Hobbies & Interests

Home Lab & AI Experimentation

One of my biggest interests is experimenting with AI and self-hosted technology in my home lab. I regularly test local language models, image generation systems, coding assistants, automation agents, and other emerging technologies.

Rather than simply using AI tools, I enjoy understanding how they work, how they can be automated, and how they can be integrated into larger workflows. Much of my recent AI experience began as hobby projects before becoming professionally relevant.

• Local AI models and LLMs
• Image generation systems
• Ollama and OpenWebUI
• Python automation
• Self-hosted services
• Workflow automation

Programming & Automation Projects

I genuinely enjoy writing software outside of work. Many of my personal projects begin with the question:

"Can I automate this?"

I've built tools for email processing, dashboard reporting, game automation, image recognition, AI-assisted workflows, and countless small utilities designed to eliminate repetitive tasks.

Automation has always been one of my favorite areas of software development because it combines problem solving with immediate practical results.

Gaming

Gaming has been a lifelong hobby and one of the reasons I originally became interested in technology. I enjoy both playing games and understanding how they work internally.

That curiosity often leads me into side projects involving game modification, emulator scripting, save editing, automation, and reverse engineering. I enjoy treating games as both entertainment and technical puzzles.

Recent projects have included automating gameplay through Lua scripting and emulator integrations simply to explore what is possible from a technical perspective.

Technology & Hardware

I have always enjoyed working with computers beyond software development. Building systems, troubleshooting hardware, configuring networks, and learning new technologies are all things I find enjoyable rather than frustrating.

I often spend free time researching new technologies, comparing hardware, experimenting with software, and building tools simply because I find the process interesting.

• PC building
• Hardware troubleshooting
• Networking
• Server administration
• Operating systems
• Cybersecurity topics

Camping & The Outdoors

While most of my professional and hobby interests are technology-focused, I also enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Camping provides a welcome change of pace from screens, projects, and development work while still offering opportunities for problem solving, planning, and hands-on activities.

Cars & Mechanical Interests

I enjoy learning about vehicles, maintenance, modifications, and the engineering behind how modern vehicles operate.

Like software systems, cars are complex systems made up of many interconnected parts. Understanding how those systems work and diagnosing problems has always been something I find satisfying.

What These Hobbies Say About Me

Most of my hobbies share a common theme: curiosity.

Whether I am experimenting with AI, automating a repetitive task, building a server, modifying a game, troubleshooting hardware, or learning a new technology, I enjoy understanding how systems work and finding ways to improve them.

I don't enjoy technology because it's technology. I enjoy understanding complex systems, solving difficult problems, and building things that make life easier.

Personal Projects & Family Interests

My free time is spent programming with AI, hosting AI services, and creating AI applications for my wife's cooking channel and website.

We have a camper and take the kids camping at least four times a year.

I love working on cars and am interested in classic American muscle such as Mustangs, Nova, and other classic models.