16 january 2026 - hopium year????
Okay lads, we've gone from every single Friday to Fridays when I feel like it. But that's okay. That's good, I've been busy. I've just had my first straight up good week at my new job. Not that the job sucks or anything, it's just a lot of information and I was finding myself overwhelmed. I still am, at times, but I'm regulating a lot better. I actually had a panic attack and had to leave early one week ago today, so to have had a good week is big - huge!
So, the holiday season -
I don't talk about car guy stuff nearly as much as I used to, but I did have a track day a couple days before Christmas. I love to be able to use my entire car, using the entire tachometer through all the gears. I learned a lot about the limitations of the car and what I'd like to do next. We went with our friends Pat and Anna, who are getting married this year! And I'll be part of the wedding?????? So excited and so very honored. If you wanna see me do car shit, btw, it's probably just a matter of time before I make an appearance on Pat's YouTube channel. Until that day comes, you should watch him anyway.
Christmas came and went with a bittersweet quickness; the biggest Christmas I've had in years while also missing the most people I'd really rather have around this time of year. Nina's parents are out of the country at the moment, and we both have a sibling who spent Christmas in another state. Hoping to see all of these people sooner rather than later. Hayden and Jo becoming Christmas regulars has been amazing over the years. I've talked about it before, but having friends who fit with your family is an experience I wish on everyone.
I have been working on music. I've been making some of the best stuff I ever have. I may have some outtakes to share with the world again sometime soon. I have talking points already written(and have for a few weeks) and will likely record this year's Better than the Grammys yap sesh. Waiting until February seems like too long a wait. I really would have already done it, but I contracted illness on Christmas that has kept me out of even speaking in complete sentences for most of the day without coughing until literally today. Today is the first day where I haven't coughed since a couple days after Christmas, but I am still having to clear my throat. Oh well, we're getting stuff done.
I'm excited for this year. I don't have too many goals, but I do have them. I want to upload on Youtube at a minimum of once a month, I want to write one of these with the same minimum frequency. I would love to be able to announce an album by the end of the year, but you can't rush that. I want to see as much live music as possible. I want to maybe go to a World Cup game. I could live without that one though. If Arsenal have a chance to win the Premier League, I want to be at Lincoln Hall in DC to soak it all in. I need to be there for that, should the occasion arise. I want to go to New York again and buy overpriced vintage at Rogue. I want to go to Chicago and visit our friends Mai and Reb. I want to go to Philly and do whatever people do in Philly. I want to go see the many amazing thrift and vintage shops in Pittsburgh. I want to take a train to all of these places rather than drive.
I'd like to go to at least one music festival. The easy choice is Warped, because they always come to town(when they exist, at least), but what if we crossed the country to go to one? Who knows.
I want to continue to lean into my friendships for love and support, easing the burden on my significant other. A structure built on many pillars will long outlast a structure built on one. I want to go out for lunch more often on the weekends. I want to try going to a movie theater again. I want to take more pictures. I want to strengthen my relationships.
I want to make the leap. You know the one.
I guess I have more potential goals than I thought. I'm not too pressed on completing them. If you put them all in a blender, the resulting smoothie would simply say "I want to continue to enjoy myself without guilt the way I did in 2025."
I hope you do the same. We'll compare notes at the end of the year.
With all the love in the world(as ever),
Geoff
