It’s been a busy 2017 here at Zimventures. On the business side, there were some new opportunities, completed projects, successes, and failures. On the personal side, it was another year of learning, experimenting, playing, new experiences, and so much more. Here’s a quick rundown of the crazy adventure otherwise known as 2017.
2017 Ventures
Mr. Freeze
At the start of the year, I created my first open source project: Mr. Freeze. A simple Python-based snapshot archival solution for my web clients. It saves off the files for their website as well as taking a snapshot the MySql database which hosts each site.
TODO: Add automated testing!
CPDK
The Control Plane Development Kit started as an open source project which I ended up moving to closed-source once it became evident there was a use for it at my day-job. This lead to me pitching a new product idea to VP-level folks. Unfortunately, my idea didn’t garner support from the company. 6 months later another division within the organization essentially pitched the same idea – and it was green-lit. I’m not bitter. I swear.
Swivel-Snaps
I was asked to join the Creative Toys, LLC team to help their social media efforts in 2017. It was a short 9 month experience with the company but an exciting time to be part of their organization and help spread the word about Swivel-Snaps. If you haven’t checked out one of the coolest toys of 2017, do yourself a favor and stop by their website!
Dungeon Rustlers
2017 finished up with a return to a long-time passion and hobby: game development. A couple friends and I teamed up and challenged ourselves to ship a game within two months after conceiving the idea. It took a little longer than expected but we did ultimately ship the game on Steam and will be exiting the Early Access program in early 2018.
Biggest Financial News of 2017
The two big stories that I’ve been following this year are the continued debacle at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two companies essentially are the reason that the 30 year mortgage exists, yet our government seems to think it’s OK to walk them off the proverbial plank. 2018 will be a big year for the companies as Secretary Mnuchin has publicly stated that these institutions need to continue existing.
The second is the meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies, block-chain technology, and other distributed ledger techniques. A massive equity bubble has emerged in the space, giving astronomical valuations to various coins and tokens. Will the bubble burst in 2018? Will start-up companies bring their technologies to mass markets, changing the way we all transact with each other? Stay tuned…
Best Of 2017
Game
An unexpected newcomer to the gaming field, Monopoly Deal takes first place for the best game of 2017. Playable with children and adults alike, it takes an old favorite and adds some fun twists. Best $5 you’ll spend on Amazon.
TV Show
Stranger Things. It was a tough call between Stranger Things and Black Mirror. Both are certainly worth adding to your Netflix queue.
Documentary
The Farthest: Voyager In Space – This is an amazing documentary about the work that went into Voyager and how a band of amazing engineers pulled off the seemingly impossible.
Movie
Baahubali. This may be an acquired taste for some but if you don’t mind the subtitles, you’re in for a cinematic treat. Love story, kung-fu like action, and over-the-top Bollywood. Worth watching.
Wine
There were SO many great wines in 2017, choosing one seems a bit of a fools errand. As a bit of a cop-out, I’m going to recommend checking out Michael David Winery’s Freakshow. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah/ Petit Verdo should be at the top of your “must try” of 2018.
Beer
It was late in the season when I stumbled across this tasty brew, but Wormtown Brewery’s “Blizzard of ’78” gets my best-of for 2017.
Golf Course
The Country Club. Amazing. Just Amazing.
Book
Extreme Ownership – Not quite what I’d call a self-help book but certainly one which will reshape your thinking about leadership. Also embedded within the book are lots of stories about Navy SEALs engagements and how their methods of operating can apply to civilian life.
To Those We’ve Lost
In February of 2017 a neighbor lost in his struggle against cancer. We had the opportunity to chat a few months prior. He knew things weren’t going well and took the moment to implore me to not take a single moment of life for granted.
Fun New Hobbies
Tried a bunch of new things this year which were a blast. Finally got into bowling. Always have enjoyed throwing a few games and could score around 160 consistently. Took the plunge and bought two new balls with shoes, and the Brunswick Lanes Summer Pass. If you, or your kids, like to bowl, the Summer Games pass is an absolute steal!
Got the first full season of curling under my belt. While it was a bit frustrating due to playing in the wrong league (the experienced curling league) the sport definitely was a great winter pastime.
Pickle Making! I love *good* dill pickles. Seriously. They’re delicious. Unfortunately, they’re difficult to come by in the grocery store, and the ones you can find are ridiculously overpriced. After some experimenting and following some recipes, if pickling cucumbers are in season: you won’t find any store-bought pickles in my refrigerator!
French press coffee. Wow. While I don’t have the time to make it every single day, it’s an absolute treat when the time presents itself!
2017 Golf Season Wrap-Up
The 2017 golf season was filled with 17 local events. The three big highlights of the season were winning the New Hampshire Parent-Child championship, landing as co-medalist in the State-Am qualifier, and having the opportunity to caddie for my son in two events.
- Spring Fourball
- Club Team Championship
- Mid-Am Matchplay
- Stroke-Play Series: Green Meadow (Jungle)
- Four-Ball Championship
- Stroke-Play Series: Loudon Country Club
- New Hampshire State-Am Qualifier: Mount Washington Golf Course
- Tournament-Series at Lake Sunapee Country Club
- New Hampshire State-Am at Bretwood
- New Hampshire Open
- Stroke Play Championship at Rochester Country Club
Parent-Child Championship- Nashua City Championship
- Mid-Am at Bald Peak
- Mid-Am Fourball at Mount Washington
- Tournament Series at Concord Country Club
Notable Venues
Being able to play two US Open venues in one season is certainly something I’ll never forget. 2017 was notable for enjoying walks around
Chambers Bay and The Country Club. Both courses were wonderful experiences but TCC certainly was an afternoon I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Playing golf at the most historic and storied club in America with my son….you just can’t explain how special that is.
While not the most famous venue in golf, Whip-Poor-Will in Hudson New Hampshire was the site of the first father-daughter 9 hole walk. What made a random after nine hole event so special? The smile on her face when she sunk a putt for her first ever legitimate par. That is what golf is all about.
Little Ricky Keeps Rocking
For those of you who know my son, you know that he’s even more of a golf nut than I. Following his golf journey has been a fun experience. This year he qualified for the state-am, won 5 state events and the player of the year points race, named as a member of the NH state team for the New England Junior Championship, and was 2nd place in the NHIAA state junior championship. Not bad for his freshman year!
2018
And that brings us to today. It’s time for another year, another 365 opportunities. Make each one count.
For Zimventures, I’m looking to bring on a few additional web hosting clients, publish another game on Steam, and get back into photography and writing on this site.
Good Luck. Have Fun.
