This trip around the sun was a lot more exciting than most.

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On Resolutions:

My New Year’s Resolution for 2024 was to “lose weight.” I didn’t set a strict goal on how much, but the closer I could get to 265, the better. I am happy to report that I stuck to that resolution, I went from 295 to 275lbs, and I am still slowly ticking away toward 265. Not only have I lost weight, I feel much better and stronger. A lot of that has to do with my bike.

I started the year with the same bike I’ve had since 2022, my Walmart Mongoose. It got me into the hobby, and I was enjoying my time with it, but around November, I had 4 trips in a row ruined by a flat tire. On my last trip out with it, the flat happened about a mile from my local bike shop, and I decided it was time to upgrade. I now own a Specialized Sirrus X3.0, and it has been so much fun to ride.

I mention this because it ties into my resolution for 2025, “keep it up.” I want to continue losing weight, this time with a target set for 265 lbs. Riding my bike and dieting has gotten me far, but I’m now adding more to my workout routine. Weight lifting to tone up and strengthen the rest.

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On Family:

Another goal I set out for this year was to do more exciting stuff with the family. Since the pandemic, and due to my kids being too little, we sort of glided through the years, only doing a fun outing here and there, maybe about 3 times a year.

Well, the pandemic is basically over, my oldest is 7, and my youngest is 5. It’s time to have some fun. My wife and I made a point to try and do something fun at least once a month. This year, we took road trips, went to theme parks, went to arcades, hiked, played in a creek, visited Illinois for a month, and did a bunch of stuff there, too. It was awesome. The kids had a blast, and I’m struggling to make my annual Year in Review home video short enough due to too much fun stuff to add.

My oldest also participated in an early Soccer program, and we made new friends through that. Overall, we’ve been happy and healthy and hope to continue the fun in 2025!

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On Work:

This year was a strange year for my work life. I started 2024 as the Previz Lead on Dog Man, which I was continuing from 2023, just wrapping up. (Watch it when it launches in January 2025—it’s fun!) I can’t go into details, but there was some weirdness in the middle of the year that is still sort of carrying on now but hopefully on its tail end out. I was fortunate enough to end the year as Previz Lead again for a new project, and I’m excited to work on it next year.

That being said, becoming a Lead has been great. I have the benefit of working with a long-time friend as my supervisor, and we’ve honed in on a method that seems to work great (It did on Dog Man, at least!) So here’s hoping 2025 is a return to stability and we have some fun!

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On Writing:

Pretty quiet year on this front. I can’t pretend politics didn’t get involved, but Musk’s Twitter reached a breaking point for me, even before the election and the mass exodus from it. I wasn’t seeing my friends, and my reach was essentially zero. It felt like the dream died, and I was just shouting into an empty room. It resulted in my pulling back entirely for months, and I must admit it was refreshing. I’m still scaled back in my social media presence, but I am finding renewed light in Blusky.

But beside the outward facing element of it, inwardly I’ve finished a solid outline for Super Nova Wildflower, and I am starting to get the itch to write again. I also beta-read my brother’s upcoming book, which I’m sure you’ll hear me shouting about in 2025. I also ARC read Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow, and loved it! I hope to be more helpful in the indie sphere next year, too.

In early 2025, expect a second edition of Down Below Beyond to launch. I have hired Thomas Edwards Designs to reimagine the cover, although I love the original cover, I feel like it might be too vague and readers aren’t sure what the book will be when they pick it up. The new direction we are going in should reflect a more “specific” impression of the novel. I’m excited to see what Thomas does!

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That’s a wrap!

Overall, personally, we had a great 2024. Lots of love and adventures, and I took time to work on myself and my mental health. I’m hoping to make it through 2025 and beyond just as nicely, and I look forward to taking my kids on new expeditions. I’m looking forward to crushing through my TBR and maybe finishing up some games I have queued up too.

I hope you all have a Happy New Year and find some new things to enjoy!

Cheers,

—T.A.