I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
2025, what an exhausting year it’s been. If I can think of one word to describe this year it would be—tumult.
I think we’ll all look back at 2025 as a time of great transformation, of a shift from one era to a completely different one. Transformation tends to make most people edgy, unsure, and generally uncomfortable even if they don’t realize why they’re feeling that way.
Tu·mult - a state of noisy confusion, disorder, or uproar, often from a crowd or mob, but it can also describe a turbulent or agitated state of mind, emotions, or a situation. Think loud commotion, riot, or intense inner turmoil.
My recent article about Minnesota fraud has earned me a fair amount of negative attention on other social media platforms. A few years ago this would have bothered me and my mindspace would be a cyclone of second-guessing and worry that I did the wrong thing. But not this time.
To me this is just a small example of the kind of “shaming” that happens to real whistleblowers. It’s a mechanism that’s been put in place to instill an environment of fear to dissuade people from speaking out when they experience something they know isn’t right. It's a form of societal self-censorship, and quite an effective one. It’s sad that people are willing to jeopardize relationships over this but these days, a lot of people obediently believe what their algorithms tell them to.
On A Brighter (and Louder) Note
I had the opportunity to launch Tesla’s 2025 light show a few days ago in my Model 3. I had to find a secluded parking spot for recording because the music was about ten times louder than the video makes it seem. It truly sounded like an outdoor concert. This would have been a lot more impressive at night but mother nature served us up a proper snowstorm just a few hours after I recorded this.
Right On Time
In Minnesota we’re descending into what’s typically our coldest time of the year. We can have below zero weather for weeks on end between January and early March.
If you don’t want to be a hermit this time of year you have to learn to dress for the severe weather and give in to the fact that you have to try and get used to it and try to enjoy the outdoors anyway.
I ventured into the woods yesterday during -5 degree temperatures and 40mph winds. It’s hard to believe but after a few consistent weeks of this weather your body does begin to get used to it—what a testament to the adaptability of the human body. The most difficult part of it all is silencing our "inner-wimp" who generates a million excuses to stay warm and cozy.
When the first glimpses of spring arrive here in late March, or sometime in April, 30-40 degrees will actually feel warm. What I miss most this time of year is the sight of color and the smell of the Earth because once the temps descend into the single digits, the sense of smell disappears as everything is frozen and buried under the snow.
This will be the perfect time to get started recording my spoken word poetry and getting the video files uploaded to my YouTube channel. I can't wait to share this with you all.
2,000 Pull-up Challenge
It took him almost ten hours but my nephew completed his 2,000 pull-up challenge via live stream on YouTube a few days ago.
Although his hands were shredded and he couldn't feel his arms, he conquered the challenge. He'll be attempting an ultra-marathon (100+ miles) in 2026 and I don't have an ounce of doubt that he'll crush it.
Who Can Relate?
I ran across this New Yorker cartoon and couldn't resist sharing it in one of my blogs. I think we can all relate to Gary, especially this time of the year.
Incase I don't make it back here before the clock strikes twelve in a few days—Happy New Year and thanks so much for the support and friendship this year!
All for now. Thanks so much for reading.
This bomb cyclone right now is no joke. I just had to drive down to Toledo and back in it and I am still waiting for my heart rate to come back down :) That's too bad you are getting negative feedback from your post. Isn't it all facts? People sure do't like facts these days huh?
You can say that again! It's very stressful to drive long distances in this stuff. Yes, people's reactions can be disappointing these days. I never imagined in a million years someone would have a problem with something that effects us all in a negative way. I suppose this is the world we live in now.
Absolutely crazy!
I love that cartoon. I know the feeling!
That light show is pretty funny. Someone or ones got paid a lot of money to do that!
Congrats to your nephew!
So true! And so difficult to have discussions with these people. Of course they think I am just believing what my algorithms tell me to believe. Maybe I am.
Happy New Year!
I can so relate to Gary.: ) Yes, I should been ready for the backlash but I was so careful to frame it in what I thought was a fair and balanced way, this is why it came as such a surprise. Algorithms will effect our perspectives more than we know if we don't make an effort to seek out and consider both sides of an issue. People are so quick to label those who don't agree with them as the enemy or somehow less intelligent or informed—this is the most profound problem we face today. If people would only realize the real battle is between the citizens and the uniparty not against each other. Thanks and Happy New Year to you!
It seems like we have all experienced a lot of changes this year.
Wish you happy new year!
Thank you and Happy New Year to you!
I hope next year is better for everyone. There's a lot of negativity around lately. Can't do much about the weather, but I guess you are used to it. I've experienced some cold weather lately and found it tough. It's not generally too bad where we are.
Me too, Steve. It's sad how many carry hate in their hearts these days. Yes, after thirty years I'm somewhat used to it. You just learn how to dress for it. It helped so much to be able to escape it for a few weeks but we haven't been able to do that these past few years. I'd love the mild weather there in the UK. I'm always struck by how similar the weather was in central Ohio was to the UK—lots of clouds and rain. I recently read how so many Americans are moving to the Cotswolds, it's mighty tempting.
It's mild here considering we're on a similar latitude to Calgary thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Ending the year with resilience and optimism says a lot. Looking forward to seeing what new projects and ideas you bring into the next chapter.
Thank you! I wish you a wonderful New Year!
Don't get discouraged, I think people just are too set in their beliefs both on left and right to hear the truth that doesn't fit into their worldview.
Thanks, I'm really disappointed more than discouraged. I'm flabbergasted by how willing people are to disrespect others and jeopardize friendships/relationships over differences of opinion.
How many people censor themselves because they're afraid of looking bad in front of others! I can't wait to see those videos and hear your voice. Happy New Year, my friend. May 2026 be full of success and growth. Hugs.
It's such an effective means of control, isn't it? It's akin to what was happening in cold war East Germany or is happening in North Korea today. Although this kind of fear-induced self censorship is more subtle and sophisticated. Thank you! It's going to be a fun project. The renovations should be wrapped up in a few weeks and I'll be diving head first into recording and putting this together. It'll probably take most of 2026 to record them all, maybe even well into 2027. Happy New Year to you Nancy! I wish you a wonderful next trip around the sun!
You have been manual curated and upvoted by @ecency
Bye 2025.