Hi everyone! I’m the nerdiest guy in Bakersfield, and so far, it’s been a good week. I had a conversation with my co-worker Michael about his experience as a college basketball prospect, and I told him, “Not bad!” I shared that I wasn't very good at basketball in high school and that one reason I didn’t go far in the sport was that I worked out too hard, which stunted my growth. I reached 5’8” by 6th grade and never grew taller. Michael mentioned that when he dunks, he lands awkwardly on his hip, which hurts, and he has no health insurance. He wanted to know how I have it, which made me realize that he wasn’t trying to befriend me but was really just curious about how I got Medi-Cal. I suspected that he might think I was doing something illegal to obtain it. I told him that I simply applied via the website—there's no real secret. I also shared that I had a tough childhood and go to therapy every month. Now I understand that he wasn’t interested in getting to know me; he just wanted information about my health coverage. At work, I often feel like the enemy, with everyone competing against me. It’s sad because, as someone who is a "Chosen One," I just want to have good relationships and friendships. Unfortunately, people tend to view me as a threat, especially the younger guys, who seem intent on one-upping me. Honestly, I just want to go to work and play video games. I keep wondering if my introverted nature and my lack of engagement with my surroundings contribute to how I feel. On another note, I recently had to pay $3,700 for what I owed to E.D.D. While that may not seem like a lot to some, for someone earning minimum wage, it feels like a fortune. I managed to pay it, though, and I still have some savings, so maybe I should count my blessings! I still remember when I had $20,000 in a Roth IRA and $7,000 in savings—I was doing great! Unfortunately, the tariffs enacted by Trump affected my Roth IRA and contributed to my financial struggles. I still believe in Trump, and I feel that once his tariffs fully take effect, we’ll see an economic boom. I’m already preparing for that with a $1,000 investment in Uber and Netflix. I read online that these two stocks are recession-proof, and so far, they’ve gained $200 in just five days, which is promising. I work today at 4 PM, and I’ll check my investments then to see if they’ve increased. I know that when I clock in, I’m viewed as the enemy. Sucks being a Chosen One! MAHALO!