This is the second in a multi-part series, “Better Know Your Team Lead.” Next up is Lawrence McAlpin, who will be leading the Java team in Dev Derby 2010. Taking a page from Marcel Proust, James Lipton, and now SociaLens, we’re asking the same series of thought-provoking questions to everyone we profile.
Lawrence McAlpin, Java Team Lead
Lawrence McAlpin has over fifteen years of experience with information technology. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He refined his technical expertise working for some of the world’s most demanding clients: leading Fortune 50 companies. Currently, he makes a living as a software architect, enterprise Java developer, and project manager for a major Wall Street firm. He also spends his spare time as a technical advisor for a wine industry startup, when he isn’t too busy chasing his happily screaming toddler around the yard with a hose.
WHAT MADE YOUR FAVORITE WORD YOUR FAVORITE WORD?
Pamplemousse. It’s the funniest word in any language. This makes pamplemeese hard to eat because most people can’t help but laugh out loud when hearing their name. This is widely considered to be one of the more peculiar biological defense mechanisms that any fruit has ever evolved.
WHICH FAULT DO YOU TOLERATE MOST?
Laziness. As long as you get off your ass long enough to do it once, and do it right.
HOW DOES YOUR HERO OR HEROINE INSPIRE YOU?
Mark Twain was far more than a humorist, he was one of the greatest philosophers the world has ever produced. His love of progress and technology, his satirical wit, and his uncanny ability to condense complex issues into the simplest of phrases are traits that I strongly admire and aspire to emulate.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF HAPPINESS?
Afternoons: my toddler, smiling. At night: my toddler, sleeping. On weekends, in the morning: my toddler, sleeping in.
WHEN TWITTER TAKES OVER GRAVEYARDS, WHAT WILL YOUR TOMBSTONE READ?
Judging by past performance, it will probably show a failwhale and the somber text “Sorry, we are over capacity, try again later.”