It’s time for performance evaluation again. I almost missed the deadline because I didn’t realize it had been a year already. I thought it was just mid-cycle check in. Fortunately, I have been keeping a record of the things I had done throughout the year. I hate evaluating myself; therefore, having a record helps. Here’s the exhausted list of my self-eval:

Job Knowledge and Performance

In 2025, under the leadership of Associate Dean, External Affairs, we launched a new Scalia Law website. Furthermore, we migrated to Cascade, a new content management system. As Director of Design and Web Services at Antonin Scalia Law School, my role and responsibility were to ensure that we migrated smoothly and launched successfully. After the initial launch, our team continued to maintain, update, and resolve minor issues. To demonstrate knowledge, skills, ability, and accountability to fulfill the essential functions of the job, here are some specific examples of my responsibilities in 2025-2026:

• Created a public page to celebrate Professor Mike Davis on his retirement. The law community can leave him a comment.
• Created Scalia Spotlight: Law School/LEC Scalia Forum Judge Panel
• Reviewed accessible for the April-2026 deadline.
• Created PowerPoint template for the Institute for Consumer Financial Choice
• Republished Scalia Cascade to remove cached JSON
• Granted student access to edit the George Mason Law Review website
• Fixed broken links on Scalia Law site
• Monitored MasonLEC website due to server issue at WP Engine
• Added new adjunct profile pages
• Worked with Cascade developer on fixing the emergency message
• Put together M-VETS 2024 Year in Review
• Removed the Moot Court site
• Finished up alert message for Scalia and Foundation sites in PHP
• Updated adjunct faculty bios
• Updated CSS to display black text on gold background for hero component
• Decommissioned stand alone sites: Juris Master, Criminal Justice, Cyber, Government Contact, Flex LLM Fixed Google Search issue for Foundation site.
• Added new advisory board member
• Fixed the emergency alert message.
• Switched the alert message from JSON to PHP due to caching and JS issues
• Worked on Give button on Scalia homepage
• Added a copyright banner on the In the News landing page
• Added Google Analytics to the Foundation site
• Updated homepage Bento box to change from external links to internal for Juris Master, Criminal Justice, Cyber, Government Contact, Flex LLM
• Planned on decommissioning stand alone sites: Juris Master, Criminal Justice, Cyber, Government Contact, Flex LLM
• Worked with Hannon Hill to fix some bugs on the Foundation site
• Fixed search function on Foundation site
• Fixed navigation issue without drop down items on Foundation site
• Fixed Bento banner issue on Foundation site
• Updated Academic Calendar
• Redirected give page from the main site to the Foundation site via htaccess
• Created 2026 news directory, which included alumni news, research center news, in the news, and Somin’s in the news.
• Added a 2026 directory for faculty working papers
• Moved all 2025 news items to the archive
• Set up Google Search for Foundation for Scalia
• Fixed UI/UX issues for Foundation for Scalia
• Provided WordPress codes of the Gray Center so they can provide to vendor to rework their site
• Attended Policy 1201 presentation from the office of MasonEO
• Made CSS changes to meet accessibility
• Created Bar Exam by Jurisdiction section
• Updated Bar Support content
• Cleaned up LLM Admissions pages
• Fixed color contrast accessibility issue in Cascade
• Made changes to CAS according to requests
• Support WordPress issue via CAS
• Updated Academic Regulations
• Updated Spring 2026 Course Schedules
• Updated Fall 2025 Final Exam Schedule
• Created digital graphics for Eric Claeys’s symposium in the Van Metre Auditorium
• Updated Fall 2025 Final Exam Schedule
• Edited .htaccess on production server to fix case sensitive broken link
• Installed Redirection plugin on Flex LLM’s WordPress site
• Redirected all Flex LLM’s WordPress pages to JM program at the law school website
• Disabled Flex LLM’s Admin roles for AE staff

Organizational Citizenship

As Director of Design and Web Service, I fulfilled my civility, ethical conduct, and a strong commitment to service by engaging all individuals with respect, being timely and responsive to the needs and concerns of the university community, and actively contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment. I engaged with my colleagues, our University ITS, our vendors, our faculty, our administrators, and our students. I was always available and responsive to others’ questions, needs, and concerns. Some examples of the services I provided in 2025-2026:

• Installed Redirection plugin on Jurist Masters’s WordPress site
• Redirected all Jurist Masters’s WordPress pages to JM program at the law school website
• Disabled Jurist Masters’s Admin roles for AE staff
• Installed Redirection plugin on Criminal Justice’s WordPress site
• Redirected all Criminal Justice’s WordPress pages to JM program at the law school website
• Disabled Criminal Justice’s Admin roles for AE staff
• Installed Redirection plugin on Government Contracting’s WordPress site
• Redirected all Government Contracting’s WordPress pages to JM program at the law school website
• Disabled Government Contracting’s Admin roles for AE staff
• Installed Redirection plugin on Cyber’s WordPress site
• Redirected all Cyber’s WordPress pages to JM program at the law school website
• Disabled Cyber’s Admin roles for AE staff
• Updated the JM and LLMs online for BARBRI
• Created new pages for JM Degree Program
• Created new pages for LLM in Cyber, Intelligence & National Security Law
• Created new pages for LLM in Global Antitrust Law & Economics
• Created new pages for LLM in Intellectual Property Law
• Worked on the word lockup for 26th Annual Judicial & Legislative Reception
• Updated Profile of the Fall 2025 Entering Class
• Updated Fall 2025 Course Schedules
• Worked on website accessibility
• Worked on the Scalia Society identity
• Worked on email for Foundation for Scalia
• Requested DubBot for NSI
• Updated Fall 2025 Viewbook
• Updated Profile of the Fall 2025 Entering Class
• Added new adjunct faculty to the directory in Cascade
• Attended the Fall 2025 DAIC Meeting (Status of ADA Title II Efforts)
• Updated 3+3 FAQ Contact
• Updated student org info
• Updated PDF forms for Records Office
• Resolved obscuring headlines on random images on the homepage
• Set up emails for Foundation for Scalia
• Designed logo for the Scalia Society
• Updated Spring 2026 and Winter 2026 Schedules
• Fixed clinics and centers accessibility issues
• Fixed LibGuides accessibility issues
• Supported CAS intranet staff
• Created custom style for A-Z Databases in LibGuides
• Improved accessibility on LibGuides and A-Z Databases
• Attended Cascade Minicamp training with Sam Skinner
• Designed pages for Profile of the Fall 2025 Entering Class
• Worked on accessibility compliance
• Reworked the look and feel for the Library’s Libguides
• Worked on accessibility for Lidguides and Scalia Law Sites
• Worked on Cascade’s timezone issue for the events site
• Took the Artificial Intelligence and Application Security training
• Took the Emergency Preparedness Training
• Completed setting up the new Foundation website
• Assessed content to meet accessibility
• Reviewed accessibility practices
• Updated Records office’s content
• Worked on brand identity for Institute Consumer Financial Choice
• Updated tuition and cost info
• Updated Fall 2025 Course Schedules
• Worked on issues with the new Foundation website
• Discussed ADA compliance for our websites, particularly our main site
• Requested domain for Institute for Consumer Financial Choice
• Designed a logo for Institute for Consumer Financial Choice
• Set up a website for Institute for Consumer Financial Choice
• Fixed main Law School homepage image issue
• Updated faculty bios
• Designed wordmarks for Foundation for Scalia Law
• Assisted with CAS intranet password issue
• Helped with initiating a new site for NSI/AI3
• Updated recruitment calendar
• Looked into 25Live Calendar issue with missing events
• Set up Scalia Foundation site in Cascade
• Designed a wordmark for Foundation for Scalia Law
• Worked with Hannon Hill to set up the new site in Cascade
• Worked with Beacon to set up the new server
• Worked in Cloudflare to set up redirects
• Worked in Cloudflare to set up DNS records, SSL, and security settings
• Updated new profile photos for faculty, admin, and staff
• Updated CAS intranet homepage and created new JD landing page
• Registered new domains for Scalia Foundation
• Set up a new Cascade site for Scalia Foundation
• Made some changes to the Directory Module in Cascade
• Fixed Office Location Dropdown in Cascade
• Omitted the comma between surname and suffix in Directory Module
• Updated new photos for faculty, admin, and staff.
• Created a student organization website: The Federalist Society
• Created Student Profile Book for 2025-2026
• Updated faculty bio requests
• Created Travel Estimate 2025 form for Admissions
• Fixed redirect errors
• Created LEC computer wallpapers
• Updated requests for Records office
• Updated clinic information for MVETS
• Switched Admit Intranet to Incoming
• Updated language for ILL page
• Fixed redirect links in Cascade
• Figured out the strange issues with the Directory Module in Cascade
• Assisted with CAS Intranet requests
• Updated campus page with new information
• Updated library’s Public Patron Terminal page
• Updated degree orders in Cascade
• Switched Admit to Incoming Intranet
• Launched the new Law Library & Technology landing page
• Created Library Services page and various related pages
• Updated banners across the website with new photos
• Updated Technology information
• Cleaned up the Law Library section of the site
• Updated information on the Directory

Goals, objectives & Results

The goals and objectives for last year were to launch a brand new website with a new content management system. In addition, we needed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Rule by April 2026. We worked hard to make sure our sites are as accessible as possible. Here are the items that needed to be accomplished and how our team had accomplished in 2025-2026:

• Worked on the new Law Library landing page
• Updated banners for the new site
• Updated faculty photos
• Added library’s hours widget
• Added new library pages
• Launched Scalia Shop banner on the homepage
• Removed references to Blackboard and redirected to Canvas
• Removed references to the defunct National Law School Consortium job fair on our site
• Supported the LEC brand updates
• Resolved WordPress SSO logging in issues
• Created a section for the Scalia Shop on the homepage
• Created the landing page for Symposium on The Law and Economics of Wealth Management and Transmission.
• Updated faculty’s bio
• Completed the mapping of mylawschoolportal.gmu.edu to WordPress
• Reported and fixed the authentication error for the calendar.law.gmu.edu
• Discussed SSO implementation for Symplicity
• Migrated My School Law Portal landing page from Blackboard to WordPress
• Requested URL mapping for mylawschoolportal.gmu.edu to WordPress
• Tested out Library Daily Hours feature in Springshare and integrated it in Cascade
• Added Adminstate to DubBot
• Fixed broken links in Cascade
• Removed references to Blackboard in Cascade
• Cleaned up sidebar navigation in Cascade
• Requested accessibility evaluation for Admit and CAS intranet
• Fixed calendar login issue
• Fixed sidebar headings overflow issue (text too large)
• Uploaded and updated 2025 Fall JD Course Schedule
• Added direction page to main nav and footer
• Added clinic listing to Directory landing page
• Supported CAS Intranet staff
• Added new degree to Cascade’s Metadata
• Updated faculty bios according to requests
• Removed International Law Journey’s erroneous URL
• Relaunched Directory of People and Offices landing page
• Launched Scalia Law People Finder page
• Launched Directory of Department pages
• Redirected old department landing pages to new ones
• Proposed an alternative log in solution for the Admit intranet
• Created an In the News page for a prolific faculty member
• Updated the Kiosk site to meet accessibility
• Updated the Financial Aid page to add the contact info in four columns
• Trained law library staff how to tag each department in Cascade
• Revamped the directory landing page
• Created department landing pages
• Worked on profile directory
• Updated content on Antitrust program
• Audited accessibility in Cascade site and WordPress sites
• Reworked wallpaper graphics for desktop computers
• Tested out Cascade Workflow
• Updated links on the External Community Page Created Scalia Law People Finder page
• Migrated to a new MacBook
• Fixed Intellectual Property focus page
• Cleaned up WordPress Multisites
• Implemented SSO on all WordPress sites
• Assessed The Events Calendar plugin failed to update error
• Updated Fall 2025 schedule and tentative Spring 26 schedule
• Revised JM/LLM Regulations

Operational Leadership

As a supervisor and leader, I communicated clearly job expectations, goals, and priorities while fostering an inclusive, fair, and engaging team environment. I implemented procedures that established the trust from our users. Here are examples to demonstrate my operational leadership in designing and developing websites for the law school in 2025-2026:

• Created the form for Faculty & Administrator Biography Information
• Planned on revising the directory site
• Audited departments within the Law School site
• Created invite for the Eighth Annual Scalia Forum
• Started working on the directory portion
• Looked into solutions for keeping an event pinned on the homepage
• Revised alumni group pages.
• Investigated external link vs internal source for profile CV in Velocity format in Cascade
• Figured out the issue with Velocity format for CV
• Tidied up the codes in the new site as we learned to work with Cascade
• Fixed anchoring link issues in Cascade
• tFixed missing alt tag images for events in Cascade
• Searched for a better solutions to upload syllabi
• Documented Cascade’s materials including training, updating content, making changes to the system.
• Attended second-part of Cascade training
• Introduced to Velocity scripting in Cascade
• Learned to create the main content area, carousel, and breadcrumbs in Cascade
• Documented Cascade training materials
• Checked the new site for errors and broken links.
• Updated Summer 2025 Course Schedules
• Updated edits to Clinics/ Field Programs pages
• Updated LEC logo with new University colors
• Reworked Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board page
• Revised the ranking page
• Made GIA site private
• Updated new color for LEC logo
• Fixed Bento Box alignment issue in Cascade
• Fixed header hierarchy in Cascade
• Fixed bullet lists for profile pages and landing pages
• Fixed social media sidebar display
• Add custom styles and script option to all sites and pages
• Took Cascade developer training
• Revised and updated the Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board

Mentoring & Coaching

As a leader, I worked closely with my team on projects and requests. I also performed hands-on tasks. We built on our team skills. I assigned tasks and projects that fit the skillsets of individuals. I also attended conferences to become a better leader and also to improve my own knowledge. Here are some of the examples we worked together that demonstrated my mentoring and coaching abilities in 2025-2026:

• Attended Computer In Libraries 2025
• Learned about experimenting with AI
• Learned about digital walls at Edmonton Public Library
• Learned about using AI for web design, marketing, and social media
• Learned about using AI for creative storytelling
• Learned about Google’s Claude Project/NotebookLM
• Learned to navigate the evolving accessibility landscape
• Learned about securing library systems
• Learned about cybersecurity resilience and library’s role in citywide crisis
• Learned about AI & Libraries
• Learned about AWS & cloud computing
• Learned about securing library platform
• Learned about social media for impact & engagement: TikTok, Twitter, Bluesky
• Learned about AI learning for communities
• Learned about creating an IA literate library
• Learned about look, feel, and design for LibGuides and sites
• Incorporated icons into Cascade
• Added Summer 2025 Course Schedules
• Updated graduate info
• Fixed JS in WordPress to display Gravity Forms
• Prepared for go live date
• Implemented CSS grid in Cascade
• Worked with C-IP2 to move their WordPress site
• Fixed pages in Cascade
• Added redirects in .htaccess file
• Helped troubleshoot Admit intranet
• Corresponded with Cascade developer to fix bugs
• Fixed footer link issues
• Tested final site in Cascade
• Fixed final pages for launch
• Worked with C-IP2 IT to move its WordPress website
• Worked with Beacon Technologies on server admin
• Worked with HH developers on remaining ticket issues
• Created addition CSS styles for Cascade
• Worked with Cascade on final migration
• Fixed the new homepage
• Reworked landing pages on the new site
• Tested new pages
• Implemented .htaccess
• Implemented Google Analytics
• Coordinated DNS switchover with Beacon and ITS
• Archived C-IP2
• Created new community section and pages.
• Migrated 25Live calendar from MODX to WordPress
• Archived outdated pages
• Updated content for Global Wealth Management
• Tested website migration to Cascade
• Set up .htaccess on the new Beacon server for redirects
• Worked with Web Admin to move our full calendar behind the University’s authentication
• Continued with testing migration for Cascade
• Submitted and responded to tickets for test migration
• Deleted outdated pages
• Removed a Center site and search result
• Updated graduation info
• Updated registration for 25th Annual Judicial & Legislative Reception

Awards, Appreciation, and Recognition

• Celebrated 14 years at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University.
• Spearheaded web accessibility for our sites
• Appreciated for being a flexible, supportive supervisor

Goals & Objective

• I would like to learn more about Velocity, the programming language for Cascade
• I would like to learn more about LLM and AI relating to web development
• I would like to learn more about video editing
• I would like to attend web design and development conferences
• I would like to speak on web design, development, and typography

Even though I didn’t need to take my kids to school on Monday due to inclement weather, I woke up early and started to work. That way I could stop working a bit earlier and take my family to Liberty. My sprained ankle was not completely healed yet, but I missed the snow so bad. In addition, I was looking forward to teaching Vương to snowboard.

I was planning on staying at the learning center to teach Đạo and Vương to snowboard. Đạo didn’t want me to teach him. He wanted to learn on his own instead. As for Vương, we started off with the basic snowboard stance. As we started one-foot skating, he fell and hit his thigh into the binding. He cried and quit. We are only five minutes into the lesson. He changed into his skis and vowed never to snowboard again.

Xuân and I on our snowboard and Vương on his skis, we headed to the back side. I took it easy, but snowboarding felt so good. We went on the blues, moguls, and double-blacks. The conditions were surprisingly nice.

Đạo learned to snowboard while my wife skied on the greens. I had no idea where Đán went. We stopped at 6:00 pm and went to a Chinese Buffet. It was a great day with my family.

Casey Cep profiles Jake Reiss who is a successful book seller. Cep writes in the New Yorker:

Outside, the Alabama Booksmith is so unassuming it’s as if Reiss had forgotten that he was running a retail business: a two-story, nearly windowless structure, surrounded by office parks and parking lots, on a dead-end street in a suburb of Birmingham. Inside, the vibe is half 1970, half 1870, with wood panelling, rattan chairs, and a drop-tile ceiling—but also patterned tablecloths, cozy curtains, a functioning fireplace, and an oversized hourglass. As for the books, they sit on uncrowded shelves along the outer walls, almost all facing out so that customers can, indeed, judge them by their covers. Collectively, they are what make Reiss’s store the only one of its kind in this country: the books are all hardcovers, virtually all first printings, all signed, and, except for a handful set aside on a small shelf, all for sale at the regular retail price. “Our books don’t cost more,” Reiss likes to say, “but they are worth more.”

It’s such a fantastic business idea I wished I had came with it.

Yesterday we had a new dishwasher installed. It’s a Whirlpool 24 in. Top Control Built-In Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Dishwasher with AI Intelligent Wash, 47 dBA. We purchased it through Costco for $680, which included delivery, basic installation, haul away, and 2 Year Warranty.

Keeping the record here to see how long it will last.

After receiving both emails from the Cub leaders and the Troop leaders, I sent the following emails.

To the Troops:

Hi Troop Leaders,

Thanks for the update. Why are we cancelling the LD Tết, but not the regular meeting? As a parent of Cub, Troop, and Crew, I find it odd that LDHV will not celebrate Tết together.

Regards,
Donny Truong

To the Cubs:

Hi các trưởng,

Hope you are enjoying the snow.

As a parent of Cub, Troop, and Crew, I find the division to be puzzling, if not troubling. While my younger kids celebrate Tết, my other kids won’t and we will be in the same building.

In the red note said: “Pack would love for you to join but keep in mind your Troop or Crew kids will NOT be able to eat until AFTER ‘official’ Scout hours ~ 8:30pm.”

What if my kids come as family members and not as Troop or Crew? The eating part doesn’t matter. I just don’t want my family to be separated when we celebrate Tết. It is supposed to be the time to be together.

I understand if it can’t be changed. There’s no need to make an exception for us. It’s my fault for having too many kids (LOL!).

Regards,
Donny Truong

PS, I emailed the Troop leaders about this matter as well.

I did not get any response from any leader. Our family ended up staying home. Afterward, one of the Cub leaders sent out an apology and I replied:

Hi Trưởng H,

I understand your intention and support your decision to hold our annual Liên Đoàn New Year Party. I am 100% with you on celebrating Tết together as a family; therefore, I was taken aback when I received both emails from the Cubs and the Troops.

As parents whose kids are in Cubs, Troops, and Crews, we found ourselves in an awkward position—though our family was not alone. I responded to both emails and asked for clarifications. To my disappointment, I did not receive any response from the leadership.

As parents, we could have made the decision to pull our older kids out of the Troops and the Crews to join the Cubs in celebrating Tết together, but we wanted to hear the official words. So when we didn’t hear anything from the leaders, we had to sit out.

Trưởng H, I appreciate that you are taking one for the team, but it was not your fault alone. Leaders need to communicate better and with more transparency with the parents and the scouts. For exemple, an email from the Troops can’t simply say “Feb 13: Lien Doan Tết Celebration – Cancelled (Regular meeting instead)” without any explanation.

Trưởng H, don’t beat yourself up. Your heart was definitely in the right place. If we knew that you voted to hold the party and to keep our Vietnamese traditions, we would have come to support your effort.

Thank you for everything that you do for LDHV. Throughout this experience, you have demonstrated to be a true leader who isn’t afraid to apologize.

Wishing you, your family, and the entire LDHV ride high in the Year of the Horse!

Regards,
Donny Truong

After spraining my ankle last Wednesday playing volleyball, I had to call off my weekend job. I didn’t think I could heal fast enough to teach skiing or snowboarding. Nevertheless, I woke up early on Saturday while my wife and kids were still asleep. I brewed a hot cup of coffee and toasted a croissant. fried two eggs—sunny-side up—sprinkled a bit of black pepper, a few drops of Maggi Seasoning Sauce, and of course dollops of HaH! Chili Sauce.

After the delicious breakfast, I turned my attention to the six baskets of unfolded clothes. I needed some relaxing melodies to help me get to work. For some reason, Paul Anka popped up on my Spotify’s home screen. His most-played record, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” started to play. Damn! It brought back memories of my early days in the States. Anka had such a charming voice, especially when he sang, “Put your lips next to mine, dear / Won’t you kiss me once, baby? / Just a kiss goodnight, maybe / You and I will fall in love.”

Furthermore, Anka was such a lyricist and he made his rhymes so easy to remember. Even with my limited English at the time, I could follow along with his lyrics. “Diana” for instance, has such fine lines: “When you hold me in your loving arms / I can feel you giving all your charms / Hold me, darling, ho-ho hold me tight / Squeeze me baby with all your might.”

As I was relistening to these records, I realized that Anka used lots of action words. “I Don’t Like to Sleep Alone” was one of my personal favorite records and here was the reason: “Reaching out, touching you / Leaving all the worries all behind / Loving you the way I do / My mouth on yours and yours on mine.” What a charmer.

Of course, I couldn’t forget about “My Way,” an iconic record Anka wrote the English lyrics from a French song for Frank Sinatra. Again, his active verbs did it: “I ate it up and I spit it out / I faced it all and I stood tall / And did it my way.” Years later, JAY-Z sampled Anka’s recording and he rapped: “Momma’s youngest and strongest, survived summers like saunas.” He rhymed on, “Grandma’s favorite, she could not understand / How there’s people in the world who wouldn’t want me as a neighbor / Had to explain to her, you think these folks want me in the penthouse / As a reminder that I make top paper? / Black entrepreneur, nobody did us no favors / Nobody gave us shit, we made us.” JAY ended with a quote of his own: “Nigga, I did it my—way.”

On Wednesday evening, I sprained my right ankle playing volleyball. My first reaction was, “Oh fuck, I won’t be able to ski or snowboard for a few weeks and the season is almost done.”

I put on some ice. Then my wife applied some Tiger Palm before I went to bed. I couldn’t sleep. On Thursday, I worked from home because I could barely walk. I wrapped my ankle with ice for the entire day. It was helping, but I could still feel the pain (about eight out of ten) and my ankle was swollen.

Before I went to bed on Thursday, I applied some Tiger Palm and popped two Aleve pills. I woke up on Friday and the pain dropped to about two out of ten. I continued to apply ice and popped 1 more Aleve in the afternoon and 1 more in the evening.

By Saturday morning, the pain was one out of ten. The swell had subsided drastically. I probably can go back to snowboarding on Sunday, but I already took off work this weekend. In addition, I want to rest some more before I get back to the slopes.

I am so happy that my foot healed quicker than I had anticipated. Although Aleve sped up the treatment, I only used it when I absolutely needed it and stopped immediately.

Jill Scott’s back and she doesn’t give a fuck To Whom This May Concern. On the string-orchestrated blues, “Pay U on Tuesday,” she tells it like it is, “You’s a ign’ant motherfucker, yup, facts is just facts / I don’t want no more nigga blues.” Even as a satirical blues, Scott’s delivery is spot on.

With social media these days, Scott is aware of people talking about her body image on IG. Again, she doesn’t give a flying fuck. Over the smooth, funk “Don’t Play,” she sings about sex with confidence: “You just been humping me / Shallowly, superficially / Baby, don’t close your eyes / You can see and feel at the same time.” She goes on, “Touch me all over, squeeze my meat / Everything on me got feeling / Change the position up / Give me Afrobeats.” Yes, squeeze them meat.

Scott is also aware of the “Pressha.” She sings softly on the chorus, “Pretty and cosmetic / Elementary, alphabetic / So much pressure to appear just like them.” For a song about pressure, the beat is quite laid back. On “Offdaback,” she sings casually, “On this fine day, I can go to the bookstore, buy a book (Bill Drummond) and read it.” I just love the fact that she includes books in her lyrics.

On “BPOTY” (Biggest Player Of The Year), she calls out the pharmaceutical industry “got me dying to heal / Keep me in the hospital, bills sky high / Suppress my symptoms (’Til I die).” She continues over the funkified rhythm, “With a little pill (’Til I die) / What you tryna do to me? / Keep me coming back like a ho on a track and that’s a fact.”

With 19 tracks with a diverse range of sonics and lyrics, TWTMC is a fascinating experimental album. Scott knows she can “Be Great”: “Let the load lift, let the words shift / I ain’t herе to live in fear or just plain ol’ exist.” I loved her music and got a kick out of the punchline: “You’re like an aloe to my cut.”

Theo quan niệm dân gian, năm tuổi (năm cầm tinh) gặp nhiều xui xẻo và trắc trở. Chị tôi cũng nhắc nhở tôi thế vì năm nay là năm Ngọ.

Hôm thứ Tư vẫn chơi bóng chuyền với anh em như thường lệ. Bỗng nhiên nhảy lên sơ ý chạm xuống lật chân phải. Mới bước sang năm mới mà bị trẹo chân rồi. Khổ nỗi tôi là con ngựa đam mê phi trên tuyết. Kiểu này phải nằm ở nhà mấy ngày.

Cũng đỡ là chưa gãy xương hay bị nghiêm trọng mà chỉ sưng mắt cá chân thôi. Trong tục ngữ có câu “Trong cái rủi có cái may” nên tôi không cho rằng đây là cái xui mà là sự nhắc nhở tôi phải cẩn thận hơn khi chơi thể thao.

Dĩ nhiên có chơi có chịu. Môn thể thao nào cũng có cái nguy hiểm của nó. Quan trọng là mình phải biết quý trọng cơ thể của mình. Tôi hy vọng sẽ bình phục sớm để trở lại núi tuyết. Chỉ còn một tháng nữa là hết mùa trượt tuyết rồi.

Sau khi đọc bức thư tôi viết cho Xuân vào ngày sinh nhật thứ mười của nó, một người bạn đã kể cho tôi nghe hoàn cảnh của chị. Từ lúc biết đến anh chị, tôi rất ngưỡng mộ hai vợ chồng. Sau khi đọc những dòng tâm sự của chị, tôi càng khâm phục tinh thần của anh chị. Mấy hôm nay, tôi đã suy nghĩ rất nhiều về những gì chị đã không ngần ngại chia sẻ.

Mỗi gia đình mỗi hoàn cảnh khác nhau. Có vui, có buồn, có hạnh phúc, và có lo âu nhất là khi có con cái. Gia đình bé nhỏ của tôi cũng thế. Làm cha làm mẹ, ai lại không muốn dạy dỗ con cái nên người? Không phải để cha mẹ nở mặt nở mày mà để tụi nó có một cuộc sống tốt đẹp trong tương lai. Không chỉ riêng tôi mà cha mẹ nào cũng quan tâm đến việc học hành của con cái. Càng lo lắng càng nhắc nhở thì bọn nó càng chống lại và càng vô trách nhiệm.

Tôi sống xa ba từ nhỏ. Việc học hành của tôi, ba chưa hề nhìn tới. Còn mẹ thì bận bịu lo lắng những buổi cơm để tôi được ấm no, nên cũng chẳng bao giờ để ý đến điểm hay hạng gì của tôi. Tự một mình tôi học hành và cuối cùng cũng xong. Con đường tôi chọn đúng hay sai tôi không hối hận. Giờ đây tôi cũng bớt căng thẳng về học vấn của tụi nó. Tôi hổ trợ được gì thì làm. Tụi nó phải tự chủ động với tương lai của bọn nó.

Đánh đập bọn nó thì là không thể rồi. La hét cũng chẳng thằng nào nghe. Thôi thì đành cố gắn nói chuyện nhỏ nhẹ với bọn nó. Lúc biết mình lên cơn giận thì tự câm cái mồm lại và tự nuốt cơn giận. Nhìn vào những điều tích cực và lướt qua những tiêu cực là một việc rất khó nhưng phải làm.

Những gì mình còn làm được cho con cái thì cứ làm. Những cơ hội nào có thể tạo cho tụi nó thì cứ tạo. Thời gian nào dành được cho tụi nó thì cứ dành. Rong chơi được với chúng nó thì cứ rong chơi. Những gì ngoài tầm tay mình thì cũng không làm được gì. Mình chỉ kiểm soát được chính bản thân. Tương lai không biết được. Hôm nay mình còn tồn tại nơi này và chúng nó còn ở bên cạnh mình là đủ rồi. Mọi thứ khác như danh vọng, địa vị, tài năng không quan trọng.