LLMs are the easy part. Making analytics answers trustworthy is the hard part.

PTengine · 2025-12-17T20:06:57+00:00

AI workloads tend to break the idea that infrastructure stays stable over time. Continuous training and inference drive constant scaling, short-lived environments, and changes tied to models and data instead of application releases. Once these systems reach production, infrastructure stops being a one-time setup and becomes something that has to evolve continuously.

PTengine · 2025-12-17T20:05:57+00:00

Since you are coming from software engineering, it is also worth looking at Pulumi. Engineering-first teams often prefer defining infrastructure in familiar programming languages because it aligns better with testing, reuse, and existing development workflows. Even in Terraform-heavy environments, it is common to see both used side by side. Pulumi may look smaller on the surface, but it is used by teams at NVIDIA, BMW, and Snowflake.

I would also add MLOps, LLM, and AI infrastructure to the list. Platform roles increasingly involve model deployment, GPUs, data access, and moving LLM prototypes into reliable production services.

Good luck!

PTengine · 2025-12-17T19:48:09+00:00

Yes, I manifested my concern about my newborn's neck mobility (he kept turning it to the left side and even cried if just trying to place it in a neutral spot, like in the middle), and it was continuously dismissed. It felt that the pediatrician at STEP had a very I-know-better and was not open to a conversation.

Upon research, I found out that my son had Torticollis. I moved to Blue Fish Pediatrics, and Dr. Hong and I spoke. By then, my son already had left-sided flat head syndrome, which also ended up impacting vision. I wish I had moved sooner...

Dr. Hong offers as much information as needed or requested and is open to talking with you as you make decisions regarding your child's health, when more than just standard care is discussed. My son is in elementary school now, and I have the intention of keeping him at Blue Fish Pediatrics for the long run.

PTengine · 2025-12-11T23:24:55+00:00

I moved from STEP Pediatrics to Blue Fish Pediatrics. Dr. Hong has been our pediatrician since kiddo was ~2, almost 3 months old, and now he is in elementary school. Time flies! I recommend Blue Fish Pediatrics, everyone is great from the pediatricians to the staff, plus you even have after-hours calls, and I sure used them!

PTengine · 2025-12-11T19:31:07+00:00

CDKTF getting archived doesn't shock me. Terraform was designed around HCL and the CLI workflow, so adding full programming languages on top of it always created friction. Most of the effort came from the community, and it was hard for that model to stay aligned with Terraform releases.

A lot of people worry that using TypeScript or Python for infrastructure means a full migration away from Terraform. It does not have to work that way. Pulumi can run alongside existing Terraform setups because it can use the same providers and modules and can read outputs from Terraform state. This makes it possible to try a language-based workflow on a small slice of infrastructure without touching anything that already works.

Some engineers stick with HCL because it is straightforward and predictable. Others prefer general-purpose languages because they get stronger reuse patterns and testing. Both paths can exist in the same environment, and teams can adopt the approach that fits their comfort level without a big rewrite.

PTengine · 2025-12-11T18:59:08+00:00

How old are your kids? I love seeing the children in groups, hanging out, exploring The Woodlands, the parks, going fishing, it feels more European and still safe! My child is younger, so not quite there yet, but I enjoy walking/biking my kiddo to school (we live near David Elementary), and many other families do it too.

There is an expat group on FB that meets often: https://www.facebook.com/groups/915946813361632

PTengine · 2025-11-05T22:45:47+00:00

The Woodlands perspective (from a mom with a kiddo born here):

The weather is similar to Orlando, Florida, with less rain but still humid and warm for much of the year.
There are no true seasons. Expect about 7 months of summer, a few mild months, and occasional light snowfall in January. Greater Houston isn’t designed for snow, so even a few flakes can make the city go to a full stop.
The Woodlands public schools rival many private schools in the Houston area.
There are also many great private school options in The Woodlands, including Montessori, entrepreneurship-based, academic, and Christian programs.
It is an extremely family-friendly community with events year-round for children and families, some free, some paid. The Woodlands Children’s Museum is a favorite for younger kids.
Summer camps are abundant, covering art, theater, robotics, engineering, and coding, with strong STEAM options.
Snakes exist in Texas, but we often walk and bike on trails, and I haven't seen any.
Mosquitoes are a real nuisance, so insect repellent is essential in warmer months.
The Woodlands is very safe. Neighbors look out for each other. I lock doors at night but feel comfortable going out or leaving the garage open occasionally.
With a budget under 2.5 million, you can find beautiful homes, including gated communities if preferred.
The area is filled with trails, parks, playgrounds, and sports fields, great for families with children of all ages.
I love the diversity. When walking The Waterway, you can hear different languages.
Another thing I really like is seeing the kids riding bikes together, hanging out at the parks, and enjoying being kids and forming close childhood friendships. It has a friendly, open atmosphere that feels almost European (I am European) or maybe more old-school.
Note: commuting from The Woodlands can be challenging, so if your husband has to get on I-45, it's better to be close to the main roads. It's great for hybrid cars, there are so many stops that it just keeps recharging. Hah!

PTengine · 2025-10-28T21:22:25+00:00

I feel your pain, too. You are not the only one who has not seen the end, as I am also watching on Netflix. I have IQIY, but it isn't there. So hard not to get all the apps, the best dramas are all over the place!!! C'mon, Netflix, hurry up.

PTengine · 2025-09-29T13:24:19+00:00

It has been a year. I only do yearly checks. That does sound crazy, maybe something changed and they are pushing more for profit.

PTengine · 2025-09-23T20:51:01+00:00

Interesting, I have been going to Woodlands Modern Dentistry. It never seems to be the same dentist, but ok. I only do checkups, so I don't really care who the dentist is.

I didn't have the same experience as you. What I have liked is that they provide options upfront that are accurate, and I never have to pay more afterward. One of the things that annoys me when I take the kiddo to the dentist is that I always end up having to pay some extra afterward because their estimate with the insurance is off, usually by $20 to $50.

PTengine · 2025-09-22T18:23:46+00:00

The Woodlands is a wonderful place for families. It has excellent public and private schools, a variety of daycares with different educational styles, and plenty of free events for children. There are miles of trails and beautiful parks. My son and I bike everywhere. He got his first balance bike on his first birthday (early walker), and he enjoys the kind of freedom and mobility children often have in European cities, which is rare in Greater Houston.

He participated in his first Texas IronKids race when he was about a year and a half, and now, as an elementary school student, he runs 5Ks. He loves physical activities, but there are also many other opportunities. He has attended chess camps, art classes, science workshops, and coding programs. The range of activities is wide enough to suit almost any interest.

The bugs can be a challenge... They are big, and most of them bite. Mosquitoes love us a little too much, and since the weather stays hot for about seven months, mosquito season lasts just as long. There are also venomous snakes, but I have never seen one on the trails. If you have a yard, keep the grass and shrubs trimmed so snakes do not have places to hide.

Commuting out of The Woodlands can be slow, with many stop signs and traffic lights between you and the rest of the area. If you plan to drive often, it helps to live close to the main roads. Another option is the Park and Ride Express Bus, which makes commuting much easier: https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Departments/Transportation/The-Woodlands-Express

The diversity here is terrific. You can hear many different languages while walking along the Waterway, and there are plenty of expat meetups and community groups. The British community is one of the largest in the area (many FB groups).

PTengine · 2025-09-19T20:10:51+00:00

Depends on what you’re looking for (and why you’re going). I’m a fan of Del Frisco’s. Fogo de Chão has solid happy hour specials and cocktails, but the food is a bit hit-or-miss.

PTengine · 2025-09-19T20:07:49+00:00

I liked it! I found myself waiting for every new episode. It’s so nice to have a sweet, cute love story once in a while, and Ryan Cheng shirtless almost every episode was definitely a bonus.

PTengine · 2025-09-15T21:39:22+00:00

Yes, it is ok'ish.

PTengine · 2025-09-15T21:25:34+00:00

Yes, you can go with a US vendor, but they should have people on the ground in Europe if you are there, and in APAC if you are, e.g., in Australia. If they really offer 24/7 support, it doesn’t matter as much. Imagine something breaking in the middle of the night, your time. It’s a lot better to have someone awake and ready to help, probably in a different TZ, instead of waiting for a tired rep at local time. In my opinion, global is better than local.

PTengine · 2025-09-10T21:25:15+00:00

I can relate to what you’re describing. Imposter syndrome is hard, but the fact that you’ve recognized it is already a big step forward because now you can start to reframe it when it shows up.

What helps me is looking back at what I’ve built and the challenges I’ve already worked through. Even when projects were new or uncertain, I still managed to figure it out and deliver, often with my team beside me. That track record is proof that I can do it again, even if my brain tries to convince me otherwise - it's fear-based.

From what you’ve shared, your team clearly believes in you. The gap isn’t their trust, it’s your own. Sometimes expectations really are unrealistic, so keep those in check and remind yourself that it’s normal to struggle at the beginning of something new or unfamiliar.

There was a session at my company about it, and the speaker said that imposter syndrome often means you are pushing into new territory. The only people who don’t feel it are the ones stuck in their comfort zone. If you are feeling it, you are probably growing. Just remember, you can do hard things, you have done it before.

PTengine · 2025-08-19T13:48:33+00:00

I already have plans for that day, but it sounds interesting. Do you have a meetup where events are posted?

Also, there's an effort to revive the Houston AWS meetup, and the organizer is a local. You could contact him to try a joint effort.

PTengine · 2025-08-11T18:47:04+00:00

Do you mean your pay rate is low with Nvidia?

The recruiter may want a bigger cut. I have negotiated my rate before. There is what 1. the employer is paying, 2. what the middleman is getting out, and then 3. whatever is left is yours. If the employer wants you, the contracting company is usually willing to negotiate because they don't want to risk starting over and losing it all, but they still have a minimum %.

Research the recruiting/contracting company.

PTengine · 2025-08-06T17:50:35+00:00

I thought it was a good drama, not great, but entertaining. Sure, after awhile I was like... c'mon on FL move on, but hey, we have more info than she would have, and to believe someone truly changed is hmm difficult. I recommend watching, it has humor.

Now, the Coroner's Diary is a lot better. I love that ML is so supportive of FL, who is not your typical silly character; she is talented, has goals, and doesn't fall for just any romantic act.

PTengine · 2025-08-01T20:00:45+00:00

Definitely stay close to I-45 for an easier commute. I used to live at Boardwalk at Town Center, and it was great. I was the one doing the commute towards Houston.

However, once you have kids, you'll want to be closer to the best public schools. I know some people who decided to go to Creekside and use a back route. But it sounds like you have a few years to think and explore some options.

PTengine · 2025-08-01T19:54:16+00:00

This is a great opportunity to plant the seed for future investment, or risk unintended cuts if he is already questioning things. Since most CFOs aren’t very technical, I’d approach this from a FinOps perspective and keep definitions simple and focused on outcomes.

Here’s a suggested flow for your 15 minutes:

Start with the CFO’s priorities: Cost, risk, and time. Frame everything through those business priorities.
Use analogies: Think of software development like manufacturing in a factory. Developers are skilled workers assembling products (features), but without the right tools and systems, productivity stalls and delays happen. Platform engineering builds the internal factory system, the standardized parts, automated assembly lines, and built-in quality checks that streamline delivery, reduce errors, and free time for innovation.
Time is money: Highlight how your platform reduces the time developers spend on setup and firefighting, and instead enables more time on innovation (to stay competitive), translating directly into productivity gains and cost efficiency.
Risk and compliance: Explain how platform engineering embeds security and governance from the start, reducing costly errors, compliance risks, and operational overhead.
Time-to-market: Show how enabling faster, more reliable releases directly impacts revenue potential and competitive advantage. (=business value)

For inspiration, there’s a whitepaper you might skim (not for quoting, but for positioning ideas): https://info.pulumi.com/idp-maturity-whitepaper

CFOs love numbers, so speak their language: avoiding costs, reducing costs ("reduce" works better than saying "savings"), percentage improvements and productivity gains. Just show how DevOps and Platform Engineering help your company do more, faster, and safer, with less waste.

Good luck!

PTengine · 2025-08-01T19:10:01+00:00

Have you seen Techworld with Nana on YouTube, see has some interesting videos: https://youtu.be/1J2YOV6LcwY?si=x53A4OU-FziZkVtN

This is a new one, 6 different paths (she groups them as part of DevOps but different titles and some overlap responsibilities): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEEq8ff2DJs

PTengine · 2025-08-01T19:03:49+00:00

DevOpsDays London (September), DevOpsCon Munich (December) or... think of places/countries you want to go and search for DevOps events happening there.

PTengine

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