Rob Sartin - Random thoughts from a random guy

Dissent should not be met with tear gas.

Tell Congress: Don’t silence dissent with tear gas When the village of Broadview, Illinois pleaded with ICE to “stop making war on our community,” ICE responded with threats to bring a “s*** show” to the Chicago suburb. Congressional candidates, clergy, and elected officials were among those peacefully protesting Trump’s immigration crackd...

Well, this break has been far too long. The Portland road trip was amazing. It was such hard work that I never had energy to blog, though I have hundreds of pictures. Immediately upon our return, I had another low blood pressure and syncope incident. I wound up in the hospital for one night. My doctor offered that I could stay for an additional four days (it was Friday night, so I would be stuck there for the weekend before we could run most tests) and run a few more tests that were unlikely to determine a diagnosis, or I could go home and we would continue to investigate....

Second Non Therapy Goal Achieved Well, this break has been far too long. The Portland road trip was amazing. It was such hard work that I never had energy to blog, though I have hundreds of pictures. Immediately upon our return, I…

Long absence. Blog coming soon.

My panelpicker for SXSW is upid appreciate your vote

PanelPicker | SXSW Conference & Festivals PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

Today was pretty drive day with mild adventure. Not a hard drive so no rush to leave, we hit tee road to do the Enchanted Circle, a loop out of Taos. This took us through some beautiful mountains and right past Mount Baldy, on the edge of the Philmont Scout Ranch, which Spencer, Jacob and I have all climbed to 12,441 feet elevation....

Exploring the Enchanted Circle Drive from Taos then on to Moab Today was pretty drive day with mild adventure. Not a hard drive so no rush to leave, we hit tee road to do the Enchanted Circle, a loop out of Taos. This took us through some beautiful mountains a…

This is number two of the three non-therapy, non-work goals with dates set: ✅ Deerfield reunion trip 6/5-11 My niece’s wedding/ road trip to Portland, OR, 7/12-29 Livestrong Challenge 5k , 11/2 We started by waking at 7, finalizing packing, eating, experimenting with ways to load all of our stuff, and hitting the road after 11. The load was challenging: Rachel’s power wheelchair, my manual chair, luggage for four, two CPAPs, extra cushions, pillows and food....

Road Trip! This is number two of the three non-therapy, non-work goals with dates set: ✅ Deerfield reunion trip 6/5-11 My niece’s wedding/ road trip to Portland, OR, 7/12-29 Livestrong Challenge 5k , 11/2 We …

I am really not doing well at this habit. So much happens and so much is just that incremental Groundhog Day suff, I keep feeling like I have nothing new to say. But that's wrong. New things are constantly happening among the backdrop of repeats and marginal improvements. Looking back on the ten days since my Deerfield note, I spent 7 of them recovering my sleep debt from 12.8 hours all the way to zero, and then the last three days adding some back....

Embracing New Experiences in, and out of, Therapy I am really not doing well at this habit. So much happens and so much is just that incremental Groundhog Day suff, I keep feeling like I have nothing new to say. But that’s wrong. New things …

Tried out the EcoRover at McKinney Falls. It's a winner!

McKinney Falls State Park First Time on EcoRover June 25, 2025, first ride on EcoRover at McKinney Falls State Park

I left you hanging there, in the middle of my reunion trip with teasers about the future. And then I disappeared for a week. My explanation, I was told at Deerfield that one only has explanations and not excuses, is that it was amazing and that after 3 nights at home my sleep debt is down to 12 hours according to Rise Sleep phone app which integrates a bunch of data from my watch and phone....

Reflections on My Class of 1980 Reunion Experience I left you hanging there, in the middle of my reunion trip with teasers about the future. And then I disappeared for a week. My explanation, I was told at Deerfield that one only has explanations a…

Friday is kind of a "get used to it" day for the reunion. Most attendees do not arrive until late in the day, or even Saturday, and there are not many activities. After registering and talking with our class alumni contact, Kelly, we found an accessible restroom in the main Academy building, and learned the location of several more. Then we wandered campus for a while....

Class Reunion Warm Up Friday is kind of a “get used to it” day for the reunion. Most attendees do not arrive until late in the day, or even Saturday, and there are not many activities. After registering and …

Early in therapy, I was asked about my goals. I had many. I wanted to be Rachel’s caregiver again, verify I still had cognition to program, get back to work, but I had three event goals: attend my 45 year reunion at Deerfield Academy attend my niece’s wedding participate in Livestrong Challenge Thursday is the day we headed to Massachusetts for the reunion!...

First Experiment in Travel Early in therapy, I was asked about my goals. I had many. I wanted to be Rachel’s caregiver again, verify I still had cognition to program, get back to work, but I had three event goals: attend my …

I am committed to finishing a rough draft by the end of June. I will update Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with current word count and minimal progress notes. The first five chapters are about my progress from growing a brain tumor, getting it removed, having strokes, getting diagnosed over 2-½ months, and eight months of inpatient rehab. My notes are a disorganized mess so I am going back and editing prior chapters, a habit I intend to stop....

Writing Commitment and Initial Progress I am committed to finishing a rough draft by the end of June. I will update Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with current word count and minimal progress notes. The first five chapters are about my pr…

Tick tock, away goes the clock. Another week goes by and I haven't posted. Here's an update. Watched Austin FC save a tie during stoppage time against Salt Lake. Spencer was not happy with the officials calls; we have a true fan. I have now attended every Austin FC home match this season. It is huge fun to be there live....

My Rehabilitation Progress and Upcoming Events Tick tock, away goes the clock. Another week goes by and I haven’t posted. Here’s an update. Watched Austin FC save a tie during stoppage time against Salt Lake. Spencer was not happy w…