Warning: This site is a historical artifact. My new blog is on Tumblr, because network effects. See you at the party!

Every beginning is an act of faith

It was the summer between junior high and high school. I was a 14-year old living in San Diego. I got the news from my mother one day: we’re moving. To another state. Three thousand miles away. There was nothing I could do. The Winds of Gainful Employment were blowing Mom towards cold, snowy Massachusetts….

From vision to reality: some thoughts on the perils of invention

It all seemed so simple when I started this whole endeavor: build the web-based cooking app of my dreams. There was no question in my mind what it would do: it would allow one to save recipes from around the web in one central location, record when one cooked them, and share that with friends. It would make…

The personality of change

It’s been a little over four months since I departed Fog Creek to embark on this grand adventure called funemployment being income-less trying to turn an idea into a product and then maybe even a business. A lot can happen in four months. One of those things is that I’ve finally gained some perspective on what really happened at…

How to see the aurora

Here’s what you should do if you want to see the aurora borealis: 1. Plan months ahead. Decide on a place, somewhere North-ish, that you would like to go. 2. Buy the necessary camera equipment, like a sturdy tripod, a cable shutter release, and a wide-angle lens. Also buy a ton of warm clothes and…

Grokking this place

Today is the second to last evening we’re spending in Iceland. Just in the past 2 days, we’ve driven halfway around the country, stayed with a family at a local farm, chatted with other travelers over langoustine and smoked fish, explored ice caves and glaciers with local guides, and soaked in outdoor “hot pots.” After…

True facts about Iceland

1. They say that Iceland is a land populated by elves, trolls and faeries. They also say that most of them are quite elusive but some make their home in the big city, Reykjavik. We stayed there for 4 days at an AirBnB owned by Jónar, whom we never got to meet so I believe…

I heart Iceland

I’m too exhausted, full, and contented to really put my mind to blogging right now, but I have to keep this project going. So I will write about something that should come easy. I’m going to talk about all the ways that Iceland just seems totally wonderful so far. Icelanders go with the flow Yes,…

Roadside attraction

I have mixed feelings towards cars. 1. As a child of the suburbs, I grew up in a car. it was an indispensable tool for living. My mother would take me on 40-minute weekly pilgrimages to the nearest Asian supermarket, extended road trips to visit national parks, day-long hauls to visit friends in neighboring states,…

Travel Tips for the Technology Addict

Vacation seems like the perfect time to go off-grid and enjoy the simple life, until you realize your ability to find food, directions, bathrooms, and happiness depends on it. So why not embrace your addiction? I mean, come on, happiness. Besides, you can use your newfound connectivity to mess with your friends’ site analytics data: So…

Hello, Iceland

If there is one thing I kept hearing about Iceland while researching for this trip, it is this: Do not come with any expectations, and you will be fine. Usually, this is said with regards to the weather. It’s a warning against the siren song of those dazzling clear skies presented in promotional photos. In reality,…