/ Now

Published: 2024/01 - Last updated: 2025/01

As of Jan 2025, here are a few things I'm focused on:

// Building

/// Home Automation

I've been diving into self hosted and fully owned home automation, setting up smart devices to make life more seamless and automated. Right now, I'm focused on:

• Smart Home Hub: Experimenting with Home Assistant to centralize control.
• Automation Rules: Setting up motion-activated lights, temperature and air quality monitirng, and voice-activated routines.
• Security: Exploring smart locks, cameras, and automated alerts for better improved security.

/// Homelab

Building a home lab to experiment with networking, self-hosted services, and security. Current setup includes:

• Hardware: A small rack with a Proxmox server, ZFS array for storage, and a OPNsense router.
• Self-Hosted Services: Running AdGuard home for ad-blocking, a Tailscale for remote access, and syncthing for file syncing.
• Security & Networking: Learning more about VLANs, firewall rules, and containerized application security best practices.

// Learning

/// Security Engineering

I'm currently focused on expanding my knowledge in security engineering and best practices, particularly in these areas:

• Application Security: Learning advanced web application and API security, with a focus on OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and real-world mitigation techniques.
• Network Security: Deep-diving into firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and Zero Trust architectures to build more resilient systems.
• Cloud Security: Exploring AWS security best practices, IAM roles, and container security for cloud-native applications.
• Offensive Security & Pentesting: Studying ethical hacking techniques using tools like Burp Suite, Metasploit, and Nmap, and practicing in labs like Hack The Box and TryHackMe.
• Defensive Security & Incident Response: Understanding SIEM tools, log analysis, and strategies for detecting & responding to security threats.
• Secure Coding & Automation: Experimenting with DevSecOps approaches, automating security testing in CI/CD pipelines, and writing more secure code.

// Playing

/// Star Citizen

A game that's as ambitious as it is unpredictable. When it works, it's an incredible experience, and I'm a huge fan of the tech and the vision behind it. Whether it's hauling cargo, running bounties, or just exploring the verse, there's always something new to try.

What I enjoy most: The immersive universe, ship customization, and emergent gameplay.

Challenges: Server stability and the occasional bugs that come with a game in active development. I also run it on Linux which increases the complexity of having a working setup.

Current Focus: Exploring Pyro and experimenting with different career paths - cargo, bounty hunting, and mining.

👉 Get an extra 5,000 UEC by enlisting with my code STAR-FBFQ-GQPR

See you in the verse, o7

/// Days Gone

A post-apocalyptic open-world game that nails the survival horror vibe with its mix of intense combat, storytelling, and exploration. I'm a sucker for the zombie genre, and riding through the world on a fully upgraded bike while dodging Freakers is just pure fun.

What I enjoy most: The horde mechanics, the open-world freedom, and the bike upgrades.

Challenges: Some repetitive mission structures, but the world and story make up for it.

Current Focus: Finishing up side missions and hunting down the biggest Freaker hordes.

👉 Grab it DRM free on Gog - and yes it runs great on Linux!

/// Cyberpunk 2077

I've played through Cyberpunk 2077 a couple of times, but I keep coming back to Night City - there's just something about the world that pulls me in. Lately, I've been diving into mods, tweaking visuals, gameplay, and even adding some new content to freshen up the experience.

What I enjoy most: The deep lore, city design, and freedom in how you play.

Challenges: Even after patches, some AI and open-world mechanics still feel underdeveloped.

Current Focus:Experimenting with gameplay mods, testing visual overhauls, and revisiting my favorite storylines.

👉 Grab it DRM free on Gog - and yes it runs great on Linux!

// Reading

/// Ultra-Processed People - Chris van Tulleken

This book dives deep into how ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have taken over our diets and what that means for our health. It's a mix of science, history, and investigative journalism, breaking down how the food industry shapes what we eat - often at the expense of our well-being.

Key Takeaways: The hidden effects of UPFs on metabolism, the way big food companies manipulate consumer habits, and why cutting back on these foods is harder than it seems.

What I like about it: The book is eye-opening without being preachy, and it's packed with research that makes you rethink everyday food choices.

Current Focus: Paying more attention to ingredients, food marketing tactics, and personal dietary habits.

/// This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

A deep dive into the world of cyber warfare, focusing on zero-day exploits, digital espionage, and the global cyber arms race. The book reveals how governments, hackers, and corporations trade in vulnerabilities that could be used for devastating cyberattacks.

Key Takeaways: The rise of cyber warfare as a modern battlefield, how vulnerabilities are bought and sold like weapons, and why digital security is more fragile than most people realize.

What I like about it: It reads like a thriller but is packed with real-world research, making the scale and stakes of cybersecurity feel very real.

Current Focus: Thinking more critically about national security, personal digital hygiene, and the ethics of cybersecurity research.

// Improving

/// Sleep

Prioritizing better sleep quality by fine-tuning my environment and nighttime habits. Sleep is one of the biggest performance boosters, so I'm experimenting with different strategies to optimize it.

Blackout Curtains: Blocking out all light to improve melatonin production and sleep depth.

Sleep Monitoring: Tracking sleep cycles and disturbances to find patterns and make adjustments.

Regular Bedtime: Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule to improve overall sleep efficiency.

Reishi + Cacao Drinks: Testing out natural sleep aids like Reishi mushroom and cacao, for relaxation before bed.

Sleep Buds: Using noise-masking earbuds to block distractions and improve sleep quality.

/// Nutrition

Focusing on cleaner eating by eliminating unnecessary processed foods and reducing exposure to potential toxins.

Avoiding UPFs & Low-Quality Red Meat: Cutting down on ultra-processed foods and opting for grass-fed, organic, or higher-quality meats when possible.

Reducing Plastic Usage in the Kitchen: Swapping plastic food storage for glass or stainless steel to limit microplastic exposure and endocrine disruptors.