"My Current Revision Number?"
18 August 2009
Suspect most people know that software usually carries a revision or version number. When software is initially released, it typically carries a version number of 1.0 and if a minor change is then done, the next version might be something like 1.1. A major change or a new release incorporating many small changes can carry a version number like 2 or 3 or in the case of Adobe Reader, it is currently version 9 something or another (as of this date anyway.)
Another one of those "brain farts" as a friend likes to call them. What revision is my personality, my being, my conscientious up to? So thought I would give it a try, identifying what must have been minor and major revisions and here is what I think reflects the current "me".
Note: when I started this, simply thought I could do a chronological list and assign revisions or versions to each minor or major adjustment to my being, but upon "playing" with the list, I have found it difficult to assign weight to each revision and like software, seem to need to identify the changes made at each revision.
This is harder than I thought it was going to be!
Birth - version 1.0
Smiling - version 1.5
- indicates recognition of others? Beyond self?
Physical Development
- Turning over
- Crawling
- Walking - Now version 2.0
Talking - version 3.0
Brother - version 4.0
- Could have been very significant if there was not 4 years in age between us
- Significant because long term impact.
- Sharing parents: attention, resources.
- Responsible for brother.
Eye glasses (1st grade) - version 5.0
- Finally not handicapped around others.
- Lasting impact: called 4 eyes; not being able to be pitcher in little league, etc. etc.
Learning how to read - version 6.0
- Significant revision because of lasting impact.
- Expansion of world beyond neighborhood or knowledge base of parents.
"Jesus died for my sins" - Version 8.0
- Really hard to assess full impact, revision of self.
- Introduction to the concept of "sin"
- Really wanted to be like Jesus. Seemed to be more of a national hero than Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth.
- Foundation of morals, ethics?
Getting caught in major lie in 3rd grade - version 8.5
- More morals development?
Being taken to basement and "whipped" by my father for some misdeed - version 9
- Significant as resulted in long term avoidance of confrontation due fear of physical harm.
Learning to play games in groups - version 7.0 (start of self definition?)
Being falsely accused to lying to my grandfather and being punished under protest - version 8
- Very significant as to this day, worse thing anyone can do to me is falsely accuse me of something.
Getting highest score in nation on national reading comprehension test - version 8.0 (start of ego?)
First fist fight - version (got to be a man when challenged) 8.1
Becoming sexual aware - version (liked this one) 9.0
Transferring from one high school to rival high school - version 10
Learning I could excel in academics - version 10.1
Music - listening and playing - worth several revisions - 12
College years - easily can say several major revisions during this period - version 14
College years - finding mentor in Dr. Dean Foster - version 14.9
First steady girlfriend (love, sex, emotions) - worth 2 revisions at least - 16
Second steady girlfriend - version 17
College graduation - first in family on either side to do so - 17.1
First professional job - 17.4
First apartment and living on my own - 17.6
Married - 19
Father for the first time - 20
Stationed by the Army in Korea - living in another culture - 22
Illegal drugs - worth several revisions - 24
Becoming friends with Murray and his introduction of the music of the Grateful Dead to me - 25
Crash of my head in 1973 - 26
Acquisition of VW Bus - 27
Back on the grid 1973 - 27.5
Birth of only son - 28
Death of father - 30
Becoming consultant - 31
Retirement - 32
First daughter to wed - 32.4
Great depression of 2001 - worth many revisions - 34
Birth of 1st grandchild - 34.5
Going off the reservation, on purpose - 36
What? I know, rather crappy way to try to model the changes that have occurred in one's head but as I often say, "At least I tried."