About Me
About Me (and What Keeps Me Curious)
Hey there! I'm Poul, and while I spend my days working with software, my curiosity stretches far beyond the screen. I'm someone who finds joy in the intricate details of digital systems, and equally, in the profound beauty of classical music and opera. There's a special kind of resonance in a complex score or a powerful aria that sparks my mind in a truly unique way.
My Journey to Code
My path to software wasn't a straight line. As a teenager, I was fascinated by electronics and microcontrollers, always tinkering and building. It was like designing a special circuit for a unique purpose. That hands-on spirit, that feeling of making something tangible work, never really left me. My formal journey began with business administration, where I grew captivated by how decisions are made and how data shapes a company's direction. That initial curiosity about business insights and their impact led me to dive deeper into computer engineering. What's been particularly rewarding is that I've always combined studying with working. This allowed me to see firsthand how theoretical concepts and 'best practices' immediately impacted my daily work, strengthening my understanding and capabilities. This journey deepened my fascination with getting the right feedback, at the right time, to truly empower a business, and I feel like it's the same kind of design challenge, just on a different scale. It's truly amazing to live and work in a field that resonates so strongly with my earliest hobbies.
Beyond the Terminal
When I'm not immersed in code or thinking about data, you'll often find me with my nose in a book, maybe jotting down thoughts for an essay – I enjoy putting ideas on paper. And speaking of things that click, I'm also really interested in cars and their mechanics. There's a surprising parallel between figuring out a tricky software problem and understanding how an engine works its magic.
I'm also a long-time advocate for free and open-source software (FOSS). From embracing Linux and Emacs to championing internet privacy and resilient, censorship-resistant networks, these principles have been a personal cause for years.
My Evolving Toolkit & Philosophy
As for the work itself, I'm focused on building things that are practical and effective. I've learned that with Python, simplicity in design is truly everything. My years of working with Java taught me a lot about how sustainable code relies on being multi-platform and having well-defined patterns. Lately, I'm spending time exploring Clojure, which is a really interesting language that I'm keen to use for personal projects down the road. I find satisfaction in figuring out how to make robust systems that just... work.