Upgrading a 4-Year-Old Next.js Blog with AIAI

·4 min read

What it took to go from Next.js 9.5, 136 vulnerabilities, and an abandoned MDX plugin to a fully modern stack with zero vulnerabilities — using AI-assisted development.

My 2026 Tech Radar: Tools and Skills I'm Exploring This Year

·9 min read

A curated exploration of the technologies I'm learning in 2026—from AI-powered development and data engineering to infrastructure, mobile development, and ethical hacking.

Soviet Strength Workout Plan

·3 min read

A minimalist 3-day strength program inspired by Soviet training philosophy. Maximum muscle recruitment with minimal exercise variety.

Human Creativity Is the Real AI Breakthrough

·1 min read

The biggest leaps in AI aren't coming from better models — they're coming from creative engineers who know how to build smarter software around the ones we already have.

My 2025 in Review

·6 min read

A year of professional growth in banking ETL systems, competitive mountain biking achievements, personal engagement, and quiet internal transformation through consistency and deliberate practice.

The Unbroken Spirit: Lessons from The Old Man and the Sea

·2 min read

A reflection on The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway — on endurance, quiet strength, and finding meaning even when success slips away.

The Broken Spirit: A Reflection After Reading 1984

·2 min read

Reflections on the ending of Orwell's 1984, exploring the broken spirit of Winston and Julia, and what it means for freedom, truth, and human connection

Kelso MTB Series 2025: My Season Recap & What I Learned

·5 min read

A full-season recap of my experience racing the 2025 Kelso MTB Series, including results, lessons, stats, and key takeaways from a summer of riding and racing.

Epic Roadtrip Across Two Provinces and Four States

·5 min read

A 10-day summer road trip across Ontario, Quebec, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Almost 3,000 km of beaches, trails, food, and cities.

Rediscovering the Joy of Rails with meta-tags Gem

·3 min read

After a year with Java, I returned to Rails — and rediscovered how joyful and elegant it can be, thanks to gems like meta-tags.

Avô Joaquim, One Year Later

·1 min read

A short reflection on the passing of my grandfather Joaquim Valverde, the feeling of saudade, and the reminder to live fully.

I Barely Remember Anything From School and That's Okay

·1 min read

Most of what I learned in school didn't stick — and that's okay. As an adult, I've realized it wasn't a lack of intelligence, but a lack of context and curiosity. This post reflects on how learning changes over time, sparked by revisiting a thought experiment I forgot I'd ever studied.

The Cloud Reset: A Smarter Way to Cloud?

·3 min read

More companies are moving from public cloud to hybrid and on-prem. Here's why—and why I'm rethinking my home lab setup because of it.

Should I Learn a Skilled Trade Just in Case?

·2 min read

With AI changing software jobs fast, is it time to diversify? A reflection on coding, careers, and learning skilled trades

How Often Do You Trust the Map Too Much?

·2 min read

A reflection on the mental model "The Map Is Not the Territory" and why we should question simplified explanations—especially in the age of AI.

Processing Your Handwritten To-Do List Has Never Been Easier

·4 min read

How I use ChatGPT to process handwritten to-do lists into structured, time-blocked markdown for Obsidian—saving time every morning.

Can Any of You by Worrying Add a Single Hour to Your Life?

·1 min read

A personal reflection on worry, control, and the wisdom of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount—through the lens of modern anxiety.

The Underrated Benefits of Competition

·2 min read

Reflecting on my first MTB races, I realized how competition pushed me to grow faster than years of casual practice ever did.

Are Layoffs the New Norm in the Age of AI?

·1 min read

Tech layoffs are accelerating—and AI is often cited as the reason. Is this the new normal? A personal reflection on staying adaptable.