Axel Valdez Design Engineer

Hello,
I'm Axel.

I'm a Design Engineer living in Hermosillo, Mexico. I've been working in the software development industry for pretty much my entire adult life, in roles related to both front-end development and design. I lived through the browser wars, the web standards movement, social media becoming mainstream, and the decay of privacy online. Today I'm very much into the indie web and the small web movements. This website is my hub on the web, from work to hobbies and everything in-between.
Hello, I'm Axel

Content Timeline

This timeline shows the 20 most recent posts across the blog, the stream of consciousness, memories, and links sections.

Sep 26, 2026

Chalino Unplugged.

An edited photo of Kurt Cobain at MTV Unplugged, with the head of Chalino Sánchez wearing a sombrero
Thought #61

Sep 23, 2026

Sharing knowledge is more important than protecting your ego

There's a quote I saw somewhere on the internet around 2012 and I used to repeat to myself whenever I was preparing to give a talk at a university.

I can't remember who said it, or even the exact wording. I've searched for it more times that I care to admit, but it either disappeared from the internet, or my Google-fu (is that an anachronism already?) is rusty.

Continue reading →

The cool thing about getting a new iPhone is The smoothness of the experience. Unless you're new to iOS, everything is always exactly the same.

The thing that sucks is also that it's always exactly the same.

You get a brand new iPhone, set it up, and five minutes later you've somehow had it for six years.

Thought #60

Sep 18, 2026

I spent a few days (couple hours a day) vibecoding a mac app for my personal archive notes and my work notes.

Turns out I was vibecoding a shitty version of Obsidian.

Lesson learned, again 😬

Thought #59

Sep 17, 2026

Watched Tony last night. I've always been inspired by Anthony Bourdain, but now I feel like I'm going fully into the rabbit hole of rewatching No Reservations, Parts Unknown, etcétera.

My partner is just learning about the guy. I already have Roadrunner ready for her, and I'm so excited.

Don't you love the recommendation high when somebody you appreciate doesn't know something you deeply care about? I'm riding that high right now.

Thought #58

Sep 15, 2026

Invisible Tools: Window Management

This post is part of a series about my invisible tools: the hardware and software I use so much that I don't have to think about using them.

During 2024 and 2025, I traveled a lot, and I decided to work only on my laptop, with no peripherals, whether I was at home or on the go. I wanted my setup to stay the same so there wasn't any warm-up time when switching.

Continue reading →

Sep 14, 2026

Invisible Tools: Keyboard Shortcuts

This is the first post in a series about my invisible tools: the hardware and software I use so much that I don't have to think about using them.

I'm starting with one of the simplest: keyboard shortcuts.

Continue reading →

Invisible Tools

Having your tools become second-nature has more effect on your productivity than getting the right tools. Once they reach that status I like to call them "invisible tools".

I've found the best way of having a tool become invisible is a combination of:

Continue reading →

I started journaling again this weekend, after a couple of months of inactivity. I'm surprised every time by the mental clarity and peace it brings.

Thought #57

Sep 11, 2026

Impostor syndrome never goes away, it just lingers in the shadows, waiting.

Thought #56

Sep 10, 2026

Destockd

Destockd is a free, searchable archive of public domain and unrestricted archival video footage. The goal is simple: make old footage easy to find and easy to use.

I agree with you, but can we stop yelling about it for five minutes?

People posting AI slop to the internet is annoying, but not as much as people complaining non-stop about AI.

I get it, AI companies are shitty, and their reach is menacing. Anyone that knows how technology influence legislation and society can easily understand that. I'm worried about it too.

Continue reading →

Sep 09, 2026

I'm in need of around $1,999.00

iPhone Duo

Thought #55

Sep 08, 2026

Disconnection in the Mountains and the Great Mennonite Debate

This past weekend I took a hiking trip to the mountains in the neighboring state of Chihuahua. Beautiful forest scenery, streams, rivers with actual flowing water, and no internet signal. Not a single bar.

Continue reading →

New bitter-old-man rule: I don’t open any YouTube video recommendation that has a cryptic baity title and/or thumbnail, period.

We’re turning into gullible children. I won’t have that, fuck you very much.

Thought #54

Sep 07, 2026

Yecora/Basaseachi

Yecora/Basaseachi

A trip to Chihuahua to visit Basaseachic Falls National Park

This is a good week. I came back from my trip to Chihuahua to find two new records at my door: Papota by CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso and Thank You, by Mike D.

The first one already shows wear marks on my Apple Music account. The second one fills me with joy: it's the first new thing related to Beastie Boys to arrive in many, many years (excluding the half-assed documentary, that is).

It's also Apple Event week, and my kids arrived home today. Not much else I can ask for right now.

Thought #53

That was a hell of a routine break. Now I just need a leg massage and an Ibuprofen.

Thought #52

Aug 28, 2026

La Constante de Wadsworth

The Wadsworth Constant, From Región Cuatro, my blog in Spanish.

Aug 25, 2026

Ping?

Thought #51

Web Rings

I participate in several IndieWeb and SmallWeb webrings.

If you don't know what a webring is, you're probably too young and/or too cool. Here's an explanation.