Field Notes

A Win Is a Win

I needed a win.

Nothing big. Just something.

Everything felt like it was either stalled or slipping.

One of those stretches where nothing is really wrong, but nothing is really working either.

So I went to a local spot and did their hot dog challenge.

Eat a bunch of different hot dogs. That's it.

They give you a month. If you finish, you get a t-shirt and your picture on the wall.

Simple.

Something with a clear start and a clear end.

No emails. No waiting. No back and forth.

And when it was over, that was it.

They handed me a t-shirt that said "Biggest Wiener."

Took my picture.

Now it's up on the wall, in the hallway by the bathroom.

You'd miss it if you weren't looking.

Which feels about right.

No celebration. No real story.

Just done.

And for a minute, it felt good.

Not because it mattered.

Because I followed through.

That's the part that's been hard.

Not ideas. Not plans.

Just finishing something.

It reminded me that I can.

Even if it's something small.

A win is a win.

Still Dad