Personal

Growing up in 90s New Zealand, while everyone idolized Michael Jordan, I found myself drawn to Scottie Pippen—the unsung hero of the Chicago Bulls dynasty. This post explores why Pippen's quiet leadership, incredible versatility, and selfless team-first approach resonated with me as a young Kiwi, and how his work ethic and adaptability continue to influence my approach to software engineering and life today.

Ever felt your voice gets lost in the crowd at work? In this post, I share the real challenges of speaking up in a massive corporation—especially if you’re naturally shy or always think others have better ideas. From my journey as a software engineer (and lifelong introvert) in a bustling, cloud-heavy tech team, discover practical tips to break out of your comfort zone, find your groove in conversations, and make sure your perspective is heard. Whether you’re in a city office, home in the bush, or somewhere in between, boost your confidence and take your place in the team story.

After years of splashing out on pricey Beats and Sony headphones, I’ve found a budget-friendly pair that holds its own — the EarFun Wave Pro. In my latest post, I share how these earphones cut the train rumble, tame office chatter, and deliver surprisingly solid sound for coding days. Not sponsored — just a genuine review.

Why choose a static blog in 2025? When I decided to start blogging again, I had three key priorities: zero cost, minimal maintenance, and unlimited scalability. By leveraging Vercel's free hosting and Next.js static generation, I created a platform that lets me focus entirely on writing rather than technical overhead. Discover the practical benefits of going static and why it might be the perfect solution for your content strategy.

Ever wondered about the story behind a personal brand? My logo was crafted by my talented younger brother Geoff, a designer who knows me well and understands my passion for technology. I wanted something simple, unique, and personal—and Geoff delivered a clever node-inspired design featuring my initials. Discover how family collaboration, technical inspiration, and thoughtful simplicity came together to create a lasting visual identity.