![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
2025 life update
1 February 2025 10:42Been a long time since I did a general life update, and with the times being somewhat crazy figured I'd try and give a summary of how it's going.
Work is going, still a contractor for USDA, the shift to working for a company vs being self-employed has gone pretty smoothly and being a contractor has provided a little insulation from the current attacks on the Federal government. It has been pretty disheartening though to see most of what I've worked on the last couple of years get sidelined, we've done a lot on climate change and equity in program delivery and some on urban agriculture that is now all shelved. Harder to be motivated when you know stuff won't see the light of day, focusing on long-term data collection and maintenance efforts so that the data will be there when we need it again. I don't think my job is in danger unless DJT decides to get rid of the whole agency, which is always a possibility. I'll be at the ESRI Federal User Conference later this month if anyone else is going and wants to meet up.
At home not much has changed. The house is still standing. Sam has made progress on getting her new building ready for her practice, should be able to do the move in the near future. Michele has been focused on caring for her mother and I've been helping with that as able. The two cats are doing well, though the one has diabetes and needs some extra care, he's managing ok and they are both super affectionate and help keep us going. I did agree to serve on our town's planning commission, not too much work so far, but we'll see how that goes.
Still gaming, mostly just at my monthly session which we've moved to our local brewery. Was pleased by the return of Brunswick Games Day, below our pre-Covid crowds, but it went very smoothly and folks seemed to have fun. We're doing another game day next month with one of our locals taking over hosting duties. Trying to get out to local conventions more often, should be returning to the Games Club of Maryland cons and to TCEP at the very least this year.
Also doing a lot of video games, I picked up a lot during Covid and probably what I spend most of my free time doing, lately it's been re-visiting games I know well and can play without a lot of thought, it's like comfort gaming.
Was very nice to start travelling again, the Italy trip was great, and we're plotting a trip to Germany next fall, perhaps a few shorter trips before then, definitely a run to Ocean City happening next month.
Books I just did a post, scroll back if you missed it, and have since read Red Sonja: Consumed by Gail Simone which I quite enjoyed.
In other media mostly watching stuff to distract from news, very much enjoying Dimension 20's older series, have almost caught up to where I need a Dropout subscription to continue. Have kept up with Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek offerings. For podcasts, still follow 500songs which I highly recommend. Have also been following figure skating, which the plane crash that just happened had a bunch of young figure skaters on board, hit particularly hard.
Speaking of news, have been trying not to read too much as it is too much. I thought briefly of trying to resume my news snippets, but I don't think I can handle it, and there are other folks doing that sort of thing, if you're looking for one, whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday does a decent job. Trying to focus more local doing what I can and flinging money at organizations that I know are fighting.
I hope everyone else is doing well. Take care of each other out there.
Work is going, still a contractor for USDA, the shift to working for a company vs being self-employed has gone pretty smoothly and being a contractor has provided a little insulation from the current attacks on the Federal government. It has been pretty disheartening though to see most of what I've worked on the last couple of years get sidelined, we've done a lot on climate change and equity in program delivery and some on urban agriculture that is now all shelved. Harder to be motivated when you know stuff won't see the light of day, focusing on long-term data collection and maintenance efforts so that the data will be there when we need it again. I don't think my job is in danger unless DJT decides to get rid of the whole agency, which is always a possibility. I'll be at the ESRI Federal User Conference later this month if anyone else is going and wants to meet up.
At home not much has changed. The house is still standing. Sam has made progress on getting her new building ready for her practice, should be able to do the move in the near future. Michele has been focused on caring for her mother and I've been helping with that as able. The two cats are doing well, though the one has diabetes and needs some extra care, he's managing ok and they are both super affectionate and help keep us going. I did agree to serve on our town's planning commission, not too much work so far, but we'll see how that goes.
Still gaming, mostly just at my monthly session which we've moved to our local brewery. Was pleased by the return of Brunswick Games Day, below our pre-Covid crowds, but it went very smoothly and folks seemed to have fun. We're doing another game day next month with one of our locals taking over hosting duties. Trying to get out to local conventions more often, should be returning to the Games Club of Maryland cons and to TCEP at the very least this year.
Also doing a lot of video games, I picked up a lot during Covid and probably what I spend most of my free time doing, lately it's been re-visiting games I know well and can play without a lot of thought, it's like comfort gaming.
Was very nice to start travelling again, the Italy trip was great, and we're plotting a trip to Germany next fall, perhaps a few shorter trips before then, definitely a run to Ocean City happening next month.
Books I just did a post, scroll back if you missed it, and have since read Red Sonja: Consumed by Gail Simone which I quite enjoyed.
In other media mostly watching stuff to distract from news, very much enjoying Dimension 20's older series, have almost caught up to where I need a Dropout subscription to continue. Have kept up with Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek offerings. For podcasts, still follow 500songs which I highly recommend. Have also been following figure skating, which the plane crash that just happened had a bunch of young figure skaters on board, hit particularly hard.
Speaking of news, have been trying not to read too much as it is too much. I thought briefly of trying to resume my news snippets, but I don't think I can handle it, and there are other folks doing that sort of thing, if you're looking for one, whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday does a decent job. Trying to focus more local doing what I can and flinging money at organizations that I know are fighting.
I hope everyone else is doing well. Take care of each other out there.