Catching up

Catching up

The only true sign of a new blog is starting it only to make a few posts and disappear for months. This isn’t going to be the most uplifting post in the world due to some personal news, but keep reading if you’d like to know more about why I haven’t been posting.

TLDR: A family medical emergency made my focus shift dramatically, so my free time was totally absorbed by that situation, but things have reached a steady state here about two months later, so I plan to blog again.

Anyway, on to the details.

Some difficult news first

My previous post was a bummer because I shared the loss of our dog, Suzanna, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. My Dad suffered a terrible stroke at the end of August. The kind you don’t come back from. Long story short, he survived and is now in long-term nursing care, but he will never recognize his family or speak full sentences again. His right side doesn’t work, so he’s bed-bound too.

It is a dramatic change. He’s okay and actually quite healthy now, but it has taken a lot of time and hard work to get to this steady state. Don’t worry, I‘m fine, and my family is doing the best they can to adjust.

I’m not sharing this for pity or anything. It’s just the reality I’ve been living through and wanted to share.

Some happy news

OK, if you’re still here, I’d like to help lighten the mood with some good news in my life. While everything has been difficult with my father and some family drama that surrounds that, many small lights have helped keep me going.

I’m engaged!

I proposed to my girlfriend of four years on our anniversary, and she said yes! We are very excited, and the wedding is set for October 2025. It has been a rollercoaster of emotion these past few weeks.

A hand with an engagement ring held by another hand

I’m happy to say I proposed and informed my family before things happened with Dad. He was very happy for us. And my now-fiancé Natalie has been an amazing source of support through these difficult times.

I love Natalie very much and don’t know what I’d do without her.

A new kitten

In the middle of everything going on and under threat of an incredible hurricane named Helene, a new little gift appeared in my life. A maine coon kitten started meowing on my doorstep about a week before the crazy weather started. She must have been just a couple of weeks old.

A Maine coon kitten with black and white fur and big eyes

Despite our attempts to settle the cat at my mother’s house nearby, she kept coming back until she started running into the door when it was opened. I finally gave in and adopted her, naming her Marble since she has a swirl pattern like marble bread.

Bushel of Apples

I‘m going to start writing again as time allows about tech, video games, and whatever life throws my way. Things have evolved quickly in the tech world since my last blog post. New iPhones, Apple Watches, iPad mini 7, and the launch of Apple Intelligence. All things I want to discuss more than I already covered at AppleInsider.

iPhone 16 Pro Max shot against an iPad Pro displaying the Apple Intelligence logo
iPhone 16 Pro Max shot against an iPad Pro with the Apple Intelligence logo shown

I hope everyone had a chance to read my iPhone 16 Pro Max review. I did something new with the product photography, which are not composites. Also, I love Camera Control and the new reversible photographic styles.

I’ve got more on iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence coming soon. Thanks again for reading, and don’t worry, the next one will be a bit more back to the usual tech stuff.