diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte
index c8ef1f53..856e7498 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/lib/components/Piece.svelte
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
 	{#if source}
 		<section data-info>
 			<!-- prettier-ignore -->
-			<p>feedback or fixes welcome — <a href="https://github.com/ignatiusmb/mauss.dev/issues">issues</a> &middot; <a href="https://github.com/ignatiusmb/mauss.dev/blob/master/workspace/content/routes/{source}">edits</a></p>
+			<p><a href="/help#feedback">send thoughts</a> via <a href="/about#elsewhere">email</a>. feedback or fixes welcome — <a href="https://github.com/ignatiusmb/mauss.dev/issues">issues</a> &middot; <a href="https://github.com/ignatiusmb/mauss.dev/blob/master/workspace/content/routes/{source}">edits</a></p>
 		</section>
 	{/if}
 </article>
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/lib/server/Card.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/lib/server/Card.svelte
index 6a3eeb93..7f79dd92 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/lib/server/Card.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/lib/server/Card.svelte
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
 
 	p {
 		line-height: 1.25;
-		font-size: 2rem;
+		font-size: 2.1rem;
 	}
 
 	header,
diff --git a/workspace/apex/src/routes/uses/+page.svelte b/workspace/apex/src/routes/uses/+page.svelte
index b178ef6f..90ef6751 100644
--- a/workspace/apex/src/routes/uses/+page.svelte
+++ b/workspace/apex/src/routes/uses/+page.svelte
@@ -1,82 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import Piece from '$lib/components/Piece.svelte';
-	const instruments: Array<{
-		icon: string;
-		type: string;
-		items: Array<{
-			type: string;
-			name: string;
-			link?: string;
-		}>;
-	}> = [
-		{
-			icon: 'devices',
-			type: 'hardware',
-			items: [
-				{
-					type: 'PC',
-					name: 'ASUS NUC 14 Pro',
-					link: 'https://www.asus.com/us/displays-desktops/nucs/nuc-mini-pcs/asus-nuc-14-pro',
-				},
-				{
-					type: 'Display',
-					name: 'LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B 27"',
-					link: 'https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gl83a-b-gaming-monitor',
-				},
-				{
-					type: 'Keyboard',
-					name: 'Keychron K2 - Brown Switch',
-					link: 'https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k2-wireless-mechanical-keyboard',
-				},
-				{
-					type: 'Audio I/O',
-					name: 'Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen',
-					link: 'https://focusrite.com/products/scarlett-solo',
-				},
-				{ type: 'Phone', name: 'Galaxy S23+' },
-				{ type: 'Watch', name: 'Venu 2 Plus' },
-				{ type: 'Earbuds', name: 'Galaxy Buds3 Pro' },
-				{
-					type: 'Home Lab',
-					name: 'GEEKOM Mini Air12',
-					link: 'https://www.geekompc.com/geekom-mini-air12-mini-pc',
-				},
-				{
-					type: 'Storage',
-					name: 'ORICO 4-bay',
-					link: 'https://www.orico.cc/us/product/detail/3617.html',
-				},
-			],
-		},
-		{
-			icon: 'terminal-window',
-			type: 'software',
-			items: [
-				{
-					type: 'Launcher',
-					name: 'Niagara',
-					link: 'https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bitpit.launcher',
-				},
-				{ type: 'Code', name: 'VS Code', link: 'https://code.visualstudio.com' },
-				{ type: 'Music', name: 'Spotify', link: 'https://open.spotify.com' },
-				{ type: 'Vault', name: 'Bitwarden', link: 'https://bitwarden.com' },
-				{ type: 'Server', name: 'DietPi', link: 'https://dietpi.com' },
-				{ type: '3D + Video', name: 'Blender', link: 'https://www.blender.org' },
-			],
-		},
-		{
-			icon: 'drop-half',
-			type: 'wellness',
-			items: [
-				{ type: 'Cleanser', name: 'Bioderma Sensibio' },
-				{ type: 'Moisturizer', name: 'Effaclar Duo+M' },
-				{ type: 'Vitamin D3', name: '10000 IU' },
-				{ type: 'Vitamin K2', name: 'MK7 200 mcg' },
-				{ type: 'Magnesium', name: 'Glycinate 500 mg' },
-				{ type: 'Creatine', name: '5 g' },
-			],
-		},
-	];
 </script>
 
 <header>
@@ -85,32 +8,141 @@
 </header>
 
 <Piece>
-	{#each instruments as { icon, type, items }}
-		<h3 id={type}>
-			<i data-icon={icon}></i>
-			<span>{type}.</span>
-		</h3>
-		<table>
-			<thead>
-				<tr>
-					<th>type</th>
-					<th>name</th>
-				</tr>
-			</thead>
-			<tbody>
-				{#each items as { type, name, link }}
-					<tr>
-						<th scope="col">{type}</th>
-						{#if link}
-							<td><a href={link}>{name}</a></td>
-						{:else}
-							<td>{name}</td>
-						{/if}
-					</tr>
-				{/each}
-			</tbody>
-		</table>
-	{/each}
+	<h3 id="hardware">
+		<i data-icon="devices"></i>
+		<span>hardware.</span>
+	</h3>
+	<table>
+		<thead>
+			<tr><th>type</th><th>name</th></tr>
+		</thead>
+		<tbody>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">PC</th>
+				<td>
+					<a href="https://www.asus.com/us/displays-desktops/nucs/nuc-mini-pcs/asus-nuc-14-pro">
+						ASUS NUC 14 Pro
+					</a>
+				</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Display</th>
+				<td>
+					<a href="https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gl83a-b-gaming-monitor">
+						LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B 27"
+					</a>
+				</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Keyboard</th>
+				<td>
+					<a href="https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k2-wireless-mechanical-keyboard">
+						Keychron K2 - Brown Switch
+					</a>
+				</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Audio I/O</th>
+				<td>
+					<a href="https://focusrite.com/products/scarlett-solo">Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen</a>
+				</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Phone</th>
+				<td>Galaxy S23+</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Watch</th>
+				<td>Venu 2 Plus</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Earbuds</th>
+				<td>Galaxy Buds3 Pro</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Home Lab</th>
+				<td><a href="https://www.geekompc.com/geekom-mini-air12-mini-pc">GEEKOM Mini Air12</a></td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Storage</th>
+				<td><a href="https://www.orico.cc/us/product/detail/3617.html">ORICO 4-bay</a></td>
+			</tr>
+		</tbody>
+	</table>
+
+	<h3 id="software">
+		<i data-icon="terminal-window"></i>
+		<span>software.</span>
+	</h3>
+	<table>
+		<thead>
+			<tr><th>type</th><th>name</th></tr>
+		</thead>
+		<tbody>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Launcher</th>
+				<td>
+					<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bitpit.launcher">Niagara</a>
+				</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Code</th>
+				<td><a href="https://code.visualstudio.com">VS Code</a></td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Music</th>
+				<td><a href="https://open.spotify.com">Spotify</a></td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Vault</th>
+				<td><a href="https://bitwarden.com">Bitwarden</a></td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Server</th>
+				<td><a href="https://dietpi.com">DietPi</a></td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">3D + Video</th>
+				<td><a href="https://www.blender.org">Blender</a></td>
+			</tr>
+		</tbody>
+	</table>
+
+	<h3 id="wellness">
+		<i data-icon="drop-half"></i>
+		<span>wellness.</span>
+	</h3>
+	<table>
+		<thead>
+			<tr><th>type</th><th>name</th></tr>
+		</thead>
+		<tbody>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Cleanser</th>
+				<td>Bioderma Sensibio H<sub>2</sub>O</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Moisturizer</th>
+				<td>Effaclar Duo+M</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col"><a href="/posts/core-supplements">Vitamin D3</a></th>
+				<td>10,000 IU</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col"><a href="/posts/core-supplements">Vitamin K2</a></th>
+				<td>MK7 200 mcg</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col"><a href="/posts/core-supplements">Magnesium</a></th>
+				<td>Glycinate 500 mg</td>
+			</tr>
+			<tr>
+				<th scope="col">Creatine</th>
+				<td>5 g</td>
+			</tr>
+		</tbody>
+	</table>
 </Piece>
 
 <style>
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/art-of-less/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/art-of-less/+article.md
index b1b040c5..8b5b6096 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/art-of-less/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/art-of-less/+article.md
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 ---
 date: 2025-09-15
 theme: essay
-title: The Art of Less
+title: A Discipline of Subtraction
 series:
   title: Art of Less
   chapter: 1
-description: brevity reveals discipline in practice.
+description: perfection is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
 tags: [writing, coding, productivity]
 ---
 
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ code is another form of writing. it [scales in complexity](https://blog.codingho
 
 brevity here does not mean cryptic shorthand. code is read more often than it is written — usually by your future self. concise, clear code reduces cognitive load. the best tools and patterns are those that let us [express *more with less*](/curated/essence-of-svelte).
 
+structural subtraction simplifies the system for the *human* — simpler architecture, fewer dependencies; while computational subtraction lightens the load for the *machine* — smarter algorithms, or just *[doing less](https://youtu.be/5rb0vvJ7NCY)*. prioritizing only the computational yields a system that is fast but cryptic; prioritizing only the structural yields one that is clear but slow.
+
 ## living with less
 
 brevity is more than a craft of writing or coding. it is a discipline of life. conciseness is the respect you pay to those who come after you, including yourself. abundance without intent becomes clutter. more often leaves us with less of what truly matters — less attention, less energy, less peace.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md
index 3dc32d19..410e2891 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/beginning-of-the-end/+article.md
@@ -13,11 +13,13 @@ this was meant to be published a month earlier — on the 19th of September, to
 
 for reasons i can't quite remember now, i delayed it. in hindsight, that delay turned out to be a good thing. so much happened within that short span that it changed the entire tone of this piece — what was once a dark reflection has softened into something else entirely.
 
-## four years of peer pressure
+## four years of the script
 
-you probably already know what i'm referring to. those four years weren't exactly the best, nor the worst, but they were heavy. there were moments when i questioned everything, from "why i was there", "what was the point of it all", and "whether i was slowly losing my mind". much of what was *required* felt meaningless. even now, i struggle to see the merit behind them.
+in my first orbit reflection, i wrote about filtering out social "noise". this was something different. this was the systemic pressure of the script most of us were handed, to go to school, get the degree, get the job.
 
-still, it wasn't all for nothing. i gained skills and experiences that wouldn't have been accessible if i hadn't gone through this, but my sanity took quite a toll. my mental state faltered toward the end, and i found myself thinking in ways i never thought i would, which i find unsettling. well, it's been a while since then, and i'm much better now. i don't resent those years, and i've learned what not to repeat.
+i am referring to those four years of university. they weren't exactly the best, nor the worst, but they were heavy. there were moments when i questioned everything, from "why i was there" (a question i'd already solved regarding social life, but not my career), "what was the point of it all", and "whether i was slowly losing my mind". much of what was *required* for the degree felt meaningless.
+
+still, i don't think it was for nothing. i gained skills and experiences that wouldn't have been accessible if i hadn't gone through this, but my sanity took quite a toll. my mental state faltered toward the end, and i found myself thinking in ways i never thought i would, which i find unsettling. well, it's been a while since then, and i'm much better now. i don't resent those years, and i've learned what not to repeat.
 
 ## memento vivere
 
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/core-supplements/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/core-supplements/+article.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6d43330b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/core-supplements/+article.md
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+---
+date: 2025-10-27
+theme: reflection
+title: Core Supplements
+description: "a personal log of my research and experience with vitamin D, magnesium, and other essential supplements; not medical advice."
+tags: [health, wellness]
+---
+
+> **note**: i'm not a medical professional. this is a personal log of my own research and experience, written for my future self. it is not medical advice. i am documenting what i've learned and what i do. please consult a qualified professional before making any changes to your own health routine.
+
+## Vitamin `D3`
+
+this is the foundation of my routine. i don't grasp it as a "vitamin" in the classic sense, but more like a hormone that influences nearly everything from how my body uses calcium to my immune response and even my mood.
+
+although anecdotal, the personal proof is impossible to ignore. when i get lazy and forget to take my supplements for days or weeks, the change is palpable. i'm hit with waves of fatigue, i catch colds easily, and my joints and bones just feel weak. it's an unpleasant, full-body experience. i've also noticed a clear dip in my mood, feeling genuinely depressed during those lapses.
+
+since i actively avoid the sun due to skin cancer risk, supplementation is a non-negotiable for me. in my view, the risk outweighs the benefit, which means i have to get my vitamin `D` elsewhere.
+
+### toxicity
+
+one of the first things i had to understand was the risk. "hypervitaminosis" (toxicity) is a concern with vitamin `D` because it's **fat-soluble**. unlike water-soluble vitamins (like `C`) where the body just flushes out the excess, my body can't easily get rid of `D`, so it can build up.
+
+that said, my research has shown me a few things:
+
+1. **it only comes from supplements**. as far as i can tell, you can't get toxic levels from sunlight since our body regulates its own production.
+2. **it seems to be extremely rare**. Dr. Bruce Hollis, a pioneer in vitamin `D` research, has apparently never even seen a case. [it seems far more likely we're not getting *enough*](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/vitamin-d-nutrient-supplement-health).
+3. **it's not the vitamin itself**. the real danger is its downstream effect of **hypercalcemia**, or too much calcium in the blood. this is what can lead to kidney problems or vascular calcification.
+
+from what i've read, this only happens at absurd, sustained doses (hundreds of thousands of IU daily for months), not the modest doses most people use. this context is what makes me comfortable with my own routine.
+
+**my dose**: i take **10,000 IU of `D3`** daily. i look for `D3` (not `D2`) and supplements without fillers like maltodextrin.
+
+## Vitamin `K2 (MK-7)`
+
+this one seems critical to take *with* vitamin `D`. from what i've read, `K2` is what directs calcium into bones and teeth, [improving bone quality and strength](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7230802/), while also keeping it out of arteries and soft tissues.
+
+this is my primary safeguard against the main risk of vitamin `D` (vascular calcification). i specifically look for the `MK-7` form (not `MK-4`), at a ratio of at least 100 mcg for every 10,000 IU of `D3`.
+
+**my dose**: i take **200 mcg of vitamin `K2 (MK-7)`**, which comes included in my daily `D3` supplement. i also get it from food (high-quality grass-fed butter and beef, kimchi, eggs).
+
+## Magnesium Glycinate
+
+my understanding is that this is another essential partner for vitamin `D` and also helps prevent vascular calcification.
+
+i chose the `glycinate` form specifically because i've read it's highly bioavailable. as a bonus, it seems to help me sleep better. i get some from food (leafy greens, chocolate, nuts, pumpkin seeds), but i supplement it to be sure.
+
+**my dose**: i take **500 mg of magnesium `glycinate`** daily, usually after dinner.
+
+## Zinc
+
+i learned that the vitamin `D` receptor (vdr) depends on zinc to function.
+
+i'm careful with this one. i *think* i accidentally double-dosed once and felt incredibly sick, vomiting my lunch. it might have been a nocebo effect, but i'm avoiding pure zinc supplements for now and try to get it from food. if i do look for one, i'll make sure it's a low-dose blend with other trace minerals.
+
+## Vitamin A (Retinol)
+
+this seems to work similarly to `K2`, helping keep calcium out of the arteries. i also read that the `A` and `D` receptors can bind together as a complex.
+
+i don't supplement this directly and rely on food sources like egg yolks, liver, and cod liver oil.
+
+***
+
+again, this is just my personal log. my experiences are anecdotal, but they are based on research that i find compelling. if you're reading this and considering a change, talk to a professional beforehand.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/hate/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/hate/+article.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..86054aed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/hate/+article.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+---
+date: 2025-10-27
+theme: reflection
+title: On Hate
+description: defining hate as an active and corrosive process.
+tags: [emotion, ethics]
+---
+
+hate is an *active* process, a conscious — or unconscious — expenditure of energy. it is the act of ruminating, of wishing harm, of allowing one's thoughts to be consumed by intense hostility. it is this *active* nature that makes it uniquely draining and dangerous. unlike hate, dislike is passive; it is a preference or a judgment.
+
+i do not use the word 'hate' lightly. i reserve it for a specific emotional process, distinct from mere dislike or aversion. however, this article is not about the "hate" for abstract concepts like injustice or cruelty, which can be a motivating force for good. it is about *interpersonal hate* — the active, sustained hostility directed from one person to another.
+
+> Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated. \
+> — Coretta Scott King
+
+i imagine King's description of hate as a literal description of the cost of carrying such a burden, not just a metaphorical one. interpersonal hate exacts this toll on the hater in several ways:
+
+- **it consumes cognitive resources.** \
+  the energy spent on hate is energy not spent on self-improvement or living a fulfilling life. it distracts from productive thoughts and actions.
+- **it clouds judgment.** \
+  hate narrows perspective, making one reactive and incapable of objective thought. it demands that new information be filtered through the lens of hostility.
+- **it prevents positive emotions.** \
+  it is difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously harbor hate and cultivate peace, joy, or genuine connection. the former consumes the emotional capacity for the latter.
+
+if i find myself feeling this *active* interpersonal hate, i take it as a critical signal that i should reevaluate my *own state*. it is an indication that i have made a choice — conscious or not — to allocate my finite energy toward a self-destructive process. my life is too short to bear that cost.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md
index 6f8eb801..55266914 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/losing-the-questions/+article.md
@@ -9,11 +9,13 @@ description: "learning to see life not as a problem to be solved, but a reality
 tags: [introspection]
 ---
 
+in the last orbit, i wrote about finding my *raison d'être* within my [Quarter-Life Renaissance](/posts/quarter-life-renaissance). and for a time, this was the answer; i found my drive. but i came to realize that *solution* only "solved" the problem of my *work*, not the problem of my *existence*...
+
 every time i move forward, i find myself paralyzed a few months later. colors lose their glow, light doesn't shine, and trying to find what matters becomes the only thing that matters.
 
 ## the void
 
-an existential inertia. zooming out, in the grand scheme of things, humans don't seem to matter at all. *nothing* we do seems to matter. the earth has been here for billions of years and will remain long after humanity ceases to exist. the world doesn't revolve around any one person. everyone who lives will eventually die.  
+an existential inertia. zooming out, in the grand scheme of things, humans don't seem to matter at all. *nothing* we do seems to matter. the earth has been here for billions of years and will remain long after humanity ceases to exist. the world doesn't revolve around any one person. everyone who lives will eventually die.
 
 so then — why am i alive? what is the meaning of life? why bother doing *anything* at all?
 
@@ -27,6 +29,8 @@ the monotony isn't the problem — merely a symptom. the paralysis comes from th
 
 a change in routine seems scary. being unable to predict the outcome makes me uncomfortable, so i lock myself in the comfort zone that feels safe. venturing through unfamiliar territory rarely feels easy. how do i know if i'm making the right choice? what if i fail? what if things get worse?
 
+> this ties into a classic psychological trap known as the [region-beta paradox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Region-beta_paradox), which suggests that we are more likely to change a *terrible* situation than a *mildly bad* one. an intolerable (region `β`) problem triggers our psychological immune system, forcing us to act. but a "just tolerable" (region `α`) problem, like my "safe" comfort zone, isn't painful enough to motivate that change. we end up stuck in mediocrity simply because it's not bad enough to leave.
+
 this fear is a byproduct of overthinking. constantly traveling between the past and the future, never truly *living* in the moment. imagine going on a trip, thinking about making some memories and taking pictures — thinking about now as if it were the past in the future when looking back on the present... that's unbelievable time travel, and i used to do it all the time. i was so preoccupied with what could have been or what might be that i missed out on what *is*.
 
 what makes it worse is that we're more connected, yet more isolated, than ever before. i'm [Opting Out of the Algorithmic Social Life](/posts/opting-out), preferring in-person connection whenever possible. oxytocin bonds people together, and we lose it when we replace touch and eye contact with taps and videos on a screen.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/opting-out/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/opting-out/+article.md
index 39282e4b..52ec7163 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/opting-out/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/opting-out/+article.md
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ after reflecting on being [An Outsider Inside Myself](/posts/fractured-memories)
 
 *antisocial* describes behavior that is averse to others, often marked by actions that go **against** social norms — disruptive behavior such as vandalism, violence, theft, arson, or anything that harms or disregards the rights of others.
 
-throughout this piece, i'll refer to the platforms collectively called 'social media' as 'social networks', borrowing the term from the Japanese *SNS*. i find it more accurate for describing the *absence* of genuine social interaction that these systems foster.
+the term i was looking for is *asocial* — not hostility toward others, but a lack of motivation to engage socially. it captures how i feel about the digital way we're told to be social.
+
+throughout this piece, i'll refer to 'social media' as 'social networks'. the latter feels more accurate because it better describes the systems of connection — and disconnection — that these platforms foster, while the former implies a one-way broadcast model that doesn't capture the full scope of their impact on our social lives.
 
 ## motive
 
 as an introvert, i prefer smaller circles and one-on-one conversations over large gatherings. i recharge through solitude and being alone with my thoughts. i've never quite "got the gist" of drawn-out exchanges in instant messaging apps, including the direct or private messages built into social networks. they function mostly as tools for quick confirmation, not as spaces for deep conversation.
 
-the term i was looking for is *asocial* — not hostility toward others, but a lack of motivation to engage socially. it captures how i feel about social networks and how they reshape interactions between individuals. i'm not *against* people; my introversion merely reinforces it, but it's not the main reason...
+this feeling is reinforced by my introversion, but it's not the root cause. my *asociality* is not a general apathy toward people; rather a specific, principled lack of motivation to engage *with these platforms*. i'm not *against* people per se, just the algorithmic and superficial systems that now mediate our interactions.
 
 ## empty
 
@@ -70,13 +72,11 @@ as mentioned in [echo chambers](#echo-chambers), it's difficult to reach those w
 
 the root problem lies in the algorithms and the lack of freedom to choose both what we see and how it's presented. i've been curating my own *feed* through RSS and by visiting websites directly — no algorithms, no distractions. this ties into privacy and security too, but that's a topic for another day.
 
-it'd be naive to think i can make a difference alone, *but i wasn't raised a quitter!* i live in a democratic country with the usual "your vote matters" spiel, and i've learned that power comes from the collective action of individuals. if enough people decide to step away from social networks, it could still shift how we engage with one another and the world around us.
-
 > Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. \
 > — Rumi
 
-people once interacted face-to-face, forming genuine connections and communities. we had hobbies, we read, we went outside, we explored. meeting occasionally was enough, because those moments were meaningful and memorable. there was no need for constant updates or validation. we lived our own lives, content with our own company and the company of those around us.
+i crave the [simplicity](/posts/simplicity) and authenticity of a time when connection wasn't a stream of performative feed. there was no pressure for constant updates or validation; meeting occasionally was enough, because those moments were meaningful. we lived our own lives, content with our own company and the company of those around us.
 
-i crave that [simplicity](/posts/simplicity) and authenticity. moving away from social networks is my way of reclaiming time and attention for more meaningful pursuits. i grew up in the era of *pen pals* and still cherish that slower, more intentional form of communication. my preferred [contact method](/about#elsewhere) is now the plain and "boring" email, without the performative corporate speak or formatting — unless i'm writing to a corporation (?)
+moving away from social networks is my way of reclaiming time and attention for more meaningful pursuits. i grew up in the era of *pen pals* and still cherish that slower, more intentional form of communication. my preferred [contact method](/about#elsewhere) is now the plain and "boring" email, without the performative corporate speak or formatting — unless i'm writing to a corporation (?)
 
 in the end, this is one of my reasons for building a small corner of the internet — a [Digital Garden](/posts/digital-garden). <!-- as for everything else, well, [Leave Me Alone](/posts/leave-me-alone). -->
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/quarter-life-renaissance/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/quarter-life-renaissance/+article.md
index a82a61e7..a12bf064 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/quarter-life-renaissance/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/quarter-life-renaissance/+article.md
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ it's no surprise that many feel lost during this time. the transition when the f
 
 ## pivot
 
-the "crisis" isn't ours to blame; it is a failure of the script itself. the disappointment comes from realizing that "the plan" was never aligned with a meaningful life, only a predictable one. we were taught to chase outcomes — the next degree, the next promotion, getting married, buying a house — but not to love the process of becoming ourselves.
+the "crisis" isn't ours to blame; it is a failure of the script itself. the disappointment comes from realizing that "the plan" was never aligned with a meaningful *process*, only a predictable *outcome*. we were taught to chase outcomes — the next degree, the next promotion, getting married, buying a house — but not to love the process of becoming ourselves.
 
-this is where the Renaissance begins. historically, it was an era of renewal, an intellectual and artistic rebirth. it was an active, rigorous, and obsessive return to the fundamentals. a shift *away* from dogmatic outcomes and *toward* a fascination with process. i've come to see this stage of my life as a pivot from living for outcomes to living for the craft itself.
+this is where the Renaissance begins. historically, it was an era of renewal, an intellectual and artistic rebirth. it was an active, rigorous, and obsessive return to the fundamentals. a shift *away* from dogmatic outcomes and *toward* a fascination with process. i've come to see this stage of my life as a pivot from living for *a career* to living for *the craft itself*.
 
 this "rebirth" is not a feeling, but an action. i am digging into the fundamentals of subjects i thought i knew, not for a credential, but for mastery. rebuilding old projects, not to ship them, but to understand their mechanics. i'm no longer creating for validation, but for the joy of creation itself.
 
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ the Renaissance masters weren't famous for "arriving"; they were defined by thei
 
 i've felt this before, but this time it feels grounded. i'm no longer chasing some idealized version of success or happiness. instead of being fixated on where i should be, i'm learning to appreciate where i am. the journey itself feels enough. there's joy in the mundane *practice*, peace in the quiet *focus*, and beauty in simply *doing the work*.
 
-today marks my twenty-fifth orbit around the sun. there's comfort in knowing i don't need to have it all figured out. i just need to show up to "the studio" consistently, and do the work. in a way, it makes me grateful for the 'crisis'. it was the catalyst that forced me to reevaluate my values and priorities, to enjoy the process and to find peace in *becoming* rather than *arriving* — in letting the present moment hold as much weight as the future i'm building.
+today marks my twenty-fifth orbit around the sun. there's comfort in knowing i don't need to have it all figured out. i just need to show up to "the studio" consistently, and do the work. in a way, it makes me grateful for the 'crisis'. it was the catalyst that forced me to reevaluate my values and priorities, to enjoy the *process of the craft*, and to find peace in *the work itself* — in letting the daily practice hold as much weight as the masterpieces i'm building.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/secretlab-titan-first-impression/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/secretlab-titan-first-impression/+article.md
index ef018a9f..275f2117 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/secretlab-titan-first-impression/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/secretlab-titan-first-impression/+article.md
@@ -1,37 +1,40 @@
 ---
+updated: 2025-10-27
 date: "2020-06-13T17:38:25+07:00"
 theme: archive
 title: Secretlab TITAN Chair First Impression
-description: First impression of Secretlab chair TITAN series
+description: first impressions of Secretlab TITAN series chair
 tags: [daily]
 ---
 
-My Secretlab TITAN chair just arrived at `17:20` and I finished unboxing and assembling it after around an hour later at `18:30`. I'll be honest, I've been slacking a lot lately, so I'm completely exhausted by the time I've moved the box upstairs.
+> **[2025 retrospective]**
+>
+> i wrote this initial impression in June 2020. it's been over five years. i'm preserving the original post below as an archive of my immediate thoughts.
+>
+> the 2020 post concluded with a hypothesis that this chair "would definitely improve my overall productivity and health" — did it?
+>
+> well, kind of. the chair has held up remarkably well over the years, and it remains comfortable for long working sessions. however, it doesn't seem to be as ergonomic as i initially thought. i had to buy an additional seat cushion and changed my table to an adjustable standing desk to get the optimal posture. it's a solid investment, but i don't think i'll be upgrading to another *gaming* chair in the future. instead, i'll look for more specialized ergonomic office chairs.
 
-For starters, the unboxing experience was actually quite good and memorable, but the assembly isn't the most intuitive. Just pulling out the parts out of the box is challenging enough, let alone assembling it, especially for someone like me who has no one to help. You might get away with at least another person helping, they said it on the box too that this is a 2-person job. I was so exhausted after assembling this, I almost fell asleep on the chair.
+***
 
-Here's the quick impression review of it. It was everything I expected it to be.
+my Secretlab TITAN arrived at `17:20` and took roughly an hour to assemble solo. the unboxing experience was high-quality, but the assembly process is not intuitive. the components are heavy, and the instructions confirmed this is intended as a two-person job.
 
-- Smells like new leather
-- Superb high quality build
-- Really nice adjustable lumbar support
-- Comfortable individual adjustable armrests ✔
-- Comfortable head pillow, included with TITAN series ✔
-- Comfortable cushions
-- Levelled seat base that enables cross-legged sitting ✔
-- Wide backrest recline angle ✔
+@youtube{id=i_GdCtsl-qs caption="Secretlab Chair Features Usage"}
 
-[A YouTube video by Secretlab explaining the chair features](https://youtu.be/i_GdCtsl-qs)
+my quick impression of it was everything that i expected it to be. the last four points are the most important ones to me.
 
-Those points I give ✔ is the points I'm most grateful and most important to me.
+- smells nice
+- build feels solid
+- easy adjustable lumbar support
+- comfortable adjustable armrests ✔
+- comfortable head pillow ✔
+- levelled seat base that enables cross-legged sitting ✔
+- wide backrest recline angle ✔
 
-1. Individual adjustable armrests allows me to quickly and seamlessly switch positions between working mode and leisure mode. This is the biggest problem I had previously that costs me back and shoulder pain every day, since I can't freely adjust my armrests to support my right hand reaching across the table for the mouse.
-2. Head pillow is in combination with the wide backrest recline angle which allows me to rest for a while without leaving the desk, overshoots in the bed and sleeps. In short, increases productivity.
-3. I've grown a habit of having my legs either spread apart on both sides of the chair or up on the chair from using the last chair for about 5 years, so having a levelled seat base won't prevent me from spreading it to both sides and having it wide allows me to have more room when it's up and crossed on the chair.
+my extended thoughts after using it for a few hours:
 
-All things considered, I can safely conclude that this would be a worthwhile purchase. No doubt, this is already sixfold better than my previous chair and would definitely improve my overall productivity and health.
+1. adjustable armrests allows me to quickly switch positions between working mode and leisure mode. my previous chair's static rests were the primary source of daily back and shoulder pain, as i couldn't properly support my right arm while using the mouse.
+2. the combination of the included head pillow and the wide backrest recline angle allows for short rests at the desk, rather than leaving the workspace entirely and losing focus.
+3. i have a long-standing habit of sitting cross-legged. the TITAN's wide, levelled seat base accommodates this without issue.
 
----
-Reference(s):
-
-- <https://topgamingchair.com/secretlab-titan-2020-series-new-favorite-chair/>
+all things considered, this was a significant, necessary upgrade. it is a stark improvement over my previous chair, and i hypothesize it will have a net positive impact on my long-term productivity and physical health.
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/simplicity/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/simplicity/+article.md
index 73fd510a..00b97f69 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/simplicity/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/simplicity/+article.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ complexity also sells better than simplicity. more layers, more features, more j
 
 complexity is contagious. once a system becomes bloated, it tends to stay that way. new features stack on top of old ones, quick fixes pile into technical debt, and the result is a system no one fully understands — but everyone tolerates because "that's how it's always been".
 
-few dare to simplify an inherited mess for fear of breaking something, so patches and add-ons keep stacking up. tight budgets and timelines encourage more shortcuts and workarounds, until no one remembers how the system works and the [bus factor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_factor) drops to zero.
+few dare to simplify an inherited mess for fear of breaking something, so patches and add-ons keep stacking up. tight budgets and timelines encourage more shortcuts and workarounds, until knowledge becomes so fragmented that no single person understands the whole, rendering the project effectively unmaintainable.
 
 once entrenched, complexity reshapes the culture around it. teams learn to fear change, to patch rather than address the root problem, to measure effort by volume instead of clarity. the system becomes self-preserving, not because it works well, but because no one dares to touch it.
 
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md
index 2c0ae101..b0a67f38 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/strength-from-within/+article.md
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ tags: [introspection]
 
 24 karat is the measure of pure gold. it's valued for its 99.9% purity, but this very purity makes it incredibly soft — too soft for most practical use. to gain strength and durability, it must be alloyed with other metals. similarly, i've come to see life in the same way...
 
+> this reflection arrives after two orbits. i deliberately skipped last year's orbit, choosing instead to be fully present and enjoy the day for myself, disconnected from any device and external distractions. this year, i've returned and eager to share my thoughts once again.
+
 ## happiness
 
 if i find myself stripped of everything, who would i be then? in that stark emptiness, all i have left is myself. everything external is but a complement to who i am, none of which is a part of my core being. no amount of possessions can ever fill the void within, and no amount of validation from others can make me love myself more. the core isn't defined by what i own or how others see me, nothing outside can complete me, because i am already whole to begin with.
@@ -29,12 +31,11 @@ resolve can be cultivated. however, we often make the mistake of trying to build
 
 > emotions cannot be selectively muted, they are felt in their entirety or not at all. people who are emotionally numb are disconnected from their feelings and don't feel anything deeply. while this numbness may protect them from negative emotions, it also robs them of the capacity to foster positive ones like resolve.
 
-being disciplined means cultivating resolve on a daily basis. capture mental snapshots of the moments when you feel most driven and resolute, and use them as fuel for your willpower. start with small or easy tasks that you can do consistently, something that won't be emotionally taxing or overwhelming. visualize resolve as your inner fire, a small flame that you stoke daily until it grows and blazes brightly. through that cultivation, you will gain the required emotional energy to carry you forward.
+this seems like a contradiction: how can *consistency* be built on something that *fluctuates*? the key is that discipline is not just *having* the emotion of resolve; it is the *practice* of cultivating and recalling it. **this practice involves capturing** mental snapshots of the moments when you feel most driven and resolute, and **using** them as fuel for your willpower.
 
-## purpose
+start with small or easy tasks that you can do consistently, something that won't be emotionally taxing or overwhelming. visualize resolve as your inner fire, a small flame that you stoke daily until it grows and blazes brightly. through that cultivation, you will gain the required emotional energy to carry you forward.
 
-*raison d'être*, what is the purpose of life? \
-there isn't a universal one — only the meaning we choose to make.
+## purpose
 
 unfortunately, finding purpose is hard these days. most of us are too busy with our daily lives to even think about it, often overwhelmed by external distractions that leave us with a sense of meaninglessness. as life becomes meaningless, we start to seek external sources for quick dopamine rushes, we become so accustomed to instant gratification that we end up externalizing our attention.
 
diff --git a/workspace/content/routes/posts/svg-to-favicon/+article.md b/workspace/content/routes/posts/svg-to-favicon/+article.md
index 850fdc02..1fca8fac 100644
--- a/workspace/content/routes/posts/svg-to-favicon/+article.md
+++ b/workspace/content/routes/posts/svg-to-favicon/+article.md
@@ -6,13 +6,11 @@ description: a technical dive into the process of building a self-contained favi
 tags: [devlog, javascript, typescript, svelte]
 ---
 
-lately, ideas have been pouring in faster than i can manage, and i feel the urge to chase and iterate on all of them. i know it's unrealistic to think i have the time or energy for everything, but i try anyway. *\*cue the pile of unfinished side projects watching me start another one\**
-
-naming things is still as hard as ever. and now that i'm delved into a bit of *graphic design*, making a logo (favicon) feels like the "naming things" equivalent of a software project. it's a hard thing that you need to do right — hopefully only once.
+naming things is still as hard as ever. and now that i've delved into a bit of *graphic design*, making a logo (favicon) feels like the "naming things" equivalent of a software project. it's a hard thing that you need to do right — hopefully only once.
 
 ## how to favicon
 
-a favicon has to be simple, recognizable, and convey the essence of the project in a small size, literally. it needs be eligible and visually discernible with the smallest size being `32x32` (or `16x16`) in the miniscule browser tab, and it has to look good in larger sizes as well. it is a separate rabbit hole that i've already fallen into and spent far too much time in, but let's set that aside for now and assume we have the SVG logo we want to use as our favicon, what now?
+a favicon has to be simple, recognizable, and convey the essence of the project in a small size, literally. it needs to be legible and visually discernible with the smallest size being `32x32` (or `16x16`) in the miniscule browser tab, and it has to look good in larger sizes as well. it is a separate rabbit hole that i've already fallen into and spent far too much time in, but let's set that aside for now and assume we have the SVG logo we want to use as our favicon, what now?
 
 the first thing that comes up when i tried to learn *the way* to do favicons is [How to Favicon](https://evilmartians.com/chronicles/how-to-favicon-in-2021-six-files-that-fit-most-needs) by Evil Martians. it's an amazing and comprehensive post that's been updated since it was first published in 2021, nice!
 
@@ -24,7 +22,7 @@ and then, i remembered that i'm a software developer, and i can spend (definitel
 
 ## breaking it down
 
-a good first step when encountering a problem is to break it down into smaller, manageable parts. in the case of setting up the favicon of a website, once the `<link>` tags and `.webmanifest` file are set up, the only repeatable tasks when the icon changes is the icon files itself.
+a good first step when encountering a problem is to break it down into smaller, manageable parts. in the case of setting up the favicon of a website, once the `<link>` tags and `.webmanifest` file are set up, the only repeatable tasks when the icon changes are the icon files themselves.
 
 once that's done, i need to figure out what i'm working with and what the end result should be. in this case, i wanted the *original* logo to be in SVG format because ~~i like coding my logo~~ it's scalable and will look good in any size. the output should be a set of favicon files i've already defined, which are:
 
@@ -72,6 +70,8 @@ async function png(raw: string, image: number, size: number): Promise<Blob> {
 }
 ```
 
+here, the `size` parameter defines the total canvas dimension (e.g., `512x512`), while `image` defines the size of the icon itself (e.g., `400x400`), allowing me to calculate an `offset` to center it, which is useful for the maskable icon.
+
 the bulk of the work is done by the detached `canvas` element and calling `canvas.toBlob()`. with this function, i've *technically* completed 80% of the work, which covers generating 4 out of the 5 image files needed. of course, the first 80% only takes 20% of the time, and the remaining 20% takes 80% of the time (*subtle foreshadowing*). **Pareto principle** at its finest, right?
 
 ### ICOnize
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ it's essentially a wrapper around the `png()` function, double-checking the `.ic
 
 ### serving the blobs
 
-notice that both `png()` and `ico()` function returns a (promised) `Blob`, which is a binary representation of the image data. this makes it convenient to generate the download links from the generated files, all it needs is an `<a>` tag with a `href` pointing to the `Blob` URL and a `download` attribute. this is how the download links are generated:
+notice that both `png()` and `ico()` function return a `Promise<Blob>`, which is a binary representation of the image data. this makes it convenient to generate the download links from the generated files, all it needs is an `<a>` tag with a `href` pointing to the `Blob` URL and a `download` attribute. this is how the download links are generated:
 
 ```svelte
 {#each [/* the generated file objects */] as { name, blob }}
@@ -140,11 +140,11 @@ the `{#each}` block is just Svelte's syntax for iterating over an array. what ma
 
 ### ZIP-em-up
 
-all the files are generated and can be downloaded individually, but it'll be (another) hassle to click and download them each of them one-by-one. it would be much better if they were zipped up nicely in a single download, but not a button that downloads all of them and spills the files all over the Downloads directory.
+all the files are generated and can be downloaded individually, but it'll be (another) hassle to click and download each of them one-by-one. it would be much better if they were zipped up nicely in a single download, but not a button that downloads all of them and spills the files all over the downloads directory.
 
-now, any sane person would've used a library and be done with it. but, as you can probably guess by now, i seem to enjoy pain a bit much by doing things the hard way. so, i implemented my own ZIP archiver, without compression! i don't hate myself that much, please.
+now, any sane person would've used a library and be done with it. but, as you can probably guess by now, i seem to enjoy pain a bit much by doing things the hard way. so, i implemented my own ZIP archiver (excluding compression) using only the platform APIs.
 
-after another few hours down the rabbit hole and reading the [ZIP file format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIP_(file_format)) specs, i managed to cram the bulk of it in about 100 lines of code inside the `zip()` function, excluding the couple of helper functions. it's more or less the same with the ICO encoding, but with a few more metadata to deal with.
+after another few hours down the rabbit hole and reading the [ZIP file format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIP_(file_format)) specs, i managed to implement the bulk of it in about 100 lines of code inside the `zip()` function, excluding the couple of helper functions. it's more or less the same with the ICO encoding, but with a few more metadata to deal with.
 
 ### self-contained