I finally took the State of JS 2024 survey. It was surprising how much was new for me. But, looking back in 2024, I think it is ok, that I had not the time and motivation to keep up. On the other hand, this survey felt strange because it asked a lot about how much I used different Frameworks. Which is basically justifiable, but the same frameworks were included in multiple questions. With most of the frameworks, I was familiar. I've checked their docs in the past and for the most, I was not interested in building a project with it. So, if nothing new comes up, I will stick with ReactJS and Next.js for a while. 😎

I've also taken the State of (HTML | CSS | ReactJS) surveys this year and in the years before. Next time, I write about them. This year I missed it. 🤷

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37/100 of #100DaysToOffload

#log #dev #survey #stateOf

🐉 I was recently invited to join an in-person Dungeons & Dragons campaign—using real paper character sheets and dice! We've just had our Session Zero and started creating our characters, and I am absolutely thrilled.

What’s funny is that even as an adult, this is my first time playing D&D in person, rolling actual dice. While I’m familiar with some of the D&D lore—I’ve read books and understand the basics like creating characters, the six core abilities (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma), proficiency points, modifiers, armor classes, skill checks, and saving throws—I’ve never had the opportunity to experience the game “old school” with pen, paper, and dice.

When I was a teenager, I thought D&D was the coolest thing ever. I desperately wanted to play, but I grew up with a very sheltered upbringing. My parents wouldn’t allow me to go to friends’ houses, let alone join a group to play. Sleepovers? Never.

And back in the '90s, especially in Brazil, D&D groups were pretty much a boys’ club. That made it even harder for me to join any in-person games. My parents definitely wouldn’t have approved of me playing with a group of boys.

But thankfully, there was the Internet! I discovered MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons), text-based online games powered by imagination and simple commands. Many of them were inspired by D&D and were the precursors to today’s MMORPGs.

That’s how I started playing a MUD called Realms of Despair (which is still active to this day!!). I played for years and loved it! I made online friends, and we joined forces to go on quests and adventures. The community back then was incredibly supportive and respectful. It was entirely anonymous, which made me feel safe, and I had so much fun developing my characters. It was also one of the ways I kept practicing English in Brazil (reading and writing a lot!).

Later, I dove into D&D-inspired video game series like:

• Neverwinter Nights
• Baldur’s Gate
• Temple of Elemental Evil
• Dragon Age

I’ve replayed these games countless times, creating new characters with different classes and species each time.

Interestingly, my partner—the love of my life—is also a D&D fan! We met at university, and he was the first person I could openly nerd out about D&D with. We exchanged gamebooks like The Shamutanti Hills by Steve Jackson, which are single-player role-playing adventures where you make choices that affect the story’s outcome. They’re super fun!

Ironically, though, I’ve never played D&D with my partner. He had his own group of childhood friends, and their sessions were always full. Then, adult life made it even harder to find time or a group to play with. So, I stuck to my video games, D&D novels, and sharing my love for the game with him.

And now, after all these years, I’m finally playing D&D for real!

Our group has seven members: me, my partner, three friends from work (one of whom is the Dungeon Master), and two new friends who know the DM.

That’s it—just a little tale about my long journey with Dungeons & Dragons. 😊

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Post 56/100 of 100DaysToOffload challenge (Round 2)!

#100DaysToOffload #100Day #DnD #NoisyMusings

I've read the 5 books by Karsten Dusse, a German writer. A nice story about Bjorn Diemel and his way to a better work-live balance through mindfulness. It's a guide wrapped inside a story which makes fun to read. Netflix also released an 8 piece series about it. The makers of the series did an impressive job, transferring the book into a visual format. So, give the books or the series a try. It's worth it. 🙂

Some techniques mentioned in there are, for example, breathing. When in a stressful situation, stand straight and breathe. Feel everything around you. How does the floor feel under your feed? What do your hands feel, the material of your pants or jacked? And so on.

On Sunday, I needed exactly this. I was cooking with my oldest, while the little one was lurking around us in the kitchen. Both kids have the habit of not caring whether the other one has a problem or requires attention. The number 1 rule for them is (they think this is a rule), who screams louder is the one who gets attention. (We try not to obey this rule) So while I was cooking with the oldest and explained to him what and why I was doing the cooking, the little one required attention. I don't know why, but at some point it got chaotic. My oldest was asking questions and the little wanted to share his ball and was insisting that you will take it. Then the pot boiled over.

Instead of screaming, I said out loud to myself, so that the oldest can hear it: “Breath. Hold on, stand still and just take 3 long breaths”. I stopped everything and did exactly this. After I was done, I spoke to myself and checked if the oldest will recognize it. “Do everything, step by step. First take the pot from the stove. Second, check in on the little one. Third, focus on my oldest. Forth, clean everything.” It was a strange situation, but my oldest seems fascinated in what I did there. After we were done with the cooking, he talked to me and said that he liked how I handled the situation. Later that evening, when my wife was back, he said the same to her. I was proud of myself.

Together with my wife, we made the plan, that we will do this whenever we can. Preferable in situations that are easier to handle. So that the children can learn from us, how we will solve these situations, where we are on the verge of exploding. I wished, I had something like this in my childhood.

I like this, with children it is never too late. There are living mostly in the moment, and you can always change directions and fix it.

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36/100 of #100DaysToOffload

#log #parenting #selfImprovement

While driving in my car today, I had a good topic I wanted to write about. But while driving the car, I didn’t want to make notes about it.

Sadly, it is gone. Next time I should just stop at the next possible location and write it down. Or send myself a voice message.

While writing this post, the idea came up, that I also can write it via Siri. Just set a reminder with some information. 🧐

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35/100 of #100DaysToOffload

#log