I started playing Hero Wars Alliance in the summer of 2024 and spent real money on it willingly, for most of that time without regret. Then came the monetization ratchet, an abandoned game mode with a locked door that has never been explained, seasonal storylines that broke their own internal logic, and finally REALM — a full city-builder mode built from the same mechanics I had been tolerating as chores on the TapJoy offer wall. This is an accounting of how a game I respected made a series of decisions that, taken together, describe something I no longer recognize and no longer enjoy playing.

Product imports into Shopify shouldn't require choosing between limited features and expensive enterprise solutions. I'm building Inavor Shuttle as a production-grade import app with full control over the process—and documenting every decision along the way.

How many times have you experienced this:

"The documentation says it's possible, Stack Overflow says it's not, the sales team promised it to the client, the Solutions Architect mentioned a client he got it kinda working for a few years ago, and the PM says this ticket is due by Friday."

An opinionated guide to Shopify Plus limitations, as of 2025-Sept.

What started as research into healthy eating led me down a fascinating rabbit hole: scientists are using sophisticated laser technology to measure intestinal gas and study the gut microbiome. From diagnosing digestive disorders through breath tests to discovering that lasers can actually alter gut bacteria composition, this unexpected journey into 'photobiomics' reveals the incredible ingenuity behind studying our body's most embarrassing bodily function.

Navigating a family vacation while searching for a new executive position presents unique challenges. In this reflection, I share strategies for managing job search anxiety during family time, including morning routines, realistic microtasks, and the mental shift required to be present with loved ones while still maintaining career momentum.

Transitioning between roles offers the perfect opportunity to refine your development workflow. In this follow-up to 'Building in Public', I explore how GitHub's project management features can transform your side project development experience. From roadmapping with Projects to tracking features with Issues, learn how these powerful tools can help maintain momentum, document decisions, and demonstrate professional-grade development practices that impress potential employers.

Career transitions offer a unique opportunity for hands-on technical exploration. After leaving my CTO role, I'm keeping skills sharp by building my Hero Wars Helper project in public. This post covers my strategies for maintaining momentum, prioritizing MVP over perfection, and using side projects to demonstrate ongoing technical relevance — all while navigating the job search process. For developers in transition, here's how to turn uncertainty into productive coding time.