Hi, I’m Richard.
I’m a software developer by trade and a tinkerer by nature. Most of my life has been spent trying to understand how things work, and then, if I’m lucky, building something that works a little better.
I fly. I’ve been a pilot for years, and I still get the same quiet thrill every time the wheels leave the runway. Some of my earliest work was on aircraft instruments, so I have a soft spot for anything with a needle, a dial, and a reason to be exact.
I take pictures. Photography has been a constant companion, and I’m happiest with a camera on a tripod waiting for the light to do something interesting. I belong to a few local camera clubs, where I’ve learned far more from other photographers than I could ever have figured out on my own. I still like to print my work, because a photograph doesn’t feel finished to me until I can hold it.
I write code. These days that mostly means small apps for photographers, the kind that know where the sun and moon will be and which way you’re pointing. It turns out that’s a lovely excuse to mix astronomy, math, and photography together.
And I wonder about things. How far is a billion of anything? How do you calculate where a star will be next Tuesday? Why does a clock on an airplane run differently than one on the ground? I’ve never outgrown those questions, and I hope I never do.
What you’ll find here
This is my personal corner of the web. I’ll write about aviation, photography, science, the sky, software, and the occasional fun fact I just can’t keep to myself. Some posts will be technical. Some will be a single photo and a story. All of them will be about things I genuinely enjoy.
If you also write technical pieces or watch science videos, you might find me at GeekDistractions.com too.
Say hello
I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment on any post, or reach out through the contact page. If you’ve got a question about flying, photography, or how to work something out by hand, even better.
Thanks for stopping by.
— Richard