Least Important: Tips, tricks, hacks, and shortcuts.
Very Important: Habits and routines. Your daily actions and behavior. Your system of execution.
Most Important: Vision and values. Your purpose, your priorities, your why.
Twin boys. Toddler daughter. Hospital Tech Support. Writer. Runner. Gamer. Creating in public again.*
Life Cycle
Life Cycle is a simple way to see where I’ve been. It works in the background, monitoring my locations, and turning that data into a simple pie chart to reference later.
Updated RSS Feed
If you’re subscribed to my RSS, you’ve missed the last few posts. I just fixed the issue, so you’ll start seeing when I post. And if you missed the announcement post, I’ve also updated the homepage to the site.
Here’s a recap so far:
How I Use Field Notes
I’ve simplified my Field Notes journaling down to a few rules: Date (“1.30 T”), indent once, and then a bullet list (using four different symbols to identify each item:
- Circle for events
- Equals for feelings
- Bullet for task
- Dash for note
Snow Day
Snowing in Louisiana. Walked from my house to the downtown area to capture the moment.
A Simple Folder Structure
I spent some time cleaning up folders during this rare snow day we had today. To organize these folders, I’m using the PARA Method.
PARA has four main folders:
- Projects
- Areas
- Resources
- Archive
I made a folder today named “1.21.25 - Archive” and dragged any loose files I saw lying around into that dated archive folder. After, I moved “1.21.25 - Archive” into the main Archive folder. From there, I started grabbing anything related to my album and moved into the Nomad folder in Projects.
Here’s a glimpse of the folder structure for my new album. While organizing, I learned that I had 116 drafts/ideas already recorded.
Get in touch if you want to hear a few drafts. I’m open to feedback as I build out this album’s story.
I Have Died Many Times
A new year. A new way to approach my writing. I hope you enjoy this new format. Going back to my roots. Blogging instead of weekly newsletters. This will remove the pressure of deadlines, which will also give me the freedom to create again, instead of fitting thoughts into a defined package due at the end of every week. Expect a more stream of conscious type of approach here now.
At the beginning of the last few years, I have enjoyed rereading I Have Died Many Times, by CGP Grey. Let’s start my return here with that.
My weekly newsletter that showed up in inboxes every Monday morning and lasted 137 weeks in a row is now over. When closing out last year, at first I only wanted to take a break during December, but as Christmas rolled around, and the new year approached, I knew that chapter of my life was over.
I’m ready for something new, and I think getting back to blogging (and microblogging) will scratch that itch for me. I’ll be able to build faster, with fresher ideas, and ultimately be more nimble with creating than those newsletters allowed me to be.
With no deadlines, you’ll now see more thoughts from me, or sometimes less, depending on the flow of that week. I can post immediately or not post at all for days or weeks. Only showing up when I have something to share.
Looking Forward
This will be my last email for the year. I’ll be taking the five weeks of December off to enjoy the holidays, and then returning in January, hopefully refreshed and rejuvenated. This is the first time I take a break from the newsletter since starting in 2022. 137 weeks in a row later, I’m definitely excited for this little break. This break will give me time to do some deep thinking and regrouping, without having to worry about an output every week. I also have some projects that I’ll be working on.
On the admin side, I’ll be spending some time organizing my Apple Notes and Synology drives. Notes, files, and folders. I also look forward to building out my Sofa lists, thinking through new ingredients, and beta testing the new podcast feature. On the gaming side, Dragon Quest III and Metaphor are the games I’ll be playing. I’ll also be spending time migrating all my emulation from a few devices to just the Retroid Pocket 5.
Last but not least, I’m excited for the holidays. It’s my favorite time of the year. The quality time with family, the reflecting on the past and what’s ahead, the holiday decorations and meals, and then watching the kids open presents. It all adds up to special memories that I’m really looking forward to.
Civic Access
Since starting the new job, the one thing that leaves the house with me each day is the Civic Access Pouch 2L. CAP2 for short. All photos were pulled from their website.
The CAP2 holds everything I’ll be using that day, like my badge, keys, wedding ring, Field Notes, AirPods, and a dozen other little things. This pouch is easily the best pouch I’ve ever used. From the amount it holds, to the way it zips up into a cube to travel with, and then to the way it opens up with a slant and displays what’s inside of it. That slant is what sets it apart from the competition. When opened up at my desk, it looks as if it always belongs there, holding each time that needs to be accessed.
Inside the Bag
Inside of the bag: for tech is my AirPods Pro, the Retroid Pocket Mini, charging cables and brick, SD card adapter, SanDisk Portable SSD, and an Apple AirTag. For non-tech items, I have my wedding ring, hospital badge, work keys, Field Notes, pens, highlighters, microfiber cleaning cloths, fingernail clippers, and alcohol wipes.
Leash and Anchor
I recently modified the pouch so it can be worn like a sling when walking, and then allowing the strap to be removed and put in the top zipper when I arrive. This is thanks to Peak Design’s Leash and Anchor clips. Those Anchor clips make it so a the Leash strap can be removed instantly and stored away in the top zipper. A feature that this pouch wasn’t designed for, but is now one of my favorite perks to the CAP2.
You’re Three
Dear Rose,
You’re turning three today, and I wanted to write you a letter like I did last year, simply to create a snapshot of how you’re processing the world at three. Just like I mentioned last year, time is moving way too fast, and as I try to balance the busyness of life, staying present with you is always at the top of my mind. I don’t want to miss a single moment of you growing up.
You started school recently, and I told you that I’d be sad now that you’re away from home, but you tried to comfort me by saying, “Don’t worry Dad, Mom will protect you.” These are the little sentences you bless me with throughout the week. Like when your brother got in the car recently, and right away, you asked him, “Isaac, how’s your day going?” And after he responded, you replied, “Well, mine is going great.”
I’m constantly fascinated by your mind and how much you’re learning already. You like dancing now, and putting puzzles together. You know all the days of the week, and you’re starting to learn time. Lately you’ve been randomly telling me you’d like a hug. Or as you’re falling asleep, you ask if I can rub your back.
Before each meal, you lead in prayer, even if you’re the only one at the table. It’s the same prayer each meal: “Dear Jesus, thank you for this food. Thank you for mommy and daddy, Isaac and Rose, and all the people. Keep us safe, in your name we pray. Amen.”
This is just a glimpse of my days with you, and there’s not enough words to describe how special all of this feels.
Happy Birthday.