. But, here goes:

I recently started two new classes: ACC201 (Principles of Accounting I) and ECO201 (Principles of Macroeconomics). I had a few years of accounting in high school. In addition, working the past dozen years for a wireless billing company enabled me to pick up a few things. So far, the classes have been easy. I cannot believe that it is already the third week of school (almost halfway over).