Life & Personal

Broken Site - Sorry

Migration from Avada theme left many pages broken - fixes coming as the rebuild continues.

Sovrn Advertising Doesn't Understand The Word NO!

An advertising firm can't take no for an answer - six employees, persistent emails, and zero respect for a simple boundary.

Life Without Things

A month without modern conveniences tests whether comfort comes from things or mindset.

Modern TV is Killing the Dream of Justice

When TV writers strip characters of all likability, viewers stop rooting for anyone - they just want the story to end.

Working from the Beach part 5 Wrap Up

After a month working from Mexico's beaches, productivity soared - but so did the workday length.

Working from the Beach part 4 - One Week In

Data roaming plus iOS auto-updates equals $1,200 surprise charges. Internet speeds here are punishing.

Working from the Beach part 3 A Different Kind of Travel

Long-term travel requires planning beyond vacation mode: housesitting, bills, and logistics.

Working from the Beach (or Jungle or City) - part 2 - Picking a Location

Choosing where to work remotely hinges on cost, connectivity, security, and personal comfort.

Working from the Beach (or Jungle or City) - part 1 - Introduction

With just a laptop and internet, geographic freedom becomes possible - but abandoning what's familiar takes courage.

Medium

Medium publishes compelling stories worth your reading time.

My Broken Leg - part 1

A bouncy castle obstacle at mile halfway point led to a broken leg and months of recovery.

Shaving - Double Edge Safety Razors

Double-edge safety razors reduce irritation by eliminating the 5-blade overkill that modern razors impose.

Content Thief - -redacted-

Content plagiarism case study: one blogger's word-for-word theft and the importance of respecting copyright and original writers.

Triptease

TripTease combines stunning photography with concise travel reviews - a visual-first approach that's the 500px of travel blogging.

Fifi 2000?-2012 Rest in Peace

Heartfelt tribute to Fifi the iguana: 8+ years of companionship transcended the typical pet relationship.

Super Tea

Medicinal teas evolved into 'improvement teas' - but would a super-tea combining all benefits finally deliver what we actually want?

Prague

London and Prague adventure: decade-long desire to visit Central Europe finally realized via British Airways stopover opportunity.

Driving and Drive

Winter Driving School repeatedly proves that snow skills require constant practice - even for experienced New England drivers.

Rest In Peace Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs' legacy: revolutionary impact on computing, design, user interaction, and entrepreneurship worldwide.

Call Your Congress Critter

Stop SOPA and PIPA - legislative threats to internet freedom deserve your immediate congressional contact.

Los Angeles

LA trip showcased sports car culture, luxury fashion, perfect weather, and iconic attractions - but smog limited the experience.

Call your Congress Critters!

New Years Eve 2011

2011 recap: strong business growth, global travel, motorcycle adventures, racing, concerts, and meaningful time with family.

Snowboarding at Loon Mountain

New gear tested at Loon Mountain during early-season snowboarding. The layered Rome DSK jacket proved perfect for cold, crisp conditions.

The Hipster Singularity

What happens when hipsters realize how mainstream they've become? A paradox dissolving in clove-scented logic smoke.

In Montreal

Montreal adventure featuring Deadmau5 at the Metropolis - an iconic venue for electronic music lovers.

The Perfect City Neighborhood

Weekend In Maine

Coding retreat in Maine with friends proves rewarding despite smaller-than-planned group size.

It's been a long time

After nearly a year of silence, reflections on Montreal, festivals, and returning to regular writing.

Improving my Library's Website

Library websites promise convenience but their poor UX defeats the purpose - a local branch's site shows the problem.

Anarchy!

Two weeks of bachelor freedom: pizza boxes, motorcycles, and surprisingly civilized philosophical debates.

Don't Cross the Streams!

Strange moment when an Ulta ad appeared on 10MinuteMail - two separate projects colliding.

I'm 1337

Hit Hacker News and landed a score of 1337 - can't post there anymore.

Twitter Love

TripIt broke with JetBlue's new reservation system, but their Twitter response was fast and personal.

It's my Birthday

Turning 30 marks a psychological shift - the 20s' freedom gives way to the 30s' perceived settled life.

Semicolon Usage

Semicolon debate resurfaces with a memorable take on proper usage.

Cambridge, MA - Winter 2009

Winter photography in Cambridge captures Harvard Square's charm despite freezing temperatures.

Saturday Morning Chores

Firearms maintenance finally tackled - a chore week in the making.

Pumpkins!

Halloween pumpkins from our garden - photos included.

Plumbing

DIY plumbing emergency: replaced corroded valves and sink hardware with one soaked mishap and a skinned knuckle.

Focused and Unfocused Shopping

Online shopping splits into focused buying (you know what you want) and unfocused discovery - each offers unique advantages.

Cake Bastards

"Cake Bastards" - a pitch-perfect TV show concept: bake an amazing cake for someone, eat it in front of them, and laugh.

Back from vacation

Back from Puerto Rico with amazing memories - sun, beaches, rain forests, and iguanas. 2,000 emails waiting though.

P-Town

Quick thought on Portland.

In Chelmsford even the squirrels are tough!

A surprisingly tough squirrel found its way to my doorstep - straight out of The Godfather.

New Office

Custom desk build for my home office - designed for corner placement, knee-free rolling, and cable management.

At Logan

Delayed at Logan with power and internet - heading to Seattle for projects and friends despite Emma being sick.

New Orleans 2009

Emma and I explored the French Quarter, attended a wedding, and soaked in New Orleans' unique atmosphere despite lingering hurricane damage.

Picture of our house

A beautiful photograph that captures a moment worth preserving.

I Built a New Closet

Built a custom closet system for a fraction of California Closets' eight-grand quote using MDF and careful planning.

New Floors and No Sleep

Replaced stained carpet with maple hardwood flooring - a loud, disruptive multi-day process that's worth the final result.

Bachelor Party in the Big Apple

NYC bachelor party weekend: flying JetBlue, gridlocked traffic, and exploring Chelsea's upscale hotel scene.

Hawaii

Hawaii vacation went south when a big wave destroyed my iPhone and camera - a week without a phone turned out surprisingly refreshing.

The Birthday Massacre, Dommin, and Vigil

The Birthday Massacre concert in Boston's Central Square brought back memories of living in the area a decade ago.

Dream Trip 2009 Contest Photo Entry

Submitted a dream trip contest photo - please vote 5-stars to help me win an Iceland hiking adventure.

Iceland! - Photos

Curated 325 Iceland photos from 1,000 shots - unedited highlights from an unforgettable trip.

Iceland! - Our Trip Part 3

Icelandic horse riding adventure with unexpected warmth requirements and gentle, sturdy mounts with majestic long hair.

Iceland! - Our Trip Part 2

Iceland's food surprised us - Mexican quesadillas fried like sopapillas, Northern Lights tours, and unique flavor combinations.

Iceland! - Our Hotel

$40/night in prime Reykjavik - stellar location, friendly desk staff, but paper-thin walls will haunt you.

Iceland! - Impressions

Iceland's otherworldly lava fields and glaciers demand a lifted jeep, and the weather shifts faster than moods.

Iceland! - Our Trip So Far

Red-eye to Keflavik, early check-in, and a geothermal spa immersion - the perfect jet-lag cure.

Valentine's Day at the Liberty Hotel and dinner at Clink

Historic jail turned luxury hotel - the Liberty in Boston delivered Valentine's romance with quirky charm.

Turning 29

Turning 29 stings harder than expected. Twenties slip away; thirties loom with regrets lingering.

Happiness

Fireside with your iguana while dinner simmers - add rowing machine gains and clean eating. This is happiness.

Home Gym

Heavy bag + rowing machine + bodyweight circuits = basement transformation into serious workout shrine.

A Brand New Year

January reflection beats resolutions - annual markers focus effort where daily grind often fails.

Note to retailers

Stop spoiling gifts. Big labels screaming contents on Christmas boxes ruin the surprise.

Snow

Seattle's freak snow and 90-mph winds. Massachusetts buried in two feet. Winter goes wild.

Bank of America Fraud Protection Sucks

Woodshed

Built a weatherproof woodshed capable of holding two cords of firewood - sturdy enough to survive nearly anything.

Back from Chicago

Hotel in suburban Chicago had electrified fences, trash, and a skunk family greeting - but the room jacuzzi was nice.

The Move.

Moving 3,000 miles from Seattle to Boston: finding a house remotely, coordinating movers, starting fresh in Massachusetts.

Airport Security Measures Don't Work. Really??? :)

Post-9/11 airport security measures are largely theater - Atlantic article exposes how ineffective TSA protocols really are.

Wait, what?

Alaska governor's aides refuse subpoenas by claiming she 'declined to participate' - legal logic that doesn't apply to anyone else.

Being an Adult

Best part of adulthood: Sunday couch marathons with cartoons, cookie dough, and video games guilt-free.

Moving

Buying a house and moving across the country for the first time - exciting, terrifying, and totally happening.

Why You Shouldn't Talk To The Police

Never talk to police without a lawyer - anything you say can only hurt you, never help your legal position.

Push Ups

Week 4, Day 2: 112 pushups completed - arms twitching from the workout, but major progress happening.

Some pictures from Vancouver (not the latest trip)

Photo collection from Vancouver (archive shots, not the latest trip).

Anticipation for Sequels

Midnight showing of Hellboy 2 with friends - director of Pan's Labyrinth plus Ron Perlman equals unmissable film event.

OMG Push Ups

Crossed the threshold: triceps now the weak link after 105 pushups in 8 minutes - new fitness milestone achieved.

Week 3, Day 1 - Still More Push Ups

Week 3, Day 1: 99 pushups in 6 minutes despite soreness - running routine adding leg workouts to the mix.

Vancouver and Push Ups

Vancouver by train: four hours along the coast, bald eagles, restaurants, models on every street - perfect getaway city.

Even More Push Ups

Day 3, Week 2: 79 pushups in 12 minutes - 11 more than last week; consistent progress tracking improvement.

Wanted: Broken Noses

Great action movie, but an honest account of what a broken nose actually feels like - and it's nothing like Hollywood glamorizes.

More Push Ups

68 pushups in 12 minutes proves the training program works: even fatigued, you're stronger than when you started the week.

Push Ups

Six-week program claims you'll hit 100 consecutive pushups with just 3 sessions weekly. Starting at 17, the test begins.

Flying Penguin!

A penguin flew in this surprisingly excellent advertisement with music swapped in after the original audio was lost.

Emma's Birthday

Paragliding Mount Tiger for Emma's birthday: only 5-10 minutes airborne, but a memory that lasts forever.

Giant Spider

Four-inch spider rearing up inside glass, screeching profanities - definitely not your garden-variety house guest.

I Found Great Croissants in Seattle

Cafe Besalu in Seattle bakes croissants nearly as good as France - worth the drive to Ballard.

Star Wars and Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones movies hide Star Wars references: Club Obi Wan, identical Millennium Falcon engine sounds.

Heading to StartupSchool

Heading to Startup School this weekend - if you're there, email me.

MythBusters on CSI

Jamie and Adam from MythBusters appeared on CSI Las Vegas - yes, we're definitely geeks for noticing.

French Croissants

French croissants are light, flaky, buttery. Ours are dense, greasy lead weights - there's no comparison.

France

A week in South France: Monaco supercars, Bandol wine region, Juan-les-Pins yachts, and jet-lag adventures.

Tulip Country

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival with overheating brakes, sparse color, daffodils, and a 15-foot trebuchet.

Busy Times

Flying to Ohio, San Francisco, then France while juggling a full-time job, side projects, and haircuts.

Groceries

This week's menu: fresh veggies, no fried food, no processed stuff - eating clean and simple matters.

Trip to New Mexico

New Mexico trip: Grandma's 80th surprise party, sopapillas, and rediscovering childhood memories.

Photo Shoot with the Canon 40D

A dancer's commanding presence transforms the camera - raw energy meets technical precision.

I know I just had a birthday...

Aging happens fast when you're not looking.

Hillary Clinton and Me

Turning 28

Turning 28 marks the shift from youth to adulthood - an unsettling line nobody warns you about.

Driving (near) Mrs. Clinton

Two days driving the Clinton motorcade taught me Secret Service logistics and highway precision.

Figuring Out A Tip

Double the decimal-shifted bill total, round up. That's your 20% tip - simple.

Diets

Never found a diet that worked? Your body type and metabolism are unique - here's what finally stuck.

Life Skills

Schools skip life skills. Heinlein's wisdom applies: know how to do real things.

Happy New Year!!

Reflections on a satisfying New Year with friends, homemade French toast, and optimism for what 2008 might bring.

Snakes in the desert

A vacation in Vegas turned magical: upgraded flights, killer hotel deals, an unforgettable Crazy Horse Paris show, and desert adventures.

It's no wonder that Sore and Parkour rhyme

Attempting Parkour at UW alongside experienced practitioners taught me the sport is exhilarating - and punishing on day two.

A sense of security

Halloween security work at an industrial warehouse venue proved surprisingly rewarding, juggling event safety with unexpected responsibility.

Feuer

California wildfire photos from family capture the raw power and devastation of nature's uncontrolled fury.

Dub

A night at the Nectar watching the Heavyweight Dub Champion band surprised me - the live energy eclipsed the reggae-heavy studio recordings.

Warm and Cosy

A wood stove, banana bread, and unexpected guests create the perfect winter comfort - plus reflections on happiness and unconventional paths.

The Picnic Point Facility

Investigating an abandoned government research compound (Picnic Point Facility) turned into an adventure - full story with photos.

Grownups

Don't trap yourself in convention. If you're hungry, eat. If you're tired, sleep. Stop waiting for permission to live.

Halo 3

Halo 3's online multiplayer offers casual social gaming without planning dinners - pure fun protecting Earth from aliens.

Gifts

A new gift rule: no physical items unless on a wishlist or approved by spouse. Money and cards still welcome.

A Seattle Winter Weekend

Cold Seattle weather becomes cozy with a wood stove, hot chocolate, and Halo 3 multiplayer with friends.

Canadia

Train travel from Seattle to Vancouver beats flying - spectacular ocean views, space to move, and no driving stress.

Updates: Garage Sale, Weigh Loss, Travel, and Cameras

Weight loss despite travel and infrequent gym sessions, a family reunion in Denver, and upgrading from a three-year-old camera.

Garage Sale

Clearing out the guest room for a driveway sale - what doesn't sell goes to trash, donation, or eBay.

Spook Country

William Gibson's Spook Country explores cutting-edge technologies and businesses hiding in plain sight.

Quality

Premium products like Apple laptops and Aeron chairs deliver quality service that justifies their cost.

More Gym Pain

Back at the gym after three weeks off - sore abs, accomplished work, and a productive weekend ahead.

Gym Pain

Skip three weeks of training and your body pays the price. One brutal session later, redemption begins.

Home

Back in Seattle with wife away - solo time means home maintenance, work projects, and old TV marathons.

Odd Video Store in Columbus

Columbus has quirky video stores - this one's location made shopping for 90-degree heat rather intense.

Columbus

Columbus apartment lacks shampoo but drowning in conditioner; a mile walk to groceries in 90-degree heat.

New Laptop

New laptop setup requires patience, but the payoff of a personalized productive environment is worth the long night ahead.

Garage Sale Pile

Decluttering the house reveals just how much unused stuff accumulates - soon-to-be garage sale treasures destined for new homes.

Friday Night

Going away party fun gives way to a mediocre Fantastic Four movie - proof that home entertainment trumps the cinema experience.

Fangs of Love

A horrifying multi-car pileup on I-405 underscores life's fragility just before celebrating workplace goodbyes on Friday.

New Pictures

Fresh camera roll captures a tree house moment that steals the show; creative pursuits deserve more frequent attention.

Shelf it.

Installing a wall shelf at midnight becomes a comedy of errors, but an organized workspace makes those upside-down struggles worthwhile.

Salmon, Media, E-Mail, and a Shelf

Salmon dinner and a major book purge transform cluttered shelves into curated spaces - proof that less stuff equals more peace.

Iguana Dreams and Shiny Things

Dreams of iguana swimming matches real-world obsession with Bejewled 2 - win or lose, the gaming passion runs deep.

Welcome

Fresh start for Digital Sanctuary with a redesigned site and commitment to regular posting.