@random_user - I'm 47, and have taken a similar though not quite as successful path as you. Started my first job at 17, no degree, got booted out of my first CS class for debugging the instructor's code too much. Worked at a few places, then as a contractor after that. Did some interesting stuff with realtime and embedded systems, and some boring stuff too. I can debug anything. I've used a VT-100, though I preferred the Wyse 50 as my daily driver back in the day.

I live in Los Angeles. If you'd like to grab some lunch some time, shoot me an email:

http://www.google.com/recaptcha/mailhide/d?k=01DldAjfc_NO3uD...

I don't have any job leads or business ideas for you. Just some war stories to swap.

PS This is a throwaway email, it may take a few days for me to check and respond. If you do contact me, send me some kind of a token in your email, then copy/paste the token here as a reply so I'll know it's you and not some clever HN prankster.