Returning for my third year of self-reflection in this incarnation of the blog, is the 2025 annual review. As with previous year’s, I’m using Chris Williamson’s template as inspiration and customizing it as we go.
Rapid fire, best of
Best Surprise
Having words from my blog quoted back to me
Best Meal
Beef Wellington at Bar George for my birthday
Coolest New Experience
Training with a training plan, and first time training with a power meter - it really does change the game. But sea kayaks up a fjord was a pretty close second.
Favourite Weekend
A weekend in Ottawa with the family, there was dinosaurs, airplanes and monster trucks
Favourite First Meeting
A reference check for a mentee with a local CTO.
Was it an amazing meeting? No. Talked again since? Also no. But those 20 minutes started months of self-reflection.
Favourite New City
Ottawa, capital of Canada
Favourite New Walk
Parc national des Hautes-Gorges, QC
Favourite New Friend
No one knew really entered my life this year, instead I’ve been really doubling down on existing connections.
Favourite Tour
Saguenay Fjord National Park, QC
Most Intense Week
Delivering an entire LLM project solo - it led to some of my best reflective writing of the year.
Favourite Artist
Sleep Token
Favourite Song
Caramel by Sleep Token
Favourite Album
A Long Lost Silence by There’s a Light
There’s a soft-spot in my heart for atmospheric, melancholy post-rock. This album answers everything I’ve been looking for since I first found Sigur Ros.
Favourite Concert
Streetlight Manifesto, though it was great to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club again after all these years
Favourite Quote
They’ll ask why I didn’t swim harder
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