Author: Lucky Stripe Designs

what I’ve created –

• Chapter 9 – il museo
• iPhone 17_camera_test

what I’ve watched – 

• The Thinking Game – Riveting & consuming, truly does not let you go with exceptional attention grabbing
• Wake Up Dead Man – A blast, the third installment of Benoit Blanc does not cease to draw in and create an environment of pure chaos and fun
• F1 – I felt like I did when I was 6yrs old watching Cars. 4.5 for filmmaking and story, extra half star for ingenuity in capturing Formula 1 authentically and full immersion.
• Blackberry – I love manic electric intense high stakes screaming smashing things the world will end and I have more power and money than you and will it work or will it crumble extreme energizing entrepreneurship lightening. What a watch.
• Bob Trevino Likes It – Big shoutout to my friends who made this real, this story needed to be made and felt like the emotional release I didn’t know I needed. Still weeping but in the best ways.
• Cha Cha Real Smooth – “reconciling the life we thought we’d have and the one we’re living” – Had no clue what I was signing up for. thought I was going to watch just half during dinner and didn’t stop through the end. Never seen a movie with more natural and beautiful dialog around growing pains, uncertainty of which path to choose, and the life questions we all asked. Had no idea hoe many layers of connection and care were woven in until I was crying. Just fantastic.
• Avatar: Fire & Ash – Before anybody gives me crap I’ll own the fact that I need saw the first move. Or the second. But I believe a sequel that’s in theaters needs to be able to stand alone in its own. That being said what was that? 4hrs of man vs alien looking like someone vomited black light and neon all over the place? Tail hair sex and Tarzan lookin Justin Bieber being emotional about daddy issues without any character depth or layers is all too much. Poor kid had goggles on for half the film which didn’t help him either. This felt like watching a more CGI filled avengers without any of the context of who’s who and why. Also who took away their clothes? Not a fan of the weird quadrant of erotic, dark spirituality, and violence. But maybe I just needed to watch the first two films to care…

what I’ve listened to –

• Dreams – RUBII
• Be Quiet and Drive – Deftones
• You Gave Me Love – Bob & Gene
• Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op 85: I. Adagio Moderato
• WHAT YOU NEED – LIAR

Listen to my 2025 list of top 5 songs I discovered each month

travel hack –

When camping with minimal gear or prep time- turkey slices on a cast iron skillet right on an open fire will always make a bomb quesadilla.

what I ate –

Steak 48 – Phenomenal NY strip and even better sides. Exceptional.

Momma J’s Cinnarolls – Espresso flavored icing and handmade dough will always be one of the best desserts.

quote I liked –

“We are not just our behavior. We are the person managing our behavior.” – Kenneth Blanchard

“You can’t build the roof of the house without building the walls first. Gratitude and presence are primary. Everything leads back to it.” — Colby Banks

“Being rich is not having wealth but having a lot of options” — Zach Gray

“If you want to be alive nourish your body. If you want to feel alive, nourish your soul.” – Joseph Nguyen

“The key is to keep asking yourself the same question, again and again and again: this is your life—what do you want to pay attention to?”
— Catherine Price 

“All external things are just reminders for what we actually feel at our normal state. Most of us are chasing external things innocently forgetting that all feelings generated within us — what is external is only a reminder of what we feel within us. What you most desire is within you- don’t wait for something outside you to feel how you want inside.” – Joseph Nguyen 

“Reflection requires stillness. One cost of rushing from thing to thing is that you lose the space to think. Hard work matters, but nonstop motion often hides a quiet truth: you could have used your time better. If you never pause, you confuse activity with effectiveness. Make time to think. Walk outside. Sit quietly. Create space. Then move again, but this time on purpose.” – James Clear

“…stillness is magic. Neuroscience calls this the ‘Default Mode Network’: the brain’s most creative state, activated when we stop forcing our thoughts and let them meander.”  – Amy Leneker

“Before I start any brief, I let my brain walk before I work. While everyone else scrolls for references, I go offline and take a walk in my local park, surrounded by nature and people. That mix of movement, observation, and quiet is the perfect launchpad for ideas. Science even proves it – walking increases oxygen to the brain, especially to the prefrontal cortex, which is directly linked to creative thinking. I look for inspiration in niche corners and unexpected places: far-flung bookshops, dusty old records, forgotten archives. For our Adidas Originals x Childish Gambino collaboration, I drew from a 1970s performance artist to create a deep, emotional live experience that sold out within minutes. One of my favorite campaigns was replacing all branding and screens in Uniqlo’s London flagship store with a guided breathing exercise. It came to me while staring at a tree. The best ideas come when you notice something small, strange, and true. And when inspiration hits, I don’t write it down – I draw it. Sketching helps me process, focus, and remember. It turns thoughts into visuals others can see. So step away from your desk. Look where no one else is looking. Sketch it out. Those tiny shifts will push your ideas closer towards true originality.” – Ollie Olanipekun

TO RESET: Joseph Nguyen’s PAUSE method –

PAUSE – Breathe, reflect.  Make space, close a new experience.

ASK yourself. Is this thinking making new feel the way I want. You can choose to decide how you want to think.

UNDERSTAND you have the choice. You will have the option to continue or change. You must decide what you want. 

SAY to yourself. Repeat to yourself. Thinking (not thought) is the root cause of suffering. 

EXPERIENCE your emotions fully. When we ignore or fight or feelings we make our suffering worse – we are not trying to by pass our emotions , rather accept and feel them fully.  It is much more liberating to feel your emotions without judgement. How much easier is it to let them go.” – Joseph Nguyen from his book Don’t Believe Everything you Think

what I’ve learned –

• BEST REMINDER OF 2025:
  • If your mind is loud – write.
  • If your mind is empty – read.
  • If your mind is racing – walk.
  • If your mind is tired – sleep.
  • If your mind is sharp – build.
  • Most problems are just mismatched energy, get the inputs right and the rest will follow.
• Prioritize camping. It’s one of the fastest ways to reset and feel centered again. Especially if you can do it with brothers.
• Prioritize sunlight. Watching a sunset or sunrise is one of the healthiest things one can do.
• VIA Tim Ferris’ newsletter– DOPAMINE by WING. Worth the two minute watch. I clearly had no idea what beatboxing has turned into. Absolutely wild.

what I wouldn’t try again –

Order your Christmas presents in October/ November. I just received my order from Dec 4th (it’s Jan 3rd).

Check to make sure the house you rent hasn’t had pets.

Updating Monthly Archive for 2026 – removing what I’ve watched, moving the travel hacks to the what I’ve learned section, and re-ordering the format.

how life is beautiful –

Seeing a mountain lion in the wild was truly one of the most beautiful experiences even though it was so brief. It’s composure and stoicism and knowledge that I was in its territory and it was the dominant force was unbelievable to see. Couldn’t get a photo but could see its length was about as long as my car. Truly worthy of the title lion.

2025 had it’s moments- I like to track my “firsts” as I experience new things to keep a posture of childlike wonder. Here’s a few of my 2025 FIRSTS—

• First time all over Italy and driving through the countryside

• First time in Switzerland

• First time running a half marathon

• First time tattooing myself

• First time creating a 30min+ film for myself not for work

• First time in CDMX

• First time doing karaoke 

• First time giving a portrait tattoo

• First time not competing on Ninja Warrior since I was 19.

• First time touching a dolphin in the ocean

• Bought my first piano 

• Ran my second half marathon with a faster PR and a poop break

• First camping trip solo in a remote area

• First time seeing a wild mountain lion

• First time driving a 57 corvette while dragging people on skateboards behind it

• First time getting stuck in London

• First time snowboarding in the Alps

• First time running out of gas on the highway

• First time attending a symphony in my adult life

• First time shitting my brains out in Tijuana

• First time helping a child tattoo their father

• First and second time at a Michelin Star restaurant

• First time helping someone out of a car crash

• First time being best man

• First and second time being a legal witness in a wedding 

• First time jumping in a pool at a wedding

• First time tattooing a stranger

• First time working with a church

• First time producing my own film units

• First time having a show released on amazon

• First time creating multiple larger scale running ads

• First time learning what living water really tastes like and how to drink it consistently

• First time creating a year of consistent monthly archives that I get to look back on and enjoy. This is for remembering who I am and what I learned and I’m proud to have made it for a year.

I am a leader & creator by name, son of the most high by identity, and friend to many. Cheers to 2026.

“Then imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.” – Shakespeare

prepare to act.

what I’ve created –

• Chapter 8 – Sunset

what I’ve watched – 

• Fantastic Mr. Fox – Super fun, definitely adding to the list of films to show my kids
• The Martian – Captivating and consuming, not airtight but solid. This was excellent and a fun new setting to watch a survival story.
• Frankenstein – Exceptionally done. Just re-read the book so it was easy to pick apart where it wasn’t true but overall I’m pleased with how authentically to its origins it was. My biggest complaint was around the creature’s plea for a companion, in the book that conversation takes all day and breathes a lot of light and nuance to his story. It brings the reader into the decision and the ethical dilemma. The film is strong but had a bit more room to dwell on the challenge both men faced. This will definitely age into an all time classic.
• The Running Man – Great theater watch, game night, or plane popcorn. Characters felt a bit one dimensional especially at the beginning but maybe that’s how it had to be(?) Ending felt a little weak / expedited but still a very fun very gripping film. Minus a point for gore / unexpected gore. Plus a point for Glen & Edgar Wright.
• Blade Runner 2049 – Villenueve’s films don’t feel like sci-fi action gun fights they feel like walking in a museum in a world you’ve never been to. Been a while since the first time I saw this and in a radically different life stage- first time related to Joe a lot but this time felt sympathy but no connection. There’s a handful of loose ends that would be perfect to build a sequel with which noted the 4/5 but otherwise a fantastic film and the twists are just so good and unexpected. Visual style and light is one of my all time favorites and most stunning. Forgot about how much nudity was in this tho- wouldn’t watch with under 21. Jared Leto’s God role felt overly gross and didn’t have closure but maybe that’s the point? While I loved Ana’s character and her presence in the story I really did love that we don’t see her humanized and her life is snuffed quickly and unexpectedly. I think there’s a strong mirror between her and porn/onlyfans. Men hear the voice say “you look lonely, I can fix that” and try to fill that void with something that isn’t real and the further in you look and deeper you go the more “personal” or “real” it seems. But it can in an instant evaporate because it isn’t real. And I like that there’s some symbolism there. All in all— easily top 100 all time best

what I’ve listened to –

• Really Wanna Know – Ol 60
• If You Know Me – Hudson Freeman
• Flower Child – Nash Howe
• Pool – Stripped – Samia
• The Sound of Myself – Disasterpeace

travel hack –

For any trip less than 2 weeks, pack 1 or 2 sets of workout clothes. There’s no need for more and it’s easy to recycle.

what I ate –

Gabriela’s Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese frosting. To die for.

Shake Shack & Five Guys are the perfect post-move burger.

Tried and true, Toppers Hot Honey pizza is one of the best in the world.

quote I liked –

“Documenting little details of your everyday life becomes a celebration of who you are” – Carolyn V. Hamilton

“My high school wrestling coach used to say, ‘I’m not a doctor, but you might want to rub some toughness on that.’ I’ve found that it applies to almost everything in life.” – Nate Gomez

“No scarcity with wanting. In the world of wanting, there’s no scarcity, because it’s a world of innovation– not of taking. Wanters are creating things that didn’t exist before” – Dan Sullivan

“Shiny paint causes stress” – bumper sticker on a rusty truck I saw in Texas

“You have to run your own race. Problems begin the moment you start comparing your results to someone who is playing under different conditions.

• The 40-year-old entrepreneur with three kids has different constraints than the single 27-year-old.
• A painter with 20 years of practice shouldn’t be the benchmark for someone in year two.
• Someone caring for aging parents is not in the same position as someone with no obligations outside work.

Play your own game. Emphasize gradual progress and keep the comparison internal. Are you getting a little better today?” – James Clear

“Take care of the minutes; the hours will take care of themselves.” – The 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope Source: Letter to his son (November 6, 1747) 

“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” – Virginia Woolf Source: A Room of One’s Own 

“I like to make promises that I’m not sure I can keep and then figure out how to keep them” – Sophia Amoruso

“Anytime I’m telling myself ‘but I’m making so much money’ that’s a warning sign that I’m doing the wrong thing.” – BJ Novak

“Feelings are the prophets of the body” — Jake Zeigler 

“There’s a difference between what we value and what we attend to. That is the core of the pain we’re feeling. This dichotomy between what I spend my time doing vs what I intend to spend my time doing is a real gut-check.” — Mother J 

“All self discipline begins with the body… Dress for yourself- we look sharp to stay sharp because we are sharp” – Ryan Holiday 

what I’ve learned –

• Run in the rain. Feel cold and wet. The modern American lifestyle does not allow us to feel certain sensations that are part of primal existence. Feel your heart beat hard. Feel sweat drip into your eye. Feel cold drops of water hit your face. Get scared. Run far. Feel strong. Run free.
• The older you get, the more critical it is to say no. What you say yes to matters much more than what you say no to. Protect your peace, protect your time.
• Running a half marathon makes you feel great and accomplished. Do it often. The race day feeling is incredible and impossible to replicate. Get up early for a challenge.
• Doing 160flights of stairs is easier than expected. Controlling heart rate is key. Pacing is crucial. Doing it with others is of the most importance.
• AFM is a wild experience, lots to love and learn.

what I wouldn’t try again –

Moving isn’t hard, settling in is. Always allocate more time to settle in than you’d expect to need. It just takes time.

Make sure to sign up for whatever you want to do. It sucks to be half way through marathon training to realize the race had already sold out a month ago.

Melatonin and Magnesium can cause very weird dreams and / or sleep walking. I don’t particularly think the juice is worth the squeeze with either.

Find the line. Then take ten steps back. That’s where you should be. Walking on the edge is not problematic till you slip.

Measure twice, purchase once. Take an extra week to decide what you want for your new home. That light fixture or table or accessory might not be the right fit. That couch may be too big. Don’t rush the settling in.

Don’t rush. Don’t split time trying to be in two places at once. It may be better to focus on one thing, relationship, or moment than it is to try to cram lots into one day.

how life is beautiful –

Surprise your loved ones. Seeing their faces and getting to hold them close is an amazing thing we can do.

Take time to pause. Say goodbye to the places you loved. Say hi to new faces. Always take time to pray and do it away from your phone, watch, or distractions.

Lifting / working out with old friends can bring some of the most joy. There’s a familiarity and a confidence. It’s good to go back to things like they never changed.

Sitting in my new home with my brother and father after an unexpected move in the rain was so good. Old friends and family truly are above all else.

Playing with kids is one of the best ways to reset. It’s akin to spending time in nature or the mountains– a reminder that things are bigger than us and it’s good to step out of our skin long enough to see what’s around us. To watch someone learn, to watch them struggle, to watch them grow.

what I’ve created –

• Chapter 7 – Sunrise

what I’ve watched – 

• Mickey 17 – Unexpected and absolutely fantastic, Bon Joon Ho will always be one of my favorite directors.
• The Last Samurai – An Incredible all time classic type. Appeals to the deep desire for adventure and awakens the masculine heart and reminds us of the real battle to fight for and with. Can’t wait to show my sons this film.
• Hostiles – Larger than life, heavy but beautifully captured. Wish there was a bit more from the native perspective or more dialogue with those characters. Feels like this will age into a classic. You either have the character for what it takes or you don’t. True authenticity and development. Big fan of Rosalind Pike’s transformation of inner strength. Loved the natural open skies and knowing they filmed on a real location.
• 28 Days Later – A pleasant encounter with the undead. Great plot and motive, excellent execution and journey. Not too gory, plenty of tension, I’ll probably make this my kids first intro to zombie movies
• 28 Years Later – Fantastic. Had zero expectation or standard but wow. Modern zombie films are incredible… or at least this one is. Characters– intricate, strong independent moral agency. Tone– tight up until the fire montage near the end. World– real and immersive to the point I forgot I was watching a movie, isn’t that the whole point? Sound design– seamless and enveloping, better than most films I’ve seen. Soundtrack– all time best, I saved about half immediately after watching. Costume/makeup/locations– perfect. Editor– to be praised. incredible timing. The “boots” montage early on was truly amazing and the first cue that I’d love it. Glitch cuts on kills really brought it to life but also made it feel less gory than it was which I appreciated. Not for the whole fam but I loved this.
• Grand Piano – Great rewatch, would rate this as one of my all time favorite thrillers

what I’ve listened to –

• #Lie2Me – Pigpen
• I’ll find the dark – Varials
• .futureofwar – Dead Poet Society
• Murder Your Memory – Title Fight
• I Just – Kdfromthepack

travel hack –

A “red-eye” flight that requires a 3am wakeup is better than a flight that ends at 3am.

Airlines rarely flag your “personal item” if you put shoes on the outside and it saves lots of space within your pack.

what I ate –

Shaved steak strips from trader joes make one of the best tasting fastest meals. A new “must buy” every trip.

Tijuano Tacos – A nice taqueria in Tijuana that had some bomb barria.

Lighthouse Coffee – A chain in Santa Barbara that provides good coffee, wifi, and food. Worked there twice this month and enjoyed it both times.

Mrs. W’s granola – A homemade delicacy I didn’t know I needed.

quote I liked –

“The worst that can happen is not crashing and burning but accepting terminal bordem as a tolerable status quo. Boredom is the enemy not some abstract thing. – Tim Ferris

“Man does not fight for what’s ahead but for the love of what’s behind him” – G. K. Chesterton

Success is being excited to go to work and being excited to come home.” – Will Ahmed 

“Many of the moments when you think, ‘I wish I had handled that better,’ or ‘I should have seen that more clearly,’ aren’t really about poor judgment. Often, the root cause is either rushing through the task or skipping basic self-care. Get an extra hour of sleep. Stop trying to do so many things at once. Go for a walk or get a little exercise. Take a breath and actually think for a minute. You can do a few things well. You can’t do everything well if you keep scattering your attention across seven different priorities, you’ll keep making mistakes that your rested and thoughtful mind would never make.” – James Clear

“Running one mile has more in common with running a marathon than sitting at home. Investing $100 has more in common with being a millionaire than being broke. Writing one sentence has more in common with writing a book than never writing one. It always feels small in the beginning and the big goals seem far away. It’s easy to talk yourself out of the early attempts because they feel kind of meaningless. But every race starts with one step. Every fortune starts with a small deposit. Every book begins as one sentence. The real question is not “What is my current position?” but rather, “What is my current trajectory?” Doing nothing builds nothing. Put yourself on the path to something better. Start small, but make sure you start.” – Kayla Henry

“With the decline of the inward reality of the Christian faith, an increasing tendency to stress the only thing left, the outward form, developed. And whenever there is a form devoid of spiritual power, law will take over because law always carries with it a sense of security and manipulative power.” (On fasting in the modern western church) – Richard Foster

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly… who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat” – Teddy Roosevelt

“Art goes beyond language, beyond lives. It’s a universal way to send messages between each other and through time” – Rick Ruben

“If we can tune in to the idea of making things and sharing them without being attached to the outcome, the work is more likely to arrive in its truest form.” – Rick Ruben

“As human beings, we come and go quickly, and we get to make works that stand as monuments to our time here. Enduring affirmations of existence. Michelangelo’s David, the first cave paintings, a child’s finger-paint landscapes– they all echo the same human cry, like graffiti scrawled in a bathroom stall: I was here” – Rick Ruben

what I’ve learned –

• If I’ve become too caught up in my work, career, or whatever and I’m too “busy” to take a few days off to go spend time serving I’ve lost the point. I believe it’s important to set up life to be flexible enough to take some time off and spend a week in Mexico hanging out with orphans or serving the community in whatever need. May I always be reminded to re-focus and see what is true. It’s all a gift. I’m lucky to have been born in the environment I’m in. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to grow and transform into something new. I’m lucky to breathe clean air and drink clean water and live past 38 years old. I did not “earn” any of this. It’s all a gift from Him, I’ve been trusted to steward this life and everything in it.
• Drive slow, drop the windows, take the scenic route, eat something weird, do whatever it takes to break habits and molds and “norms”. Life is more than autopilot and repeats.
• Symphonies are one of the most restorative and peaceful environments, it’s always worth going.
• Always host the party, you never know which will be your last and it’s worth doing while you have the ability.
• Invest in quality time outside of a work environment with the leaders you’ve chosen to follow. Sharing a roadtrip, room, meal, and service, shows more of who someone is and gives a deeper insight to what they believe AND who they are that a brief encounter wouldn’t otherwise provide.
• Spending a day or two a month in a new environment, whether it’s just a day working at a new coffee shop or biking at sunset on a road you’ve never seen, is life-giving. Expand the horizons and life fully, taking advantage of what you have access to.
• Nothing changes if nothing changes. I realized if I did not change my actions I would likely enter 2026 as roughly the same person I am today. Sure I’d probably hit my marathon goal and have some good laughs on instagram but my screen time would be high, my sleep bad, I wouldn’t have read the books I’ve bought and want to read, I wouldn’t be in “healthy” shape, etc. I think we sometimes need a hard reset and there’s no reason to wait till Jan 1 to change your life. It’s a constant adjusting, fine-tuning, polishing, and re-balancing. In the midst of change controlling what you can begins to matter even more.
• When your work, home, or life feels tossed or messy, we must remember that our circumstances do not define us. While it may feel or even be true that the waves of life are crashing from every direction, it does not dictate the way we carry ourselves, what’s true about our identity, and how we respond. There is always space to change your perspective:
  • I GET to walk across terminals at LAX looking for my bags or a bus to get my body loose and my steps in.
  • I GET to walk around at the airport after flying across the country to see friends and family.
  • I GET to move into a new home even though I wasn’t ready to move and wasn’t expecting to and I’ll still have what I need.
  • I GET to pay the mechanic to repair my car that I love and get to take with me on adventures.
  • I GET to do hard things and prove to myself I can.
  • I GET to do scary things and test my courage.
  • I GET to be sad about something I was hoping for.
  • I GET to be thankful for things I wasn’t expecting.
• It’s all His provision and a privilege for me.

what I wouldn’t try again –

Running over 6mi without a goo. Did 9mi along the Santa Monica boardwalk and deeply regretted not having any goo. I feel best running with goos every 3-4mi or 30-40min.

I know not to drink water from the dumps in Tijuana but I should’ve been more careful. I now know I can’t even brush my teeth with that water. The devil couldn’t get me so he got my stomach instead.

how life is beautiful –

Listening to real stringed instruments tune together and play Beethoven’s best was surreal. One of the most peaceful moments of the year.

Exploring a museum with someone you love will always be one of the most fun experiences for me, it was beautiful to re-visit the museum of natural science I grew up in as an adult.

Filming with special needs children will always be a highlight of my life. It reminds me of some of the “why” I do what I do.

Spending a week in Tijuana serving orphans, families in the dump, and sex workers who are trapped was incredibly eye opening. the last night we got to send a small team out in the red-light district (30k sex workers in about a four block radius) to bring coffee to the sex workers and to connect with them in hopes of bringing new life. Most stayed back to worship and pray while a few went out. During worship I realized we were literally charging one of the darkest depths of hell with nothing but a bucket of ice water. It was about 30 of us vs 30 thousand. We were in the pit of the lions den and our war cry is YOUR NAME IS THE HIGHEST. YOUR NAME IS THE GREATEST. The workers are few, the harvest is ready, and we are the smallest army charging hell. 

what I’ve created –

• for memory and summer

what I’ve watched – 

• Happy Gilmore – such an excellent palate cleanser and all time classic. The good ones are just so good.
• Fast and Furious 1 & 2 – somehow worse than expected and somehow the second was better?
• Here – really looked forward to watching this and had high hopes but felt so bored. watched at 2x speed.
• Anora – A rollercoaster. Not what I thought it was and kept it that way. Hard at the beginning but sucked me in around the second act. Phenomenal ending.
• Argylle – flimsy fluff rainbow cartoon shiny death.
• Kingsman: The Secret Service – big budget shiny candy pop
• Kocked Up – crazy cast lineup but also played this at 2x speed. felt predictable and meh?

what I’ve listened to –

• God Did II – RUA YOUNG, KB
• Feeling Fine – Ocie Elliot
• If you know me – Hudson Freeman
• Close – Grace Johnson
• Beware – Deftones

travel hack –

Don’t do it. stay at home. enjoy your mortgage / rent.

If you do travel- try to find some unique experience or food you’d like to try wherever you go, it helps bring energy and excitement to something you might not want to do.

quote I liked –

If you find yourself not liking what you’re doing for a long period of time, seriously consider a major job change.  Short-term burnout happens, but if it isn’t resolved with some time off, maybe it’s time to do something you’re more interested in. – Sam Altman

I make sure to leave enough time in my schedule to think about what to work on.  The best ways for me to do this are reading books, hanging out with interesting people, and spending time in nature. – Sam Altman 

“Change before you have to.” – Jack Welch

“No matter how bleak or menacing a situation may appear, it does not entirely own us. It can’t take away our freedom to respond, our power to take action.” – Ryder Carroll

what I’ve learned –

• Instead of asking someone “how are you?” or “what’s new?” I’ve been asking “what’s been something that’s taking up a lot of mental space lately?” and the answer is always more personal and leads to more authentic conversation. I’ve had friends confess a love for dancing this way. I’ve met strangers who shared about their upcoming divorce and feelings of uncertainty. Everyone always has something on their mind, big or small, and most want to talk about it.
• Buried in a declassified CIA report is something that sounds less like a spy movie and more like a yoga retreat. It suggests that you can accelerate healing by visualizing colors, particularly blue. The reason it works is that it induces a deep state of relaxation. This is where the brain gets extra focused and suggestible. The report suggests imagining a specific color, say bright blue, in the part of your body that needs help. The color is thought to tune your body’s electromagnetic field and boost recovery. Example: Picture your sore knee glowing with a cool blue light. The CIA claimed this could help restore balance, reduce pain, and speed healing. Think of it as shining a mental flashlight on the spot that hurts. Now, is this bulletproof science? Not exactly. It’s based on the idea that the body is electrical and thoughts can influence energy fields. The evidence is thin, but the practice is safe, simple, and at the very least deeply calming, which can help you improve the healing process. The worst-case scenario is that you’ve just meditated and given your brain a spa day.

what I wouldn’t try again –

While one’s tolerance for alcohol may be high, the bodies ability to let two glasses of wine dehydrate you is much higher than anticipated. Turns out if you have two glasses of wine on a Saturday night then try to run 7 miles on the beach in the sun your body can get pretty dehydrated. the conclusion- wine is not worth dehydrating, the run is.

how life is beautiful –

Starting the month in Texas at sunrise being picked up by my girl and seeing the broad horizon and Texas sky reminded me to go slower.

Spending a quick weekend with my sister and laughing like old times and connecting on the transition into new life and adulthood was rich and much needed.

Joining in worship with 800 people all squeezed into a small warehouse pressed together was etherial, worship is truly the living water I’m always thirsty for.

what I’ve created –

• San Francisco with her

what I’ve watched – 

• The Accountant – Accounting made cool. Wild.
• House of Gucci – Crazy rollercoaster with solid storytelling and pace. Very fun watch and great jaw dropper full of gasps. “Can’t believe it’s based on a true story”
• No Cameras Allowed – God bless the 2010-2014 Youtube Doc era of youth and cowboy life. This would’ve heavily influenced 18year old me.
• The Neon Demon – Uninterested at the least, absolutely disgusted at the most. This movie is 7 layers of things I either completely dislike, have no interest in, or make me feel awful and disgusting.

what I’ve listened to –

• Clay Pidgeons – Michael Cera
• from me to u – BABYMETAL
• PIMP DADDY – Kaash Paige
• Woof (feat. Kah-lo) – Sofi Tukker
• 1st of Tha Month – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

travel hack –

Always travel with a water bottle, it’s a non-negotiable.

Pack extra socks but less pants / shorts.

what I ate –

Baked sweet potatoes in a bowl make it more filling and feels higher end.

Sandwiches with one side fried mayo and the other fried pesto with a sweet dill sauce might be one of the best things I’ve ever cheffed.

quote I liked –

“Success is being excited to go to work and being excited to come home.” – Will Ahmed 

“Running one mile has more in common with running a marathon than sitting at home. Investing $100 has more in common with being a millionaire than being broke. Writing one sentence has more in common with writing a book than never writing one. It always feels small in the beginning and the big goals seem far away. It’s easy to talk yourself out of the early attempts because they feel kind of meaningless. But every race starts with one step. Every fortune starts with a small deposit. Every book begins as one sentence. The real question is not “What is my current position?” but rather, “What is my current trajectory?” Doing nothing builds nothing. Put yourself on the path to something better. Start small, but make sure you start.” – JC / Kayla Henry

what I’ve learned –

• Stocks / Property are simpler than perceived but easier to make mistakes than perceived. Watch closely and learn before acting. Measure twice, cut once.
• Old cars require just as much if not more attention. Drive frequently and monitor regularly.
• Getting up pre-sunrise is always worth it and much less draining than expected.
• Project management requires a lot of attention but low time invested. Prioritize the impact over the time.

what I wouldn’t try again –

Hiking during a heatwave with a “normal” amount of water.

Don’t call while biking, the headphones can’t take the wind and you wind up having an unproductive call and a slow ride.

how life is beautiful –

Getting up before dawn to hike the tallest peak in the Santa Monica mountains and sharing the experience with my closest friends was a core memory experience. and all piling onto the couch for a nap afterwards made it even better.

Having a sunset picnic looking over all of Santa Barbara was one of the most peaceful, romantic, and intimate moments of the year.

Slowing down, eating pizza, and piling onto the couch with 5 of my closest friends after a long day hike was much sweeter than I could’ve expected

Laughing with friends through the longest hike with a heat wave to the punch bowls, the life we live really is beautiful and the small moments really make it all.

what I’ve created –

• a letter for her
• ice cream n ink v5

what I’ve watched – 

• Red Eye – All star lineup but felt predictable. If the heist vibe is what you want then watch it. Hilarious to watch on a plane and first time watching a movie at 1.5x speed.
• Venom: The Last Dance – shiny action lured me in but bad storytelling lost me to the point I forgot I watched this entirely.
• Kpop Demon Hunters: A wild recommendation but an incredible film, great theme, art, pacing, and story structure. Borderline too much musical for my taste but still super fun.
• Bad Boys: Ride or Die – Long live the glory of Miami

what I’ve listened to –

• Ave Maris Stella – Benedictines of Mary
• Beam – Slay Squad
• PULL UP – Bankai_lofi
• Until You Came Along – The Visitors
• Eyes (take two) – Baril

travel hack –

Try and book a massage before a red-eye flight but not the same day so you don’t feel like a ball of butter.

Red-eye flights are worth it every 6 months. Don’t try and do it too frequently.

Always slam an immunity shot & Vitamin C before / after traveling.

what I ate –

The Dutchess in Ojai – great atmosphere, pastries, and coffee. plus a point for having a friend that works there.

quote I liked –

“Always have lofty, explicit goals and visualize them intensely. Assume the attitude that if you don’t reach your goals, you will literally die! This type of gun-to-your-head forced focus…survival pressure mindset, no matter how briefly used, stimulates your mind, forces you to use your time effectively… and illuminates new ways of getting things done.” ― The Kekich Credos

“Education teaches you to analyze. Entrepreneurship teaches you to create. The educated mindset is great at dissecting and criticizing. What did Shakespeare mean here? What were the major forces of this historical period? What is the limiting reagent in this chemical reaction? The entrepreneurial mindset is great at building and improving. Design a better product. Craft a new marketing plan. Stop talking about what’s wrong and make something better. The trick is to keep learning, but to never lose your ability to build.” – James Clear

what I’ve learned –

• Health is like injury prevention, it’s easier to do some light stretching and mobility than be out sick and injured for a week or month.
• “The 4 qualities of a great career:
  • I enjoy it
  • I’m good at it
  • I make good money
  • I’m around fascinating people
• Answer in reverse order:
  • Where are fascinating people?
  • In what ways can I make money with them?
  • Which ones am I good at?
  • Which ones do I enjoy?”

what I wouldn’t try again –

Expiration dates on food typically means the food is expired, tread wisely so you can shit quietly.

Bringing any sort of political into the Fourth of July celebrations, taints the whole experience even if you don’t care or affiliate.

how life is beautiful –

Watching the sun set on the green trees on a PA farm with fields filled with fireflies for as far as you can see and rabbits grazing among the horses. Pure calm.

Spending a morning on the ocean filming the way water dances and moves in an abstract flow.

Celebrating a friend’s wedding by all jumping into a pool and cheering and screaming for them was hands down the most fun way to end a wedding.

Spending a whole day logging 70 miles with a good brother, stopping for sights and food and enjoying the place we live.

what I’ve created –

• Museums of People

what I’ve watched – 

• The Phoenician Scheme –  Wes does it again
• The Nice Guys – A fun rewatch and would absolutely recommend, in the same category as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Game Night

what I’ve listened to –

• God’s Army – Skema Boy
• Drug Dealer – Medium Build
• Victory Lap – Fred Again,
• Blue Dream – ZHU
• Tezeta – Mulatu Astatke

travel hack –

Always go deeper into the woods to camp and find a trail less traveled, the less people and light pollution the better.

Buy your camp food the day of. No need to plan it or let it marinate in the car for a few days.

what I ate –

7 Adams in SF – great atmosphere Michelin date night spot in SF. Atmosphere is a 10 but food is only a 7.

Schloks – My favorite bagel shop in SF. One of the best and cheesiest breakfast sandwich bagels I’ve ever had. A must anytime I’m in SF even though the parking sucks.

Seasoned Eggs – Long story short, it’s the best.

quote I liked –

“The father-son relationship is the basic link of continuity in life carrying the male principle and the tradition of responsibility from one generation to the next.” — Max Leonard.

“Boys become men by watching men, standing close to men, manhood is a ritual passed from generation to generation with precious few spoken instructions. passing the torch of manhood is a fragile tedious task. If the right of passage is successfully completed, the boy become man is like an oak of hardwood character. His shade and influence will bless all those who are fortunate enough to lean on him and rest under his canopy.” – Preston Gillian

Relationships are usually the most important thing. If you want to achieve more, there is some relationship that can unlock better results. If you want to make a meaningful contribution, helping others is a great way to do it. If you simply want to be a little happier, life is often more fun when shared with someone.  Whatever you’re trying to accomplish, relationships are probably the key to getting there. Take this idea seriously and spend a little time thinking about which relationships you need to build or invest in.” – James Clear

what I’ve learned –

• The skin is thinnest around the shin, watch needle depth when tattooing here.
• Camping by rivers or lakes is prime mosquito territory, the sound of the water isn’t worth the bug bites.
• A short or quick letter has an exponential return on any relationship.
• Jumping into the deep end relationally is always worth it if both ends are willing to go there.
• When it’s clear it’s clear. Discernment through peace can make a lot known.

what I wouldn’t try again –

Tattooing non-friends isn’t enjoyable / worth the time unless it’s in a party setting.

Going to Yosemite during peak summer hours. Take the back side into the park or skip it entirely.

how life is beautiful –

Sitting beneath the biggest Sequoia trees in the world on a perfectly shaped bench made from an old log the world felt still.

Jumping into an alpine waterfall is always worth it, especially in the mountains of Sequoia.

Driving up a mountain road outside Yosemite and arriving with a 360 view of the mountains just as the sun was setting was one of the most serene campsites I’ve ever been to.

what I’ve created –

• TNA Finals

what I’ve watched – 

• Concrete Cowboy – Incredible artistry and story, top 100
• Mid90s – Another heavier than expected one
• The Lost City – Popcorn Candy Fun
• Ocean’s Twelve – Could’ve been more location focused but we love a heist

what I’ve listened to –

• Gloryland – Marshall Family
• #3 – AphexTwin
• Who do you love – Joe DeVito
• This is your life – Switchfoot
• BLOOD – Caleb Conley

travel hack –

If traveling less than 7 days, bring one backpack, never more.

TSA Clear isn’t worth it but a real eye mask is.

what I ate –

Lazer Wolf in NYC – incredible Israeli food. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had and great date spot.

Yoyo’s Hotdogs – One of the all time best undiscovered food carts in HTX now has a home at POST Houston. I try and go every time I’m in town

Chuys TexMex – Nothing new, but this will always be one of my top spots, even when visiting in Alabama, it feels like home

quote I liked –

“Which expense in your life delivers the least happiness per dollar and which delivers the most happiness per dollar?” – JL Collins

“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”
— Jane Wagner

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”
— Sydney J. Harris

what I’ve learned –

• When in doubt, eat a steak with an egg.
• Peace triumphs just about everything, all else fades without a centered mind
• Drawing / sketching is one of the best ways to unwind, mentally process, and create stillness.
• one simple & impactful exercise: Set an alarm on your phone for one hour before your ideal bedtime. Label the alarm as “Digital Sunset” and when the alarm sounds, disconnect from all electronic devices, including your phone (unless you use it as an alarm clock, then activate airplane mode). By avoiding these devices, you allow your brain to produce up to 2x more melatonin, promoting relaxation, while also enabling deeper connections with those around you. This small change can lead to more restful nights and enhanced relationships at home.

what I wouldn’t try again –

Traveling for a month straight is too much. it’s less about the duration of the travel and more about the frequency. You can spend a calm month on the beach somewhere but try hopping place to place every two days and you get spent. quick.

Running out of gas. Read the signs and know yourself. Both you and your car will run out of gas.

how life is beautiful –

Driving in my brothers 90s van to Colorado, no AC, huge Texas skies, cold mountain roads, worth the trip.

Slowing down in Alabama and getting to laugh with young boys is always life-giving.

Exploring the Museums of NYC with my mother, moments and conversations I’ll never forget.

what I’ve created –

• easter sunrise

what I’ve watched – 

• About Time – A rewatch of a top 50 best.
• Honey Boy – Heavier than expected, beautifully natural
• 50/50 – Fun!
• Sing Sing – Watched over Good Friday and cried thinking about becoming free from sin, this film is easily in my top 100 and would recommend to anyone

what I’ve listened to –

• Il Mondo – Jimmy Fontana
• Amazing Grace – The Local Honeys
• HEINOUS – UnityTX
• Delicate – Damien Rice
• Honey Bun – Kodak Black

travel hack –

Shave your head at the beginning of a big trip, one less thing to worry about and you’ll feel free for the whole trip

quote I liked –

“The more control you have over your attention, the more control you have over your future. And it starts with having enough courage to protect your time.  It’s so easy to say yes. We want to be agreeable, helpful, liked. That’s how time disappears and attention becomes fragmented: not in big chunks, but in a thousand small concessions. What you trade your attention for is what your life becomes.” — James clear 

Writer and computer scientist Gurwinder Bhogal on how to make a convincing argument: 

“We assume that the more arguments we give, the better our case. In reality, our weakest arguments dilute the strongest. Generally, you’ll only be as convincing as your worst point, so instead of making as many arguments as you can, make only the best.”

“The girl at the Vons check out got them eyebrows I could jump a dirtbike off of” – anonymous brother

what I’ve learned –

• You will never regret hosting a family style meal, but you may often regret going out to eat.
• When giving someone a tattoo, their comfortability, peace, and pace matter most in the process.

what I wouldn’t try again –

If given the choice, most baristas will make you the most expensive beverage on the menu. Ask me how I spent 28 bucks on two drinks n toast. CA is hilarious.

how life is beautiful –

Riding through blooming fields of flowers on a 50 mile ride with my brother was one of the more tranquil and beautiful moments of the year. No sounds but the wind and the warm sun.

Being able to film a unique family for our movie was a moment of realization in calling and impact. Had me weeping over the beauty of that moment.

what I’ve created –

• bergamo
• cdmx

what I’ve watched – 

• A Real Pain – top 100 films I’ve ever seen.
• Idiocracy – unfortunately accurate and fortunately hilarious
• Anyone But You – would recommend to just about anyone
• Game Night – great watch with the siblings

what I’ve listened to –

• O Death – Ralph Stanley
• What Kinda Music – Yussef Dayes
• Luna, amore e no – Piero Piccioni
• Because of You – Kelly Clarkson
• Prepare – Stimming

what I ate –

Bajel in Mexico City – one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Michelin star 9 course experience with the theme of Clarity and Depth. Our meal featured Hibiscus foam paired with Lobster, beetroot, and grapefruit. Braised flat iron with beer cocoa and parsnip puree. Green apple and wasabi-shiso sorbet pickled cucumber and yogurt. Mole blanco with cauliflower and nutmeg. All set in one of the most beautiful high-rises in CDMX.

Mas o Menos in Joshua Tree – is a lovely coffee shop and cocktail bar. Worth the pitstop and the interior design / overall aesthetic is flawless.

travel hack –

Befriend everyone you meet, if only to be kind.

Always pack an extra layer and drive yourself if you can.

quote I liked –

“Mt Sinai in Egypt is 7497 ft.⁣ Estes Park, CO is 7522 ft.⁣

If elevation is the main ingredient in meeting God, then keep an eye out for an ominous cloud strolling the streets of some Rocky Mountain town.⁣”

what I’ve learned –

• Steve Blank compared working in a startup to marines fighting in a war. He put it bluntly: “Startups are inherently chaos. As a founder, you need to prepare yourself to think creatively and independently, because more often than not, conditions on the ground will change so rapidly that the original well-thought-out business plan becomes irrelevant. If you can’t manage chaos and uncertainty… and if you wait around for someone else to tell you what to do, then … you will run out of money and your company will die.” If startups are “inherently chaos,” then it makes sense why early childhood adversity can help build the muscles necessary to handle that chaos.

what I wouldn’t try again –

tattooing myself is more painful than having someone else tattoo you. It’s impossible to ignore the pain and you know when it’s coming which makes it difficult to focus on the art. While I’m proud to have stretched my own limits and grown in ability with tattooing I don’t intend to give myself more.

how life is beautiful –

Coming back from the Channel Islands with a herd of dolphins swimming next to the bow of our boat close enough for each of us to touch one was a tear in the heavens that I’ll always be grateful for.

Being surrounded by 60 of my closest friends in a city I moved to 2 years ago for my birthday was pure love. Gratefulness is the key.