#Introduction:

Hi, I’m Mark. Glad you’re here.

I work in #PlatformEngineering and #SoftwareEngineering, after a long stretch in #Perl and now deep into #Go, #Docker, #Kubernetes, and #AWS. I like systems that behave, tools that justify their existence, and explanations that don’t waste anyone’s time.

https://PhoenixTrap.com is where I #blog about the engineering side of that: production, clarity, and the discipline required to build things that hold up under pressure.

I’m also an #Objectivist, which for me means treating ideas as tools for living, not ornaments.

https://TheBeautifulPrison.com is where I explore — through #fiction and #essay #writing — the philosophical side: consciousness, identity, boundaries, and what happens when a self is tested. If you’re curious about the deeper themes behind my posts, that’s the place to look.

Outside of work and writing, you’ll see #BassGuitar, conventions like #DragonCon, and the occasional bit of structured nonsense.

This #Mastodon instance is #SelfHosted because I like owning my infrastructure and my identity; it keeps the whole thing honest.

If something I say sparks a thought, feel free to reply. I enjoy good conversations — especially the kind where two people are actually trying to understand each other.

Pull up a chair.

For the first time since 2012, I'm not going to #DragonCon (save 2 years during Covid where I went nowhere). Still enjoy going, but I thought I might do something different for a solo trip this year in its place. Unfortunately, I need to make sure finances work and the open-ended question of where is leading to some decision paralysis. Current thoughts:

* Japan
* Iceland
* Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden)

Want to see places unique from my home country. I enjoy the idea of seeing the northern lights in Iceland. Just not sure what might make sense IF finances cooperate for a trip likely late in the year (November maybe).