two days 'till christmas
Recorded a podcast interviewing my brother today. It went well.
I slept in and worked out this morning. That was good; I’m glad I did that. I need to buy my cpap machine. I can tell I am not getting restful sleeps; doing that would be good for helping that issue.
I helped my other brother put up the Christmas tree this morning as well. We have a fake tree that we’ve used every year since I can remember. Decorating for Christmas felt like a lot this year. I think it felt like a lot for my mom and dad too.
I’m glad my brother took the initiative. My eyes are sore now. I got dropped off a mall my family is meeting up at later today to go see a movie about Shakespeare or something. Should be nice.
After the podcast my brother’s and I drove to pick up the family truck from the mechanic. It wouldn’t start for me the other day so that’s why it was there. My one brother took the truck to pick up some groceries. The other took me in the other car and dropped me off here and then went to go hang out with his friends.
I don’t really know if I should buy stuff for my brothers or friends or parents. I guess I should but I also didn’t make any money this year so maybe I shouldn’t. I don’t know. Do they care? No but they’d appreciate it.
What should I get them?
My mom. I think going to hot yoga this week with my two other brothers or maybe as a family would be good. I also got my mom some golf tees that look like gophers.
My dad. I’m not sure. What should I get him?
My middle brother? What does he like? I don’t know? What’s something he wouldn’t get for himself? I don’t know. He owns and runs a sandwich shop. He works a lot. He likes sports and relaxing.
My youngest brother? He is in a screenwriting program. He like movies and sports and making music. What else does he like?
What I’d really like to give them is money. But I don’t have much of that to give. The second best thing I could get? A service or introduce them to someone who might help them? I guess I could do that? Some kind of in kind exchange.
For the youngest brother, I was thinking introducing him to any celebrity he wants. That would force me to work on my outreach and persuasion skills.
For the middle brother, I was thinking something along those lines. Something that would force me to develop or work on a skill that aligns with my long term goals and skill development. Really money would be the best gift for him.
My dad. Maybe going to a support group with him or doing a recurring podcast talking about real estate and business. That could be fun. Maybe.
Right now I’m thinking also of upgrading all phones and computers for my family. Or really just for me. Would like all the new apple stuff but at the same time I know that doesn’t align with my open source goals? Does it?
There is a family sitting next to me at this coffee shop and one guy has a pretty good cough. Trying not to think about it too much.
But yeah my eyes are tired.
Watched the Andrew Huberman podcast with David Choe yesterday. I really like David Choe; he is entertaining. In it he talks about his gambling addiction. He mentioned debtors anonymous and business debtors anonymous. It hit home for me.
I am uncomfortable with my finances and my money and me taking on debt… really it is the thing I am most terrified of. I guess that’s why I should examine it in myself the most.
Interesting, interesting, interesting.
I’ve been thinking about what I’d like out of 2026. My friend proposed the idea of a 70.3 iron man in a group chat this week.
An iron man has always been on my bucket list; mainly do to that same friend telling me about it in grade 8 or grade 9 and saying we should do it together. That was more than 15 years ago. And my health has swung much since that goal. I think his proposal is a great catalyst to bring that dream into reality.
Another thing I’d like from 2026 is to write in this blog more and hopefully have to redact less stuff. I’d like to talk more openly about my relationships, sexual and otherwise, without holding back. My hang ups, thoughts, hopes and fears. Get better practice in leaving the reader with ambiguity or writing enough to let the reader fill in the blanks. Writing with more tact, I guess, is the word for it.
I enjoyed writing the blog this year. Or well, the past 10 or so months.
Another idea I had for 2026 to get me nice and uncomfortable is to write about my finances. To be open and honest about what I am, and am not, making. What I am, and not, spending. What I am, and not, saving or investing. What I am, and not, doing wisely.
I’d like to be open and clear about the challenges I’ve faced but also the privilege and opportunities I get just by being me, knowing who I know, or being related to who I’m related too.
I find privilege often gets under reported on when people write about personal finances. Especially in Canada.
So I’d like to explore that in 2026. I’m scared of what that will unveil but also kind of excited?
I’d like to podcast more and make videos. I think really the three areas where I’d like to develop are i) more practical skills, ii) better at public speaking, iii) better at teaching.
If I can work on all of those that would be great. I don’t know where it will take me but I think it will be in the right direction. Or at least a direction.