Week 16 Review
- Andy V
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
As mentioned last update, getting my son Grayson in the Army is job #1. As some may know, he moved back in with us in March and still struggled with alcohol and vaping. However, after long weeks of spending serious time with him -- loving, encouraging and disciplining -- we are on a great trajectory. He just killed his ASVAB test and is running 2 miles daily faster than me, while still smoking some cigs. He is actually excited to go in (possibly as Combat Medic) and is taking steps to get there.
Our rate limiting step has been removal of some face tattoos, as Army will not allow (though they are ok w/ hand ones). The Pico Laser technique seems to work pretty good and so, we are hopeful, they will be pretty much gone in two more sessions (5 weeks).
Why go into this? Well, he goes where I go and vice-versa, so this pretty much dominates my day and time. As such, progress on each goal has been uneven the past three weeks (including updates!). But, I would gladly miss every goal to see him on solid ground and w/ a sense of purpose for a cause greater than himself. In turn, I am listening to a lot of metal via SiriusXM so I can speak about Gojira, Slipknot and Sevendust -- there is that!
Physical Benchmarks
Bench/Squat/DL stuck around same plateau -- combined lifts maybe 1,000 - 1015.
Running has been uneven getting Grayson going, as he did treadmill for a bit and then the park. Plus, my running partner JT was in Belize w/ Jennifer for 2 weeks+.
Sugar snuck back in somehow! Carbs way up.. Will need to get harsher back on this.
Spiritual
AW Tozer wrote a thin book called 'The Pursuit of God' which is an amazing call to grow closer to God. If any Christian ever feels further away from God than they like, pick up this book and begin reading. Such a blessing.
Prayer has been consistent and earnest. Bringing all our cares to Jesus, as the Word says. God has been merciful with my son and I am very thankful.
Watchman Nee, a Chinese Christian from mid-1900s, also had an amazing ministry. His book 'The Normal Christian Life' is the best commentary on Romans I ever read. His insights are amazing and so worth reading. I am outlining this is Obsidian. https://obsidian.md/
Last, I had been looking to 'do' things for others and not doing a very good job of it. I rather need to 'be' for others and enter into every encounter with joy and enthusiasm.
Family
Being Dad has been 90% of my focal point of late. Jacob going back to Bible camp in Boone, then to Belize and then to Gen Con and then on a youth outing, so busy July for him.
Jennifer and other family heading back to Placencia Belize, but Gray and I staying home to follow our routines.
Mental/Projects
With Grayson on the right path, I am so very ready to jump back in and start hustling with a team to pursue sales. I have networked with several colleagues and have some nice things bubbling. I expect a return to full time work probably by end of July or mid August.
There are so many compelling AI drug discovery/biology start-ups! I am trying to get a sense of the top ones. I have not done more python coding work recently.
Still minimizing, just slowly. Minimizing the minimizing of late ....
Geeking
Finished 1st arc of campaign on FGU, which has been fun. Looking to start a new game Vaesen, based on Swedish folklore with a bit of a horror tint to it. Artwork is amazing. https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/vaesen/
Updated book list here. Reading a lot ... The Reading List - Updated June 26
Gen con badges arrived.
AV