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9:27 AM, Sunday, September 28th, 2025:   Holy shit.   If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s Vienna’s birthday, there would be 2, (yes TWO) entries total this month. That hasn’t happened in 25 years. I have entered a new world man. This is crazy.   So, uhm, like 3 weeks have passed and my entire life’s focus is completely upside down. Now, let me say this publicly: VIRTUAL PRESENCE IS STILL MY JOB. I think I’m saying that to Hef who is still trying to get meetings and push this because he’s a badass. I had a meeting a couple weeks ago, I’m still certain this will work - the shit we shot for the Raiders was better than I ever could’ve dreamed (though I’ll admit after that heartbreaking loss to Chicago today - I was slightly relieved I didn’t have to put a camera in Pete’s face) and there’s still avenues to pursue…   …but I have painstakingly recreated and produced 126 songs from the past quarter century of The Journey and tomorrow will attempt to start performing them live to the camera for a new project. One I will announce with a video on October 9th, my 50th birthday. I’m gonna save entries until then because 126 is a fucking lot. And guys, some of them are SOOOO good. I'll just have to give up my “100 entries a year” rule for awhile. I'll probably work my way back down by 2030 to averaging 100 a year. So yeah, that’s why this month is empty... and I guess this entry is locked until 10/9... though no one reads this shit anymore - so fuck it, I'll leave it as a nice little easter egg to anyone who stumbles on this a couple weeks early.   HOWEVER - one VIENNA KONTRAS IS A TEENAGER. Video time... and, well, a kind of different video...       Whew. I didn't mean that to be so dramatic, I was kinda just making up the voice over as I went along and it all just kinda hit me. I guess that's The Journey...   Vienna,   I hope this video makes more sense to you in a few decades. Now of course I'm still taking video of birthdays and Christmas and excursions, etc... that's not what I was saying - but I will admit that since middle school? I've really wanted to let you just be you. Man I still can't find the right words for this... it just doesn't feel right to document your life in the same way. Almost like if MY dad was doing a journey and also documenting mine... He does a year end page and of course updates everything - kinda like a big Christmas card. I'm not there yet of course (LOL) but it just feels like the right time to let you fly a bit and cheer from the sidelines.   NOW - between you and me however, I fucking adore the fact that you come in from school and tell me all the cool shit that happened and I most definitely DON'T WANT THAT TO STOP. But I don't want to record it. Ya know? Like, when I have life changing moments personally, I document them - I can't do that shit at your pace kid... a middle-schooler's life changes HOURLY. I just want to be part of it - I feel absolutely blessed to be a witness to it and give any advice where I can - but as you find out more and more? My advice is usually: (you have to figure this one out for yourself). GOD does that drive you nuts? I'm so sorry. Please understand that I'm trying to counter-balance mama... I think you need both sides to these things you know? I'm obviously gonna be the guy who pushes you to be more than you think you can be. That's just at the core of who I am - and I also just want to prepare you for a world that is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked. I mean... girl? This shit is CRAY-CRAY. You are going to need to be SELF-RELIANT in a way I'm not sure any other generation has ever been. The rules are all gone, the path to carve your life out is now COMPLETELY up-in-the-air... all that means is you need to be a problem solver and you need to do as much as you possibly can without any help from anyone.   (i will obviously still help you)   Anyway, I'm rambling. I'm good at that. I love you. You're a total and complete badass and goodness - you get braces and then turn 13 and then almost look me in the eye and VOILA: you're a new person.   Fuckin' wild, it is. Happy birthday, hon.   Dad