Mostly incomplete thoughts on stuff.
Stuff being anything, but some common topics: nature, photography, philoshophy, ai, economics, design, etc.
How hating work made me good at my job
The other day I was walking and chatting with my partner Angela—as we so often do—and realized what made me good at my software development job despite having no formal education: I hate work. →
Friction and the internet
Friction is an undeniable aspect of our reality. And like any aspect of reality, balance is key. Too much friction is, well, too much. And, too little is, you guessed it, too little. Profound, I know. But, could the web use more? →
2024: Year in Review
Or, the year of the sabbatical. What did I even do for my sabbatical? Well I quit my job for one—well that was in 2023. Then I didn’t really do anything. Of course, I could have gone on some grand adventure. Travelled the world. Gone on a pilgrimage. But I did not. →
My Digital Film Camera
My photography is about capturing the beauty of existence as it unfolds, naturally in every moment, rather than a planned creation. As such, film is the ideal medium for my intention. Well, no. It's the ideal outcome. The friction of actually shooting film, without a local lab, is too tedious for me. Thus, my Digital Film Camera. →
Awareness is the Goal
From the most benign self-help books to ancient philosophy and spiritual texts, the goal is awareness. Every bit of advice for improving your business, or your relationships acts as a tool to help you be more aware. Some of these tools offer specific awareness such as how to listen, or work smarter not harder. While others offer general tools to increase awareness. Most notably, meditation. So, what is awareness? →
2023: Year in Review
Beat my record set last year and didn't blog even once this year! I'm writing this and it's already 2024. Well, I have no idea what's going to come out for this review, so let's find out together. →
2022: Year in Review
Well, I didn't blog for a whole year. My last post was a reflection on 2021 where I left off saying "For now, I’m still feeling introspective and perhaps in waiting. For what, I can’t say—though I have some ideas. Yet, I sense a new beginning in 2022." So, let's start there! →
2021: Year in Review
It was a year of quiet introspection and growth. In the Pacific Northwest, we experienced record heat, flooding, and snow. The garden has come into its own, supporting a budding ecosystem that invites ever more bees, birds, rabbits, deer and snakes. →
Do the mRNA Vaccines Reduce or Prevent Transmission?
I struggle to understand the messaging around the vaccines and what they are purported to do, and how mask mandates seem contrary to a vaccine mandate, especially when it results in firing healthcare workers. →
Experts Think You're Too Stupid For Data
Recently, Alberta Health attributed their youngest COVID-19 related death to a 14-year old boy. This triggered the family of the 14-year old to criticize the reporting, calling it "fake news." →
How Policy Shifted The Burden of The Pandemic
Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted hospitalizations and mortality from the over-65 to the under-65 age group. Social distancing, lockdowns, and masking are contributing to mental health epidemics, and affecting the immune systems of children. →
It's Not Us Vs. Them, Pandemic Edition
Early on in the Pandemic, it was all "we're in this together!" "two weeks to flatten the curve!" "We love our frontline workers!". That message of unity and positivity has declined. Shifting, instead, to "anti-vaxx" vs "pro-vaxx". Why is that? →
Secularisation and the Loss of Morality
Democracy and Science are amoral. So morality is left to the people. In liberal democracy, it's left to the individual. Without a higher source of morality (God), do we actual lose morality as a people? →
Inequities of Bitcoin
Massive energy use and the creation of e-waste have been talked about rather extensively in regards to BTC -- Still waiting on a decent rebuttal to those points -- but I haven't seen much said about the inherent inequities of BTC. So, I thought I'd share some thoughts on this. →
Energy Use of Bitcoin
It seems proponents of BTC think that it actually has a net positive on the environment. Which is absurd to me, especially when the arguments are rather weak, and lack sources. →
Some Keystone Xl Maths
Alberta's United Conservative government recently announced they are investing $1.5 billion directly into the Keystone XL pipeline, plus a $6 billion loan guarantee. They must feel quite confident that oil prices will go back to historic highs? →
Expired Kodak BWC
I've been getting more and more into shooting 35mm film these past few months. So much so, that I'm starting to head out and only bring my film SLR, leaving my Sony NEX 6 behind. →
Where'd the Boardwalk Go?
This past weekend we hiked a similar route that we did about the same time last year. Only, we found one of our favourite sections had changed. →
So Long Cyanogen OS
Almost exactly 2 years ago today, I bought a OnePlus One. It was (and is) my first real smartphone after spending $100 on the Geeksphone Peak. And, I have next to no qualms with it. →
GMOs Are Neither Good Nor Bad
I came across How I Got Converted to GMOs via ma.tt. This is a response to that article. →
Roy Choi On Tradition
Roy Choi is a pioneer of awesome street food with the Kogi, korean taco, truck. →
How We Work Remotely At Ecquire
This is how Ecquire caught my attention ~2 years ago. Then, just a couple weeks after joining, I got to meet the team at Nerds on Vacation in Tofino, BC. Which was awesome. →
Veganism
Veganism is not the end-all answer to a better world. Leo Babauta is claiming that is is. To me, Leo is still reacting. He is presenting Veganism as the only answer to numerous injustices. And yet, closing his eyes to other perspectives. →
A birthday story from the 135
Awhile back, I lived atop Burnaby Mountain. Often, I would take the 135 bus in and out of downtown Vancouver. One of these times, returning from downtown, I happened to sit next to a fellow who wished to share a story. →
The Value of a Web Developer
James Somers asks if coders are worth it. Well, I’d like to answer that. →
Living and Working From a Trailer
Last year, I spent 8 months living and working out of a 5th Wheeler. I did this with my partner, on a public farm, in the city of Vancouver. What were we thinking?! →
Freelance Rumination
I've been out of the freelance game since I joined Ecquire back in May. And, I feel I need to reflect on those years freelancing and see if I learned anything. →
Well-Functioning Ecosystems
John Lius, a documentary film-maker and ecologist, has dedicated his life spreading the knowledge and successes of rehabilitating large-scale, damaged ecosystems. →
Should We Care About Organic
Anna Bronnes recently published on Ecosalon a link-bait article—with good intentions—that unfortunately fell a bit flat. →
Nerds on Vacation
I spent 10 days this July, in the breathtaking town of Tofino, surfing and writing code as part of Nerds on Vacation. →
Being Self Taught Revisted
A few weeks ago I posted about possible drawbacks of being a self-taught web developer and I got some really good feedback. →
The Unforeseen Consequence of Being Self-Taught
I had yet to notice any drawbacks of working in a field where I have either taught myself what I need to know or learned through work experience. Until now. →
My First Visit To Seattle
Since I missed the chance to see one of my all-time favourite people live, in Vancouver, I had an all-too-good reason to visit Seattle for the first time. →
Logicalism Over Minimalism
I don't subscribe to any sort of minimalist way of life. But, that word seems to have a meaning that I can often attest to my life. The funny thing about words and their meaning is that they aren't consistent across all means. →
An Introduction
I have relaunched my website and launched my blog as a separate website. Here's how and why. →
An Interview With Chris Allen
Chris Allen is a Vancouver based freelance Graphic Designer and Art Director, an Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design graduate and has strong roots in the Skateboarding industry. →