28 July 2026
BUSY BUSY BUSY
July has been a surprisingly busy month. I completely missed the Farmer’s Market last weekend because I was tied up working on a handful of online jobs and projects. It’s funny how easy it is to lose track of time when you’re staring at a computer screen trying to build something that might eventually turn into a steady income. One project leads to another, and before I know it, the day is gone.
I’ve also been making a real effort to stream more. I genuinely enjoy it, and I’d like to build a small community around gaming, technology, and whatever else I’m working on. Unfortunately, every time I think, “Maybe I should stream more consistently,” I’m reminded why I haven’t done it as often in the past.
The biggest challenge isn’t the games or the software—it’s the environment. Every clip I’ve tried to save lately has been interrupted by background conversations, televisions, doors opening and closing, or some other random noise. Living in a house with six adults means there is almost never a truly quiet moment. I’ve spent hours tweaking microphone filters, noise gates, compressors, and every audio setting OBS offers, but software can only do so much. It can reduce constant background noise, but it can’t magically erase people talking in another room.
I’ve been looking into upgrading to an XLR microphone, which would almost certainly improve the overall sound quality. The problem is that an XLR microphone isn’t the only purchase. I’d also need an audio interface or mixer to process everything correctly, and by the time it’s all said and done, I’m probably looking at spending $300 or more. Right now, that’s difficult to justify, especially while I’m trying to grow a business from scratch. Maybe next year’s tax refund will make that possible. Until then, I’ll keep researching equipment, watching reviews, and waiting for a really good sale.
Health-wise, things have been a little frustrating.
My diabetes has gotten pretty far out of control recently. My primary doctor referred me to a specialist, and they were incredibly persistent about starting me on insulin. “No” didn’t really seem to be an acceptable answer. I understand where they’re coming from—they’re looking at the numbers and trying to prevent long-term complications—but it still isn’t a decision I wanted to make lightly.
Today, however, I had a bit of a surprise.
My glucose measured 175, which is the lowest reading I’ve seen since sometime last year. That’s still higher than it should be, but considering where I’ve been, it actually felt encouraging.
I suspect I know why.
I skipped lunch today.
Normally that’s not something I’d intentionally do, but today I decided to take a bath. That probably sounds like a simple thing for most people, but because of my disability, taking a bath is anything but simple. Even with assistance, it’s physically exhausting. By the time I’m finished, I usually have just enough energy left to crawl into bed and sleep for a while.
Today I tried to push through that exhaustion and keep working afterward, but it wasn’t easy. The whole process takes a lot out of me, and I think the delayed meal probably played a significant role in why my glucose reading came in lower than usual. It certainly isn’t a healthy strategy for managing diabetes, but it was an interesting observation.
On the business side of things, I’m currently building two different website-based projects.
The first is focused on generating leads in the Twin Cities area. It’s still in the early stages, and I’m continuing to refine how visitors move through the site and eventually become paying customers. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but I think the concept has potential if I can get the marketing right.
The second project is a little different. The idea is to reach out to local businesses whose online presence—or overall curb appeal—could use some improvement. Whether it’s an outdated website, poor search visibility, inconsistent branding, or simply looking neglected online, there are a lot of businesses that could benefit from a professional refresh. The goal isn’t just to point out problems, but to offer practical solutions that help them attract more customers.
Neither project is producing income yet, and realistically I don’t expect either one to become profitable overnight. Businesses take time to build. Websites don’t magically appear on Google, customers don’t instantly start calling, and success usually comes after months of steady work that most people never see.
Still, I feel like I’m moving in the right direction.
Some days it feels like I’m spinning my wheels. Other days I can look back and realize I’ve learned something new, solved another problem, or taken another small step forward. Progress is rarely dramatic—it’s usually a collection of tiny improvements that eventually add up to something meaningful.
So that’s where July stands.
Between trying to stream more, juggling multiple business ideas, working online, dealing with health issues, and just handling everyday life, it’s been a full month. There’s still plenty of work ahead, but I’m hoping that if I keep putting one foot in front of the other, some of these projects will eventually start paying off.
Sometimes progress is slow enough that you don’t notice it day to day. Looking back over the past year, though, I can honestly say I’m farther along than I was then—and that’s enough motivation to keep going.
