Whelp, this will have been... an interesting few months.

Three big obstacles have arisen as of late. Let's go over them in order of importance, least to most.

First... side gigs drying up hard. I've always had a knack for computers, parts and the like, and for a few years, I've been straight up buying salvage parts to refurbish, test, resell... A lot of fun, and lucrative fun at that! Unfortunately, not only did my "source" of salvage just stop selling, but the market for PCs has been godawful in general since March, meaning it's now unsafe to even... build PCs these days, even with crazy deals on parts.

Second... I was basically promised a job. Federal position, was "a sure thing" and "only a matter of time" for MONTHS. I was in talks with them since December, and everything seemed A-OK until mid-June. After meeting the chief researcher, silence... Until I was announced the bad news. Three months after I made it known, they SUDDENLY decide that me not having peer-reviewed and published papers is an issue for the position, and decide not to go through. They say they'll move me to an IT / programmer position, before quickly ditching on that, too. Thankfully, I didn't quit my still-current job, but I did acquire a car in anticipation of the new job. So where I expected more $ per month, I end up with several hundreds LESS instead.

And third... Family affairs.

One month ago, one of my grandmas was admitted to the hospital.

Last week, I learned that she is requesting medical assistance in dying. Final goodbye is Thursday at the latest. There isn't much to be done - Stage 4 (intestinal? colorectal?) cancer. I perhaps wasn't that close with that side of the family, but the suddenness of it all... still took us all aback. It'll be a rather sad, demanding few weeks.

And yet, the world must keep turning.

Despite all the setbacks, minor and major, one must keep pushing on. Despite all of the setbacks... I think this is some of the happiest I've felt in a long while. It's the little things.

Despite that job kerfuffle, and despite the horrendous NA market for comp sci jobs, I still have work in my field that's relatively safe. Heck, I can now also lay claim to a master's degree, too!

I have rumblings that this side gig of computer parts and such might pick back up soon, plus the winter is usually a higher season for PCs, so fingers crossed on that front.

I've finally gotten myself in shape, managed to consistently kick myself in the butt to run every 2 days, and throw in body weight exercises throughout. I've lost 25 pounds / 11kg since May. It's been over half a decade since I've been so light. Having friends call you "sexy" is... certainly encouraging.

I've managed to turn around on a dime, and within four weeks, managed to make Entropic Elixirs a reality. I made a debut at Canfurence, and despite my lack of promotional material (blame the time crunch)... I still sold over 30 bags of coffee, with little plans. I'd call that a successful first outing. Working on more (including hot chocolate, stay tuned for that!), and I'll try to keep that going.

I reckon the moral of the story (if you can call it that)... keep fighting. Life is bound to take a few jabs at you. It's up to you to keep your resolve up and keep fighting and doing what you do best. Perseverance can and will bring you far.

The world keeps turning, even if sometimes, your world feels like it's coming to a halt.