Author Archives: brent

Cheep Thursday Rundown

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Wow, May is off to an absolute gorgeous start! With temperatures in the 70s and so many activities taking place, it truly feels like spring! Speaking of spring, let’s “spring” into my latest Thursday Rundown…

Cheep Chicken – Safeway has a wildly popular promotion called Cheep Chicken Monday. Every Monday, looooong lines form in front of the Safeway deli to purchase heavily discounted and very tasty chicken. When I saw the kid in the chicken suit on the side of the road, I knew it was a sign that our family needed to eat Safeway chicken this past Monday…I also knew it was a sign that Beau needed to get a picture with him. The kid in the suit was tickled that someone wanted to snap a photo with him and even did the chicken dance with Beau.

Beau took a photo with the Cheep Chicken from Safeway.

Homemade Pasta – Last night while I was doing chores in the kitchen, Sloan came downstairs and confidently asked if she could make pasta. However, she wasn’t just asking to boil noodles, she literally wanted to make the pasta herself. Inspired by a YouTube video she saw, Sloan thought she could pull it off. I asked her what she needed. She replied with eggs and flour. Uggh. What can go wrong, right? Well, I let her do it and she definitely made something that resembled pasta and didn’t taste too bad.

Some photos of Sloan making and posing with her homemade pasta.

Christy – Sidney and I watched “Christy” this week and I found it to be pretty captivating. The film stars Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin, the athlete who put women’s boxing on the map while facing plenty of obstacles. Sweeney—who is from Spokane—adopted a Southern accent for this film and delivered an amazing performance. But what I really appreciated was how authentic (and at times brutal) the boxing scenes were. Fun fact: Sweeney did all the boxing scenes herself! Your life won’t be changed if you watch “Christy” but I still think it is worth your time.

Sydney Sweeney gained 30 pounds to play Christy Martin. I enjoyed watching “Christy.”

Bloomsday 50th – Bloomsday started in 1977 and this year (2026) was the 50th running of the event. Don’t ask me if that meant it was the 50th anniversary or not but one way or the other the number “50” was a big part of this year’s race. Naturally, I had to get a picture of the kids marking the milestone at the Bloomsday trade show that we attended on Friday.

Sloan and Beau take a photo in front of the “Bloomsday 50 Years” photo backdrop at the Bloomsday trade show.

Mama’s Boy – Back in 2015, Sid and I found ourselves at a bar. As we sipped on our drinks she admitted that she is a complete daddy’s girl. But then she looked at me and without a doubt in her mind said, “But you are totally a momma’s boy!” On this date 12 years ago, I wrote about the type of mama’s boy I am to commemorate Mother’s Day. I think you will be entertained by it.

If the definition said that a mama’s boy is someone who both himself and his mom cry a little bit when they say goodbye as the son moves across the country, then I am one.

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Thanks for taking the time to read! Special shoutout to all the moms, we couldn’t function with you. Will catch up with everyone next week, I imagine with an extremely packed weekend on the horizon I might have some stories and photos to share. Don’t Blink.

My 3 Bloomsday Accessories

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This year for Bloomsday I made a few changes to my running attire compared to previous races. Perhaps these alterations were responsible for my less than spectacular finish time OR maybe they saved me from going even further south from my PR. Here is what I did…

I made some changes to what I wore this Bloomsday. This is me on the morning of the 2026 race.

Sweatband – Don’t get Sidney started, she HATED the sweatband I wore. However, I decided to sport it because many times in the past I have suffered from sweat dripping down into my eyes (the burn!!). I hate wearing hats while exercising, especially while running, so I wanted to go with the band. It worked absolute wonders! I didn’t combat sweat in my eyes once—a complete non-factor this Bloomsday. When I finished the race I touched my sweatband and it was absolutely soaked, a result that made me think Better the band than my eyes.

Hip Pack Pouch – When I run, I usually try to not carry anything at all. Sometimes that is not possible and I will stuff a key or some cards (debit card, driver’s license, etc.) into my pocket. Because I was running Bloomsday solo this year, I thought it best to take the essentials downtown with me, specifically my phone and cards. Not wanting a smart device weighing me down, I purchased a hip pack (aka fanny pack). Having never used one before, I didn’t know how it would feel or if it would slow me down. However, once I started running I forgot I was even wearing it. For the first time ever, I could take photos on the Bloomsday course and update my family once I finished. Perhaps the pack added a couple minutes onto my time without me consciously realizing it was weighing me down but I think that is just a sorry excuse for my slower time.

Foot Care – At both Bloomsday and Hoopfest in the past I have battled intense blisters. This year, I made sure my feet were protected. Even though I still wore old shoes I purchased from a discount store, I placed padding support along the sole. I also wore cushy socks that were a major step up from the very worn-in exercise socks I wear to the gym. My feet didn’t bother me in the slightest during the race or after it.

I always lay my clothes out the night before and with Bloomsday it is no different. You can see my extra padding in my shoes.

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Like I said, I wish the above improvements would have translated into a better time. But I guess things don’t always turn out the way you hope. Even though I ran a few minutes slower than desired at least I did it on comfortable feet with no sweat in my eyes or items in my pocket weighing me down. Don’t Blink.

Bloomsday 2026: So Spokane

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Call me overly sentimental, but I became just a bit teary-eyed as I stood at the 2026 Bloomsday starting line on Sunday. The combination of gorgeous weather, more registrants since 2016, beach balls flying through the crowd, and just the sheer uniqueness and passion of this one-of-a-kind Spokane event had me feeling some type of the way. Suffice to say, once Chariots of Fire echoed through the loud speakers as I crossed the starting line the emotion was real.

What more could I have wanted?

Well, a PR would have been nice.

Me crossing the finish line during the 2026 Bloomsday race. I finished a few minutes short of a PR.

I will give myself this: I am consistent. From 2022-24 and this year (I missed the 2025 race for Disney World), I have finished between 69 minutes – 72 minutes each race. The only problem is that this year’s time was at that slower end of the spectrum. Take a look…

2022: 1:11:27
2023: 1:09:34
2024: 1:11:27
2026: 1:12:42

People start to gather at the starting line prior to the 2026 Bloomsday run. I hung out for about 80 minutes before the gun sounded for us to start.

It was a tad disappointing because I thought this was the year for a personal record. Driving to the race I felt good and I believed the favorable weather conditions would be a fortunate omen. But severe cramping hit once I finished Doomsday Hill and I had to slow my pace considerably. Throw in my advancing age as a factor too—I am not getting any younger.

A photo I took right before the race started. I am not getting any younger.

However, missing the mark on my goal didn’t take away from another successful Bloomsday experience. From the trade show to the STA shuttle race transportation to the race itself to receiving this year’s t-shirt, I had a blast (minus the cramps).

I snapped this photo of Bloomsday volunteers passing out the 2026 t-shirt. If you turn the shirt upside down it will spell out “1977,” the first year Bloomsday was held.

This year I did Bloomsday solo as my brother walked in the stroller division with his wife and little girl. Despite my bro not by my side, I still did my usual. I enjoyed listening to the pre-race music, I received a blessing from Fr. David Gaines as I ran by Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, and I ducked underneath the vulture on Doomsday Hill.

A photo I took of my brother and sister-in-law prior to them starting Bloomsday 2026. I had already finished and received my shirt before they even crossed the starting line.

I also appreciated the unique aspects of Bloomsday 2026. The young man carrying the cross as he ran was incredibly inspiring, the bands seemed louder this year than ever, and the yellow t-shirt with the upside down twist was probably the most creative design since the 1996 shirt.

I would later find out that this young man’s name is Dalton Degroot but when I saw him carrying that cross up Doomsday Hill during the 2026 Bloomsday race, it gave me some major motivation.

Don’t worry, I will be back for Bloomsday 2027. Maybe I will take my wife’s advice and actually train for it (but probably not) to avoid the cramps that last far beyond the actual race. Thanks to the race organizers for another incredible Spokane experience. Don’t Blink.

A Special Homecoming

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Last week our family enjoyed a unique experience. On Wednesday evening, the four of us went to Spokane International Airport not to hop on a plane but to welcome a special group of people back.

Sloan, Sidney, and Beau at the Spokane International Airport to welcome back veterans who were on the most recent Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

We cheered as 90 veterans (89 Vietnam vets and 1 Korean War vet) returned home from a whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials relevant to the wars they fought in.

This trip was made possible by Honor Flight, a national network that flies veterans free of charge to our nation’s capital for these very meaningful experiences. Honor Flight has chapters throughout the country and the Inland Northwest Honor Flight group was the local organization responsible for the crew we welcomed back on Wednesday.

Sloan, Sidney, and Beau pose for a photo in the middle of welcoming veterans home who went to Washington D.C. as part of an Inland Northwest Honor Flight experience.

Sidney spearheaded our journey out to the airport. Her employer, Traveler’s, is a major supporter of veterans and for many years has sent an employee presence to Honor Flight departures and returns. When we entered the airport and made it to the terminal ticketing area, Sidney immediately saw some of her colleagues and we went to stand with them.

Sidney welcomed back the veterans with Sloan/Beau and her Traveler’s colleagues as she

Prior to leaving, Sloan had made welcome home signs for her and Beau (so cute). When we arrived at the airport, we were equipped with additional signs and American flags. Although the flight was delayed more than 90 minutes, our children waited patiently for its arrival.

Beau holds his sign that Sloan made him as we drove to the airport.

When the veterans landed and deplaned, they found a large stanchion-formed walkway for them to stroll down. Each side of the walkway was lined with cheering people thrusting signs, waving flags, and clapping their hands. For many of the Vietnam veterans who either received no welcome or a very hostile rebuke when they originally returned to the U.S. from the war, this was finally the homecoming they had long deserved.

A look at how supporters lined both sides of stanchions to welcome home veterans aboard the Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

I appreciate Sidney’s enthusiasm and insistence for us to attend. I think it showed our children that veterans should always be treated with gratitude and respect. Sid is already talking about attending next year and how we need to get a little bit closer to the stanchions so we can give handshakes and high fives to our heroes 😊. Don’t Blink.

It’s Gonna Be May Thursday Rundown

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We received a shower or two this month but as Justin Timberlake is fond of saying, It’s gonna be May! On cue, the start of the new month tomorrow is going to bring a stretch of days in the high 70s and even low 80s. But before that, let’s enjoy the fifth Thursday Rundown of April with these five topics…

Homemade Pizza Again – Back in 2022, I wrote about the joy and magic that comes with making homemade pizza. We were obviously feeling a little magical at the end of the weekend because that is what we had for dinner. I have become quite impressed with Sloan’s cooking skills and she didn’t disappoint when it came to pizza either. The way she layered the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni showed skill and plenty of thought—especially how she aligned the final layer of pepperoni into a face. The pizza was delicious and I ate leftovers for lunch during two different days at work.

Sloan stands near her baked homemade pizza.

Cotton Candy at Birthday Party – We had a couple birthday parties to attend over the weekend. Although the pool party at the YMCA was cool, I think Beau really enjoyed the at-home outdoor birthday party that had a bouncy castle. But what made the bouncy castle party really stand out was the cotton vendor that set up shop and made free on-demand treats for all the attendees (and parents). Given the choice between birthday cake, root beer, rainbow sherbet, and others, Beau went with something else—banana! He ate it all in under three minutes (no joke).

Beau, complete with a fruit punch red Gatorade mustache, holds his banana cotton candy.

M Movies – Over the past several days I watched an adult blockbuster at home and a kids film in the theater. On Friday night I used HBO Maxx to watch “Marty Supreme” and I loved it. Even though it was nearly three hours my attention was captivated the whole time by the brilliant acting and creative cinematography. As someone who grew up playing ping pong, the movie was a lot of fun for me. On Sunday afternoon, I took Sloan and Beau to the theater for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” Although the kids loved it, I was pretty bored. However, the tub of popcorn we got to share may have been the best movie theater popcorn I had in a long time…so there’s that.

“Marty Supreme” was pretty epic.

A Third of the Way There – I like to point out significant break points in the calendar and today marks the completion of the first 1/3rd of 2026. Four months down and eight months to go. With 33% of the year in the books, it is an opportune time to look back on goals and determine whether you are heading in the right direction. Don’t like what you see? No worries, you have plenty of time to turn 2026 around.

Check that calendar! We are 1/3 of the way through 2026.

Touching Note – It was on this date 12 years ago that my dad flew back west after accompanying me on a cross country trip to my new home in South Carolina. Several hours after he left I opened my silverware drawer to find this note and a $5 bill.

My dad left me this note 12 years ago.

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Hopefully I am not too sore on Monday. More on that in a future blog post. Have a great weekend, everyone! Don’t Blink.

The Positives and Negatives of Myrtle Beach

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Today is the 12th anniversary of when I arrived in Myrtle Beach to begin work at Coastal Carolina University. However, my time in South Carolina was MUCH more than a career stop. I found my soul mate and because of that I will forever be grateful for the chance I had to live in the South.

I spent six years in the Grand Strand and now it has been six years since I left. I thought tonight was the perfect time to give a very brief and objective rundown of the positives and negatives of living in Myrtle Beach.

My dad and I took a celebratory picture after turning in the U-Haul after our cross-country trip to Myrtle Beach. This photo was taken 12 years ago today on April 28, 2014.

Positives

The Beach – Yes, it is right in the name. When I moved into my apartment, I was about five minutes from the beach and it was so close that I could smell it (literally). The water was warm, the vibe was great, and the seashells plentiful.

Location – Myrtle Beach is in an advantageous spot for road trips. Whether I wanted to drive north to Baltimore or south to Charleston or Savannah, there were always fun options to escape for a weekend. Sid and I even drove to Disney World once and made numerous weekend trips to Charlotte.

Food – Can’t say enough about the food. In fact, it was so good that within a year I reached the heaviest weight that I had ever been (😂). Myrtle Beach offered all the tourist trap chains you can think of but also the best fast food restaurants (Cookout, Bojangles, Zaxby’s, etc.). However, nothing beat the Southern cooking of my wife and mother-in-law that I was introduced to.

Prices – A lot of things are cheap in Myrtle Beach despite it being a tourist town. From gas to real estate to food, you simply pay less compared to other places.

Weather – Although the summers are ridiculously humid and Myrtle Beach had a harsher winter than Spokane this year, being able to trick-or-treat without a coat is pretty sweet! It was also nice to have pleasant weather in January and February.

Myrtle Beach had so much to offer and I was so blessed to spend six years there. But the absolute best part of all is that I met Sidney there!

Negatives

Traffic – Did I already mention that Myrtle Beach is a tourist town? 😉 I still get anxiety when someone mentions 501 (hint: that isn’t an area code). I waited in some awful traffic jams but shout out to CCU for allowing its employees to leave at noon on summer Fridays to get a head start on it.

Allergies – Because of the pollen situation and other things floating in the air, I actually developed allergies during the years I was there. When people told me I could be susceptible to them when I arrived in town, I thought they were crazy. I ate my words.

Bugs – The only time I see a cockroach or Palmetto Bug these days are in my nightmares. Man, those things were nasty (and everywhere).

Income Tax – When I started at CCU, my boss braced me for the shock. He said my paychecks might be a little less than what I might be expecting because of the state income tax. Because I moved from Montana which also had a state income tax I wasn’t caught off-guard but it sure is nice living in a state (Washington) that doesn’t have one.

Hurricanes – Don’t miss the hurricane season that seemed to get longer and longer each year I lived there. There is nothing funny about those storms. The damage, anxiety, and hysteria can break you down.

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Sure, there were positives and negatives, but like I already mentioned, nothing can take away the fact that moving to Myrtle Beach was the best decision I ever made. Among so many other special things that happened during those incredible six years, that little piece of heaven on the coast of South Carolina gave me a beautiful wife and two healthy kids. Don’t Blink.

My Breakfast Routine and Choices

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We have all heard the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although I make it a point to eat breakfast every day, what I put in my body doesn’t necessarily reflect the importance of the meal.

But more on that in just a moment.

During weekdays, I eat breakfast at work. My routine is always the same. I arrive at the office around 7:30 a.m. and then usually stop for breakfast at 9 a.m. I have always subscribed to the thinking that a hungry tiger hunts best so I try to begin the workday by jumping right into things. After I have checked some of the more pressing tasks of the day off my checklist, I reward myself with breakfast because at that time my stomach is usually growling.

Okay, as I alluded to above, I usually eat crap. Because I am eating in the office, it isn’t like I can pour myself a bowl of cereal or cook eggs.

I will now share with you the three food items that rotate as my breakfast during any given week.

1/2 Peanut Butter Sandwich – Back in the day, especially during my time at the University of Montana and Coastal Carolina University, this is all I had every single morning. The night before I will take a single piece of bread, cover it with peanut butter, fold it, and put it in a zip-lock bag. That becomes my breakfast for the next day. It is usually quite convenient because I already have the bread and peanut butter out for the full sandwich I make for lunch.

Although I am holding a full peanut butter sandwich in this photo, I frequently eat a 1/2 peanut butter sandwich for breakfast.

Pop-Tarts – I have diversified my once strict diet of just ½ peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast. My love for Pop-Tarts is well-documented and I now bring those in for breakfast just as much as I do peanut butter sandwiches. I enjoy doing this because the toaster is right in the middle of the common area of our University Relations offices so many of my colleagues get to smell the pleasant aroma of whatever Pop-tart flavor I have that day. In fact, it is common for one of my designers to say, “Hey Brent, what kind of Pop-Tart do you have this morning?”

I bring Pop-Tarts to work all the time and people usually get a kick out of the weird flavors I sometimes pack.

Donuts/Muffins/Sweets – On any given day—especially Friday—we will have a couple dozen donuts, Costco muffins, fruit, or some other sugary “breakfast” item out in the common area. Throw in all the birthdays we celebrate and there is a good chance each day that I might enjoy a free breakfast courtesy of my generous co-workers. Many times it is tough for me to resist these sweet treats as I slide my Pop-Tart into my desk drawer and indulge.

My University Relations team at Eastern Washington University celebrated my birthday with a muffin breakfast. Very often this counter is filled with breakfast treats on any given morning.

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It’s a good thing that I exercise daily, right? Don’t Blink.

Laser Lemon Thursday Rundown

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Did you know there are FIVE Thursdays in April? Seriously, that’s not an April Fools’ Joke even though April 1 was on a Thursday this year. What I am trying to say is that this isn’t the last Thursday Rundown of the month…you will get a “bonus” one next week.

Sloan’s Surgery Anniversary – I want to start with one of the most important anniversaries in my family. Yesterday marked nine years since Sloan’s successful pyloric stenosis surgery. An extremely rare condition that occurs mostly in newborn boys, Sloan’s gender led to her misdiagnosis and a few really tough weeks where she threw up every time she ate. Dr. Robert Cina, the rockstar surgeon who saved Sloan’s life, is in our prayers on a nightly basis. You can learn more about Sloan’s battle by watching this video I made or by reading one of the several blog posts I have written about it. Thanks be to God!

During Sloan’s bout with Pyloric Stenosis and for over a year afterwards, we kept it between immediate family. Sidney and I are so thankful for the support of our parents. This photo shows our moms and dads with Sloan at MUSC on surgery day.

Family Faith Night: SCIENCE – Speaking of God, it was a coincidence that I wrote about the harmonious union of science and religion last week. Why? Because this past weekend my family attended the latest St. Mary Family Faith Night that happened to be exclusively about science, God, and the Church. Our kids had the opportunity to perform a lot of cool experiments and learn how God and science are complementary of each other. The major takeway was that science is not the Church’s enemy, it is actually one of her children. You wouldn’t believe how many of the prominent scientists who made some of the most groundbreaking discoveries were Catholics. If you only watch one thing on YouTube this entire week, please watch this five minute video—it will blow your mind!

It was another fabulous Family Faith Night at St. Mary Catholic Church (Spokane Valley). The topic was how science and the Church are harmonious. Thanks to Marie Bricher for putting so much thought and work toward this event.

Have a Picnic! – Today is National Picnic Day but in my opinion I think it should be pushed back to May, June, or even later in the summer. If there is one thing that can ruin a picnic it is rain and we all know what April is synonymous with (April showers bring…). But I digress. I LOVE picnics. One of the best things about moving back west was the opportunity to have more of them. When we lived in South Carolina, the humidity and high concentration of bugs discouraged eating outside but the state of Washington provides perfect conditions for constant picnicking. Nearly six years ago I provided five tips on how to have a perfect picnic…hope you reference it as you start to plan your summer activities.

The Inland Northwest is perfect for picnics. This is Sloan and her cousins enjoying lunch at one of Spokane’s many parks in 2020.

Face Paint Season – But picnic season isn’t the only season right around the corner. With festivals and outdoor events about to enter high gear, keep your eye out (and your cheeks ready) for face painting opportunities! We entered into the fun this past weekend at the Spring on the Ave event organized by the Sprague Union District in east central Spokane. Although face painting does have many drawbacks for parents (as I wrote about a couple years ago), you can’t deny the happiness it brings to kids.

Beau and Sloan each got their faces painted at the Spring on the Ave event that took place within the Union District in east central Spokane.

Answer the Phone – It has been too long since I shared a meme from my friend Lindsi so let’s put an end to the dry streak. Back in the day, answering the phone was an anxiety-inducing affair and the Russian roulette comparison has merit. Even when Caller I.D. was introduced, my parents naturally refused to invest in it so whenever the landline rang at the Reser household it truly was a major gamble to answer it. With the precision that I screen incoming calls these days, I can’t believe I had the guts to blindly answer the phone back in 1999.

I stole this meme from my friend, Lindsi. How did we have the guts to pick up the phone back in the late 1990s?

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Hope those five topics were to your liking. Thanks for your readership and have a delightful weekend. Don’t Blink.

The Strange Question I Was Asked at the Gym

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The thing about working out at a 24-hour gym during the 3 a.m. – 5 a.m. span is that it’s pretty peaceful. Although I have walked in to find homeless individuals seeking warmth from the cold, most of the time I am either the first one to arrive or I might be joining 1-2 other early morning regulars. As my workout goes on, a few more people circulate in.

Today something out of the ordinary happened.

When I walked in there was someone I had never seen before. On the treadmill was an older gentleman trying to get in some early morning cardio. Although I did take notice of the new individual, I simply walked past him and went over to the dumbbells to begin my workout. About five minutes later, the guy stopped the treadmill and exited the gym.

This picture of the Snap Fitness (Ponderosa Village) that I exercise at gives you an idea of where the gentleman was at and where I was at. He was on one of the middle treadmills while I was at the dumbbell station in front of the mirror.

I knew the guy left because I could see him exit out of my periphery and I heard the door shut. As I continued to work with the weights, I noticed no headlights flashed or engine turned after the man had left (I usually subconsciously take notes of gym-goers pulling out in their vehicles upon exit).

Well, two minutes after his initial departure, I knew why I didn’t register any evidence of him leaving the parking lot.

The unmistakable click of the entrance door opening upon an access card tap forced my periphery back to the front of the gym. The guy was walking back in.

Still keeping tabs on the figure walking slowly toward me from the corner of my eye, I ended up turning to face him once he got about 10 feet from me.

I waited for him to talk.

Nervous and jumbled, he asked me the following question: Are you feeling strong negative emotional thoughts?

I was caught off guard for a moment. The question from the bald, bespectacled man was seemingly out of left field. In the heat of the moment, I determined that he was asking me if I was prone to self-harm.

Maybe just five seconds after he asked the question, I gave him an answer:

“No. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ I have been protected from that.”

Although my response probably wasn’t eloquent, it was firm and I felt totally confident saying it. The man seemed a little take aback as he registered what I said. After about 10 seconds he said, “Oh, okay, good.”

I did follow with why he asked me that question. He said something along the lines of “I just felt like I needed to come ask you.” He then turned around and walked away.

As he left, I said the following words with complete sincerity to him:

“Thanks for asking.”

I am still a little puzzled and uneased about why he asked me such a seemingly strange question. It is true, I carry an all-business type demeanor at the gym, so perhaps my focus was translated as a cry for help? Or maybe he was trying to evangelize to me and was looking for an opening. I am at a loss.

My plan is to speak with him again if we have a re-encounter. Perhaps I should just leave it be but maybe his question about my mental state was really a referendum on his own mental state. Or perhaps he is just a genuine guy who cares about others. In that case, I should probably be his friend.

As I did when I took my turn on the treadmill later that morning and as I will do again tonight, I will be praying for him. Don’t Blink.

Unorganized But Organized

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My wife likes to call me the dumbest smart person she knows. I apparently possess intelligence in a wide array of topics but when it comes to some areas of common sense and life skills, I am definitely not scoring straight A’s.

There is another paradox that also fits me well: I am a very unorganized organized person.

I am organized outwardly but if you took a dive into my computer it would seem like chaos to you. Behind me are my three work screens with different browsers open with numerous tabs active on each one.

Yes, I wrote that correctly. An unorganized organized person.

People will vouch for me that on the outside I am a very organized individual. I lead my team in an organized fashion, my days are guided by checklists, my presentations are strategically put together, and my thoughts come out in a logical manner.

However, the systems and resources I use to project an organized outward presence are nothing short of a complete cluster.

My computer is a mess. My desktop is usually 90% covered by folders, icons, and screenshots. Even though the folders have names, good luck if the content inside those folders is exclusive to what the name implies. The task bar is a jungle of program icons each with a half dozen files open at one time.

Hover over my internet browser and prepare for a major scare. Oh wait, hover over any of my multiple internet browsers and prepare for a major scare because I don’t just use just Chrome—I also use Mozilla and Edge on a daily basis. Anyway, select any of those browsers and you will see anywhere from 10 – 40 browser tabs open at once.

Now, if you dare, go to my email. You will discover an inbox of 24,441 emails with 4,394 of them unread. Okay, I know that sounds really bad, but I promise the unread ones are either spam/notification emails or Outlook decided not to check one as “read” after I did dutifully select it and scan the content.

Again, this seemingly chaotic state of my digital work affairs might seem to suggest that there is no way I could be functional but I think most people would admit that is not the case.

That doesn’t mean they don’t get anxiety when I am running a meeting from my computer. There is one particular standing meeting I oversee where I frequently switch from a spreadsheet to my internet browser and those in attendance are usually astounded (aka mortified) at my on-screen working conditions.

I tell them it is all under control.

Of course my “unorganized organized” approach manifests itself at home, too. That is for another blog post but to put it simply, Sidney calls me a lowkey hoarder. I defend myself by saying that I am simply effective at utilizing cardboard boxes and junk drawers.

Brent Reser: A man of paradoxes.

Don’t Blink.