Memoir on The Techno Scholar Chronicles

Book Review: Local Optimization: Lessons From An Unplanned Path

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:25:00 -0500

Local Optimization is a short and thoughtful reflection on Alvitta Ottley’s path into academia. She presents the book as a personal reflection on the many decision points in her life, describing her approach as “local optimization.” Rather than beginning with a five-year plan, she made the best decision she could at each stage, asking what the next right step was and what would increase her capacity to grow. Her path moves from growing up on an island to working at a bank, pursuing school, engaging in research, and eventually becoming tenured faculty at WashU.

Book Review: Adventures with the Holy Spirit: A Journey with RUACH

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Deacon Durban writes about his life and how the Holy Spirit worked in his life. When I first started reading the book, I didn’t quite know what it was going to be about. I’m sorry to say that the book title and description didn’t do it justice. However, as I read further, I came to understand that this was about his life with all it’s ups and downs, and on-and-off relationship with God and the Holy Spirit.

Book Review: THE KAI: The Adventures of a Mystic Martial Arts Maintenance Man

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is an honest memoir of Jamey Toner’s life with all the ups and downs, and the wanderings of his life. Constant throughout his life have been the martial arts (Kai) and his Catholic faith. There are many times he has gone from place to place and sometimes without money or a place to live.

As I read along, I was glad to see him get more stability in his life and to turn away from that old life of wandering. He relates wisdom from his Catholic faith throughout this memoir which edifies his story. It was edifying to me, for example, to see that he chose to be chaste (faithful in his faith) rather than to sin in a dating relationship.