rands

The One About ARC Raiders

In our 96th episode, Rands goes deep (perhaps too deep) on ARC Raiders, an extraction shooter where trust is the real currency. Mentioned, referenced, or obsessed over: ARC Raiders The Last of Us (HBO) Pokemon Go Sea of Thieves World of Warcraft Acquired Podcast Related Important Things episodes: EP 25: The One About the Pro… more

March 6, 2026

Hit and Run

As you drive by a cyclist, you have one of three opinions: As a person who drives, I’ve experienced #1 and #2 quite a bit. My perspective has shifted as I dived into both road and gravel cycling over the last half decade. As a person who rides a lot, I do understand road rage,… more

March 5, 2026 3 Comments

The Complicators, The Drama Aggregators, and The Avoiders

It’s hard to tell what drives each human. This is why my usual last interview question is a very blunt, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I ask everyone regardless of the amount of experience because I want to see how they improvise and, often, a hint at their motivation. I… more

March 2, 2026

What’s in the Nerd Bag?

On the Pro Leisure Circuit, I’m spending a lot of time in random coffee shops. Cafe Dio in Los Gatos. Long-standing desk. View of the redwoods in front of my high school. Can recommend. It’s been a while since I’ve documented what’s in my bag, but there have been several recent notable updates worth discussing,… more

February 21, 2026 1 Comment

Extremely Lazy and Immensely Curious

When I explain that Claude Code has changed my relationship with developing software completely, I’m under-exaggerating… if that’s even a thing. This off-the-cuff piece started as a unposted social update that read: Watching Claude Code adeptly use every type of Unix command shows me that a) you can do anything in Unix, b) my higher-level… more

February 16, 2026 2 Comments

Three Bad Managers

I worked for each of these humans. They either hired or promoted me. I worked for them for many years. As is my way, I’ve vastly altered the details of each human, but the core issue I describe is the core issue. Also, each of these humans is very smart. No dummies. Here are their… more

February 9, 2026

I Hate Fish

I don’t like fish. “But Rands, have you tried…” Yeah, I tried that. I don’t like fish. “Wait, wait, wait, what you need to try is…” Tried that, too. A couple of times. I don’t like fish. “Rands, you haven’t had good fish.” Yeah, I’ve had good fish. Many times. Girlfriends, good friends, bad friends.… more

February 2, 2026 3 Comments

The One About Exercise (Again)

In our 95th episode, we again talk about the value of exercise. Lyle paddles an outrigger, Rands used to play hockey, but now he bikes, and we compare peak heart rates. It’s a thriller. Enjoy it now, or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes.

January 30, 2026

I’m Going to Dig a Hole

Many, many years ago, at my childhood house in the Santa Cruz mountains, I grabbed a shovel and started to dig a hole. Why? Unclear. I was six or seven. I’d seen what my Dad could do with a shovel, so one afternoon…. I started digging, and by the time evening approached, my Dad walked… more

January 19, 2026 2 Comments