I have been trying to post/write weekly, but this past stretch has been intense; grad school hit hard. One class was wrapped with a final exam, while the other demanded a major research paper and a corresponding presentation. The topic was Legal Issues in Data Governance, a field overflowing with complexity, nuance, and constitutional tension.

Despite the academic grind, I carved out some time to sit in with my cousin’s band when one of their players couldn’t make it last Saturday night. His group, the BootLeggers Band, plays throughout eastern Missouri and delivers a lively mix of old rock-n-roll, country-infused jams, and blues. Despite some amplification and sound issues with my own rig, it was a good time.

What started as a casual fill-in turned into an unforgettable evening. Not only did I get to play with a phenomenal group of musicians, but my son joined us on stage, playing drums for four songs. That was a big freaking deal!

He just turned 12 and has quickly become a serious percussionist. It was his first time performing live, with a full band, in front of a crowd, and he crushed it, even on a couple of songs he’d never played before. But the real magic wasn’t just watching him; it was sharing the stage with him. That moment wasn’t just a “best dad moment ever,” it was a “proudest dad moment ever.”

A new set of classes kicks off next week. I hope to share some insights from the research paper soon. There’s a lot in there worth unpacking, especially around how legal frameworks shape (and sometimes fail) data governance in the digital age. Especially in the realm of legal challenges that cannot keep pace with the advances in technology.

Stay tuned.