Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday August 21, 2026 - “uNbUrDenEd p@St” Ed.

Highlights for the week

I slipped this past weekend and gave in to the temptation of the flesh. I let myself escape the moment and enjoy the content. The result, while someone fun, was hijacking my sleep and costing me a day's workout. Upon reflection of this weakness, I've decided to recognize why and use a trigger word to fight off the temptation and hold the line of disciplined. Woke up Monday and charged up for the week ahead.

Jim Rohn spoke to me for a bit on YT and fired me up. I've been giving my past mistakes waaay too much energy. Time to let that sh** go!!

Allan Watts has also been instrumental this week. I've been putting a lot more emphasis on just letting things happen as they ought to and not forcing the future. As he said, it is a dance, and two partners cannot lead. So, to the universe I say: TAKE THE LEAD!

Worth a special callout ...Round-1 Interview w. BrainPOP!. I used Claude to prepare for the interview and showed up armed and ready. Kept my answers clear and concise and hit all the marks. All appendages crossed for what comes next, but if it happens, the lesson learned was to prepare smart: studied who they were, what the job entails, and how my experience contributes.

MONDAY

Affirmation: STOP HOLDING ONTO THE GUILT, SHAME, AND FAILURE OF THE PAST

This is what is keeping you stuck ... let it go !LEARN .. ADJUST .. MOVE ON.YOUR PAST IS A TEACHER NOT AN ANCHOR

TUESDAY

Affirmation: WITHIN EVERY HARDSHIP LIES THE LESSON AND BLESSING OF GROWTH

Pain is the great teacher. Lean in and learn, then let go!

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: TURN KNOWLEDGE INTO ABILITY

Learn something new and challlenging then apply it. Take notes on it. Repeat. Failing is learning so its ok if that happens.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: STRUGGLE IS WHAT DEVELOPS YOU

Do the hard thing .. especially when you don't want to. Use the phrase HODOR when you feel like are going to do dumb shit or repeat a bad habit (ie porn)

FRIDAY

Affirmation: THE REWARD FOR DOING HARD THINGS ISN'T FAILURE, IT'S GROWTH

Never be afraid to confront what is challenging. Whether it is a new workout, a new job, or a new task. Face it head on with conviction. Will you fail? Maybe. Will you win? Also yes. The point is to welcome the challenge, regardless of the outcome, because the reward isn't the result .. it's that you showed up and put in the effort.

Been reminiscing hard about the Townhouse lately. I don't dwell on the one bad day where I was fired. I think back to the multiple years prior, when I started with zero experience and worked my up to management. The friends I made along the way, the people that I had the ultimate pleasure of working with. Andrea!! Quite possible the best time of my early 20s ever. And if not for that bad day, I probably would have been there until the day it shuttered.

SATURDAY

Affirmation: NEVER GIVE WORK EMOTIONAL AUTHORITY OVER YOU

Another powerful quote I heard in a video that spoke to me. The take-away: Do your job to the best of your ability. Help people when appropriate. But do not treat management's opinions or decisions as a verdict of your worth.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Grateful for another successful week in the bag.
2. Happiness is a full 'fridge, so there's a lot to be thankful for there.
3. Grateful for wife's baking skills. Seeing her feminine aura makes me happy and inspires me to work harder at being the man she deserves.
4. Grateful to see my son progressing in his skills. He'll be starting school soon so we need to get that budget under control.
5. Grateful to be alive, healthy, thriving, and learning.

What We Loved

1. Seeing my wife ready for fall fills me with happiness.
2. It was a great week, capped off by a great interview.
3. Wraith.sh has been an amazing learning platform

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Cloud (Coursera) ... still in the backlog. When money gets right, I'm definitely signing up for this.
2. Android PT - About to start Android BBH.
3. Network PT - Look up learning modules for this.
4. Write - Next Substack Article .. need fresh ideas.

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IN PROGRESS

5. AI PT - Wraith Module 10 .. started!
6. INNER WORK [Status: CONTINUAL!]
7. Web PT - Canva [Status: PAUSED!] Could not make time this week, food shopping and other priorities took precedence. Also had to rebuild my VM. Next week, for sure!
8. Writing - Completed first part of "Husb" chapter 73 .. got more good ideas in the works
9. Reading - "Zorro" ... started the last section.

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DONE

10. AI PT - Wraith Module 9
11. QA - U-Test: 4 outstanding bugs - still no word. Filed a Customer Support Ticket.

FALL GOALS

1. Top priority: Land a great job .. hoping for BrainPOP! but if there's a better one for me, let's f**ng go!!
2. Secondary-priority: Getting the credit cards paid off, along with Lorenzo's money owed.
3. Plan for the trip to Universal Orlando / Cruise.

What We Loathed

1. 2026 Job Market .. and everything it has done to wreck the economy.
2. The Earthquakes .. all of them. Freak occurrence or sign of the end times.

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday August 15, 2026 - “Solar Eclipse” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Understanding that I have been forcing my hand at life is why I've failed like I have. Probably time to relinquish control and let Jesus take the wheel. This week's post will be about that.

As it relates to the job market, every day for the past 14 months has been the same: search for job > apply to job > hear nothing (or rejection).

Have I been doing life the hard way? I'm almost 50 and haven't accomplished anything. WU WEI - Effortless Action

MONDAY

Affirmation: "THE UNIVERSE RESPONDS TO YOUR INNER BEING, NOT WHAT YOU WANT MOST" - A. Watts

Your energy determines your outcome. Life mirrors your inner posture. A chaotic mind yields a chaotic life. An open mind yields a responsive outcome.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: "CONTROL IS AN ILLUSION" - A. Watts

Presence is real. Quit forcing what isn't ready. It will not serve you. Only by letting go, relaxing, and trusting can you be accepting.

Allow instead of insist, and the doors will open.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: REAL FREEDOM IS REFUSING TO PARTICIPATE IN WHAT IS WRONG FOR YOU

Probably explains why I've subconsciouslly rebelled against jobs that never felt were my calling. So the question becomes, if I have failed at just about everything, what is my purpose? My calling?

Got a good start on the project pen test. Finished the scoping and the reconnaissance. Mapped the site as well. Tomorrow, will do a deeper dive.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: THE DIVINE IS THE ORDINARY THINGS SEEN PROPERLY

Divinity is found in everything, including us.

FRIDAY

Affirmation: ACTION CREATES CLARITY, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

Another solid week in the bag.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Grateful that today (Saturday 8/15) was a gorgeous day to enjoy.
2. Grateful that I get to wake up every day under a welcoming roof, good food, comfy bed, healthy and full of zest.
3. Grateful for a full 'fridge .. nuff said.
4. Grateful that the credit card payments went through. Got a temporary reprieve. Clock is ticking!!

What We Loved

1. Love the family.

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Cloud (Coursera) ... still in the backlog of things to do.
2. Write - "Husb" - next chapter [Status: PAUSED!] ... need to make time for this.
3. Write - Next Substack Article .. need fresh ideas.

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IN PROGRESS

4. Web PT - Canva [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Tested some file upload components and spent a considerable amount of time on the Canva AI feature, applying what I learned in "Wraith."
5. INNER WORK [Status: CONTINUAL!]
6. Android PT - [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Learning more about Intents and hijacking backlinks to websites.

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DONE

7. AI PT - Wraith ... Finished Module No. 9. Learned about model consumption; might need to re-read the defense section
8. QA - U-Test: 4 outstanding bugs - still no word
9. Read "Hacking For Dummies" .. it was very high-level. Not quite Web Application Hacker's Handbook.

What We Longed For

1. A great job. AI Red Team as a great first-choice, Pen Testing as Second, QA Engineer 3rd.

What We Loathed

1. 2026 Job Market. Worst is yet to come!

Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday August 7, 2026 - “Career & Life Refresher” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Kicked off the week with some much needed cash infusion from the credit cards. Must find a job a.s.a.p!!

MONDAY

Affirmation: ADULTHOOD MEANS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS

Another banger of a Gen-X Video that spoke to me.

Had a tremendous workout. The routine still kicks my butt.

The priority for today (as it is every 1st of the month) is the bills.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: THE LESSONS THAT TRANSFORMED YOU COME IN THE FORM OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND FAILURE

The universe has been talking to you this whole time.

The wisdom you've been praying for has been the gift wrapped in job loss, mistakes, disappointments, and failure. Wisdom is learning to listen.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: THE WORLD NEEDS ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN DO! Maya Angelou

Had a productive morning, fluid afternoon, and relaxing evening. Been running more.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: MUCH LIKE A FULL GLASS, YOU WON'T BE READY FOR NEW UNTIL YOU HAVE EMPTIED IT OF THE OLD

Great night's sleep and solid leg day on a glorious Thursday morning is how I woke up.

The job hunt has been a slog. 14 months, zero prospects. And the layoffs are only going to get worse. I hate this timeline!

FRIDAY

Affirmation: TRUST THE PROCESS! THE UNIVERSE IS GUIDING YOUR STEPS!

Typical Friday spent cleaning. The entire day was busy with that so not much else to report.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Although the debt is insane, I'm especially grateful the credit deposits worked.
2. Grateful to have a wonderful wife who is really good at mapping these things out. Appreciate her immensely.
3. Grateful that Mom is out of the hospital and on the mend. The medication she's been on has knocked her on her ass.

What We Loved

1. Loved that there is money in the bank. I have 3 months .. clock is ticking loudly!!

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Cloud (Coursera) [Status: TO DO!]

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IN PROGRESS

2. Android PT - [Status: IN PROGRESS!] Learning more about Intents.
3. QA - U-Test: 4 bugs in different states of unresolved, picked up another test cycle that went no where.
4. INNER WORK [Status: CONTINUAL!]
5. Write - "Husb" - next chapter [Status: IN PROGRESS!] ... need to make time for this
6. Reading "Hacking"[Status: IN PROGRESS!] on the Operating Systems

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DONE

7. AI PT - Wraith ... Finished Module No. 8 [Status: DONE!] Solved the CTF after a few minutes of probing and re-submitting the document with embedded instructions
8. API PT - Upwork [Status: DONE!] Actually halted testing. The setup required a 2-week waiting period along with testing ONLY your own jobs. Mobile was also skipped for this program.
9. Write - Substack Article No. 4, pt. 2 [Status: DONE!]

What We Longed For

1. A great job in security or QA, with cool people doing amazing things, for decent pay.
2. Strongly considering AI Red Teaming

What We Loathed

1. 2026 Job Market. And I'm afraid the worst is yet to come.

Security Testing Journal Entry | Monthly Assessment - August

GOALS

IMPROVE WEB APP & API PEN TESTING SKILLS

Needed to fix where I failed at SI and have signed up several bug bounty programs.

STATUS

• In Progress

ACTION REQUIRED

• The program's triage team are really unresponsive. The effort is in writing the report.
• Web App - Keep grinding. You were decent at SI. You just slipped big time on the reporting. You've managed to complete a bunch so .. a win!!
• APIs - I'm ok, but there's always more to learn
• GraphQL - Could use more practice, but so far so good.

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IMPROVE MOBILE PEN TESTING SKILLS

Working to improve my experience with iOS and Android Mobile Pen Testing

STATUS

• In Progress

ACTION REQUIRED

• I have a few modules left, but been stymied by other work of higher priorities

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GET MORE PROFICIENCY WITH NETWORK PEN TESTING

Took the class with TheCyberMentor (TCM) this time last year

STATUS

• Paused!

ACTION REQUIRED

• I need more "cubes" from HackTheBox to get back into network pen testing. In the meantime, I understand the fundamentals, and have a decent cheatsheet. A workflow SI never taught me.

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LEARN AI PEN TESTING

Signed on to Wraith.sh

STATUS

• In Progress. So far, I've completed 8 of 11 modules and learned a bunch. There's a certification that I will look into a.s.a.p

ACTION REQUIRED

• Keep moving ... almost finished.
• Really leaning towards pivoting to AI Red Teaming.

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LEARN CLOUD SECURITY

Need to make this a priority - AWS, GCP, or MS Azure

STATUS

• Not Started

ACTION REQUIRED

• Found the COURSERA class, but will get started when I've finished the AI Pen Testing module

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READ MORE

Leaders are readers

STATUS

• In Progress

ACTION REQUIRED

• Since updating my library card, I checked out a book on "Hacking" which is a quick read. Will get more books as time allows.

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WRITE MORE

Working on improving my craft

STATUS

• In Progress

ACTION REQUIRED

• (1st book) "Husb" is a work in progress. The last few chapters are a grind.
• (2nd book) "Cult*ure" is paused. Need to get back into it soon.
• SUBSTACK - started publishing more.
• MEDIUM - Without a membership, my work isn't getting monetized. But I have a few new followers.

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GET OSCP

A must have certification for security contract work / pen testing

STATUS

• Not Started

ACTION REQUIRED

• The certification is cost-prohibitive and the idea of spending $2k on a maybe, or worse is just not worth it.
• Alternative certs like the eJPT and TNPT are affordable close-seconds.

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Security Testing Journal Entry | w/e Friday August 31, 2026 - “Simple, Not Easy!” Ed.

Highlights for the week

Because Sunday is my new Monday, I kicked things off with a good workout and lots of productivity: finished the substack blog, finished the spanish slide deck for the week, finished the job scoping. Now (monday) I'm doing a deeper dive. Been hearing more Gen-X videos and the take-aways explain soooo much. Yes I have made mistakes, but even when I didn't, the answer to "why am I always getting picked for layoffs" is made clear. It was never about the dedication to the job. It was about the system and the bs rules in place. Which is what this entry will be dedicated to.

Words to live by ... Real solitude is being fully present with one's self, not out of necessity, but out of joy

On happier news! 2 interviews. One for a decent job, the other for a service bar. Random text

MONDAY

Affirmation: RELIABILITY WITHOUT VISIBILITY IS JUST FREE LABOR

The rules of Corporate America they don't tell you (the shortened version):

• Don't be the one that causes friction. Ie, don't f** up, catch attitude, cause problems, or make your boss look bad.
• Do what matters with high visibility.
• Build relationships with your boss and your boss' boss
• Build your narrative before someone else does. Don't just be good at your job, be irreplacable.
• Presence, not performance is the ultimate form of job security
• HR is NOT your friend or even your ally. They are risk mitigation agents working at the behest of the company.
• The game has always been running. Its not about competence or performance. Pure EGO

Alt news had an update that went ok. It was the first round and not a bot, for a job that paid really well and was hybrid.

TUESDAY

Affirmation: THE NECESSITY PRADOX - WHEN YOU DON'T 'NEED' YOU WILL GET

At work, or in the personal life, the simplest paradox holds true: when you are not needy or desparately looking for someone to validate or complete you, that's when you get the thing you want most. Where was this when I was going through my "thing" with Andrea. It wasn't love, it was the ego needing fulfillment.

Had a great interview for a service bartender position at a restaurant. I'm cool with the pay, but I do miss the camaraderie.

[UPDATE] Sent out my thank you note to the interviewer from Monday and got a 8:30pm email saying they went with someone else. Sucks, but whatever. I'm not about that corporate life any way.

WEDNESDAY

Affirmation: WHAT WAS MEANT FOR YOU WILL NOT PASS YOU BY

Woke up to a cloudy rainy day. I don't feel the slightest bit of sadness for not landing the job. While I am desperate for work, I'm not desperate to land in a bad spot and risk yet another layoff.

THURSDAY

Affirmation: HARD WORK DOES NOT GUARANTEE JOB SECURITY ANYMORE

Being too dependable or reliable - the "load bearing support" structure - means you will never get that promotion. It guarantees a layoff when re-orgs happen because your work is never seen or appreciated. The fix: do work that gets visible and tracked

How the rest of my day went:

• The win - Finally Solved the "Oracle of Whispers" ctf using the lessons from Module 8
• The loss - Disputed 4 tickets in the U-Test platform for 2 different apps, each having a valid case as to why they should be fixed.
• The grief - Etsy API bugcrowd ticket still not resolved.
• The sadness - did not get the bartending job

FRIDAY

Affirmation: SIMPLE, NOT EASY

The economic situation is beyond tight. Sleep is taking a beating. Feeling like the biggest asshole ever because I have to borrow from my son.

Life is feeling simple, but not easy. I'm still trying to figure out my new purpose as I come to realization I may never work in my sector again; aged out.

What We’re Grateful For

1. Awesome family .. and that my son has a reliable income. I owe this kid so much, not just money.
2. Grateful that, despite my short-comings, we have food in the 'fridge, a comfy bed, and a roof over our head.
3. Grateful for quality sleep. When I don't get it, life is the worst.

What We Loved

1. "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today, I am wise, so I am changing myself" - Rumi

What We Learned

TO DO

1. Google Cloud (Coursera) [Status: TO DO!] Found a cool security course that is closer to what I'm looking to learn. Will realistically get started when I'm done with Wraith.
2. Android PT - [Status: TO DO!] Still Behind on this!

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IN PROGRESS

3. INNER WORK [Status: CONTINUAL!] Learned about workplace rules and where I could have done better
4. WEB PT - Upwork [Status: UNBLOCKED!] Need to get started on API; Filed bug is getting RAR'd.
5. AI PT - Wraith ... Finished Module No. 8 - needs a re-read, and finish the CTF; Unironically, the process for this solved "The Oracle of Whispers"
6. Write - "Husb" - next chapter [Status: IN PROGRESS!] ... need to make time for this
7. Write - Substack Article No. 4, pt. 2 [Status: IN PROGRESS!]
8. Reading "Hacking"[Status: IN PROGRESS!] on the Network Security chapter.

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DONE

9. ...nothing this week

What We Longed For

1. A security consulting role: doing amazing things with great people for decent pay.

What We Loathed

1. 2026 Job Market - For the remainder of this year, this will be the statement. Hate everything about it.
2. The "Start A Business" advice: it is so lazy.
3. U-Test: I'm growing more and more disappointed with their triage team by the day. Every ticket becomes a fight. I can understand a poorly written bug, but a valid issue getting rejected because the TE cannot read the f**ng ticket the right way is bonkers!!