Thematic Tuning II

After working as a skilled laborer for a couple of years, the return to university–first in the school of engineering to study civil engineering and finishing out with a computer science and mathematics degree–were intense and rewarding in many more ways than the diploma. But that final stretch was all consuming of time and resources to the extent that I had no kind of social life beyond labs until after graduation. During this period the theme song of choice was the anthemic Owner of a Lonely Heart by YES which was released just as I was gaining momentum in advanced high-tech learning. I was hyper charged and ready to strike out into the world working as a high-tech professional, and I was just as eager to share my successes.

More than a decade of risk-taking to pursue an advanced education in fields of study which pushed my capabilities to levels I never imagined I could ever achieve paid off in spades. Earning my diploma and landing my first professional job only two months later, despite reverberations of Black Monday still rattling the nation, had me energized to maximum level. My lonely heart was unleashed and unfettered by any doubt or lack of self confidence at last.