iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

One thing I have learned this summer season: When your kid sets up his own work mowing people's lawns, it *might* become your job to mow said lawns. He's been pretty good about not needing help (even though I tag along anyway). It's just not what I was planning on spending my Sunday doing solo...

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I'm teaching a Masters class in Network Forensics and Live IR. The new classroom has been under construction for a bit. A long-time friend who works for the labs was able to take me there to see how it turned out. I'm both nervous and excited about this semester (starts Monday)

5 modular racks containing various network equipment (routers, switches, and patch panels) and servers for network simulation.

View of the student workstations, lecturn, and displays, along with a few racks of PIX firewalls.

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The only thing slower than watching grass grow: sitting in line at the local inspection place for only an emissions check. Safety passed in April. I usually go to my regular repair shop for this, but they were too busy with regular repairs (a good problem to have, btw) and couldn't squeeze me in.

100

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

UPDATE: just found out the cat passed away in its new home. To be absolutely fair, it was at least 17 years old. But my heart still hurts a little: and it wasn't even my cat!

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Whelp, looking forward to EA going from $4B in microtransactions to clearing $100B+ next fiscal year. Bribery loot boxes and FC points purchases inbound.

100

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

"a fool and [their] money is soon parted"

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Revisiting this as we *just* started receiving our vendor consolidated CISA vulnerability reporting a couple weeks back (after a few months without due to Federal budget shenanigans)

000

Reposted by Mike Richardson

Me and a small nugget of love. 🇸🇪♥️🇺🇦 @mnotme.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

The human circulatory system, before and after proper cable management.

two images of the human body's circulatory system. One of them with good cable management

294200483909

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Looking through photos on my phone, and came across pictures of the outdoor cat from our neighborhood whose owner moved away and took the cat with them. There are days I miss this crazy furball who would run across the street to greet me at my door and beg to be petted.

120

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Watching data transfer to a physical cloud data transport device is like watching paint dry AND grass growing at the same time. Knock on wood I've been doing this for a week and a half straight with zero incidents 👍

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

#IndyCar on the streets of DC will be interesting. I vote that no potholes are fixed so the drivers experience the same excitement I do when I drive around the National Mall...

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

In other news, the cesspool is getting dirtier...

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

I keep finding decent 3D printer filament deals, I am reminded that my workspace in the basement is not mine anymore and my printer does not currently have a work space. A problem like toilet paper and paper towels on subscription delivery: more coming into the house than leaving.

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Coming back from DCA early this morning, it was nice driving along the waterfront and seeing the DC memorials lit up. Everything was so peaceful. (No photo because I was driving. But just believe me)

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Back in the office today, I came across this gem while waiting for a print to finish in one of our shared office spaces. The Tech Sledge - a real life RITA (RFC 2321) pre-existing the RFC by about 10 years. (manual scan in thread) 1/7

"Tech Sledge" with original box and instructions.

Box reads:
The New High-Tech Tool that solves complex problems fast.
TECH SLEDGE
Fix complicated electronic and high-tech equipment permanently.
Works exceptionally well on all brands of
- computers
- word processors
- electronic instruments
or
on any of today's modern high-tech products.

Close up of wooden mallet with metal badge that reads "Tech Sledge - service only by factory trained qualified personnel"

END FRUSTRATION FAST
WITH
TECH SLEDGE
OWNER'S MANUAL

110

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Christmas ham dinner with the family was delayed due to illness in our house. Now that everyone's feeling better, we are having our gathering today. Both a late Christmas 2025 dinner and super early Christmas 2026 dinner 🥳

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Also, from power off to login prompt, it's faster than my issued-this-year Windows 11 laptop with significantly more (and faster) hardware resources...

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

A little bourbon to start off the holiday festivities (since I've been cooking on and off for the last 4 hours) Happy Thanksgiving!

KO Distilling Bare Knuckle 6 year high rye bourbon. On the rocks. With a Cabernet Sauvignon in the background for actual dinner.

120

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

2 visits to the dentist in 24 hours was NOT on my bingo card. No biggie, just didn't want to deal with a sharp-edged temporary crown for the next 2 weeks. Still a little sore, but none the worse for wear.

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

When having any dental work (filling AND a crown for me today), I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of a playlist full of metal and hard rock for the headphones. I've always had issues with drills, but this is the only way I've ever gotten through these procedures over the years. 100% recommend.

100

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Really need to queue this up for tomorrow #WFHJams. I *really* want to blast it right now, but it's 12:30 AM EST and my family is sound asleep... Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea

Album cover: In The Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel. Two victorian-era swimmers from a postcard, a male and a female. Both are waving a hand, while the woman has a drum head instead of her head.

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

The (little) Mac Mini that refuses to stop working. (Mid-2007 Core 2 2GHz). SSD upgrade and a 32-bit EFI - despite being 64-bit CPU cores...

neofetch output for a macmini2,1 running Debian 12

000

Reposted by Mike Richardson

Chiitan🌈ちぃたん☆ @chiitan.love · 11/10/2025

If you can't come out right now, please don't hate yourself. One day, the meaning of labels will disappear. Please love yourself as you are. The one who can cherish yourself the most is yourself. Because that is your strength and beauty. Chiitan loves you

9196142831

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Hey, when the head of a government agency is instructing the agency to declare a link to something, it's not proof. It's bunk science, and a dangerous precedent.

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Currently repurposing a decommissioned server to collect a large forensic image for analysis. It exceeds my current evidence drive capacity, so additional HDDs are on order and coming Tuesday. #improvise #react #dfir #incidentresponse

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Nothing quite like the vehicle to remove large things from a soon-to-be vacated storage unit deciding "hey, my battery is terrible, I'm not going to start" during a grocery run. Walked home with groceries, made dinner, and my father-in-law took me back to jumpstart. It's home. And I can buy local.

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Mr. Lehrer was a big influence on me in my younger years. So many memories of his music randomly inserting itself into my playlist.

020

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

I was finally able to volunteer at new student orientation table early this morning. It seems weird to act as a walking billboard for what your department offers, but our main concern is that they leverage the resources we already have site licenses for and get set up with technology BEFORE day 1...

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

That was probably the worst "premium" breakfast sandwich I have ever eaten. Advertised as a bacon, egg and cheese on brioche. Nope. Bacon, egg, no cheese, on a hamburger bun. A *hint" of syrup in the egg. At least the cashier was friendly... Should have gone to the on-site Panera. #hospital

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I love the random guitar gear thrift store finds. I missed out on a nice hardshell electric case someone had in hand, but I found a Zoom G1 with an AC adapter for $10. I call that a win, and it's much nicer than the cheap Zoom all-in-ones I already have. Alas, this one is designated for my kid...

110

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

I struggle to unplug from work. But I'll be doing so on the west coast for a bit. I will absolutely be tempted to check work e-mail and messaging. Recharge. Recuperate. The soul needs that sometimes. It doesn't always have to be a complete change of venue, either. But taking the time is important.

media.tenor.com

a painting of a mountain reflected in a lake

Alt: a painting of a mountain reflected in a lake

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

How is this OK? Congress?!? I used to buy a lot of printer toner ($1k+ orders) in a previous State job. One vendor would throw a bulk bag of M&M's (~3 lbs) in the box as a "thank you". We had to return the candy *at our expense* because it violated State rules. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...

huffpost.com

Trump Plans To Accept Luxury 747 From Qatar To Use As Air Force One

Trump is set to visit Qatar during a trip to the Middle East this week.

110

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Having an entrepreneurial child is awesome, until child is sick and cannot fulfill their customer obligations. I have gone from barely mowing our lawn to doing 4 this weekend. All of them were pretty tall and would not have lasted another weekend (esp. with rain forecast all week) #dadlife #pain

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Performing our biannual Troop service retiring damaged American flags #scouting #bsa

Blue star fields for a damaged flag prepared for retirement.

010

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

This does not bode well for our national cyber security posture...

030

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Problem: dept. budget for training is $0 for the foreseeable future I have a knowledge deficit that needs to be resolved ASAP. My institution has an employee benefit for 6 cr a semester. Solution: Register as a non-matriculating grad student in my old program to audit new classes / ones I missed.

media.tenor.com

a man with a mustache is smiling and looking at the camera .

ALT: a man with a mustache is smiling and looking at the camera .

120

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Hidden gems of DC: Planet Word

Outside view of the Franklin School, home of Planet Word. As seen from 13th Street NW, Washington DC.

A world of languages. Planet Word, Washington DC.

Native speakers teaching words and phrases. A world of languages. Planet Word, Washington DC.

From Planet Word: Washington DC

"The verbs in English are a fright.
How can we learn to read and write?
Today we speak, but first we spoke:
Some faucets leak, but never loke.
Today we write, but first we wrote:
We bite our tongues, but never bote.

Each day I teach, for years I taught,
And preachers preach, but never praught.
This tale I tell: this tale I told;
I smell the flowers, but never smold.

If knights still slay, as once they slew,
Then do we play, as once we plew?
If I still do as once I did.
Then do cows moo, as they once mid?

I love to win, and games I've won:
I seldom sin, and never son.
I hate to lose, and games I lost:
I didn't choose, and never chost.

I love to sing, and songs I sang:
1 fling a ball, but never flang.
I strike that ball, that ball I struck;
This poem I like, but never luck."

RICHARD LEDERER

100

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I am a half hour into a committee meeting, slowly devolving into a hangry goblin. Didn't have time to eat between work and the start time... 🤣

000

Reposted by Mike Richardson

Jorric @jorric.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Pro tip from a software engineer, don't install chinese malware on your phone 👍

094

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Harder than I thought it would be, with plenty of pieces at weird angles. Glued, waiting to frame for the game room.

000

Reposted by Mike Richardson

Bits @bitshammer.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

1468

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Big thanks to Christina and Bob at Lockpick Extreme for an excellent "Intro to Lockpicking" workshop! Great walkthrough that was very informative and lots of fun! www.lockpickextreme.com

media.tenor.com

a woman in a red dress is standing next to a refrigerator door .

ALT: a woman in a red dress is standing next to a refrigerator door .

000

Mike Richardson @d3vpsaux.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

One bonus to waking up at 4:30 in the morning: starting work at 6a instead of 8:30a. I'll be dead tired by the time the kids' extracurriculars are starting tonight. This wasn't in my plan for today.

020