About

Hey there, I'm Coda

Coda is a name I gave myself. In music, a coda is the final passage that comes after the main body of a piece. It carries everything that came before it, yet stands on its own as it brings the music to an end. I've always liked that idea.

I like rain.

Rain reminds me of the misty bamboo groves by Jiulong Lake in my hometown, Ningbo; of the ethereal calls of spotted doves drifting over its quiet, intricate waterways; and of the faint scent of osmanthus slowly seeping into the room through the damp air, bringing with it a strange sense of calm.

It also reminds me of countless rainy nights spent with friends. Back then, we sat on opposite sides of our screens, fighting side by side in games—or betraying each other without the slightest hesitation. Years later, after we had all grown up, we somehow found ourselves together again on nights much like those, staying up late and working toward the same thing, only this time in the real world.

My actual life is not quite so poetic.

I get lost easily and never learned how to ride a bicycle, so my friends often have to lead me around. Most of the time, I'm staying up too late falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes, forgetting to reply to messages, calling people “professor” or “bro” because I can't remember their names, buying games on Steam that I will probably never open, leaving most books half-finished, exercising in sporadic bursts, and perpetually trying to lose weight. And close friends will have noticed that a fair share of my facility with language goes into sarcasm and swearing. It can't be helped — perhaps that is simply how I show affection.

Some friends tell me I'm an unusually complicated and multifaceted person. All of those sides really are me; the only difference is that I've become comfortable admitting it. However my state of mind shifts, I think cooking and meditation will always bring me back to the present.

Oh, and apparently I never mentioned anywhere on this website that I'm into historical fencing. Put simply, it involves two people wearing protective gear and hitting each other with steel swords. It's somewhat dangerous, but extremely satisfying.

Fortunately, I have a slightly inappropriate sense of humor, and I'm reasonably good at knowing what food is worth trying, what drinks are worth having, and what books, films, music, and other works are worth recommending to friends. My curiosity about people is difficult to satisfy, so for now people are still willing to go out with me. Otherwise, I'd probably be a caveman.