Another week in the books and Christmas is getting closer. With kids, that just means things are getting more busy, but we’re being sure to set aside time for holiday activities. Home Alone, Home Alone 2, and the latest iteration of the Grinch have already been watched. (There were only two Home Alone movies, don’t @ me.)

This week, I dropped a little passion project I’ve been tinkering with for a couple weeks. Localization has always been a noble but challenging pursuit for indie developers (like me). At my day job, we pay a not-insignificant amount for human translators, but that hasn’t been terribly feasible for my own things. Fortunately, LLMs really change the equation. So I made XCStringsLocalizer. It was a fun project and I’ve got some improvement ideas for the future, so I released it publicly so others in my boat can benefit from it. Check it out if you’re so inclined.

I’m notoriously good at finding a distraction for myself which results in not working on Sticky Widgets, but now that I’ve got that off my plate, I’ve got a couple updates in mind. You’re my accountability partner, hold me to this. (In testing XCStringsLocalizer, I’ve added traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, and Japanese to the app. Shipping in the next update. So it’s not all bad.)

I also spent a decent amount of time trying to fill out a Christmas list (by request). Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I don’t need or want a lot, so I’m considering getting into the mechanical keyboard game. I have been able to avoid that siren’s song for years (Apple Magic Keyboard is my cup of tea), but I do like the idea of a fun-to-build, but also useful project. I’ve thought about putting together a gift guide of my own, but the current craze in our house is Five Crowns, if you’re a card game sort of person (like my son).

On the sports side of things, despite a heartbreaking end to the playoffs, the KC Current swept up at NWSL’s awards ceremony. We’ve been season ticket members for two years and attending Current games is pretty high up on my “favorite things to do” list. Just don’t talk to me about the Chiefs…

Thanksgiving is in less than a week and I’m looking forward to family get-togethers and delicious food. It’s kitchen season, let’s go!