Goodbye Pyramid, Hello Display Sign

Dear readers,

It is time to say goodbye to the Pyramid of Support. It was cumbersome at best and took a while to get started on any new world. I am also never in the mood to do sandstone block square pyramid math to figure out if the pyramid has the right number of blocks on it, due to people unfollowing and un-subscribing to my channels making it more complex than it needed to be.

Fear not, my faithful supporters – your support is not in vain and you will still be rewarded for milestones. Instead, say hello to the much more efficient Supporters Sign powered by Create’s Display Board! With simple name tags that can updated in any anvil, updating the numbers is easy, and the math is simple – just addition of the two channels separate totals to get my total supporters number!

Milestones will still be celebrated by the posting of signs – so please help me get to 500 Twitch followers and 75 YouTube subscribers – they are the next two big milestones I want to achieve – and it would be awesome if we did so sooner rather than later!

Another bonus of switching to the Display Board for visually showing the totals is that next season, I will be automating it with the ComputerCraft:Tweaked mod and it’s Create addon. Yes, I will have to learn Lua between seasons (sorry, but I’m not gonna learn it on-stream), but it will reduce the work I have to do once I get it setup correctly.

I’ll be able to do more automation next season with this computer mod in the pack as well as the changes I’ve got planned for season two of Creative Engineering on both YouTube and Twitch! I will not give you any hints as which mods are staying and which mods are going and getting replaced as I want to keep that close to my chest until I am ready to start putting together the season two modpack.

Overall the Creative Engineering modpack for season one was designed for a classic flat Minecraft world, where you would need to treat every resource you could get your hands on as precious. Season two will be returning to regular world generation, and so you can guess how this might effect my choice of mods for it. I will say that Villager life and happiness will be one of the focuses of season two, but how that will affect the modpack is still in the air.

In conclusion, the move from the Pyramid of Support to the Supporters Sign represents a step toward simplicity and efficiency, both for now and as we head into the future with new tools and plans. I’m excited about what’s to come with season two of Creative Engineering—new challenges, creative opportunities, and the chance to grow this community even further.

Thank you for your continued support—it truly means the world to me. Let’s hit those next milestones together and keep building something amazing!

Swagopolis from the Sky

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Welcome to Swagopolis, my flourishing settlement in the vibrant world of Serenovia, viewed from high above! This is part of The Land of Peace modpack Beta 1.3, which I’m testing before releasing it to beta-testers. (Support my family-friendly content and gain access to the modpack by becoming a Full Member on Ko-fi!)

Nearly all of my builds have reached at least Level 3, reflecting the progress I’ve made. While I’m holding off upgrading the university until all possible Level 2 researches are completed (some of which require choosing between exclusive options), other parts of the settlement are thriving. The Library has already been upgraded to Level 2, all housing—except for one new build in the mountain and another across from the university—is at least Level 3, and the towers are now Level 2 or higher. Additionally, the courier’s hut has been upgraded from Level 2 to Level 3 since this image was captured.

My Modpacks: Updates, Insights, and Future Steps

In this week’s blog post, I’m diving into my modpacks: what they are, their current status, and when you can expect to download and play them yourself. Just to clarify, all of my modpacks are currently designed for Minecraft 1.20.1.

Before I explain my modpacks, let me explain the three statuses of modpacks and what each one is:

  • Alpha: Active development of the modpack – no private or public releases
  • Beta: Released for private testing on my Discord server (must be a Ko-fi Full Member or Twitch Subscriber to access the files and reports area), with bug fixes after they are reported. Lasts for six months.
  • Public: Released to CurseForge for anyone to download and play. Updates if game-breaking bugs are found.

My first modpack is called Peaceful Mekanism, and it is designed to help the player learn the Mekanism mod in Peaceful mode. There are no mods which do things that the Mekanism mod can do itself, even if they are late-game. It is currently in Alpha. It will be released for Beta-testing after I do a full YouTube series on it, probably after my Factorio series ends, as it will likely be completed before my Banished series is done. If you’re interested in joining the beta testing or following the development journey, make sure to check out my Discord and YouTube channels for updates!

The next modpack is called The Land of Peace and it is focused around the Minecolonies mod with ProjectE assisting (maining to provide resources that have no limit). The task of the player is to build a settlement into a thriving town in Peaceful mode. With its emphasis on creating a peaceful, thriving town, this modpack offers a unique and relaxing gameplay experience for those who enjoy building and strategizing without the pressure of hostile mobs. It is currently in Beta, although the files on the Discord don’t match what I’m currently testing as I reverted to the Beta 1.0 release with some small changes. It will be released to the public in about three months time.

My final modpack is called Creative Engineering and it’s in Alpha. This modpack is for the first season of the YouTube series of the same name, and will be changing between seasons. It will be entered into Beta after the end of the current season. Season one’s modpack is focused around surviving on a classic flat world with the assistance of mods in Peaceful mode. As the world is just four blocks deep, mining is out of the question in this modpack, and thus you will have to follow a similar process to a skyblock world, except without the fear of falling into the void to your death. Stay tuned for updates as the season unfolds and this modpack evolves in preparation for Beta!

As you can tell, I have three very different modpacks currently under development. I have not listed here the two modpacks that are already available to the public on CurseForge as they were for an earlier version of the game. I enjoy coming with new concepts for modpacks and if you have an idea, I’d love to read your idea in the comments! There are a few limitations to what I add to my modpacks like an emphasis on avoiding magic and preferring technology, and that they must be playable in Peaceful mode, so please keep that in mind when suggesting an idea. I’m looking forward to reading your ideas and exploring new possibilities together!

Hello World

Welcome to my new blog! I’m thrilled to create a dedicated space to share my thoughts, passions, and projects with all of you. From gaming adventures and tech insights to personal stories and reflections on faith, this blog will be home to it all. Stick around for fresh updates every Saturday—I can’t wait to embark on this journey together! (By the way, I’m gonna be sharing my old Ko-fi blog posts here as well, so keep an eye out for them as well!)

If there’s a topic you’d like me to cover in a future post, feel free to leave a comment below. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome! If you’d like to support me on this adventure in blogging and creating family-friendly content, you can do so via Ko-fi.

Gender in the Workplace: Personal Insights and Reflections

Welcome back to my weekly blog post. Before diving into this week’s topic, I owe you an apology for the absence of a post last week. I had the opportunity to write and schedule it earlier in the week but, regrettably, procrastination got the best of me. With that off my chest, let’s delve into this week’s discussion: gender in the workplace.

First off, I am writing this post as a firm Roman Catholic man with strongly conservative views. This background influences my perspective, so if you see anything you disagree with, at least you will understand the foundation of my beliefs and where I am coming from in my writing.

I strongly believe that there are some workplaces that should be permanently barred from either gender due to Tradition and Biblical teaching. For example, I support the exclusion of women from the priesthood and church hierarchy (deacons, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and the Pope) as set down by Church teaching and Tradition. Additionally, I would argue that military service should be reserved for men due to psychological and physical reasons.

However, this doesn’t mean that I oppose women in the workplace in general. I’ve worked with many women in various fields over the years, and I’ve generally been impressed by my female colleagues. I believe that some trades aren’t designed for a particular gender, but that’s my perspective. For women, a notable example of success in a male-dominated industry is Mary Barra, the current CEO of General Motors. She is thriving in the automotive industry, where men have traditionally dominated. Similarly, for men, Ben Carson is a role model in the medical field, an area where women have historically been the dominant force.

I think that in the construction industry, the raw building should be mostly left to men due to various factors, including:

  • Heavy materials
  • Inclement weather conditions in some parts of the country
  • Dirty conditions
  • Limited access to real washrooms, often only outhouses
  • Long hours

However, this doesn’t mean I believe women should be excluded from the construction industry. Some have proven to handle these factors (and I’ve worked with both genders who have and have not managed such conditions) so they shouldn’t be excluded just because they are women. Those who can’t handle the early stages of raw construction could still work later in the process on the interiors (flooring, insulating, drywalling, installing appliances and kitchens, etc.) or in the design and planning stages before, during, and near the end of construction.

In conclusion, gender dynamics in the workplace can be complex and multifaceted. While tradition and certain physical factors may influence opinions on specific roles, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate the unique strengths and contributions individuals bring to their professions. Many industries, such as retail and fast food, have shown that both men and women can succeed and thrive equally. By fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect, we can create workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to excel, regardless of gender.

Swag at 40: Looking Back to Look Forward

Greetings everyone! I’m Swagnilla Ice, but you can call me Nathan Pinno. I hail from the beautiful province of Alberta, Canada. Every week, I enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences here on my Ko‑fi page. This week, in celebration of reaching the big 4-0, I thought I’d take a trip down memory lane to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned over the past forty years, and share my aspirations for the future. Join me on this journey as I look back to look forward.

Looking Back: Lessons Learned

As I reflect on my life, there are some clear lessons that stand out. The most significant lesson I’ve learned is the truth about salvation. It’s a constant process that I need to work on daily. Whenever I lose focus on my walk with God, I tend to slip up and make mistakes. However, I’m immensely grateful to have a relationship with a forgiving God who supports me on this journey and walks by my side.

Another lesson I’ve learned is to be grateful for those who support me on my life’s journey. From my parents to good friends, both in real life and online, I’ve been fortunate to have people who encourage and support me. Even when the chips are down, they remind me to look up and not lose hope. I am immensely grateful for each and every one of them, including all those who support my content creation. Thank you!

A hard lesson I’ve learned over the last forty years is the importance of wisely managing my money and sticking to a budget while avoiding debt whenever possible. As a result of this lesson, I’m now enrolled in a program to pay off part of my credit card debt. If I fail to make my monthly payment even three times, serious consequences will follow. To make the most of my money every month, I need to take advantage of every free resource available to me. Given the instability of work, I must be ready to adapt and find ways to make ends meet when I don’t get the hours I need. Your support of my content creation is immensely helpful in this regard.

Another lesson I’ve learned through harsh experiences is that I’m human and mortal. Not only did I nearly die on the operating table during a transplant five years ago, but I also had my appendix removed just before it burst. These events have forced me to evaluate every decision I’ve made in my life and have made me determined to live a cleaner, healthier life, both physically and spiritually. I’m grateful for the resources I have and for my church family and priests—without them, I’d be like a boat lost at sea.

Looking Forward

As I look forward to the next decade of my life, I have several goals I aim to accomplish. The first and most important is to turn my content creation into a steady source of income. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that I can’t rely on an employer to provide consistent work. Your help and support, both financial and otherwise, are crucial for this goal. I aspire to go full-time with content creation, producing material that everyone can enjoy—be it blog posts, live streams, podcast episodes, or YouTube videos. While I’m committed to creating engaging content, I’ll still need to work outside my residence to earn a living without your support.

My second goal is more personal in nature. I want to have more days free of sin. I’ve been struggling with the same sin repeatedly, and it’s time for it to end. With God’s help and your prayers, I believe I can overcome this habit and become the man God wants me to be.

My third goal is to pay off my debt, even though it’s currently on track to be resolved through the program I’m enrolled in and the payments I’m making on my school loans. Once my debt is fully paid, I will avoid using debt to finance anything unless it’s a one-time-use gift card that doesn’t accumulate interest.

My final goal is to find stable housing—whether by buying my own home or buying/building an apartment building and renting out the other suites. This is a long-term goal since I’m currently in a year-long lease that expires next December, but it’s not cheap at $900 per month. Not having to worry about rent every month and potentially earning some rental income instead would be a huge relief for my financial situation.

Conclusion
To wrap up this post, let me say that I’ve learned many lessons over the past forty years—too many to list here. I’ve gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge over the years, but I am still willing to learn from those wiser than me. I have clear goals for the next decade of my life, and hopefully, when I write a similar post at fifty, I’ll have even better news to share about my goals and accomplishments. If God allows me to reach my fiftieth birthday, I look forward to reflecting on another decade of growth and learning.

Thank you so much for reading this blog post. Your support here on Ko‑fi (as well as YouTube, Spotify, and Twitch) means the world to me! Please consider supporting me monthly to gain access to exclusive polls and images, and to help me create more posts like this one and other content you will enjoy. May God bless you all!

True Love: A Solid Foundation for a Family

Love is often described as the cornerstone of a successful relationship. Yet, when it comes to building a family, true love serves as an even more profound foundation. As we reflect on Valentine’s Day and the significance it holds, it’s important to consider how true love shapes and nurtures the bonds that hold a family together.

I’m no expert, as I’m not married myself, but I did grow up in a household with two married parents who are still married today. Their love and commitment have shown me the power of true love and its role in creating a strong, supportive family.

The Essence of True Love

True love transcends the superficial layers of attraction and infatuation. It is the unconditional commitment to another person’s well-being and happiness. In the context of a family, true love involves the selfless acts of kindness, support, and sacrifice that create a nurturing environment for everyone involved.

Building Trust and Communication

One of the key elements of true love is trust. Trust is the bedrock upon which strong family relationships are built. When family members trust each other, they feel secure and supported, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings openly. Effective communication further strengthens these bonds, allowing for healthy conflict resolution and mutual understanding.

Fostering Emotional Resilience

Families face numerous challenges, from financial pressures to health issues. True love equips family members with the emotional resilience needed to navigate these difficulties together. By standing by each other through thick and thin, family members develop a sense of unity and strength that helps them overcome any obstacle.

Biblical Examples of True Love

The Bible offers profound examples of true love that can inspire and guide us in our family relationships. One of the most significant examples is God’s love for humanity. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This ultimate act of sacrificial love serves as a model for the selflessness and commitment we should strive for within our families.

Another example is the love between Ruth and Naomi. Ruth’s loyalty and dedication to her mother-in-law, even after the loss of her husband, demonstrate the power of unwavering love and support. Ruth 1:16-17 captures this beautifully: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.”

Modeling Healthy Relationships

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in modeling true love for their children. When children witness their parents exhibiting genuine affection, respect, and partnership, they learn valuable lessons about what it means to love and be loved. These lessons become the foundation upon which children build their own future relationships.

Creating a Legacy of Love

True love within a family extends beyond the immediate household. It creates a ripple effect that influences future generations. By fostering an environment of love, trust, and support, families can create a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit their descendants for years to come.

Conclusion

As we reflect on Valentine’s Day, let us remember that true love is not just about grand gestures and romantic moments. It is about the everyday acts of kindness, patience, and understanding that build a solid foundation for a family. For a deeper exploration of this theme, you can listen to my podcast episode on the Sacrament of Matrimony, where I discuss how the sacrament strengthens family bonds and exemplifies true love. In nurturing true love within our families, we create a haven of warmth and security where every member can thrive.

Why An Authorized Pokemon Mod for Minecraft is Needed

I enjoy Minecraft (well, modded at least, but you get the point). I also enjoy Pokémon—I remember playing one of the handheld games as a child. I won against the Elite Four and the Champion on my GameBoy Color, and I enjoyed playing the version that was set in the Orre region, though I never finished it. Imagine if you could enjoy aspects of Pokémon in Minecraft safely and legally—what adventures could you come up with, and what sorts of battles you could have, both against wild Pokémon and in multiplayer, against other trainers! You could build your own Pokémon center—make it as big as you wanted, as long as you had the materials! You could maybe even challenge gyms that spawned in villages and earn a unique reward when you won—or even a badge toward a bigger battle with the ultimate reward. The possibilities would be nearly endless!

The history of unauthorized Pokémon mods goes back a few years. The first unauthorized Pokémon mod, Pixelmon, did not have a good reputation with the community at large due to hidden code that allowed the developers to shut down servers that didn’t follow their rules—not Mojang’s or The Pokémon Company’s, but theirs. Due to this, and their use of copyrighted materials such as sounds and images, the developers were sent a cease and desist letter from Mojang in 2017, which they complied with. However, the mod has been revived several times since then by others after the base code was leaked. Pixelmon Reforged, Pixelmon Generations, and Cobblemon are three more unauthorized Pokémon mods for Minecraft, but sooner or later, I bet that Nintendo and/or The Pokémon Company will move to shut them down to protect their intellectual property, which they need to do in order to safeguard it.

I believe there is a way to get an authorized Pokémon mod for Minecraft. Yes, monetization is a factor that would appeal to Nintendo and The Pokémon Company (as they are both driven by profit), but I don’t think it should be the key aspect. Instead, an authorized mod would help their companies stay relevant and open Pokémon up to people who have never heard of the anime, games (both card and video), or manga. There could even eventually be a Pokémon World Championship tournament like there was in the anime—imagine seeing someone acknowledged as the best player of the game! Right now, this is impossible with the mods not being authorized. Additionally, an authorized mod could be trusted by the community to not have malicious code that would harm your game, and it would be compatible with the version it was designed for.

Personally, I will only ever support an authorized version of Pokémon as a mod for Minecraft and not include it in my Minecraft video series until this is accomplished. This aligns with my goals of making my content both family-friendly and ethical. I use tools like the YouTube Audio Library and Content ID to ensure that I am compliant with copyright at all times in my productions. If I’m uncertain about whether or not I can include something, I keep it out. For example, I encountered issues with copyright using Pretzel Rocks for my livestreams to provide background music, so I decided to stop using it. I’d rather use the normal Minecraft music (which I know is safe to use) than deal with the hassle of copyright claims on my livestream VODs. I have chosen in the past not to post videos when they went against these principles, and I will do so again in the future—you can count on it!

Once again, I call for an authorized Pokémon mod for Minecraft—just imagine the possibilities and how it could extend the shelf life of both games with such support! An official mod would not only ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for players but also foster a thriving community of Pokémon and Minecraft fans. It would open up new creative and competitive opportunities, from building intricate Pokémon-themed structures to participating in epic battles and tournaments. By supporting an authorized mod, we can encourage Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to collaborate with Mojang and bring this dream to life. Together, let’s advocate for a mod that respects intellectual property, enhances our gaming adventures, and paves the way for even greater innovations in the future. Join me in this call to action, and let’s make our voices heard!

February Fun: My Exciting Plans and Projects

Hey everyone!

I’d like to kick off this blog post by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for all the support you showed me in January. Whether you tuned in to my Twitch livestreams or subscribed to my YouTube channel, your support truly means the world to me. Last month, I created some amazing content, including launching the Pyramid of Support and continuing my survival adventures in a flat world in modded Minecraft during every livestream.

This month, I have some fantastic content lined up for you. Alongside releasing new episodes of my Factorio, Banished, and Creative Engineering series on YouTube, I’ll continue my flatworld survival series in modded Minecraft live on Twitch. Of course, I might switch things up with different games for a change of pace!

I’m also keeping up with the challenges I started in January. If I don’t receive at least one subscription on Twitch during a stream, there won’t be a raid. Plus, my subgoal challenge remains: I’ll stream for three hours per session unless five new subscribers join before time is up—then, I’ll stream for an extra hour. If you reach the goal before the two-hour mark, I’ll take a short break; otherwise, I’ll skip it.

With both St. Valentine’s Day and my 40th birthday this month, you might expect some bonus content—and you’d be partially correct! I’m planning a birthday celebration stream for the day closest to February 21st (a Friday), depending on my work schedule. To stay updated on the details, make sure to join my Discord community. As for Valentine’s Day, I don’t have anything special planned since I’m single and don’t particularly care for the holiday.

Currently, I am not planning any extra content for YouTube, though I may dedicate an episode or two of my podcast, ‘A Few Moments with God,’ to topics related to these special days.

Here on Ko-fi, I already have a plan for next week’s blog post. I’ll be exploring the meaning of sentient life and discussing what I believe should and should not be classified as such. Stay tuned to read that post and other exciting content here! If you have a topic you’d like me to write about or cover on my podcast, please feel free to suggest it in the comments or via my Discord. I’d love to see your ideas!

Thank you all so much for your continued support and enthusiasm. Your engagement and encouragement keep me motivated and inspired to create and share content. I can’t wait to see what February has in store for us. Stay awesome, and I’ll catch you in the next post or stream!

First Hires First: Prioritizing Roles for Growth

Ladies and gentlemen, people of all ages, I invite you to read this post today as I explain how and when I plan to expand from a one-person operation to a dedicated team. My goal is to continue providing the family-friendly, Christian content you expect while ensuring that the quality only gets better.

The way I plan to expand is simple: For every multiple of two thousand five hundred Canadian dollars (C$2,500) in monthly income, I will hire a new full-time team member. For the first milestone (reaching C$2,500 in income per month), I will be hiring myself to do this content creation gig full-time.

As I get closer to that milestone, I will be focusing more and more on content creation and less on working outside of my home. Right now, most of my time is spent working outside to pay my bills and creating content around my job, but as I get more support, that will change.

At the C$5,000 milestone, I will hire a graphics designer to help me out. Their job will be to design all the images—from new art for merchandise and creator cards to thumbnails for YouTube videos. If it needs an image, that person will be responsible for creating it and then getting my approval of the final design.

At the C$7,500 milestone, I will hire an editor to join the team. This person will be responsible for turning my raw recordings and raw Twitch VOD content into final videos for release on my YouTube channel. Their duties will also include moderating my Twitch channel and Discord server to ensure a family-friendly atmosphere is maintained.

Starting at the C$10,000 milestone, I will begin to hire a group of people aimed at putting together bigger projects, such as the dream video project I outlined a few weeks ago. The first among them will be researchers to help me write my podcast episodes and non-gaming YouTube video scripts. From there, I will continue to hire as my business needs and as I can afford them.

In conclusion, planning to expand my team is not just about growing my business, but also about enhancing the quality and diversity of the content I provide. Every milestone represents a step towards a more dynamic and creative future, one that allows me to focus on what I love most: creating meaningful, family-friendly, and Christian content for you all. 

While I don’t know if I’ll be a perfect boss, I have learned in my life so far what I don’t want to be as a boss, and I am committed to fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Your support is what makes this journey possible, and I am incredibly grateful for it. Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being a part of this exciting adventure!