honestly I have no idea

I started a new job in January and still work there now. I love the work and my coworkers, and already got two raises. I don't think I'd ever want to leave, unless I ever make enough money telling stories. It's also a big deal to me that this company is actually good and isn't a greedy money making machine.

And on that note, I've been pretty busy at work and haven't really done much story work this year. I took a break from "Songs of the Fallen", and never really got back on track. But throughout the year I did some work on two other stories set in the same world: "Showstoppers" and "The Clockwork Girl". I've made some concept art for both stories, but primarily I've just been thinking about them while at work.

I'm excited to share more ideas and concept art for these stories some time soon, and I've actually been thinking about putting Songs of the Fallen on the back burner for a while, as I feel like there's still a lot I need to work out in that story, while I'm kind of just getting into the flow with Showstoppers and The Clockwork Girl. But more on that in another post.

I have a lot of time at my job where I'm able to put earbuds in and listen to music, audio books, and podcasts, so I've done that a lot. I've curated some perfect brainstorming playlists for both of my new story concepts. But I've also spent a lot of time listening to audio books, and read an approximate total of 39 books this year, which is a huge improvement to the 3-5 books I would read in years past alfhdajdja. I've always had some trouble reading physical books, partially I think because I have dyslexia (probably, maybe, it's self diagnosed) but listening to audio has made it so much easier and accessible to me. Big shout out to Libby and my local library. It's just so cool to me that I was able to read all these books at zero cost to my self, and while getting paid at my day job. 10/10

I moved to a new apartment with more room, better insulation, and over all a better place to stay long term.

I paid off my car.

I also got a new desk from the thrift store and upgraded my set up a bit.

I got a tang dao for my birthday, a type of Chines sword. Shout out to my beautiful wife and generous sisters!

I've experimented in the kitchen with foods like bread, sausage rolls, cinnamon rolls, lemon bars, and the like. I think making tasty little treats is a good use of time. I also bought a rusty little cast iron pan at a thrift store, restored and re-seasoned it. The new kitchen is also much nicer to cook in.

I fought in ArtFight with 6 attacks and 20 defenses alfkjaskl I don't think I'll ever be able to fix that ratio. But thank you to everyone who drew my characters! I wish I could have done more.

I got to go to a coworker's wedding (I gave them ice cream sundae glasses as a wedding gift).

I got the whole week off for Christmas and had a lovely holiday with family. It was practically spring weather too, which I know everyone always wants a white Christmas, but it was nice to be able to open the windows and get some good clean air into the house.

And yeah, it's been a good year. I really hope I'm able to work more on creative stuff, and I want to post here more and share the things I come up with.

So thank you to all you guys who follow me, especially through this year where I've hardly posted at all fajfdao and I hope to see you all in this next one. Cheers! 🥂

(ps. since I didn't really draw that much this year, I'm just leaving a few of my favorite pieces here at the end)