Yesterday was bitwise 2011,this year’s edition of an annual computer science fest which includes things like online puzzles and the main course,  a programming contest which attracts some of the best of talent from many parts of the world.  It was the second time I’d signed up for the contest but it was the first time that I would actually be participating.  I’d signed up the previous year too,  but had to do a no-show as something had come up at the last minute which meant that I could not participate.  Yesterday, though,  I ensured that I would participate.
Though the rules allowed for teams of three,  I was all alone.   I wasn’t looking for glory or even any recognition.  I just wanted to figure out where I stood.

The competition started off and I soon began to hope that I’d prepared more.   To cut a long story short,  I did come up short,  though it was not a total washout as I had fun coding up two versions of combination generators,  one of which still needs some work.
Programming is both an art as well as a skill.  Just like any skill needs practice and constant polishing,  programming too needs practice.   The art part means that there are some things that you are innately gifted with,  the flow of logic for instance,  but when you are rusty,  you often tend to doubt yourself,  even where you need not,  and such an approach only means that you while away precious time,  and in a competition like this where time comes at a premium,  you really don’t have much to while away. 

I had fun though.   I hope to take part the next time too,  but with better preparation and strategies.    I felt I really could not give my best yesterday and that is something i intend to correct at the first given opportunity.  

Today is Valentine’s day.  Oh,  I forgot to mention that I was coding away till the wee hours of today (I only went to bed at 6 AM. ) and that means that when I woke up,  I was not exactly feeling Valentinesy.   I dragged myself to work and now am about to wrap up and sign off from another day at work.   I saw  ’s Valentine card which was really nice and that’s when I realized that it was Valentine’s day today.
 And oh,  though the subject line mentioned odes to love,  I guess this post doesn’t contain any.  Not that I’m bitter or unhappy or anything.  I guess I’m just tired.  And probably quite sleepy too.   Have fun,  all my readers and may you all have a lovely St. Valentine’s day.