Away from the keyboard · eight things I keep coming back to

Off the clock. Still learning things.

Water, kitchens, trails, courts, a weight room and a skateboard I am still figuring out. The habits below keep me curious and give the hard problems room to solve themselves.

8hobbies

Off the clock

Things I do when I am not shipping.

Some of these I have done for years. A few I picked up recently, and I am still bad at one of them, which is exactly the point.

01Weekly
Pool day

In the water

Swimming

Laps are my reset button. An hour where the only thing to think about is the next breath clears a stuck problem faster than another hour at the desk.

Pool laps · every week
02Most nights
A spread of home-cooked dishes laid out on a long table, including pineapple fruit chaat, kheer, corn chaat, salad platters, pasta and rice traysA plate of toasted buns dressed with ketchup and sauce during prepTable for everyone

In the kitchen

Cooking

The kitchen is the one place I still build without a keyboard. I cook most of what I eat, and I enjoy feeding a full table even more than eating.

From scratch · cooked for a crowd
03Learning
Both feet balanced on a skateboard on a backyard patio, one on the deck and one on the groundZubair Zafar looking down at the board while finding his balanceFirst tries

On the board

Skateboarding

Firmly in the falling-over phase. It is the most humbling thing on this page and the best reminder that being new at something is completely fine.

In progress · sandals and all
04New
First drives

On the road

Driving

I learned to drive recently and the map opened up. Trailheads, grocery runs and long weekend routes all moved from someday to this weekend.

Recently licensed · road trips next
05Weekends
Zubair Zafar at the top of a hill trail, with a hazy city and valley spread out belowTrail day

On the trail

Hiking

Bay Area ridges now, hill trails before that. A long climb that ends with a view is my favorite way to close out a week of building.

Weekend climbs · view at the top
06Regular
Match point

On the court

Badminton

The fastest game on this page. Long rallies, quick feet and a scoreline that stays honest about how fit I actually am that week.

Doubles · long rallies
07New
Zubair Zafar dropping low with the paddle back as the ball comes over the net on an outdoor pickleball courtWeekend game

Across the net

Pickleball

The newest one, and the easiest to talk people into. Simple rules, short games and a group that gets bigger every time we play.

Weekend games · easy to teach
08Routine
Zubair Zafar in the campus recreation weight roomCampus weight room

In the weight room

Lifting

The least exciting habit here and the one that holds up all the others. Show up, add a little weight, repeat. Progress shows up in small increments.

Weekday sessions · small increments

Know a trail worth the drive?

Send it over