Hello everyone, it's been a while.

Even though I really liked the styling and wanted to create this website to try out what I wanted to do, I couldn't update it, and since I don't have much passion for writing, I guess this is how it is.

Anyway, in this article, I'll write about what I've been doing over the past few years and what I'm currently up to.

If you're bored and have some free time, feel free to give it a quick read.

My Two Beloved Dogs Passed Away

Last year, 2021, was truly a very tough year.

Even though we got married, the pandemic prevented us from having a wedding ceremony. I had a decent amount of work, but I wasn't stable, and my mental state wasn't either.

In the midst of all that, my two dogs, who spent half my life with me, passed away in April and December.

The dog that passed in April was diagnosed with melanoma and fought hard until the very end. My mother also fought alongside.

The dog that passed in December had Cushing's syndrome and peacefully closed her eyes surrounded by everyone. It was right after my birthday.

Both dogs were quite old, so I expected this day would come eventually, but you can't prepare your heart for something like this. Even though I'm only 30, I cried a lot. I really loved them all.

My mental state was quite down, but being busy with work helped me endure it.

I'll write more about this later, but since I started doing double work last year, my working hours have naturally increased.

I officially moved out of my parents' house and started living with my wife, but I'm worried about our two cats and one dog. They're getting older, after all.

I realized that I need to cherish things even though I think it's tiny thing. I need to value every moment with my loved ones. It's hard to be conscious of it, though.

Joined the Fukuoka Design Company, gaz

The double work I mentioned earlier is this. I joined gaz in September 2021, and it's been almost a year now.

To be honest, at first, I was considering working part-time at a café.

I didn't really like coding, and since I love coffee, I thought working part-time at a café could help increase my income.

So why did I join a design company? Simply put, I happened to see gaz's job posting on Twitter, checked their job site, company website, blog, and podcast, and thought it was a really great company.

They use the no-code tool STUDIO for website production, handle UI design and logo creation, and I wanted to improve my design skills, so I decided to apply.

I applied for a part-time position, but I was offered a form of contract work that allows me to balance freelancing alongside.

Since I was self-taught in design, I didn't know much about feedback, other designers' methods, or knowledge. Working here, I feel it's a great environment where I can learn a lot.

The workload increased because I'm also freelancing, but since I can work flexibly, I can manage both without any issues. (I think)

We are currently planning various things, but I intend to commit fully to the design company as well.

I realized the potential of the no-code tool Studio through actual use, so I plan to propose it in my freelance activities as well.

There are also club activities within the company, and so far, I've joined the sauna club and Jiro Ramen club. I was already hooked on saunas, but I ended up getting involved in Jiro Ramen club too. Nice...

Obtained a Large Motorcycle License

My brother was attending motorcycle school until last year, and right before he changed jobs, my father went to get his large motorcycle license.

When my father got his license, I was worried, thinking, "Is he really going to handle a large motorcycle...? It's scary..." lol

But this year, I started wanting to go touring with everyone, and although I didn't even have a medium-sized motorcycle license, I suddenly decided to go for a large motorcycle license.

The training hours were quite long, but I had a lot of fun with the lessons, and the instructors were all great, so it went by quickly. I got my license in just over a month.

The graduation test was nerve-wracking, but I managed to pass almost without any mistakes.

It was financially tough, but I bought a used Harley-Davidson 883N (2010).

It's a low motorcycle with good foot placement that even my father can ride, and I really love its appearance.

I originally intended to buy it for my father, but it ended up being a shared bike for the three of us (mostly for myself) lol

I'll enjoy it with safe driving.

Fell into the World of Custom Keyboards

One of my colleagues at the design company builds custom keyboards, so naturally, I became interested. After hearing from them that it's deep and seems fun, I decided to buy a kit and try it out while getting guidance.

The first one I bought was this

It turned out like this:

After trying it, I thought, "This is super fun!!"

As expected, everything has its own swamp, and this was a swamp I wanted to dive into lol

It's truly deep... there are so many aspects like layout, keycaps, switches, PCB, language, case, etc., so I can keep enjoying it forever.

I'm also challenging the Dvorak layout.

I thought Colemak might be okay, but since it seems easier to type Japanese, I chose to practice Dvorak despite the high hurdle.

So far, I feel it's an efficient layout. My fingers don't have to move from the home position much, and the vowels are grouped, making it easy to understand. (But sometimes I get confused between QWERTY and Dvorak lol)

My next project is a wireless 34-key split layout keyboard.

I've also bought soldering equipment and prepared, so I'll write a separate article when it's done.

Casually Started Electronics Projects

It might overlap with custom keyboards, but I wanted to do something with a Raspberry Pi, so I bought a cheap kit that has everything and started tinkering whenever I have time lol

I remembered loving robots when I was a kid and received a mecha robot from Santa, so I’m trying it out when I have time.

It seems like this skill can be used for custom keyboards, so it looks like I can combine them nicely.

Additionally, I got interested in modifying old iPods and wanted to revive the nostalgic feeling of the scroll wheel UI. I bought a cheap one on Mercari and am repairing and customizing it.

Since cases and other parts are sold on AliExpress, there are a lot of customization options.

I want to do iPod customization together with Raspberry Pi.

Mentally Down

I don't show it much or talk about it, but I've been quite mentally down.

Especially in the last few months, I felt like nothing has any meaning, lacked motivation, and felt inexplicably depressed.

I thought maybe the stress I endured last year just burst out. It was really tough, but I was holding back.

Since I'm an introvert, I can't express it well lol

Recently, I've been recovering a lot, discovering fun things, and understanding what I want to do and what I don't.

I realized how important it is to take breaks. Why do humans have to work so much? Working eight hours a day is impossible, right? lol

If something feels off, I need to take a break. Indeed.

Turning 31! Must Enjoy Life!

Time is flying so fast. The older I get, the faster time seems to pass.

But I heard that psychologically, this is how it feels. A year feels different when you're 10 compared to when you're 30. A year within ten years is significant, but within thirty years, it's smaller.

So lately, I want to add more excitement to my life.

Instead of living on autopilot, I want to challenge things I want to do, even if I fail, and keep doing exciting things.

Also, I want to reduce "shoulds," "musts," and "have tos," and increase "wants."

I want to spend more time with important people and cherish those moments more.

That's how I plan to live calmly.

Productivity!! Skill-up!! Input and output!! I'm pretty tired of it all. Maybe it's just this year, though.

Anyway, while taking care of my body and mental health, I'll do what I want. Rationalizing everything is tiring.

Bonus

I bought a Sony Walkman. Cassette one lol

I had a lot of cassette tapes at my parents' house, so I thought I'd listen to them. I bought a cheap player on Mercari.

I thought the copy was interesting, so I chose this lol

"An essential item of modern life"

It's inconvenient, but sometimes it's nice to listen without skipping songs.

Pressing the play button feels nostalgic.

I think enjoying the old inconveniences like this is also a good idea.

Also, I started making Lo-fi for work, so I began using an MPC.

I want to try everything thoroughly and continue enjoying what I like. I'm not aiming to be a professional, just want to enjoy myself.

Well then~