Understanding db normalization - subsequently realizing normalization should also apply to code. Attempting to implement conways game of life and accidentally

Understanding db normalization - subsequently realizing normalization should also apply to code. Attempting to implement conways game of life and accidentally creating mesmerizing mandalas made of ascii characters! "getting" lisp, writing a lisp, Figuring out how to implement TCO, macro expansion, quasiquote etc. then doing it all over again! Realizing that almost all programming is a form of macro expansion/parsing/compiling. (taking the plunge from generating html/sql/css to generating an entire language is seriously not such a huge leap when you think about it) Picking up and reading the smalltalk-80 reference manual, lisp 1.5 manual, and SICP cover to cover. Wishing I was 30 years younger and then realizing I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to just absorb all of the work that has come before me and build upon it. APL - finally the magic of the characters I had only accidentally typed in dos when pressing alt + num keys were mine to wield! (seriously though I really dig APL and its children) The book that finally made it click for me was "APL With a Mathematical Accent" - highly recommended.