I think the weird liminal fold of space time that was 2020 - 2022 was the actual worst; apart from all the pandemic shit my Dad died in 2021. Losing a parent was for fifty something me to deal with, not forty something me so I was not prepared, and ever since it's felt like something in the continuum broke; there's the me before Dad passed away and now there's me after his passing, and there are days when those two versions of me don't recognise each other.
That said, 2025 has somehow been a particularly shit year, but I can only point to a couple of events that justify that rating, the rest is just vibes. Here's hoping 2026 manages to get its shit together and do better, the world desperately needs something to go right.
I for one am totally looking forward to the Forever Dead…and the next Axis of time stories - it’s been a bit long! I hear you regarding 2025…..I wont bore you with details but I look forward to seeing it gone…probably the worst year ever. Happy to see it gone.
Uni Creative Writing programs will use the Birminghator Writing Engine as a case study: how to alchemise occasional head wobbliness & justified crankiness & storm damage & paintstripping humour, via effortful routines, into Stuff Always Worth Reading. Relax into 2026.
"I did have a couple of paragraphs here about the fall of the US and the invasion of Taiwan and the end of Western civilisation, but nobody needs to read that nonsense" ~ there won't be any need to read about the fall of the US, I'm fully expecting to watch it unfold it live on the six o'clock news at some point in 2026.
Yeah... 2025 was ok for the most part however my wife's dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Lymphoma in July and despite the chemo, it got him on December 29. So we are not in a happy new year state of mind right now.
I’ve had a great year.
Still retired, investments are up and my grandson started college and got a 3.98 out of 4 in his first semester.
Hope everyone else has a good year and looking forward to 2026 and World War 3.xxx
Happy New Year to everyone.
I think the weird liminal fold of space time that was 2020 - 2022 was the actual worst; apart from all the pandemic shit my Dad died in 2021. Losing a parent was for fifty something me to deal with, not forty something me so I was not prepared, and ever since it's felt like something in the continuum broke; there's the me before Dad passed away and now there's me after his passing, and there are days when those two versions of me don't recognise each other.
That said, 2025 has somehow been a particularly shit year, but I can only point to a couple of events that justify that rating, the rest is just vibes. Here's hoping 2026 manages to get its shit together and do better, the world desperately needs something to go right.
I can send you a copy of the essay I wrote after my dad died, if you want. Might help.
Oh thank you! I’ve read that essay and it did help ♥️
Lost my Dad to Parkinson’s last year . Sort of drifted between the light and the dark this whole year . Sucks when your heroes go .
It’s rough. I’m so sorry about your Dad 🥺♥️
Thanx sorry about your losses. Hope it’s a better year for all of us
I know that one….my father died the same year, Mum died mid 2025…and a heap,of other crap occurred too, Fuck 2025…
Oh no I’m so sorry. 2025 can fuck right off 😭
I for one am totally looking forward to the Forever Dead…and the next Axis of time stories - it’s been a bit long! I hear you regarding 2025…..I wont bore you with details but I look forward to seeing it gone…probably the worst year ever. Happy to see it gone.
Uni Creative Writing programs will use the Birminghator Writing Engine as a case study: how to alchemise occasional head wobbliness & justified crankiness & storm damage & paintstripping humour, via effortful routines, into Stuff Always Worth Reading. Relax into 2026.
Happy New Year JB! Thank you for all the writing, your columns and books are lights in a pretty gloomy world!
I finally read the Procrastination e-book over the break! (I know right!) If only my uni psych textbook were written like that, so much more engaging!
I’m going to be Pomodoring and RULER-ing my way into 2026!
"I did have a couple of paragraphs here about the fall of the US and the invasion of Taiwan and the end of Western civilisation, but nobody needs to read that nonsense" ~ there won't be any need to read about the fall of the US, I'm fully expecting to watch it unfold it live on the six o'clock news at some point in 2026.
Yeah... 2025 was ok for the most part however my wife's dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Lymphoma in July and despite the chemo, it got him on December 29. So we are not in a happy new year state of mind right now.
I found out that TV is dead , a dead end to work for and you really can't go home again.
I made bunch of cartoons for the the most amazingly named American punk band The Gas Station Boner Pills. https://youtu.be/-dNtI8Xfg74
Made another cartoon for another American Punk band The Chugs https://youtu.be/12kTpuyvJqM
Got approved for a large Art exhibition for next April. I should be happier but I think my actual personality trait is miserabalist.
Who had USA abducts elected head of foreign state on their 2026 Bingo card?
I did not have that on the bingo card for the first quarter of the year, more fool me. What a mind fuck of a way to start 2026 🤯
What is happening with Forever Dead publishing date JB? I love that series.
Stu, the last time I spoke to them they said it’d be mid 26, but I haven’t seen the second draft notes yet. So I doubt it.