Firebee Dispatch #16: I've got nothing to prove
It's been a few months, but the firebee dispatches are back in business! I am going to try to keep them a bit leaner this time, so that I can keep up.
What I'm Up To
- I quit my job and am currently funemployed! Check out my post about looking for work if you want to recommend a job or help me find one.
- I am keeping some structure during my funemployment. I will use some of my time off to get caught up on technologies I missed in Google's not-invented-here bubble. Let me know if you have an open source project that needs some front-end help. I am especially interested in projects that use shiny new front-end technologies and/or are working to help people.
Recommended Reading & Current Events
Disclaimer: For a variety of personal reasons I am not nearly as up-to-date with current events as I used to be. If I don't include something here, it's not because I don't care, but because I am not qualified to talk on the subject.
Recommended Reading
- Houston, We Have A Problem. by Stephanie Morillo. If you are doing diversity in tech work, read this. It's important.
I’m now at the point where “diversity in tech” has become synonymous with white women. And I’m here to raise the red flag.
In the News
- Lauren Voswinkel is calling for us to talk about pay using the #talkpay hashtag on May 1st (International Workers' Day). That is today. I'll be joining in. I hope to see you there.
- Nonviolence as Compliance in Baltimore and Living With Everyday Violence in Black Baltimore by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
When nonviolence is preached as an attempt to evade the repercussions of political brutality, it betrays itself. When nonviolence begins halfway through the war with the aggressor calling time out, it exposes itself as a ruse. When nonviolence is preached by the representatives of the state, while the state doles out heaps of violence to its citizens, it reveals itself to be a con.
- Check out #BaltimoreUprising for updates on what is going on in Baltimore from Netta and DeRay.
Mass Media Musings
Games
Neko Atsume
Do you like cats? Do you have an iPhone or Android phone? Then I have the game for you. Neko Atsume! Just look at how cute these kitties are. How can you resist the cuteness?
The gist of the game is you buy food and toys for your garden to attract cats. It sounds silly, but it has kept my attention for a suprising amount of time. It's the sort of thing I pick up a few times a day, smile at the kitties, spend some of my fish (the currency in the game), rearrange the garden, and then put it back down.
It's a Japanese game, but is easy to play without knowing Japanese (I know about five words). Check out this guide for playing Neko Atsume to get started.
Film
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
I want to give this film a second viewing and write a proper review for it, but it is on Netflix instant, so I want to bring it to your attention now.
This "Iranian vampire western" is a visually stunning and intriguing take on the vampire story. I went in not knowing much, but excited to watch yet another vampire film. I got that and then some. It was more art house than expected, but not unpleasantly so. If any of those things sound interesting to you, I highly recommend giving it a viewing while it's up on Netflix. I will hopefully write a proper review some time soon.
Television
I finished up the new Daredevil (the Netflix series, not the horrible movie with Affleck). One of my favorites, Orphan Black, is back for a third season. Stay tuned for writeups in upcoming dispatches.
My Writing
I wrote a bunch of things in my time away from the dispatches. Here are some highlights if you are interesting.
Miscellany
- Quitting my job means no more free food, so Julie’s Cooking Corner will make a return soon.
- One of the places I sell swag has leggings now. Should I make firebee leggings? Would that be TOO MUCH? Do I care?
- Dispatch title from "Nothing to Prove" by The Doubleclicks [youtube]. Warning: the video may hit you right in the feels. My room was inexplicably filled with onions when I watched it.