Software Developer

2024 Year-End Review

This isn’t a “real” post. This is a summary of all the things that made up my year in 2024 (almost all in a professional context). Thanks to all who were a part of it.

Writing 🔗

I published 7 articles about Ruby or software development in general this year. The first was about possible RailsConf tracks. My last post of the year covered what I saw at RubyConf.

In between conference posts, I wrote about Sidekiq batches, accessing request headers in Rails, and RSpec stubbing.

I continue sending my posts to newsletter subscribers. You can still subscribe via RSS or try to keep up wherever I post on social media.

My most-read posts are those that end up in other newsletters. This year, my writing appeared in Ruby Weekly 8 times, Short Ruby Newsletter 6 times, TL;DR Web Dev once, and Ruby Central’s monthly newsletter once.

I cut down my publishing schedule again. Intentionally. I started the year saying I was going to slow down and then immediately joined the RailsConf Programming Committee. Whoops. But also worth it.

I’ll continue to have a lighter content calendar indefinitely. It may quickly turn into a “post whenever I want” situation, rather than the current every other month.

Speaking 🔗

I did submit to one CFP this year, but was not accepted. Speaking was not a priority for me this year.

I helped conference speakers more this year. I was a coach for the RubyCentral CFP coaching sessions for RailsConf. I was a speaker mentor at RailsConf. I helped friends prepare their proposals and talks when asked.

As mentioned in the writing section, I was also on the RailsConf Programming Committee. That was a new experience for me. It was an honor to be asked and to help bring the conference together. I hope everyone that attended enjoyed it.

On the podcasting front, I was a guest on one episode of Ruby for All to speak about RailsConf.

If you have an event you’d like me to speak at, or a podcast you’d like me to guest on, let me know.

Employer 🔗

I’ve been at Pubmark all year. I enjoy the work that I do, and the people I do it with. There have been some shifts and changes, but I’ve been trying to stay in my comfort zone. It’s been helpful for my personal life.

New (to me) in 2024 🔗

Here’s where I take a break to step out of work and talk about things (mostly music) I got into this year.

I was introduced to this artist this year and I’m thankful for it.

I’m lookin’ for the map to hope, you seen it?

Front Desk 🔗

A quick book, but the most enjoyable reading experience I had this year.

Metallica (Live) 🔗

I’ve been PRETTY AWARE of them, but somehow I’ve avoided seeing Metallica live. This changed over the summer when I saw them twice. This video is from one of the shows I attended.

Magic and Illusion 🔗

I’m not learning it myself, but I witnessed some ✨magic✨ this year.

And I’m left wondering what’s real and what was an illusion.

Thank You 🔗

Thanks for reading, watching, or listening. Take care of yourself. Help take care of others to the extent you’re able to. Reach out to others when you need it.