2023

2023 was intense. The recession hit us professionally — we lost some projects, watched layoffs at our main client (though we survived). Parenting got harder as my kid's social circle expanded. Among sick days and burnout, something unexpected happened: I rediscovered my passion for composing and producing music, something I hadn't touched in almost 20 years. Started with field recordings in Portland and hasn't stopped.

Grateful for my partner's patience through all the ups and downs.

Despite everything, I managed to do a few things:

• Visited France and Greece
• Fell back into Hellenic Black Metal
• Survived the recession, prospects looking better by November
• Read 33 books (no idea how, given the music obsession)

Music

• Vestron Vulture - Roll Mottle (My 2023 Album of the Year)
• HEALTH - Rat wars
• Twin Tribes - "Fantasmas" was on repeat. Like, non-stop
• Portland Jazz Radio (even outside PDX)

Books

Didn't read as much as I wanted — music took over. From 33 books, one was truly amazing:

• The Magus, John Fowles (My 2023 Book of the Year)
• Last Call, Tim Powers
• Life Ceremony, Sayaka Murata
• Haunted, Chuck Palahniuk

Tech

• C and audio synthesis

  Fell down a rabbit hole using C and numeric oscillators to compose a song based on Takumar's original code. Got intertwined with Jerdehl and things happened

• AI Hype → AI Meh

  Started optimistic, then learned about the energy costs of LLMs. Looking for something simpler to self-host. Not there yet

• Self-hosting

  Switched from LastPass to self-hosted Bitwarden over Tailscale. Rock solid for months. Planning to add more to the homelab

• BenQ Screenbar

  Lifesaver for my light-sensitive eyes (thanks, multiple eye surgeries)

• Kagi

  Set it as default search, never looked back. Having my own page ranking is amazing

• Deep Sea DeepDeck

  As an HHKB person, I appreciate good secondary pads. The DeepDeck with its knobs, buttons, and layers is brilliant

• USB rechargeable AAs

  No more e-waste from disposable batteries

Games

Barely played anything except some Diablo Immortal late in the year. Yes, it's P2W. No, I didn't spend money on it.

Assorted

• Sonic Mementos

  Started making these. Hope to do more in 2024

• Travel

  Always gives me fresh perspective

• Jambys

  Wore these most of 2023. So comfy

• Mastodon only

  Quit all social networks except Mastodon

• Stopped caring about specialty coffee

  Drinking whatever, surviving on pods. The old me would be ashamed. It's important to let go of labels that no longer make sense

• No more r/mechkeyboards

  Stopped spending money on keyboards, settled on the HHKB. Saves a lot of moolah

• In-country family travel

  Drove through the country with my kid and friends. Parks, nature, small farms. Helped our sanity

Two mementos from 2023:

• The Kolomboi

  Greek worry beads made of onyx. Always with me. Passing the beads slowly, one by one, tac tac tac

• Vintage 1955 USSR mechanical wristwatch

  Found a cheap one converted from a pocket watch. Upgraded the straps. Love hearing the rhythmic ticking—grounding and comforting

Things I was looking forward for 2023

• More trips

  Check

• More books

  Not really

• Less screen time

  Still fighting

• No mobile P2W games

  Played almost nothing, spent no money on Diablo Immortal. I'm good

• Mask-free life

  Nope. Can't do airports or planes without one

• Not die from COVID

  Check

• Fewer dragons to chase

  Hard one. Still trying

Things that didn't live up to my personal hype

• The Steamdeck

  Need to accept I'm not a gamer anymore. Stop buying gaming gadgets. Don't have time for triple-A games, despise P2W mobile games

Things I'm looking forward for 2024

• Materialize something by random chance
• Stop working (for real) around 4 PM — prioritize family and time with my partner
• Continue making music, but slower pace
• Get back to exercising
• Get office space

  Burned out from WFH. Need a space where I can socialize and close the door when needed

• Keep traveling internationally (at least twice a year). Bonus points with family
• MNT Pocket Reform

  Want to explore minimal Linux daily. Planning to use the MNT Pocket Reform

• Less screen time
• Mask-free life
• Not die from COVID
• Fewer dragons to chase