Week 3 / How Weekly Covered Calls Are Funding Our NVDA Position

25 April, 2025 | | 52 seen

As of April 25, 2025, our covered call stock portfolio was valued at $6,411, reflecting another strong 9.76% week-over-week gain. However, it still remains down -15.87% year-to-date. 

Our covered call portfolio at the moment is centered around one stock only - NVDA. I'm selling 1 covered call only, with average buy price at $118.22 (using margin), while thanks to premiums collected in previous weeks, our current break-even price is $106.53

On April 25, our covered call position was slightly in the money and, I decided to roll up and away this covered call position:

Here is the trade setup:

• Bought back the April 25 $106 call for $2.12
• Sold the May 02 $107 call for $3.54
• Premium collected: $1.41 per share
• Break-even: $105.12

Week after week we are improving our cash balance from collecting solid premium. It also incrementally moved me toward my target of owning shares outright, funded by option…

Plage des Catalans: A Shrinking Memory in Marseille

22 April, 2025 | Tourism objects | 52 seen

Plage des Catalans, a sandy crescent tucked along Marseille’s coastline, holds a special place in my travel tapestry. I first visited this beach in the summer of 2003, a carefree stop during my early adventures in the city. 

Back then, it felt like a haven—close to the bustling port yet offering a slice of Mediterranean calm. When I returned 20 years later, in the summer of 2023, I was taken aback by how small it seemed. Had my memory inflated its size, or had something changed? I stood there, puzzled, wondering if I’d mixed up the location or if real estate projects had nibbled away at its edges. Over two decades, it seems the developers have claimed their share, shrinking what once felt boundless.

Our latest visit came straight from an unexpected detour. After accidentally disembarking at Aix-en-Provence station (thinking it was Marseille), we ordered a Bolt ride and asked the driver to take us to the nicest beach he could think of. Plage des Catalans was his pick. Arriving from the inland station, the sight of the sea was a relief. The beach was okay—smaller than I recalled, hemmed in by buildings and a volleyball court—but it did the trick. We cooled off in…

Georgia Almond Farms: The New Frontier for Agricultural Investment

21 April, 2025 | Real Estate | 1,153 seen

As an expat who has called Georgia home for over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the country’s agricultural landscape evolve in fascinating ways. From fish farms to cow farms and the aromatic allure of lavender oil fields, Georgia’s farmland investments have always piqued my curiosity. 

But in recent years, one trend has stood out above the rest: the growing interest in nut farms, particularly almonds. This shift has turned heads, and after a recent encounter at an almond farm near Kavitskhevi, I’m convinced there’s untapped potential here worth exploring.

During a spring road trip to Kavitskhevi resort, not far from Tbilisi, we pulled over to capture the season’s bloom—almond trees awash in delicate pink and white flowers. 

The farm, I later learned, spans an impressive 580 hectares. While snapping photos, I struck up a conversation with a guard who proudly shared that this operation grows almonds primarily for medicinal purposes. 

Intrigued, I dug deeper after the trip and discovered that a single hectare of almond trees can yield between 2 to 3 tons of almonds under optimal conditions. That’s a figure that sparks the…

Week 2 / Covered Call Portfolio Update: $146 in Premium, 11.9% Week Over Week Growth

17 April, 2025 | | 70 seen

As of April 17, 2025, our covered call stock portfolio is valued at $5,841.36, reflecting a strong 11.92% week-over-week gain. However, it remains down -23.42% year-to-date. 

Despite ongoing market volatility and macroeconomic headwinds, I’m doubling down on a focused strategy centered around selling covered calls on NVDA stock to stabilize returns and drive long-term growth.

Our average buy price for NVDA stock is $118.22 (using margin), though thanks to premiums collected in previous weeks, our actual break-even price was significantly lower at $107.98.

On April 16, the day before our existing options expiry, I decided to roll up and away this covered call position:

• Bought back the April 17 $105 call for $1.32
• Sold the April 25 $105 call for $2.81
• Premium collected: $1.46 per share
• Break-even: $106.53

This roll gave me more breathing room in case of a bullish move in NVDA while still collecting solid…

From Paris to Marseille by High Speed Ouigo Train

15 April, 2025 | Travel guides | 42 seen

Traveling from Paris to Marseille is a rite of passage for anyone craving the thrill of France’s high-speed rails. Twenty years ago, in the summer of 2003, I first made the 900-kilometer journey by TGV, marveling as the countryside blurred past in just three hours. 

That memory—of speed, comfort, and the promise of Marseille—stuck with me. So, during our latest trip to France in the summer of 2023, I suggested we relive it. This time, we snagged cheap tickets on Ouigo, the budget-friendly arm of TGV, and set off from Gare de Lyon.

We arrived early at the iconic station, where I did my best to navigate conversations with the French personnel—my rusty language skills put to the test. Boarding went smoothly, and we settled into what we thought were our seats, ready for the ride. Then came the first stop—likely Marne-la-Vallée (Disneyland)—and chaos erupted. 

A wave of passengers stormed aboard, approaching us with furrowed brows. “You’re in our seats,” they declared. I offered a hopeful, “Can we just swap?” but the response was a firm, indignant “No way, go out, you stupid tourists.” Turns out, our actual seats were six cabins away. Problem was, Ouigo’s…

Gladius Jiu Jitsu Club in Tbilisi

14 April, 2025 | Health & Wellness | 142 seen

For the past few years, we have been proud members of the Gladius Jiu Jitsu Club in Tbilisi, Georgia. It all started when we decided to enroll our then 4-year-old daughter in their kids’ jiu jitsu program. What began as a way to channel our little one’s boundless energy has turned into a rewarding journey that we’ve stuck with ever since. 

At the heart of our experience is our coach, Mr. Giorgi, a truly remarkable individual. Not only is he a highly skilled martial artist with a deep understanding of jiu jitsu, but he’s also a genuinely great guy who makes every session enjoyable. 

What’s fascinating about Mr. Giorgi is that he balances his passion for teaching martial arts with a day job at the National Bank of Georgia. During breaks or after classes, I sometimes find myself chatting with him about bonds or equity. His insights are always sharp, and it’s a bonus to connect with someone who shares an interest in finance while guiding my kiddo to success on the mats.

For most of our time with Gladius, the club was based in the Vere neighborhood of Tbilisi. It was a cozy spot that served us well, but in 2025, the club moved to new premises on Pavle…

Week 1 / How I'm Generating Options Premium with NVDA Covered Calls

10 April, 2025 | | 158 seen

As of April 10, 2025, the value of our covered call stock portfolio stood at $5,219.50, reflecting a -28.65% decrease year-to-date. Despite the broader market volatility and economic headwinds, I'm doubling down on a focused strategy to stabilize and grow the portfolio.

This week I was managing a covered call on NVIDIA. Currently we are holding 100 shares of NVDA, acquired at an average buy price of $118.22 (using margin), though due to previously collected option premiums, our effective break-even point was already $109.31.

The core rationale? NVDA’s dominant position in AI, data centers, and gaming graphics continues to give it long-term upside. Concentrating our capital and covered calls on this name allows us to develop a tighter feedback loop of premium income and stock appreciation.

On April 10, the day before our existing options expiry, I decided to roll up and away this covered call position:

• Bought back the April 11 $104 call for $5.18
• Sold the April 17 $105 call for $6.53
• Net premium…

Aix-en-Provence station

8 April, 2025 | Railway / Bus / Ferry | 49 seen

Aix-en-Provence railway station is one of two serving the city of Aix-en-Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southeastern France. The other station, served by long-distance high-speed TGV trains on the LGV Méditerranée line, is Aix-en-Provence TGV, and lies about 12 km southwest of the city centre.

Amodest yet charming stop on the TGV line, sits just outside the picturesque Provençal town it’s named after. Unlike the grand hubs of Paris or Marseille, this station feels quieter, more intimate, with its sleek modern design and a backdrop of rolling hills. It’s a junction for travelers heading across southern France, offering a brief pause amid the region’s sunlit beauty. For me, though, it became the scene of an unexpected detour.

During my latest trip from Paris to Marseille in 2023, I accidentally stepped off the train here, mistakenly thinking I’d arrived at Marseille already.

 The station’s unassuming platform caught me off guard—no bustling crowds or coastal vibes to signal my true destination. Realizing my error, I had to scramble for a solution, eventually ordering a Bolt taxi for around €50 to cover the final stretch to Marseille. It wasn…

How To Fix Overexposed video after Adobe Premiere Pro Export

7 April, 2025 | Digital Photography School | 2,765 seen

While working on my latest short documentary about our travels in India, I ran into a frustrating issue: after exporting the final video, it was completely overexposed and unwatchable. The scene of us visiting the Taj Mahal was adorable—except the Taj Mahal itself was barely visible, washed out in a sea of bright white.

After spending hours trying to figure out what went wrong, I finally stumbled upon a surprisingly simple solution.

The footage was shot using an iPhone and a DJI Mavic Air drone in 4K

Taj Mahal scene after default export

Taj Mahal scene fixed

Solution:

Turns out it has somehow related to shooting in HDR format, you can individually adjust settings for scenes from the bin in the left by right-click > Modify > Interpret footage

As I was working with a large about 25 minutes movie with hundreds of scenes, I copied all the scenes from the sequence (CMD+A -> CMD + C) to the new sequence (CMD + V), making sure that the settings for new sequence are enabled for Rec.709 (and not Rec.200)

On mac for export you can use CMD+M to compare actual footage with export

Longer version…

Jvari monastery, Shio-Mghvime & Kavtiskhevi

4 April, 2025 | Living in Georgia | 38 seen

With spring kicking into high gear, we hit the road last weekend for a mix of adventure and downtime. F

irst up, we swung by Jvari and Shi-Mghvime monasteries—two spots that vibe with history and quiet beauty.

 Then, we kicked back at Kavtiskhevi resort, soaking in the calm. Things got wilder at Gori’s fish market, where, believe it or not, someone snagged an octopus. To cap it off, we torched some old papers—call it a symbolic reset. Want the full scoop? Go watch it now!

March 2025 Stock Portfolio Update ($7,124)

2 April, 2025 | Stock Portfolio | 55 seen

At the end of March 2025, the total value of our stock portfolio was USD 7,124 (€6,594 ). What is about -13.86% decrease if compared to the previous month. In dollar terms we lost -$1,147. Ouch. The loses come both from the happenings in overall stock market and from some over-leveraged trades with options. More on that bellow.

During the month of March we stayed in Georgia, the temperatures in mid March were hovering above +26, we did a few memorable roadtrips, like to David Gareja and even to Gori. Besides that kiddo was attending Jiu Jitsu for most of the weekends here in Tbilisi.

now, back to the stocks:  

YTD our stock portfolio has dipped -1.3%, still outperforming SP500 slightly (-4.59%). Last month we got hit hard by over-leveraged options positions, and took loss of about $1,000 from closing short put on Morgan Stanley. 

To realign my portfolio and regain momentum, I’ve opted to consolidate my investments into a single stock: NVDA. At least for a while. The ascent of a robotics-driven future may carry unsettling implications, but securing ownership in its vanguard could mitigate the downside while positioning me to…

Marseille-Saint-Charles station

1 April, 2025 | Railway / Bus / Ferry | 21 seen

Marseille-Saint-Charles is the main railway station and intercity bus station of Marseille, France. It is the southern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway and the western terminus of the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway.

Perched atop a hill overlooking the heart of Marseille, is more than just a railway hub—it’s a gateway to the soul of this vibrant port city. With its grand staircase cascading down to the bustling streets below and panoramic views of the Mediterranean, the station exudes a raw, timeless energy. Opened in 1848, it connects Marseille to Paris and beyond, welcoming travelers with a mix of historic charm and the gritty pulse of a modern metropolis.

I first arrived here by train from Paris back in 2003, stepping onto the platform with little idea of what lay ahead. My discoveries in Marseille began at this very station, sparking a chain of events that eventually led me to join the French Foreign Legion for a brief moment—an unexpected chapter in my life. 

The station’s chaotic hum, the salty breeze drifting up from the sea, and the sense of possibility stuck with me. Two decades later, in 2023, I returned by train from Paris once more.…

How to Install Google Analytics for Substack Newsletter

31 March, 2025 | Servers | 607 seen

To install Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for your Substack newsletter and track its performance, follow these steps. This process involves setting up a Google Analytics account, obtaining a Measurement ID, and linking it to your Substack publication. Here’s how to do it:

Palolem Beach / Goa / India

28 March, 2025 | Travel guides | 26 seen

Palolem beach movie is out - or during the winter school break (2024/2025), we returned to India—Goa, and one of our favorite spots on Earth: Palolem Beach. 

With a short stop in Delhi, warmly hosted by the Klimis family (Aleksandra Klimi & Evangelos Klimis), we kicked off another unforgettable adventure. Besides African Swine Flu - Days were filled with sunbathing, fishing, painting, and, of course, a little rum-sipping by the shore.

My High-Protein / Ultra-Rich Calorie Deficit Diet (Banana & Matsoni) Helped me to Drop about 5kg in 3 weeks

26 March, 2025 | Health & Wellness | 265 seen

For the past three weeks, I’ve been sticking to an ultra-low-calorie diet that’s delivered fantastic results—dropping from a weight that was creeping dangerously close to 100 kg down to 93.3 kg, a loss of about 5 kg in just 21 days. 

I’ve tweaked the plan by squeezing in a serving of roasted peanuts (about 120-180 grams) once a day for extra flavor and satisfaction. I haven’t counted calories precisely, but I believe the peanuts from a jar fall in the 400-500 kcal range. 

Honestly, they probably should be avoided at all costs for a stricter cut, but beyond just losing weight, I need to get protein—nuts are a perfect source, and all my ingredients are protein-rich. Plus, every once in a while, I’ve added a protein shake, which bumps up the calories a bit but also boosts my protein intake. Protein is crucial for muscle maintenance, especially with my gym routine.

For those who don’t know me, I’ve been a vegetarian for over three years, practicing intermittent fasting for more than two years, and hitting the gym 5 days a week with intense workouts for the past eight years. Despite all this discipline, my weight was still inching upward. Clearly, even…