A Whirlwind

It’s 2025 and the world has been pretty wild.

I’ve moved! My wife and I have found a new house on the south side of Rockford. It’s a bit bigger. It has a pool. And there’s a bunch of tasks to do to make it feel like home, but we’ve made a good dent.

Importantly, I’m writing every day as an essential part of my career. The “Knowledge Center” at Ipsen has more than a full year of expert-level content that came from my keyboard. Pitching, developing, interviewing, collaborating, composing, proofing, finalizing, publishing and promoting each piece. Talking SEO strategy, targeted marketing, and reviewing Google Analytics.

It’s strange to think that when I was hired, I’d never encountered a vacuum furnace. And that the process of learning about the products Ipsen makes, the customers they serve, and the work that the operators do led to developing a self-paced introduction program for new Ipsen employees and operators.

It’s been a learning process worthy of the time spent.

Beyond the Cubicle

But also, I know that my writing can take me beyond the cubicle. This past weekend, I was invited to read my piece for The Rockford Anthology at a great local art gallery. Among other writers and artists, I felt like I belonged – spinning my tale of the last call I made for the Rockford Rage, and taking a moment to roar that old familiar phrase to an audience one more time – “Are you ready for ROOOOLLLER DERRRRBY?”

I don’t know where my writing may take me next, but I’m so grateful that it’s taken me this far. I don’t know where public speaking will take me, or who I’ll have the privilege of meeting, but I’m grateful for the joyful moments that it’s given me.

This past week, in a bar in Detroit with some work friends old and new, I won at darts, sang karaoke, and rode the Detroit People Mover to see this remarkable American city. The three-day trade show was made better because we got out of the booth and got to connect as people.

All of this was made possible because of the alchemy that happens when the fingers glide across the keys.

It’s a lucky life that I have the privilege to live.