My new year's eve

I am present, but have an eye is on 2025

Tomorrow is West Coast Sojourn’s first anniversary, so I made a TikTok about it and have been sharing that minute of content with friends.

Please, get a view:

Correction: This trip actually began in Fresno, with the invaluable support of my platform partner Erica. Then it moseyed up to Tacoma, meandered around the Pacific Northwest before meandering some more around Northern Califorina. There was an Oregon ice storm and a quick run to Vegas. May came and The Sojourn was in Los Angeles, bending time.

The biggest change from September of 2023 was the podcast’s October arrival. After that, what’s most affected the feel of this enterprise is the WCS newsletter moving from Monday to Friday publication. Responding on deadline to weekends of West Coast football last season was incredibly stressful. On a personal level that change was huge.

Of even greater significance? Coming out on Friday nudged the newsletter from recap mode and into a forward direction. Forward is a strength of mine.

Then along comes Body High, a fitness column that’s actually goin’ places. The narrative and aspirational nature of this feature keeps me body-honest. If you knew how much energy I put into keeping this physical show on the road…

I’m surprised at how political this Substack is right now. The political content is something I’m realizing—even as I type—ought to be dialed back. The idea initially was to lean into the weed and sports of my West Coast perspective. Short takes. Sojourn. Sorta Herb Caen meets Chuck Shepherd, but with sports and cannabis.

The intensity of our political times can get me to overreaction.

I’m working on a podcasting upgrade. Veteran podcaster and elementary school buddy and Sojourn guest Don Terrell has inspired me. Look for the new and improved version to come with a few surprising podcast guests.

Let’s be honest: I’m not surprised that I made it to the one-year mark of this project and neither are you. If you’re still reading at this point you almost certainly know how I do. The last 52 weeks were building blocks, on which I plan to make something big.

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