Life comes at you fast sometimes. A month ago, it was the middle of April, the trees were starting to bud, the weather was getting warmer. There were the afternoons, every now and then, where one could sit on the deck and catch some rays. Restaurants and bars were open, albeit with mask mandates and social distancing rules... friends could come over, in limited numbers for dinner and drinks. There was hope that summer might almost be normal. Then, at least in my little part of the world, the other shoe dropped. The third wave of COVID-19 hit Nova Scotia hard. The brakes were slammed. Plans had to be canceled and contingency plans had to be made. A year, almost exactly, since the province first locked down, we were in a lockdown again. It wasn't February, but we all felt like Bill Murray. That sound you heard the last week of April was the collective bemoan of all Nova Scotians. Sigh, here we go again.
The last week of April was also when I started school. Now, lockdowns and isolation are really not all that bad for a student. Being shut in, forced to avoid bars, friends, and travel, are a sure-fire way to focus someone on their studies... however, if said student is also a dad of three daughters, and works, part-time as a digital marketing consultant, a locked-down house can be a little overwhelming. And yet, I endured. I aced the first introductory course. I flew through my second course, although I did flame out a little bit towards the end. Studying with a three-year-old attached to one's hip can wear a fella down. I have been able to keep my marks up, even if it is difficult to stick to a set schedule. After 3 weeks of intense daddy-ing, things have settled back into a bit of a routine. My older daughters are back in school in New Brunswick, my youngest is back in her routine. Throughout it all I was able to stay ahead of the game, I plan to stay there. Not to be braggadocious, but I damn, I just kicked some butt.
I have proven to myself that I can excel at my studies, offer quality consulting at work, and be a great dad and partner at home. Those are the goals I have set for myself. As for the Digital Lane, it is still very much alive. It is the long-term goal. All I am doing now is leading to the future success of the Digital Lane. The blog will be my outlet. A journal of my journey. Thank you for reading and supporting that journey. Your support is much appreciated.
Things are only going to get better.
The buds have turned to leaves.
The grass is just as green in my yard.
Summer is here!
Enjoy it!
