What Did I Do In 2024

I started working in IT for this Agriculture Tech company called Datatech.

And to quote my linked in profile lol

This role mainly involves managing IT solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. My expertise includes configuring and maintaining Windows Server environments, managing Active Directory, and deploying, updating and troubleshooting PFSense firewalls and Ubiquiti networking solutions. I also utilize the Syncro ticketing and RMM system for efficient issue tracking and resolution, Bitdefender for cybersecurity, and Cove for reliable data backups.

I have supported Outlook 2013 and Office 365 users, performed basic cable network installations, and managed or restored SQL databases. Additionally, I’ve handled accounting software (QuickBooks, BlueSkies, etc.) migrations and upgrades, ensuring minimal downtime and accurate data integrity. My role also included selling and setting up custom servers, Intel small factor computers or Thinkpad Laptops; As well as answering any questions a client would have about the requirements for the Datatech Farmer's Office accounting software.

This position has sharpened my technical skills, customer service abilities, and project management expertise. I’ve consistently helped deliver tailored IT solutions that enhanced business operations and fostered strong client relationships.

I lost my Car... again. Someone decided to crash their joyride into all the cars on my block. Also got jury on the same week. It was insane.

On the other hand, I got obsessed over trying to make cool things. So, I started deep diving PCB components and how people make their own makeshift boards at home.

I also started building a lot of custom servers for clients. This video was very helpful in getting anyone up to speed. I think this was one of my favorite things I did there because I was providing value and making tangible things.

I was also working on myself; I was trying to learn budgeting apps like monarch to keep my household accountable. In the end YNAB was way better in helping me keep a zero-sum budget going so I stuck with that.

I also started experimenting with YouTube in terms of what I wanted to do for content. I initially didn't want to show my face because I had major anxiety recording myself, so I started trying to desensitize myself to being on camera and hearing the horrible sound of my voice.

Started learning how to meal prep in a sustainable way that won't tire us or over complicate things. During this period, I also started calorie tracking but not restricting to see how many calories I was eating on average.

Honestly, I felt like I needed to learn every tool in the wide range of what an IT department can implement or oversee. A lot of the work I did here was simple enough and I took the initiative of writing documentation for processes that were not documented enough to prevent knowledge gaps. Especially if people were helping a client and couldn't take a look for whatever reason.

Pluralsight was the Mr. Miyagi of our department, and because of that I learned all I could from that site. But our company didn't really implement a lot of what I learned, so practicality went out the window. It felt like having the wax but no car.

My advice to anyone going into IT is to learn PowerShell, system 32 architecture, and RMM software's like the back of your hand. Not only is it good for cyber security but it gives you a better picture of how PowerShell is interacting or can interact at the kernel level and how it can be obfuscated by friends or foes exploiting RMM tools that run code in the background.

Anyways in October our Baby Boy Ezio Oliver was born, newborns are always stressful in the first year (especially with 2 under 2). And he has been a handful, but we love him so much.

By The end of the year, I was inspired to put my best foot forward and try to be more creative. I started learning how to draw again, I researched more YouTube things, I stopped filling up all my time with cybersecurity news or random tutorials that were not going to be used on the spot.

I started learning how to be a scriptwriter in the YouTube sense. Got motivated by videos from Gawx because of his background and style. I later started doing the same research for VFX compositing and just expanding my knowledge of what tools and techniques are out there to make better videos.

I was still practicing my full stack coding skills during this time, and I was on my way to do game developer stuff!