Carrying the Fire
A short reflection on The Road by Cormac McCarthy, written right before becoming a father.
All posts / Reflections
Timshel
A short reflection on East of Eden, Caleb, Cathy, and the idea that our past does not get the final word.
Portugal at the 2026 World Cup: Talent, but No Team
A reflection on Portugal's 2026 World Cup exit, and why a gifted squad still failed to look like a coherent team.
The Most Productive Looking Procrastination I've Ever Done
Building with AI agents is so easy it's become my new form of procrastination, one that feels like productivity even when it isn't.
Frankenstein: A Few Thoughts
Short notes from reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein — ambition, responsibility, and a monster more self-aware than its creator.
My 2026 Tech Radar: Tools and Skills I'm Exploring This Year
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.
Human Creativity Is the Real AI Breakthrough
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
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
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
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
Avô Joaquim, One Year Later
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
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.
Should I Learn a Skilled Trade Just in Case?
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?
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.
Can Any of You by Worrying Add a Single Hour to Your Life?
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
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?
Tech layoffs are accelerating—and AI is often cited as the reason. Is this the new normal? A personal reflection on staying adaptable.