My Internet Initiative Scholarship Essay

When I finish college, I will assemble a team of the brightest new computer programmers, analysts, and scientists that I met during my academic years. We will take computer consulting and project management to a new level—virtual reality for business applications. We will begin with an interactive web site that allows customers to view first-hand what we have done for others, and provides them a free assessment of what we can do for them.

First contact between my team and potential clients will be face-to-face in their offices, where we will study their business and find out what they believe they need most from a data processing company. We will introduce each member of our team to the members of our customer’s staff, and show them who they will be working with. Our initial visit to each client will be the only traveling involved in this endeavor. After that, every negotiation, demonstration, initiative, and training session will be conducted over the Internet.

Customer contact will occur in virtual reality through a live Internet feed via a customized headset, and touch screen. My team will be in the war room of our office—a conference room whose four walls will be interactive screens. This is where the magic will happen. The synergy created in this environment will streamline the consulting process. Clients will be able to get immediate answers to their questions, bypassing formerly necessary steps such as telephone calls, e-mail and instant messaging. Progress reports will be seen on the virtual bulletin board in our office. Customers will know in real time when their project’s goals are reached. Subsequently, my team will be only a touch away.

Perhaps this sounds like science fiction, such as worm hole and light speed travel. The human race may not yet navigate subspace in ships (think Star Trek), but holodeck technology is not so far off (see http://www.projectholodeck.com/).

AT&T used to have a slogan “Reach Out and Touch Someone.” That touch was by voice and emotion, and it could bring a smile to the face and warmth to the heart of a loved one. Skype has taken it a step further with video calling and conferencing. I can visit my nephew in Afghanistan with a few clicks of a button and a Skype connection. I may not be able to hug him, but he can see the hug in my eyes as well as hear it in my voice. He sees in my body language how much I care and in my face how much I miss him.

Video conferencing and telecommuting may not be so new to the boardroom, but virtual reality and holo-imaging will be the business communication wave of the future. It will be a shock-wave felt round the world, and the Internet will be the vehicle. Rather, it will be the driving force.

My dream of becoming a computer programmer began years ago in a small Ohio town in a vocational school where big things were going on: a mainframe computer with keypunch machines and reverse 10-key data entry, sorters, collators, and RPG II programming. Big dreams often have humble beginnings. With the World Wide Web at our fingertips, they can become big realities. I plan on going there.

Little Flower by Grace Kelly

Over three years ago I posted a poem to my blog, asking if anyone knows this poem that I had learned as a child. Today, I check my blog, and lo and behold....someone from Italy responded by posting the poem! So, I am repeating it here. Thank you Francesco!

Little Flower, you're a lucky one
you soak in all the lovely sun
you stand and watch it all go by
and never once do bat an eye
while others have to fight and strain
against the world and its every pain of living.

But you must, too, have wars to fight
the cold bleak darkness of every night
of a bigger vine who seeks to grow
and is able to stand the rain and snow
and yet you never let it show
on your pretty face.

Grace P. Kelly

Birthday Memories

I've previously spoken of my former pastor and his wife (from when I was living in North Carolina.) They were Dr. Robert and Lavola Hart. They were both nearing eighty years old and worked tirelessly for the Lord, until their lives ended in a tragic car accident.

I had occasion to think of them again a few days ago, on my birthday. My mind when back to August 24, 1998. At the time, I was store accountant for the Harris Teeter supermarket in Albemarle, and was working the night of my birthday. I missed church that night because of work. I ran a cash register part of the night because we were so busy. When things died down, I secured my register and headed back to the accounting office. I didn't get far! As I turned around, Bro. & Sis. Hart appeared out of nowhere, and began to sing "Happy Birthday to you!" For a moment, I was embarrassed...then I was so thrilled! How nice of them to come to the store after church just to sing to me!

This was just one of the many kindness they showed to me. I'm so glad I have this memory of these wonderful people, my old friends.

Enthusiasm and Freedom

Today I read the following from Norman Vincent Peale's Treasury of Joy and Enthusiasm (1981, Foundation For Christian Living), and was encouraged. It goes:

"...enthusiasm is good for you. Hope you catch it--and good.

When contagious, enthusiastic faith in yourself releases you from the self-built prison of your mind, then you begin to change, and as you change, your whole life also changes. You are set free to live on a level never before experienced.

Perhaps you are being overwhelmed by problems. When they have you disorganized and confused, remember there is Someone concerned about you. The Lord will help you to turn about, rethink clearly and overcome. Your victories will fill you with enthusiasm and joy. Your problems will give way before enthusiasm and positive faith." (pp 28)

God's Will For Me

We just wrapped up a revival with Rev. J.R. & Sis. Ashmore and I just have to say "WOW!" God's word and His Spirit were poured out in abundance. During this revival I was healed of gastro-intestinal illnesses that plagued me for nearly 20 years!

God also spoke to me through His word, a scripture that I've heard many times--yet one I've never really heard:

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I Thessalonians 5:18

How simple can it get?

So, I thank God for everything in my life, the decisions and experiences, both good and bad. I even thank Him for the poor decisions of my past. But...what past? The past does not exist. I can't reach back and touch it. I can't change it. So there is no need to agonize over it! From now on, I will live in the now. And I will give God the thanks in all things. For this is His will for me in Christ Jesus, my Savior!

Thinking Out Loud

One of the things I enjoy about blogging is the thinking out loud. It's kind of therapeutic...even if no one else ever reads it.

The problem is, I tend to give too much personal information. I'm really not an emotional exhibitionist. But I can get carried away.

So if anyone else reads my blog--and you think I'm giving TMI--please drop me a note. Thanks!

Inertial Damper

I lifted the following comments from an article in GQ magazine. The writer told about an actor who has no set goals for his career (I've edited out certain references, but kept the gist of the comments): If you don’t commit to a goal, you don’t have to worry about what you’re doing, or not doing, to make it come true....About the choices you’re making and the ones you’re letting time and inertia and other people make for you. Maybe hanging back is less scary than committing to something that might turn out to be beyond you.

I'm ashamed to admit how often I am in this very frame of mind. Afraid to set a goal. Afraid to fail. Afraid to achieve. What is it about? Am I afraid to see my own limitations? Or more worried that others will see me and judge? Whatever the case...I don't want forces stronger than my own will to propel me into the future because I lack the courage to consciously choose my own future.

In the words of singer/songwriter Justin Furstenfeld "...my decision paved the road that lies in front of me." And since I don't like my present road a whole lot these days, I'm just going to have to build a new one. By the grace of God, I will.