About Michael Allen
“Knowledge is power, and wisdom is understanding of knowledge.”
Hey — I’m Michael Allen, but you can call me Mike if we’re keeping it casual. I’m a Tarsus, born May 16th. I’m currently a student in software development, diving deep into programming, networking, and cybersecurity. I’m focused on gaining as much hands-on knowledge as possible — not just for myself, but to eventually share with others and maybe even offer some independent tech services in the future. This site is my digital space to share what I’m building, what I’m learning, and a little bit of everything in between — from tech projects to personal thoughts, and even a few deep dives into the things that keep me curious.
My Journey So Far
It’s been a long time…
I was born in Harvey, Illinois, and lived there until I was five. After that, I moved to O’Fallon, IL, where I spent most of my early school years — EK Elementary, Edward A. Fulton Jr. High, and part of high school at O’Fallon Township.
I eventually moved back to Chicago, finished high school at Thornton Township, and now live in Dry Ridge, Kentucky.
I’m the second oldest of five, and most of my family is split between Chicago and St. Louis. I’m a proud dad to my 14-year-old daughter, who’s been one of the biggest constants in my life.
I’ve also been married before, and like many people, I’ve had my share of ups and downs. Life hasn’t always been easy — I’ve faced losses, including the passing of my younger sister and my grandmother, and those moments left a mark that never really fades.
Work-wise, I’ve done a little bit of everything — retail, manufacturing, warehouse, customer service, and now Uber, which I’ve been doing since 2017. Each job taught me something different about people, responsibility, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
Now, I’m back in school at Gateway Community & Technical College, where I’m studying software development. I’m soaking up everything I can about programming, networking, and cybersecurity — not just to build a career, but to create something meaningful I can share, grow, and maybe even turn into independent work down the line.
Why Tech? Why Now?
I’ve always loved technology — not just using it, but understanding how it works and how it fits into everyday life.
What really pushed me toward tech, though, was an early interest in cybersecurity. The idea of hacking and defending systems fascinated me.
But when I started diving in, I quickly realized that trying to jump straight into cybersecurity without a foundation was a lot to take on. So I stepped back and asked, What’s the best way to build up to it?
That’s when I switched to the software development track. Programming clicked with me, especially because of its connection to home automation. The fact that you can create something from nothing — and then make it work exactly how you want — felt powerful and fun.
While taking those classes, I found myself drawn to networking too. The way systems talk to each other, the layers involved, and how it all ties into security and automation, it opened up a whole new level of understanding.
The deeper I went, the more I realized I wasn’t just interested in one part of tech. I was interested in all of it — programming, networking, security, and automation. And once I learned what DevOps was and how it blends everything together, that just made it even more appealing. But here’s the bigger reason I’m in this: too many people don’t understand the tech they use daily.
They fear AI without understanding how it’s built, or confuse it with AGI. They don’t know how or why VPNs matter, or that they could create entire systems at home or in the cloud without any physical hardware. Most don’t even realize they can automate parts of their lives or build cool projects just for fun. I want to change that — first by learning, then by sharing.
Tech is one of the few fields where what you learn in class can be applied directly to your career, your home, or your hobbies. Whether you’re into art, music, gaming, or even just making life easier through automation, there’s a place for you in tech.
And that’s what drives me.
Projects & How I Share Them
I don’t just build things — I like to break them down, document the steps, and reflect on the process. This site will include a full Projects page where you’ll find personal builds focused on automation, networking, cloud setups, and more.
Each project will include:
📄 Step-by-step documentation
🖼️ Photos or screen recordings
🔗 A linked blog post where I dive into the experience and what I learned
I’m currently in the process of redoing my Cloud VPN project, along with one or two others, to make sure they’re fully documented before going live. Once they’re up, they’ll serve as examples of the kind of hands-on learning and creative problem-solving I enjoy — and they’ll grow from there. The Projects section isn’t just a portfolio — it’s a space to explore, reflect, and share.
Outside of Tech
There’s more to me than just code and coursework. I’m a dad to a 14-year-old daughter who means the world to me — and like any parent, that experience has shaped a lot of how I move through life. I’ve also been married before, and like everything else, it’s part of my story and growth.
I’m the second oldest of five, and most of my family is spread between Chicago and St. Louis. Life hasn’t always been easy — I’ve dealt with the loss of both my grandmother and my younger sister, and those experiences still sit with me. But they’ve also taught me perspective, resilience, and how important it is to stay grounded.
At home, I’ve got two cats — Loki and Athena — who keep me company and bring a bit of calm to the chaos. Being single, their presence adds comfort and companionship I honestly appreciate more than I expected.
When I’m not working or studying, I still find ways to have fun with tech. Whether it’s setting up home automations, playing around with Tasker, or just experimenting with small programs and ideas, I’m usually building or tweaking something out of curiosity. I’m also into philosophy, anime, and the kinds of deep conversations that make you stop and really think.
Interests & Fun Facts
At my core, I’m someone who questions things — not out of skepticism, but out of curiosity. I don’t just want to know how something works; I want to understand why it exists the way it does, and what that says about us as people.
I’m deeply interested in the bigger questions most people don’t think about. Like:
We’ve only ever measured the round-trip speed of light — and we assume it travels at the same speed in both directions. But what if that assumption isn’t accurate? What would that mean for how we experience time, distance, or even causality?
Before today’s religions, there were older belief systems, and even before those, ancient stories that shaped how people understood existence. I’m fascinated by the ties between them all, and how much meaning has been lost or rewritten over time.
We still don’t truly understand consciousness, aging, or even how thought and memory function at a fundamental level. For all our progress, there’s still so much we don’t know — and I think that mystery is worth exploring.
That mindset is why I’m such a strong believer in STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and math aren’t just school subjects — they’re the tools we use to understand the world, solve problems, and shape the future. The more we understand them, the more empowered we are — not just in our careers, but in life.
On the lighter side, I’m into anime and light novels, especially when they mix deep ideas with storytelling. I’ve also had more than a few thought-provoking convos with ChatGPT that spiraled into unexpected reflections — and I honestly enjoy those mental rabbit holes.
When I’m just tinkering, I love exploring:
Tasker and other automation tools
Small code experiments
Anything that lets me improve or customize my everyday tech setup
Lastly, there’s Loki and Athena — my two cats. Named after gods and living like it, they bring humor, quiet company, and a strange sense of balance to my life.
Where I’m Headed
I earned my Associate’s degree in Software Development at Gateway Community & Technical College in December 2025. Along the way, I’m sharpening my skills in programming, networking, cybersecurity, and DevOps, while also getting hands-on with troubleshooting for both hardware and software.
In the short term, I’m focused on:
Building a portfolio of personal projects
Documenting what I learn along the way
Exploring how all these areas of tech connect and overlap
Strengthening my problem-solving through real-world scenarios and experimentation
In the mid-term, my goals are to:
Land my first job in tech, even if it’s simple IT support or entry-level troubleshooting — experience matters
Start taking on freelance work where I can help others with automation, network setups, or general tech support
Begin creating my own local AI assistant — starting small and expanding its abilities over time
Eventually, I want to evolve that AI project into something more meaningful: a full-featured app that my family and close friends can use to organize their lives, access useful tools, and maybe even learn a little tech along the way.
Long-term, I see myself growing into a capable full-stack developer with the flexibility to work independently. I want to keep building, automating, and sharing — and maybe help others feel more in control of their tech instead of intimidated by it.
At the end of the day, I’m not just here to build software. I’m building understanding. I’m building systems. And I’m building a life that makes sense to me — one project, one idea, one challenge at a time.
A Few Final Words
Life’s a journey, and this page is just a glimpse into mine. From tech interests and personal growth to a few ups and downs along the way, everything here is part of what makes me… well, me. If anything here sparks your interest or makes you want to connect, explore the rest of the site—you just might find something worth your time. Thanks for stopping by.
If you have any questions or comments about the content on this page or want to reach out, please feel free to email me at [email protected].