Doug Toppin
@dougtoppin.bsky.social
Design/develop software systems. Pilot/trumpet player.
Current interests: Raspberry Pi, 3d printing (Bambu Lab X1C/AMS), Zwift, and Meshtastic.
Other interests include AWS, SSM, Fargate, StepFunctions, Lambda, Python, CloudFormation, CDK.
Current interests: Raspberry Pi, 3d printing (Bambu Lab X1C/AMS), Zwift, and Meshtastic.
Other interests include AWS, SSM, Fargate, StepFunctions, Lambda, Python, CloudFormation, CDK.
I am hopeful that, eventually, the one true faith will also provide Pup Cups (Bot Cups?) to our automated brethren.
As Dr Chandra said in 2010: The Year We Make Contact, “Whether we are based on carbon or silicon makes no fundamental difference. We should each be treated with appropriate respect.”
As Dr Chandra said in 2010: The Year We Make Contact, “Whether we are based on carbon or silicon makes no fundamental difference. We should each be treated with appropriate respect.”
November 14, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I am hopeful that, eventually, the one true faith will also provide Pup Cups (Bot Cups?) to our automated brethren.
As Dr Chandra said in 2010: The Year We Make Contact, “Whether we are based on carbon or silicon makes no fundamental difference. We should each be treated with appropriate respect.”
As Dr Chandra said in 2010: The Year We Make Contact, “Whether we are based on carbon or silicon makes no fundamental difference. We should each be treated with appropriate respect.”
McAlister's Deli might find it entertaining that a tiktok from SpudLad in the UK near Manchester prompted me to order a baked potato from them.
Also, this is what your dog looks like when you ask "Do you want to go ride to McAlister's?".
Also, this is what your dog looks like when you ask "Do you want to go ride to McAlister's?".
November 12, 2025 at 12:13 AM
McAlister's Deli might find it entertaining that a tiktok from SpudLad in the UK near Manchester prompted me to order a baked potato from them.
Also, this is what your dog looks like when you ask "Do you want to go ride to McAlister's?".
Also, this is what your dog looks like when you ask "Do you want to go ride to McAlister's?".
esp32 work on a breadboard can be a pain because of not being able to get to the pins on one side or the other.
I finally broke down and joined 2 breadboards and it does make access to all pins easier.
I finally broke down and joined 2 breadboards and it does make access to all pins easier.
September 27, 2025 at 1:50 AM
esp32 work on a breadboard can be a pain because of not being able to get to the pins on one side or the other.
I finally broke down and joined 2 breadboards and it does make access to all pins easier.
I finally broke down and joined 2 breadboards and it does make access to all pins easier.
In my ceaseless quest to feel like hell after exercise, today I decided to replace the k in my usual run with an m.
The weather was way better than previously which helped a lot.
The weather was way better than previously which helped a lot.
August 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
In my ceaseless quest to feel like hell after exercise, today I decided to replace the k in my usual run with an m.
The weather was way better than previously which helped a lot.
The weather was way better than previously which helped a lot.
What you look like before you start your kettlebell, dumbbell, and Zwift workouts and what you look like afterwards.
August 1, 2025 at 4:10 PM
What you look like before you start your kettlebell, dumbbell, and Zwift workouts and what you look like afterwards.
The fun for today, after that hateful kettlebell and then HIIT workout, was some Zwift on the Champs-Élysées.
I could not make the time that
I recently saw a much fitter person than me make but I was a bit better than my previous time.
I could not make the time that
I recently saw a much fitter person than me make but I was a bit better than my previous time.
July 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The fun for today, after that hateful kettlebell and then HIIT workout, was some Zwift on the Champs-Élysées.
I could not make the time that
I recently saw a much fitter person than me make but I was a bit better than my previous time.
I could not make the time that
I recently saw a much fitter person than me make but I was a bit better than my previous time.
Zwift fun for today. Well, I’m not sure it was actually “fun” but I did finish it.
July 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Zwift fun for today. Well, I’m not sure it was actually “fun” but I did finish it.
I also decided to improve my solder station and got a Hakko along with a Kotto fume fan. I definitely felt like the Hakko was a better experience during my practice session.
July 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I also decided to improve my solder station and got a Hakko along with a Kotto fume fan. I definitely felt like the Hakko was a better experience during my practice session.
For soldering practice today, I successfully strongly soldered my desoldering braid to the board. I made a mess removing it.
I also learned the importance of planning which parts to start with. Otherwise, you end up with parts being in the way if you do them in the wrong order.
I also learned the importance of planning which parts to start with. Otherwise, you end up with parts being in the way if you do them in the wrong order.
July 17, 2025 at 10:52 PM
For soldering practice today, I successfully strongly soldered my desoldering braid to the board. I made a mess removing it.
I also learned the importance of planning which parts to start with. Otherwise, you end up with parts being in the way if you do them in the wrong order.
I also learned the importance of planning which parts to start with. Otherwise, you end up with parts being in the way if you do them in the wrong order.
Another 5k done at 84 degrees. It was freaking hot.
Once again, aggravated at the “Moderate” for Effort.
Once again, aggravated at the “Moderate” for Effort.
July 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Another 5k done at 84 degrees. It was freaking hot.
Once again, aggravated at the “Moderate” for Effort.
Once again, aggravated at the “Moderate” for Effort.
Today was solder practice. It will hopefully help me get better at my Raspberry Pi and esp32 projects.
I successfully burned myself (twice), got practice with desoldering braid, twisted my arms and hands to weird positions to get the iron to the board, and maybe got a couple right.
Getting there.
I successfully burned myself (twice), got practice with desoldering braid, twisted my arms and hands to weird positions to get the iron to the board, and maybe got a couple right.
Getting there.
July 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Today was solder practice. It will hopefully help me get better at my Raspberry Pi and esp32 projects.
I successfully burned myself (twice), got practice with desoldering braid, twisted my arms and hands to weird positions to get the iron to the board, and maybe got a couple right.
Getting there.
I successfully burned myself (twice), got practice with desoldering braid, twisted my arms and hands to weird positions to get the iron to the board, and maybe got a couple right.
Getting there.
Today I got to ride 20 miles in the French countryside, well virtually anyway.
As usual. Zwift was excellent.
As usual. Zwift was excellent.
July 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Today I got to ride 20 miles in the French countryside, well virtually anyway.
As usual. Zwift was excellent.
As usual. Zwift was excellent.
When picking a Zwift ride, it is important to pay attention to detail and note that the climb portal ride selection elevation is in meters and the elevation choice is in feet. If you don't and think that the ride selection elevation is in feet, you might be in for a surprise (like I was). Doh!
July 3, 2025 at 9:01 PM
When picking a Zwift ride, it is important to pay attention to detail and note that the climb portal ride selection elevation is in meters and the elevation choice is in feet. If you don't and think that the ride selection elevation is in feet, you might be in for a surprise (like I was). Doh!
Fun is when you try an esp32c6 with a DHT-22 for another Home Assistant temperature sensor and it just works.
This is in place of the previous, slightly more expensive, esp32-wroom-32 board.
Small electronics and Home Assistant are just plain fun.
This is in place of the previous, slightly more expensive, esp32-wroom-32 board.
Small electronics and Home Assistant are just plain fun.
June 30, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Fun is when you try an esp32c6 with a DHT-22 for another Home Assistant temperature sensor and it just works.
This is in place of the previous, slightly more expensive, esp32-wroom-32 board.
Small electronics and Home Assistant are just plain fun.
This is in place of the previous, slightly more expensive, esp32-wroom-32 board.
Small electronics and Home Assistant are just plain fun.
When shucking corn goes bad
June 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
When shucking corn goes bad
A few more shots with a Dummy 13 addition for interest. I have been carrying a prism around during walks and looking for just right angle with the sun to produce a spectrum. Light is always fascinating.
June 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
A few more shots with a Dummy 13 addition for interest. I have been carrying a prism around during walks and looking for just right angle with the sun to produce a spectrum. Light is always fascinating.
I am continually impressed with the versatility of the Dummy 13 3d printed models. I regularly bring one on hikes and they add some interest to many shots.
June 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I am continually impressed with the versatility of the Dummy 13 3d printed models. I regularly bring one on hikes and they add some interest to many shots.
Pleasant, and convenient, Zwift ride today
June 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Pleasant, and convenient, Zwift ride today
The weather is always great for a Zwift ride. This time I was also catching up with the YouTube Visual Studio Code channel on how to query databases with GitHub Copilot Tools and DBCode.
May 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The weather is always great for a Zwift ride. This time I was also catching up with the YouTube Visual Studio Code channel on how to query databases with GitHub Copilot Tools and DBCode.
To see more information about the RF activity involved in meshtastic, or other emitters, try getting an RTL-SDR receiver and use SDR++. Then try sending a meshtastic message. The transmit and receive, from an acknowledge, should be visible.
May 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM
To see more information about the RF activity involved in meshtastic, or other emitters, try getting an RTL-SDR receiver and use SDR++. Then try sending a meshtastic message. The transmit and receive, from an acknowledge, should be visible.
Pleasant Zwift ride this morning with a couple of random route changes while watching 2010 again. The moments with SAL and HAL always interest me.
Imagine being asked by your AI entity, “Will I dream?”.
Imagine being asked by your AI entity, “Will I dream?”.
April 29, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Pleasant Zwift ride this morning with a couple of random route changes while watching 2010 again. The moments with SAL and HAL always interest me.
Imagine being asked by your AI entity, “Will I dream?”.
Imagine being asked by your AI entity, “Will I dream?”.
When you know you have that neat round TFT LCD display from Adafruit to use for their slick asteroid tracker project but your parts storage system leaves something to be desired and you can’t find the freaking thing.
April 15, 2025 at 12:32 AM
When you know you have that neat round TFT LCD display from Adafruit to use for their slick asteroid tracker project but your parts storage system leaves something to be desired and you can’t find the freaking thing.
I had my Bambu Lab AMS set to automatically transition to the next spool when this one emptied which I had not seen before. I stood there watching as the spool got very close and then the print finished at this point. It was just about to pull free. Note that it is secured without tape.
April 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I had my Bambu Lab AMS set to automatically transition to the next spool when this one emptied which I had not seen before. I stood there watching as the spool got very close and then the print finished at this point. It was just about to pull free. Note that it is secured without tape.
Made a trip to Ben & Jerry’s for a free cone today. They do this to support the Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun.
I am very impressed that Ben & Jerry’s does this.
www.bbfloudoun.org
I am very impressed that Ben & Jerry’s does this.
www.bbfloudoun.org
April 8, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Made a trip to Ben & Jerry’s for a free cone today. They do this to support the Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun.
I am very impressed that Ben & Jerry’s does this.
www.bbfloudoun.org
I am very impressed that Ben & Jerry’s does this.
www.bbfloudoun.org
This morning I did The Zwift Big Spin 2025 on Watopia's Waistband in Watopia. This was an easy 17 miles.
I also watched a Raspberry Pint user group video on an interesting Raspberry Pi physical Stock Tracker project which included a servo, magnetic sensor and other stuff. youtu.be/iIkSrFBWzQQ?...
I also watched a Raspberry Pint user group video on an interesting Raspberry Pi physical Stock Tracker project which included a servo, magnetic sensor and other stuff. youtu.be/iIkSrFBWzQQ?...
March 31, 2025 at 10:45 PM
This morning I did The Zwift Big Spin 2025 on Watopia's Waistband in Watopia. This was an easy 17 miles.
I also watched a Raspberry Pint user group video on an interesting Raspberry Pi physical Stock Tracker project which included a servo, magnetic sensor and other stuff. youtu.be/iIkSrFBWzQQ?...
I also watched a Raspberry Pint user group video on an interesting Raspberry Pi physical Stock Tracker project which included a servo, magnetic sensor and other stuff. youtu.be/iIkSrFBWzQQ?...