Markers and Matches
2011 was the year the gaps in my education taught me more than the education did.
Most days were the commute, then deep into our thesis on tracking video markers under changing light. The problem was hard and oddly creative, and it held me. The library became a regular spot; a small circle of friends carried the rest.
I was made thesis team leader, which I took as an honor and also as a question, because I was not sure the department's way of choosing leaders was fair. My team was not always the most technically able, but they were dedicated, and our advisor, though supportive, could not give us much technical direction. So we taught ourselves. Doing that, over and over, I started to wonder whether the system was actually preparing us for the work ahead, or just assuming it would happen.
The year's high point was being selected for the Topcoder Open world finals, a validation of a lot of quiet hours. I'm not someone who reflect much, but I had a hunch that I should write these things down, that a year like this was worth a time capsule. I think I'm right about this, at least.