Michael S. Daines

About Me

Software engineer based in the Los Angeles area.

I have two kids who I enjoy spending time with. I love music, traveling, food, reading, guitar, and exploring.

Reading

I read a lot. It’s my main hobby, honestly.

記録
I have a GitHub repository that’s devoted almost entirely to tracking my reading, including my TBR, lists of awards I pay attention to, and favorite authors I’ve read.

defndaines @ Instagram
I primarily use Instagram for posting my weekly reading wrap-ups. These include short reviews.

goodreads
I keep track of books I’ve read here, including graphic novels.

The StoryGraph
I’ve also been tracking books here, but as of 2025, I’m limiting StoryGraph to just my non-graphic reading.

League of Comic Geeks
I tracked comics on Goodreads for a while, but then it looks like I’m reading hundreds of more books than I really feel like I am, so I’ve started tracking my individual issues here. I’ll still be tracking graphic novels on Goodreads. I get my comics from The Comic Bug.

読書メーター
When I have the energy to read in Japanese, I track it on my profile at bookmeter.

Active Links

Here are a few relevant links for finding out more about me and my hobbies.

GitHub: defndaines
I don’t code in my free time as much as I used to, but it’s mostly on display under by GitHub account.

flickr photographs
I keep any pictures I take up at flickr.

Spotify
I have a handful of playlists, and I listen to a LOT of music.

Wishlist
In case you are looking to get me a gift.

Writing

Advice for Japan: Children, Language, and Education
Notes from our summer 2023 trip to Japan with the kids, including program options for Japanese-language instruction, housing, transit, and practical logistics.

Recipes

A collection of recipes I’ve adapted for pressure cooker and rice cooker cooking.

Browse Recipes

Historical Links

These are links to things I’m not actively engaged with, but may be useful for reference.

LinkedIn profile
I’m not looking for work, but I have kept my résumé “mostly” up to date.

WaniKani profile
Starting in 2017, I’ve been trying to rebuild my Japanese language skills. I used WaniKani regularly for learning and review and also participated in the community from time to time.

exercism.org profile
When I want to tackle some smaller coding problems or practice a programming language, I like the problems at exercism. I tried to give back from time to time as well.

Medium profile
I haven’t been blogging for some time now, but I used to post stuff on Medium.