Life is a Project

  🏠 From Bedroom to Bistro: Making Magic During My Kitchen Demo Renovation Rule #1: Improvise with flair. When I decided to demo my kitchen and install new tile flooring in the main level of my house, I knew I'd be trading convenience for creativity. What I didn’t expect was how charmingly chaotic my workaround would become: I turned one of my upstairs bedrooms into a temporary kitchen.  Yes, a room that should be hosting guest beds and writing desks now hosts my coffee maker , microwave , and a small prep station that would make any food truck chef proud. Another key consideration is that it has been hot; on several days there have been heat warning days. Having a dedicated tiny refrigerator with sparking water, water filter pitcher , and having a table top icemaker has been great for all the water breaks I need when smashing soffit or prying up carpet strips. Grace and gratitude have also become essential.  With only my sister working on the project with me when sh...

  My Four Acts of Creation: From Lawn Care to Literature We often compartmentalize our lives, but what if every action, no matter how disparate, is part of a larger creative process? I've found that my most profound work emerges from a blend of seemingly unrelated activities, each a crucial "act" in the ongoing drama of my days. Act I: The Grass Grows Anyway  Mowing as Meditation The morning hum of the mower reminds me: some things won’t wait. The lawn doesn’t care about deadlines, chapter edits, or browser tabs left open. It insists on presence—a meditation disguised as labor. With every pass, I make space to think, to strip away the noise. Green clippings, fresh air, a clear line cut through chaos. It’s not just maintenance; it’s intention.  Each strip of grass removed, an opportunity to just be. Act II: Circuits and Sentience AI - Essential!!! Later, I explore the contours of machine learning and marketing tools. I’m not chasing trends—I’m deciphering the future. What ...

  Life as a Project : Balance and Kindness are Key Life is anything but predictable. It’s full of unexpected twists, deadlines, and the constant challenge of keeping all the plates spinning. For me, that means juggling multiple professional, creative, and personal endeavors—all while ensuring my dog gets the care he needs. Academia: Shaping Minds and Futures Teaching at the University of Arizona continues to be a rewarding experience. My students bring fresh perspectives and curiosity to the cybersecurity field, making every discussion engaging and dynamic. Watching them grow into critical thinkers and problem solvers reminds me why I advocate for systemic change in the industry—because the future needs adaptable, forward-thinking professionals. Publishing & Writing: A Labor of Love Another major endeavor is publishing the Journal for the  Military Cyber Professionals Association . This project represents more than just technical discourse—it’s an effort to push cyber...

  When a massive storm swept through the Michiana area, I found myself facing a challenge I hadn't anticipated—power outages that threatened to disrupt finals week for my students. As a displaced federal employee and author of Life is a Project , I knew I had to act quickly to ensure they wouldn’t be negatively impacted. Having recently moved from Arlington, VA, to Gary, IN, I hadn’t yet stocked up on emergency supplies. At first, I worked out of a local café and a McDonald’s, grading discussions and keeping up with my responsibilities. But as the outage stretched on, I realized I needed a more sustainable solution. Thinking strategically, I turned to my Marriott rewards—mindful of my strict budget—and booked a hotel with full-size refrigerator, allowing me to take my food from home and prevent it from spoiling while maintaining a functional workspace. Fortunately, I had already purchased a pink igloo cooler. This experience reinforced everything I believe about life as a proj...

Moving into a New Home: The Excitement, the Calls, and the Quest for Reliable Internet Tomorrow is the big day—closing on my new house! The excitement is off the charts, but so is my to-do list. One of the key tasks: getting all my utilities transferred and set up. While I expected a seamless digital process, I’ve been caught off guard by the fact that some providers still require a good old-fashioned phone call to complete the transfer. This has made me reflect on how much my relationship with phones has changed over the years. Back in the 80s, I could talk for hours, stretching the coiled cord across the room while diving into deep conversations. Now? I avoid phone calls like they’re an unnecessary obstacle in my workflow. Funny how times change! The 80s are Calling! One of the most crucial utilities I need to set up is internet service . Unlike decades ago when internet was a luxury, today it’s an absolute necessity—especially when working remotely and teaching online. I’m diving...

 I wish I had posted more during my last DIY Home makeover, but this time I am determined to post more and share my adventures.  The good, the bad, the ugly of a move and home that needs some TLC. I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well on my house closing this Wednesday - please send positive energy my way.  For those that remember my last house it was a charming little brick cape cod in Arlington, VA built in 1939 with original hardwood floors and radiator heat.  My house in Gary, Indiana is a split level house that was built in 1968.  The home has great bones, but the carpets, kitchen, and bath might be original to the home, so lots of opportunities. As I prepare to move I have created a moving checklist and am putting items together based on what I currently have on hand, what I think is in my U-Haul boxes, and what I know I will need immediately on moving in.  The house does has not appliances, so planning on using a makeshift kitchen...