Steven Hicks
@pepopowitz.bsky.social
Ok, I guess I'm here now.
Milwaukee, software, devex, trail running, triathlon, art... All of them with astounding mediocrity.
Streaming to the void at https://youtube.com/@FriendsWithCode.
Milwaukee, software, devex, trail running, triathlon, art... All of them with astounding mediocrity.
Streaming to the void at https://youtube.com/@FriendsWithCode.
#3: a "factory second" disc that I bought new, used a few times, and decided I hate.
This time I spaced on placing the disc. I had a line marked on the disc so I could center the disc name in the yellow section for good contrast... But forgot to align when placing.
Those colors though 🤤
This time I spaced on placing the disc. I had a line marked on the disc so I could center the disc name in the yellow section for good contrast... But forgot to align when placing.
Those colors though 🤤
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
#3: a "factory second" disc that I bought new, used a few times, and decided I hate.
This time I spaced on placing the disc. I had a line marked on the disc so I could center the disc name in the yellow section for good contrast... But forgot to align when placing.
Those colors though 🤤
This time I spaced on placing the disc. I had a line marked on the disc so I could center the disc name in the yellow section for good contrast... But forgot to align when placing.
Those colors though 🤤
#2: another used play it again find. This brand's plastic is supposed to be stellar at absorbing dye. It had color to begin with, but I wanted to experiment with a floral look and the plastic so I dyed it anyway.
I messed up the timing, badly, and got some nasty streaks all over the edges.
I messed up the timing, badly, and got some nasty streaks all over the edges.
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
#2: another used play it again find. This brand's plastic is supposed to be stellar at absorbing dye. It had color to begin with, but I wanted to experiment with a floral look and the plastic so I dyed it anyway.
I messed up the timing, badly, and got some nasty streaks all over the edges.
I messed up the timing, badly, and got some nasty streaks all over the edges.
Disc 1: an older but good shape play it again find. I considered wiping the stamp, but I thought I could swirl to accentuate it. Unfortunately I didn't realize the swirl direction would be backwards for a righty... Which maybe no one but me cares about.
Looks good though! Wish I'd used more yellow.
Looks good though! Wish I'd used more yellow.
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Disc 1: an older but good shape play it again find. I considered wiping the stamp, but I thought I could swirl to accentuate it. Unfortunately I didn't realize the swirl direction would be backwards for a righty... Which maybe no one but me cares about.
Looks good though! Wish I'd used more yellow.
Looks good though! Wish I'd used more yellow.
YOU GUYS THE ROBOTS ARE GOING TO START MAKING US DO THEIR WORK FOR THEM
November 5, 2025 at 10:18 PM
YOU GUYS THE ROBOTS ARE GOING TO START MAKING US DO THEIR WORK FOR THEM
Aaaand another one today.
I *love* the colors on this disc... But I'm not sure I'll enjoy looking for it in the brush. I can't wait to throw it, I've been playing without a straight midrange, waiting until I got this one dyed. Hopefully the straightness keeps it out of the brush every throw.
I *love* the colors on this disc... But I'm not sure I'll enjoy looking for it in the brush. I can't wait to throw it, I've been playing without a straight midrange, waiting until I got this one dyed. Hopefully the straightness keeps it out of the brush every throw.
October 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Aaaand another one today.
I *love* the colors on this disc... But I'm not sure I'll enjoy looking for it in the brush. I can't wait to throw it, I've been playing without a straight midrange, waiting until I got this one dyed. Hopefully the straightness keeps it out of the brush every throw.
I *love* the colors on this disc... But I'm not sure I'll enjoy looking for it in the brush. I can't wait to throw it, I've been playing without a straight midrange, waiting until I got this one dyed. Hopefully the straightness keeps it out of the brush every throw.
Another disc to report.
Tbh this is probably the one that convinces me to monetize this hobby, damnit. Not that I'll sell this specific disc, because it's a light weight that I can actually throw and those don't come around very often, but I'm pretty sure I can make more good ones like this.
Tbh this is probably the one that convinces me to monetize this hobby, damnit. Not that I'll sell this specific disc, because it's a light weight that I can actually throw and those don't come around very often, but I'm pretty sure I can make more good ones like this.
October 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Another disc to report.
Tbh this is probably the one that convinces me to monetize this hobby, damnit. Not that I'll sell this specific disc, because it's a light weight that I can actually throw and those don't come around very often, but I'm pretty sure I can make more good ones like this.
Tbh this is probably the one that convinces me to monetize this hobby, damnit. Not that I'll sell this specific disc, because it's a light weight that I can actually throw and those don't come around very often, but I'm pretty sure I can make more good ones like this.
But I'm going to have some fucking sweet spin-dyed golf discs.
I'll show you the front side of this one tomorrow. It's good.
I'll show you the front side of this one tomorrow. It's good.
October 28, 2025 at 4:43 AM
But I'm going to have some fucking sweet spin-dyed golf discs.
I'll show you the front side of this one tomorrow. It's good.
I'll show you the front side of this one tomorrow. It's good.
Also I got rid of all my vinyl years ago so I don't have anything to listen to anyway.
October 28, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Also I got rid of all my vinyl years ago so I don't have anything to listen to anyway.
So tonight I bought a used "digital converter" turntable for 20 bucks.
I guess it's for playing a record directly to a flash drive.
I guess it's for playing a record directly to a flash drive.
October 28, 2025 at 4:43 AM
So tonight I bought a used "digital converter" turntable for 20 bucks.
I guess it's for playing a record directly to a flash drive.
I guess it's for playing a record directly to a flash drive.
Update on this disc:
I stole my daughter's turntable while she was at cross country, and I spin-dyed a blue ring around the front (though it looks green), and green/yellow/blue on the back of the rim. It adds a nice frame and makes it feel more complete.
I stole my daughter's turntable while she was at cross country, and I spin-dyed a blue ring around the front (though it looks green), and green/yellow/blue on the back of the rim. It adds a nice frame and makes it feel more complete.
October 23, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Update on this disc:
I stole my daughter's turntable while she was at cross country, and I spin-dyed a blue ring around the front (though it looks green), and green/yellow/blue on the back of the rim. It adds a nice frame and makes it feel more complete.
I stole my daughter's turntable while she was at cross country, and I spin-dyed a blue ring around the front (though it looks green), and green/yellow/blue on the back of the rim. It adds a nice frame and makes it feel more complete.
Another disc.
This time I finally captured a before for the after.
While the "composition" wasn't as spectacular as the previous, what makes this one cool is the vibrancy of the neon colors. It means I applied heat correctly, because these colors are known to be difficult (esp on this plastic).
This time I finally captured a before for the after.
While the "composition" wasn't as spectacular as the previous, what makes this one cool is the vibrancy of the neon colors. It means I applied heat correctly, because these colors are known to be difficult (esp on this plastic).
October 16, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Another disc.
This time I finally captured a before for the after.
While the "composition" wasn't as spectacular as the previous, what makes this one cool is the vibrancy of the neon colors. It means I applied heat correctly, because these colors are known to be difficult (esp on this plastic).
This time I finally captured a before for the after.
While the "composition" wasn't as spectacular as the previous, what makes this one cool is the vibrancy of the neon colors. It means I applied heat correctly, because these colors are known to be difficult (esp on this plastic).
Me trying to figure out how everything went so well on this disc
October 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Me trying to figure out how everything went so well on this disc
Pulled the first one from the dye bed today and... Just wow.
This is a beat up disc that I figured I'd mess up and sell back to the store for pennies on the dollar. Instead it turned out even better than what I envisioned while swirling dye around.
This is a beat up disc that I figured I'd mess up and sell back to the store for pennies on the dollar. Instead it turned out even better than what I envisioned while swirling dye around.
October 14, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Pulled the first one from the dye bed today and... Just wow.
This is a beat up disc that I figured I'd mess up and sell back to the store for pennies on the dollar. Instead it turned out even better than what I envisioned while swirling dye around.
This is a beat up disc that I figured I'd mess up and sell back to the store for pennies on the dollar. Instead it turned out even better than what I envisioned while swirling dye around.
Spent my Indigenous Peoples Day chucking plastic circles into the woods on some beautiful Potawatomi land.
October 14, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Spent my Indigenous Peoples Day chucking plastic circles into the woods on some beautiful Potawatomi land.
Holy 🤬 I love it!
So much better. Much more control of the dye, but still a little chaotic.
This is my everyday driver (except windy days) and I'm so excited to throw it tomorrow.
I don't know why the rim on the top left is undyed. And I missed the mark on leaving the stamp clear but only a bit.
So much better. Much more control of the dye, but still a little chaotic.
This is my everyday driver (except windy days) and I'm so excited to throw it tomorrow.
I don't know why the rim on the top left is undyed. And I missed the mark on leaving the stamp clear but only a bit.
October 9, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Holy 🤬 I love it!
So much better. Much more control of the dye, but still a little chaotic.
This is my everyday driver (except windy days) and I'm so excited to throw it tomorrow.
I don't know why the rim on the top left is undyed. And I missed the mark on leaving the stamp clear but only a bit.
So much better. Much more control of the dye, but still a little chaotic.
This is my everyday driver (except windy days) and I'm so excited to throw it tomorrow.
I don't know why the rim on the top left is undyed. And I missed the mark on leaving the stamp clear but only a bit.
Then I started a new one!
I had a better plan for wrangling the glue, given I wanted to keep the dye out of the center of the disc so you can still read the stamp (shown in next post).
Also, fewer colors. The disc is pink, so my available palette is smaller, but also 4 was too many.
The bed:
I had a better plan for wrangling the glue, given I wanted to keep the dye out of the center of the disc so you can still read the stamp (shown in next post).
Also, fewer colors. The disc is pink, so my available palette is smaller, but also 4 was too many.
The bed:
October 9, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Then I started a new one!
I had a better plan for wrangling the glue, given I wanted to keep the dye out of the center of the disc so you can still read the stamp (shown in next post).
Also, fewer colors. The disc is pink, so my available palette is smaller, but also 4 was too many.
The bed:
I had a better plan for wrangling the glue, given I wanted to keep the dye out of the center of the disc so you can still read the stamp (shown in next post).
Also, fewer colors. The disc is pink, so my available palette is smaller, but also 4 was too many.
The bed:
So then I got frustrated and said “f this I’m going to paint with the acetone dye because I know that will show up.”
It showed up but so did all my brush strokes 😅 don't look too closely.
Not a horrible outcome. I'll throw this disc. And I learned a lot. It looks darker here than it does outside.
It showed up but so did all my brush strokes 😅 don't look too closely.
Not a horrible outcome. I'll throw this disc. And I learned a lot. It looks darker here than it does outside.
October 9, 2025 at 1:57 AM
So then I got frustrated and said “f this I’m going to paint with the acetone dye because I know that will show up.”
It showed up but so did all my brush strokes 😅 don't look too closely.
Not a horrible outcome. I'll throw this disc. And I learned a lot. It looks darker here than it does outside.
It showed up but so did all my brush strokes 😅 don't look too closely.
Not a horrible outcome. I'll throw this disc. And I learned a lot. It looks darker here than it does outside.
I decided to dye the back side too, to eliminate transparency, or I’d never find this thing.
I started by painting the back with dye dissolved in lotion. I didn’t mix it right (or apply it thick enough) and it did basically nothing.
I started by painting the back with dye dissolved in lotion. I didn’t mix it right (or apply it thick enough) and it did basically nothing.
October 9, 2025 at 1:57 AM
I decided to dye the back side too, to eliminate transparency, or I’d never find this thing.
I started by painting the back with dye dissolved in lotion. I didn’t mix it right (or apply it thick enough) and it did basically nothing.
I started by painting the back with dye dissolved in lotion. I didn’t mix it right (or apply it thick enough) and it did basically nothing.
Ok, so my first attempt at a disc dye turned out to look like…my first attempt at a disc dye. Not great. The absent pink shouldn’t have surprised me - after preparing the bed I remembered reading about that color being tricky. But, the blue and green surprised me, as I thought they’d be weak too.
October 9, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Ok, so my first attempt at a disc dye turned out to look like…my first attempt at a disc dye. Not great. The absent pink shouldn’t have surprised me - after preparing the bed I remembered reading about that color being tricky. But, the blue and green surprised me, as I thought they’d be weak too.
It’s probably not going to work very well, for reasons well described by the subculture I’ve stumbled into, but today I started my first glue bed disc dye!
A clear champion factory second teebird3 in clear glue and acetone pcad dye.
None of that should make sense to you…unless it does.
A clear champion factory second teebird3 in clear glue and acetone pcad dye.
None of that should make sense to you…unless it does.
October 7, 2025 at 1:49 AM
It’s probably not going to work very well, for reasons well described by the subculture I’ve stumbled into, but today I started my first glue bed disc dye!
A clear champion factory second teebird3 in clear glue and acetone pcad dye.
None of that should make sense to you…unless it does.
A clear champion factory second teebird3 in clear glue and acetone pcad dye.
None of that should make sense to you…unless it does.
Anyway I finally convinced myself to work on a linocut project for the first time in months -- a replacement hum shirt.
I've quit on it multiple times due to being precious about it and seeking perfection. Last week I finally convinced myself to just effing make *something* to get unstuck.
I've quit on it multiple times due to being precious about it and seeking perfection. Last week I finally convinced myself to just effing make *something* to get unstuck.
August 12, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Anyway I finally convinced myself to work on a linocut project for the first time in months -- a replacement hum shirt.
I've quit on it multiple times due to being precious about it and seeking perfection. Last week I finally convinced myself to just effing make *something* to get unstuck.
I've quit on it multiple times due to being precious about it and seeking perfection. Last week I finally convinced myself to just effing make *something* to get unstuck.
Blink twice if you need help, YouTube ai caption robot.
May 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Blink twice if you need help, YouTube ai caption robot.
This week's friday micro-improvement: a pre-commit hook to remind me when I've marked a file as `skip-worktree` from the git index. (Sometimes I want to keep a non-prod change locally, without accidentally including it in a commit.)
![SKIPPED=$(git ls-files -v | grep '^S' | cut -c 3-)
if [ -n "$SKIPPED" ]; then
echo "⚠️ Reminder -- You have skip-worktree files:"
echo "$SKIPPED" | sed 's/^/⚠️ /'
echo "⚠️ To unskip them, run 'git update-index --no-skip-worktree <file>'"
fi](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pakbvetszecdmjn5h43nmo3n/bafkreibvpkfwvisypwlcxwhatwnegqvfxmrpo4xt2ikqtc3an2rhaxmuoq@jpeg)
May 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
This week's friday micro-improvement: a pre-commit hook to remind me when I've marked a file as `skip-worktree` from the git index. (Sometimes I want to keep a non-prod change locally, without accidentally including it in a commit.)
1. Fewer dedicated workspace names like "5(Dotfiles)" and "4(Specific Project)". Instead, they're mostly named after HTML colors, e.g. "AliceBlue", "Bisque", etc.
Implies more transience of spaces, which is how I find myself using them these days. Spaces are cattle, not pets 😬
Implies more transience of spaces, which is how I find myself using them these days. Spaces are cattle, not pets 😬
May 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
1. Fewer dedicated workspace names like "5(Dotfiles)" and "4(Specific Project)". Instead, they're mostly named after HTML colors, e.g. "AliceBlue", "Bisque", etc.
Implies more transience of spaces, which is how I find myself using them these days. Spaces are cattle, not pets 😬
Implies more transience of spaces, which is how I find myself using them these days. Spaces are cattle, not pets 😬
Today I went whitewater rafting for the second the time in my life. We nearly flipped, the rower fell out, I chucked a rope across the river and dragged them in. It was....intense yet satisfying. I can see why people would do this.
Also 10/10 sightseeing 😍😍😍😍.
Also 10/10 sightseeing 😍😍😍😍.
May 3, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Today I went whitewater rafting for the second the time in my life. We nearly flipped, the rower fell out, I chucked a rope across the river and dragged them in. It was....intense yet satisfying. I can see why people would do this.
Also 10/10 sightseeing 😍😍😍😍.
Also 10/10 sightseeing 😍😍😍😍.