Personal Ramblings of Zachary Jewell

Been a while since I wrote up one of these. A lot has happened and a number of big changes in life. I started BJJ at a new gym, which has been a lot of fun. Started running some. I started lifting more consistently as well. Changing routines for the better overall. Probably the biggest was getting laid off from my day job. That hurt, but I look at it as a positive.

An Outside Weekend in Vermont

My parents were away for a couple of weeks in Ireland. A trip I had thought about tagging along for, but things were so in flux at work that I decided that was not the best idea. Back in the fall, they had a load of trees cut down, and the guy stacked up the wood. After a couple of conversations, I said that the wood is perfect for their wood stove. I probably have a winter or two’s worth of wood. I just needed to be moved up the hill and processed. I just happened to have bought a new axe for camping purposes. I pushed the wood up a hill and stacked it. It was just hard work. I felt good to be away from screens and the internet.

Coming Up

Mostly job search and refining and learning skills. This whole AI thing pretty big huh? Mostly job searching and looking at what is next and what I want. I have spent a lot of time working and learning a bunch of skills that end up being dead ends or whatever so I am refocusing and finding myself and my style again. Who am I in 2026 and beyond?

Hiking Trips

I am working on continuing my NH48 Quest. I have a good chunk started and a number of hard hikes ahead of me but I am going to truck along. The Lincoln Woods trailhead closure throws a HUGE wrench into a number of hikes I wanted to do this year so that sucks. I have plenty of others to tackle at least. Franconia ridge anyone? I also am planning my yearly Mt Washington hike as well.

Reading

Still working on rereading the Dune series. I need to make more time for reading rather than watching mindless TV. Lay off threw this habit around some.

Currently Reading: God Emperor of Dune

Movies

Nothing new here. I did rewatch Bloodsport recently. Very dumb but very fun.

Video Games

Overall I have slowly been losing interest in a lot of games. I want something I can chip away at. So RPGs have been the main consumption lately.

World of Warcraft: Midnight - New expansion. A lot of very fun systems and content they added. I really enjoy the revamped zones. The Blizzard art team knocked this out of the park as they usually do. Fun to log in and do my "chores"

Cyberpunk: 2077 - Decided this needed a new play through after watching Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Was going to try to make some new choices but largely most are the same. A few different choices here and there. Interacting with systems more. Very fun game that makes me laugh here and there.