Twin boys. Toddler daughter. Hospital Tech Support. Writer. Runner. Gamer. Creating in public again.*

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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.

Hospital Visit

The journey starts with a quiet walk to the hospital. Fifteen minutes of solitude to gather my thoughts and prepare for this new chapter. This is much different than my previous work-from-home job, where I was isolated from the world and stationary as I answered calls.

At the hospital, I’m given an office that’s completely empty, along with a key to a big storage room with lots of furniture to choose from. I selected a desk, a television on the wall, two tables, and an office chair. I also brought a few things from home to personalize the office. A white HomePod, a white desk fan, a plant, and a few books.

With this new position, a lot of my day revolves around meetings and being at certain rooms of the hospital at specific times of the day, so one of the first things I did was connect my new Microsoft Exchange account to my phone. Now my calendar events for work show up on my wrist with the Fantastical widget.

While going down the elevator, my Watch buzzes, and it’s a notification from Rose’s new preschool. I get about ten of these updates a day from her school now. “She just had her morning snack. She went potty. She just started her nap. She was happy.” These little notification are helpful because I can keep working with the peace of mind that she’s ok.

When returning home each day, my Watch averages about 15,000 steps. That’s before any exercises. And now that I’m home before five during the week, I can hunt down the basketball gym that everyone’s playing at. I expect to consistently be in great basketball shape now, thanks to this new schedule (and salad bar in the hospital cafeteria).

At night (and some Remote Play throughout the day), I’ve been making progress in Metaphor, a fantasy JRPG that’s like nothing I’ve ever played before. It’s currently my game of the year.

A New Chapter

Today’s the first day at my new job. A tech support position at our local hospital. Rose is also starting her first day of preschool today. I went tour the school with her last week and she has been talking about it ever since. This new job, and my daughter now going to school, will completely change our family’s daily routine, and I’m excited for this new chapter. I feel rejuvenated, and I’m ready to build on this momentum.

Thirty Six

Still love what I wrote last year, and it fits with this year as well:

What a beautiful year it’s been to get to 35. A lot of changes. New relationship. New home. New job. New dog. Completely new life. My world looks nothing like it did before last year, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I haven’t been creating much, because I’ve been creating a family. I’ve been more private than ever, because the world is more noisy now. I’ve fought many battles throughout my life. The silence only means that I finally won.

At 36, on my birthday, I’m reflecting on three things: my wife, my daughter, and our home. What an amazing life I have. So thankful.