News from the Room
Easter : A Time Marker for the Grievers
For most people, Easter is a long weekend, chocolate eggs, and maybe a family lunch. But for grievers, Easter—like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, and Christmas—feels more like a highlighter on the calendar. Not one that draws attention to what’s ahead, but one that underlines what's missing.
These kinds of days mark time.
Another Easter without them.
Another photo without their face.
Another chair at the table left empty.
Grief has no linear path, but milestones like this can make it feel like you’re being dragged forward against your will—further from the moment you last held them, heard them, or spoke their name out loud without it catching in your throat.
Some days it feels like the memories are fading.
Like you’re forgetting their laugh.
Their voice.
Their quirks.
That’s a sad part of grief that no one really warns you about.
So if you’re grieving this Easter, I hope you can be gentle with yourself. If someone you love is grieving, I hope you can be gentle with them too. Don’t try to fix the day. Don’t try to fill the silence. Just be there. Sit with them. Remind them—through your presence or your words—that it’s okay to hurt, and it’s okay to remember.
Because these days are hard enough as they are. And sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is simply say:
“I remember them too.”
The 411
This Week at Room Eleven
Testing: the Thunderdome
This week I did my first test run around the Thunderdome—aka the racetrack where I’ll attempt the Guinness World Record.
Honestly? It went well, but man I’ve got a long way to go.
I forgot how full-body the scooter is. Quads, hamstrings, calves… even my shoulders were feeling it. It’s humbling, because I was only there a few hours. But it’s also motivating. I know what needs work—especially legs and endurance.
It’s going to be a huge mountain to climb, but I'm keen for it. There’s something about the repetition, the rhythm, and the sheer stubbornness it takes to just keep going forward that feels weirdly familiar.
Livestream Progress: Early Tests & Big Potential
While I was at the track, I met with the head of a livestream production company.
They’ve got experience with livestream broadcasts, and they came out to do some drone test shots and check the layout. It was exciting to see a rough vision come to life—even if only for a few minutes.
The idea is to turn this challenge into something people can be part of from anywhere. And these early tests made me feel like, yeah, that’s possible.
The Purpose: Small & Intimate or Big & Public?
Right now, I’m at a crossroads.
Do I:
Push for a bigger two-day public event?
Pros: More people involved, more local businesses supported, more exposure and potential sponsors, more fundraising.
Cons: Higher costs, more moving parts, bigger risk.Keep it small and focused, with a solid livestream plan?
Pros: Lower costs, tighter logistics, potentially less stress.
Cons: Smaller reach, less in-person connection, and possibly fewer fundraising opportunities.
I’d love your thoughts. Seriously. If you’ve run events before or just have an opinion, hit reply to this email or comment on the post. You’re part of this too, and I want to make sure we’re building something meaningful—together.
Weekly Musings
What I’m Reading: Red Rising by Pierce Brown
This book’s been on my radar for ages—everyone seems to rate it. I finally dove in and now I get the hype. It’s set in a distant future, but the themes feel very now—class divides, power, identity, rebellion.
The world-building is wild but grounded, and the pace is sharp. What I didn’t expect was how emotional it is. It’s not just about the big battles—it’s about what drives someone to try and change a broken system, and what that change can cost them.
Definitely worth a read if you like your sci-fi gritty, fast, and full of heart.
What I’m watching: Captain America: Brave New World
First new Marvel movie for the year and it was ok. Very formulaic. Nothing surprising about how the story is going to go.
I think that would’ve been different if they didn’t put Harrison Ford as Red Hulk in the poster, the trailer, and basically all the key marketing material. After watching the film, you can clearly tell they were building it up to be a twist at the end—but by then, it’s already old news. Bit of a missed opportunity there.
There were a few good action sequences and a couple of character moments that landed well, but overall it felt like Marvel is still in that weird in-between phase—trying to introduce new faces while clinging onto old formulas. If you're a longtime fan, it’s still watchable. Just don’t expect it to break new ground.
Quote I’m Pondering: "Let your emotions fuel you. Don’t fuel your emotions."
There’s a difference between using your grief, anger, or sadness as motivation… and letting those emotions drive the whole car.
One leads to growth.
The other burns you out.
Easter reminds us that time keeps moving—even when grief makes it feel like it shouldn’t. Whether you’re out there training for something big, navigating tough decisions behind the scenes, or just trying to show up for yourself and others, it’s all connected. The grief, the growth, the resilience—it’s messy, and it’s real.
So wherever you’re at this week, be kind to yourself. Pause when you need to. Push when you can. And keep going, even if it’s slow.
If this newsletter gave you something to think about—or helped you feel a little more understood—please share it with someone who might need it too. One person. That’s all it takes to keep the conversation going.
See you next week!
Rob
Giving Back
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Room Eleven is a social enterprise business and does not qualify for DGR status.