11. What is your current relationship with technology? Do you enjoy it? Does it cause you anxiety?

There is a funny clip of Homer Simpson where he’s praising beer for being the cause and solution to all of his problems.

I feel that way about technology sometimes. As much joy as it is to write this and have it be available all over the world, I’m also worried about how it’s designed and if my writing is good enough.

I also make my living by working in a technical field and having people getting laid off stresses me out since I’ve also been in that position as well.

10. What’s your relationship with physical labor? Do you enjoy, accept or avoid it?

At this point in my life, I do not do a lot of physical labor.

I’m actually very sedentary and do roughly 5 minutes of exercise a day according to my Apple Watch. Of course, since I’m really out of shape going for a walk to the garbage can outside in 100 degree weather counts as exercise.

Other than some chores around the house, I do volunteer at the school my children go to.

9. Do you have a gratitude practice? Why or why not? What sort of things are you grateful for?

I do have a journal that I write 5 things that I'm grateful for in. I'm inconsistent with writing in my journal but I've come back to it in the last couple of days.

I try to come up with different things from day to day. Although I am grateful for my friends and family, I want to spend some time thinking about things so that I don’t take things for granted.

I was really happy to see this prompt. I really needed a laugh today.

8. What is the funniest book or TV show with which you are familiar?

The funniest TV show that I’m familiar with is The Good Place. It’s a great example of comedy that keeps me laughing over and over again. In fact, I think I might watch an episode tonight.

Yesterday was horrible. Absolutely horrible. That being said, I want to keep this post light.

7. Do you have any unpopular opinions or dislike something that many people like?

I don’t like pineapple on pizza.

6. What is or was your relationship with people from your parent’s generation?

I feel I get along with people of all generations.

When it comes to people of my parent’s generation, I feel that I get along with most of them. A lot of the ones I talk to now seem to want to share their stories and feelings.

This one was pretty easy to write.

5. What is the most memorable job you’ve held?

The most memorable job that I’ve ever held was working at a company called Unify. It was a small company that had a long history of products.

It was during the time that I was working there that I met my wife, got married, and had children.

The company had moments of boom and bust and it was the people there that made me want to stay. Ultimately, we had a bust quarter and I learned the hard way that a business is a business.

I was laid off with a number of other people.

I still feel it sometimes. The loss of identity as a provider for my family - especially at that age - echoes in a lot of the things I do and never in a good way. The friends that I had when I worked there do contact me occasionally, but it’s definitely not the same.

I thought this was going to be a happier post.

This one was pretty easy to write.

4. What woman in your family do you most admire and why?

I admire my wife the most. She is the glue that keeps our family together. When I hit rock bottom, she stuck by with me.

I don’t like to think about where I would be without her.

This one isn't as heavy as the previous two answers.

3. Why do you like your favorite restaurant?

My favorite restaurant is Red Lobster.

It’s not because of the cheddar biscuits or the wonders of what they can do with fried food.

It’s because it’s the restaurant that I introduced my girlfriend-now-wife to my parents.

I had this image that even if things went bad, I would at least have a decent meal.

It went well and every time I drive past the location, I think of it fondly.

I'm continuing with the series by Lou Plummer and trying not to get too worked up over the format of the posts.

2. On what subjects are you outspoken and on what subjects are you mostly mute?

I read the prompt and thought about the times that I would shout out about how pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza. I feel that pineapple is too sweet to be on something that so savory. The juices from the pineapple spread throughout the pizza and you can’t separate it the same way you could with other toppings like mushrooms or olives.

I’ve even gotten in a couple discussions on how pancakes are better than waffles because of how many varieties you can find in different cultures around the world.

But no one has heard me speak out about the genocides that are happening. Do you know what my stance is on climate change? Health care? How about workers rights?

No, I don’t think I’ve used my website for any of those.

Even though they effect me, I go about my daily writing and web surfing feeling that “those bad things are bad and I’m sure we’ll all get through it some how.”

I feel that’s ultimately the issue.

When it comes to being outspoken, I find myself using my inside voice.