Hi, I'm Anandraj.
Software engineer and data analyst based in Orange County, California. By day I build data pipelines and internal tools; the rest of the time I'm turning public records into things people can actually explore.
Off the keyboard you'll find me behind a long lens looking for birds, arguing about Manchester United, or driving somewhere dark enough to see the Milky Way.
This blog is where I think out loud. Sometimes it’s a technical rabbit hole, sometimes a data piece, sometimes a photo from a trip, sometimes a half-baked opinion I needed to get out of my head. There’s no schedule, no content plan, no niche. If something feels worth writing about, I write it. If it doesn’t, I go take pictures of birds instead, or spend half the night arguing with a tripod while trying to photograph the Milky Way at 2am.
What I write about
📊 Data & investigations
Stories I find in public datasets, like elections, cricket, or anything with a puzzle hiding inside a CSV.
🛠️ Tech & tinkering
Stuff I'm building, breaking, or trying to understand. Usually with more curiosity than rigor.
✈️ Travel & photo essays
Short notes from trips, long walks, and the occasional two-hour wait for a bird to turn its head.
💭 Random thoughts
Books that stuck with me, things I'm thinking through, and the odd unserious rant.
When I’m not at a keyboard
Most weekends you’ll find me out with a camera. I’m really into wildlife photography, mostly birds and butterflies, and lately I’ve been dabbling in astrophotography. Both involve a lot of waiting and a lot of almost great shots. But when one finally works, it feels worth every minute.
Also, Manchester United. Which probably tells you everything you need to know about my relationship with suffering. Match days are non-negotiable. Phone silent, notifications off, absolutely no spoilers. Let me feel the disappointment in real time, like a proper fan.
Why this blog exists
I started this mostly as a space to think clearly and keep track of what I’m learning. It’s for me first. But if you stumbled onto something here that’s useful, or even mildly entertaining, I’ll take that as a massive win.
Say hi 👋
I'm easiest to reach on LinkedIn or Instagram. I reply to almost everything, even if it takes me three weeks.