Hello.

It’s been some time since I’ve written here. After a long (too long, maybe?) break from extracurricular activities and responsibilities, I feel rusty. Words don’t come as easily as they used to. But I’m trying to write again, here and/or on Everyday Rails. I’ll get there. In an attempt to loosen the creaky cogs and hamster wheel that make up my brain, here’s a little update for anyone interested.

• I’m going on a year in my managerial role at O’Reilly. It’s been ok. I still write a ton of code, do a lot of technical planning, split my time and attention across multiple systems, and mentor. I just manage humans now, too. I do miss the ability I used to have to dictate what I was going to work on and when, and to go heads down and knock shit out. But I go to where I’m needed, and this is where I’m told I’m needed. I think I’m making a difference (for the better).
• The three cats are still here, though Amber is not looking great. She’s still spry, though, and my goal is to keep her happy and comfortable as long as she feels like sticking around.
• And I have a dog again. He came with a human. I love them both, very much. The dog seems to love me, and I think the human finds me generally ok.
• We are all still in Astoria, but looking for an escape strategy. It’s been nearly five years for me. I don’t like the direction the town has gone during and post-pandemic. Too big to have some of the small town problems it has, and too small to have some of the big town problems it has, you know?

Hey, 300 words! That seems like a good place to stop for now. I’ll try to show up here a little more often. See you later.