I’ve been doing a lot of random stuff this summer

I recently quit my job and am finally in a position where I can take things a lot more slowly now. I’ve been telling friends in response to the “what have you been up to?” question, “just goin wherever the wind blows.” I’m super grateful and privileged to be in this position, but I also recognize that I worked my ass off to be here as well, so I’m definitely enjoying it while it lasts!

Here are some of the things I’m proud of that I’ve more or less completed this summer, in more or less chronological order.

Worm?!

I am super gracious to have been invited to participate in the local art+technology institution InterAccess’ flashDRIVE: Digital Art Fundraiser Exhibition this past May. All 40 or so artists were invited to exhbit some screen based work to be placed on a wall together salon style.

For my piece I leaned on my obsession with the OpenWorm project and created probably my first of many art pieces featuring research from it. Here’s the artist statement for the project:

This digital piece features a living simulation of C. elegans, the microscopic roundworm, displayed with visual aesthetics reminiscent of vintage digital pets like Tamagotchi. The worm’s movements are driven by seven accurately modeled neurons developed through the OpenWorm project, creating authentic behavioral patterns as the creature navigates its environment. The deliberate juxtaposition of cutting-edge neural simulation with nostalgic visual design invites viewers to contemplate the nature of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and our relationships with digital and biological pets. As the primitive yet complex organism responds to its environment in real-time, it challenges our understanding of the boundaries between simulated and genuine intelligence, while simultaneously exploring our tendency to form emotional connections with entities we nurture, whether digital or living.

You can learn more at my open source repo with the base source code to get a worm running in the browser

Sk88ring

I’ve been skateboarding for 20 odd years now, not that I’m good or anything. This year I’ve been trying my best to learn slappy grinds. Guess I’m lucky cause I caught some weirdo grinding down and clear coating a curb near my apartment.

I also copied a unique balance board I saw online. I would have bought one but shipping was killer and it seemed like a fun design challenge. I’m a little hesitant to release the files cause I wouldn’t want to impact this dude’s business but you never know! In the meantime if you’re interested and have a 3D printer, let me know and send the files your way.

Jacking in and Jockeying Off

This summer I finally started VJing in VRChat. This is a long time coming! I’ve been lurking in the scene casually for a while and was a huge fan even before the pandemic when most people started checking it out. Huge thanks to okgold for inviting me to their sick Canada Day event. It was super surreal performing at an accurately modeled Nathan Philips Square. I’ve done one other event since, and will need to start booking for more soon surely!

I also fell in love with a new open-source TouchDesigner alike called TiXL. Such a fun piece of software!

I also recently went to an IRL OpenHDMI event hosted by Alex Melvin and got to reuse some of the visuals I had done in VR.

3D Printing a Console

My good friend Kerma found some files online to 3D print the LX-III, a fictional console from the game UFO50. We took a community published STL for the console originally meant for a 10” screen and shrunk it down to fit a 7” one. Because the controllers looked so similar, I made the effort to fit PCEngine compatible controller ports on the front. I decided to make a PR on the popular GP2040-CE Raspberry Pi Pico controller firmware so more people can benefit from the work I did to get this all connected.

Touching Grass

In no paticular order. Here are some fun things I did outside with other people:

I took Brio to visit a family friend and he instantly became best friends with their cat. He had such a hissy fit when we tried to take him to leave haha.

I made another website in a park with the other html.energy enjoyers

I went on a 3 day canoe trip with my Brother and his friends. Portaging is a shit ton of work, especially if your brother insists on bringing fresh food and 30lbs of cast-iron pans. Very rewarding though!

Couldn’t help 3D printing some stuff for the trip too. I designed and printed this little caribiner loop for a bite-valve bottle I bought on sale.

My partner and I volunteered at a local repair cafe. It was really sweet to get to know our neighbours a bit more and atleast attempt to prevent some stuff from going in landfills. Another super rewarding thing that I hope to be able to do regularly.