Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

This week was a little more relaxed than the last few. I took Friday off and spent some time working on projects. The weeknights were busy, and our middle child had driving lessons on Saturday and Sunday. Next week looks to be reasonable.

Humorously, I wrote, but forgot to upload, my Now page from last week. I’m trying to use this as a weekly journal. It’s more for me than anyone else, but if you missed my weekly update, I’m sorry.

Feels

• I remain impressed with the Harris/Walz campaign. They’ve just got to keep it going until November. (And honestly, beyond Election Day when the MAGA types refuse to accept the results of the election.)
• I’m writing this from my back deck where I’m cooking out tonight. My wife is doing classwork out here with me. We’re a couple of...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

A very busy week. I had a significant work event on Wednesday, and needed to help my daughter with some of her homework in the evenings during the week. Completely wrecked my sleep schedule. Need to be better about going to bed at a reasonable hour. I feel it when I don’t get enough sleep.

The week ahead looks a little more typical… which is still relatively busy with classes, lacrosse and homework.

Feels

• I remain concerned about the upcoming election. Especially when one side is starting to resort to false and racist rhetoric to inspire their voters.
• The weather continues to get better. We were supposed to have a bunch of rain this weekend, but we only had occasional sprinkles.
• Made time for a much needed date night with Liz. Our schedules are busy with both of us in grad...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

A draining week and weekend. Not bad, but exhausting. I almost forgot to post my weekly update. We celebrated Jill’s 17th birthday this weekend. (Her actual birthday is next week.) It was wonderful, but involved getting the house ready for guests. Balancing that with classwork, work, lacrosse starting back up for Ryan. It’s Sunday afternoon and I feel like I am running out of time.

Feels

• The weather is improving. We actually haven’t spent much time on our back deck this summer because it was just too hot, but we did some work back there and I look forward to spending more time in the backyard as the weather cools.
• Busy week at the office upcoming with some complicated tight deadlines. Will feel better after Wednesday morning.
• Big win for my Gamecocks, defeating Kentucky soundly. Next week is LSU at...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

I had an up and down week. Some good days, but I also had one of those days that was terrible from start to finish. Really thankful for the long Labor Day weekend. I’m going to start updating the Now page on Sunday.

Feels

• We had cooler weather last week, but then it’s hot again. Really, really reading for the cooler weather to return.
• Busy. We are starting to balance all of the family commitments with Liz and I both taking classes, Jill and Ryan handling homework, new pick up routines… It’s tough to get back into a rhythm.
• Thankful for the long weekend. I need the time to recharge.

Health

• This week was challenging, but I did a decent job sticking to healthier food choices.

Projects

• My contract type design consulting job is going well, but taking more time than I...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

The start to the school year continues. I had my first grad school class of the semester this week. Looking forward to learning more about qualitative methods. Liz starts her Ph.D. class this week and the kids' school is in full swing.

Feels

• Tired. After the summer, getting back into a routine has been tough. Waking up earlier. Going to bed earlier. Longer drive and more traffic. It’s exhausting, but I know it will get better.
• Grateful for some cooler weather. Most summers in Columbia, South Carolina are hot, but this summer has been brutal. I’m looking forward to being able to comfortably hang out on our back deck and enjoy some cooler weather.
• I’m pumped up about the Harris/Walz ticket. Let’s go.

Health

• Did a great job eating healthier this week. Really proud of myself for planning ahead and bringing...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

Liz and the kids are back in school. We moved our oldest into an off-campus apartment. Starting to figure out everyone’s schedules. It’s been a busy week.

Feels

• Our oldest, Norah, moved into her own apartment this week. And while she lived in the residence hall last year, she’s now really out on her own. Proud of her, but it’s always a little bittersweet to watch the kids grow up.
• Back to heading to the coffee shop to work every weekend with my daughter. She has so much AP work to do, that she likes to go to Starbucks to study. I usually have work to do, too. So we go together. I don’t love the stress that comes with the work, but I adore having the time with Jill.
• Continue to be both nervous and excited about the future...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

Reasonably good week. We’re getting our oldest ready to go back to college. I’ve started my plan to be healthier at 50 than I was a 40 — working out a little bit and eating better. Lifestyle change is hard.

Feels

• Had someone be incredibly rude to me at work this week. And it really bothered me for a day or two.
• Tim Walz. My goodness. I didn’t know politicians like this get elected. What a breath of fresh air. I’m all in on bringing joy back. I’m tired of the doom and gloom.
• Work on the Ph.D. will continue soon. A couple of weeks left until classes start. I’m taking one class this semester — a qualitative research class in the College of Education. Will be a bit of a change from my normal comms classwork.

Health

• Started this week...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

I celebrated my 49th birthday this week. My kids have an annual tradition where they bake a cake for me, usually with a high degree of difficulty. This year, they attempted to make a Borg Cube from Star Trek.

As I turn 49, I’m looking ahead to 50 next year. I’ve decided that I want to be healthier at 50 than I was at 40. I need to loose weight, eat better and be more active. Basically a lifestyle change. I’m going to add a health category to my weekly Now page updates.

Still wondering if I should post these on Sundays instead of Saturdays.

Feels

• Uncomfortable. The air conditioning went out in my office this week. That’s never something you want in Columbia in the summer.
• One of my friends is leaving for a job at another school. I’m bummed,...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

Just had a relaxing week of vacation with just my wife and me. The kids were at summer camp for the week so we decided to celebrate our 25th anniversary early up near Asheville. We had a great time, but it’s going to be hard going back to reality on Monday.

Feels

• I feel refreshed. I really needed to take some time off from work and reset. With the leadership change at work, I think I needed the break more than I realized.
• I’m worried about the state of our nation, but I’m energized by the change in the presidential race. Biden stepping down, and Harris consolidating support has me encouraged.
• Being open to changes. The camp our kids went to is also the camp that I attended and worked at. They changed pick up this year, ending on Friday...
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Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.

Weird week. I got randomly sick for an evening. I woke up at 2 AM with a fever that only lasted a couple of hours and no other symptoms. So strange. Whenever I get sick now, I worry about COVID and getting others sick, but I’m pretty sure this was just a random virus.

Feels

• I’m excited about upcoming vacation. It’s been too long since I took a significant amount of time off.
• I’m worried about the state of our nation.
• Grateful for some rain. (We needed it.)

Projects

• I published two longer blog posts this week. One about the Star Trek episodes I tend to play in the background, and a second post about the whole Sticker Mule debacle.
• More progress on fonts. I inched closer to releasing my new typefaces. Just some refinements to make sure everything passes...
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