Saturday, August 8, 2026

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!]

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

  8. DONE
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.

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