The illustrated life of

Cengiz Ilerler

Better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow.

01 · The name

Cen·giz

/ˈdʒɛŋ·ɡɪz/ noun

Say it “jen-giz”, the C sounds like a J.

Video still — Cengiz at his desk, the sea behind him, about to say his own name.

Hear it in my own voice Practice it on Google Translate

02 · The crossings

The Bosphorus
at golden hour.

Aside from the food, nothing makes me miss Istanbul quite like this.

1978 to 2001IstanbulThe city of two continents, where the sea is navy and sometimes turns turquoise
2001 to 2008New YorkThe big apple, where the sea is muddy brown
2008 to todayBoca RatonThe sunshine state, where the sea is warm

03 · The compass

Sun, salt, and supper.

How I pick where to go next.

Boarding passValid byAirSeaLand

FromBCTBoca Raton

ToANYwherever the forecast matchesif the forecast fits

Stay3 days

HumidityLow

Rain & snowZero

Air & sea70°F / 21°C

Must haveGreat beaches, walkable streets, lively markets and bazaars

SkipMuseums, mountains, forests

MealStreet food, local restaurants

PassengerCengiz Ilerler

ClassBest affordable

Oil painting of Cengiz standing on skis on a bright snowfield, signed by the artist.

04 · Above

Snow is the sea, asleep.

Skiing.

Oil painting of Cengiz scuba diving in open blue water, signed by the artist.

05 · Below

The sea, awake.

Scuba diving.

06 · Character

By the letters.

Myers-Briggs IIntrovertedSObservantTThinkingJJudgingAAssertive Assertive LogisticianISTJ-A DISC CConscientiousnessDDominanceSSteadinessIInfluence ContemplatorCDSI

07 · Marginalia

Being male is a matter of birth; being a man is a matter of age; but being a gentleman is a matter of choice.

Motto 01 / 20

08 · The Notebook

Lately, in the notes.

LifeJune 28, 2026 To my younger self The operating manual for reality — principles on character, mastery, resilience, time, relationships, and power. DevelopmentAugust 1, 2026 Common Pitfalls and Anti-Patterns in Software Delivery A look at how work gets defined, handed over, and shipped, and the common anti-patterns that slow delivery. TradingSeptember 24, 2026 Smart Money Concepts Strip away the jargon and Smart Money Concepts rest on one observable idea: stop liquidity. A guide to market structure, the five-phase cycle, and trade math.

All notes

09 · The collection

Fictional favorites

My all-time favorite is Superman, and I am strict about the era: the Christopher Reeve costume, not the older ones and definitely not the newer ones. Supergirl next, Spider-Man in the same era, then the childhood favorites in order.

Superman first, Christopher Reeve era, strictly.

Painted portrait of Superman in the classic late-70s movie costume, floating above clouds over a night city. — Superman

Oil painting of Supergirl in the classic red-and-blue costume, red cape flying, soaring above moonlit clouds at dusk. — Supergirl

Oil painting of Spider-Man in the classic red-and-blue suit, crouched on a building ledge against the city skyline. — Spider-Man

Oil painting of Lucky Luke drawing his revolver beside Jolly Jumper, his shadow beating him to it on the canyon wall. — Lucky Luke

Oil painting of He-Man raising the glowing Power Sword before Castle Grayskull. — He-Man

Oil painting of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles standing heroically on a rooftop. — Ninja Turtles

Oil painting of the Smurfs village — Papa Smurf and friends among the mushroom houses. — Smurfs

Bubu the panda and Dudu the brown bear hugging, little hearts floating around them. — Bubu & Dudu

The Screen

Series I’ve watched Currently tracking

Four films above all others.

Painted homage to Superman II — the hero in the classic red-and-blue costume facing three black-clad villains above a city street, crowds looking up. — Superman II1980

Painted homage to Supergirl — a blonde hero in red and blue flying proudly through a sunny sky above a lake, cape billowing. — Supergirl1984

Painted homage to Rocky IV — a boxer in stars-and-stripes trunks landing a cross on his towering opponent under arena lights. — Rocky IV1985

Painted homage to Rocky III — two boxers, one in American flag trunks, one fierce challenger, clashing intensely in a spotlighted 1980s boxing ring. — Rocky III1982

The Soundtrack

My all-time favorite singer is Phil Collins. The others follow in order, and the essential tracks run by release year.

Phil Collins, always. Absolute favorites: “The Gambler” and The Rocky Story.

Painted portrait of Phil Collins. — Phil Collins

Painted portrait of Cat Stevens. — Cat Stevens

Painted portrait of Belinda Carlisle. — Belinda Carlisle

Painted portrait of Sandra Kim. — Sandra Kim

Painted portrait of Chloé Stafler. — Chloé Stafler

The cover of The Rocky Story, Songs from the Rocky movies.

Absolute favorite albumThe Rocky Story1990 Absolute favorite songThe GamblerKenny Rogers · 1978

The essential tracks, by release year

The Arcade

As an adult, a long-time Battlefield fan, with Battlefield 6 in regular rotation. As a kid, addicted to Hill Street Blues and Command & Conquer: Red Alert.

Battlefield 6 now. Hill Street Blues and Red Alert then.

Atari 2600the “Ateri” era3 titles

Painted cover art for Space Invaders. — Space Invaders1980

Painted cover art for Pac-Man. — Pac-Man1980

Painted cover art for River Raid. — River Raid1982

Commodore 649 titles

Painted cover art for Wizard of Wor. — Wizard of Wor1981

Painted cover art for Decathlon. — Decathlon1983

Painted cover art for Aztec Challenge. — Aztec Challenge1983

Painted cover art for Summer Games II. — Summer Games II1985

Painted cover art for Commando. — Commando1985

Painted cover art for International Karate. — International Karate1986

Painted cover art for Airborne Ranger. — Airborne Ranger1987

Painted cover art for The Last Ninja. — The Last Ninja1987

Painted cover art for Emlyn Hughes International Soccer. — Emlyn Hughes International Soccer1988

Amiga9 titles

Painted cover art for Ports of Call. — Ports of Call1987

Painted cover art for Wings of Fury. — Wings of Fury1987

Painted cover art for North & South. — North & South1989

Painted cover art for TV Sports: Basketball. — TV Sports: Basketball1990

Painted cover art for Hill Street Blues. — Hill Street Blues1991

Painted cover art for Lemmings. — Lemmings1991

Painted cover art for Sensible Soccer. — Sensible Soccer1992

Painted cover art for Syndicate. — Syndicate1993

Painted cover art for UFO: Enemy Unknown. — UFO: Enemy Unknown1994

Console2 titles

Painted cover art for Street Fighter II. — Street Fighter II1991/92

Painted cover art for Mortal Kombat. — Mortal Kombat1993

PC11 titles

Painted cover art for SimCity. — SimCity1989

Painted cover art for Prince of Persia. — Prince of Persia1990

Painted cover art for Dune II. — Dune II1992

Painted cover art for FIFA International Soccer. — FIFA International Soccer1994

Painted cover art for Command & Conquer. — Command & Conquer1995

Painted cover art for Command & Conquer: Red Alert. — Command & Conquer: Red Alert1996

Painted cover art for Age of Empires. — Age of Empires1997

Painted cover art for Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit. — Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit1998

Painted cover art for SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle. — SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle1999

Painted cover art for FarmVille. — FarmVille2009

Painted cover art for Battlefield 6. — Battlefield 62025

Mobile3 titles

Painted cover art for Sudoku. — Sudoku2005

Painted cover art for Chess.com. — Chess.com2007

Painted cover art for Angry Birds. — Angry Birds2009

The Kennel

Of all the animals, it is always the dog. No other even makes the list. I would take any of these at any age, though the puppy is the version that undoes me every time.

Of all the animals, it is always the dog. No other even makes the list.

Oil painting of a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy — tricolor coat with a white blaze and chest and rust markings, sitting in a warm study. — Bernese Mountain Dog

Oil painting of a Rottweiler puppy — black coat with mahogany-tan markings and a broad head, sitting in a warm study. — Rottweiler

Oil painting of a German Shepherd puppy with large upright ears and black-and-tan markings, sitting in a warm study. — German Shepherd

Oil painting of a Golden Retriever with a soft cream-gold coat and warm dark eyes, sitting in a warm study. — Golden Retriever

Oil painting of a fluffy white Samoyed puppy with a black nose and the breed's gentle smile, sitting in a warm study. — Samoyed

The Comics

All comics

AI-drawn strips I write. Old jokes, fresh ink.

Vibe-Code City comic strip — Vibe-Code CityJuly 17, 2026English

Piliyor Musun? comic strip — Piliyor Musun?July 16, 2026Türkçeadult language

Jesus Sees You comic strip — Jesus Sees YouJuly 15, 2026EnglishTürkçe

Admit It comic strip — Admit ItMarch 27, 2013EnglishTürkçe

The Gym

All moves

The moves my trainer gives me, on a figure I can turn: how each one should look, how it shouldn't, and what it works.

The moves my trainer gives me, on a figure I can turn.

Push-upsNo equipment

Leg press on the reformer: the figure doing the move

Leg press on the reformerPilates reformer

Weighted stand up, sit down: the figure doing the move

Weighted stand up, sit downKettlebell · Bench

Walking with weights: the figure doing the move

Walking with weights2 dumbbells

Bodyweight squat: the figure doing the move

Bodyweight squatNo equipment

The Table

All food and drink

The food and drink I love, from soups to Turkish coffee. Almost everything comes from my own kitchen; the few I buy are marked store-bought.

From soups to Turkish coffee, almost all from my own kitchen.

A glass bowl of creamy mushroom soup on a wooden table, beautifully garnished in the center with overlapping slices of sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of black pepper. — Creamy Mushroom SoupKremalı Mantar Çorbası

A glass bowl of piyaz salatası — white beans mixed with red onion, tomato, and parsley, garnished with black olives, hard-boiled egg quarters, and a dusting of sumac. — White Bean SaladPiyaz Salatası

A neatly stacked pile of yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves) on a white plate, glistening with olive oil and garnished with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh dill. — Stuffed Vine LeavesYaprak Sarma

A whole roasted chicken baked to a golden brown, glistening with juices and sprinkled with fresh thyme, served in a carved wooden bowl. — Roast ChickenKızarmış Tavuk

A perfectly grilled salmon fillet on a carved wooden plate, drizzled with olive oil and generously topped with minced garlic and fresh dill. — SalmonSomon Balığı

A white plate holding a neat arrangement of spicy, hand-kneaded çiğ köfte, served alongside crisp lettuce leaves and wedges of fresh lemon. — Çiğ Köfte

A single round, pale shortbread cookie on a white plate, with a cocoa-dusted center stamped to look exactly like a mushroom cap. — Mushroom CookieMantar Kurabiye

A classic Turkish street-style waffle on a white plate, featuring a large, soft heart-shaped waffle folded in half like a sandwich, generously stuffed with melted chocolate, sliced bananas, and fresh strawberries. — Waffle

A single piece of lokum entirely coated in dried, dark pink rose petals, resting on a white plate. — Rose Petal Turkish DelightGül Yapraklı Lokum

A single pale-orange French macaron — two smooth domed shells with ruffled feet — sandwiching a berry-pink filling, on a white plate on a wooden table. — French MacaronMakaron

10 · Worth it

What I actually use.

Referrals6 perks

Tools I pay for, with a perk for both of us when you sign up through them.

Recommendations123 picks

The gear, pantry and medicine cabinet I rely on, sorted by category.

All recommendations

The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk MoreBooks

LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes (Raw Unflavored)Supplements & Nutrition

Q-tips Original 100% Pure Cotton SwabsGrooming & Skincare

Ooni 14-Inch Perforated Pizza PeelEquipment

I Know a Guy18 go-tos

The people I go to, from my personal trainer to my realtor. Nobody pays to be here.

All my go-tos

The end · for now

Until next time, I wish you all a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous day, surrounded by the people you love.

Tekrar görüşünceye kadar hepinize sağlıklı, huzurlu, mutlu, bolluk bereket içinde, sevdiklerinizin yanınızda olduğu, yüzünüzün güldüğü çok şık bir gün diliyorum.