For now, I’m embracing the holiday season, grateful for the good news, and pretending I’ll actually follow my doctor’s advice about exercise. Life’s not perfect, but it’s good—and that’s more than enough to celebrate.
One of my tests this week was a full MRI of my heart. I thought I'd done one of these before, but that must have been a CT Scan. I thought it’d be quick—maybe a minute or two. Then, five minutes in, I was still trapped in the tube, and panic crept up like a bad punchline. They’d given me an emergency bubble to squeeze, which I initially thought was overkill. Turns out, I was gripping it like my life depended on it in no time.
Embarrassed after they pulled me out, I asked the technicians how much longer would it take? When they said, “30 to 45 minutes,” I nearly lost it. After a quick pep talk and some deep breaths, I told them to send me back in. Physically, it was uncomfortable—my arm hurt, my hand went numb, and I felt like a sardine in a can. But mentally? That was the real fight.
I cycled through stress techniques and prayers, but the thing that saved me? Karaoke. I silently sang Born to Be Wild, What a Wonderful World, and Let’s Go Crazy on repeat, clinging to the songs like a lifeline. When it was finally over, I was grateful—not just for the good results, but for surviving 45 minutes in the ultimate test of mental endurance. And yes, I’ll be adding “karaoke under duress” to my resume.
Driving back from Mayo Clinic, winter decided to make an entrance with snow, ice, and a truck spinning out right in front of us. Luckily, we made it home safe, though the roads were a bit of a circus. I read the next day there 577 accidents throughout the state of Minnesota that evening. The snow’s already gone, but it was a reminder that Minnesota’s winter shenanigans are just warming up.
Buckle up—it’s going to be a ride.
Miss Sheri and I were lucky enough to score advanced screening tickets for Gladiator II before its release. While the original film was a gritty masterpiece that made you feel the dust and blood of the Colosseum, this sequel cranks up the spectacle to an almost absurd level. Think vicious monkeys and sharks in the arena—it’s a bit much, but somehow still works. Sure, it’s over the top, but for a couple of hours, you’re back in the days of the Roman Empire, soaking in the chaos and drama. If you loved the first movie, this one’s a wild ride worth taking.
Ever wonder if AI could help make you smarter with your money? Earlier this year, I let ChatGPT inspire me to dive into quantum computing stocks, turning $6,000 into nearly $11,000 in eight months. No, this isn’t a pitch or a get-rich-quick scheme—just a fun, wild experiment that paid off. I’m sharing the full story because it’s proof that with curiosity, guts, and a little help from technology, we can explore amazing opportunities.
Check it out here: The ChatGPT Investment Experiment: How I Nearly Doubled My Money.
@toddswank Excited to be at an advanced screening for Gladiator 2! #gladiatorIImn ♬ Gladiator Available on Digital - Paramount Pictures
