Sprint 3: Finding a Rhythm

The last two weeks have been pretty extraordinary. Since ordering marines into Los Angeles, we had a Juneteenth and then, on a Saturday night while Americans were busy not watching the news, the US bombed Iran while the US endured a heatwave, so I and many people stayed inside, away from crowds, just waiting for a response that never came.

The last two weeks were remarkable for me in that I finally have a divorce decree after 18 months of process. Reader, the way my back cracked from my neck all the way down to my hips when I got the PDF from my lawyer. At my latest check-up with my doctor, my bp is down to 110/78 and even though my weight isn't down... I feel pretty good.

I'm glad you're here! Let's catch up about

• Funemployment
• Home, Garden and Grill
• Sprint Goals

Funemployment
The first week of the sprint was so hot, not much happened but I did finally get through the intake of the American Jobs Center. Otherwise, I hit Paragon 113 in Diablo IV.

Last week Tuesday, Ironheart dropped on Disney+. Ryan Coogler can do no wrong by me. Everything that dude produces is excellence. Even if you didn't aren't caught up on any part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is pretty self-contained, based in Chicago, and bringing in all brand new characters. By the end of episode 3, I was super hooked.

Wednesday, three days of scorching humid heat finally broke, so after watering plants, I biked down to Local Option to meet up with Jim and Jason for drinks. As we wrapped, Santi biked by and we biked up to the northwest side together as the sun set.

Logan joined me to meet up with longtime high school friend Ryan and his boyfriend at Summerfest to see CAKE on Friday afternoon. That was a great hang.

Saturday, after driving back, Logan hosted a beach party while I played disc golf with learning industry buddy Haitham, making it the first time we've hung out around Chicago and not at a conference.

Home, Garden and Grill

With 3-6 people in the house at any one time during this heat wave, everyone feels the strain of the air conditioning chugging at constant high output to keep everyone comfortable.

At the beginning of the sprint, I finally connected my stereo and organized my vinyl. I then got an email that I was finally divorced (again). Once the heat broke last weekend, I was out and about pulling weeds and tending garden. I've made a few dishes with the arugula thriving in the backyard. I like the peppery taste and how hearty it is cooked as well as how crunchy it stays raw.

I made an Italian pork roast using a lot of garden herbs, and to counter the richness of the pork and the jus, arugula really helped a lot with the melted provolone, roasted red peppers and pan-fried broccoli rabe.

Next year I need to plan on growing rapini. This year's project is looking good.

Sprint Goals

Increase activity;
I played disc golf 5 times and did a 20-mile bike ride, which is more than double the fitness activity from the previous sprint. More importantly, I got hit up for pick-up games of disc golf I couldn't do. I love pick-up games because I play better and am more motivated to play when I play with others competitively, and especially when it's not all on me to plan and execute.

I began a bi-weekly salon (thought-leader-speak for "meet-up") at the Local Option last week, Wednesday. It felt SO GOOD to get out of the house mid-week and hang with friends. Going into this next sprint, I hope to continue this pace of disc golf and maybe increase my biking beyond biking to/from a pub next Wednesday. I also hope to catch more pickup games.

Stay on budget
I did all that, paid bills on-time and didn't overdraft. I kept impulse purchases curbed. Having SNAP for groceries is a blessing I regret not taking advantage of in the four other times I was laid off in my career.

Start dj'ing; try live-streaming regularly.
I felt so good delivering a solid set last Thursday.

I had a couple of unexpected issues. Before I get to streaming next time I need to tend to a few housekeeping things, processor-wise:

• Restart
• Shut down everything but OBS and required music software
• monitor mixcloud on the iPad

I think I also need to move around where my mixing console is on my desk. I hooked up a synth controller to a software synthesizer for Volume 1, but I do have hardware synths I can mix in, as well as my bass, eventually.

Volume 2 streams live on Thursday, July 10. I'll start the dance party at 9pm. Show starts around 9:30ish. It will be more upbeat as I share a bit of my healing journey around love and relationships and some fun dating stories, as well as share a lot of great tunes and some original sounds again.

I had a lot of fun last week. I'm excited to plan, practice and improve on the formula next week.