Category: Joel

I really had a lot of fun last night working on administering my Linux server where my recruiting site is hosted. I had been having a problem where applicants who went to upload large Youtube video files would cause the server to run out of memory then the upload would fail. I cleaned up the server and moved it to a much larger AWS instance and that has helped.… read more “System Administration”

When I was in my early twenties, my top priority was having fun and hanging out with friends. In my late twenties, my top priority was building Coalition. As I’ve begun my thirties, my family has become my top priority. I still spend most of my time working on Coalition though, but I now do it for my family.

I am reading a great book right now – “The Elements of Computing Systems from First Principles” that explains how to fully build a modern computer from logic gates on up. Fascinating!

I have been reading the Extinction book series at Laurel’s recommendation. It is a strange mix…. flat characters that are way over the top, and constant cheesy action that somehow keeps you in suspense and reading through them. Exhausting lol. I need to switch back to nonfiction again soon.

I have gotten back into chess lately and have even gone to a few tournaments at the LA Chess Club on Santa Monica Blvd. Chess is a highly addicting game!

I have been working on improving my game and have played with the chess.com tactic’s trainer and video lessons. My rating has risen to about 1300 now.… read more “Chess”

We had our basketball game last night and though our team was down by 18 points at one point, we had a really nice comeback and tied the game. We went to triple overtime and sudden death and one of our team members fouled the opponent and he went to the foul line and made a free throw, winning it for their team.… read more “ACA Basketball Game”

I just got a membership to the new climbing gym Cliffs of Id near my workplace. I have taken about a year off climbing because my elbow was injured and I had frankly gotten tired of it. I am feeling more excited about it again now though!

Humans are nothing without our family and friends to help us put our lives in context. Imagine a world with no one else on the planet. What would you do during the day? Where would you sleep? Why would you care? It’s like a little kid left alone for the first time at home – it would cause an existential crisis.… read more “Humans: Social, Tribal Creatures”

I saw this idea from one of my friends and decided to do it myself!

2015 has been a great year for me personally! I asked Laurel to marry me, and fortunately she said yes! I visited Bangkok in April and Europe in July.  My grandparents came and visited me for a couple of weekends in September.… read more “Joel Gross 2015 Annual Report”

I have been reading the Harry Potter series in my free time the last few weeks and really am enjoying it. I saw the movies a couple of years ago, and they were excellent too.