Luke M. Perez
@lmperez.bsky.social
Dad by day, and by night, also a dad. I teach US National Security at a university.
Arizona in December…
… where it’s sunny, 80 degrees, and the city pool event is Swimming with Santa.
… where it’s sunny, 80 degrees, and the city pool event is Swimming with Santa.
December 14, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Arizona in December…
… where it’s sunny, 80 degrees, and the city pool event is Swimming with Santa.
… where it’s sunny, 80 degrees, and the city pool event is Swimming with Santa.
I had my second jiujitsu competition yesterday; I lost both fights but I wasn’t there to win, I was there for Paco.
The bracket with small groups works out that I still got bronze. My friend/mentor from the academy snapped this one for me.
The bracket with small groups works out that I still got bronze. My friend/mentor from the academy snapped this one for me.
December 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I had my second jiujitsu competition yesterday; I lost both fights but I wasn’t there to win, I was there for Paco.
The bracket with small groups works out that I still got bronze. My friend/mentor from the academy snapped this one for me.
The bracket with small groups works out that I still got bronze. My friend/mentor from the academy snapped this one for me.
Last year, Paco got a plunger at the Thanksgiving parade; this year, his sibling made sure they got their own, and so of course they were in our family pic for the year.
November 27, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Last year, Paco got a plunger at the Thanksgiving parade; this year, his sibling made sure they got their own, and so of course they were in our family pic for the year.
Paco loved Thanksgiving. And while we have so much for which to be grateful, there is also a giant hole of love without him. Last year he won that plunger on Thanksgiving and every day after it became his sword, magic wand, scepter.
Today, I’ll have it with me.
My heart hurts today.
Today, I’ll have it with me.
My heart hurts today.
November 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Paco loved Thanksgiving. And while we have so much for which to be grateful, there is also a giant hole of love without him. Last year he won that plunger on Thanksgiving and every day after it became his sword, magic wand, scepter.
Today, I’ll have it with me.
My heart hurts today.
Today, I’ll have it with me.
My heart hurts today.
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Finished reading: The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro 📚
Read this with my graduate students. It was an undertaking! But they did it.
Read this with my graduate students. It was an undertaking! But they did it.
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Finished reading: The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro 📚
Read this with my graduate students. It was an undertaking! But they did it.
Read this with my graduate students. It was an undertaking! But they did it.
🎥 Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983) - ★★★★★
Introduced the big kid to the Smooth Criminal yesterday, so naturally he asked to see more classic MJ today. Pulled up the GOAT.
Introduced the big kid to the Smooth Criminal yesterday, so naturally he asked to see more classic MJ today. Pulled up the GOAT.
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 AM
🎥 Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983) - ★★★★★
Introduced the big kid to the Smooth Criminal yesterday, so naturally he asked to see more classic MJ today. Pulled up the GOAT.
Introduced the big kid to the Smooth Criminal yesterday, so naturally he asked to see more classic MJ today. Pulled up the GOAT.
We went to ASU’s homecoming parade and the Missus got her dream come true (after six years of waiting): a family photo on Palm Walk:
“Forks Up” Sundevils.
“Forks Up” Sundevils.
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
We went to ASU’s homecoming parade and the Missus got her dream come true (after six years of waiting): a family photo on Palm Walk:
“Forks Up” Sundevils.
“Forks Up” Sundevils.
Went to In-N-Out for the free meal. Got a cool sticker, too.
November 12, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Went to In-N-Out for the free meal. Got a cool sticker, too.
Ladies and gentlemen… TEN YEARS
Honestly, I am having difficulty believing it but the math checks out.
Honestly, I am having difficulty believing it but the math checks out.
October 12, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Ladies and gentlemen… TEN YEARS
Honestly, I am having difficulty believing it but the math checks out.
Honestly, I am having difficulty believing it but the math checks out.
Happy birthday, Paco. You are missed, and so loved.
We’re making this your day, kiddo.
We’re making this your day, kiddo.
October 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Happy birthday, Paco. You are missed, and so loved.
We’re making this your day, kiddo.
We’re making this your day, kiddo.
Finished reading: Syllabus: The Remarkable, Unremarkable Document That Changes Everything (Skills for Scholars) by William Germano 📚
Wrapped this up a while ago but forgot record it. Whoops.
Wrapped this up a while ago but forgot record it. Whoops.
October 8, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Finished reading: Syllabus: The Remarkable, Unremarkable Document That Changes Everything (Skills for Scholars) by William Germano 📚
Wrapped this up a while ago but forgot record it. Whoops.
Wrapped this up a while ago but forgot record it. Whoops.
Currently reading: The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro 📚
So… a serious re-read with my grad students between known and, well, whenever (if) we finish. Let’s go!
So… a serious re-read with my grad students between known and, well, whenever (if) we finish. Let’s go!
October 8, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Currently reading: The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro 📚
So… a serious re-read with my grad students between known and, well, whenever (if) we finish. Let’s go!
So… a serious re-read with my grad students between known and, well, whenever (if) we finish. Let’s go!
Currently reading: Syllabus: The Remarkable, Unremarkable Document That Changes Everything (Skills for Scholars) by William Germano 📚
October 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Currently reading: Syllabus: The Remarkable, Unremarkable Document That Changes Everything (Skills for Scholars) by William Germano 📚
Finished reading: Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff 📚
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Finished reading: Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff 📚
Finished reading: Nimitz at War by Craig L. Symonds 📚
October 7, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Finished reading: Nimitz at War by Craig L. Symonds 📚
September 16, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A year ago today, Paco started jiujitsu. Surprisingly, I never posted his original “First day of class” photo. I did post his first stripe on his white belt. Here’s his first day of class pick.
My God it surprises me how much I can miss that little guy. 💔
I’m so glad I took that snapshot.
My God it surprises me how much I can miss that little guy. 💔
I’m so glad I took that snapshot.
July 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM
A year ago today, Paco started jiujitsu. Surprisingly, I never posted his original “First day of class” photo. I did post his first stripe on his white belt. Here’s his first day of class pick.
My God it surprises me how much I can miss that little guy. 💔
I’m so glad I took that snapshot.
My God it surprises me how much I can miss that little guy. 💔
I’m so glad I took that snapshot.
People ask me all the time “how hot is it, really, where you live in the summer?”
Welp. I woke up just after 12:30am to get some water and thought to myself, “self, how hot is it outisde right now?” And behold, MySelf found the answer to my internal mental query.
Welp. I woke up just after 12:30am to get some water and thought to myself, “self, how hot is it outisde right now?” And behold, MySelf found the answer to my internal mental query.
July 10, 2025 at 7:39 AM
People ask me all the time “how hot is it, really, where you live in the summer?”
Welp. I woke up just after 12:30am to get some water and thought to myself, “self, how hot is it outisde right now?” And behold, MySelf found the answer to my internal mental query.
Welp. I woke up just after 12:30am to get some water and thought to myself, “self, how hot is it outisde right now?” And behold, MySelf found the answer to my internal mental query.
🎵 From Capelton Hill - Stars - ★★★★☆
I missed this album in the post-pandemic malaise in which I stopped listening to music regularly. Lovely to (re)discover.
I missed this album in the post-pandemic malaise in which I stopped listening to music regularly. Lovely to (re)discover.
June 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
🎵 From Capelton Hill - Stars - ★★★★☆
I missed this album in the post-pandemic malaise in which I stopped listening to music regularly. Lovely to (re)discover.
I missed this album in the post-pandemic malaise in which I stopped listening to music regularly. Lovely to (re)discover.
The kids made it a good day. Took me to lunch after Mass, and later we went to a city pool. I’m grateful they knew it would be hard for me today: so they made the day that Paco would have (Paco was always the one to plan how to make your day great).
June 16, 2025 at 3:35 AM
The kids made it a good day. Took me to lunch after Mass, and later we went to a city pool. I’m grateful they knew it would be hard for me today: so they made the day that Paco would have (Paco was always the one to plan how to make your day great).
It’s Father’s Day, but someone is missing. I miss this guy so very much. He was “the strongest avenger” in our house. And he never let a day like today pass without celebration. So, I’ll rally for Paco—my buddy bear, my “el torrito”, but he’s not here. And my day will always be incomplete.
June 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM
It’s Father’s Day, but someone is missing. I miss this guy so very much. He was “the strongest avenger” in our house. And he never let a day like today pass without celebration. So, I’ll rally for Paco—my buddy bear, my “el torrito”, but he’s not here. And my day will always be incomplete.
Three months of grief, and my birthday.: https://micro.lukemperez.com/2025/06/06/three-months-of-grief-and.html
June 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Three months of grief, and my birthday.: https://micro.lukemperez.com/2025/06/06/three-months-of-grief-and.html
Big kid one his pinewood derby tonight. Undefeated. After these last two months, he needed something to be excited about it.
May 6, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Big kid one his pinewood derby tonight. Undefeated. After these last two months, he needed something to be excited about it.