CharlesAdamsBackStory

In the 1980s I was reading a few of Yourdon's books and I go to the bibliography and I noticed Jerry Weinberg's books were mentioned. I read one on a whim and was introduced to things that I never saw before and made a whole lot of sense. I became a fan and proceeded to read everything I could get by Jerry and others writing on similar topics. I eventually bumped into Jerry's web site and was wondering what SHAPE, PSL, Change Shop, and AYE were.

A friend of mine at HP told me a story of how he had an opportunity to hear Deming, but decided not to since things at HP were more important. Deming died that year before my friend could take one of Deming's seminars.

I thought, "I'm not a spring chicken any more and Jerry is at least one day older than me. I should sign up for PSL." I did. As have many people said, PSL was life changing for me and gave me the desire to learn more from the people I admire. Many people at PSL told me, most notably SherryHeinze, that AYE was a great learning experience and a fun time too.

Back Story 2005

This is my third AYE conference--previously in 2003 & 2004. I have found that AYE's emphasis on communication in all of its forms is what I enjoy and continue to need to learn as I continue on into my middle youth (with a nod to Isaac Asimov.)

For me, AYE is one of the tools I use to strive toward what a friend of mine has said: "Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of service to God and the people around us."

This is no big thing in itself, but for me, who has been enamored of inconsequential things most of my life, it is, and continues to be, a big thing for me. 2005.11.02

Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2005