Last Post of 2015

Hello friends! Its time to do a big recap and wrap-up of what was the year 2015. The year Marty McFly came to the future and we didn't have any fucking flying cars or Jaws 19. But we got a new Star Wars flick! I thought I'd do a run down of the best of the year and give my final thoughts on what happened this year.

Best Albums:
Faith No More, Scott Weiland, Kurt Cobain, David Gilmour, Neal Morse Band, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Marilyn Manson, Winery Dogs, and GHOST! All of these were in constant spin or stream in some form. Great year for music.

Best Movies:
Avengers 2, Creed, Star Wars 7 but the best by far was MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.

Best in TV:
South Park, Walking Dead, Eric Andre show, Evil Dead. Some other shows I have yet to catch up on.

Sad events/Saying Goodbye to:
Scott Weiland, Leonard Nimoy, Our political saneness (TRUMP), multiple shootings, Terrorism in Paris and the loss of my step-mother, Gloria.

RECAP:

In January, I seperated from my ex-wife and moved into my own place in East Lansing. I worked at Meijer as a cashier and overnight as a gas station clerk. I struggled financially and with time to see my kids. I was also nursing my broken heart and dealing with the death of my step-mom. I went to MSU COMICS FORUM in February and that night had my first date with Misty. She took a shine to me so we continued our relationship. She really has been a stable point in my life and has opened my eyes to a lot of things about myself that still haven't quite sunk in, but I need to hear. I attended Free Comic Book Day at Summit, Cap City Con in Lansing. Also GRASP EXPO in Grand Rapids. In April I got my new car: The Bat Blazer! (Who at the time I write this, his poor battery died! Gotta replace that today) In May I left Mejier (thank Christ) and started at Cap City Reprographics in old town Lansing. In June I went with Mjit and Dean to see RUSH on their final tour. Then I went to see MOTORHEAD and ANTHRAX with CROBOT with Robert. In September I traded Cap City and the Gas Station for a brand new graphic design job and I have been very happy there ever since. In October I was a guest at the GRAND RAPIDS COMIC CON. I also participated in a Halloween Event called MONSTER BASH, and also had a costume party at my house. In November I saw KING DIAMOND with EXODUS in Detroit and went to the Chicago DAYS OF THE DEAD Convention. In December I became a full staff member of my new job and had a great Christmas with my new friends and family.

During this year, I had tons of positive and negative things happen to me. It certainly was the hardest year I have ever went through for a variety of reasons. Sometimes I was on such a deep sense of autopilot, I don't know how I survived. But for as many bad things happened, I had greatness happen as well. It has been a year of healing and soul searching. Refining. Deciding. Rebuilding. Defining. And much of the work is still in progress.

GOALS FOR 2016:
WORK ON MYSELF - Health. Therapy. And other aspects.
FINISH PROJECTS AS I CHOOSE - Starslam 2. And whatever else I feel up to finishing. We'll see.
SAVE SAVE SAVE! My oldest starts college soon. Gotta get ready!
TRAVEL - I got plans to go to a couple new locations this year. Its gonna be a year where I branch out further than I have previous.
LEARN TO RELAX - Stress is literally killing me. I have not taken care of myself this year with working my ass off, lack of sleep, knee problems, foot injury and ulcers. Stress is a major factor in my life and I need to learn to calm down. I am going to the gym and therapy. I am reading more books and taking time out to enjoy dumb things like movies. Its necessary for me to do these things or else I will not be around much longer. I have been in emergency mode all year and its time for me to slow down.

The one thing I learned the most this year is that there is no law forcing you to remain the victim of the past. If you fucked up, or shit got fucked up, you can crawl out. It will take time and all you can rely on is yourself. But your survival instincts take over and you come out. It shows you how strong you are. And it does indeed, get better. So much better.

These are trying times. And I see a lot of my friends unhappy or suffering for one reason or another. It saddens me greatly. Them and to you, I say this:

There comes a time in your life when its time to say "Fuck it. I just don't care anymore, and can't believe I ever did." Its such a liberating thing to achieve that mind-change. It serves us well to get rid of things or feelings that do not serve you. Places, people, items, habits, friendships or relationships. All of these things can be toxic. And we must learn to stop the fight for ourselves. That is called self respect to not put up with bullshit anymore. Walk on. Let it go. Leave it behind. Its all old tired baggage. Stop carrying it. The clothes inside don't fit anymore anyway. All of us here have something we need to let go of. And its just that simple.

Let it go.

Lets make 2016 all about that fresh start. Here's to a happier 2016.

Cheers, T