On the roundabout
An introduction and status update
I am a disciple of pattern. A believer in the cyclical nature of things.
A proud American — my ignorance once saw me taking the humble roundabout for granted. This changed when Australia welcomed me as one of her own. I’ve learned the value of staying in motion.
I’ve since begun to liken life to a roundabout. As we unfurl, we encircle ideas, relationships, beliefs, experiences. We face forward and backward. We eat at our tails, at times unconscious to the connections between past and future.
In a roundabout, you can loop to eternity, or get off where you like. People may be puzzled by your behaviour, but they’ll have to wait for you. Plus, they have their own journeys to think about.
This post is an introduction to my new channel, Roundabout.
To everything, turn, turn, turn
My every year begins with an exercise in reflection. I replay and review the happenings within my small universe: how I feel, and where I may go next. This annual cycle has been especially deep, as I wrote the last sentence in a defining chapter of my career, and embarked on new and trying emotional and spiritual journeys.
Part of this exercise is reflecting on how my life mapped to my intentions — codified in a theme selected at the beginning of the year. My 2025 theme was Make.
We hosted dinners, open houses, put more care into our place and environment. I tried my hand in building/repairing more things, made music, and experimented in the kitchen. In my work life, I helped Airtree break new ground and build new muscles. All through this, I tapped into deeper friendships and invested energy into my marriage and family.
Since many of you have asked for detail on this exercise — here’s my Annual Review template if you’d like to try it on.
Motion
The beginning of this year is the start of a new thread. I’ve chosen Motion as my word and theme.
In the Chinese zodiac, this month marks the end of the snake’s domain. Inbound is the Fire Horse, gallivanting confidently and brightly toward a new future. Its hooves will pound onto our world a beautiful chaos. Will we be crushed, or swept toward something better?
I choose to recognise this a wonderful time to be high agency, active, and attuned to the values and meaning I’ve been developing in recent years. It’s an opportune year for me to stay in motion.
Sabbatical
The irony of this theme is that the commencement of 2026 is also when I begin a sabbatical. After five years in the venture capital realm, I am ready for something new. What? I’m not yet sure?
Etymologically, sabbatical derives from Sabbath. Ironically, pursuit of a regular day of rest (in part driven by Heschel’s wonderful book) was a goal outlined last year. Admittedly, I could have done better.
While switching off remains an intention, this sabbatical is aimed at a different flavour of rest. It is a break from the noise of what my routine has been for the past five years. An embrace of lindy and a flight from algorithmic feeds. More alignment toward purpose and values,, nuance and connection outside of the hustle.
Working for ~40 consecutive years before the reward of retirement is bad design. Retirement should instead be broken up and dispersed throughout the career. The sabbatical should be commonplace, even if it requires overcoming some anxiety of what may come next.
My last sabbatical was a 6 month wander, and re-base to Australia. This particular sabbatical is a bit more subdued, but I do have a few irons in the creative fire. I figure it’s worthwhile to put some beacons and asks out there.
While I am not actively seeking a ‘new job’ — I remain open to opportunities if they come. If you think I can add value to something you’re working on, I’d love to hear about it.
I’d like to discuss Australia. Its past, present and future. How we can invest in our common ground, and build a better future. If you can make any introductions to folks with passion and perspectives on this, please.
Reach out — a meta theme of my sabbatical will be connecting with humans more deeply than my ‘employee’ branding would allow. I look forward to hearing your feedback on my writing, and being an ally on your own path toward purpose.
Cool mate, so you’re starting a Substack?
For those of us who came of age on forums and in chatrooms, Substack has resurfaced some of the Good Internet. Sharing earnestly, with fewer flames.
I’ve long admired the writers who have spearheaded what made the earlier internet wonderful, and those who carried the torch. The OG bloggers, the considered thinkers who opt for quality rather than the temptations of algorithmic slop and slog. I feel it’s my turn to join the small but growing number of people adding to the digital cacophony.
One of the goals left on the table in my Make year was to publish more. I did done so in spurts, but largely through shortform quips, comments, signal boosts. I have not properly put my perspectives into a form I am happy with.
I’ve no publishing schedule, no thematic topic and no growth objectives penned. I expect nothing more than an unpaced and unfiltered stream of things I’ve been spending time thinking about. I hope your curiosity finds a home here on the roundabout, and that it becomes a two-way street.
I’ll be sharing notes on technology, art, culture, life and being, and whatever else calls my attention for a while. I do not proclaim to be an expert; only an explorer.
I’ll leave you today with something exemplary of the roundabout. Below is a verse that I once recited at the end of every school day, hands locked with my classmates, standing in a circle.
When you speak something as a requirement, and repeatedly, you are very likely to take it for granted. It becomes an unconscious pattern. Only many years later have I reflected on it more deeply — and I don’t think there is any better guide on how we should be.
To Wonder at Beauty
To wonder at beauty, Stand guard over Truth Look up to the noble Resolve on the Good.
This leadeth man truly To purpose in living, To right in his doing, To peace in his feeling, To light in his thinking. And teaches him trust, In the working of God, In all that there is, In the width of the world, In the depth of the Soul.
— Rudolf Steiner
congrats on the launch! excited to follow along :')
love it. can't wait to follow along. ps. that coffee pop up looks so incredibly delightful, inspo!