I understand the point, but as an exercise, try to find four historical figures without glaring character defects. Eventually, I figure we’ll all be either judged or forgotten in time.

It’s a poem by Stephen Crane, but so short I’m often reminded of it in full:

A man said to the universe:

”Sir, I exist!”

“However,” replied the universe,

“The fact has not created in me

A sense of obligation.”

It sounds nihilistic, but it’s somehow calming whenever I start to feel like I’ve been wronged or I’m owed a break of some sort.

This won’t be the last time, I’m afraid. At the end of the day, software developers build sandcastles.

If you want to build something that will outlast your company, make sure you also have a hobby or craft outside of computing.

55 here, and it still happens more than I’d like to admit.

Yep. I think this is the standard path for parents today. Kids even get to keep some Angry Birds and PBS Kids cartoon from their formative iPad years.

Or Booking??

That seems like a rather arbitrary measure. I could just as easily state “The state of the cereal aisle is the most reliable measure…”

I think it will be more like the Aztec, but less practical.

Kindness isn’t patronizing. Just offer to help because you care for Stevie and your neighbor. No need to make it a debt (or worse, make her “work it off”), which would redefine your relationship as employer/employee. Just friends doing what friends do.

Most liquors, but gin and tequila in particular.