From so bad it's good to so good it's good

My first game jam entry was beat game, submitted to the So Bad It’s Good Game Jam in July 2023. Until then, I’d worked on tutorials, toy projects, and had done some tinkering on a recreation of Spin Doctor.

The game ranked 4th overall and won the “uniqueness” category. I’m proud of that, but clearly the “so bad” theme worked in my favor. I periodically wonder what a good version of that game would look like, and I’m looking for a way to get back into game dev after a couple of months out of it.

So, that’s my summer project, I think. I’m eyeing a few upcoming game jams, but if I get some momentum on this, I’ll probably just keep plugging away on it.

Finished reading: The Notebook by Roland Allen 📚

OK– I feel pretty good about the state of DC Tech Events. The newsletter system seems to work, users can submit new iCal feeds in addition to single events, and it looks… well… not fancy, but presentable (like me?).

In June, I want to operate the site, instead of build it.

My Dr’s office has a small claim to fame. I think there’s a display about the Lorton Meteorite at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

DC Tech Events is Live

Because you, as a person who reads blogs, are dear to me– you get to be among the first to know that the new DC Tech Events site is live.

I’m still tweaking, but I’m pleased with how it works right now– it’s a static site deployed on Github Pages. There’s a form for submitting events, but behind the scenes that just opens a pull request.

Next up: getting the newsletter piece up and running.

Currently reading: The Notebook by Roland Allen 📚

10 years ago, I shut down the most popular thing I’d ever made (on my own). I’m now back in a place life/career-wise where I’m once again going to events, and, well, damnit, there’s nothing out there doing what DC Tech Events did back in the day.

So, it’s coming back. Pardon me while I relearn CSS.

There’s no escaping Microsoft Copilot

I passed the AWS test today, so I can continue to be “AWS Certified Security – Specialty” until 2028.

Abandoned for now: Mister X: The Archives by Dean Motter 📚

The core concept is really cool, but after a few chapters I found myself not really caring about any of the characters or where the story was going.

April into May

I think I’m just not going to write about what’s happening at my job again until there’s some definitive resolution. It’s too fluid, and that isn’t what I want the blog to really be about. I definitely appreciate everyone’s kind thoughts, though.

This week is about:

  • preparing for the AWS Security Specialty exam, which I take on 4/30. I passed this three years ago, and it’s time to renew.
  • getting ready for the kiddo’s first campout as a BSA Scout, (as opposed to a cub scout) this weekend.

Next month, I really want to get back to some game stuff. So far the year of 3D has been the year of nothing. Maybe I’ll do the Godot Wild Jam again.

I have made some progress on the mysterious non-game personal project. I hope to unveil that next month too.

I added an update to this morning’s post: the RIF is once again on hold. Or at least, access to systems isn’t being turned off and we won’t be placed on administrative leave, for now.

RIF'ed

update: things are on hold again.

Along with 1,400 of my closest friends, I received a “Reduction in Force” notice yesterday. At 6pm today, I’ll no longer have access to work systems, and in 60 days I’ll no longer be a CFPB employee.

I’m sure I’ll find more to say later, but I’m heartbroken that I don’t get to keep working with my amazing team, supporting an important mission for all Americans.

Currently reading: Mister X: The Archives by Dean Motter 📚

Finished reading: Frank Miller’s Ronin (2019 Edition) by Frank Miller 📚

I passed the Security+ exam yesterday:

Tip: if one of the options is “risk register”, the answer is probably “risk register”.

Currently reading: Frank Miller’s Ronin (2019 Edition) by Frank Miller 📚

Finished Listening: Frostbite by Nicola Twilley 📚

Finished reading: Berlin by Jason Lutes 📚

Lately

  • I’m still employed (and even doing some work, given that FISMA-related work counts as “statutory duties”). The next milestone there seems to be Monday, when the judge will rule on what happens next.
  • I haven’t been doing much game-related stuff, with the exception that the kiddo has challenged me to make another, more difficult level for Robo Rampage, featuring a new enemy. I’ve made a little progress on this.
  • I’ve been working on a non-game personal project, which will be familiar to anyone who knew me 10-15 years ago…