This was not expected — My Medium journey began towards the end of October of this year. I knew writing for money was a possibility, but I didn’t take it all that seriously at first. My writing was likely going to exist in obscurity, untouched by the fellow human eye. …

Feeling Useless — We are spending a year in Hawaii. Before landing here in August, I had never been. I have heard it referred to as paradise many times. I get it. The weather is incredibly stable. The flora and fauna are majestic. The Aloha spirit is something to be admired. There is…

Family travel with a twist — Several years ago, a video caught my eye. It was a compilation of a family’s one year and 20+ countries trip. The brevity of the video allowed all the adventure to be compacted into one exciting adventure after another, leaving out any less desirable moments of world travel. …

Numbers are on your side — I have been reading Iron Empires (Michael Hiltzik) (affiliate link) which is a fun story of the “robber barons” that made the railroads in the United States. They were exceptionally scheming in their efforts to make money. …

For unexpected reasons… — Ah. Mid-Life. There was no way for me to truly grasp that there are distinct phases in life until I entered this one. The kid/teen/young adult phases are all energy and thrusting about, convinced it will always feel that way. Midlife has started to creep in. I know my body…

Thoughts from the other side — Several years ago, a family member told me they would not want to retire because they needed a set schedule in their life. I am still irritated by this sentiment. I do not have a job just to have a reason to set the alarm clock. …

Trying new things — In the early weeks of 2023, I began to feel like this was going to be a big year for me. I remembered that one time, in 2021, when I flew to New York to be an extra in a short film. It was one of those, “I need to…

Mind Blown — I posted the other day about how I have been taking screenshots of my earnings and the motivation it has provided. Everyone has been super supportive and encouraging. Unfortunately, I joined the Partner Program after the first week of November. …

The Ship of Dreams? — Every time they come out with a bigger ship, I think, “This HAS to be the biggest they can get.” Yet, they keep getting more and more intense. Cruise life. What is it? I took my first cruise in 2022 and am on my second one now. I was drawn…