https://www.ilpost.it/2025/02/10/white-lotus-turismo/

Where is my mind?

I’m not a praying man, but Portland weather gods: I need a snow day.

Off to see Dog Man with my eldest, then to our THIRD birthday party this weekend.

We’re in for a bumpy ride. I’m not even going to look at my 401k.

AI has its pros and cons, but lately I’ve been using it for mundane tasks that have been making my stressful life a little easier. For example, I’ve been recording long trainings related to a big grant app I’m working. Taking the transcript and having AI summarize notes for me has been huge.

Great Lakes Compact states should be on high alert. At his current pace, he’ll be building a pipeline to feed the deserts of the Southwest.

Currently reading: [Essentialism](https://micro.blog/books/9780804137393) by Greg McKeown 📚

I’m rarely vindicated in my e-junk keeping, cable-hoarding ways—but when I am, it only makes it harder to break the habit.

Finished reading: [High Cost of Free Parking](https://micro.blog/books/9781351178679) by Donald Shoup 📚 Surprisingly enjoyable for an 800+ page book on parking. Essential reading for planners and engineers.

“The first revolution is when you change your mind.”

— Gil Scott-Heron. Illustration by [Nina Montenegro](https://ninamontenegro.com).

My son turned 6 on Sunday and it got me thinking about my own 6th birthday party where all the parents of my friends just dropped off their kindergartners at our house in a seedier part of town and then left. Their parents had never even met my mom. Man, how times have changed!

20 years ago, ‘I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning’ and ‘Digital Ash in a Digital Urn’ by [Bright Eyes](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQo4cDS0Um/?img_index=2&igsh=MTRkY2g5emJrbXNldA==) came out. Feeling older every day.

At a concert at Mississippi Studios in Portland between sets, and honestly, I’m kind of floored. It hit me earlier that the last time I saw Lady Lamb perform here was back in 2019. That was almost six years ago, but with two kids, COVID, and the general whirlwind of life, time has felt like a strange, elastic blur.

It’s as if part of my life paused when I became a parent. Life hasn’t stopped being fun. I make a point of doing things I love and getting out as much as I can, especially now that my kids are no longer babies. But it sure is different these days. What a trip.

Not my photo. Posted on the Gordie Howe Bridge [website](https://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/en/gallery). Just a lovely bridge, Detroit.

Trying to work up the energy to make it to this Lady Lamb show at Mississippi Studios tonight. Still wiped out and recovering.

I’ve have had two back-to-back, pretty nasty illnesses this month. This caused me to abandon my photo a day project. I thought that it would encourage me to be creative and get out more, but I decided it wasn’t serving me the way that it would and I didn’t like how it was making me feel.

A little over halfway through the nerdiest book I’ve read in years. Of course I love it.

I have cancelled and deleted my omg.lol account.

Grandma Deb coming through with the clutch Lions themed winter gear for kiddo’s 6th birthday!