Now

Fall 2023

I feel that 2023 has been defined by a few different tenets:

1. Humility in the face of difficult conditions
2. Receptiveness to life’s lessons
3. Emotional communication (and dead weight)

As the year comes to a close, I feel that these conditions are one of the few ways I can spin our situation into a positive light. In the past eight months, we’ve been homeless, unemployed, and abused. I wish I could succinctly explain the severity of things to all of my friends and loved ones, but it is emotionally taxing to do so.

I will never take my home and family for granted again.

Summer 2023

Syd and I moved back to Bloomington-Normal after a year that can only be described as a learning experience.

I am extremely grateful for my achievements working with FAM, including winning a union for tenure-line/tenure-track faculty, and a library unit won unanimously with supermajority turnout. However, it was not a sustainable living and soured my love for organizing, albeit only temporarily.

I have found new work in town, however this season has been one full of financial struggle. I am experiencing debt trial-by-fire, more accurately.

I can feel that my brain is maturing and my perspective on the world is changing once again. It is uncomfortable as all change can be, but also makes me hopeful for my future.

We are looking forward to our future and our path forward is beginning to conceptualize.