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Who is Alan?
Where I've Been: East 1953-1971 Jamaica, Queens, New York City 1971-1976 Brown University, Providence, RI (on and off) 1972-1978 Programmer at R.I. Health Services Research, Providence (on and off) 1978-1980 Programmer at ISIS Systems, Cambridge, MA Where I've Been: West 1980 Moved to Albany, CA 1981-1987 Programmer, manager, and chairman of the Design Review Committee at National CSS, renamed Dun & Bradstreet Computing Services (SF, Concord, San Ramon) 1982 Moved to Watergate Condo Complex in Emeryville, CA 1986-1994 Programming contractor at various companies 1992-1994 Programming contractor at California State Automobile Association, SF 1994-1995 Programming contractor at National Semiconductor, Santa Clara 1995-1996 Programming contractor at Amdahl, Sunnyvale 1996-2000 Programming employee at Amdahl 2001-2002 Programming employee at Calimetrics, Alameda 2001 Bought a house in Oakland, CA 2002 Programming contractor for Concepts 2000 Consulting, Oakland 2004-2007 Programming employee at Platform Solutions, Inc., Sunnyvale 2002- Freelance web site developer
Software tools résumé
Some things I find interesting
Favorite books
1984 by George Orwell
I first read it when I was a teenager and found it disturbing. I had to read it three times during my teens before I felt comfortable with, or at least accepted, the idea that some people could be so thoroughly motivated by the desire for power.
Now I am careful never to open my copy if I happen to pick it up. The last several times that happened, I was unable to put it down until I had read all the way to the end, and these days I just can't stay up that late.One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I read it some years back when I was in a book group that met about once a month. We read 77 books while I was in it. This was the only book I rated a 10. I felt it created an absorbing atmosphere and was a joy to read. I have read it only once, but as I recall, the last chapter tied it up so nicely that I was deeply impressed.Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
This was also a gripping story that seemed beautifully constructed and complete even before the end. The final section seemed to be a tour-de-force, rounding out what was already nearly perfect. I read it a second time in 2004 and it holds up.A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
These days John Irving is my favorite author. I'll read anything he writes, and Meany is my favorite Irving book. His inventiveness always entertains me, his way with words and ideas and plot always grab me from the beginning, and the way he makes his characters real always makes me laugh and cry with, or for, them, and not want the book to end.Favorite Movies
Ordinary People
I've seen it about six times. The last time it seemed to be losing some of its power over me, but it still grabs me from the beginning and holds me. I can't think of any way it could be improved. Every shot is just right and is held the exact right amount of time. The writing and acting are brilliant, showing an ordinary family struggling with the aftermath of a family tragedy. I love the way the music (Pachelbel's Canon) is used. I think this is the movie that started the Pachelbel craze of the '80s.House of Games
Although some of Mamet's lines and some of the acting seem less than completely natural, I've always enjoyed watching this film.Favorite Theatrical Performances
Stomp
What surprised me about it was not just the technical proficiency of most of the percussionists but that the whole show was shot through with humor and even involved the audience. I'd see it again.The Vagina Monologues
I saw the writer, Eve Ensler, perform it in 2002. I felt there was only one phrase in the entire two-hour monologue that was less than inspired (a reference to "electric air" that seemed forced). The rest of the writing was a brilliant alternation of humor, mostly, and pathos. Some of it was funny and touching at the same time. Although many people have performed it, I can't imagine anyone doing a better job.Favorite Quotations
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