## Welcome to blog.raza.works Hi! I am Raza, an IT systems administrator with an insatiable curiosity that's been with me since childhood. My journey took me from applied mathematics at Toronto Metropolitan University (though I had to step away for personal reasons) to the ever-evolving world of technology. By day, I'm immersed in the challenges of keeping complex IT systems running smoothly. By night, I'm a parent to twins, which has been both the biggest adventure and the greatest learning experience of my life. In the spaces between work and family, I nurture a few key interests: - **Continuous Learning**: My curiosity drives me to constantly explore new ideas through books, podcasts, and audiobooks. There's always something fascinating to learn and discover. - **Nature and Hiking**: Whenever I can, I hit the trails. There's something about being in nature and crisp air that helps me think more clearly. - **The Stoic Algos**: I merge Stoic principles with CS thinking to approach problems. This mix of ancient wisdom and modern logic helps me navigate technical issues and life's hurdles with equal finesse. - **Intellectual Exploration**: I'm drawn to a wide range of thinkers and writers. From the existential depths of Ghalib and Dostoevsky to the contemporary insights of Nassim Taleb, Alain de Botton, Seth Godin, Derek Sivers and Tim Ferriss (to name a few), I find inspiration in diverse perspectives that challenge and expand my worldview. - **Caring About Education**: I believe everyone should have the chance to get a good education. I often think about how we can make education more affordable for more people. This digital space is an attempt to share insights from these different facets of my life. I'm no expert – just someone trying to navigate the complexities of work, parenthood, and personal growth while staying true to my love for learning and sharing. If you're intrigued by the blend of technology and philosophy, passionate about personal growth, or just trying to balance work and life like me, you might find some useful ideas here. --- Disclaimer: My thoughts, while my own, are often sparked by others – we're all standing on the shoulders of giants, after all. I'm not afraid to borrow a good phrase or harness AI to polish my writing. In our era of shared intelligence, brilliance can emerge from both human and digital minds. 💡 🧠 🤖