This is a long update this week as I've gone 2 weeks with sup-par updates. Lot of good information, but I won't blame anyone for skimming or skipping. Here are the main topics:
- The person tasked with getting the picks cut has been on an extended trip which seems to have back burnered my project.
- THAT IS NOT STOPPING ME!
- Nothing will EVER stop me :)
- My talk at BSides Las Vegas was the best of my speaking career.
- My talk at Defcon overfilled the room (a first for me)
-
Boing Boing & Gizmodo picked up a video I made for some nice Aussies!
- You should check out the Lockpicking subreddit!
Production Woes:
I'll say this: I've long suspected that I'm at the bottom of the list of concerns for the person I've tied myself to for the production of these picks. Since August 1st it's become bad. I've been left hanging on communication, I've had quotes come back doubled in price from the previous quote, and now I've been trying to get the production CAD files I paid to have produced. I am assured that I will receive them (he's been traveling for several weeks) but it's frustrating.
I was having a conversation with a good friend about how frustrating it is to not be involved in the process and to have to trust people who don't seem to be paying a lot of attention to me. She suggested that perhaps these people don't really care about what I'm trying to do. I said "Well, yeah...but why would they?" and she suggested that there might be a better way...
Now, I'm not ready to say publicly what I'm doing. And I know that sucks. I debated holding off on a big update until I could explain in depth, but the last 2 updates were so tiny, I figured I should at least tell you everything I can publicly right now. Those of you who were able to chat with me at Defcon probably heard the plan, but I just need to get my ducks in a row and make sure it's doable before I announce it publicly. However, here is what it will mean for production:
- I will be directly involved in the production of the picks again! Like hands on, in person, directly making things happen, involved.
-
People who care about me & care about locksport will be directly involved in getting the picks made.
- Picks will actually get cut. For the love of...
Let me say this...the date of successful funding of the project is quite proudly displayed when you visit this project. I am distinctly aware of it. It looms very large.
By the end of this I'll be able to write a book on everything I did wrong. But, the picks will be made! Of this I remain certain. I was about to make a White Whale reference, but then I realized I've never actually read Moby Dick, so I went and read a plot synopsis. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice it to say I'm going to forgo the metaphor!
OK, it's late (3:30am!) and I'd like to slip some unquestionably good news in here!
Good News!
My talk at BSides Las Vegas was easily the best I've ever given. I promise I'm not just sleeping away the spare time I have had. I've been pouring every minute I get into more research, more training materials, more everything. At BSides I spoke about how physical security came to be a subject of public exploration in the mid-1800s and how, by 1900, it had become taboo again, perhaps even vilified.
I went through ~140 slides in ~35 minutes. It was rapid fire and got a great response from the audience. I am told that the talks were recorded, so as soon as they are available online I will let you know!
At Defcon I overfilled the room! First time that has ever happened to me. My talk on opening various locks with found objects was very well recieved. In particular there was about a 30 minute Q&A after the talk with a handful of people where I was able to discuss the backgrounds of various locksport organizations, my personal take on ethics and the quagmire of public education.
The Defcon talk was absolutely recorded, and, as with BSides, as soon as I have a link I'll post it here.
Final bit of nice news is that I've been working on a project for some folks in Australia from Learnable.com. On Thursday, Boing Boing & Gizmodo both featured a cut together video from the class I put together. Here's a direct link to the Youtube video (with a nice explanation of masterkeying!)
Oh! And I've been contributing to and enjoying the Lockpicking Sub-Reddit lately. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you are already a Redditor.
Hope you all are doing well!
