What am I doing now?

This page shares what I'm up to right now. Based on nownownow.com.

DC Tech Parties 🎉

Some friends and I were chatting about how we'd establish a tech scene in DC. The first step would be to have tech parties in DC. On a whim, I bought the domain dctechparties.com. A few weeks after our chat, we held a party with over 100 people near Dupont Circle. In December 2024, we're hosting another party in collaboration with DC Tech Week.

ASL ✌️

I'm currently learning sign language.

"Quarterly Shareholder Meetings" 🍸

On Memorial Day 2023, I hosted a cocktail party at my house. It was inspired by Nick Gray's book. Later, I hosted another one. And another one. And so on. Over 2023, I've become a lot better at organizing social gatherings.

I just concluded a cocktail party in October 2024. Hit me up if you live in the DMV area!

Moving 🏠

I returned to Google in July! I'm working in their Washington DC office. I recently moved to Crystal City around the same time.

Travels 🇬🇧 🇨🇳 🇹🇭

I recently came back from China and Thailand (in late 2024). Depending on the city you're in, they all have different vibes.

• Beijing is quite traditional.
• In Wuxi, they're genuinely good people having a good time.
• Shanghai has a western-adjacent work-hard-play-hard mentality.
• Chiang Mai is one big elephant pants/do it for the 'Gram/namaste vibe.
• Bangkok is a hodgepodge of everything related to Southeast Asia.

Mid 2024's travels have mostly been around work. I just returned from Defcon in Las Vegas. A few months ago, I was at BSides in San Francisco, which was like a smaller and better-run version of Defcon.

In late 2023, I went to China and the UK. It was the first time in 20 years that I'd been in China. The place has modernized quite fast. And it's good to get a first-hand perspective of the Eastern worldview.

Improv 🎭

I started doing improv. A few years ago, I would have been terrified of that very concept. But it's loads of fun and the highlight of my week. My goal? Trick everyone into thinking I'm an extrovert. I ended up taking two levels of classes over 2023; it was such an enjoyable experience.

In June 2024, I resumed improv. My plan is to resume standup comedy too.

Snowboarding 🏂

In 2022, I tried out skiing. It was fun, but I wouldn't say it was something I'd enjoy in the long term. In 2023, I began snowboarding. It's harder to get started, it's a lot more fun once you start to get it. I can do black trails now! They say that a snowboarder's learning rate is exponential; empirically, that's been true for me.

I recently came back from a trip to Tahoe in Q1 2024.

Standup Comedy 🎤

In May and December 2023, I was taking standup comedy classes and going to open mics. The classes have since ended, and I performed at the DC Improv for my graduation show. The performance went pretty well if I do say so myself. There's a video; reach out if you want to see my set. ;)

Jiu-Jitsu 🥋

Due to the ski season and moving, I paused Muay Thai and BJJ classes last year. The original plan was to resume after the season ends, but there's no reason to delay that much. In January 2023, I resumed taking BJJ classes. BJJ has been a ton of fun so far. I recently got my fourth stripe.