I’ve made a little deal with myself. No games, including online chess, until I’ve completed my courses. It’ll be tough but I really want to make a go of it.

Lucy has enrolled me in an online computer programming school. It looks like the perfect thing for me. All the courses are posted on the website and you're able to go at your own pace. I can log in anytime and work for as long or as short as I like. There is always a tutor online if you have questions. I'm looking forward to being able to spend more time on it come November.

The heat was incredible at work this week, but I still manage to find the joy. However, I've decided to begin working towards a new career in programming. It may take a year or two but becoming a grampa has given me a new drive to pursue some of my latent desires. I've had a lot more success with being present lately.

Lucy is gearing up to try her new online piano lessons this fall. She already has students in Russia and Brazil.

Deep Red wins again. I am improving though. I may have had him in zugzwang at one point, but somewhere I threw away the advantage. I beat some other intermediate level players today.

I'm now a grampa. Ben and Sara gave me pictures of their new addition to the McLean family to put on Oil Seller. The pictures look spectacular on Oil Seller's quality monitor.

Well it's back to work. I won't be spending as much quality time with Oil Seller for a while but I could use a little exercise at this point anyway. My book is coming along well and I hope I can still work on it a bit through the paving season.