Eriko was the original spark, and Master Ahn is the oxygen (https://queenannetkd.wordpress.com/), but every Kirsch has to supply their own fuel.

(Don’t worry, Jerry will be close behind.)

For many people, this was a rough year. As a world, we slid backwards in a number of ways. A lot of great people moved on. Big challenges loom.

I had a pretty good year though... a few highlights:

In January, I started atsu, and over the next few months found some amazing co-founders. 🔥

In February, Momo turned 8 and had her first sleepover birthday party. 🥰👩🏻

In March, we flew to Boise for a Taekwondo tournament, and had a fun mini-vacation as well. 🛫🥋

Note: Day One’s “Two years ago on this feature” brought up this entry, and I thought it was quite relevant to share. I don’t remember her, but I remember the day was gorgeous and I was turning the corner near Gasworks, on my way to UW. Likely (https://www.strava.com/activities/762716509). Here it is - from November 1st 2016 @ 9:17 AM (unedited):

I had this thought as I was riding my bike and noticed an attractive woman.

That just sort of came and went... I was celebrated, and I appreciated it. I had big plans for this blog, but as long as I complete that this year, it still counts. Otherwise, I showed up this year at about 80% efficiency... 😇

I didn’t foresee it, but it isn’t surprising. The new venture has definitely had impact on my habits and my fitness. I chalk that up to a few reasons: less schedule flexibility, higher workload, and injuries. Now, this is also on the back of a more erratic schedule due to kids’ summer vacation and Japan-trip induced jet lag, so don’t be too hard on me.

Thanks to the Wayback Machine, I’m able to retrieve goals I had set out for myself a decade ago. It’s heartening to see how much progress I have made!

(Re-displayed here for convenience, with annotations.)

• Spend more time with Eriko and Jerry
• UW Professional Master's Program
• Get back into mathematics
• Kernel development
• JLPT Level 3
• Swimming - lap swim twice a week
• Buy a house
• Get in shape - lose the waist
• Fix/sell the MG
• Read more

There are only two items left on this list that I have put little to no effort into: mathematics and Japanese. It’s interesting to note that while I’ve thought of both of them as requiring a dedicated effort to achieve, had I put in a little time each day/week/month, I would be much closer. Instead, I’m likely worse at both...  

It’s intense. The potential for failure. The certainty for disappointment.

The embarrassment.

It’s there.

It’s RIGHT there.

But that’s only if you care that they are looking.

And to be honest, why do they have time to look?

Shouldn’t they be busy with their own thing?

Shouldn’t you be busy?

Damn it, Nick. Get back to work.

😉