Journal

Last night, Danby’s Roadhouse in Richmond played host to what can only be described as an evening of pure awesomeness: Trivia Night! The event was a sensational hit, drawing in a full house of 84 enthusiastic participants, creating an electric atmosphere that reverberated through the entire venue.

From the moment the doors opened, anticipation filled the air as friends, families, and trivia aficionados alike poured in, eager to test their knowledge and enjoy a memorable evening. And boy, did they get what they came for!

One of the highlights of the night was the incredible generosity of the sponsors. Their support made it possible to adorn the silent auction table with an array of truly awesome items, ranging from coveted electronics to exclusive experiences, ensuring there was something for everyone to bid on and enjoy.

Life has a curious way of throwing unexpected curveballs, often leaving me reeling in their wake. For me, that defining moment came in the form of a devastating crash, one that altered the trajectory of my life forever. The injuries sustained, including an acquired brain injury, not only challenged my physical capabilities but also plunged me into a whirlwind of self-negativity.

I recently had coffee with a friend, and he helped me understand something about my blog posts. He said the posts didn’t sound like me and he was right, because I had used ChatGPT-generated content. I realized that although I had written the first paragraph (only most of it, not all of it), that’s basically it. ChatGPT did the rest. My friend said that he wanted to hear my stories, the ones that I told him that came from my heart, the real-stuff about me and what’s going on around me — not simply AI-generated stuff.

If you’ve ever watched parents watching their kids ride bikes, scooters, or skateboards, you might have noticed a curious thing: the kids always have helmets on, strapped securely and snug. Meanwhile, many parents — the very ones insisting on helmets — are either helmetless themselves or barely wear theirs properly. This parental double-standard is surprisingly common, and it raises important questions about safety, role modeling, and how we teach kids to protect their brains.

Why Parents Demand Helmets for Kids

No parent wants their child to get hurt. Helmets have been proven over and over again to reduce the risk of serious head injuries and even save lives. So, it makes perfect sense that parents are adamant about their kids wearing helmets. In many places, helmet laws mandate it, and parents want to follow the rules — or more importantly, keep their kids safe. But, why don’t they?

I’ve never been a gamer, but a lot of my friends are. I’m sure that with their computer or a gaming consoles, they know how important a hard drive is. It’s where everything that matters is stored — progress, saved games, memories of battles won, and future opportunities for adventure. Lose the hard drive, and suddenly all those hours of effort, learning, and enjoyment can vanish in a blink.

Now here’s the truth most people don’t stop to consider: your brain is your hard drive. It doesn’t just hold your favorite game; it holds your entire life. Your memories, your skills, your relationships, your humor, your dreams — all of it lives in that remarkable, irreplaceable piece of equipment between your ears. That’s why protecting it is the most important “game save” you’ll ever make.