Learning History for 1996

During the last of 1995, I first remember hearing about Learning Organizations through Peter Senge's book "The Fifth Discipline". Learning Organizations, from my viewpoint, honor learning and seek to find means of increasing learning on the job and making the company more productive and responsive to change. Before finding the information, I didn't think about business that much. After getting started, I hoped that I could make my learning relevant to the place where I work. The ideas of Dr. Deming were being talked about at the library where I work, so I wanted to learn more about his theory. My boss allowed me to view a number of videos of Dr. Deming speaking about Total Quality Management and additional related videos. I've indicated what some of the videos particularly said in the review section of my online information.

There is a booklet in the library where I work written by a pastor from one of the local churches from before 1950. The title of the booklet is something like "The Conversion of Clarence Darrow". The pastor gives an account of talking with Clarence Darrow at the very library where I work in the 1930's and said that he was receptive to what was said. I had hoped to put the booklet online (having typed it already); however, I haven't gotten permission and did not think that I should. Additionally, when trying to verify the account, certain particulars seemed uncertain. For example, I did not find an acknowledgement in Clarence Darrow's words after the time of the conversation. Newspaper and journal articles quoted him as saying that he was still an agnostic. On the other hand, the content of the articles as much as they were supposed to be quoting him, seemed like they were quoting earlier articles. Additionally, there were comments that he could not speak with reporters at certain times due to health reasons. One key passage in the booklet has the pastor saying that God loved Darrow as a young boy, and Darrow says that if he had known that God loved him as a young boy, that he would have been a preacher. While looking for related information, I found that one judge said of his defense in a courtroom case that he was the most Christ-like man he'd ever met. (That is not evidence for the booklet, just an additional comment.)

I got an Internet connection at home early this year and so have had the opportunity to search for information and participate in email listservs from home.

At work, we designed and managed the data input for a FileMaker Pro bibliographic data file.

I've been going to the movies much more in 1996 than I ever remember before. Here is a list of some movies that I've seen.

Golden Eye - Seen during the science fiction convention here at A&M. Action, drama, believeable, with human interest.
Mission Impossible - Nice movie; however the technology wasn't very realistic and the story didn't account for things that happened (like showing how certain technically complicated feats could be performed). For contrast, in "Golden Eye" we see James Bond's car in the shop where the weapons system is built.
Eraser - The beginning scene from the movie bothered me and I was thinking that I might have to walk out; however, after the distress of the first few minutes, none of the rest of the movie had the same harshness (in my opinion).
Phenomenon - I enjoyed the movie though it would have been nicer if the heightened intelligence could have been more healthy.
Long Kiss Goodnight - Here I saw the benefit of woman's capability. Of course, capability with a gun is not what is needed; yet it was a neat image of unusual strength.
The Ghost and The Darkness - Based on a true story of lions in Africa, the movie was OK.
Courage Under Fire - The start of the movie showing the limited visibility in army tanks bothered me like the beginning of Eraser. However, most of the movie was much more investigative.
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday - The movie was kind of unusual in its theme and in the way it could be taken in different ways. There were some insightful comments throughout the movie and it was a learning experience to see that others may not be able to handle imaginations that are not shared.
Set It Off - The one movie that I walked out of in 1996. The reason was that the movie was just setting the scene for the people in it to be hurt.
The English Patient - This may be the movie that I most did not like.
Star Trek: First Contact - I appreciated the casual time spent on earth!
Daylight - A nice adventure and action movie.
The Preacher's Wife - One of the angel movies.
One Fine Day - A love story.
Jerry Maguire - Show me the money!
Michael - Another angel movie. I liked the introduction song.

I restarted in school and took CPSC 110 and CPSC 120, the beginning computer programming classes.

Originally written 12/31/96, just before the new year.