I finished the book Kindred yesterday, and it was really good. I found myself wishing it was longer, though it did feel slightly repetitive towards the end. Despite this, I began to feel genuine remorse for many of the characters.
Next up is a non-fiction pick titled Unit X. I have always felt that the government moves at what seems slower than a snail’s pace when it comes to advancing technology. During my time in the Army, I participated in many pilot runs of different software solutions such as Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop and utilized a FIPS-compliant YubiKey Type C as my Common Access Card. However, I frequently encountered resistance from others who felt I should simply be content with the available technologies instead of seeking newer options.
My current position with the Air National Guard embodies this resistance perfectly. Rather than approaching me directly with questions or seeking clarification on the technologies I use, my colleagues often turn to our local Comm Command (think of them as local IT) to complain that I’m breaking rules or shouldn’t be doing what I do. For example, when I brought my personal MacBook to meetings and used my YubiKey to remotely access my Azure Virtual Desktop—taking advantage of my phone’s hotspot and a battery life greater than 20 minutes—I faced criticism instead of understanding. Efforts to make my job easier always seemed to be met with resistance. Ultimately, this frustration contributed significantly to my feeling unfulfilled in this position, prompting me to pursue another bachelor’s degree at Dakota State University.
Enjoy your weekend—I hope it is filled with many exciting plans!
Signing Off,
Francis Parlet ParletCo