041/365

November 19, 2023
Naperville, Illinois

I felt the lingering effects of my cold. My body still feels OK, but my voice is still missing, and now my head is a little foggy. Fortunately, after a decent nap, I started to feel better.

We drove to the Adelman residence in the early afternoon to watch the Bears play the Vikings. Days before arriving, I sent my brother-in-law a 21-pound brisket for the gathering. After smoking it for over 12 hours and resting it for a couple more, it felt like Thanksgiving dinner had come early!

Though the Bears blew a two-score lead (in typical Bears fashion), everyone ate plenty and enjoyed themselves among great company. I’m looking forward to the week (& for my voice to return).

040/365

November 18, 2023
Chicago, Illinois

Woke early and made our trip to Tampa International Airport. After a long day of travel, we finally arrived at Chicago’s Midway International Airport. 

After collecting our luggage, we rented a car and made our way over to our hotel in Naperville. We always stay at the Marriott. I’ve often considered booking a place via Airbnb, but using points and booking far enough in advance substantially lowers our costs.

Despite my body feeling OK, my voice is already gone. Not a great start to a week-long trip!

039/365

November 17, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Today, I woke up feeling like a cold is on the horizon. I’m desperately hoping this isn’t the case because we travel to Chicago tomorrow for our annual family Thanksgiving trip. The most challenging part of rest and recovery is sitting still and letting my body do its job. I like to be in motion, and some parts of me say to fight despite all circumstances. It’s a mental battle. Push my body to keep up with me or succumb to what it’s suggesting.

Then there’s the side of me that says, what does it matter? It’s all mental - just go!

038/365

November 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Today was primarily mundane and filled with uneventful work-related tasks. However, I had a moment to sell off another camera body. As much as I’m interested in something else, I abide by my commitment to do more with less. 

I visited Chloe and Ellie’s school in the evening for their PBL (Problem-Based Learning) showcase. It was wonderful to see the kids displaying their learnings and elevating their new knowledge to their parents and parents of friends. Chloe focused on the ecosystem of bats and how they contribute to human environments. Ellie was the Waste Wizard and shared how to think about consumption, single-use items, and recycling.

037/365

November 15, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

It was a typical start to the day, but late in the morning, I dropped by Atria to give Nate a roll of the Tri-X 400 film I promised him a few weeks ago. He appreciated the gesture, and after accepting, we spoke about metering for the stock and processing it with a lab. I offered to scan his negatives, too. Either case, I hope he finds joy in the expanded hobby! 

Late in the afternoon, I stopped by Barb’s house to get my ears lowered. She’s just around the corner, so it makes for a leisurely walkover. It’s always great to catch up with her; I always enjoy our bi-weekly conversations.

036/365

November 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

I can’t believe I’m 10% into the 365. While much is left to accomplish, every milestone on this journey is appreciated due to how much could stand in the way of the project, if I let it. 

Looking back at some of what I’ve written, it’s clear how life ebbs and flows. Some of my reflections have been negative, or maybe it’s how I remember those days. However, though I don’t usually think that way, I understand these daily entries have a certain amount of cathartic value. Perhaps it’s just better on ‘paper’ than between my ears. 

Jim Rohn often spoke about reflections and making them part of a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual routine. No matter the output, revisit the journal entries, the photographs, and the notes. There’s value in where I’ve been and how much is contributing to the next chapter in my life.

“The capacity to grow … [so we can] hold more of the next experience.” - Jim Rohn

035/365

November 13, 2023
Sarasota, Florida

We split the routine this morning because I had to take Chloe to her annual health checkup at Dr. Keely’s office. Chloe came in at 50 inches tall, supported by a 64-pound body. Though our time was short, spending some one-on-one time with Chloe was great. I love her creativity and sparks of energy. It’s so refreshing! 

The photo I took today was of the interior space of the doctor’s office, but I wish I brought my camera when I dropped Chloe off at school. After checking her in, I watched her walk down the main hallway to her classroom. I stood silently and watched, thinking how quickly this was all happening. Soon, her short steps will outpace mine, but hopefully not before I get to appreciate every moment with her and Ellie. 

034/365

November 12, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

This morning, we rose early, and after a walk with Ripley, the family went over to Woodland Community Church for our spiritual fill. Following, we went over to First Watch for our usual post-service family breakfast. Wendy and the kids ordered their usual skillet and chocolate pancakes, respectively, but I veered way off course and went with biscuits and turkey gravy. It was delicious but far more in quantity than I should have eaten! 

The girls and I took Ripley to the nearby dog park in the late afternoon for some exercise. Along the way, we saw this antique truck parked. It was a vivid purplish pink so the girls called it their Barbie Truck. I don’t think I’ll pass the name recommendation along to the owner. 

033/365

November 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

It is Veteran’s Day today. I rose early to handle much of the household tasks. I gathered from Wendy’s energy that she needed some downtime, so the kids and I stepped up. On the domestic front, it seems strange that some people I know resort to household roles, like a job.  My behaviors are based on awareness and stepping up/to opportunities. I don’t suggest the other way is necessarily wrong, but predefined gender-based roles seem to stunt our growth as a community and families, too. It makes me think about service to others as a whole.

032/365

November 10, 2023
Wimauma, Florida

I woke up early this morning and drove to Balm Boyette with my mountain bike. It had been a month or longer since I’d ridden, and my mind and legs required some trail riding. Nearly 15 miles later, I was feeling refreshed. The beauty of nature is that it’s often overlooked. Meaning, you miss so much if you’re not looking or fully present. You have to reduce to receive more. And today, it’s too early, far away, or not important enough to reconnect outside. I didn’t see one person, hiker or rider, on the trails today. 

Later, we met some friends at Siesta Key Beach to celebrate our neighbor’s birthday. It was great to reconnect with neighbors and even meet some new ones. It’s pretty amazing that while we all live in Florida, none of us were born here.

031/365

November 9, 2023
Bradenton, Florida

I woke up entirely too early this morning, rising around 4 AM. I've had recurring thoughts about responding to intentions and life's subtle prods. I tried to resume sleep, but my energy was ready to move me. So I rose and got on with the day.

After spending 20 minutes on the Peloton and walking Ripley for ~30 minutes, I returned home to see the kids off to school. After, I put my head down to work and started my day.

Everything was running fairly smoothly until the end of the day when my team received challenging news from a customer. I had to leave the home office and take Ripley for a walk to change my pessimism. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring something refreshing. 

030/365

November 8, 2023
Bradenton, Florida

Today, I had a nice breakthrough with my team. I think we’ve all been feeling the stresses from our roles and some macro, corporate-level factors that have impacted the feelings we’ve had.  I had an opportunity to sit on a video conference call with them today and talk about our lives and things weighing our hearts.  

It was a wonderful reminder that work doesn’t define us and that it’s OK to feel the weight of our days. However, how we respond to each other in the process and our engagements make all the difference—ultimately, being vulnerable to each other in our struggles. 

“My worth comes from who I am, not from what I do.” -Joshua Medcalf, Chop Wood Carry Water

029/365

November 7, 2023
Venice, Florida

Today, I felt invigorated at work, and it’s helping a lot. I’m learning more about prioritization and focus. Sometimes, outside influence, a few books, and some coaching are all that is needed to course-correct. I just needed a little intention and action!

In the afternoon, I had to run an errand near UTC Mall. On the return trip home, I saw an old Chevy Suburban towing another vehicle. It seemed oddly impressive that an antique vehicle would be hauling a car that is ~50 years newer.

028/365

November 6, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

I occasionally stop by the blog(s) of Craig Mod. I found him years ago when looking at the Leica Q. At the time, I was a newly appointed father looking for an all-around camera. Little did I know what the Q would bring some years later! However, he spoke highly of one photographer’s work in one of his posts. That photographer was Alec Soth, and he went so far as to recommend a video series on Magnum’s Photography site called “Photographic Storytelling.” I recently went ahead and purchased his course.

I appreciate the authenticity and vulnerability of what drives the artist and moves their creative spark. It’s like some artists know what aligns (with their soul?), and they pursue it relentlessly. They see everything differently. This is far and away different from what you’ll see in today’s mainstream promotion. I hope my sights remain on the former and never (re)succumb to fad or replication. 

“I have an internal life that I seek to represent in the external world.” -Alec Soth

The first thing I noticed about Alec is how he uses his hands. Unlike many people during interviews who often show firm body language, Alec’s hands bring his words to life. It’s as if he’s painting a picture with his imagination, inviting us into his world. You feel the “intensity of the encounter” as he reveals what defines his pursuit. 

I look forward to gaining more insights from his lessons.

027/365

November 5, 2023
Bradenton, Florida

Wendy took the kids to Sarasota for a birthday party while I caught up on a number of household tasks. I wanted to develop the next set of rolls, but I ran short on time. I might have to rethink this part of the plan - fearing friction may cause some delays in the project.

I did manage a decent walk with Ripley, and then spent the early evening hours reading with the family. It was a nice and relaxing Sunday. 

026/365

November 4, 2023
Bradenton, Florida

Rose early this morning with the family, and we spent time at Palma Sola Causeway Park and Beach in Bradenton. We met with several of Ellie’s classmates and teachers to clean up the south side of the causeway and adjoining beaches. What a great lesson for me (reducing single-use plastics) and my kids (consumption and littering)! 

Later, we met with several friends and ventured north to the Zac Brown Band concert in Tampa. What a great evening! Between the perfect weather, great music, and the friendliest of companions, my only wish is that I could have or should have gone to bed sooner.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” - Abraham Lincoln

025/365

November 3, 2023
Bradenton, Florida

I am looking forward to a long weekend with family and friends. 

On my way home from visiting my leader, I stopped and took a picture over the railing of the causeway. Oddly enough, I’ll return tomorrow for a breach cleanup event with Ellie’s class.

I played with the focus point a bit, hoping it’s more abstract.

024/365

November 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

I was busy with work for most of the day, which prevented me from joining a couple of friends at the re-grand opening of our favorite local brewery, Calusa.

I did find some time around midday to break free from the laptop/screens and take Ripley for a walk. I find this practice, whether morning or afternoon, to be a nice change of pace. 

023/365

November 1, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Today was mostly productive from a task perspective but not from a customer engagement standpoint. I really need to adjust my time management. Distractions and mundanities have swollen and occupied my time!

Later in the evening, I met up with our friend and advisor, Erin, over at Atria. We reviewed our investment strategies, savings, and education plans for Chloe and Ellie. Coupled with the material downsizing, shifting more focus to a plan gives me a good feeling for our daughters and their future. What I’ve learned about the financial arena is two things: look out for the red Ferrari syndrome and take advice from someone who will tell you “No!”

Erin let me take her photograph, which was as challenging as yesterday. This lens might need an extra stop of light if these handheld shots at 1/8 or 1/4 a second become the norm!

022/365

October 31, 2023
Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Happy Halloween! I’m still in awe at the amount of decorating people do for Halloween, especially the inflatable decor. 

This morning, I met with my neighbor Sean over breakfast. It was a remarkable time, lasting nearly two hours, though it only felt like a few minutes. I hope to spend more time with Sean as I think we have more in common than we initially expected (i.e., family histories and goals). He was happy to smile for a portrait, but the light was challenging in the corner seat. I think my shutter was set at 1/8 a second.

Later in the day, Wendy invited nearly 25 kids/parents to our house to eat pizza and enjoy a pre-trick-or-treat beverage before going door-to-door. 

It seems strange to me that on any other day, free candy from complete strangers isn’t socially acceptable?