Personal - Ry Writes and Codes

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Personal

A collection of 15 posts

Personal Featured

I can stand!

I've been recovering from a severe injury to my left ankle. I've been completely off my feet for over 190 days. I stood for the first time since the accident this weekend and I couldn't be happier.

My first deck, and everything is an otter!

My first deck, and everything is an otter!

I made my first Deck in Magic: The Gathering, where I turned all creatures into otters for some creative gameplay. It’s a lighthearted take on how otter-themed enchantments and synergies can lead to a winning strategy. Check it out if you’re into MtG or just love otters!

Some thoughts about product, leadership, and teams

Some thoughts about product, leadership, and teams

Leadership in tech: Foster open communication, embrace diverse viewpoints, and make purposeful products. Balance strategic thinking with quick decision-making. Cultivate empathy, encourage speaking up, and support your team. Remember: AI is a tool, not the solution. Lead with humility and respect.

Pizza Sauce recipe

Pizza Sauce recipe

I had some friends over for dinner and drinks last weekend and they asked me to share how I made my pizza sauce, so here it is.

A Decade in Japan: From Six Months to Forever

A Decade in Japan: From Six Months to Forever

Ten years ago, I moved to Japan for what I thought would be a brief stay. Instead, it became a life-changing journey. From struggles with roach-infested apartments to finding love in Tokyo, this post recounts my evolution from newcomer to long-term resident, sharing a decade of experiences in Japan.

My pea and ham soup recipe

My pea and ham soup recipe

I'm not really a food blogger, but I was asked about this recipe by a friend of mine - so here it is for all to enjoy. One New Year, I was craving pea and ham soup but had to make some adjustments to how I normally would

Transphobes over Scotland

Transphobes over Scotland

Right at the start of the "Yes Scotland" movement, there was a blog that provided great content on the various things happening on the campaign trail. It was called Wings Over Scotland. Now, the blog is a hub of awful transphobic frothing.

Let’s get our eyes back on the goal

Let’s get our eyes back on the goal

Right now, when Brexit is set to throw us back into an economic downturn that will hurt for 30 years we should be more determined than ever to make sure that an Independent Scotland happens.

The tale of the invisible man - a conference story

The tale of the invisible man - a conference story

Ruby Kaigi is a Japanese technology conference for Japanese people that does great work to make sure that their talks are available in both English and Japanese.

Goodbye, Mathie

Goodbye, Mathie

Goodbye Graeme. Thank you for your long and valued friendship. You’ll be missed, but never forgotten.

On 'internet piracy' and 'copyright infringement'

On 'internet piracy' and 'copyright infringement'

Peoples' usage patterns change, as more and more people are connected to the internet and the speed and quality of those connections increases the more people will be looking for instant gratification from the entertainment industry.

Goodbye, Sir Terry

Goodbye, Sir Terry

This magical place that was a close satire of ours was enjoyable to me as a kid, and then re-reading the books as an adult, became almost profound in the subtly of his wit and criticism of the world we all inhabit.

Changing your UK Driving license into a Japanese one

Changing your UK Driving license into a Japanese one

This post is about how I was able to use my own full UK Driving License to obtain a Japanese Driving License. The procedure is for Tokyo, but should be similar throughout Japan.

Ruby / Rails the 'Enterprise' and how software works in the 'real world'

Ruby / Rails the 'Enterprise' and how software works in the 'real world'

In this post, I draw upon my own work and personal experience to discuss both these topics and try to see where Ruby and Rails sit in the ‘real world’ as it pertains to me, and within the ‘enterprise’.

Reflections on the past year of running a Tech Startup

Reflections on the past year of running a Tech Startup

I’ve learned the hard way a lesson that’s so blindingly obvious now: the reason Confman hasn’t shipped yet is because of me. It’s because I let myself get in my by making these pretty fatal mistakes, and I now understand (after screwing up so bad) exactly how to go about fixing things.