I'm Joshua M. Hanson. I reside in Rochester, MN, with my beautiful wife, two sons, one dog and a brand new kitten. Currently working at the Mayo Clinic as a Senior Software Engineer.

I've been programming computers since 1987 when I wrote my first Atari 400 basic program. War Games had just come out and the kids on the block were convinced that I was hacking government systems. I was not of course simply moving to a different screen after entering a fake name and password.

Once we got a computer with a modem we were the first people on the block to have Sierra Online. Leisure Suit Larry was the considered controversial at the time if only they could have predicted where that would go, lol. Duke Nukem 3D came out in 1994 and we were building our own levels playing multiplayer 1v1 online and 4v4 at LAN parties.

When I was not writing code and playing video games I was outside. We lived on a couple acres just outside of city limits. Every kid in the surrounding area had 3-wheelers (4-wheelers after those were invented), dirtbikes, and snowmobiles. When we wanted to go to town it was bmx bike or skateboard. My buddy Corey had a 12' vert ramp in his parents backyard and a 3' mini-ramp in the garage.

I first started Snowboarding in Jr. High Ski Club (1990). Bought a used board off my girlfriends brother (doctors son). It was a 1987 Burton Elite v-tail. I just found out Burton has brought this board back for 2024 and might have to get me one. My first trip to the mountains was 1998 we took the train to Whitefish Montana to ride Big Mountain. Brennen, his brother Tony and me rode for 12 hours not knowing what to expect. Back then the train still had a smoking car and a fully stocked bar. The train is a great place to meet random people who are not flying for whatever reason. The first run we went down I took one carve and flipped over. I did about 100 back flips down the mountain falling into deep fresh powder with each rotation. When I finally stopped Brennen had done the same and were were looking at each other laughing coming to terms that neither one of us were injured. I was hooked riding fresh powder is a feeling you can only experience its impossible to explain. If you have never tried it I highly recommend it!

Today I ride e-mnt bike, jetski, onewheel, snowboard, hike, fish, and camp. We have a family cabin on Pelican Lake and take one or two family trips every year. I program at work and program for fun. I also facilitate a few courses at BU to keep my skills sharp. I have a 3-speed 1977 cj-5 jeep with the 304 V8. 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon (my first car and yes its for sale). Life has been good and want to document my journey. This blog has been along time in the making and now it is a reality. If you are still reading hope you enjoy the content and thank you for stopping by.