Hi! It's me, Joris.

It looks like I've linked you here myself. Linking people to a blogpost I wrote is often a bit akward, especially at work.

I likely shared this blog in an attempt to further a conversation. Usually the post does a better job at succinctly sharing information than I could by talking.

In any case, I hope me sharing this post doesn't come across as humblebragging, that's really the opposite of what I'm trying to achieve.

Thanks for reading!

2021 Project Highlights
5 min read

A year in review

After last year’s edition, I thought I’d also write an overview post of my 2021 side projects. It’s been quite a year again!

Family +1 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

I can’t start a yearly review without a mention of my son being born mid-August, a big life milestone and “project” on its own.

While we’re still finding a new balance with 2 kids (they can be a lot of work!) and everything else (work, friends/family, hobbies, exercise, etc); the amount of joy and happiness the kids bring on a daily basis compares to nothing else. Can recommend.

Mini Sauna

After a few years of pondering, I finally decided to build a small infrared sauna from scratch. This was without a doubt the biggest project I did in 2021. I wrote a lengthy blogpost with all the details, and a separate post on how I added home automation to it. I love this thing, it gets used every week.

My infrared sauna.
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My infrared sauna.

My infrared sauna.
My infrared sauna.
Inside view of the sauna.
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Inside view of the sauna.

Inside view of the sauna.
Inside view of the sauna.
Smart controls for the sauna (controlled via tablet or smartphone).
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Smart controls for the sauna (controlled via tablet or smartphone).

Smart controls for the sauna (controlled via tablet or smartphone).
Smart controls for the sauna (controlled via tablet or smartphone).

Learning Tower

My toddler daughter loves to help out in the kitchen. To help her see and participate better, I decided to build her a learning tower: a wooden (MDF) stool on locking casters*,* with the right dimensions for our home (easily stowable). She absolutely adores this thing - it’s used several times a week. This small project was a far bigger success than I could’ve imagined.

Building the learning tower.
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Building the learning tower.

Building the learning tower.
Building the learning tower.
My daughter using the it (first iteration).
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My daughter using the it (first iteration).

My daughter using the it (first iteration).
My daughter using the it (first iteration).
Final result, with cutouts and all painted.

Welding

In 2020, I welded for the first time. This past year I upgraded my cheap flux-core welding machine to a “real” MIG/MAG welding machine that works with proper shielding gas. The difference is pretty huge: I can now weld thicker metal and the entire process is easier and makes for much better results.

Welding ticks a lot of boxes for me: it’s a very hands-on activity, has the right level of skill challenge, and pushes the edge of what I’m comfortable with when it comes to power tools. Overall, it’s something I thoroughly enjoy (and recommend!) - I’m definitely hoping to do a few more (small) welding projects in 2022.

My new welding machine. It supports multiple welding proceses: MIG/MAG, stick and TIG. I’ve yet to try stick and TIG!
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My new welding machine. It supports multiple welding proceses: MIG/MAG, stick and TIG. I’ve yet to try stick and TIG!

My new welding machine. It supports multiple welding proceses: MIG/MAG, stick and TIG. I’ve yet to try stick and TIG!
My new welding machine. It supports multiple welding proceses: MIG/MAG, stick and TIG. I’ve yet to try stick and TIG!

Laser Cutter

Ever since buying my first 3D printer, my interest in all types of CNC devices has increased significantly. I think this is in part because CNC devices allow me to cheat and use a computer to offset my pretty poor arts & crafts skills. While it’s not quite within reach yet to purchase a CNC mill (because money, space, skill), this year I did buy a hobby CNC laser cutter/engraver and used it to make a few things.

Laser cutting setup - outside, because laser cutting produces nasty fumes!
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Laser cutting setup - outside, because laser cutting produces nasty fumes!

Laser cutting setup - outside, because laser cutting produces nasty fumes!
Laser cutting setup - outside, because laser cutting produces nasty fumes!
Laser cutting experiments
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Laser cutting experiments

Laser cutting experiments
Laser cutting experiments
A lasercut dream catcher ornament I made for my son’s birth.
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A lasercut dream catcher ornament I made for my son’s birth.

A lasercut dream catcher ornament I made for my son’s birth.
A lasercut dream catcher ornament I made for my son’s birth.
I bought the [Ortur Laster Master 2 Pro](https://ortur.net/products/laser-master-2-pro), pretty much on a whim after watching an excellent [video review from Electronoobs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAAz0SjmknM).
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I bought the Ortur Laster Master 2 Pro, pretty much on a whim after watching an excellent video review from Electronoobs.

I bought the [Ortur Laster Master 2 Pro](https://ortur.net/products/laser-master-2-pro), pretty much on a whim after watching an excellent [video review from Electronoobs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAAz0SjmknM).
I bought the Ortur Laster Master 2 Pro, pretty much on a whim after watching an excellent video review from Electronoobs.

Kid Car

In late summer 2020, I decided I wanted to build a small go kart for my kids to ride in. I chose this project not so much for the targeted outcome, but mostly for the things I could learn along the way. While I made some progress this year, this has definitely been a slow project. I’m hoping to make a bit more progress in 2022.

Gitlint

Gitlint is an open-source tool I maintain that allows users to enforce style rules on their git commit messages. It has had another successful year with significant growth, recently passing the 500 star milestone on github 🤯. Highlights include 3 releases, finding a co-maintainer and a noticable increase of community participation. I wrote about my experience maintaining gitlint last year.

Gitlint's popularity continues to increase!
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Gitlint’s popularity continues to increase!

Gitlint's popularity continues to increase!
Gitlint’s popularity continues to increase!
Finally also got around to updating the screenshot in the README :-)
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Finally also got around to updating the screenshot in the README :-)

Finally also got around to updating the screenshot in the README :-)
Finally also got around to updating the screenshot in the README :-)

Home Automation

I tend to work on my home automation setup in waves: I work on it as my main project for a few weeks and then move on to other things for a while before returning a few months later. In the fall of this year, I hit another home automation “high” and ended up changing a lot of things in my setup. My Smart Home 2021 blogpost contains all the details.

In early 2021, I added [automated curtains](https://github.com/jorisroovers/casa/tree/master/projects/curtain-opener) in the office.
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In early 2021, I added automated curtains in the office.

In early 2021, I added [automated curtains](https://github.com/jorisroovers/casa/tree/master/projects/curtain-opener) in the office.
In early 2021, I added automated curtains in the office.
Home Assistant dashboard running on a wall-mounted iPad.

Blog

2021 marked my second full year of blogging (started late 2019). I’m quite pleased that I was able to keep up my targeted monthly post frequency. This does require a lot of consistent effort - about an hour on every weekend day, with occasional additional effort in between - but I’m convinced that blogging is something that is good for me.

Here’s an overview of my 2021 blogposts:

  • January: My first steps in 3D printing
  • February: Fail Fast they say
  • March: Why we Sleep
  • April: Notes on Cooking
  • May: On Workshops and Tools
  • June: Top Media Picks 2021
  • July: The Reasons I write
  • August: Project Mini Sauna
  • September: My son was born, I skipped!
  • October: My Smart Sauna
  • November: We're All Imposters
  • December: My Smart Home 2021
    • # Reading

    When it comes to reading books, 2021 was the most productive year I’ve ever had, finishing 14 (audio)books. For someone who used to only read 2-3 books a year, that’s a pretty massive change. For the full list, I’d refer to my Goodreads profile. My Top Media Picks 2021 blogpost has a bunch more media recommendations.

    I especially liked the audiobook version of **Ready Player One** by **Ernest Cline**, expertly narrated by [Wil Weathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wil_Wheaton).
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    I especially liked the audiobook version of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, expertly narrated by Wil Weathon.

    I especially liked the audiobook version of **Ready Player One** by **Ernest Cline**, expertly narrated by [Wil Weathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wil_Wheaton).
    I especially liked the audiobook version of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, expertly narrated by Wil Weathon.
    **Project Hail Mary** was another favorite this year. Written by **Andy Weir**, author of **The Martian**. This book is as good.
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    Project Hail Mary was another favorite this year. Written by Andy Weir, author of The Martian. This book is as good.

    **Project Hail Mary** was another favorite this year. Written by **Andy Weir**, author of **The Martian**. This book is as good.
    Project Hail Mary was another favorite this year. Written by Andy Weir, author of The Martian. This book is as good.
    **Why We Sleep** by **Matthew Walker** is probably the most impactful I read this year. I even wrote a [blogpost](/posts/why-we-sleep) about it!
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    Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is probably the most impactful I read this year. I even wrote a blogpost about it!

    **Why We Sleep** by **Matthew Walker** is probably the most impactful I read this year. I even wrote a [blogpost](/posts/why-we-sleep) about it!
    Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is probably the most impactful I read this year. I even wrote a blogpost about it!
    This year I read 2 books by the popular **Malcom Gladwell**. **Talking to Strangers** was particularly poignant. This is a book that you *have* to listen to instead of reading, it was especially created for that format.
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    This year I read 2 books by the popular Malcom Gladwell. Talking to Strangers was particularly poignant. This is a book that you have to listen to instead of reading, it was especially created for that format.

    This year I read 2 books by the popular **Malcom Gladwell**. **Talking to Strangers** was particularly poignant. This is a book that you *have* to listen to instead of reading, it was especially created for that format.
    This year I read 2 books by the popular Malcom Gladwell. Talking to Strangers was particularly poignant. This is a book that you have to listen to instead of reading, it was especially created for that format.
    **Range** by **David Epstein** outlines how specialization is not the only (or best) way to become successful. Great read!
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    Range by David Epstein outlines how specialization is not the only (or best) way to become successful. Great read!

    **Range** by **David Epstein** outlines how specialization is not the only (or best) way to become successful. Great read!
    Range by David Epstein outlines how specialization is not the only (or best) way to become successful. Great read!
    **How To Avoid a Climate Disaster**, written by **Bill Gates** himself is not a *gloom and doom* book about Climate change. Instead, it describes the technology we need to get to a zero carbon emission society - interesting stuff.
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    How To Avoid a Climate Disaster, written by Bill Gates himself is not a gloom and doom book about Climate change. Instead, it describes the technology we need to get to a zero carbon emission society - interesting stuff.

    **How To Avoid a Climate Disaster**, written by **Bill Gates** himself is not a *gloom and doom* book about Climate change. Instead, it describes the technology we need to get to a zero carbon emission society - interesting stuff.
    How To Avoid a Climate Disaster, written by Bill Gates himself is not a gloom and doom book about Climate change. Instead, it describes the technology we need to get to a zero carbon emission society - interesting stuff.

    And more…

    Visiting Spa Francorchamps.
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    Visiting Spa Francorchamps.

    Visiting Spa Francorchamps.
    Visiting Spa Francorchamps.

    When I looking back, I’m always amazed at how much stuff happens in a year’s time. Between a busy day job, our now larger family and an ongoing pandemic, 2022 looks to be busier than ever. Yet, the prospect of working on more side-projects and hobbies puts a big smile on my face - let’s go 🚀

    Comments, questions, feedback? I'm @jorisroovers on X (twitter).
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