Hey! I missed you!

Ok, so I haven’t been posting here since 2017, because I started writing in other places like Medium and dev.to.

That’s changing as of today—I’ll be cross-posting to other places instead. It makes me feel good to be “home” in my blog space again! Sometimes, Medium just feels like too much exposure.

I’m also trying to write shorter pieces, so I don’t feel as much pressure to create a big long informational piece all the time. Thinking that way is how I ended up abandoning my home space blog for years!

What have I been up to, anyway?

A whole lot of stuff!

This year, I decided to start applying to things. There are so many opportunities and resources for coders, writers, and podcasters to find exposure, but I just haven’t been taking advantage of them because I’ve been skurrd.

Now, after some mental training, I’m still skurrd lmao. I’m just starting to get past the fear to act anyway. This has taken a lot of mindfulness and weekly therapy to get even a little more comfortable with.

But again, I just flung myself into things anyway and I’m pretty glad I did. I didn’t even give myself a chance to doubt myself.

And as a result… I’m going to be speaking at conferences this year!

Conference talks?! ????

One of the things I promised myself in 2019 was that I would apply to at least 5 conferences. It didn’t seem like a huge amount, and I even had folks telling me that it would probably take more applications to get in. However, I’m not them!

I had written a blog post back in 2015 when I first started learning to code about Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs) and their connection to Object-Oriented JavaScript.

I’m great at seeing patterns, metaphors, and analogies in different concepts, so the connection became clear to me pretty quickly.

I really wanted to do a talk that took that post, and expounded on that post. I want to have a HECKIN’ BLAST on stage, telling people about two of my areas of great passion: gaming, and programming.

I sent out applications for the same talk to five conferences:

• Abstractions II
• JavaScript and Friends
• Codeland (hosted by #CodeNewbie)
• AnxietyTech
• Deconstruct

And so far, I’ve been accepted to 2/5!

Shoot your shot in 2019, seriously. It’s so worth it, and you’ll find that others who are also shooting their shot will respect your hustle and help to pull you up to their level.

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Another big thing re: the podcast

UPDATE 6/28: I didn’t get into the program, but you bet your ass I’m applying next cohort! Don’t let rejection get you down! 🙂

Last year, I found a program called the Google PRX Podcasts creators program.

Basically, it’s an accelerator for podcast creators. They provide up to $40,000 in funding to help existing and new podcasters from underrepresented groups get our voices heard.

I already have the La Vie en Code podcast up and running, but it’s been tough to keep going because quite frankly, I don’t make money from any of the work I put into the community other than my online course + coaching program, 30 Days to Web Development.

Being on disability and fixed income has been a challenge for creating and maintaining virtually anything, and I have to be careful not to overextend myself and start projects that I can’t maintain due to financial or time constraints. I’m sure you know how that is. It can lead to burnout REAL fast.

I sent in my application, complete with sample budget and audio samples. And I feel really good about my application, but I guess we’ll see. I’m a perfect match for the program, but I can always use my application to submit for the next cohort if this one doesn’t work out.

Anyway, I’m holding my breath until May 31st, when I’ll hear back. I may have sent in a pretty obscene budget, but they said they want to see how you think when it comes to managing your podcast in an “ideal situation”. So I did.

In an ideal world, I’d be researching with the help of a research assistant.

I’d be getting paid for my learning time.

I’d be able to travel to meet guests and have an opportunity to see them laugh before asking them to share details of their lives with myself and my audience.

I’d have support to make the most out of my episodes.

With the proper support, we can make amazing things happening. This is the entire basis of my approach to 30 Days to Web Development: if we have guidance and support, we can achieve our dreams.

And I hope that Google/PRX will be giving me an opportunity to achieve mine!

Ok, I’m gonna go eat something. See you again soon, friend. You’re a good listener. ????