Learning Interests

AI

Google Cloud Labs AI Agent Training

2025, Google Chicago HQ

In August 2025, I attended Google Cloud Labs '25 with an event titled The Agentverse. This was an all-day, on-site workshop focused on the various roles behind deploying AI Agents packaged up in a fun RPG theme. It contained lectures, hands-on labs, and a post-workshop catered networking mixer in typical Google fashion. The code labs were broken down by role, including:

For this exercise, I chose the Summoner role, which focused on uniting the various characters. Each character was in actuality an independent AI agent with its own strengths and weaknesses. The villains could not be conquered individually, so by uniting the various agents, they could work together to defeat the challenges presented.

LLM Deployment

2025

Using Ollama, was able to successfully deploy both the DeepSeek-R1 and Llama models to a target machine.

Currently also chipping away at learning about MCP and launching AI workloads with AWS Bedrock.

 

IT-Related Certifications

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate BadgeAWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate Badge

See the Certifications section of the Resume page for a complete list.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional (in-progress)

This advanced certification emphasizes complex architectures and enterprise-level solutions. It will verify my ability to design and deploy dynamically scalable, highly available, fault-tolerant, and reliable applications on AWS under tight constraints and complex business needs.

Key focus areas include:

  • Designing multi-account and multi-region architectures
  • Migration of complex application systems to AWS
  • Cost optimization at scale and advanced security architecture
  • Designing for compliance and hybrid cloud scenarios
  • Deep understanding of service interdependencies and trade-offs
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

This certification validates the ability to design distributed systems on AWS that are cost-effective, scalable, and fault-tolerant. The focus is on foundational architectural best practices across a broad range of AWS services.

Key focus areas include:

  • Designing high-availability and fault-tolerant architectures
  • Selecting appropriate AWS services based on requirements
  • Estimating AWS costs and identifying cost control mechanisms
  • Basics of networking, storage, compute, and security in the cloud
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate

This certification validates the ability to deploy, manage, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS. It's focused more on the operational and administrative side of cloud infrastructure, blending automation, monitoring, and performance tuning.

Key focus areas include:

  • Managing and provisioning AWS resources using the AWS Management Console and CLI
  • Implementing and controlling the flow of data to and from AWS
  • Monitoring, logging, and alerting with AWS-native tools like CloudWatch and CloudTrail
  • Applying security controls and compliance requirements
  • Automating deployments using services like CloudFormation and Systems Manager
  • Troubleshooting operational issues in AWS environments
Veeva Vault Administrator

A Veeva Vault Administrator certification validates the skills needed to manage and configure a Veeva Vault environment, including areas like object and document management, security settings, and workflow configuration. It demonstrates proficiency in administering Vault applications within a regulated environment.

Key focus areas include:

  • Core Vault platform concepts like data modeling, security, and workflow management.
  • Building expertise in administering content and data within the Veeva Vault Platform. Managing organizational business data, including user accounts, product records, and territory alignments. Data and system management of the Veeva Network application.
  • The certification validates the holder's ability to administer a Veeva CRM or Vault environment, including configuring objects, managing documents, setting up workflows, and handling security.
 

Computer History

In order to understand the future, we must first understand the past. I have a deep interest in the history of computing, technology, and the internet. I believe that by studying the efforts of those that came before us, we can gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This includes the evolution of the impact of technology on society.

Channels

  • RetroTech - (as of mid-2025, channel is temporarily offline for copyright issues) A literal old-school TV channel showing videos from the eras themselves about technology. It's a grab bag of academic video essays, panels, and product information of then-new technology mixed with bumpers of classic commercials and scene demos.
  • The Computer Chronicles - There is a lot of this mixed in the RetroTech channel above, but worth noting as it covers the era between 1984-2002 from a consumer and business application perspective. You'll find videos about cutting-edge word processing in the 80's, the emergence of the web in the 90's, and much more.
  • Asianometry - Covers a range of history from the detailed science of and companies behind early semiconductors, to macro-economics of countries' technology industries.

Videos

The Mother of All Demos

From Wikipedia:

"The Mother of All Demos was a landmark computer demonstration, named retroactively, of developments by Stanford Research Institute's Augmentation Research Center. It was presented...on December 9, 1968."

"The 90-minute live demonstration featured the introduction of a complete computer hardware and software system called the oN-Line System or, more commonly, NLS, which demonstrated for the first time many of the fundamental elements of modern personal computing, including windows, hypertext, graphics, efficient navigation and command input, video conferencing, the computer mouse, word processing, dynamic file linking, revision control, and a collaborative real-time editor."

Hypercard

Building on the "Mother of All Demos", HyperCard was a software application and development kit for Apple computers and released in 1987. HyperCard could be conceptualized as a highly interactive PowerPoint presentation using stacks of cards. It allowed for linking to different content, displaying media, form processing, and other functionality. It predated the "World Wide Web" until that was invented then eventually released to the public in 1993. You could also think of the WWW as an open and inter-network version of HyperCard.

The Relational Database

This video traces the history and impact of relational databases, focusing particularly on Oracle's pioneering role in that evolution. It covers the origins of SQL and relational theory, SQL standardization and competition, and Oracle's legacy and influence.

next up: computing, the microprocessor, etc.

 

Other Certifications

Why stop at IT?

Just for kicks, since I've got plenty of room to showcase my diverse skill set. In a past life, I've also been certified by relevant bodies in the following areas:

  • Forklift operation
  • Welding
  • Illinois BASSETT alcohol seller/server
  • Food handling