What I’m up to

Book, blogs, pods, cybertrucks, and boats

Jun 08, 2024

I’ve been working on finalizing the print version of my first book. I ordered the second proof copy, using wraparound V2.

Earlier this week, I attempted a 72-hour water-fast. I broke the fast at 53 hours with hard-boiled duck eggs.

“Hey Chris, do you want to go to the north end with me?”

My mom just asked me that. She’s referring to the north end of the island we are on.

“Yeah, just a minute.”

She broke her leg last weekend while taking a video of her dog. She lives on an island in Maine. So last night I drove from New Hampshire to the Maine coast, loaded a boat full of groceries and Amazon packages, and navigated through the bay, at night, in the rain.

While I was driving to Maine last night, while I supervised my Tesla driving, I called Larry, the father of a 25-year-old who I met on the street in New Hampshire a month ago. His son, Luke, approached me asked me for 50 cents, which launched a 40-minute conversation. One thing led to another, and I ended up on the phone with his dad, who really appreciated the call, and asked me to deliver a message to his son. I went to Oregon and when I got back I couldn’t find Luke, so I called Larry yesterday. It’s a long story, and one that is worth telling.

I’ve also been working on an essay about the book writing and self-publishing journey, as I figure it out. That is also coming soon. Frankly, I have more projects in the works than I’d like right now. The fire is packed with irons.

My friend and I have been touring houses to rent in the Boston area. The housing hunt has been a big time suck. In addition to that, I sold three out of four of my mountain bikes, leaving just one left. For the past three years, I coached and guided mountain biking experiences, and built mountain biking trails. That chapter has is pretty much wrapped up. It was truly unforgettable.

This week I’ve been working with Luke McKim and his partner Jenna Weeks, organizing a September Retreat: Digital Detox New Hampshire. The website will be live soon, and we’ll be sending out invites.

“You ready to go?” my mom says.

“It’s raining.”

“So when it stops raining, we’ll go.”

“Yup sounds good.”

Okay, you get a little bit more.

I did a lot this week. Right before the Maine excursion, I did a 2-hour podcast with John Carter. We discussed independent writing and the collapsing legacy institutions.

For the past month, publishing my podcasts has been relegated to the didn’t get done league, but it’s getting a promotion soon.

I read Man’s Search for Meaning this week, which was not a fun read, but it does put things into perspective.

It’s an exciting time. Coming soon is the Homeless story, my first print book, the Book Writing Journey essay, four podcasts, and our retreat offering.

And I’m moving to Boston.

On Tuesday, I got a surprise email from Tesla.

Your Limited-Edition Foundation Series Cybertruck is Ready to Order
As an early reservation holder, you have been invited to order your Foundation Series Cybertruck with early access to delivery.

There’s a lot to be said about this message.

On Wednesday night, I was driving back from touring houses in Boston. A Cybertruck blasted by me doing 95 in the left lane. The first one I’ve seen.

I will make a video explaining why I will not be purchasing a foundation series Cybertruck, and post on my YouTube channel and Substack.

Thunder is rumbling over the island. I wasn’t sure what I’d post about this week. Then I realized I’ll just be honest and say what I’m doing and what I’m thinking. That’s pretty much all I do.

Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your day.

Music

Photos

What I’m Watching

One of my favorite people, Joe Hudson, with his incredible daughter.

The president of, yes, EL SALVADOR, is inspiring the superpowers.

What I’m Reading

Elegant writing and open reflection by Paul Millerd

Going At Your Own Pace:
Douglas Rushkoff had a nice piece on “breaking from the pace of the net.” I’ve been feeling a similar pull too. I’ve slowed my podcast and my newsletter, choosing not to monetize them, and will likely post a little more sporadically. I want to write and share when I have something worth saying.
I also want to prioritize building my life around writing books. For a long time, the central anchor of my work was a weekly newsletter, which I shipped every Saturday. Now, I feel pulled to orient around a ship-a-book-every-18-months schedule. It’s slower, more contemplative, and involves reading more books, not essays, and I’m slowly steering the cruise ship that is my life in that new direction.