Today was quite the day. It started early with a plumber who discovered my loose faucet was more serious than I thought—serious enough to warrant a full replacement. The apartment needed some work: busted windows, a leaking air conditioner, various things here and there. But now? I'm genuinely comfortable. This place is pretty much my dream spot.
The excitement continued when a bunch of new plants arrived. I've decided against getting a couch; instead, I'm filling the space with grass. So if you're a guest coming over, you're sitting on the grass with me. That's just how I want it.
Work brought some complexity today. One of my clients wasn't thrilled with a project I delivered, which surprised me because I thought I'd nailed it. We talked it through, though, and I'm optimistic we'll find our footing. I genuinely want to be part of this business's success—not just take the work and move on. I don't want them going to another contractor thinking, "I had someone, but I don't know what happened." I'm self-conscious enough that when someone compliments me, I struggle to accept it. That's a weakness of mine, but it pushes me to give my best to everyone.
I also spent time at the beach, which felt good, though leaving was rough. My van has no AC, and the heat is absolutely brutal. I've had this van for years and can't wait to sell it. The beach itself is fine—the walk from where I park a mile away doesn't bother me too much. It's all part of the lifestyle I'm building.
My ideal life is becoming clearer: half the week at work, half the week working from home or from the beach. If I'm not on the beach, I'm in my cute, plant-filled apartment. I'm treating this place as my home base. As I make more money and as my clients recognize my value, I'll be able to venture out further—eventually get an RV, travel, and always have this place to return to.
On the business front, I secured a new client for my sim racing software. I've been running this software for over a year with just one paying client, though they haven't fully committed yet. This new client is different. I can tell he has the right setup, and I know he'll love it. He's opening his business once we get him situated, which means this will be my first real, official client with no beta phase. One-hour sales pitch, done. That's what I need—more clients like that generating passive income.
Finally, I got to spend time with my Street Fighter team. These three guys make me feel successful, honestly. They're an out-of-pocket expense for me, but I'm paying for them to attend a big tournament coming up. We got knocked out of the last tournament, but I love them to bits. They show up, they show out, and I know they've got what it takes. This team makes me feel good.