Q1 2025 - I Blinked and It Was April
The Q1 2025 update featuring what I'm up to, and some office-like zingers for you.
Well.
It’s been 3 months into 2025 and basically an eternity has gone by. The first quarter of every year is typically exudes such a density in “shit that needs to be done”, and I think it’s because we all of us collective procrastinated the quarter before due to the holidays. Either that or Day Light Savings is much more important than I realize.
Here I am now, coming at you with how my eternity’s been.
Enjoy.
p.s. If this is the first piece of content you’ve read from me, hello. I find this a much better medium than instant messaging.
Memo on what I’ve been up to.
Summary
Professionally Speaking, there’s never been a more exciting time in banking and financial technologies.
Social Rights Speaking, there’s never been a more terrifying time than what is going on now.
Civic Service wise, jfc.
I think that captures it.
On the Horizon
Future aspirations and commitments
Bay to Breakers is coming up in San Francisco this May, and I said “eh why not do a 12k + 3k (9.6 miles) on San Francisco.
I will be in Dubai for the Week of Token 2049, and yes I will take time off to be a tourist after Token 2049.
I still am contemplating trips for the remainder of the year, mostly targeting South East Asia.
I have aspirations to run a full marathon this year, as well have day dream (or run dreamed?) running a mile equivalent to my age before end of year (Ultra Marathon).
On Travel:
Went to Magic Mountain, otherwise known as Davos 2025 in Switzerland. I ate shit on skiing and I will have my revenge. I also had a ride of a lifetime meeting and catching up with worldly people. I’m a sucker for geopolitics, and being in the area for Trump’s Inauguration week was oddly remarkable there given the EU centricity of Davos - though dreadful outside of there. The way I would think of spending a week here is like doing the equivalent of an ultra-marathon, daily, in the business conference sense.
Rotted at the The Dolder Grand in Zurich Switzerland after Davos; this is a great spa hotel that blends contemporary architecture with appreciation for history. If you have a layover, or need a recharge from Davos, this is 100% the place to be because 1) the food doesn’t suck and it hits, 2) spa access is included and doesn’t close until late - enjoy ice plunges and jacuzzi while watching Zurich city sunset, 3) you can get evening massages ending by 9pm, and 4) it has a great running/walking/nature trail. Oh and 5), the shower located in your room is ridiculous in that it’s a 360 experience. Go here for the an accelerated recharge.
Celebrated in Cabo Mexico for a Wedding and that was truly spectacular. It even had fireworks during the reception. Though I am not a huge fan of the airport and how much of a hassle it is to travel to Cabo, the weather was not humid like Cancun Mexico. Also the airport lounge for priority pass is a travesty.
Relaxed at the Civana in Phoenix, Arizona, at a Wellness Resort. It’s quite nice and if you’re looking for spa, detox, and simple desert wellness - it’s the place. You should eat the vegetable lasagna they have!
The Mountains Called. I enjoyed not one, not two, but 5 days of skiing in Mammoth California on two separate trips including the taste of weekday skiing there. After the first trips, I bought very discounted ski boots, which allowed me to do Upper Solitude at Mammoth (my first black diamond) to Canyon Lodge comfortably. I can’t foresee more time in the snow, but in the mean time I’d like to check out Virtual Snow in Santa Monica which boasts “1 hour training there is 6 hours on the mountain”.
Me at Upper Solitude in Mammoth. Only one way down. I also had a trip to Palo Alto wherein the flight from Southern California to there was delayed 6 hours because SFO wasn’t allowing more planes to land there due to congestion. Also it was 6 hour delay. It was tragic.
On Fitness:
Running
20 miles! I ran the most I’ve ever ran with a 20 mile run that include a trail hike, a zoo, and some serious altitude gain (over 1000 feet). It helps to also a have a compelling audiobook (100% recommend it as an audiobook) which for this run was I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Faster average pace. I am picking up the pace with strength training and fast-group runs after years of just jogging. This was unintentional as it started with this: My gym now does Saturday Social Runs but they aren’t that social and dear god why are we picking up the pace oh the coach is a normal sub 6 minute miler jfc.
Run Clubs. They are everywhere. It’s here, it’s their, its every fucking where and you know what, they are great. Each run club has a unique focus and personality to fit the weekly needs. Would I “join” one? No. I don’t talk to strangers on runs or in any exercise.
Cycling - while I do indoor cycling, how the hell does someone manage 17mph average for an hour after a run. That’s hard.
Swimming - I don’t know how to swim so I got nothing here. But if I figure this out, I can be on my merry way to a sprint triathlon.
Skiing - See Travel section.
p.s. it’s all on Strava so it happened.
I need running music or audiobooks. Open to recs. For the fast run, for the jog, for long run, for it all! Otherwise it’s just this song on repeat.
On Media Binging Consumption:
Paddington in Peru was fantastic, though #2 is still better. It’s wholesome, but most of the actors change since the first Paddington.
Invincible Season 3 has been great especially if you watch the Atom Eve special, though the Amazon Prime Ads are simply killing me. Spoiler alert, the main character survives the first two seasons?
Mad Max Furiousa is … okay? I can count the amount of times the main character spoke, rivaling John Wick’s dialogue.
I watched Rebel Moon which is arguable one of the worst sci-fi films I’ve ever seen that I watched Part 2, then watched the Directors Cut for Part 1 and Part 2, to be sure that this was a terrible movie. It really is a terrible movie.
I heard Mythic Quest Season 4 is good. No seriously, I heard my wife play it and I guess I know some of what’s going on.
The Gorge is the most pandemic-era movie output ever, and it also a great premise until the last act. Passable movie though unless you want to see “how do you film an entire movie with two characters when the pandemic happened and people had to be socially distant from each other.
Adam Sandler’s Spaceman is perhaps one of his best most serious films yet, and also peak pandemic-era movie output. What’s hilarious is that it’s based on Czech space program, and Adam Sandler play’s a Czech astronaut (so very serious because they are Czech) who must go explore a space anomaly in the solar system, alone and not lose his marbles.
Severance Season 2 finally finished, which means I can binge the entire thing and so far, it’s one of the best visually told dystopian sci-fi stories there is. Unfortunately, this is the 3rd time I had to get started to actually watch it and that’s because Severance is like a Christopher Nolan film - you have to focus on it, and maybe do a few episodes at a time, as there’s a lot of visual detail presented.
On Video Games
Not a great time to be a video game publisher or industry employee given the state of video game industry and layoffs. That said, several indies are out or will release that I look forward to.
Split Fiction is a fantastic Couch Co-Op game to play for the fun factor. If you liked It Takes Two, and you also have SO, this is the game. There aren’t many co-op centric video games published these days.
Sirocco has been a nice treat to play after being in my loop of Space Marine 2 forever. Sicorro is basically DOTA/LEAGUE but water-based, and it’s directly based on the Warcraft 3 battleships custom map.
Legion TD 2 has been enjoyable, part tower defense, part tower war, very competitive. It too is based on a Warcraft 3 Custom Map.
Speaking of Custom Maps, I find myself playing Starcraft 2 Custom Maps. Specifically Cute Defense, a Warcraft 3 skinned custom game, in Starcraft 2, and scratches the survival, tower defense, and tower war itch.
Okay I cant’ say Starcraft 2 without mention its Coop missions. Those are great alternative to the daunting traditional games Starcraft 2 is focused on.
Steam also had demofest and I can recommend the following upcoming indie game for their novelty or addictive gameplay: 9Kings, Dungeon Warfare 3, Tower Dominion, Drop Duchy, and Machine Mind.
Big Boy Moves
I’ve gone caseless for my phone, and have a simple D-brand leather skin and magsafe attachment. It’s been 3 months and no issues thus far. It feels quite nice and makes what is an expensive phone feel more of a luxury good.
I’ve completely switched to Apple Music, breaking a decade of Spotify Premium Membership. It’s easy to copy your Spotify playlist over with this tool. I love the music quality of Apple Music and if you have a Ipad or Mac from the last 2 years, Sonos, Premium audio in a car, or Bookshelf speakers, you’ll notice it. However I hate the “Discovery” playlist as … it’s not playing a new music for me. That said, their curated playlists are very, very good. Checkout New Zealand Top 100
I have a subscription to NYT Crossword Puzzles. It’s that good to play and wind down or start the day with. Don’t tell younger me this. Connections is one of my favorite games as it’s a reminder that no matter how sophisticated or complex a connection could be, there’s always a chance it could be solved with stupid drunk logic.
On Restaurants I’ve Tried (Again)
Intercrew had it’s last restaurant service in March and it was glorious.
The Marble Steakhouse is surprisingly a great kbbq place when you want a focus meat selection and a superior banchan to Baekjeong.
Ettan is some fabulous, though small portioned, upscaled Indian food.
Oh Banzai is one of those “let’s make wacky handroll flavors” and it delivers. You’ll find pairings you might not like, and then you’ll find the one you’ll come back for.
Crearee - A taco place in Bishop which you can have when you go for snow sports in Mammoth, has no right to be as good as it is. Plus it’s next to a tesla charger.
Thai Favorite now beats Siam Station for me. Both of which beat Chiang Rai for me.
A pop up in Toast Bakery during the evening times appeared, serving traditional ceramic cooked Korean barbeque. It’s called Jarbecue.
Another handroll place open and it slaps. Ootoro Bar.
Toast Bakery - I’ve made fun of their sisig burrito (it’s just not that good), but their breakfast burrito? GOAT. Especially after you do a Newport Bay 10 miler.
Quan Mii, a Banh Xeo focused placed that has a disproportionally large serving, is a great intro place for newbies to Vietnamese food.
In the same plaza as above is Quan Nhii, which is basically build your own Vietnamese rice roll. No, it’s not a springroll. A bit pricey, very Instagram-able, and very fun.
Chicken Gs - Shout out to Mike for this late night halal fried chicken in a main street suburb. Just hope to god you don’t hit every red light possible that evening.
Some Office Appropriate One Liners
Use as necessary.
This is giving 51st state vibes.
If at first it doesn’t succeed, gaslight yourself until it does.
You can’t string together a committee of words and expect it to mean something.
Today is a horrible day to be literate.
Anything beyond this line is not approved by Management
Viewer discretion is advised.
*DAY LIGHT SAVINGS.
However Daily Savings is also important.