🧪 Side Projects & Technical Experiments
Not everything I build is strictly cybersecurity-focused—these projects keep my curiosity fed, my tools sharp, and my ADHD somewhat functional.
🍇 iMac G3 Blueberry Restoration
Reviving a translucent, CRT-powered classic from 1999—restoring Mac OS 9, cleaning internals, and keeping that startup “bong” alive.
- 🧼 Fully cleaned and reseated with new PRAM battery
- 📀 Bootable with OS 9.2.2 and working legacy software
- 💡 Future use as novelty server or static mirror
📦 Self-Hosted App Stack
Testing deployment of local-first tools to replace cloud services and regain full control over personal data.
- 📚 FreshRSS – self-hosted newsreader
- 🔐 Vaultwarden – secure password manager
- ☁️ Nextcloud – home file sync & cloud replacement
💾 Retro Mac Rebuild
Repurposing a 2008 Mac Pro into a hybrid lab and NAS system. Combining old hardware with new tooling for a budget-friendly Proxmox server setup.
- 🧱 Hardware salvaged and upgraded from two machines
- 🗃️ Hosting virtualized services, file shares, and testing zones
- 🛠 Integrated into my lab + home network stack
🧠 Network Automation (WIP)
Working on smarter home network controls via Pi-hole, Unbound, and (eventually) VLAN segmentation and logging to my SIEM stack.
- 🧰 Configured for DNS blackholing and local resolution
- 📡 Logging activity to Security Onion for enrichment
- 🚧 Under active experimentation