Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh

Hello Muddah,
Hello Fadduh.
Here I am at
Camp Granada.
Camp is very
entertaining.
And they say we’ll have some fun if it stops raining.

The Lodges At Historic Banning Mills: First Impression
Prior to hearing about Big Nerd Ranch I had not heard about Historic Banning Mills. Located in Whitesburg, Georgia, Banning Mills is but an hour’s drive away from the ITP Estate.

My first impression is that Banning Mills is nice, but I don’t quite “get” it; the place is a melange of cabins and activities with all sorts of zip lines towering above it. Perhaps my schedule and Georgia’s amazingly wet summer have conspired to keep me from getting to know the facility as I’ve barely left my room or the main hall in which training is being conducted. And when we did try to go out on an afternoon hike yesterday, the skies opened up and we got rather wet as we hustled back to the hall. I am hoping to wedge some exploration/photography into this stay, only time and weather will tell. For a place hosting a bunch of nerds the wifi / cell service is horrendous. Even if I take photos there is little opportunity for me to upload them, so this blog may continue be as photo-free as it has been of late.

Advanced iOS Programming: Day One
Had I expected to know all of the subject material to be taught to me this week there would be little reason for attending the training. I felt comfortable with the first assignment, Storyboards, but was quickly thrown into the deep end when the second assignment dealt with Core Animation. I am not alone. My initial plan was to rectify my deficiencies each night after lectures ended prior to allowing myself to wind down for the evening.

Perhaps the group assembled knows less than I because we worked late last night, reassembling after our 6:30pm to work until past 10:00pm. Do not construe this as complaining, but I hope this is not a week-long occurrence as I have plenty of reading, relaxing, and ‘rithmetic that I’d like to accomplish during this week “without distraction.”

One other thing is abundantly clear, with my lack of free time and my numerous exercise limitations, I better not attempt to eat the three full meals provided (not to mention the numerous snacks and free sodas) otherwise my first stop upon returning inside the perimeter will be to the mall in order to buy new pants. I thought that given the location of Banning Mill and my decision not to pack any beer (each cabin has a small refrigerator) would give me a week off alcohol; not so fast my friend, wine is available with each dinner and I found that I am not the only one here who imbibes. One glass, with dinner, must keep my wits about me and remember that a potential long-term goal is to impress Big Nerd Ranch.

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]