I have gotten into native landscaping recently (well, over the past 5 years) and have been slowly redoing my entire yard by ripping out invasives and a million awful pavers. I am finally to the adding new plants part and I planted a native plum tree last year. We're getting the first blossoms and it makes me so happy every time I see it. The tree is super tiny right now - comes up about chest high on me - but I can just imagine it when it gets taller and is a big mass of white in the spring. There is so much heavy in my life, both personally and otherwise, and seeing this vision of spring has been lightening the vibes around here.

So, its been a rough start to the new year. I quit my job due to a toxic manager pushing me out and the company gave me a generous severance. Now I feel a bit listless because I'm drowning in a sea of AI snake oil on LinkedIn and less design opportunities along with the fact no jobs were created in 2025. I'm looking to pivot into something creative still but haven't found the right career advisor who knows what AI is and isn't forcing it down my throat as its inevitability. Has anyone successfully guided themselves into something their equally passionate about and don't feel like a fraud?

I REALLY wish "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" were less violent so I could share it with my kids. It's an important message for the next generation, but too bloody to show to them.

It's been a long winter for me. And a long last year, too, now that I think about it. Work is uncertain these days, and the rest of it? Not so great.
But I'm trying to put time back into some things that bring me joy- planting trees and garden work, building a new fence for the back yard, riding bikes more again. Just kinda hoping I can jostle myself out of this funk and get my head in the game for the next round, you know?

I started my tomato seedlings from seed last week, and half of the tray has sprouted. There is nothing more full of hope and optimism than a tray of beefsteak tomato seedlings.

My family and I are headed to London and Paris for Spring Break with our kiddo. Please send any hidden gems or weird recomendations my way :) Thanks Kottke fam!

Spent the last week hiking in the Harper' Ferry area getting my history nerd requirements met. It was quite nice to unplug - if it wasn't on a sign or brochure i didn't read it.

I've had great luck that has led to a very frustrating realization. My wife and I have saved enough money to retire early. That's the "great luck" part.

Now the frustration, the cost of healthcare will prevent us from actually doing it unless we move out of the country (at least until we are 65). Or maybe I should say, we've realized how affordable good healthcare is in other countries and it makes our system look like a terrible joke. Even countries that are not significantly cheaper in other ways (Panama for example) has healthcare that is about one 10th the price of US healthcare. We would be retired TODAY if our healthcare system wasn't so broken. Really makes me feel so disappointed in our political system.

Anybody here living the expat life in Panama, Mexico, Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.? Anybody have a cheat-code for affordable insurance (

Spent way too much of my Sunday trying to get the 20yr old lawnmower started. New oil, air filter, new gas (after drain and refill), new spark plug, manually manipulating automatic throttle....nada.
Finally decided to just buy a new carburetor for it (barely more than a can of carb cleaner) and see what that gets me. Arrives Wednesday. Stay tuned. :)