Author: Force

  • Alone

    I find myself acknowledging my solitude occasionally, like right now. I’m not complaining or trying to sound somber. I just don’t think about it often. But sometimes, I long for friendship – the kind where you can pick up your phone and call someone to share your hopes and dreams with or simply share how your day went. But then, the feeling goes away… Like when I start pondering about how humanoid robots can be deployed at a manufacturing facility or why OSHA lightning protocols designate a 10-mile radius and 30 minutes after hearing thunder to be the safe access point for returning to normal outdoor activities. Well, there it went……

  • Finish-to-Finish

    The idea of synchronizing the end of one activity with the end of another is intriguing. For instance, Activity A ending must coincide with Activity B ending. This scheduling principle leads me to ponder how it could apply to life’s abstract concepts, such as whether the end of love signifies the end of all emotion. I’m attempting to draw a creative parallel here, using a concept from construction management to reflect on life’s profound themes—love, loss, grief, and so on. Admittedly, it’s a challenge. It’s far simpler to correlate tangible tasks that necessitate simultaneous completion, like the erection of an antenna tower and the pouring of concrete for its base. Both must be completed in tandem. Straightforward, indeed. Love and Loss…. perhaps not as much.

  • False Alarm

    I woke up in the middle of a dream to the blaring sound of the fire alarm in the apartment building. It was around 5 am, and I knew I had to act fast. I scrambled out of my bed and hurriedly made my way to the closet to find something to wear. I didn’t want to be outside in my pajamas, so I grabbed a pair of jeans and a decent shirt. It took me about 3 minutes to put together an outfit.

    As I was getting ready, I couldn’t help but hope that it wasn’t a real fire. If it was, I hoped it was far away so that I would have time to dress properly. I peeked through my window blinds to see if I really needed to evacuate. I saw my neighbors outside, waiting for the all-clear, so I decided to join them.

    I made sure to grab my rings, keys, and wallet – my most valuable possessions. Standing outside, I looked back at my apartment and realized that I had only taken the things I truly valued. I felt a sense of relief, knowing that everything else in the apartment was replaceable. I love living a minimalist lifestyle.

    Once the maintenance team arrived and reset the alarm, we were allowed back inside. I managed to get another hour of sleep but woke up with the thought of what I would pack in a “Go Bag.”

  • Return

    I am getting back to writing again, with a goal to write daily. It’s 11:11 pm as I check the time. According to numerology, this number symbolizes awakening or enlightenment, and it seems to appear in my life quite often. Today was a typical Monday filled with problem-solving activities at work and other routine tasks. I’m learning about scheduling and planning in construction management, with not much else to highlight. On my way home from my short run today, I listened to an up-and-coming American musician known as Chappelle Roan. The song ‘Good Luck Babe’ includes the lyric ‘You’d Have to Stop the World, Just to Stop the Feeling,’ and it made me stop and listen intently.

  • Exhausted

    Nine days of having to report to work. I’ve done longer stretches before. During these periods of exhaustion, my days pass quickly and I seldom notice my surroundings, it’s like driving through the dense fog.

  • Serendipity

    One goal is to read/listen to 100 books this year. I randomly selected the first title through the county’s library system app, Libby. Without making note of the author’s name I read the title “A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty and Success” and decided it would be the book to start the year. The book had my undivided attention from the start. A nutritionist/fashion model discussed her secret to happiness and longevity. “Do not fret aging” was the underlying theme. This was the book I needed to read as my fourth decade on this earth quickly approaches. The thoughts of reaching the age of forty made me feel depressed. Book one taught me the importance of making healthier decisions now, to make my later years more enjoyable. Halfway through the first 4 chapters I learned the author was none other than Elon Musk’s mom. Serendipity shows it’s face when you allow events to flow at their own occurrence.

  • New Year

    The best time of the year is always the first month, like a first kiss or the first chapter of a book. The beginning fuels excitement and ushers hope for days ahead. My personal goals have been set and my plan to achieve them is now being executed. No, of course I won’t talk about them here. Well, at least…. not now. You’ll have to wait and hear about them once I achieve them. Live striving to find purpose.

  • Discouraged

    Day 3: At times discouragement creeps in, and I can’t help but question whether there’s a point to all of this. Life is a constant struggle towards finding meaning and purpose.

  • 90’s Screamo Band

    Day 2: A unique revelation occurred this afternoon during lunchtime when I learned one of my co-worker was a lead singer for a screamo band I used to listen to in the late 90’s early 2000’s. I made a comment about his voice as we left the restaurant together and overheard him singing the lyrics to whatever song was playing over the loudspeaker. “My goodness, you have an amazing voice.” I said. “Were you ever in a band?” “Surely with that pitch and tone he must have had some formal training” I thought. His response was a simple “Yes, the band I was in toured around during Warped Tour. Papa Roach was an influence and helped my band sign a record deal.” Well Cool! Not the response I was expecting… Fascinating! “I’m sure I wore one of your band’s t-shirts and own a copy of one of the albums.”

  • The Journal

    Day 1 : So much to say, no one to say it to… or nobody who cares to hear it.  Journaling was recommended. May this online log be an outlet to combat pitiful feelings of isolation and loneliness. Perhaps someone may be interested in reading my thoughts, chiming in, and providing valuable insight.  

    Grand news arrived in the morning hours, as I sat working hard at my desk focused on the daily routine. The caption to the sonogram image read “176 bpm.” “I’m going to be an aunt.” I thought.  “What an amazing feeling.” I never imagined either myself or my brother procreating. Yet, here we are approaching the end of the  year 2022 nine months away from the arrival of my niece or nephew, whatever it may turn out to be.  I’m overjoyed with the news of the addition to our family.