dirty diapers and the needs of a company

Midway upon the journey of our life

I found myself within a forest dark,

For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

~ Dante - The Divine Comedy

Title if you want

You can have a title if you want, but as it turns out, titles mean nothing. No surprise, right? A t-shirt that says, “I’m a great Father!” or a business card that says “CTO” means nothing. Anything real has to be built step by step, and brick by proverbial brick. Building a company or building yourself is an iterative process, and sometimes half the battle is preparing yourself to learn. First you show up and execute on an idea at, then you learn, then you execute again, get punched in the stomach, learn some more, then rinse and repeat. I’m not going to talk about my past failures and successes right now, maybe later. Right now I’m going to start the conversation about finding the straightforward path.

Ready to learn

I’ve been a first-time CTO for a few years, at least in name, however it’s only with the birth of my daughter a little over 4 months ago that I’ve really begun the process of actually becoming a CTO in any real sense. The real question when a new baby arrives is, are you ready to strip away the ego and are you ready to learn. A great parent has to do countless things well, all in the face of doing the majority of those things poorly at least once. The willingness to take some knocks on the chin and make mistakes, while working hard to do better at everything you do, is key to starting the journey of being a good parent. So the question is, are you ready to learn?

The new parent and dirty diapers

Because I’m a new parent, I’m quick to draw an analogy between learning to be a good father and learning to help build and grow a company. So what does this have to do with learning to become a CTO? Well, as it turns out it’s not so much about becoming a CTO as it is about giving the company what it needs. In truth the startup CTO isn’t much of a CTO at all. Baby steps. In a startup there are roles to be filled at every level. A software startup needs everything from a janitor to a CEO and everything in between. In a startup all that really exists are a continuum of needs, and if any of those needs are neglected the company suffers. And, just like for the first time parent the question for someone trying to build a business is, are you ready to learn? I’m sure my wife Vanessa thinks I have quite a bit more to learn about dirty diapers.

What does your business need?

To continue to parenting analogy, I believe it takes a community to raise a child. New parents don’t have all the answers and nobody expects them to. What parents are expected to have is commitment and a willingness to do better each day. If you’re lucky enough to be involved with a startup company you need that same commitment and the same willingness to be better each day. The only way anyone fills any of the roles in a company successfully is by doing them successfully. I’ll never be a great CTO unless I’m a great product manager, a great janitor, a person of character, a great student, a person with drive and deep commitment, and a million other things. I have to be willing to take my failures and turn them all into lessons, and learn. I also have to be willing to ask for help, seek out mentors, and participate in an ongoing discussion. It takes a community to build a successful company.

Truism: You are what you choose to become

It’s obvious to say that it takes choosing to be a good parent to be a good parent. I’d imagine there’s almost nobody that has so much parenting talent that they got everything right the first time through, the second time through, or pretty much any time through. I think the quality good parents to bring to the table is the willingness to get better every day for the sake of their children. A committed member of any startup has to bring that same commitment, willingness to learn, and drive to improve. Raising a daughter is not the same thing as helping build a company, but there are some very useful lessons you can take from one and apply to the other. One thing is for sure, you will be never good at either unless you show up every day in a selfless way with a commitment to do better. Once you decide what you want to become it takes small steps every day to get there. Baby steps.

More than you can give

Growth always requires that you give more than you think you can give. I’m absolutely certain that being a good father to my daughter Isobella will, at times, seem to take more than I can give, but I know what my commitment is, and failure is simply not an option. I wake up each morning excited to see her smiling face, and her smile tells me that she has perfect confidence in my ability to be a great father. A startup company won’t always wake up smiling at you in the morning, and I’m sure at some point Isobel will have a bad morning, so in both cases you strip away the ego and roll up your shirt sleeves and get to work. Today my company needs a product manager, and I’ve got some user stories to write. If I listen carefully enough I’m sure my daughter will tell me what she needs today too.

Time to get working on creating the straightforward path, one lesson at a time. Thanks for listening to me think.

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Posted in business, philosophy. Tagged with qval.

By Bill Carroll

December 21, 2008

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to live by

A little over a year ago I decided to live by these 5 principles. Each one is simple, and so complex at the same time that I’ve barely managed to scratch the surface with any of them. The five things I’ve chosen to live by for the time being are still just as important to my development as when I chose them, and I’m just as determined to learn to live by them.

Listen
See yourself in others
Know there is nothing to forgive
Free ourselves from self that is ego
Enjoy the power of silence
Breathe

For now I don’t think I’ll say much about any of them, but I invite you to think about them and feel free to comment. I’d love to hear how you think these principles might apply to you, or if you don’t think they apply at all.

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Posted in philosophy.

By Bill Carroll

December 19, 2008

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Police

Police, originally uploaded by gtbarnes.

amazing photo. I love how even the officer with the face shield up has mirrored glasses. the anonymity of authority. seems like there is no humanity in there.

Photo by Gary Barnes

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Posted in art, photography.

By Bill Carroll

December 11, 2008

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Boulder Sunset from Pearl

Boulder Sunset from Pearl, originally uploaded by b3orion.

Amazing sunset this evening. Vanessa, Isobella, and I were walking down Pearl Street back to our car after dinner tonight when I heard a woman say, “Look at the green in the sunset.”

I looked up and had to stop and shoot a quick photo with my iPhone. I’m pretty suprised how well the photo turned out for a camera phone shot.

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Posted in art, photography.

By Bill Carroll

December 6, 2008

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Dreamer and Sydney Opera House designer Joern Utzon passes away

I visited the Sydney Opera House a few years ago, and spent a magical evening listening to live music and watching birds fly in and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge, while the entire Sydney Harbour was lit up with fireworks. I’ll never forget that night, and I’ll never forget how beautiful the Sydney Opera House was jutting out into the Harbour. Breathtakingly beautiful, it was a moment in time I didn’t want to let go of.

Joern Utzon, the man who designed the Sydney Opera House has just passed away, but he has left us something that transcends his life. His dreams put into action and reality cause the dreamer in all of us to live. I’ll never get the chance to meet Joern, but he has forever changed my life.

News from The Associated Press: “Utzon received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2003 for his design of the opera house.”

birth1

“The jury singled it out as among the most iconic buildings of the 20th century, saying it ‘proves that the marvelous and seemingly impossible in architecture can be achieved.’”

(Via Associated Press.)

Posted in architecture, art, current affairs.

By Bill Carroll

November 30, 2008

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Design: Stairs with a hidden adgenda

I’m somewhere between love and hate on this idea, but since I can’t force myself to hate it I must love it. Stairs with storage space built in. I can just see myself stepping into one of these drawers after a few beers.

staircase_drawers

Not sure where the picture comes from or who is responsible for the design, this just showed up in my e-mail inbox without any indication of who the designer is and if they’ve survived the lawsuits.

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Posted in architecture, design.

By Bill Carroll

November 25, 2008

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Relatives and the Shit up with which I have to put

“This is something up with which I will not put.” ~ Winston Churchill

The last 12 months or so I’ve received tons of e-mail from my family in Texas. Without fail the e-mail has been sad, low, sometimes racist, but always disappointing. I had hoped it would stop after the election, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. But then I grew up in a family that had a completely skewed view of Race. I didn’t know what a Brazil Nut was until I was out of high school. We knew them by another name.

Here is the “a word to the wise!!” e-mail I received from from my Aunt yesterday warning me that the “Obamanation” is planning to deprive me of my right to bear arms.

As much pot as my Aunt smokes you’d think she’d be a bit more liberal. I like the disclaimer at the end that indicates this e-mail was sent from her work e-mail account at a Houston Law Firm. Somehow I doubt the law firm would approve of all of the trash she’s e-mailed around the country lately. This e-mail is pretty mild but it shows how some people in this country seem to be invested in stirring up fear, among other things.

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I wouldn’t think anything would be in the damn liberal run/owned Snopes, but nothing is listed about it in Truth or Fiction either. So, I’m just pass’n it on, for what it’s worth, as a word to the wise!!.

O.K. It was predicted and here it is. If you live in one of these states the hour approaches for you. If you live elsewhere get ready because this bill is coming to your state very soon, or so I fear.

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Remember how the Obamanation said that he wasn’t going to take your guns?

Well, it seems that his minions and allies in the anti-gun world have no problem with taking your ammo!

The bill that is being pushed in 18 states (including Illinois and Indiana ) requires all ammunition to be encoded by the manufacture a data base of all ammunition sales.

So they will know how much you buy and what calibers. Nobody can sell any ammunition after June 30, 2009 unless the ammunition is coded.

Any privately held uncoded ammunition must be destroyed by July 1, 2011. (Including hand loaded ammo.) They will also charge a .05 cent tax on every round so every box of ammo you buy will go up at least $2.50 or more!

If they can deprive you of ammo they do not need to take your gun!

This legislation is currently pending in 18 states: Alabama , Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington.

To find more about the anti-gun group that is sponsoring this legislation and the specific legislation for each state, go to: http://ammunitionaccountability.org/Legislation.htm

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This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain information that is private, confidential, or protected by attorney-client or other privilege. If you received this e-mail in error, please delete it from your system without copying it and notify sender by reply e-mail, so that our records can be corrected.

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I grew up hunting with my Grandfather, and we hand loaded our ammunition. I believe in our right to bear arms as Citizens of our United States of America. I have no intention of giving up any of my rights, even though the Bush administration has tossed the Bill of Rights into the trash and pissed on them. Warrantless wiretapping, illegal search and seizure, torture, and I could go on and on. I have had enough. And I paraphrase Winston Churchill when I say, this stupid shit just needs to stop. Silly season is over.

I believe in a new day and a new way of living for our Country. We can live together, love together, work together, and make this a better place than we found it. Yes, we can even learn to hunt together. Hate and fear hold us back and eat away at us like acid. We are better than this.

Drop the hate. Forgive each other.

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Posted in current affairs, politics.

By Bill Carroll

November 25, 2008

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Desiderata - a humble gift from Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

— Max Ehrmann

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Posted in art, current affairs.

By Bill Carroll

November 19, 2008

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Would a Platypus drive Aptera’s 300 MPG car?

Aptera’s 300 MPG car available for pre-order - Engadget: “Aptera’s 300 MPG car available for pre-order”

Now the company looks to be taking the next step on the long road to availability, with it accepting pre-orders for the car, which apparently now boasts a range of 300 MPG in typical driving conditions. What’s more, the company says its also readying an all-electric version of the vehicle in addition to the plug-in hybrid model, with promising to last for around 120 miles before needing a recharge.

(Via Engadget .)

This story has been around for a bit, surfacing as popular on Digg and then picked up by Engadget where I found it. As heard on Truemors and FOXNews a few months back, apparently the Platypus is the only mammal that has low enough body heat that it has not had to develop testicles. So I ask you, would a Platypus drive Aptera’s 300 MPG car? While I can’t speak for the Platypus, I think I just might have the balls to pull a car like this off.

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Posted in conservation, environment, green, science.

By Bill Carroll

November 12, 2008

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Just how organized was the Obama Campaign?

Recently Vanessa and I decided to lower our expenses in the face of the economic downturn, and one of the first things we decided to do was move into a less expensive place. This was a pretty tough decision considering our daughter was born at home, and I tend to get sentimental about things like that. Finally I overcame my attachments by realizing we are a family no matter where we live. So once we made our decision to move, Vanessa gave our landlords Jeff and Kelly a call to let them know we wouldn’t be buying the place as we had originally intended, and we were also giving our 30 day notice.

All of this happened right around election time and you can imagine there were a lot of mixed emotions as we elected a new President of the United States and set about on our plans to provide our family with a little more security in the current economic crisis. And this leads us right into the discussion of organization. This last Sunday we met with our soon to be ex-landlords Jeff and Kelly over brunch. After a lot of talk about the baby and what Vanessa and I were up to, the conversation turned to Jeff and Kelly.

Kelly is an OBGYN at Boulder Foothills Hospital, and was Vanessa’s doctor before we decided to go with a midwife and a home birth. Kelly is a fantastic doctor and has been working her butt off delivering babies and taking care of expecting mothers. Jeff left his job as a regional manager at Sofa Mart last year and so Kelly has been providing the income for their family.

When Jeff left Sofa Mart he took up real estate, and since the economic downturn he’s had a little bit of extra time on his hands. So with some of that extra time Jeff did some work for the Obama campaign. Having donated to the Obama campaign and having just voted for Obama on November 4th, I was pretty curious to hear how things had been run at the grassroots level. I asked Jeff what working on the campaign was like, and some of what Jeff had to say surprised even me.

Yes, I’m an unrepentant tease. In the next few days I’ll post the 2nd part of this story, the surprising interview with Jeff. Until then, keep the rubber side down