Journey Through Code: Unveiling the Mysteries of APIs, Drupal, and PHP

Welcome to Bevan's Bench: A Timeless Journey Through Tech

The Humble Beginnings in "The Sticks"

The Farm and the Family

In a cozy town that blurred the lines between country and suburbia, I was born. The youngest of three, I was raised on a farm that was as sprawling as it was challenging. While my family navigated the complexities of life, including caring for a sister with special needs, I found my own world in technology.

The School and the Sanctuary

School was a place I had to go, not a place I wanted to be. I never quite fit in with the crowd. But computers? They spoke to me in a language only I understood. They became my sanctuary, my escape from the mundane routines of school life.

The Magic of Commodore 64

The Grey Wizard

My first brush with technology was like opening a door to Narnia. A Commodore 64, grey and unassuming, yet filled with endless possibilities. Plugging it into the family TV was like performing a magic trick.

The Tools of Destiny

Joysticks, cassette tapes, and the elusive cartridges—these were my wands and spells. Cartridges were like gold—quick to load but costly. I would type lines of BASIC code, transforming simple commands into interactive games. It was my first taste of the magic that coding could bring to life.

The Trials of DOS and Windows

The Book of DOS

As I grew older, the technology around me evolved. My family upgraded to a 386 running DOS and Windows 3.1. I had a DOS manual, thick as a brick, that I would read cover to cover. It was during the school's D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read) sessions that I became a wizard of DOS commands.

The Windows to a New World

Windows 3.1 was another beast altogether. I even had to go through a tutorial to learn how to use a mouse and interact with windows and icons. It was a far cry from today's "intuitive" interfaces. But I learned, and I adapted.

The Job Hunt

The Yellow Pages Odyssey

At 19, armed with an electronic typewriter and a copy of the Yellow Pages, I embarked on a quest for employment. I manually typed out 200 resumes and sent them to companies far and wide. It was a laborious process, but it was also my first lesson in the power of taking initiative.

The Springboard

My first job was at an office supplies company. I convinced them to venture into computer rentals, and although the business eventually closed, it opened new doors for me. It was my springboard into the world of endless possibilities.

The Professional Years

The Catalyst

After years of honing my skills, I found myself at Catalyst IT Australia, focusing on Drupal. Here, I tackled a myriad of technical challenges, from integrating third-party APIs like Mailchimp to working with client's internal APIs. It was a decade of growth, learning, and contributing to the tech community.

The Fundamentals Never Change

Throughout my journey, one thing remained constant—the fundamentals. The control structures and syntax I learned as a child while coding in BASIC were the same ones I used in PHP and JavaScript. It was a testament to the timeless nature of coding fundamentals.

The Horizon Ahead

I'm now exploring new territories like React and working on personal projects. The journey is far from over; it's just a new chapter.

The Call

If this journey resonates with you, if you see yourself in any of these chapters, I invite you to share your own story. Let's explore this ever-evolving world of technology together.

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