Weeks When Years Happen

Lenin said, “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

I just had one of those weeks.

Sunday to Sunday went like this:

My wife and I went to Bastid’s Barbecue in New York - partly to see what happens when you get multiple generations of DJs hanging out on a stage trying to impress each other and rock a party. You have to zoom in on this photo to see it, but Grand Master Flash is doing his set, and getting to watch Jazzy Jeff and Skratch Bastid react to him in real time - I’ll never forget it. Magical. The step counter on my wife’s phone said she danced 6 miles that night and my legs definitely think that’s an understatement.

Monday morning included bagel sandwiches at Leo’s and then a drive home to get some work done. Most of the work was in prep for an extra crazy Tuesday. We also found this photo we took in the elevator mirror which we are now referring to as our album cover. I will accept band/duo names.

Tuesday morning started with a contract signing (more on that in a minute), was followed by a ton of meetings, and then concluded with an after hours Just Press Record where I spoke with one my music/scene idols and got to introduce him to one of my favorite (younger-than-me) artists. I’m only going to tease it with this image. I’ll release this soon, don’t worry.

ps. yes, that’s my Cramps “bad music for bad people” shirt because how often do you get to wear it and have it be fully respected?

Wednesday the news of what I signed went public: I’ve accepted a role with my friends over at Epsilon Theory’s new company, Perscient, as a Senior Editor. This formalizes the relationship we’ve had for The Intentional Investor, will help give broader reach to Just Press Record, and I’m excited to do some writing and strategy with some of my favorite people (who I also know will tolerate my endless Friday Night Lights responses, see below).

I had a late work night Wednesday, topped/extended with some technical difficulties, so my wife and I met up for pizza after we both got off. Halfway through, some friends we were talking about needing to make plans with, unexpectedly walked through the door. Turns out they had also decided Wednesday was a good night for a pizza and a beer. They weren’t wrong. We got to catch up with them and share the good news.

For those wondering, and especially my creative peers, I want you to think of the Perscient work as a formalized arrangement for what I was previously doing informally. I want you to know that when you do creative work because you love it, you'll both accept and create opportunities for people to potentially hire you for your efforts. It’s not the guaranteed outcome, but you’ve self-sown the potential. It happens. I’m proof.

And, maybe the best part, that means it’s also steady as she goes for my Sunpointe work. You really can be a creative entrepreneur if you’re willing to think outside the box! And, in case you forgot, our work started together 2 years ago (June 15, 2023) when they shared this essay I wrote about an Uber ride I had while attending their first Epsilon Connect Conference in Nashville.

Speaking of being outside the box, Thursday morning I locked myself (and our dogs) out after our morning walk. We had a bonus hour of sitting in the backyard. Otis was annoyed the grass was wet (0 stars out of 5, he doesn’t want to do that again). Jack didn’t care and ran laps, hence him not being pictured here (5 stars out of 5, he thought it was awesome).

Honestly, I just wanted my coffee, but we saw the end of the full moon and the sun rise, so - I’m taking it as a reminder, that yard and sky are always out there, I just have to make time to notice it. 4 out of 5 stars because on purpose with coffee would have beaten on accident without coffee.

Beyond the backup to start the day, I got to talk to a bunch of clients and friends over the next several hours. Nothing fell apart, even though I felt stressed I got started late. In hindsight, the downtime was totally worth it. My wife and I finished the day with a dinner and drink at one of our other favorite local spots (we dropped by my Gram’s, her and my aunt were making tacos). I even got a free hose in exchange for helping move some stuff in the garage and yard.

Friday (and the work week) was capped off at one of our favorite annual events - Pierogi Fest. The rain was a threat, but we decided to chance it and, we didn’t get wet. Pure luck because apparently the rest of the weekend was a washout. We got our obligatory pierogis, done 2 different ways (traditional and some farmer’s cheese), ate kielbasa, got t-shirts, and went home to hydrate and sleep it off.

Is part of this “weeks that feel like years” thing diet-based? Possibly. Although I am guessing Lenin wasn’t going quite as hard as we were on the breads and butters and beers when he said that.

Saturday was family stuff, which included me wrapping belated birthday presents for one of our nephews in the popped trunk of our station wagon outside of a Target in the rain. We did have more pizza and beer, what can I say - we were on a roll, and ended up calling it early because we had a big day Sunday.

Slight rewind for one other detail - on Friday, late in the afternoon, I was catching up with my Sunpointe partner, Ben Tuscai, and I asked what he was doing for Father’s Day. He told me they were catching a Phillies game to which I responded, “No way, us too!”

As it turned out, both of us were gifted tickets by friends kind of last minute, so we were both going to be there with our families, AND, because it was just one of those weeks, we were delighted to figure out we were sitting maybe 6 rows away from each other. Even if we planned it we couldn’t have pulled this off.

So that’s how on Sunday we all hung out in Philly. His kids both got foul balls (thanks Philly ball girls), and we saw the Phillies sweep the Blue Jays to the tune of 9 strikeouts from Wheeler and an epic Castellano grand slam. Considering the Phillies are undefeated when the Tuscais and Zeiglers are in the house, we have to do that again real soon.

To top it off, we hit Cosmi’s before the drive home to pick up cheesesteaks for dinner (and yes, we hit Campo’s in the park because we have to).

It’s ok to have a busy week once in a while. Sometimes you have to stop and reflect. There’s so many good things going on right now - I’m feeling really great and grateful for my family, my friends, and the future of my work.

Thanks for letting me share this with you.