“You can’t have the fruits without the roots”Last year was all about the roots and this year was about continued growth. We got some great harvests from the greenhouse in terms of food (tomatoes, peppers, limes, lettuce, microgreens) and data about environmental controls. I’m excited to iterate on that and do even better next year. On the home improvement front our yard is now fully fenced in, and we installed AC just in time for summer. I’ve also been busy with indoor gardening. Our main room is slowly transforming into a palace of houseplants.
-Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
 |
 |
Artistically I haven’t come as far as I had hoped. I had all the tools I needed to be productive and creative, but I was too tired to pour myself into personal projects on evenings and weekends. The energy I spent at work was more valuable than the money I made, so I quit my job. Since then I’ve enjoyed making music and developing a video game. The music is harder than I expected. I like everything that I’ve written but it’s hard to bring it to life at production quality. The game is easier than I expected. I’m confident that my imagination is the limit and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
 |
| placeholder art for the prototype |
Travel
Last summer we went to Iceland, which is the furthest north we’ve been. Over the holidays this year we went to New Zealand, which is the furthest south we’ve been. It’s a long way away, but we can’t wait to go back and do more great walks. From the time I quit working in April up until my birthday in August, I’ve been on a long victory lap for my 20s. I visited Arizona twice, California twice, a couple places in Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Texas, Idaho, and Nevada. Every year I promise myself that I’ll stay in the northwest all summer (the summers are great, winters are for travel) and every year I break that promise worse than the year before.
 |
 |
 |
 |
I spent the week before my birthday boating and golfing around Coeur d’Alene. I went 2-for-2 landing t-shots onto the floating green! Then I spent one night partying in Las Vegas to celebrate a friend’s 30th bday. I was pumped to get back in town just in time for the softball championship game being played on my birthday. All the golf didn’t help my swing and we lost a close game to a team of jerks, so I guess I stumbled just before the finish line of my victory lap. Maybe the doctor was right, everything starts going downhill when you turn 30. At least I can still pretend to be young! Next week I’m hosting a super smash bros tournament that will last a few hours until a champion is crowned. I think the last time I went to a birthday party like that I was 11 :)
Next Year
“We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for... That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”I’m blessed because my wife is cool with my lifestyle right now. We’re striking a balance that I think is difficult for young Americans to achieve. The last few months were a fun whirlwind but I’m burnt out from travelling, and that’s not what I quit my job to do. I wanted to gain ownership of my time, and I’m finally getting it. I’m excited to keep working on my game, music, and greenhouse, and to get some other folks involved with those projects. I’m also getting on a more serious athletic regimen. Finally, and most importantly, I’m looking forward to keeping Felicia happy and continuing to build our life together!
-Robin Williams as John Keating, Dead Poet’s Society
TGIB
