Tech Life

Hey family,
   So, I read a really interesting article on piracy that I thought you might like.  It's only a couple pages long but it makes some really neat points. http://www.ornery.org/essays/warwatch/2003-09-07-1.html
        Other than that, life is dandy out here for Corey and I.  I have decided that I want to go to graduate school, and possibly even get a PhD.  My long term plans would still be to work in industry, just at a higher pay scale essentially.  At the moment I am mainly interested in getting my masters, and the only real excitement about a PhD is the prospect of being Dr. DeBaltzo, so we'll see what I think.  This is all still a couple years away, but I have started taking the time to talk to some Professors about doing research with them which would help me get a good jump on my graduate work, potentially shaving up to a year off of my masters program.  I'm not quite sure what I want to research at this point, but there is a Professor that I really like who studies software from a social perspective and how it is the people and the social structure of the company that affects how software will turn out.  What this means is if you consider a few large companies, like Google, Microsoft, and Apple, and think about how they all do great things and create great products, but they are incredibly different.  This difference lies beyond simple differences in how the software looks and feels, but down to how things were released, how the architecture of the company affected how they did what they did, and why.  That might seem a bit vague, but it sounds potentially very interesting to me and I think it could be a lot of fun to be a part of that.  We shall see what happens on that front however.

      I've been all over music lately, and have really been digging Spotify.  I just recently learned that they are based in Sweden, and I'm thinking about applying there at some point and seeing how I could be a part of that.  It would be really neat to be in a software company that works directly with music.  I also really believe in the product which can make a huge difference.  I got a 64gig expansion hard drive for my phone and have been filling my phone with music and it has been great to listen to everything I want to at any time.  I've been listening lately to a lot of Queen and The Band.  It's funny how music kind of goes in cycles in life, how there can be times that you listen to a certain song 100 times in a week, and then you don't listen to it again for 5 years.  Music is kind of like a really good book in that regards, it can inspire emotions, relationships, and really powerful contemplation.

    So this weekend is our 3rd Annual Murder Mystery party which will take place on the Titanic.  I am Captain John Smith, and the other characters are just various persons from the voyage, including the unsinkable Molly Brown!  I think it will be a lot of fun, we invited 3 other couples over to join us for this and we'll be doing a nice dinner and playing the game.  We're having my last mission companion Daniel Carlisle and his wife Shelby. A couple that I have worked with for a while now, who also came with us to Yaya and Grandpa Dicks house for conference, Eric and Iris Seaman.  The third couple is a guy that I've had many classes with and works with me as well.  We've spent a lot of time playing games with them.  They are Dean and Katie Lebaron and have a 3 month old son, Jared.

Alright, well I love you all, I'm off to class now!

Max

From the Youngest in the Family

Missionary Name: Elder Jacob DeBaltzo Mission: Provo MTC Date Submitted: October 3 Brother of my soul - It has been two weeks since I looked at you. Make that two weeks and two days. Today I have looked longingly into the eyes of She Who Provides Food but she continues to deny me. I point blank refuse to eat the slop that remains in my dish from yesterday. I did not like it then and I do not like it now. It remains. Under a layer of water. And I decline courteously. Despite meowing, looking threateningly at the iPhone cords in Her room. There is no sympathy. And the Place Where I Have Private Time. You would not recognize it. That Red Headed Villain walks right on by it. Until She had guests come stay in your room over the weekend, no one was caring for my needs properly. For a few days it was acceptable but I fear it is headed in the wrong direction. There seems to be no sense of what in right in that Red Headed One. Perhaps I shall work on the Young Female. Over the weekend - I spent hours walking back and forth across the tv but She and Her Father just kept looking at pictures of my relatives from a Foreign Land. Her Father even said hurtful things about how some African House Cat would "tear me up." I was rightfully offended. Over the weekend the weather improved and delightful smells came in from the Outside. I spent a great deal of time patiently pawing at the door until I was able to escape to enjoy some peace and quiet on the Deck. SHE caught me however and requested my presence inside. I acquiesced...but only until SHE left again. I got out again and this time was not discovered until the Darkness was upon us. Young Female found me this time but I was ready to return at this time so I was not put off. One day last week I challenged authority by choosing to nap on She Who Provides Food's (usually) bed. Young Female disturbed my rest and indicated I was lucky that She did not catch me. I disagree as I would have looked at Her with disdain as I slowly moved out of the room. Alas, it is not the same without You. I miss the scratches and the opportunity to rest in your bed. I know that we will both survive this separation. But it is a chore to train these menial people whom you have left in charge of my life. Well wishes to you. Farewell for now. Moses