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So I decided to go an easier route - I've now installed Anaconda and will leverage Jupyter notebooks for my learning exercises. The software was easy to install and run - more later on what I accomplish...

I'm getting some coding done and exploring Python... here is some sample code that I'm fiddling around with.. from __future__ import division # list of users users = [ { "id": 0, "name": "Alex" }, { "id": 1, "name": "Brian" }, { "id": 2, "name": "Cathy" }, { "id": 3, "name": "David" }, { "id": 4, "name": "Erica" }, { "id": 5, "name": "Frank" }, { "id": 6, "name": "Gary" }, { "id": 7, "name": "Hank" }, { "id": 8, "name": "Indigo" }, { "id": 9, "name": "Jason" } ] # relationship of friendship between users friendships = [(0,1), (0,2), (1,2), (1,3), (2,3), (3,4), (4,5), (5,6), (5,7), (6,8), (7,8), (8,9)] # initialize empty array for user in users: user["friends...

I managed to get Oracle VirtualBox installed successfully and the Debian Linux distribution as well.  I had to do some additional work, like install pip, sudo, git and update my user id, but the installation was relatively smooth. Based on what I've read, it seems like the python libraries that data scientists use tend to work with python 2.7 - so while inclination might say go with the latest and greatest - do stick with python 2.7 - it may change in the future, but for now this seems like the version to go with. Next up - going to start organizing my projects and start using git.

I am hoping to learn more about the world of data science.  I'm going to focus on three different key areas: (1) statistics (2) programming and (3) subject matter expertise. While I haven't decided which area I want to focus on subject matter wise, I do want to pick up the statistics that are needed to do the analysis and then the corresponding programming techniques that will help me apply the statistics. I thought I'd start by downloading Oracle VM VirtualBox to start, as this will let me run Linux within my Windows workstation.  I also decided on using Debian as my Linux distribution.

Ok ok ok....so I did say earlier that I was going to write a new post in a few days about my hearing aids... amazing how time just slips by you... :) That being said, let me start sharing my experience with the OPN 1 hearing aids.  First of all, they are an improvement over my last hearing aids (also from Oticon). They have changed the way the domes sit on the in-the-ear speaker and I have found that the domes stay on - and provide a snugger fit, helping to eliminate the feedback that one gets when the seal of the dome within the ear gets broken. This then means that I'm also able to leverage the power of the hearing aids to turn up the volume. The audio quality is sharp and crisp - at least the best I can tell given that I do have a hearing loss - but my perception is that the audio clarity has also improved. The battery life is diminished - from about 7 days to about 4-5 days - but I attribute that to the use of Bluetooth in my hearing aids - and I'm willing to sacrific...

Ok, so I'm super stoked to be trying out a new pair of hearing aids from Oticon , specifically the Oticon Opn 1 model . Dr Girard from Hearing Associates was awesome in helping me get fitted with these new hearing aids.  I'm an extremely satisfied patient/customer and I highly recommend Hearing Associates if you're looking for an audiologist to work with in the Gurnee / Libertyville area.  Personally I prefer working with an audiologist vs. a hearing aid specialist if I can - but that's my own opinion. Over the next few days I plan on writing a series of perhaps 3-5 blog posts documenting my experience with these new hearing aids. My initial reaction is just WOW!  WOW!  Over the next few days you'll see why my head is just swimming today. :) -brian Disclaimer: I am not being directly paid by Oticon or Hearing Associates to write on this or will not be receiving any discounts on products or services for blogging about this.  I am just an extremely sa...

So today, Punxsutawney Phil the semi-famous groundhog saw his shadow, and therefore predicts six more weeks of winter.  Brr! There's still plenty of things for me to do inside my house to keep me busy - my basement and office are the projects that have been going on for the last 18 years of my life.  Will this be the year that it actually gets cleaned up? I think I'll get closer to doing so - I've been learning to let go of things.  Holding onto things is part of my nature, of who I am.  I value and cherish connections with people.  I value things because they represent a memory of a specific event, activity or person.  Perhaps that is why I can be a pack rat. I forget things, and when I see an item, it's a trigger for my memory and transports me back to a specific time and place. Enough musing for now.... onto the day! -brian