The IntentiaL Life: What I Do When the Server Isn't Down

Why Hobbies Matter

In my professional life, I specialize in the architecture of technical support and operations—figuring out how to analyze a process, troubleshoot failures, and implement small, compounding improvements to make users’ lives easier.

But the dedication to intentionality, small improvements, and tinkering isn't reserved for tickets and systems. My philosophy is simple: Life is better when there are things to do outside of work, even when those things take time and dedication. I don't want to spend my life outside of work doing nothing but sitting in front of the television or my phone. The following passions are where I channel my creativity, find community, and practice the art of continuous, non-technical growth.

Cooking

I started cooking right before I went off to college. It began as a practical necessity and a way to connect with my parents on a more adult level. Now, it is one of the clearest examples of my commitment to efficiency and quality control outside of work.

Just like a complex system, cooking is a process: you need good inputs to get good outcomes, and every process should be designed and documented. Cooking is how I save money, keep myself in good health, and create a genuine connection point with my friends and family. Every time I fail at a dish, it's a new opportunity to learn, tinker with the recipe, and make the next attempt a little better.

A/V and Photography

Producing good visuals—whether through audio, video, or photography—requires the same intense discipline as developing quality technical documentation. This hobby is a natural extension of my operational skills:

• Organization and Meticulous Detail: To tell a visual story, you must be incredibly organized and pay meticulous attention to detail. This translates directly to how I organize and manage my professional projects.
• Visual Communication: It forces me to think about the clarity and impact of a message, which is essential when creating training materials and user-facing content.

Sports

While my professional life is dedicated to systems, my personal life is dedicated to connection.

Skiing and following professional sports provide me with essential grounding and community outside of the office.

• Skiing and Golf gets me out into the world and allows me to be part of a physical community centered around shared passion, not shared work.
• Watching Sports (Football, Women's Soccer, Hockey, Baseball) provides pure, unadulterated enjoyment. I also thoroughly enjoy the auxiliary media and narrative that accompanies the competition, reminding me that even the most competitive environments rely on compelling storytelling.

The Takeaway

I believe a well-supported technical professional is also a well-supported human. My passions for cooking, creation, and community are not distractions from my job—they are the crucible where I practice the same creativity, discipline, and commitment to small improvements that I bring to every system I manage.