Hi, I'm Alex.
Engineer, hobbyist woodworker, and a stubborn believer that the best way to understand something is to make it.
The short version
I grew up taking things apart and putting them back together — sometimes with leftover parts. That habit eventually turned into a career in software, where I get paid to do a more disciplined version of the same thing.
I write here mostly to think clearly. The act of explaining something to a stranger forces a kind of honesty I don't always reach for in my own head. Topics tend to land somewhere between engineering, woodworking, and short personal essays.
How I work
I'm drawn to projects that combine careful planning with hands-on execution — whether that's shipping a new system at work or laminating a workbench top out of soft maple. I like long feedback loops less than I used to. I like writing things down more.
Outside of work
Most of my non-work hours go to the workshop, cooking, and a slow but earnest attempt to learn classical guitar. I'm also a regrettably enthusiastic runner.
Get in touch
The best way to reach me is email. I read everything, though I'm slow to reply if it's not urgent.
Say hello
Questions, project ideas, or just want to compare notes on a tricky joinery problem? I'd like to hear from you.