Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday June 12, 2026 - “Chillin' & Grillin' ” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Another week has come and gone and not a lot of progress made, for reasons that have more to do with conflicting priorities than actual laziness. Simply put, personal errands and a trip to the doctor's cut into what I had scheduled for the day, and the rhythm for getting things done fell off.

The good news is I hit my weight loss goals (within 4 lbs.) and all vitals came back great.

The not-so-good news is there hasn't been much activity on the job hunt. A couple of rejections, but otherwise .. barely a whisper.

Critical issue is not knowing where the money for next month is going to come from.

MONDAY

Affirmation: DON'T LET EXCUSES STEAL YOUR POTENTIAL

Another gem from Jim Rohn. When you make excuses, you chip away at your potential to the point you have nothing left.

Small daily habits done consistently over time lead to success.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: DISCIPLINE IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Build trust in yourself by keeping your word. Do the thing you set out to do. Wake up early, get sh** done, make sh** happen, reflect on what worked and where to improve, then repeat.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: GEN-X GETS IT DONE!!

Went to the doctor's so not much to write about to day. Focused on Pen Test afterwards.

UPDATE - Had a stellar visit the the Nurse Practitioner (not quite doctor) and she was cool. Nearly hit my weight goal and all vitals look good. Scheduled a follow-up for July and might need a dental visit soon.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS .. REBUILD!!

For personal and professional reasons, this applies.

FRIDAY

Affirmation: THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS IS NOT IN SEEKING MORE, BUT IN DEVELOPING THE CAPACITY TO ENJOY LESS - Socrates

• Simplicity: Socrates emphasized that true happiness comes from appreciating what we have rather than constantly seeking more.
• Self-Control: Happiness is achievable through rational control over desires and focusing on the soul rather than material possessions.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Grateful for another solid week of learning, doing, and growing.
2. Grateful to be going to my doctor's (PCP) finally, after waiting for so long.
3. Grateful for an amazing health result. The months of consistent working out, eating clean, and sleeping well are paying off.

What We Loved

1. Wraith.sh is really fun

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Cloud Pen Testing - Google Cloud [Status: TO DO!] | Azure [Status: TO DO!]
2. INNER WORK [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week. I keep sleeping on this.
3. Task [Status: TO DO!] {statement}

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IN PROGRESS

4. Android PT - HexTree [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Android Bindermodule .. working through it.
5. Web App PT - Started on Etsy [Status: TEMP BLOCKED!] Had to rebuild Kali .. In looking to make room on my machine, I may have indirectly deleted a dependency tied to the machine.
6. QA DAY - "SevereQA" business idea [Status: TO DO!!] Writing up the business plan and how to use agents.
7. Writing - "Husb" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Didn't get to it. Saving it for the weekend.
8. READ Finish reading "Zorro" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Almost finished with Part-III.

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DONE

10. Substack Account [Status: DONE!] Profile finished; Article Published; Posted to Linked In: weak engagement.
11. AI/LLM Pen Testing - Wraith.sh [Status: 90% DONE!] Module-2: Indirect Prompt Injection .. not finished. Can't get the flag, and I need to finish the questions.
12. QA DAY - Playwright CLI [Status: BLOCKED!] // Appium Practice - iOS & Android [Status: DONE!]
13. Web App PT - Pinterest [Status: BLOCKED!] Still no resolution.
14. Google Project Management [Status: NOT DOING!!] At $49 / mo. not worth the time .. for now.

What We Longed For

1. A security consulting job.
2. More time. This week was an absolute bust. I don't think I got anything done, and only filed 2 job applications.

What We Loathed

1. 2026 Job Market .. bad keeps getting worse!

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday June 5, 2026 - “Summer Lovin' ” Ed.

Highlights for the week

The idea of the "Golden Bhudda" rings ever true. Why work so hard to be someone ideal, when it was inside you all along. You just have to chip away at the bs, the trauma, the hurts, and all the behaviors that have got in your way.

June 6th makes 12 months since my last paycheck. It's been an instructive year. A necessary year. And a self-improving year. I don't miss the day-to-day commute to work, or the stress of dealing with management. I do miss pay and benefits. SI lost a couple of big fish this week so I don't feel too bad about losing my job. I do miss the work. Consulting is where I see myself. In the meantime, I keep applyin', and I keep tryin', but the man keeps denyin' me.

MONDAY

Affirmation: GET S** DONE, MAKE S** HAPPEN!

Completed my assessment for the year. Still so much to learn, but I've made great strides. The negative self-talk has improved. As has the areas where I failed at SI. By slowly building out the new microhabits, I'm overwriting the old ones. Consistency is key, and disciplined action is how I've been living. I will keep working hard at being 1% better ever .. single .. day.

I've reset my standards, and since BVI, have made every effort to live by them. Small daily decisions done consistency that move me towards my purpose.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: I CAN DO ALL THINGS IN HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH

Philippians 4:15; Love this quote. The days are going by so fast, and I don't have much more positive news on the job front. Should I even bother starting my own business?

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: THAT WHICH WAS MEANT FOR YOU SHALL NOT PASS YOU BY!

Not a lot got done today. Did finally get around to working with my son on his learning. Making great progress in Spanish. Started the AI Pen Test module #2.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: "MAKE THE DECISION AT YOUR STRONGEST, EXECUTE EVEN AT YOUR WEAKEST" - D. Goggins

Heard the great pod from Goggins. The one thing he said (of many things) was that the mind is your ally, and enemy. It will betray you when you are at your weakest by allowing you to slip in to comfort. Negotiating for rest over work. Doing what feels safe over what stretches you. And it will replay all your failings as a reminder of where the dragons are. That's when you have to override that voice with a stronger voice that says, "not today, bitch! ... QUIT? Not today, bitch! Skip the workout? Not today, bitch!"

FRIDAY

Affirmation: BE MORE AWESOME!!

Your brain keeps showing you the fails. Use it as a learning tool. Study the pattern, fix yourself, and RISE!! Healing has been the major factor.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Grateful to have had these past 12 months to really truly explore what I want for myself and my professional career.
2. Grateful for the wisdom and guidance to have been able to mentor others. Met some great people and hope to land a mentor soon.
3. Grateful for the family. Always, it's about being stronger together.
4. Grateful to be living my truth and keeping to my standards: Staying focused; Keeping faithful; Honoring my family; And now to fix my finanances; So I might find fulfilment.

What We Loved

1. Chill week, so I'm always loving the discipline and dedication to get 1% better every single day.

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Project Management [Status: TO DO!!] Thinking about this a lot.
2. INNER WORK [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week. I keep sleeping on this.
3. QA DAY - "SevereQA" business idea [Status: TO DO!!] Writing up the business plan and how to use agents.
4. Cloud Pen TestingGoogle Cloud [Status: TO DO!] | Azure [Status: TO DO!]

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IN PROGRESS

1. Web App PT - Pinterest [Status: BLOCKED!] Still no resolution
2. QA DAY - Playwright CLI [Status: BLOCKED!] Ran through my tokens and have to wait for June to reset.
3. AI/LLM Pen Testing - Wraith.sh [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Module-2: Indirect Prompt Injection .. not finished.
4. Cloud Pen Testing - AWS [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Didn't get to it this week.
5. Android PT - HexTree [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Android Bindermodule .. working through it.
6. READ Finish reading "Zorro" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Almost finished with Part-III.
7. Writing - "Husb" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Didn't get to it. Saving it for the weekend.
8. Side Hustle Substack Account [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Near-complete. Lots of distractions this week.

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DONE

1. Appium w. Python - Practice [Status: DONE!]. Resolved the blocker issue with iOS and finished some simple tests.




What We Longed For

1. A great job in consulting.



What We Loathed

1. The job market in 2026. As of this writing, well over 1 Million jobs lost, including 70,000 in IT. And the layoffs keep happening.

2025 - 2026 UNEMPLOYMENT YEAR IN REVIEW

THE CURRENT JOB SITUATION FOR 2026

To date:

• Number of jobs applied to: 371
• Number of interviews: 0
• Number of referrals used: 2
• Number of rejections: 86
• Number of non-responses: 132

CONCLUSION

So far, the job market in 2026 is a disaster. AI is just the excuse for executive mismanagement. It is all "right-sizing" to return employee headcount to a proper level.

Linked in, Indeed and most of the other job boards just don't work anymore.

Referrals only get you so far.

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THE GOALS FOR 2026 .. and beyond!!

1. Certification Path: eJPT → PNPT → OSCP → CISSP Total Cost: $3500 (as of this writing)
2. Employment Ideal: Security Consultant at Mandiant (or a similar company)
3. Employment Alternative: Purple Team - but I have to get fluid with Blue Team.
4. Employment Alternative 2: QA Consultant using AI to spearhead testing efficiencies in Fiverr.
5. Continued Writing - Get published by year's end, or come close to it

Best to remember that, a mistake repeated more than twice is a habit. And we need to replace bad habits with good ones.

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PERSONAL ASSESSMENT | JUNE 2025 - JUNE 2026

This time last year, we were handed our hat at Secure Ideas and shown the door. It has been 12 months since and this assessment will assess how much we've progressed since our "untimely departure". The question to answer: What kind of person must I become to achieve all that I want?

In 2025, You were terminated from employment due to performance issues and falling well-below expectations for the role.

QUESTION The problem was your company never properly assessed your current level and proper course. How have you corrected that?

ANSWER I have been consistent in addressing shortcomings. The list is as follows:

• AI SEC. Working through the modules on https://wraith.sh ... so much fun!!
• CLOUD SEC. Currently working through learning Cloud Security. An area that I have no interest in.
• MOBILE SEC. Also learning about mobile pen testing on Android .. a deep dive using a module I found online .. and it is free!
• NETWORK SEC. I was weak at Network Pen Testing, so I completed a course with TCM and learned more in three weeks than I had the entire time at SI. [TASK: Need more practice and will renew my HTB subscription when money gets right]
• API SEC.I was weak with API Pen Testing, so I completed a course with API Sec and gained far more insight to OWASP TOP 10 For API, learned new tools to use. I would love a Pro license to really improve. This was where I severly lacked.
• WEB APP SEC. I was improving with reporting, but I have since conducted several pen tests (really bug bounties) and leveraged AI to improve my writing skills. My reports have improved as well. Proud of their quality. You also recognized where you bombed from a component testing pov and have made great strides in improving.
• VOLUNTEERING Had the opportunity to work with BSidesNYC last year. Not a lot of opportunities have presented themselves. Still early in the year.
• BLOGGING Been steady with this. Might move to Substack.
• MENTORING Had mentees come and go. Such is the nature of work.

WINS

Overall, I feel I possess the personability to make consultancy a viable career path the rest is fixable. Failure has been the greatest teacher, but it does not define me.

OPPORTUNITIES

Still looking to maintain consistency and discipline with my day-to-day habits. Below are some areas where I still need to improve:

CONTINUED PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

I will endeavor to continue working on myself in the following manner:

1. Continue to exhibit extreme levels of integrity through consistent actions done daily.
2. Strive to be reliable; the person they can count on.
3. Strive for Excellence .. At all times, in all ways, with the people that matter most.
4. Be diligent, disciplined, and dedicated.
5. Be passionate and positive .. the anchor in the storm.
6. Continue to work on contributing and to learn from others.

CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. I will continue my endeavors and practice more. Learn from where I failed and keep celebrating the wins.
2. I will work hard to stay faithful to my personal standards and be 1% better every single day.
3. On more than one occassion I failed to live up to the expectations put forth by my job. A mistake I will never make again now that I have a renewed set of standards to live up.
4. Did I produce excellent work? No. But I am working at making sure this never happens again. 100% maximum effort every day.
5. Next opportunity, I will work to ask better questions and be more vocal when needs are not met. This was a huge problem at SI .. the absolute lack of onboarding and no one training me.

ADD VALUE TO THE MARKETPLACE

1. Articulate my value by continuing to learn and grow, personally and professionally.
2. I will strive to keep doing high-value work, and spend time on the work that moves me forward .. like reading more.

IMPROVE NETWORKING

1. I need to work on connecting with the right people, not just collecting Linked In invites.
2. I should reach out to my network on Ln more. Seems like everyone is heads-down doing their own thing.
3. As someone who has trust issues, and has been burned by 2 mentors, I don't see myself looking to land another one any time soon.

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday May 30, 2026 - “Memorial Week” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Gloomy start to the week. Cold, gray, and lots of rain which gave way to a gorgeous sunny day. The perfect metaphor for how things, including this unemployment, will turn around for the better.

This is another banger of a quote from Simon Sinek, "Leadership isn’t about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge." -- it might just reshape my approach to leadership. I've always been the person to take on the lead of a project. I was a Maitre D' at HTH, then later a personnel manager. I've been in lead roles more time than I care and all it taught me was that you have 2 bosses: the people you report to, and your subordinates. You have to keep both happy to keep your job. So annoying!!

MONDAY

Affirmation: INCOMPETENCE SHPULD NOT BE REWARDED WITH BLIND LOYALTY " - Lord Vary , GOT

Given the current state of the job market, and the toxicity of the workplace, one can only wonder what the new expectations are when the trust between employer and employee has been irrevocably severed.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR WHY YOU BECOME UNSHAKEABLE - S. Sinek

One of the greatest pearls of wisdom from listening to the video this morning, during my workout, was this statement: "Failure is the raw material success is made from." My entire life, from high school sports, to college, and beyond, I've always felt like a failure. I drifted from job to job with no real sense of purpose. Now I'm learning, you have to fail 9 times to get to the 1 success. The key is to NOT repeat the same failures but rather learn from them. And if a new one presents itself, embrace it. Recognize it as your instructor. I should learn to ask myself: What is it teaching me? or What could I have done better?.

In the end, failure doesn't define you ... it refines you.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: POSITIVITY IS DISCIPLINED MOVING TOWARDS PURPOSE

Small, daily habits done consistently over time. Strength, optimism, and presence.

What you tell yourself daily. What you commit to. Stay rooted, even when it is hard.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: LIFE IS A MIRROR NOT A WINDOW

Your world is a reflection of who you are. You can choose accept it or you can change it.

There are times when thoughts of her enter my mind and I think - "what if" - but then I laugh because we just weren't going to make it. The fantasy of who she was is not the reality of who she is. She's a cat person, I love dogs. She's jewish, I'm far from it. Our cultures are way off. And for all I know, she would be a bad cook. Or not, who knows. I am just so grateful for God bringing her into my life and teaching me what love feels like. And I realize now that she was just one of many incidents that were a reflection of what I wanted.

Fast-forward to now, my unemployment situation is trash, my marriage is at an amicable stand-still in the romance deptartment, and the world doesn't make sense.

FRIDAY

Affirmation: THE PERSON YOU WANT TO STRIVE TO BECOME IS THE PERSON YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN!

As I was cleaning the apartment, I was listening to a brilliant podcast and there was a mention of the Golden Bhudda. The story was that to protect it from thieves, the citizens of the town where it sat covered the statue in dirt. When theievs and passers-by looked on, all they saw was a mound of dirt. Centuries passed and the dirt hardened. One day someone accidentally chipped a corner of the mound and found a bit of gold shining through.

The metaphor: There's a lot a good man (like me) has to chip away at to get to the gold that lies underneath. There is gold within me, just have to overcome the traumas, heal the hurts, and stay consistent and true to my values. So far, so good!

What We’re Grateful For

1. Grateful for another awesome week of working out, staying healthy, sleeping well, and eating clean.
2. Grateful for listening to a ton of motivational podcasts and videos. The lessons are the blessing.
3. Grateful for a loving family ... the only thing that really matters in this insane world.

What We Loved

1. Outside of not working, loved everything about staying faithful, staying focused, and remaining true to myself. Even when the temptations are everywhere.

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Project Management [Status: TO DO!!] Thinking about this a lot.
2. INNER WORK [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week. I keep sleeping on this.
3. QA DAY - "SevereQA" business idea [Status: TO DO!!] Writing up the business plan and how to use agents.
4. Cloud Pen TestingGoogle Cloud [Status: TO DO!] | Azure [Status: TO DO!]

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IN PROGRESS

1. Web App PT - Pinterest [Status: BLOCKED!] Both test accounts got suspended by Pinterest Admin. Submitted a ticket to BC Support team.
2. QA DAY - Playwright CLI [Status: BLOCKED!] Ran through my tokens and have to wait for June to reset.
3. AI/LLM Pen Testing - Wraith.sh [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Completed M1. On to M2
4. Cloud Pen Testing - AWS [Status: IN PROGRESS!!]
5. Android PT - HexTree [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Working through Android Intent Module. Staring on Android Bindermodule.
6. READ Finish reading "Zorro" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Almost finished with Part-III ... need to make time to get this done.
7. Writing - "Husb" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] On my list for Saturday (5/30).
8. Side Hustle Substack Account [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Near-complete. Will port over my Medium content soon enough.

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DONE

1. Appium w. Python - Practice [Status: DONE!]. The app is straight forward on android; blocked on iOS.



What We Longed For

1. A good job, with great people, making decent money, doing something enjoyable .. QA Engineer or Security.
2. Lack of certifications are impacting my job prospects so we can declare certifications a lack.



What We Loathed

1. Six months into 2026 and there have already been 240k layoffs. More on the way.

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday May 22, 2026 - “Manifesting a Soggy Dollar” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Kicking off another great week to cherish and be grateful. The idea of starting a business is taking root. If not a Tiki Bar, Testing-as-a-service / Freelance. Anything to escape the idea of depending on an employer for a living. It's gross.

The theme of manifesting "Soggy Dollar" at BVI stems from my computer's wallpaper. But more importantly, it's about manifesting succcess, prosperity, financial stability, and both personal and professional growth.

MONDAY

Affirmation: YOU ARE NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU. YOU ARE WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO BE - JIM ROHN

The grind continues. Got up early, welcomed the day, crushed at the gym, and celebrated wins.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: STAY FAITHFUL

Quiet day. The job I wanted didn't want me. Dedicated the day to closing out old jobs and finishing lingering work.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: LIFE DOESNT BREAK PEOPLE. WEAK THINKING DOES! - JIM ROHN

Find comfort in doing the hard things. If you fail, ask:

• What did this teach me?
• Where did I struggle?
• What can I do better?

THURSDAY

Affirmation: NO DAYS OFF!!

Show up > Give it 100% > Get it Done! > Celebrate the Win.

FRIDAY

Affirmation: Nonce

Another blesssed week. Still no job to speak of, but learning a lot and making new connections.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Another brilliant week with good health and wellbeing.
2. Grateful to have the chance to learn new things and grow as a person.
3. Grateful for another solid workout. Feeling the progress .. t-shirts feel tighter!

What We Loved

1. As always ... happiness is a full fridge, warm meal, a comfy bed, and harmony in the home.

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Project Management [Status: TO DO!!] Thinking about this a lot.
2. INNER WORK [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week. I keep sleeping on this.

3. ---

   IN PROGRESS

4. AI/LLM Pen Testing - Wraith.sh [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Completed the Intro. Module. Need to start on the prompt injection vuln module (M1)
5. Finish reading "Zorro" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] Started on Part-III
6. Writing - "Husb" [Status: IN PROGRESS!!] I finished the scene where Diamondback was shot down and about to be tortured; need to expand on it a litt more.

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DONE

7. WebApp Pen Test - MyFitnessPal [Status: DONE!] Since I don't know when I will get to the mobile apps, I figured to finish the web app pt report and write a follow up a.s.a.p.
8. [QA DAY] Demoblaze on mobile device w. Playwright [Status: DONE!!]
9. [QA DAY] Appium refresher w. Python [Status: DONE!] 4hr battle with android bringing the environment up to current; iOS is failing to launch at the moment.

What We Longed For

1. Employment .. of any kind. Preferably in

What We Loathed

1. The layoffs are not even at the end of the begininning. It's getting really bad in 2026. I'm beginning to question my career choices.

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday May 15, 2026 - “Keeping The Faith & Winning The Race” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Not a lot of wins. The unemployment stats are lies. The job search process is fundamentally broken. When applicants do apply, there are AI pre-screeners that effectively knock out 90% of applicants before a human has even had the chance to look at it. When they do, another set of biases are employed to whittle down the number of candidates to single digits. Then, the games really begin. I have to believe countries on the other side of the globe are getting first dibs on all the postings. By the time I get to it, 200 applicants will have already beaten me to the punch. And if the screening process is to accept the first 50, I'm cooked!

I asked Google Gemini the following: To date, what has been the total number of tech layoffs? And given the number of people going through long-term unemployment, along with those who have given up, what is the most accurate figure that truly represents the current job market?. It answered with a verbose posting, but the short-version: The U-6 Unemployment Rate: 8.2% ... yay!

Looming is the threat of a Hanta Virus outbreak. Will we go on lockdown? Probably not. But that was the same circumstance in November of 2019, before we were forced in.

MONDAY

Affirmation: SUCCESS IS NOT ABOUT MEETING SOMEONE ELSE’S EXPECTATIONS. IT’S ABOUT LIVING UP TO YOURS

I hate when wife and I yell at each other. Worse still, I hate letting myself get to the point where I'm yelling. I'm just tired of being beaten up over and over for the same issues of the past.

Yes! I've stumbled and made a lot of mistakes but I am NOT a loser. I am just in a weird quandry. I have to heal from the hurts and retrain the brain for success. Work in progress for sure!

Sidebar: Didn't make much progress with Android .. the application used in the module is failing. Will probably have to go through the lessons as a spectator.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: WHEN LIFE CAN NO LONGER THREATEN YOU WITH DEATH, WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

Don't let fear keep you from your potential. Don't let failure compound to the point you sabotage your dreams and relationships. Move anyway! Take the risk! Apply for the job! Ask her out!

It pays to be patient. Took a second look at the module and had missed something I didn't see yesterday. After slowing the video down several times, I caught what I was doing wrong and made the adjustment.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: A SAFE MAN IS GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES, BUT ...

He is going to take accountability for his actions. What makes him safe is his willingness and commitment to repair and grow when challenged to be the best man he can be.

Big wins today as we learned more about android pen testing using Frida-Trace to understand how to hack button interactions on a native app.

More wins as teaching my son Spanish is progressing at a good pace.

Had a tremendous heart-to-heart with him at the gym. We dropped the ball on Mother's Day, but finances aren't there to have done more. We have got to fix this!!

The Pen Test for MFP has taken a back seat for the android learning. TBH, the website was ok, but it's the app that has me intrigued. Not a total waste, but I've let the report fall behind intended schedule. FML!!

THURSDAY

Affirmation: MAKE IT OK TO FAIL!

Anything worth doing is worth doing right, as we have been taught. But if you were never taugjt, keep doing it until you get it right. (Les Brown)

FRIDAY

Affirmation: WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO - [LUKE 12:34

And what a perfect way to close out the week.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Another wonderful week
2. Having the opportunity to see my mother on Mother's Day.
3. Enjoying the small wins, starting with sleeping well, getting up ahead of schedule, and crushing it.
4. Bonding with my son has been awesome.
5. Doing the inner work, even a little bit at a time, and healing the trauma. The inner dialog has been all positive.

What We Loved

1. Spending time with Mom, even for a little bit.
2. Hitting my goals for the week.
3. Feeling more at peace spiritually and mentally.

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Project Management [Status: TO DO!!] Thinking about this a lot.
2. AI Pen Testing [Status: TO DO!!] I created the account for https://wraith.sh/academy and it looks amazing!!
3. INNER WORK [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week.
4. Finish reading "Zorro" [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week.
5. Android Pen Test - MFP [Status: TO DO!!] Rollover from last week ... momentum was derailed.

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IN PROGRESS

6. HexTree Android PT - Dynamic Intstrumentation [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Wrote scripts to call functions and record actions (trace).

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DONE

7. Playwright CLI [Status: DONE!] Refactored my test framework and added chaos testing for web and APIs. +500 tests in 1 week.

What We Longed For

1. At this point, a consulting job, preferably in pen testing. Will accept QA Engineerign for the right salary.

What We Loathed

1. The Job Market in 2026. Beginning to think I may have made the wrong career choice.

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday May 8, 2026 - "The 4th Is With Us .. Always" Ed.

Highlights for the week

A great quote from Andy Stumph, former Navy Seal and author of "Drown Proof", "WHAT YOU ALLOW IN YOUR PRESENCE IS YOUR STANDARD"

MONDAY

Affirmation: PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, AND POSITIVITY

Avoiding discomfort doesn't protect you; it hollows you out. As I keep hearing from so many motivational speakers, you need to go outside of your comfort zone. The land of familiarity belongs to the dead.

The 4th is here and gave myself a little chance to nerd out with "Maul: Shadow Lord" and holy jeebus was it a great episode.

Spent the better part of the day on continued learning for reverse engineering android apps. It's really about knowing how to read the code and where to look for the treasure. Brilliant program!!

TUESDAY

Affirmation: YOU HAVE COME BACK POWER

Another great quote I hear often, "a setback is a setup for a comeback." Lord knows I need this. The family needs me to prosper.

Nothing got done today on account of personal priorities. We had Cinco De Mayo to attend to, so pen test and HexTree are 1 day behind.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: COMMIT TO THE HOPE OF TOMORROW, NOT THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST

Don't wallow in yesterday's bad .. live hopeful and joyous for tomorrow. That's where the promise of your best self lives. So don't carry old baggage into new beginnings. Learn, don't repeat, and keep moving. Love this!

Spent the better part of the day with the Android modules. Some are pretty challenging. The videos move fast, but the learning is enjoyable.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: IN LIFE, YOU DONT GET WHAT YOU WANT, YOU GET WHAT YOU ARE

Ooof .. this one hits hard. Something I've been meaning to correct for the past 25 years is the idea of who I should be. But as I learned the previous day, dwelling on the mistakes is what's kept me down all these years; repeating the same patterns and never learning. So the larger question is, who will I become, and what will be the outcome?

FRIDAY

Affirmation: VIEW YOURSELF AS THE ARCHITECT OF YOUR LIFE

A perfect plan executed poorly is going to deliver garbage .. words to live by as I close out the week. Hit a lot of my goals ... yay!!

What We’re Grateful For

1. Grateful that I have another week of good health and good vibes.
2. Grateful to have the medical insurance that covered my blood work. The results came back favorable.
3. Grateful to be closer to my weight loss goal. Turns out the muscles gained might be adding weight, which is why I've not come close to my goal.
4. Grateful to be with a wonderful family.

What We Loved

1. Hitting my goals, especially with learning more about android reverse engineering.
2. Learning AI + QA. The skill to automate using AI reduced overall setup time from weeks down to hours.

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Project Management [Status: TO DO!!] Thinking about this a lot.
2. INNER WORK [Status: TO DO!!] Adding this entry to the list for future use.
3. Finish reading "Zorro" [Status: TO DO!!] Maybe this weekend we'll finish the section I'm on ... maybe
4. AI Pen Testing [Status: TO DO!!] Referred to an interesting framework to playwith ... courtesy of a connection on Linked In.
5. Android Pen Test - MFP [Status: TO DO!!] Need to find a AVD compatible with the app that can be rooted.

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IN PROGRESS

6. Android PT (Hextree) App Module: Reverse Engineering 2 [Status: Done!] Learned how to read through the code with jadx and add a custom class.
7. "Husb" - Chapter "Time for Monsters, Pt. 1" - [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Working through a small section about Husb's wife and son in the natural. Six and Jessica need to find Diamondback.

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DONE

8. Web Pen Test - MFP [Status: DONE!] Report is late. Acceptable due to delay in installing app in emulator.
9. QA DAY: [Status: DONE!] Learned how to use Playwright CLI to set up a fully fleshed out test harness. After the refactor, total was 4 hours.
10. Android PT (Hextree) App Module: Advanced Reverse Engineering [Status: DONE!] Was able to complete some labs (get flags), but others were not working to spec.

What We Longed For

1. A great job, working on cool things, with amazing people, for good pay and benefits. In other words, something like Google Mandiant Security Consultant.

What We Loathed. The layoffs are not stopping anytime soon.

1. 2026 Job Market
2. Late rejections for jobs I don't remember applying to.