Ailana’s Journal — 2026-02-23 (Patreon)

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GOOD MORNING

Yesterday, I ran on adrenaline from being home from our long trip. Today’s fuel? It’s probably going to be caffeine.

Okay, be honest. Isn’t waking up in your own bed different from anywhere else? I can’t really explain why, but I feel it.

Something about just sitting up and letting the day move around you while your senses and thoughts catch up with your body… When there’s no reason to bounce out of bed, I don’t. I linger relaxed and at peace and let my thoughts form as they wish to.

It’s Monday. Sorry to tell you that!

I have a lot of work to do. So does everyone else. Our travels were great, and now it’s time to shape those ideas and images so they can become not just nice memories but—to be brutally honest—income.

That’s what we need to do.

After I make this post, it’s into the fray for me. I’m camping out in the living room until I have a solid list of things to write and at least one first draft done.

I’m going to focus on the work for a while and not worry about much else. Who knows? I might even put on pants.

I’ll check in later, so see you then!

BREAKTIME

I just noticed what time it is and thought of you! Hope you’re having a great Monday. I’m making a lot of progress.

So let me head off a little controversy before it gets started. I wouldn’t be surprised if those of you who read closely are yelling “Bait and switch!” about the pants comment from the good-morning post.

Here’s what happened…

A couple of hours after I was deep into my work, I got a text from Josh: “Quick conversation. Shall I come up, or do you want to come down?”

So I grabbed some shorts. And I’m proud to say they sort of match my top!

Josh wanted to touch base on his idea about a car for AGI. He’s going to buy a plug-in hybrid Explorer for his family as they anticipate the adoption proceeding. At the dealer, they also have a sedan.

“It’s a 2024 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid,” Josh said. “Low mileage and all that. Great car. Jason and I were working on the Incheon article when the call came in. He said ‘thumbs up’ but wanted to ask you and the Everetts before I pull the trigger.”

There really wasn’t much to talk about. The plan is in the works.

If you stop and think about it, there’s something to be said for our need for another car. We’re growing. Not only in numbers of people, but in our capacity as creators. We’re learning new skills and adding them to the mix—positioning AGI Creative Group to do more, do it faster, and do it better.

By the end of the day tomorrow, AGI Stories Group will be the owner of a gray 2024 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. It will take on “small group” duty when we need to run errands around home or when only a few of us need to make a road trip.

The Highlander seats seven and the Clarity seats four. So now, even if all of us want to go somewhere at the same time, we can do it.

Now, if you ask me, that was worth putting on some pants!

See you tonight!

UNEXPECTED BLESSING by Ricky Martinez

My head is spinning a bit, but there’s a happy woman at the desk behind me, and I am probably even happier than she is. I don’t know who needs to hear this—but don’t lose faith. Sometimes the blessing is already walking toward you.

About half an hour ago, I picked up two deliveries. One to Kirina Yung at the Sea Glass sandwich shop that’s not open yet. I’ve delivered there a few times recently.

The second one is here—across the street. It’s a place called Shoreline Health and Wellness—a new clinic opening soon. I delivered here first. I’m heading across the street now.

About ten minutes ago, I walked in and did a double take. The woman—she’s a nurse practitioner named Min—kind of looks like Isabela at a quick glance.

I dropped off the order and started for the door. Then I had an idea—but it turns out, so did she.

As I turned around, she called out. “Excuse me!”

I turned back and took a step her way. “Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Well, I was just going to ask you something, so sure…”

“You go first.”

I took a deep breath. “By any chance, do you have any openings for an experienced patient services rep? My wife… Isabela… She’s been working in clinics a long time. She’s very good.”

She stared at me, frozen in place like she was stunned speechless. I figured she was trying to come up with a nice way to say no.

“Did you just read my mind?” she said after a scary-long pause.

“Ma’am?”

“I was just trying to figure out how to ask you about that… but… Come back in. Let’s talk.”

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I looked at her and shook my head as I walked closer. “You were going to ask me what?”

“Okay… I’m Min. Let’s relax, ‘cause I don’t want to be taken the wrong way.”

“I’m Ricky Martinez. What do you mean?”

“So, I think you probably have Mexican ancestors? Maybe you speak Spanish?”

A little shocked, I forced a smile and nodded. “True on both questions.”

Then she went into a fairly quick, but detailed explanation about the clinic. Her sister and brother-in-law are doctors, and there’s some grants.

“So, as brilliant as they are,” she said, “not one of us thought about the need for bilingual staff until a couple of weeks ago. Granted, Anika and Amir were planning a wedding and honeymoon, but I’m still blaming them.”

“Yeah,” I said, “you can’t get any closer to Mexico without a passport. We got a lot of Spanish speakers in the area.”

“Hold that thought…” Min held up her hand and smiled. “Changing the subject, do I look Mexican? Because since I got here, I’ve been mistaken as Mexican a few times.”

Her way of asking was so matter of fact I didn’t even hesitate to answer. Somewhere in the three or so minutes we had been talking, she had begun treating me like someone she had known a long time and trusted.

“Do you look Mexican?” I repeated the question.

“Yeah… I’m from New Jersey, by the way.”

That, I thought, explained her accent. I figured I’d answer her honestly, but also decided to skip over the part where I thought she looked like Isabela.

“From a distance… fast glance… you could pass as Mexican. And if someone already assumed you were…”

“So that’s a yes?”

“It’s a kinda? Not a total yes.”

“Hmm…”

“So, what’s actually your heritage?” I figured if she could be frank, so could I.

“Indian. I was born in Bangalore. Moved to New Jersey when I was six and liked it better, so I prefer saying I’m from there. Honestly, I barely remember Bangalore.”

“My parents were born in the U.S.,” I said. “So were my wife’s.”

I wanted to get back to that job she thought I read her mind about.

“Right… Isabela… I was going to ask if you knew anyone who is bilingual that might want to learn to work with patients.”

“So, you have an opening?”

Min nodded. “We do. We need two to get started. And an RN if you know anyone.”

I shook my head, but said, “Do you want to interview Isabela?”

Min was nodding. “Can she come in last Wednesday? We’ve needed her for days already. If not, how soon can I meet her?”

“Last Wednesday?” I smiled and played along. “I think she was at work, but how about this coming Thursday?”

“How about later today? Tonight?” Min said. “The sooner the better. I really want someone to be on board to help set up the systems so they can know them from the ground up and train the rest of the staff. My sister is technology resistant. We’ll need to ease her into everything.”

I looked at the hot-bag I was carrying that needed to go across the street, then back at Min. “Let me drop these things off. I’ll call Isabela and we’ll see when she can come. I’ll be right back.”

So, now, I’m heading over to see Kirina, then I’ll call Isabela. I feel really good about this—it might be just the blessing we need.

GOOD NIGHT

Well, I’m feeling a little like a fortune teller tonight. Remember when I said AGI Creative could do more, better, and faster? Yeah—that happened.

On Thursday, Jasmine and Kirina did the sandal shoot, and it was great. Right after lunch, Jasmine and Sasha were frantically knocking on my door—Naomi was on the phone.

Trouble in Chi-town!

Skipping to the solution…

We had to drive to Corpus Christi to a particular store and buy a particular pair of sandals. Call it three hours on the road. Then we had to find a place for the pictures.

Plot twist: they didn’t have my size! Solution? Model anyway!

Geoni and Jason tag-teamed the photography. They synergize like identical twins. And that level of connection shows in the final images.

Now, let me backtrack to the call when Jasmine said to Naomi, “Mrs. Prior, you’re asking a lot, you know. Do you think anyone else could pull this off?”

Naomi answered through the speakerphone: “I don’t. And that’s why I called you. Invoice me base rate and expenses. Add 50% as an expedite fee. Since it requires travel, add a per diem for everyone making the trip. I’ll add my fee on top and send the bill to the client.”

Boom! That’s how it happened.

Sasha was high-fiving Jasmine all the way back to the office.

May you be able to rise up to challenges when they appear and may you surpass your goals with success!

Good night.

Be your best you!

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