Dear Gus & Magnus,

As I think I've mentioned, part of my networking campaign is to accept (nearly) every invitation to have lunch or grab a coffee with people who may be able to get me to my next professional role. Today that looked like making lunch for my friend Preston Dean, who grew up in Beebe -- he was a few years behind me in school. Regardless of the opposing paths people take, I've found that it's a comforting feeling to connect with people who know the place where you grew up.

I had coffee downtown with another friend after, then walked down the street to a Downtown Food Truck Festival meeting, which has moved location -- from Capital Avenue to the I-30 bridge at President Clinton Avenue. I like the switch. I did not like the monsoon that came just as we started the meeting.

Nene came and picked up Gus. He's going to spend the night with her so she and Rick can take him fishing tomorrow. He's excited.

Dad.

Cobb Salad, Lemon Raspberry Cake. Statehouse Convention Center Catering. Little Rock, Arkansas. 3.28.2024.

NOTE TO SELF: Exactly what it looks like. Not bad, not great. This is the second year in a row we've had that dessert at the Downtown Little Rock Partnership Annual Meeting. The other options was a chocolate thing. I ate half of Sasha's. Next time, opt for that.

Dear Gus & Magnus,

I had a meeting this afternoon to help plan an event for the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, which is an organization I interned with back in 2004. The event is a fundraiser called the Mall Party, in which we throw a party in this space that I had no idea even existed in downtown Little Rock. It is an absolute time capsule and a '90s themed party here is going to be phenomenal. Stay tuned.

Dad.