Blackbirds, backwards, forwards, and fall

New year new me but actually the same old me, emphasis on the old (ah, that tired chestnut, emphasis on the tired). I stopped resolving the year I resolved to never make another New Year’s resolution, but I have made a couple of slight adjustments in 2026 and true to form AM LIVID I see no immediate effects. Take solace in my constancy, dear reader.

Dear reader.

If a blog post posts on a blog but there’s no one left to read it, did I really blog? What am I doing here anyway? Why, stretching the ol’ legs of course. I was reminded last year (two weeks ago) that I used to write about my kitchen tinkerings which then reminded me how much fun I had with that which then reminded me of why I stopped which then reminded me how truly lame I am. (To be fair, I never claimed to be anything but.) So as I reflect on the past and look to the future—as one does this time of year—I figured I may as well take a quick lap around the track, see if the old girl’s still got it.

What the hell can I say about 2025 that won’t get me hauled off by the gulag? Not much! Probably goes without saying that it was the most difficult year of my professional career. By infinity. I now sit isolated in a strange, overheated office where I regularly hear someone CLIPPING THEIR NAILS AT THEIR DESK. So that’s been fun (not really). On the personal side of things: MOTHERFUCKING OASIS. That’s really all you need to know about that. Onwards.

I desperately need 2026 to do better but I’m working against the universe here (the year of the horse, v. inauspicious for yours truly). This morning I skimmed one of those infernal newsletters clogging up my inbox (not yours; I savor every word of yours) and it advocated something about articulating your intentions? goals? aura? for the new year and how that really does something good probably. I honestly have no idea (skimmed) but it stuck in my brain for some reason so that’s what I guess I’m going to do now. Articulate and junk.

Slight Adjustment the First: I will force myself to do the things that make my life less unbearable. For whatever reason (lots), I just did not allocate space in my day-to-day for anything I like. No music, no books, no baking, no sleep. I didn’t even see the newest Wes Anderson movie! That’s not sustainable.

Slight Adjustment the Second: I will bring economic principles back into my decision-making process. I will once again befriend opportunity cost and the law of diminishing returns. I will not look at two paths and take the one I know I will regret later. Probably. I’ll try anyway.

So what happens next? Guess we’ll find out.