remote work lifestyle Archives - Jared Kuvent

Embracing Stillness: A Day with Family and Community in New England

Jared Kuvent — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:11:40 +0000

Embracing Stillness: A Day with Family and Community in New England

Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me why I love being with family. After a solid rest, I woke up feeling energized and ready to take it slow. No plans, no rush—just family time. Coming down the stairs, I was greeted by the smell of coffee and the warm sight of my mom with a cup ready. She knows me well. We spent the early morning in quiet conversation, just the two of us, sipping coffee and enjoying the comfort of home. These small, simple moments have a way of grounding me, offering a sense of stability after so many days on the road. Soon enough, Zack joined us, and we settled in to chat about life, catching up on moments big and small.

Animated Memories of Dad

My mom’s house holds so many pieces of family history, including some of my favorite reminders of Dad. Among them are the animation cells he collected—original Looney Tunes cels, including characters like Marvin the Martian and Road Runner, his favorites. Seeing them framed on the wall is like a nod to the early days of my fascination with animation. My dad and I spent hours watching cartoons together when I was young. His love for animation became my own, and it eventually led me toward a career in creative technology. These memories, and these frames on the wall, feel like little threads connecting the past with the present.

Wildercraft Community Reps Meeting: Celebrating 8 Years

After some quality family time, it was time to hop online for the day’s first Wildercraft meeting. For anyone new to it, Wildercraft is a cooperative Minecraft server focused on community and creativity. What started as a simple survival server has grown into a strong, vibrant online community that’s lasted eight years—an impressive run for any Minecraft server. Over the years, Wildercraft has become a unique place where players find connection, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

One of the initiatives I’ve brought back to Wildercraft is our Community Reps program, which was initially created by a former staff member. The Community Reps serve as a bridge between the players and the staff team, giving us insights, ideas, and feedback straight from the player community. These reps are active players who answer questions, provide guidance, and help create a welcoming environment for new members. We meet weekly to discuss ideas and issues, and it’s been incredibly helpful for staff to have player perspectives in the mix.

Yesterday’s meeting was lively, with brainstorming sessions around upcoming events to celebrate Wildercraft’s 8th anniversary. Eight years is a significant milestone, and we’re planning a big event that highlights how far the server has come and the memories we’ve made together. We also discussed our annual Thanksgiving build contest, where players can showcase their creativity through impressive structures. Wildercraft has some exceptionally talented builders, and these events give them a chance to shine.

Building and Innovating with the Wildercraft Team

Working with the Wildercraft team has been a rewarding experience filled with creative challenges. As a staff member, I help manage various aspects of the server, from community events to technical troubleshooting. We rely on a range of tools to keep the server running smoothly, from plugin management to custom configurations that create unique features for players. One of our biggest tools is LuckPerms, a powerful plugin for managing player permissions, which allows us to create a structured, tiered experience for players while keeping everything organized.

There’s always something to problem-solve or improve, whether it’s fixing glitches, optimizing the server’s performance, or introducing new items and experiences for players. The technical side of running a Minecraft server is complex but fulfilling. We work with plugins, configure YML files, and occasionally dive into custom Java coding to make sure the server remains engaging and user-friendly. Every new challenge feels like a team effort, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see players enjoying the end result of our work.

Editing the Drive from Madison to Providence

Once the meeting wrapped up, I switched gears to work on my blog and edit the timelapse video from my drive between Madison, CT, and Providence, RI. The footage was beautiful, capturing the clear autumn skies and the golden sunlight filtering through rows of bare trees. Each video I edit is a chance to relive these stretches of road, to remember the sights and sounds, the calmness of the drive, and the anticipation of reaching my next stop. These timelapses are like a visual diary of the journey so far, each one holding moments and memories I’m excited to share.

Productive Planning in the Wildercraft Staff Meeting

After editing, it was time for our Wildercraft staff meeting, which Redbau, the server’s owner, joined as well. Our discussions are always focused on enhancing the player experience and building a stronger community. We planned logistics for the upcoming anniversary event and discussed upgrading to the latest version of Minecraft—a big step that brings new features, but also challenges for a server as established as ours. Our team is dedicated to making Wildercraft the best it can be, and every meeting reinforces our commitment to that goal. Seeing everyone’s ideas and enthusiasm for the future is a reminder of how special this community is.

Dinner and Reflection

After a full day of meetings and creative work, I decided to take a short nap to recharge before dinner. We headed to a nearby restaurant known for its warm atmosphere and great food. I ordered the strip steak, and it was exactly what I needed after days of road food—perfectly cooked, seasoned with a peppery kick, and served with rich gouda mashed potatoes. Dinner was filled with laughter and conversation, from catching up on family stories to reflections on life. It was a reminder of how grounding it is to be around family, to have those familiar faces and voices that bring everything back into perspective.

Ending the Day with Gratitude

Back at the house, I could feel the weight of the day settling in. With a full stomach and a full heart, I felt ready for bed, grateful for a day of family, community, and the comforting sense of home. This trip has been filled with movement, but days like this bring everything to a quiet, welcome pause. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt recharged and ready for the next chapter, knowing that more family, more moments, and more memories were just around the corner.

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A Road Trip Surprise: Snowy Mountains and a Bear Encounter in the Wild

Jared Kuvent — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 02:09:53 +0000

A Road Trip Surprise: Snowy Mountains and a Bear Encounter in the Wild

This morning started early – too early, actually. I couldn’t seem to get any real rest, with so much on my mind. Between the blog, the timelapse videos, and the journey itself, there’s a lot going on. It’s all work I genuinely love, but I’ll admit, the last few days have been pretty busy! Once I hit New England, things will settle down a bit, and I’ll have more time to dive into my work online without rushing to the next destination. There’s something grounding about being in one place, even for a while, that I’m looking forward to.

This blog, for those following along, is more than just a travel diary. It’s a way to bring you all along for the ride, to show what it’s really like to work remotely on the road. I laugh when people ask, “How’s the vacation going?” – this is no vacation! It’s an adventure, sure, but there’s a lot happening behind the scenes: networking groups, job searching, portfolio-building, and, of course, the blog and videos. It’s a life on the move, and it’s definitely work, but it’s rewarding to share it with others who might be curious about this Digital Nomad lifestyle.

Road Trips of the Past and Lessons Learned

I’ve done trips like this before. There was a time I spent three months crossing all 48 contiguous states, traveling with nothing but my car and my camping gear. That journey was about learning – learning what I enjoyed, who I met, and how to just be in the moment without documenting every second. I always had my camera with me, capturing scenes as they happened, but I didn’t blog or spend much time recording it all. That trip was just for me.

Now, things are different. After all those experiences, I feel I’ve learned how to share the adventure in a way that’s meaningful. This time, I’m taking you with me through photos, timelapse videos, writing, and maybe even some vlogging. It’s like creating a digital photo album I can look back on, but it’s also an invitation to anyone curious about the road less traveled. During my studies in Australia and Indonesia, I worked on documenting fieldwork and photographing community moments. I learned that capturing experiences for others means truly being present myself. And that’s what I aim to do here.

The Memory of a Night with a Bear

One of my most vivid memories from that first cross-country trip was camping in the Redwoods. If you’ve ever been, you’ll know it’s one of the most awe-inspiring places in the world. I’d secured a permit to camp in the open wilderness and, with my pack on, headed down a trail that led to a riverbank. There, surrounded by smooth river stones and towering redwoods, I set up camp. The rangers had warned me this was bear country, so I took every precaution. No food in the tent, and I brushed my teeth back at the car – anything that could smell edible had to be far away from where I slept.

As the sun dipped below the treetops, I watched one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life. The air was cool, the river sounds steady, and I settled into my tent for the night. But then, a crunch. It was unmistakably something big moving through the forest. I held my breath, knowing that whatever it was – probably a bear – was close. I thought I’d panic, but instead, something instinctual kicked in. I relaxed, lay still, and felt an odd sense of calm wash over me. Eventually, it moved on, but that night reminded me of the humbling power of nature and what it means to truly be present. I’ve carried that moment with me ever since.

A Wildercraft Check-In from the Road

After a few hours of driving today, I took a break at a rest stop, just in time for our weekly Wildercraft staff meeting. As an Admin, I help run everything from community events to marketing for Wildercraft, our cooperative survival Minecraft server. Even on the road, I make sure to stay connected and keep the momentum going for our players. I logged in from my laptop, tethered to my phone, and joined the team.

It’s a lot to manage, keeping a server active and engaging with so many options out there, but Wildercraft has a real sense of community that keeps players coming back. We have over 1,400 members in the Discord, and most of our regular players have been part of the server for more than two years. It’s almost like a virtual neighborhood. We’re gearing up for Thanksgiving and celebrating our eighth anniversary soon, so there are a lot of exciting things planned. Nothing beats logging in and seeing people connect, create, and share on the server.

Snow in Colorado, Clear Skies in Nebraska

With the meeting wrapped up, I got back on the road. The route today took me from the mountains of Colorado into the vast plains of Nebraska, and the scenery was unforgettable. As I began the drive, I climbed up into the Rockies, winding around the mountain roads. Suddenly, the sky darkened, and out of nowhere, the first snow of the season started falling! There’s something surreal about watching autumn fade into winter in real-time. One moment I was driving through golden trees, and the next, everything was covered in a layer of snow, dusting the pines and clinging to the road.

The snow stayed with me for a good stretch of the drive, making the landscape feel both calm and powerful. Eventually, as I descended towards Denver, the snow faded, giving way to open plains and wide skies. By the time I crossed into Nebraska, the sun was setting, painting the horizon in a warm glow as night started to settle in.

Reflecting on the Journey So Far

There’s something about a long drive that gives you time to reflect. As I made my way across those open roads, my mind wandered to everything from past adventures to what lies ahead. The next few weeks will be filled with seeing family, catching up on projects, and continuing this journey. There’s a lot of excitement, but also a sense of calm knowing that I’ll soon be settled for a while in New England. I can’t wait for the little things, like a day spent relaxing with my mom – something simple but grounding after so much travel.

As I pulled into North Platte for the night, I was exhausted but grateful. This trip is filled with incredible moments, both big and small, and it’s the combination of adventure and reflection that makes it feel meaningful.

Have you ever had a close encounter with nature? What was it like?

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