Inspired by Derek Sivers, this page is a snapshot into what’s front & center in my going’s on currently.

Last Updated: October 16, 2025


Work

Currently working for Orion Engineers, a Chicago-based engineering consulting company. I am serving as a construction manager for the Illinois Tollway’s General Engineering Consultant, where I provide construction services, trouble shooting & constructability reviews for Tollway projects.

I continue to teach a course in Construction Surveying at Joliet Junior College as an adjunct instructor. The course is currently held on Friday afternoons.

I am also an instructor with the Engineering Management Institute assisting Anthony Fasano, P.E. and his cadre of instructors & content developers, providing virtual training on a variety of AEC project management related topics.


Home

With work being as hectic as it has been lately, I’m doing my best to keep up with the To-Do’s. We completed some long-overdue projects that included replacing our backyard fence as well as our 25-year old asphalt driveway. I’d like to think that we’re done with major items, fingers are crossed…


Physical Preparation

Continuing to train BJJ at SUDA Although I have been awarded my 4th purple belt stripe, most nights, I feel as though I’m still a 2-stripe blue belt. I know that, to get better, you need to just keep showing up, listening the the professors and training hard. You are either the hammer or the nail – I’m definitely spending more time as the nail….

My at-home workout regimen continues to be guided by Gladiator Strong (shameless plug). Zach Even-Esh continues to keep virtually tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me of the need to stay strong & durable. I need to commit more time & effort to it.

I’ve taken up rucking. Since doing the Chicago Veterans Ruck March in 2024, rucking has become a staple in my morning routine. 30 pounds at a brisk 2-mile walk before sun-up is a great way to clear the mind. I follow that with a 3-5 minute cold plunge (yes, I really do it!). I purchased a $60 version and keep it on our back deck. It’s hard to explain the rush it provides, better than caffeine – It’s ridiculous!


Reading

This year has been a less-volumous reading year from a book count perspective, but I’ve definitely read some good books.

I’ve recently finished:

–Make Your Bed (Retired Admiral William McRaven)

–Beyond PM Training (Anthony Fasano, P.E.)

I’m currently working on:

–Challenge Your Leadership (Corley Moore)

–The Armed Forces Officer (U.S. Department of Defense)


Listening

Podcasts consume my listening. I’ve parsed down my “Subscribed To” list to ease the inundation of episodes that were coming up in my feed (I’ve kept all of the authors, just want to be a bit more selective).

–The Weekly Scrap Firefighting Podcast

–From the Green Notebook

–Jocko Podcast

–To The Top (Top Mount Apparel Crew, who are BJJ teammates)


Learning

I’ve been doing some experimenting on the creative side of the house. I’ve got two GoPro’s (Hero 12 & Hero 9), a Hollyland Lark M2 wireless microphone and a windshield mount – I’ve been recording, what I’m calling “Windshield Debriefs,” short after-action reports of something I’m thinking about or something that happened during the day that spawned a thought. Editing audio, for me, is pretty easy using Audacity, but I’m now learning my way around DaVinci Resolve, to see if I can upload the Debrief’s as videos.


Thinking About

I know that, by saying what I’m about to say, that I’m joining the ranks of hundreds of thousands of people who’ve said the same thing and never come through, but, I’m trying to cobble together the decades worth of notes, files & musings to see if I can put a book together. Lord knows I’ve got enough materials – Can, as Steven Pressfield preaches, I overcome the Resistance, and move forward on the project: Stay tuned….