James is a software engineer for RoboSource. He’s been with us for just over a year. Below, you’ll find out what his favorite pizza toppings are and what he’s been reading.
What are you passionate about within your career?
Solving people’s problems. I’ve always had a passion for helping people through the solving of problems. It’s something I’ve had a gift for all my life, so it’s great to be in a position daily where I have the opportunity to evaluate an issue someone is having and make it better.
Tell me about your family.
I have an amazing wife. She is the rock of my life and faith and helps me to be better every day. We have been blessed with two children, Avah (8) and Colt (5), who are both amazing, loving, and incredibly intelligent.
What do you most like about your family?
We laugh … a lot! We value humor in our family above all but the most important things. It’s really been an interesting process watching our kids develop their own senses of humor.
Why did you decide to do the work you’re doing today?
Like I mentioned above, I love solving problems. I’ve also always had a pretty decent understanding of computers. Through several decisions throughout my life I kind of fell into software development. As an option, and I’ve been amazed how fulfilling it can be.
What do you do in your free time?
Mostly, my free time belongs to my family. My children are at an age where they want to spend every moment they can with me, and I don’t want to waste that. I know I’ll miss it when they grow up. In the instances where I have time to work toward something, I love to learn new things and new ways to do things. I’ve been spending as much time as possible improving myself as a Godly man and improving my ability to write clean code.
You have a whole pizza, just to yourself. What’s on it?
Hmm. Tough question. I rarely order the same thing twice … and I’ve been expanding the different vegetables I eat on a regular basis. So I guess the short answer is EVERYTHING. I’ll take a pizza with as many different ingredients as I can find, including the specialty ones like quail eggs, anchovies, and/or pineapple.
What music was playing in your car today?
I believe I was listening to Demon Hunter, Nine Lashes, and We As Human.
What is the last gift you gave someone?
My wife’s birthday was last week, and the most recent gift (she got a few) I gave her was watching the kids while she had some time to herself to spend some birthday money in a stress-free experience.
What’s the last TV show you watched? Why did you chose to watch it?
Iron Fist. Yes, I definitely chose to watch it. If I didn’t have responsibilities I’d still be watching it. I also love the Marvel Netflix series.
What’s something interesting about you that I couldn’t learn from your resume?
Almost everything. I’ve never liked the way I am portrayed in my resume. I think the best things about me don’t fit very well at all. I love to learn just to learn, and I’m tenacious by nature. So when I see a problem I try to learn and adapt until its solved… and I hate to give up.
What hobby would you get into if time/money weren’t an issue?
Oh, so many. I would really love to learn Parkour and rock climbing. But I can substitute about a million other things into this sentence just as easily.
What are you terrible at?
Simple things. I thing I tend to over-think or under-think most simple things. I’ve always struggled with basic concepts others take for granted, like estimating time, simple arithmetic (but I love calculus), and spelling. The list goes on, but I’m happy to stop there.
What small things make your day great?
My wife and kids, obviously, but you said small things so I’ll give you one small thing. When I’m working downtown, I like to go for walks during lunch to have a change of scenery for a while. Sometimes, during these walks I’ll see these brave, crazy squirrels running around the people downtown by the capitol building. It always makes me smile, no matter what kind of mood I’m in.
What’s the best day on the calendar?
I have 2, Christmas and my birthday. I never grew up.
What’s the best book or series you’ve ever read? What did you like about it?
I guess here is another thing I struggle with, I’m not good a picking a favorite or best of anything – I’m too indecisive. Instead I’ll give you the best, recent series of books I’ve read. I have been reading, whenever I have time, books in the Cosmere series, by Brandon Sandersen. They are amazing!
What’s the one thing you really want but can’t afford?
To pay off my school loans.
Who inspires you to be better?
My wife.
What is something you will NEVER do again?
Oh, again, there are so many answers to this question. But when it comes down to it, there are very few things I can guarantee I’ll never do again. If I’ve learned anything throughout my life it’s the truth of that phrase, “There, but for the grace of God, go I”. I have every intention of never repeating my mistakes, but there is more to life than my own will.
What is your favorite smell?
I’m not sure. I love vanilla, fresh air, fresh brownies/cookies, wood smoke, and fresh coffee. I’m sure there are many others as well.
What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you’re good at?
I’m not sure if embarrassed is the right word, but being a kid I guess. I can make up silly games, make silly puns, watch cartoons, and play video games as good as my kids can … and better sometimes. I think that it won’t be too long before they are more mature than I am.
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