Writing
Blog
Notes from the desk - web builds, gear picks, recipes, and whatever I'm figuring out as I go.
Blog posts
Why I Switched From Drupal to WordPress
- May 27, 2026
- Technology, Web Development, Opinion
I fell hard for Drupal's architecture and still couldn't find work with it. WordPress had familiar building blocks and a community big enough to pay the bills.
What I Look for in Wireless Earphones
- May 27, 2026
- Technology, Gear, Reviews
After years of cycling through earbuds, neckbands, and over-ears, here's what I care about in wireless earphones - and the pair I keep reaching for.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
My go-to chicken adobo for the Instant Pot. Bone-in thighs, 10 minutes under pressure, classic soy-garlic-vinegar glaze without the hours of waiting.
Worship Pads for Solo Guitar: What Changed When I Finally Tried Them
Leading worship with just an acoustic guitar felt thin in a big room - until someone slid a pad track underneath me during practice.
The Set It and Forget It Arroz Caldo
How I used to make arroz caldo in a rice cooker with a congee feature - five minutes of prep, an hour hands-off. I use an Instant Pot now.
How I Built JoRap Notes: After Losing PHP Hosting
- June 14, 2024
- Website, Technology, Tutorial
I lost my old PHP hosting and a chunk of my work. A weekend later I landed on Hugo + GitHub + Cloudflare Pages - faster and better than what I was paying for.
RSS Feeds - What I Wish I'd Done Sooner
- March 30, 2024
- Technology, Productivity, Guide
I figured RSS quietly died around 2010. A friend pointed out it never actually did - it just stopped being trendy. Two weeks of using it later, I was a convert.
Why I Still Run My Own Website
People ask why I don't just post on Facebook. After years of watching platforms die and rules change, here's why I keep my own corner of the internet.
Facebook's Hidden Gem: The Favorites Feed
- February 4, 2024
- Social Media, Technology, Tips
I still need Facebook for Messenger. I mostly stopped scrolling the main feed and use Favorites for the handful of people I actually picked.
The Miracle of Isaiah David
On May 8, 2020, Pia and I found out she was pregnant and gave birth to our son the same day. Years later, that sentence still doesn't feel real.
DNPAP - The Song Pia Recorded at Home
DNPAP is memorable to me because Pia sang the studio vocal at home during COVID. Destiny Music wrote it. Here's the story, then the studio cut, live cut, and videos in one place.
Why I Still Keep a Desktop or Laptop
- June 14, 2021
- Technology, Productivity, Tips
Every couple of years someone goes mobile-only. I keep a laptop because real work happens faster there - upright, keyboard, full apps - not because I'm lending gear.