Personal
7 entries
Where the games are
Where I've been for the last two months: building Dave's Arcade, my ultimate personal project.
How I Beat Stage Fright (and Accidentally Cured My Fear of Small Talk)
How a socially awkward introvert became a confident public speaker — through practice, not talent. Four techniques that actually work: rehearse until the script disappears, present one slide ahead, leave space for the day, and video yourself.
Avoiding the AI Tell: How to Write in a Way That Sounds Like You
The "You're not X, you're Y" pattern is everywhere in AI-generated writing — punchy, rhythmic, and a dead giveaway. This post identifies the tell and offers four concrete rewrites to keep the impact without the polish that signals AI.
16 Rules to Help Your Meetup Run More Smoothly
Sixteen practical rules for running a successful meetup, drawn from years of organising SydCSS — from AV prep and food choices to managing no-shows and keeping presenters on time.
Calm above the water, and paddling like hell underneath
A personal account of overcoming a lifelong fear of public speaking — from hiding under a slide in the rain at age 12 to presenting at Respond 2014 in Sydney. On the years of small steps, SydCSS, and what it actually takes to walk to the front of the room.
Finding time to make games
From January 2013: why my spare-time games kept stalling, the two rules I set myself to finally finish one, and what three abandoned projects taught me.
Getting over my fear of public speaking
Another step in overcoming my fear of public speaking: a presentation about making a PhoneGap app, built as a New Year's resolution.