Unchill Coding Moments

E. Deras
E. Deras
Sep 6, 2018 · 5 min read

Sorry for not updating this blog since my initial story. I will try to be consistent this time around. Along with an apology, I also bring word of my ongoing code adventure. Alas, it has not been as chill as I would have wanted it to be. Nothing in life is easy (especially the things worth doing), but I’ve been having a tougher time as of late.

Let’s speak on the first big issue that I came across: bootstrap Grid System. This was added as a gem into my database when working on my first project, Splurty. The system basically works as a structure of invisible columns making up the screen space. So when you code a certain aspect of your web application within a column, it sits in that part of the screen. It’s a helpful tool because it allows components of the web app to shift appropriately when using a mobile device instead of a pc (basically whenever the screen shrinks in size). But this grid system has caused me super unchill vibes throughout my use of it. I’m sure that it has saved me a lot of heartaches, but since I don’t have the exact knowledge to prove that tangibly, I continue to hate it. My Splurty web app has an about me section that seems unfinished in design in my opinion.

It took me so long to arrange the paragraph and pic in a cohesive way. Why? BECAUSE I COULDN’T WORKAROUND THOSE FREAKING COLUMNS! And I couldn’t remove them because I didn’t know what that would do to my overall design. I was losing my mind.

Even now, while finishing up my second project, Nomster, bootstrap’s Grid System is the bain of my existence. I will either master over this great enemy or I will tear it out of my coding life and seek an alternative technique. Stay tuned.

Another issue I ran across was Google API keys. By creating your own API key and inserting in a specific place in your web app database, you can embed a Google Maps into your app. Since Nomster is a mock Yelp page, having a Google Maps present would be essential. Even though this process was a bit complex, the steps got done correctly and I feel I did everything within my power to get this aspect of Nomster to work. It did not. I keep getting an error message saying that I have reached my query limit, which is highly unlikely since the limit would be 500 hits per second. I’m no spammer so there’s obviously some sort of google glitch happening.

I tried to create 3 other keys and testing those out, I tried figuring it out with my mentor, I tried working it out myself, but still, there the error stands. And it shall stand there til the end of time, being cryptic and unchill. So now my Google Maps section only shows up for a split second on only one of my web pages. I guess the rest of the pages will have to go on without it. See ya, API key.

But I think the greatest obstacle I’ve had to deal with this past couple of months is myself. I had allowed a pattern to set in where I would stress and then procrastinate and then stress again because I felt as though I wasn’t retaining any information. That’s a scary feeling. Putting in the time and money to set off on a new academic path that I hoped would mean a new career opportunity, only to begin to have doubts 2 months in. I started thinking maybe I made a mistake and I didn’t have what it took to do this. Two months had flown past me and I was worried that I would not be able to finish the course in time. Unchill right?

I am, until now, coming back into chiller territory. How was I able to achieve this? By giving myself a moment to breathe and think like a relaxed, rational adult instead of raving rusher who races through the curriculum. I was covering lessons so quick, one day I found myself one whole week ahead of my timeline. Seemed like an awesome achievement at the time, but it came with consequences.

Getting work done quickly is great, but not at the expense of actual understanding and long-term knowledge. I had to stop and ask myself: was I actually learning anything or was I simply going through the motions?

Once I answered that question and reached an important plateau in my self-awareness, I was ready to build up my chill again. I went back through my past lessons one more time and read through the information carefully. I also noticed I had missed important facets of my last project, which were helpful videos reviewing the lessons I had breezed through. When I took the time to watch those videos, it felt like I found the missing piece of the puzzle that was my sanity at that moment. The material was now making more sense. Thank the code Gods.

To chill and to code has not been as easy as I pegged it to be in the beginning. But I’m pushing forward. You should too. Whatever complications may come, there’s always a chill waiting for you around the corner.

Later!

E. Deras

Written by

E. Deras

Carelessly creating cool codes.

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