This is my journal entry from September 6, 2025, part of my daily autobiography The Kind Divorce — my real, unedited days, published in order.
I spent most of today dictating for hours on the new version of I Was Famous on the Internet, and it felt incredible. I loved pouring everything into a cohesive flow, losing myself in the rhythm of creation. It amazes me that I enjoy this work so much I could do it all day without hesitation. While my ex-wife was out with the kids—taking my daughter to her basketball game, picking up her friend for a sleepover, and heading to the pool—I attended the Power Flow class at my yoga studio with a yoga instructor. The session was intense, with plenty of deep squats, and I know my glutes will be sore tomorrow. The rest of the day I alternated between household chores—cleaning dishes, preparing the house for my daughter’s friend to stay over—and dictating the book.
What makes me proud is how smoothly this draft is coming out. I can hold the idea of a book in my head and then unload three or four hours of dictation at once, and it actually reads well with only minimal editing needed. ChatGPT trimmed a little too much of my dictation today, which frustrated me, but overall the process has been working beautifully. I’ve also been reflecting on how certain I feel about going to massage school.
This week I finished Oprah’s What I Know for Sure, where she talks about the power of a 100% committed yes. That resonated deeply. I am absolutely committed to massage school. I love the idea of becoming a licensed massage therapist, of working with my hands as well as my mind, of exchanging sessions with the therapists I already know. I look forward to meeting new people, building relationships with classmates, and creating memories others have told me are some of the best of their lives. More than one person has warned me not to attend another massage school, saying they regretted their time there, but everyone else I’ve spoken to described massage school as unforgettable in the best way.
Oprah also shared a story about being sued by the beef industry for something she said, emphasizing how careful public figures must be with their words. It made sense to me—when millions are listening, powerful industries are quick to defend their interests. For me, the advantage of being a small local author is that there’s little incentive to come after me. I’ve long said that people are better off following small creators, because we enjoy more freedom to speak openly. If one of my books ever gains enough attention to provoke a lawsuit or backlash, I’ll deal with it then. Until that day comes, I won’t water down my words or hide behind vague generalities. Precision matters. If we don’t name what we’re talking about, how can we honestly confront it?
This evening, I took Melanie for a walk for the first time in weeks and called my sponsor along the way. It felt good to move through the neighborhood again, especially since tonight the kids’ sleepover gave me a rare chance to sleep in my own bed with my ex-wife. My son wanted to join us, so he’ll be in the middle, while my daughter is with her friend. The house had a light, joyful energy. Watching the girls play together was a highlight, even if their invented game—“Lights Out”—got a little too rough. They switched off the lights and tackled each other in the dark until everyone ended up complaining of bumped heads. I chose to call it off after that. We ordered Papa John’s for dinner, and they happily devoured it.
I also spent time exploring what my diet might look like during massage school. It feels important to avoid foods that could cause problems during hands-on work—garlic and onions that linger on the breath, beans that cause gas, or anything heavy and difficult to prepare. At the same time, I want to keep eating a whole, plant-based diet. Today at Whole Foods I experimented with roasted beets, sweet potatoes, and one of their vegan prepared dishes. It worked out well—I ate just enough, didn’t overeat, and had abundant energy to dictate for hours.
At the pace I’m going, I could nearly finish this new draft of I Was Famous on the Internet in a matter of days. I asked ChatGPT this morning what to do with my old 50,000-word draft, which felt scattered and disorganized. The suggestion was to start fresh, given how easily I can dictate now. That made perfect sense. The diaries capture my life day by day, but I Was Famous on the Internet should be one continuous narrative. I’m thrilled to have dictated nearly four hours today—about 25,000 words in just five hours of work.
If you connect with how I live and think, you can follow the rest of my days on YouTube in my Life playlist.