jurvetson

I’m the office Excel guru, but I wasn’t always comfortable with computers.  When I first starting working, we only had terminals that were hooked to a mainframe.  The only software we used was the mainframe program.  There was one PC, which was located in a small side office.  Only one guy in the office was qualified to do anything on it.  To me, the office that the PC was housed in was a “shrine” to our computing ignorance.

Quick jump to my second job.  I got to work with an “older” gentleman of about 50.  His name was Ed.  He took the time to teach my younger, snot-nosed self everything he knew about Lotus 1-2-3 (this was in the mid-’80’s), including how to write macros.  I didn’t think people that age even knew how to turn on a computer.  This guy was really good.  I was an eager student, and we pushed each other to become better.

Jump ahead another 5 years.  I’m interviewing for a new job, and the question comes up about my computer skills.  “So, you know how to write macros?”  Heh-heh.  Sure I do.  I was taught by the best.  Let me at those spreadsheets!

I got the job.

I got a lot of jobs because of my proficiency with computers.  But I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Ed.  Even though I’ve switched from Lotus, to Quattro Pro, to Excel, the skills were transferable, and I never feared a new software package again.

Thanks Ed, wherever you are.  You continue to inspire me, and I still stand on your shoulders.  Even though I’m about 40 pounds heavier.

I’m also standing on the shoulders of the blogs that inspired me to start this blog, such as Free Money Finance, The Simple Dollar, Get Rich Slowly, Problogger, Yet Another Blog About Money, Unclutterer, My Two Dollars, Smart Passive Income, Brip Blap, and many others.

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