2025 in Review

 

2025 was pretty good to me, overall. I managed to accomplish the vast majority of goals I had set for myself back in July, with the exception of a couple little things.

Early in the year I got my contract at work extended, becoming a full-on Communications professional.

In March I went to Our Lady Peace's Ottawa stop on their OLP30 tour, with Collective Soul opening!!

In the Spring, I finally found a place, just around the corner, where I've been able to get help with foot care. I've also learnt that they'll cut finger nails as well. And on top of that, I've found some assistance with ironing for when I need it (another thing I've been looking into for a long while)!

The end of May, I turned 40. Weird at first, but it's been pretty good so far. 

One week later, I went back to Toronto for TCAF, my first solo trip in seven whole years! 

I had been nervous before booking it months before, but I did some extensive research, and the venue, hotel, and eateries were all literally right next to each other, so that made things a lot more accessible and fun.

Summer was filled with work, a tiny staycation, many trips to the movie theatre and book store, and moving rooms. 

Autumn was very eventful, mixed with joy and sorrow. Unfortunately, my Nanny Perkins passed away on Thanksgiving after many years living with Alzheimer's. 

On the positive side, I did quite a lot! Along with time at the cabin, reading days downtown, and checking out a couple new, delicious burger joints, I attended a talk with the creator of The Raccoons, met astronaut Chris Hadfield during the Ottawa International Writers Fest, and took part in a professional Communications event. 

Christmas was pretty chill, with family time, nice presents, and plenty of chocolate.

A few big plans for 2026 being ironed out.

Happy New Year!

Cheers

Merry Rexmas!

 Something a little different this Christmas. I never would've thought "Santa Claus riding dinosaurs" would be such an expansive genre of Christmas imagery, but it is and I am 100 per cent okay with it!

Hope everyone has/is having an enjoyable holiday season.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Survival of the Weirdest

 

I'm not now, nor have I ever really been, a huge fan of "reality TV." I've liked a few series but, mostly, I can't stand seeing the same annoying people over and over like it's their career, and I loathe the bullying and sleaziness of certain series. Currently, I'll watch The Voice and Survivor, the latter of which I genuinely enjoy. 

The other night, I watched the finale of Survivor 49 and I have to say that, in my opinion, it was one of the best endings of a reality series, and certainly the best finale of Survivor ever! It affected me so positively that I just had to write about it. 

What got to me was this season's cast. From the Jury to the final three women, I found they came off as an astonishingly likeable, close-knit, and caring group of individuals (a rare occurrence in reality TV, at least to my eye).

 
A couple writers, fanboys, at least one scientist, and many proudly describing themselves as weirdos, nerds, or just awkward. So obviously I identified a little with some of them. 

And not once, to my knowledge, did anyone mention autism or being somewhere along the spectrum. (Nothing wrong with that but, in my opinion, I think too often, autism can be thrown around as a catch-all for anything weird or socially awkward, especially on television, which can get a bit cliché sometimes.) The plain weirdness was refreshing!

I've continually praised Survivor since its return after the pandemic for being more inclusive, diverse (without resorting to intentional stereotyping), kind, and fun - things host Jeff Probst routinely mentions as well. It's what makes it one of the few remaining network programs I will watch week to week. 

Can't wait for the big Survivor 50!

Cheers