When Obligations Outweigh Living Life

We all choose our paths, and those choices come with trade-offs. For me, I went from a career in law enforcement to running a restaurant. Both demanded complete dedication. Both swallowed my time whole. Neither left much room for what people call “living life to the fullest.”

Then, of course, life piles on extras. Maybe you start a family, get a dog, or just try to hold it all together day by day. Suddenly, travel and vacations don’t just feel hard, they feel impossible.

And yet, some people do it. They hop on planes, check off bucket list destinations, and come home with suntans and hundreds of social media posts. Honestly? I have no idea how. Because even if you carve out the time, there’s always the looming question: Can you even afford it?

That’s where career choice bites you. I chose service. I chose careers where the money doesn’t exactly overflow. There were no massive bonuses, profit-sharing perks, or cushy work-from-home jobs with commissions. Just honest work. Long hours. Small margins. And a paycheck that keeps the lights on.

If I walked away today, just dropped it all to finally live, I’d have about $40,000 to my name. That doesn’t buy freedom. That doesn’t buy a retirement. That barely buys breathing room.

So instead of booking flights to see the places I’ve dreamed about, I keep imagining. Instead of crossing items off the bucket list, I keep the list in my head, tucked away between late nights and early mornings.

This is the life I chose. The one that pays the bills but also steals the years. And sometimes, when I’m up at night, I wonder what would’ve happened if I’d picked differently. If I’d chosen a path that gave me not just a paycheck, but freedom.

Because deep down, don’t we all deserve to live more than we work?

“When ‘Hope’ Sends WV’s Tax Dollars to Silicon Valley”

Public Schools Pay the Price for West Virginia’s “Hope”

Some alarming new info arises regarding the Hope Scholarship.

Dining out on West Virginia’s dime has taken a strange new twist: Our tax dollars aren’t feeding kids in classrooms anymore. They’re feeding a California tech company.

Yep, as of this month, the Hope Scholarship can be spent on Outschool, a San Francisco-based online platform that offers classes in everything from coding to “self-esteem skills.” Because nothing screams “strong public education” like sending our kids on a Zoom call with a teacher who doesn’t even know where Weirton, WV is on a map.

How Did We Get Here?

The Hope Scholarship was sold as “school choice.” A way for families to tailor education to their child’s needs. Sounds noble, right? Except here’s what it’s become:

• A pipeline funneling West Virginia tax dollars straight out of state.

• Public schools losing thousands of dollars for every student who exits.

• A shiny new way to turn scholarship money into online “Learning Passports” that max out at $500 per kid….. because apparently what our kids need most is a California-based class in “World Languages for Fun.”

This isn’t Hope. This is a slow bleed.

The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They May Make You Cry)

Nearly 19,000 students are enrolled this year, siphoning off millions from public classrooms. Next year’s budget for Hope? $100 million. By 2027, once the program goes universal, the projection is a mind-blowing $300 million annually.

https://westvirginiawatch.com/2025/08/15/california-online-learning-company-can-receive-wvs-hope-scholarship-school-voucher-funds/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Three. Hundred. Million. Dollars.

From one WV teacher:

“100 million dollars leaving the state for ‘education purposes’ along with the 41,000 residents that leave the state for better opportunities each year. The goal is to keep our children, families and graduates here. So why are we helping by expediting the moving process? When we funnel money to other states what WV is saying is WV isn’t good enough. Spend the money here, fund our education system and place children as our priority. WV is great.”

Imagine the teacher raises, new hires, updated textbooks, and working air conditioners that could buy. Instead, California is cashing in.

“And don’t even get us started on WV PEIA. If we had that money, maybe we wouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail just to get decent insurance coverage.”

The Spin We’re Being Sold

State Treasurer Larry Pack says it’s about “empowering parents.” Cute. Because nothing says empowerment like a McDowell County school praying for enough pencils while Hope funds are paying for “mindfulness dance sessions” online.

https://westvirginiawatch.com/2025/08/15/california-online-learning-company-can-receive-wvs-hope-scholarship-school-voucher-funds/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Why is this a Problem?

The Pitch

• “School choice empowers families.”

• “We’re investing in education.”

• “It’s about individualized learning.”

The Reality

• Public schools are left with fewer students, fewer dollars, and bigger holes to patch.

• No, we’re investing in California tech companies.

• Sure, but at the cost of gutted classrooms, underpaid teachers, and rural kids left in the dust.

West Virginia doesn’t need Outschool. We need our schools. We need real teachers, real resources, and real investment in the classrooms down the street not a shiny California export with a nice website and a checkout button.

So the next time politicians brag about “Hope,” remember: hope is supposed to build something better here, not bankroll electives in Silicon Valley.

“Turns out, Hope isn’t staying in West Virginia classrooms. It’s booking a one-way ticket to California—with your tax dollars picking up the tab.”

“Hope” Warning Label:

Using the Hope Scholarship may cause public school collapse, rising teacher frustration, and your tax dollars boarding a one-way flight to California. Consult your conscience before applying.

ADEQUATE HELP

Working in chaos? That’s supposed to be fun. Embrace the suck, find your rhythm, and grind it out. Me? I love it. When I first started out, I fed off the energy of the people around me. The pace, the noise, the hustle…. it fueled me.

But today’s workforce? Man, it feels different. Too many can’t (or won’t) handle the grind. My energy is up, I’m ready to roll, but I look around and see folks ducking out, dragging their feet, or worse, glued to their phones.

Here’s the deal: I don’t ask for much. I don’t expect perfection. What I do expect is your full effort while you’re on the clock. Not texting. Not scrolling Facebook. Not hiding out in the walk-in cooler like it’s a safehouse from reality. Your presence is demanded five days a week…

For the few hours you’re here, I’m asking for one thing: give me your 100%. Respect the job. Respect the team. Respect yourself.

Adequate help, that’s it. Not superhuman. Not perfection. Just show up, give your best, and make the grind easier instead of harder. Because when everyone’s locked in? That chaos becomes rhythm. And that rhythm? That’s where the magic happens.

Should I Stay or Should I Go: My Life’s Stress Anthem

If my life had a theme song right now, it would be The Clash blasting in the background with Should I Stay or Should I Go. Except instead of a punk band yelling the lyrics, it’s just me, standing in my kitchen, staring at decisions that seem bigger than life itself.

“Should I stay or should I go now?”

That’s not just a lyric, it’s the soundtrack to every damn choice I make. Do I stay in comfort or go chase something bigger? Do I hold onto stress like it’s some twisted security blanket, or finally let it go before it eats me alive?

Commitment is tricky. Owning a restaurant, running a business, trying to make time for myself… it all demands that I stay. Stay focused. Stay committed. Stay up late working when my brain is screaming for sleep. But there’s always that voice in the back of my head saying, “Go. Walk away. Start fresh. Find something easier.”

The stress comes from being stuck in the middle. Staying feels like grinding gears, going feels like freefalling. And the worst part? Every decision comes with its own price tag. Like the lyrics say:

“If I go, there will be trouble… and if I stay it will be double.”

That’s it. That’s my life. Go? Trouble. Stay? Double. Either way, stress doesn’t pack up and leave, it just moves into a different room of my house. At work, it’s trying to manage people who don’t wake up everyday wanting to make this business better. At home, it’s a jungle for the front yard because I haven’t had time to cut the lawn in over three weeks, drywall that’s falling apart and splitting at the seams like a California fault line, and a new electrical problem 200 stories above my pay grade, oh and add the raccoon family living rent free in my chimney. Might as well charge admission and run my home like a zoo!

But here’s the thing: stress and commitment aren’t enemies. Stress is a reminder that what I’m doing matters. Commitment is the anchor that keeps me from drifting into chaos. Maybe the real question isn’t should I stay or should I go, but how do I stay without losing myself?

Maybe the trick is learning to dance with stress instead of letting it stomp all over me. To commit not just to the grind, but to myself. To remind myself that the song is mine to play… volume button and all. (No matter who thinks it’s too loud)

So yeah, I’ll stay. But not as a prisoner of stress. I’ll stay because I choose to, because I believe in what I’m building. And when the chaos gets too loud, I’ll find a way to turn into the rhythm.

Because if music has taught us anything, the greatest songs were created in the depths of stress and chaos.

FOR NOW, I”LL STAY….

“God’s Plan”… Or Your Plan?

I’ve been seeing a lot of posts lately about people wondering what God’s plan is for them, or crediting (or blaming) every twist in their life on some mysterious divine roadmap.

But, hear me out….. what if there is no plan? Not trying to start a holy war amongst friends, but….

What if there’s no cosmic blueprint with your name on it, no puppet strings pulling you toward success or failure? What if you are the one holding the pen, writing your own damn story?

It takes more than prayer and patience to build the life you want. It takes thought, desire, and a whole lot of trust in yourself. You want a better job? Apply. Want to get healthier? Put in the work. Want to find love? Go where the people are and take a shot.

To seriously believe that a higher power made you fail or made you succeed, that’s pure hokum. If you believe God is paving the way for you, fine… but at some point, you have to step off the prayer rug, put on some boots, and start walking. Otherwise, you’ll eventually become a pile of dust waiting for that sign!

Because ultimately?

It’s not divine intervention that gets you there.

It’s you.

Patio Potential: Why Ours Isn’t Working… and Our Attempt to Bring It to Life

Let’s be real for a second, our patio is ok. It’s got sturdy tables, comfy chairs, big umbrellas with our logo, and a front-row seat to a beautiful West Virginia backdrop. But here’s the hard truth… nice isn’t enough.

Right now, our patio is like that friend who has all the right clothes but never gets invited to the party because they just stand in the corner sipping water. It’s clean, it’s ready, but it’s missing that spark…. in all seriousness it’s a corner of the parking lot and the vibe isn’t really hitting! The thing that makes people want to be here, laugh here, and post about it online, doesn’t really exist YET!

So, why isn’t it working?

1. There’s No “Scene” (Open to Suggestions)

People are drawn to energy. A packed patio makes more people want to sit outside. An empty one… not so much. If there’s no live music, no games, (we had games, the kids broke them all) no conversation flowing, it’s easy for folks to just choose the table inside.

2. We’re Not Creating FOMO

Social media should be showing people what they’re missing. If the only thing they see online is a picture of an empty table, they’ll assume it’s quiet and skip it.

3. The Experience Doesn’t Feel Different

If eating outside feels exactly the same as eating inside (just with more sunlight), people will pick comfort over heat, wind, or bugs. The patio has to offer something special.

How We’re Going to Change That( Or at least attempt change)

Alright, enough with the diagnosis…. here’s the cure.

Step 1: Make It Look Alive

String lights, colorful flowers, maybe a firepit when the nights cool down. Outdoor games like ring toss (again) or giant Jenga to keep the atmosphere casual and fun. We want people driving by to see action and think, “What’s going on over there?”

Step 2: Social Media FOMO

We’ll start posting videos of laughter, clinking glasses, and sizzling food coming straight off the grill. Not stock photos — real people, real fun. We’ll tag locals, drop event invites, and make sure every picture says, You should be here.

Step 3: Partner Up

Local breweries & distilleries for some tap take overs and tastings could help.

The Goal

We want Basil’s patio to be the place people think of first when the weather is good. A space where locals know they’ll see friends, hear music, and get a great meal with a side of fresh air.

Random Thoughts: Caffeinated and Confused

First off , can someone explain to me why hot coffee left out becomes cold… but cold water left out becomes warm?

Like… pick a side, physics.

Science will probably tell me it’s “heat transfer” or “thermodynamics” or some other boring term that sounds like a high school class I slept through. But in my head, it’s just coffee and water being dramatic.

Speaking of things that don’t make sense… at 18 you’re an adult. You can pack your bags, move out of your parents’ house, get married, get a job, pay taxes, sign contracts, and fully run your own household.

But here’s the kicker …. you still can’t buy a beer to put in your fridge or a handgun to protect that home.

So let’s get this straight:

You can be legally kicked out. You can legally be broke from bills. You can legally get married and divorced twice in the same year. But you can’t legally have a Miller Lite while holding the Glock you also can’t legally have.

We either need to:

Let 18-year-olds have all the “adult” perks….. beer, bourbon, and Berettas. Or Admit that they’re not fully adults until 21 and stop pretending otherwise.

Here’s where it gets even dumber.

A police department can hire an 18-year-old, hand them a gun, send them to the academy, and throw them on the streets to “protect and serve.”

So… as a citizen you can’t have a handgun under 21, but as a cop you can…. because, apparently, a badge overrides the state law?

So if an incident happens and an under-21 officer has to discharge their firearm, how exactly is that legal?

Oh, right… because “reasons.”

This country has some truly dumb, contradictory rules.

And today… I’m just confused by them all.

Semi-Prepper Emergency Preparedness Plan

Create an emergency preparedness plan.

AKA “How to survive storms, blackouts, and the occasional apocalypse without losing your cool… or your snacks.”

1. Start with the Basics:

The Stuff You’ll Actually Use

Think of this as your “bare minimum to not be a cautionary news story” kit.

Water – One gallon per person per day. (Or at least that’s what all the oils say) You can’t live on coffee and beer alone. (Trust me, I’ve tried.)

Food – Canned goods, rice, beans, and snacks that won’t morph into biohazards before you eat them. (I store a few items that can get me through 72 hours to 4 weeks, pending emergency)

First-aid kit – Bandages, antiseptic, pain meds, and your prescription meds. Because nothing says “bad day” like running out of blood pressure pills in the middle of a blackout. (I use MyMedic kits, one in each vehicle and with my Go Bag)

Light & power – Flashlights, batteries, solar chargers, and a crank radio so you can pretend you’re in a 1940s disaster movie. (Jackery Solar generator and two crank radios for the more serious disaster)

2. SHTF Upgrades — When It’s More Than a Bad Storm

This is when you step into “competent neighbor” territory.

Self-defense – Pepper spray, a baseball bat, or the look you give when someone asks if you’ve got extra toilet paper. (We all know I’ll have a Glock on my hip and an SMG at the ready)

Extra fuel – Gas for your car or generator. Stored safely… not next to your BBQ propane tank. Cash – Small bills. Card readers will ghost you when the power’s out. Maps – Actual paper ones. Google Maps doesn’t work when the towers are down. (I keep a few different maps of different territories, just in case)

3. Oh Crap, It’s Serious — The Prepper Starter Pack

We’re not full bunker yet, but we’re on the off-ramp.

Water filter/purification tablets – Pond water is not “infused.” Multi-tool – Invest in one that doesn’t fold in half the first time you use it. Portable shelter – Tent, tarp, or something you can rig between two trees like a wilderness MacGyver. Clothes for all seasons – Layers in winter, breathable gear in summer. Because sweat + apocalypse = bad combo. Worst case scenario I have iodine tablets as well)

4. The Mental Game

Because survival isn’t just about gear — it’s about not panicking when things get weird. (Life isn’t Hollywood, there isn’t a script and retakes… prepare mentally as well as physically)

Have Plan B (and C) — Where to meet if phones die. Practice your “grab-and-go” drill — if you can’t be out the door in 10 minutes, you’re doing it wrong. Learn one skill that doesn’t involve Wi-Fi: starting a fire, growing food, or using a map without yelling at it.

5. The Bonus Prepper Flex — For When You’re the Hero of the Neighborhood

These aren’t necessary, but they make you legendary.

Barter items – Coffee, alcohol, chocolate, ammo, duct tape. (The universal currency.) Backup cooking – Camping stove, rocket stove, or a coffee can with questionable engineering. Entertainment – Deck of cards, books, or a harmonica. The apocalypse is long; you’ll need hobbies.

My Final Words…..

You don’t need a full underground bunker or a pet raccoon named Bandit to be prepared. But you do want to be the guy or lady, people come to for help… not the one trading their dog for a can of soup three days in.

Stock smart, stay ready, and keep a little humor in your go-bag. Because the day you lose your laugh is the day you’re just surviving — not living.

Semper Paratus

Starting a Business isn’t Always What it Seems

Starting a business sounds sexy. You’ve got the vision, the ideas, the late-night “this is gonna be huge” moments.

But here’s the cold truth, ideas are cheap, execution is where most people crash and burn.

Rule #1: Don’t Dive in Head First

I don’t care how good your idea is. Slow. Down.

Do your research. Know your market. Have your finances, systems, and people ready before you open those doors.

When day one hits, you should have:

Every moving part of your business trained and ready. A clear vision everyone understands and commits to. No surprises when it comes to inventory, staffing, or operations.

Because if your business needs a team and your team isn’t on the same page, you’re already sinking.

Rule #2: Communication Is Non-Negotiable

If you have multiple managers, communication is your life line. Daytime and nighttime supervisors can’t be ships passing in the night…. they need to share what’s happening and when.

Set regular team meetings. Weekly or monthly, whatever your operation demands….. and make them count.

Review your finances. Identify what’s making money and what’s bleeding it. Ask where the team needs help.

Rule #3: Small Businesses Fail Where Big Ones Succeed

Large corporations have systems. They’ve got layers of communication and accountability.

Small businesses? Too often it’s chaos and crossed wires.

Before you even think about opening, create a vision board, your “north star.” Policies & procedures, your playbook for daily operations.

One rogue employee doing their own thing can cause a ripple that turns into a tidal wave of problems.

Rule #4: No Freelancers in the Trenches

I’m not talking about the people you hire from Indeed or Fiverr.

I’m talking about the “I know a better way” employees who ignore your systems. Even managers have to be on board with your system.

If you’ve got a set way things should be done, follow it to the letter. Deviations kill consistency, and inconsistency kills customer trust.

Rule #5: Presence Matters

Some businesses can run themselves. Most can’t.

Be there. Watch your business. Guide your team.

Team building and training aren’t optional, they’re survival skills.

Rule #6: Partners Can Make or Break You

Partnerships aren’t bad. But they require absolute compatibility, clear agreements, and constant communication.

If your partners, investors, or managers don’t share your vision, you’re not the owner anymore…. you’re just another employee with a title.

The American Dream Comes with Nightmares

Your business is your baby. It’s late nights, early mornings, and constant problem-solving.

If your team doesn’t support you, if your systems aren’t tight, if your leadership isn’t present, the dream turns into a nightmare real quick.

Success isn’t about the idea. It’s about the grind, the systems, and the people who believe in them as much as you do. Implementation of your ideas is the key to any successful business!