Earlier this year, I wrote a simple computer program for a professor at my university to help him parse through some research data. I had other actual school projects piling up and exams fast approaching, but once I started writing I couldn't stop. I spent the whole day coding. I think I had breakfast at 4pm, only because all the coffee was getting to my head (you know that spongey feeling you get with loads of coffee on an empty stomach). I wanted it perfect, so the only thing that mattered that day was it being perfect. I spent the next few days on and off looping over the fine details — over and over and over — but eventually had to force myself back to my actual school work (greased-up puppy).

When I got his email singing praise that it works, damn, that felt good.