Game in the Brain

1) Mneme Ship Generation Spreadsheet
Progress on the spreadsheet for Mneme ship generation continues, but it’s been a challenge balancing everything. While the Saturn V data is in, I still need to refine the macro for dropdown creation and automate Delta-V budget calculations. Once that’s sorted, the spreadsheet will be able to calculate all specifications, costs, and performance factors smoothly.

The next exciting step will be creating the 3D models, deck plans, and detailed profiles for these ships:

• Space Shuttle
• Buran Energia
• X-33 Lockheed Martin
• Falcon Rockets (including Falcon Heavy)
• Starship and Super Heavy Lift Rocket

After that, I’ll start building ships for the 2050–2099 period to reflect the “normalized” space flight era and move forward into 2100–2299. Nicco and I will craft the ships and materials to reflect each century, creating a timeline of what future space exploration might look like.

2) Housekeeping Updates
Nicco’s been tied up with some serious work, including marketing gigs, and he’s been unwell. Despite this, he’s set to prepare PowerPoint profiles for each ship, which will give the Mneme project a polished look and add depth to the designs.

3) The IT Side of Life
On the IT front, things have been hectic. We’ve had a major win with NextCloud, becoming the first subscribed customers in the Philippines. You can check out what we’re doing over at Comfac-IT on Facebook.

Here’s our approach:

• Selective Clients: We carefully pick clients who help us grow and align with our goals.
• Transparency: Our prices are public—no hidden fees or marketing tricks.

We’re committed to fair and ethical pricing, avoiding the extremes of undercutting or overcharging. While training costs us $300/hour now, it’s an investment in becoming the Asia-Pacific partner for open-source solutions that bring quality and accessibility to our region.

One more thing: 20% of sales go back to supporting open-source projects, and our team shares in the profits with a 10% commission on sales.

4) Why Everything Takes Time
If it feels like things are moving slowly, I’ve got my excuses:

• Work: I’m juggling 14 projects, including IT initiatives, network certification (even though I’m not a network engineer), and building a bio-reactor for growing and breeding algae—hopefully to contribute to cement production (Calcium Carbonate).
• Overcommitment: The reality of living in a poor, developing country is that there’s no one else stepping up to solve certain problems. Whether it’s through a sense of duty or sheer stubbornness, if there’s even a remote chance I can contribute, it falls to me.
• Perspective as a Parent: Saying “no” is always an option, but when I think about the world I want my kids to inherit, I feel compelled to act. My mantra: “Do you want this dysfunctional world, or are you going to do something about it?”

5) Role-Playing Real Solutions
TRPGs taught me the value of role-playing solutions to problems often far beyond my reach. When real challenges arise, it’s not about being a hero or saint—it’s about deciding to help. That’s what I want to instill in my children, staff, and students: We might not know how to fix things now, but we can learn. And sometimes, just trying makes all the difference.