uploaded on 12/31/25
Hey folks. It's Alan. I was thinking that since I've got a webpage now, and the year's nearly over, it would be appropriate to do a kind of year's - end reflection. To remember some of the things that happened this year. Nostalgia, the most bittersweet liquor. How it intoxicates. I want this to be a candid and heartfelt retrospective, one final coda for this representation of the amount of time to which we attach so much meaning. Enough poetic meandering, let's get on with it.
2025. Two thousand and twenty five. I think we can all agree on one thing about this one; it's been one hell of a year. Both in a good and bad way. Some crazy stuff happened, without a doubt. We lost a lot of people. Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, President Russell M. Nelson of the Mormon Church, two religious leaders who were a pinnacle of hope and community in these tulmultuous times. Ozzy left us back in the summer, a void that nobody - and I mean nobody - can fill. Somehow, after the loss of the Prince of Darkness, the world is left even darker. Crazy Train, being regrettably the only Ozzy Osbourne song I am familiar with, has had a special place in my heart ever since I heard it in the outstanding film Megamind. And let us not forgot the untimely loss of Perry Bamonte of The Cure, who died over Christmas this year. This one hit me hard. Being a Cure fan (Wish is either my favorite or second favorite album ever, both in my Cure album list and alltime) and a left - handed guitarist, I was deeply saddened by his passing. Perry was a huge inspiration to me and played on the album that saved my life, and to this I am very grateful for his contributions and inspiration. My grandfather also passed away in October, but that is a more personal matter that I don't want to get into over the Internet. Too many people died this year. And when you count in the worsening state of the world's economy and radical political sphere (things are not getting better in America, I can say firsthand), wars, depletion of natural resources, and every other affliction that plagues our planet, things look pretty bad.
But we must not forget the good that came out of this year, even if it is drastically eclipsed by the unfortunate. 2025 has, personally, been a year of increased self awareness and understanding. I am better able to make sense of what I am feeling, and I feel like I have reached almost another level of conciousness in regards to my awareness, both of myself and my surroundings. Things occur to me now that just didn't before. Of course, this has naturally led to more existential questioning and debating preexisting values and beliefs, but I would think that to be a good thing. I've tried some new things this year, most notably meditation. When I remember to go outside and meditate for 10 minutes I feel very relaxed and at peace. Perhaps I'll share my meditation technique in the future. I've read quite a bit more, and I highly highly recommend the works of George Orwell to anyone reading this. Read Animal Farm before 1984 though. I've had great experiences and some not as good ones, and met wonderful people. Most of those that I just met this year I have neglected since my initial meeting, which I blisteringly resent. A lot of it I can't help. I can't just drive 15 minutes to the record store in Little Rock Arkansas and have a chat with the owner. But for the rest, for those that are near me... I get so inhibited sometimes. I don't know. Sorry about the rambling. This is supposed to be a year in review, not... whatever that was. Or maybe that's just what it needs.
And the next year? 2026... well, for starters, that number is ugly as sin. But that's what I've thought about the past two, and they've turned into something beautiful. I'm not going to try to make a grand predicition or declaration about what the future holds, because how could I know? But, even if the world grows darker, we can hold up little candles. Light up the people around us. The world's got enough hate, and I think it's time for some sweetness for a change. People love to make resolutions, and while I won't admit it as such, I do have some objectives in the new year. I want to use my time more wisely, because if I've learned anything from this year, it's that life is short and mortality is very real. And I would love to rejuvinate some of those connections I mentioned earlier, those within my power to effect. I just want to live a more lively life. I would encourage you to try the same.
As much as I dislike the number itself, I cannot shake the feeling that 2026 is going to be my year. I hope I'm not just convincing myself, and there's really no way to tell until it's past us (cause you never notice how good it is in the moment, do you?), but I always come back to that feeling. But I know that things won't just get better. We have to do something to make them better.
We'll miss you, 2025. Here's to peace, love, and health in the new year. Let's make it a good one.
With love,
Alan
