A New Beginning

It’s hard to believe that just a short 5 months ago, I was saying goodbye to my home back in Calgary, Alberta. I was saying goodbye to family and friends as I planned on starting fresh in a new city and a new country on the other side of the continent. A lot has happened since I took that first step towards a new life.

In just 5 short months, I find myself in Dearborn, Michigan (just outside of Detroit, for those that need a point of reference). I’ve started a job in the automotive industry, which is completely new to me. My previous work experience was industrial construction and oil and gas, so this is a big change for me.

Detroit Skyline from Windsor

 

During my settling period here outside of Detroit and during my time injured, I’ve had a chance to think about what I want to pursue as a hobby, or for fun. My previous job didn’t give me much time to pursue hobbies outside of work, considering I pretty much lived on a construction site, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to start taking on a few projects.

My problem is that I have a tendency to start personal projects that eventually get put aside to collect dust. My plan for the blog is to hold myself accountable to the projects I want to pursue. The idea is that I’ll be able to give updates on what I’m doing. Maybe if I’m lucky, more than just my parents will find something of interest.

So what have I got planned for myself?

DSLR Photography

I enjoy taking photos and I’ve wanted to get more into photography. I got a decent version of photoshop that I have yet to learn how to use. While many could argue that I can get just fine photos with a point and shoot, I want to try and get better quality photos with the chance to do a bit more tweaking to the photos. Plus, many DSLRs these days come with 1080p video, so I wouldn’t mind learning how to do some filming as well.

My plan is to write about taking photos and some of the things I learn about using DSLR cameras. Also, you are the lucky audience that gets to see my photo showcase! And if you don’t want to see photos, well…too bad. You get to see them anyways. Aren’t you glad you decided to participate?

Robotics

As an engineer, I’ve discovered myself fascinated with micro-controllers and robotics. Sadly, I didn’t take the opportunity to learn more about them during my degree, as I chose to shy away from electronics related courses. My background is mechanical engineering, so mechanics made more sense than electronics.

While it might seem masochistic to consider electronics as a hobby, the possibilities are endless in terms of what can be made with a basic understanding of micro-controllers.

As I get further along, I’ll refine what my plans are for specific robotics projects. There’s a lot to be learned, the tough part is picking a place to start.

Homebrew beer

Back in Calgary, I had ventured briefly into homebrew beer. With Michigan being a hotspot for microbreweries, there’s a lot of potential to engage in homebrewing.

I’ll share my setup process, along with the recipes and the techniques I use for homebrewing. Ideally I’d like to gain a decent set of recipes that can be improved upon as I refine the process.

Also, in the future, I hope to delve deeper into the methods of making a kegerator, or in other words, a mini fridge that’s retrofitted with a draft tower for nice draft beer.

 

Along with my projects, I’ll likely chat about life from time to time, whether it’s the joys of living in a new place, the new places I discover from time to time, or my plans for hopefully purchasing an impractical sports car or classic car in the future. These are the initial plans for the blog and they’ll likely change as time goes by. So without further adieu, I hope you enjoy reading about the numerous adventures (or mishaps, depending on the situation) I’ll be writing about. Enjoy the blog!