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Hobbies Miscellaneous Work

2025 is almost over

Once again, I start with “Wow, I haven’t updated this thing in almost three years!” I haven’t thought about this website in forever, even though I’ve been paying monthly to keep it alive. My nephew reminded, by finding it online and then showing all friends, so, you know, *shudder*.

2025 has been a rough one. (Not even going to go into the political issues, I’d be here all day.) It started with my youngest nephew (the one who found this site) getting into a horrible ATV accident (he’s fine now, just with some extra character lines on his body); then my eldest nephew died less than two weeks later (completely different accident).

It was not a good January/February. I was seriously worried about my other two nephews, but they’re just fine–one got married in May (:heart:), and the other is living in his first apartment after graduating HS this year.

Those were the big things this year. I also got a new boss, with whom I am so far happy, though my job has been less than thrilling. I visited home in August, for camping and hanging out and general family-and-friends goodness. I finished a quilt (I’m now into quilting since my last update), and spent far too much money on fabric, and also LEGO sets. (I’m big into LEGOs now, too). My dear Zeva passed away last October (2024), so in March I adopted another cat–Princess Francesca Boo, who is turning 13 next week, and never got over her kitten biting and scratching phase. I got to see Josh Johnson AND Randy Feltface at live shows (two different shows, not together). And my second grand-niece was born a couple of weeks ago! So, life is still going on.

Hopefully I’ll update again soon, but more likely it’ll be another 3 years. See ya then!

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Miscellaneous

Another circle around the sun!

So, never went back to Blue Apron. I stopped using my Bullet Journal around March or April and started using Evernote in a similar way, but then that only lasted until late July, then I got bored with that too.

Bought (leased) my very first brand new car–a shiny blue Honda HRV. Started studying Spanish, then lagged. Bought a guitar! Took one lesson at Guitar Center and practiced a bit with YouTube videos; I’m planning to sign up for more Guitar Center lessons after Labor Day. I also started a savings account dedicated to funding a trip to Africa in a few years. (I’m not getting any younger, and it’s time to do the things I’ve spent my life wanting to do, like speak more than one language, play an instrument, and most importantly, go on a photo safari in Africa!)

Soon I shall be in MA for my annual vacation for the triple birthday threat, with an extra birthday this year–my cousin is turning 50. (Next year it will be my turn.)

I think that’s it for all the changes of the past year. Hopefully my next update won’t be nine months away. 🙂

Brothers, sister, and cousin

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Miscellaneous

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Miscellaneous News

A 2014 Year in Review

Matt Inman (The Oatmeal) holding my handcuffs for a pic at Denver Comic-Con, June 2014
Matt Inman (The Oatmeal) holding my handcuffs for a pic at Denver Comic-Con, June 2014
Wow. I have not been here in a gazillion years. I wasn’t even sure I’d remember how to log in, but fortunately my browser remembered my password, even though I didn’t.

So, no posts for the entirety of 2014. How pathetic. Here’s a quick rundown of what I did in 2014:

Things kind of went to hell at work, through no fault of my boss or anyone in my department, but I definitely don’t harbor any fluffy feelings for the H.R. department. It led to a craptastic summer depression that segued into horrible weight gain, and I still haven’t bounced back from that. Yay? I have, however, revamped my professional website (pmcarlson.com). And possibly my resume.

The sis and brother-in-law finally bought a house, and I spent much time flying out there to hang out in it. It’s a large 100-year-old Victorian that’s currently getting pummeled with snow and ice, with a large backyard, a garage, and my own bedroom. It’s pretty sweet.

I didn’t go to any professional conferences in 2014, but I did fly out to Denver for their Comic-Con and for my friend Jacqui’s 40th birthday. The weekend had its ups and downs, but overall it was a good time–plus I got the Oatmeal to hold my handcuffs for a pic. 😀

National Champions!
National Champions!

My 8-ball team won first place in the Vegas tournament! We are officially the National 8-ball Women’s Team Champions….in the trophy division. That’s kind of like the kiddy-pool of divisions. However, we got awesome trophies that say FIRST PLACE, and really cool leather jackets with National Champions stitched on them, along with our names. It was pretty awesome.

Kayaking on some river in New Hampshire, Labor Day Weekend 2014
Kayaking on some river in New Hampshire, Labor Day Weekend 2014

Laugh Factory marquee
Let’s see, there was also kayaking in New Hampshire, going out onto the ice after a Kings/Bruins game, new glasses, a visit to the mantis shrimp in Monterey, a new GoPro (won it at the department holiday party), a visit to Nerd HQ, a new niece!, and a one-time foray into speed-dating.

And also, my stepbrother died, last March. Which sucked.

So, that was 2014. Some good, some bad, and totally over. Hopefully I can be better about posting in 2015.

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Miscellaneous

Snow!

Not here, of course. Actually, I’m just bemoaning the lack of snow in my very many digital photos. I guess I just haven’t been very good about seeking out good snow pics in the TEN YEARS since I got my first digital camera. Dammit. Gotta remember to check my photo drives when I get home tonight.