Essays
Personal essays and reflective writing pieces.
Three Ways to Leverage AI for Code Development
February 6, 2026
Whether you’re using Claude Code or other AI coding assistants, these tools can transform how you learn languages, build projects, and enhance your development skills. Here are three proven approaches that work across different AI platforms.
When the Mountain Decides: A Journey in the Peruvian Andes
January 17, 2026
The freeze-dried potato sat in my palm like a small, gray stone. Chuño, Felipe called it. Chuño is an Andean staple that had sustained generations in these mountains. I placed it in my mouth, its texture somewhere between chalk and cork, and chewed. Felipe and his brother Gumercindo watched with the kind of patient interest that comes from hosting outsiders who don’t yet understand the wisdom of high-altitude food.
Comparing Javier Milei and Bill Clinton's Balanced Budget Strategies: Lessons for the U.S.
February 26, 2025
In the world of fiscal policy, balanced budget strategies are often central to the economic philosophies of politicians and administrations.: post title: “Comparing Javier Milei and Bill Clinton’s Balanced Budget Strategies: Lessons for the U.S.” date: ‘2025-02-26’ author: jtdub tags: jtdub.com politics analysis
It's Time to Write Your Representatives - February 2025
February 2, 2025
There is significant turmoil in the United States due to the actions of the Trump administration and the rapid developments unfolding. Some of these actions are illegal and pose a constitutional crisis. I’ve created a template to help you clearly articulate your concerns to your representatives.
25 Years of U.S. Oil Dynamics: A Deep Dive into Production, Consumption, and Trade
January 27, 2025
Over the past quarter-century, the U.S. oil industry has undergone profound transformations, shaped by technological breakthroughs, economic forces, policy shifts, and global market dynamics. This blog explores the key trends in oil production, consumption, imports, and exports, with a focus on the most recent developments.
The Despacho Ceremony: An Ancient Andean Tradition
May 13, 2023
The Despacho ceremony is a cornerstone of Andean culture, a sacred ritual ingrained in the indigenous communities of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. It is a vibrant celebration of gratitude, balance, and harmony, reflecting the profound connection these cultures have with the natural world and spiritual realm.
2019: Year in Diving
January 9, 2020
I did a 2018 video and I enjoyed being a bit nostalgic of the years diving activities. I decided to do another one. Enjoy.
Archaeology Career Prospects
December 11, 2019
Anthropology is the study of people and cultures from present day to the earliest humans. There are many disciplines in anthropology, including archaeology. Archaeology is the study of past peoples and cultures through the material remains that they leave behind. These remains are called artifacts. Artifacts are any physical items that are created or used by people. This essay takes a look at the archaeology job marketplace. This essay will analyze the education requirements for professional archaeologists, what typical salaries that one can expect in the job marketplace, and what types of jobs one can expect to obtain as an archaeologist.
2018 Diving Highlights
December 29, 2018
It’s been an interesting year of diving. I haven’t done the most dives this year, but the dives that I’ve done have been interesting. I put together a short video showing some of the highlights.