Welcome to the Matrix. Choose your pill at the door. Seat yourself. Your waiter will be with you shortly.

2024 met its end last week, and now I find myself (as I often do) reflecting on the clusterf*ck and chaos of the year — both on a personal level and on a global scale. Not all bad, mind you. Just disorganized and messy. Like a steady entropic march.

SIDE NOTE: Speaking of entropy, I wonder if Rudolf Clausius ever considered his theory would apply to human nature.

Okay, that’s WAY too deep and dark to end the year. I mean, it certainly hasn’t gone as hoped [ Note to self… possible title for autobiography: “It certainly hasn’t gone as hoped.” ] But it certainly hasn’t been all bad, either.

Let’s recap the highlights, shall we?

  • My Campfire Queen and I became grandparents. I didn’t think I’d ever be ready for that, but that ‘lil booger has become the Bilbo to my Gandalf, the Grogu to my Din Djarin.
  • I witnessed my first total eclipse
  • I also witnessed my first comet
  • I also got to see the Northern lights from my backyard.
  • My Campfire Queen and I celebrated our 13th anniversary.
  • My kiddo turned 17 AND got his driver’s license.
  • My kiddo and I got to meet Seth Gilliam (that’s #2 on our TWD actors list)
  • I’m sure there’s something else…

To be completely honest, though… much of it was clouded by misfortune. Not so much that it sapped all the joy from those awesome moments, but enough to make them feel crowded. Like wearing your brand new Jordans while standing in the middle of a bunch of muddy pigs. For example…

  • We missed the NWA Comic Con in January because the entire household was hit with Covid.
  • Both of our vehicles needed very expensive repairs.
  • I cracked a tooth while eating a grilled chicken sandwich, which led to yet another root canal.
  • I, once again, watched people I know and respect conduct themselves with animosity and vitriol due to the presidential election.
  • Although my son and I got to attend the Spa-Con and meet Seth Gilliam, I was hit with bad case of vertigo, which cut the day short.
  • Shiloh, our 14 year old Husky that’s been with us for 12 years, died.
  • Christmas didn’t feel like Christmas should. It came and went with a whimper… like a fart in the wind.

Now, I don’t like to dwell on the negative. Shit happens. Life moves on. But last year left me feeling like that scene from Black Sheep where Chris Farley goes rolling down the hill unexpectedly.

This year, I’m going to focus my efforts on being proactive instead of reactive. And when things change and/or alter my plans, I’ll pivot and adapt. I can’t control things outside of my own personal choices, but I can control how I respond to them — the utmost tenet of Stoicism.

I’ve got big plans for this year. Big, hairy, audacious plans. And I mean to see them through.

With that, I leave you with the amusements of Hazel Wigglebottom, the last of the Fluffertons.

Until next time…
お元気で (Ogenkide)