The Angry Programmer

Sitting at a computer desk ALL day writing code can become draining and downright annoying at times. I am sure we have all seen the You Tube video of the angry programmer acting out, which is hilarious, but really kind of sad, and absolutely scary. For me, my days are spent doing endless amounts of programming for my homework assignments and little time for exercise, and enjoying my summer. I miss the smell of the outdoors: freshly cut grass, summer rain, and my sons’ sweaty football uniforms. I’ve just recently moved and settled down in a new area but I still haven’t visited my close friends or family. Because of my struggles in keeping up with the ever changing Web technologies, I’ve seen little of the “real-world” except through a computer screen. I am an honor student but what is it all for if I cannot enjoy what I am doing. The angry programmer is who I am trying not to become.

My mantra used to be C# rocks! Now, with strained eyesight, and an overwhelmed mind, I could care less if I ever see another C#, VB or an ASP.NET program. I have very little time to complete my homework assignments, and with little to no help from my instructors it is a constant fight to meet the constraints of my deadline. As soon as I start something new, it has already changed. Sometimes I wonder if I have chosen the right career path. After some deep thought and a visit with Merlot (my favorite wine), I realize I am going to do just fine.

Here are some things that help me cope:

• Relax, and stop stressing: Learning takes time. So, asking for an extension is not a weakness, but a necessity.
• Exercise: For me, it is a work in progress, but I feel so much better after an hour on the elliptical. This is the best treatment for an angry programmer.
• Rest: Stop burning the midnight oil and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Believe me, that programming problem will be there in the morning!
• Spend time with family and friends: I realized after talking with our friends from out-of-state, my problems are not as bad as I make them.
• Have that glass of wine:  There is nothing like a having a glass of wine with a little jazz playing in the background while watching the sun go down. Almost heaven!

I know that others say that replacing that uncomfortable chair for an exercise ball really helps them remain comfortable while sitting for long hours. That is definitely an honorable mention; comfort while working. Another thing is to get regular medical check-ups. As I mentioned earlier, my eyesight has become strained. I just hope by the time I am finished school, I am not as blind as Mr. Magoo–although things always seem to work out fine for him.

Here are some signs of the angry programmer: Broken keyboard, laptop, monitor, and eventually, your spirit. Enough said.

What are some things that help you cope?

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