Author: ra
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I Started Midjourney Excited. I Left Uncomfortable. Here’s Why
This is story #3. I spent nine months with Midjourney, creating thousands of AI images and feeling like I was on the cutting edge. Then the discourse hit: scraped artist work, AI slop books, and the uncomfortable truth – I was paying to normalize it. Here’s how my excitement turned into an ethical hangover
Categories: AI Journey -
How Julius.ai Helped Me Learn Product Metrics as a New PM
This is story #2. I became a PM in 2024. AI tools were everywhere doing exciting things, but solving nothing. Then I found Julius.ai on some “Top 10 AI Tools” list. Lucky timing – I actually had a problem: measuring app performance. Right tool, right time.
Categories: AI Journey -
The Great ChatGPT Backfire of 2022
Welcome to my AI journey at work. This is story #1: I was excited with ChatGPT back in 2022. I shared it with my team immediately. No training, no plan. It was a disaster – and those lessons are still incredibly relevant today as teams rush to adopt AI tools. Here’s what happened.
Categories: AI Journey -
CNY2026 in Malapascua: Close Encounter with Thresher Sharks
Returning to Malapascua to dive with thresher sharks at the newly accessible Kimud Shoal – no more pre-dawn starts! Three days of diving included encounters with threshies at 12-15m, exploring Gato Island’s tunnels, a sunset dive for mandarin fish, and stargazing sessions between dives. Plus travel tips, costs, and an unexpected flu finale.
Categories: SCUBA dive -
January Stargazing: Using K&F Concept 12×50 Monocular
Want to explore the night sky without breaking the bank? The K&F 12×50 monocular offers an affordable entry into stargazing. With 12x magnification, a 50mm light-gathering lens, and tripod compatibility, it’s perfect for viewing the moon, stars and nebulae – all without the commitment of expensive telescopes!
Categories: Stargazing -
Kodak Charmera Review: Photos from my Cycling in Taipei
I got a Kodak Charmera after seeing those Instagram ads and used it on my Taipei cycling routes. Here’s my honest experience with this tiny retro camera.
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Cycling in Taiwan: Taipei Riverside and Fushan (福山) in Wulai – January Weekend Rides
Taipei’s winter is my favorite time to ride – cool enough for climbs, mild enough for long riverside routes. I tackled three rides in January: a 105km trip to Sankeng for silver grass views, an 82km riverside ride to see Danjiang Bridge, and a challenging 63km climb to Fushan with 974m elevation gain. Here’s what…
Categories: Cycling -
Cycling in the Philippines: Marikina to Wawa Dam
To make this ride happen, I sent my Liv Devote gravel bike from Taiwan to the Philippines. Learn how I arranged the shipping through my Giant shop in Taipei. I also got my father a new Decathlon Riverside 500 for our Marikina and Wawa Dam adventure!
Categories: Cycling -
New Year’s Eve Flight to Manila: Watching Fireworks from the Plane + El Patio Razon Stay
My first viral TikTok (2.4M views!!!) captured New Year’s fireworks from Philippine Airlines PR895, flying from Taipei to Manila at midnight. Watching Metro Manila’s spectacular display from above was unforgettable! We escaped to El Patio Razon in Tanay, Rizal for a peaceful mountain retreat.
Categories: Travel -
December Stargazing: Christmas Tree Cluster, Learning Veralux
Planning your December targets? Chasing clear skies in Taiwan? Want to learn a powerful new script that stretches your DSO data in minutes? This post covers the Christmas Tree Cluster, cloud-dodging sessions in Fenqihu, and my workflow with Veralux Hypermetric Stretch—everything you need for winter stargazing.
Categories: Stargazing
