The Drizzle: ep 02 - 25k days left, experiments and learning from them, and brand building
A heavy down pour of life, learning, experimenting, and looking ahead. The last few week's I've spent reflecting, finding gratitude, and trying to forecast the bets I'm going to be making in the next year.
This week's project:
The Drizzle: ep 01 - Trials of SDD, PRDs, and Product Engineering
A light drizzle of spec-driven development (SDD) with spec-kit, GitHub's Specify project, and how my most recent project has me seeing SDD, and PRDs as a product leader and builder.
GitLab Project: AI Fluency for Teams
Project Overview
A modularized MCP powered Chrome plugin that allows one to right click on text in their browser and choose a couple different options to analyze the text.
I built this tool because I'm starting some graduate studies in the fall and I've heard the submissions are reviewed for AI. I often use AI but don't rely on it and want to assure what I'm writing doesn't get flagged. I've also been interested in using FAST API to build an MCP server, especially with docker. And I believe the best way to learn is to do.
Also, ever wonder if someone uses AI in their social posts? I've wondered the same as a scroll on LinkedIn. This tool lets me check whenever I'm curious. 🤔
Many AI validation tools like Grammarly and others require you to copy and paste text into their sites/portals to evaluate it. Personally, the UX flow just isn't great, unless you're having it review large papers. Apple recently came out with "Writing Tools" built into Apple Intelligence in the context menu and it covers typical AI use cases like proofreading, summarization, rewriting, and making the writing sound different (friendly, professional, concise). It doesn't cover use cases for analyzing text for AI drafting like what I was looking for. I often look for tooling that is easy to use, easy to build upon, and easy to customize.
This is a living document of how I think about leadership — the mindset I carry, the actions I take, the habits I practice, and the decisions I make. It’s not static. I’ll keep refining it as I grow.
Why This Matters
Mobile‑network surveillance tools — better known as IMSI‑catchers or “Stingrays” — pretend to be legitimate cell towers so they can collect device identifiers or even downgrade encryption. They’re often deployed at protests, border crossings, and large public events, but ordinary users have almost no visibility when one is nearby. Rayhunter flips that script: with nothing more than a pocket‑sized hotspot, you can flag suspicious towers in real time and share your findings with the wider privacy community.
Preface
When I woke up Dec 12th, I knew something was off but I didn't realize what and how serious it was. I didn't realize the next ~1.5 years to now (Sept 2025) would be full of lessons -Â Â now gratitude - but naturally life is going to life.
I told myself I'd write about my journey with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome eventually though. Not so much to reflect, but to share my timeline objectively and hopefully it could help someone else.
I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of data, decision-making, and technology. Recently, two podcast episodes sparked an idea that I couldn’t shake — one that combines my passion for fantasy football, my love for tech, and my curiosity about how NFL players make decisions about their careers.
To access the NFL Team Picker app, go here.
I stopped reading books a long time ago because it just never clicked for me. I’ve always struggled to visualize what others call a “great read,” so instead, I consume my “reading” by listening—whether that’s through screen readers, podcasts, or even AI tools like NotebookLM or ChatGPT’s transcriber. These options give me the freedom to absorb information in a medium that truly works for me.
My strategy? I almost always have a book or podcast playing whenever I’m driving or any time I’m on my own. It’s especially effective during long runs—there’s nothing like lacing up for a run and immersing myself in a captivating story or fascinating conversation. Over the years, Audible and an ever-growing list of podcasts have become my go-to sources for continuous learning and entertainment. In this post, I’ll share the shows and audiobooks that have kept me hooked.
I’ve long believed that if I do something difficult each day, I won’t sweat the small stuff. Over the years, this mindset has helped me stay composed during stressful times—whether it's company layoffs, reorganizations, or setbacks from injuries (I've got some stories if you’re buying the drinks).