About

Hi friend, I'm Ricky. Thank you for taking the time to stop by my small part of the digital universe. As you navigate through these virtual pages, you'll find a multi-passionate individual who combines technical expertise with a deep love for writing and sharing knowledge.

The Written Word: From Technical Documentation to Fiction

Writing has been the consistent thread throughout my career journey. What started as a personal blog in 2010 has evolved into a diverse portfolio spanning multiple genres and platforms. I've had the privilege of contributing to various technical publications, most notably as a writer for Real Python, where I create in-depth tutorials and guides on Python development and modern development practices.

My writing journey took an important turn in 2017 when I published "Taking Charge: Making Your Healthcare Appointments Work for You," a practical guide helping readers navigate the healthcare system effectively. This book drew from both my personal experiences and my background in healthcare.

Under the pen name Rick Pine, I've explored my creative side through action-adventure fiction, publishing works like "Fighting to Survive" and "Survivor." You can find more about my writing projects and publications on my writing page.

Engineering Leadership and Technical Innovation

Currently, I work as a Lead Engineer specializing in Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM). This role combines my passion for cybersecurity with the opportunity to lead and innovate in enterprise-scale systems, ensuring robust security practices in complex technical environments.

In the open-source community, I maintain several projects including pyanchor, pgn-to-sqlite, and Python Template Snippets (a VS Code Extension). These projects reflect my commitment to contributing to the developer community and creating tools that solve real-world problems.

Healthcare Background and Personal Journey

My perspective on healthcare comes from both sides of the experience - as a former Registered Nurse with a decade of service, and as someone living with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) since 2010. This unique combination has informed much of my writing and advocacy work in healthcare, allowing me to bridge the gap between medical professionals and patients.

Bonsai and Beyond

When I'm not writing or coding, you'll find me tending to my collection of Bonsai trees. These living artworks teach valuable lessons about patience, attention to detail, and the beauty of steady, intentional growth - principles that apply equally well to writing, coding, and life itself.

Work with Me

I'm always open to new writing opportunities, technical collaborations, or interesting projects. Whether you're looking for technical documentation, healthcare writing, or creative content, I'd love to discuss how we can work together.