First post of 2026. In looking back at the stats on my previous posts, I can see I’m getting a large audience reading my posts.

Who am I kidding? Not one damn person is even reading them or looking for that matter unless it’s one of those daily prompts. I digress.

5 days into the new year and my expectations of the new year are lower than the previous one. Frankly, I haven’t even recovered from the previous one.

While I’m being funny, I’m also being serious. On a professional or work level, 2025 was the hardest year as a federal employee. The amount of changes and bullshit myself and thousands of other federal workers went through was mentally and physically draining. Lots of people took early retirements or voluntary offers to leave the government only to wait months to get a new job.

For me personally, my mental health took a big hit. I had to get prescribed two medicines just to make it through the day. Not only was I dealing with things at work, I was also being a caretaker for my wife with her mobility issues. Not to mention also taking care of things around the house.

Not everything in 2025 was all doom and gloom. Ok, most of it was but the biggest highlight was going to Metallica in May with my son. It was a dream concert and I’ve wanted to take my son to see them for a long time. I was happy he was able to experience it. He had a blast and is already looking forward to the next time they come into the area.

Another highlight happened in December when we visited the newest and one of the biggest Great Wolf Lodge’s ever built. It was an hour and 30 minutes away from house. I admit that I had some serious trepidation about going because I’ve become a homebody as of late and didn’t want to leave our newest cats alone for several days. As it turned out, the family and I had a good time and the cats were ok.

As for 2026, I don’t know what to expect. I don’t waste my time coming up with stupid resolutions or goals. I find they are a waste of time.

So far this year, the dope in chief along with his minions continue to make things unsafe without considering the consequences or just doing other stupid things. I keep hoping we don’t have to wait another 3 years for a change.

Otherwise, I hope I can learn to appreciate life a little more. I’ve felt recently that I haven’t done that at any point in my life. I’ve been instead focusing on other things. It’s time to focus on myself a little more and trying to be a better person than last year.

Whatever happens, it will hopefully a safe and healthy one. Happy New Year…to whoever decides to read this.