A Week of Being Kin Lane - June 30th, 2025
The week began with a trip to Paoli, Pennsylvania—one stop past Philadelphia on the Amtrak train. I spent the day working with my new business partner Jerome Louvel on different aspects of building our new company Naftiko. I sure do love the energy of a new startup when you and another smart person are tackling whatever is needed. This energy is why I work in technology, and have spent so many years honing my skills and awareness of everything APIs. I am thankful for this opportunity.
Zohran Mamdani Winning Primary in NYC
It was nice to wake up to some good news this week. Learning this week that Zohran Mamdani had won the New York City primary for Mayor was a much needed shot of hope in these times. I love his energy and approach to politics. I can tell that he will make change because of the way he has not just the conservatives scared, but also the Democratic establishment. It disturbs me to see the toxicity of the attacks on Mamdani, but the way he has them rattled gives me some trust in the depth of his message.
Made It 53 Years On This Planet
Tuesday was my 53rd birthday. We went out for a steak dinner at the Hawksmoor. It was perfect. From the steak to the sides to the desert. It was perfect. All I can ask for on my birthday. Despite the state of our nation, I am in a really good place as I hit this milestone. I am proud of myself for making it this far, but also for everything I have accomplished. I am thankful for my wife, daughter, and best friend Poppy. I am thankful for family. I am thankful to be building a new business and to be living in the greatest city on earth—New York City.
Hitting The Road to Maine
We headed up to Blue Hill, Maine this week to see family. I headed to midtown to pick up a truck, and we gathered up our luggage, Poppy, and then loaded up the bike and sidecar in the truck, and we hit the road. It was weird to be driving again after over a year of not driving. It didn’t take long before it all came back to me, but it is something I’d prefer not doing for the rest of my life. We made it up to Portland, Maine before stopping for the night, then hit the road first thing after eating some donuts, making it to the family homestead by lunch.
Riding The Bike in Maine
The moment we parked the car in Maine we unloaded the bike and hit the road to support Audrey with one of her runs. We stayed off the main road and made our way down one of the side roads, riding past wildlife and the locals. Maine has some winding and hilly roads with beautiful meadows and forests to enjoy as we casually rolled our way around the countryside. Audrey was doing most of the work while Poppy and I slowly peddled to keep pace with her as we soaked up the cool weather and beautiful countryside of Blue Hill.
Sitting Around With Family
Time in Maine is nice. It was low key. It was just sitting around on the porch talking, reading books, and eating good food. We had other friends over, sat around the fire telling stories, and roasted marsh mellows and made smores. Poppy had her mind blown by the campfire, but also the fireflys that popped up around the meadow. Poppy has a thing for flashy lights, and the whole thing kind of left her stunned as she sat and stared out over the grass in the moonlight trying to make sense of what she was experiencing.
When In Maine You Eat Lobsters
One of the trademark meals of Maine is a lobster feast. Audrey’s brother Fred and wife Emily treated us to over 20lbs of lobster, along with some salads. While eating lobster is overhyped, I do enjoy breaking down the insect of the sea and dipping it’s flesh into butter. It is messy, but tasty. I ate two lobsters. Like many other Americans, eating lobsters speak to the poor white trash in me, and I feel like royalty when I am eating it, and despite having done many times over now, I am always down for another lobster feast.
Loops Around the Meadow
The family homestead in Maine has a beautiful little meadow with a path mowed around the edges for walking. Poppy absolutely loves this walk. She is joyous and moves through the meadow in ways I don’t see her move anywhere else. She is clearly having a blast, and there is something magical about the walk for her, which transfers to me as I walk it with her. I think we managed about twelve times around the mead while there, with some early morning dew filled walks as well as magical walks at dusk.
Driving is Dumb
I can’t articulate just how much I am not a fan of driving these days. The number of cars on the road is just unsustainable. I will never live anywhere that doesn’t have public transit again in my life. I can still do it, but it takes real work to stay focused on the road. I much more enjoy spacing out while riding the subway, and forever captivated how the world reveals itself to you when you walk. The world doesn’t give a shit about you when you are driving by at 70 MPH, and I just don’t get why it is the accepted norm.
I Am Thankful
I am thankful to be alive. I am thankful to get to experience Maine, even though I wish I could take a train everywhere. I am thankful to be living in New York City. I am so thankful for my wife, my kiddo, and my Rottweiler. I am thankful for our family. I am thankful to be healthy and able to experience the world around me. I am so very proud of myself for making it to 53. From here forward it is all gravy. I really have everything I can image right now in my life and I look forward to continue making my way forward in this beautiful world with all of you.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West