I didn't think this would come in handy again...
There's a skill I'm quite proficient in. It's a skill I've spent years honing.
It's also a skill that pays very well and that's in high demand.
It's a skill that makes it easy for you to get a green card—a permit to live and work permanently in the US, or pretty much any rich country.
It's a skill that would have opened so many doors for me.
And it is a skill I really enjoyed practicing.
It's also a skill I knew I was good at.
And it's a skill that when I was in my early 20s, I thought I'd be using daily by now as part of my job.
It's definitely a skill that I thought would afford me a comfortable high middle-class income.
Unfortunately, it's also a skill I had to give up.
I'm talking about coding—about ordering computers around with obscure instructions to make them do what you want.
As you might remember, I've studied computer engineering and ultimately even earned a PhD in computer science. That means I know how to program computers and write software.
The thing, however, is that there is currently no truly good way to program without using a keyboard. And I can't use a keyboard.
All those programming sessions I did back in university? They f*cked up my arms. I developed a repetitive strain injury that has now been a part of my daily life for well over 15 years.
Put me in front of the keyboard and let me type for longer than 20 minutes, and you'll observe how I start grimacing with pain.
It sucks.
Fortunately, I can write. Not software, but English. I can write because technology exists that easily translates my spoken words into written words. I'm talking about speech-to-text software and it's what I'm relying on to write these words right now—or any words you've ever read from me.
Now, it's not as if I cannot code at all. I can. But it takes me a reeeeeally long time because coding by voice is so damn slow.
So when I started with my online writing journey, I didn't think I'd make use of coding ever again. And I probably won't in any large capacity.
However, knowing how to code is still quite a useful skill to have.
For instance, it has helped me set up automated systems that make my life easier such as automatically tracking my working time in my calendar.
And the last couple of weeks it has also come in handy as I am working on my website as well as some backend systems that will hopefully make it possible for me to deliver my stories and comics in an automated way to those who want to get them.
So what's the lesson for you? Well, I think one thing you should definitely take away is that typing injuries are no joke. So if you ever start feeling discomfort while writing on your keyboard or using the mouse, don't ignore it.
Because if you do what I did, which is to soldier through the pain for way too long, it can permanently cripple your arms.
Listen to your body. If it hurts, your body is trying to tell you something. Don't ignore it.
But also know that even though health issues can prevent you from doing some things, there are still lots of other things you can do and do quite well.
Creativity is not only about creating original art. It's also about finding alternative paths in your life when the one you were on suddenly becomes blocked.
As to what I've written this week, it's mostly code at a snail's pace. But at least I've also managed to get one new comic out :)
Comics I’ve published recently:
Thanks for reading!
— David