It has been almost a year since I have written on this blog. This year has been interesting. So what has happened?
1. I got married
This year in July I had got married. Life does not feel different as we have been together for the last 4-5 years. Now that it is official, it makes things feel different. I need to tell people I am now married and not single. Overall this has been the highlight of my year.
2. Composting - Vermicompost
This year I planned to compost more and become a better citizen of our earth. Building the vermicompost has been very handy. The worms are voracious eaters. They can digest a whole lot of organic compost quickly. In the future, with some upgrades, perhaps sell it or share the blueprint with others so that they too make it.
3. Getting a job at an Amazon warehouse
I got a job at an Amazon warehouse primarily to fund my drone project. Making drones for ecological monitoring and biodiversity conservation is the highest priority, and it needs capital. It is not a cheap project. Working on a side hustle can help me build that capital.
4. Starting a Youtube channel
As Einstein said, "Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results". Starting a you-tube channel is a different way to market a product and build an audience. I think this is something worth working on in the new year. The objective is to video log my progress, teach and use it as a platform to build awareness.
5. Studying algorithms
When I was applying to a few tech jobs, I needed to study algorithms. I have not done this in the past, but this seems interesting. I do not think I will be able to apply it, but there are things that I have learned. The puzzles that one might ask in an interview may not have much use, but the algorithms themselves can be applicable.
6. Moved into a new office space in my home
I have turned my storage closet into my office space, and I love it. I now have a separate room for my work and can do all my geeky stuff here. It has helped me organize both my woodworking and electronic tools. It is not complete. There are a few things yet to be organized. Like my books and tools. There are also a few tools that I need. Things like oscilloscope, microscope, PCB soldering tools, CNC machine, 3d printer. One step at a time. I will be talking more about this in a YouTube video shortly.
7. Getting a community garden
Next year we will get access to the garden, and I am looking forward to growing more food in the house. Gardening is a great hobby, environmentally friendly for the most part, and it fulfills you spiritually. I plan to grow chickpeas, onions, potatoes, and some root vegetables.
8. ANTSAND - Working with schools
We got a school client to design their dashboard. It made me spend some time adding features to the ANTSAND core application. So far, I am happy it is shaping itself. Should I spend time improving ANTSAND regularly or organically, will be a question on my mind? For now, I will work on it organically.
9. Drones and Improved my PCB design skill
I spent a lot more time working and improving my PCB design skills. I fabricated different PCB boards and made them work. Learned more about the harm of ESD and how to protect my electronics from ESD. Overall there are a lot of things I have learned. Next year, I will be pushing myself even harder to work on more complex PCB boards.
10. Gave a drone presentation to elementary school children
Giving a short 1-hour presentation on drones was meaningful and enjoyable work. I would want to do more of this. Perhaps when I design and develop the drones, I can spend some time marketing and giving educational presentations to schools and universities.
What is next:
Next year I will be spending a lot more time developing drones from the grounds up. By the end of 2022, I would like to sell the drone to a few customers. I would use the YouTube channel to gain an audience and build traction. Making drones requires capital. I hope to build up capital by, either working on a side hustle (Amazon warehouse), looking for investors' money or getting paying customers as soon as possible.
Personally, hopefully, we can start a family too.
That is it.