- Writing a fantasy novel that I plan to self-publish in late 2025
- Avoiding the aforementioned novel by working on this blog
- Tidying up a pile of short fiction to share on this website
- Teaching my 11yo son the art of dungeon mastery
- Playing in a monthly D&D game with friends
- Starting a band that brings live music to people that don’t often get it
- Working on original material to record in 2025
- Exploring a side project that smashes together fantasy and alt-rock
- Parting with a Stratocaster and considering a Baum Wingman
- Going to as many concerts as my calendar permits
- Serving in technical leadership at a nonprofit hospital system
- Solving complex mission challenges with software
- Taking on some freelance consulting and project work
- Designing a web application for writers
- Noodling on what’s next for my open-source Splunk apps
Backstory
Japheth Benfield, the first of his name, was hatched to human parents in the virginal waters of Genesee County, Michigan. He escaped from childhood with skinned knees and deeply introverted wiring. Mankind’s inability to pronounce his name led to his adoption of “Jay” to avoid the harsh spotlight of phonetic inquiry. In spite of his best efforts, all of his attempts at invisibility failed miserably. Even his genetics betrayed him – his gangly frame resulting in extra-visibility.
Music, guitar, and D&D were a balm for the moody despair that glommed his awkward teenage soul. What wasn’t remedied by Dr. Dre, minor pentatonics, and slaying kobolds, Jay satisfied through an unwavering devotion to shenanigans. His acute wisdom deficiency led to gigantic and unexpected life changes. He was married and became a dad soon after high school, which is not a path he would recommend (0/5 stars).
Instantaneous adulthood left Jay and his young family circling the drain at the base of Maslow’s Pyramid until, in 1997, he was given an extraordinary opportunity to work on “the Internet.” This trial-by-fire gig set in motion an incredible and Ludicrous Speed career spanning nearly three decades. Jay has held technical leadership positions with world-class nonprofit, public sector, and private sector organizations, has founded or cofounded several startups, and has led hundreds of freelance web projects for a diverse mix of clients internationally.
Jay divorced, remarried, and today has six awesome kids – four of whom can no longer be called kids, and five of whom like him at any given time. He works in information security, makes websites, writes soft sci-fi/hard fantasy, plays lead guitar in a band you’ve never heard of, and improvises stories powered by funny dice.