Since I started my IndieWeb journey this month I’ve been thinking a lot about the digital content I’m producing and how I can be more in control of my data, avoiding data silos as much as possible.

1. Tagged with
2. running
3. indieweb

Looking Back on 35

• I (helped) launch two major (different) versions of some factory automation software at work.
• I wrote an article in Japanese that was published in a real-life magazine.
• Interviewed and got a dream job that'll let me have a meaningful impact on climate change.

• Built and released my first project in years (Tanzawa).
• Paid off my car note (6 year loan, paid off in 1.4).
• Fully embraced that I'm an early riser and began prioritizing health.
• Running more months of this year than previous years (though there's still been some big gaps, I'm hopeful).
• Hit over 1 year of weekly The Week posts.
• Dodged 'rona and got us vaccinated very early for our age group (less than a week after eligibility), which gave us full vaccination during delta.
• Took two small overnight stays in Japan (Saitama last November, Yokohama less than a week ago)

Looking Forward on 36

• Go on a couple small family trips in Japan (covid allowing). I'd love to ride the Shinkansen with Leo.
• Continue running and or cycling, but on a more regular basis, rain or shine. Ideally I want to do a couple of 5ks during the week and a longer run/ride on the weekend.
• Reduce my non renewable energy usage (put solar panels on the house).
• Build and release an electricity related side project.
• Reduce my plastic usage / trash (this is difficult as it seems no matter what you buy in Japan, it's wrapped in at least one plastic bag). We throw out about 1 40L bag per week today, which seems like way too much. I'd love to get that down to 1 40L bag per every two weeks, or even per month.
• Introduce Leo to his grandparents. Leo has only met my mom on my side of the family when she came to visit shortly after he was born. I'd like him to meet the rest of the family, so maybe a trip to the US once borders open up a bit more?

If you run a UGC platform (User Generated Content) you either die with an MVP ("minimum viable product") or live long enough to the point that you have to build content moderation. It’s a story as old as the internet and a topic that is seldom discussed.

1. Tagged with
2. blogging
3. social media

For younger folk: this photo is from the farcical Web 1.0 Summit to make fun of those using the "Web 2.0" moniker for their own marketing ambitions. In other words, history repeating itself. https://laughingsquid.com/web-1-summit/ The photos are gold: https://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/sets/1084819/

• People don't sit down at computers, so you "need" a web app and a mobile app (which requires submitting apps to stores with arbitrary rules). 
• People don't want to create logins (so you need to integrate with the tech giants for login)
• Services keep (your) data tight within walls.
• Search results often favor the big incumbents.
• Most every online interaction is somehow linked to Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, or Twitter.

• Today marks my 36th birthday. Happy birthday to me! 🥳🎉
• This week was a summer vacation-like week - busy with lots of activity and going places. It's starting to feel a bit safer to do so because covid numbers are down to less than 200 / day from over 2,600 / day a month ago in Kanagawa and as Japan has surpassed the United States in vaccinations, something I did not see happening given the US' 3 + month advantage starting.
• Tuesday, Leo and I went to Enoshima and visited the Aquarium. He's got a yearly pass and I renewed mine. As soon as we arrived he b-lined to the dolphin show and waited patiently for 30 minutes for the first show. Afterwards he looked at the sharks and tried to leave.
  
  I thought he was mistaken, leaving so soon, so I took him upstairs to the cafe area. I ordered some nuggets and chips (crisps) as they didn't have any fries (chips). Leo had a complete meltdown, despite telling him while we were waiting in line that they didn't have any fries.
  
  I managed to calm him down somehow and we went to the beach and played in the waves for a few before going to Kua'aina to split a burger and fries.
• Wednesday, we cycled over to the grandparent's house and back. My battery was low when we left, but I managed to make it back with 5% remaining. I learned that below 20% and it starts to display the drop in real time. So rather than going from 30% -> 20%, it shows you 20% -> 19% -> 18% etc...
• Thursday, a friend came over for lunch and a chat. This was the first time I've met any friend since the lull between the first and second wave in August 2020 and I haven't seen this friend since January 2020. It was really nice to chat. After we chatted for a while we took Leo to the park and to my surprise he walked the entire way there. If it was just me he'd be wanting to get on my shoulders or some such. I was amazed.
• Friday was spent in downtown Yokohama in Minatomirai. Leo and I rode the new urban ropeway. It makes the trek from World Porters much easier, but it's too expensive (¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for kids). It's priced like a tourist attraction rather than public transit. The staff must have thought Leo wasn't quite 3 yet, as they didn't charge me for him despite me saying 1 adult, 1 kid.
  
  We stayed the night at Yokohama Royal Park Hotel towards the top-half of of Landmark tower. Here's a time-lapse from our room. Leo does so well traveling. I look forward to when he's a bit bigger and we can go out on longer trips.
  
  
• Saturday morning I went for a run along the bay, marking 3 times running this week. It was mostly flat, which was nice, but the views were totally worth it. I think it may be a good thing to do while traveling to better know an area.
  

  

• After that we went to the Nogeyama Zoo, a small / free (donations encouraged) zoo. They have all a lion, various monkeys, giraffes, zebras, flamingos, and more. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the tiger or the kangaroos as the the tiger moved to the Ueno Zoo and the kangaroo area was under construction.