One Man’s Not-So-Ordinary Journey
Welcome, fellow wanderer, to Pop’s Life—where I go by Patrick online, not because it’s mysterious, but because I’ve mastered the fine art of privacy in the digital age. Picture this: born on Scott Air Force Base in Illinois (shout-out to my parents for the dramatic opening), then a few formative years in Saint Louis before we made a pit stop in Cherry Point, North Carolina. We finally dropped anchor in Santa Ana, California, and honestly, growing up there was a blast. My neighbor was supposedly some kind of rock star (legend status: unconfirmed), and the girl next door—years ahead of me—became my first big crush. We eventually upgraded to Thousand Oaks, which, for a teenage boy, was the ultimate paradise. Surfing? Absolutely. Hiking? I tried, mostly got lost. Motorcycles (motocross)? Oh yes. Learning? Debatable. Living? Completely.
After high school, I landed a gig in the music industry (thanks to a friend and a bit of sheer luck), soaking up the wild world of soundchecks and late nights. But fate had a plot twist: I became a submariner in the United States Navy. Imagine eighteen years under the sea with people who can quote regulations in their sleep—yes, it’s as glamorous as it sounds. My service took me to Charleston, SC, Connecticut, Silverdale, WA, and more. When I retired early, it was because I realized I liked sunshine and personal space.
You’d think I’d stay put, but no—next came Seattle (technically Redmond), where I joined a scrappy little technology company and drank enough coffee to keep the city awake. Eventually, I followed my compass to Colorado, where I’ve made peace with unpredictable politics and equally unpredictable weather. I’m still an IT guy—solving problems, answering impossible questions, and sometimes reminding people that, yes, turning it off and on again works wonders.
I love to travel. I really do love kids (we’ll get into that delightful chaos soon enough). My wife is my rock, my best friend. Gardening and biking keep my hands and head busy, and our over 100-year-old house is a labor of love—and, some days, a test of patience. This blog is a scrapbook: it’s about my past, what’s happening now, and maybe a glimpse of tomorrow. You’ll find the things that irk me, the moments that make me laugh, and the stories that have shaped me—both the ridiculous and the real.
My hope? That when you browse these pages—my site, my stories, my ramblings, you’ll find something to make you smile, sigh, or maybe even see your own story reflected in mine. If you leave a little happier, or just a little less alone, then this whole adventure is worth it. Welcome to Pop’s Life. Dive in, enjoy—and hey, don’t forget to laugh at the mess along the way.