The 2023 Reflection - A Big Bite
Happy Holidays!
It's kind of strange how the most inviting, jolly, and seasonal time of the year happens at the very end of it. It’s like one last hurrah before you go do everything you did this year all over again.
So, because you go and do it all over again you might as well make resolutions and plans for doing something differently. Have you ever heard of someone making a resolution that’s negative?
I’m going to be a jerk next year. I won’t spend time with my family.
That doesn’t happen.
Personally, I like the idea of resolutions but I don’t think people should wait until DAY 1 to start them. If you have a goal or a wish to change why not just start immediately?
This is probably a dumb and unoriginal thought, but my point is if your resolution for 2024 is to be a nicer person, maybe you should get yourself a headstart, warm your engine, and practice being friendly today. In a way, there is no such thing as tomorrow.
This was an interesting year for me. I accomplished a lot with not a ton going on in my life. I’ve grown to appreciate little stuff that shouldn’t matter. I’m amused by average shit. I’ll start laughing to myself about fruits and vegetables just because they look funny.
I watch old music interviews and live recordings of bands and chuckle about the little one-liners they quip; weird slang and jokes that fall into the void of time.
Isn’t it strange how in times when you think no one will remember a phrase or comment, some random guy twenty years later uncovers it from the comfort of his computer and absolutely cries from laughter. In a sense, value your little words and jokes. Someone might remember it years later and go, “Oh yeah I heard this guy say something really funny once”. How interesting. That’s a teeny impact.
I like correlating things to people I know:
Nic drinks Mike’s but not soda, how weird.
I hope one day Blake becomes a Del Taco shareholder.
Tuck has a Red Bull problem. It doesn’t give him wings, it gives him empty pockets and freaking gliders.
O likes mangos and pomegranents and I’m indifferent to them.
My Mom likes to text message me videos of cute animals and stuff. I’m a grown man but I can’t help but go, “AWWW LOOK AT THE LITTLE DOGGIES”.
I like smiling at strangers. It’s probably not a good idea all the time but I’ve learned that some people really need that. To not feel so alone in a harsh world.
I stay far away from current events. I am the most ignorant person I know. The most up-to-date and in touch I am with current times is usually with comedy or new music. Then again all I listen to is old stuff, but just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s not new (at least to me). There are many things I wish I could experience for the first time again.
This year I did this:
Sweated over community college and felt massive envy of all my friends at school. I’m lucky to be going to CSU next Fall.
Kept up with working out, I’m a big boy now. I need to do cardio.
Got back into my creative groove. The greatest gift I have is being able to write.
This website. My handful of short stories, my novel efforts. I had a bunch of great ideas.
Saw lots of friends. I am so thankful for the people in my life.
Got a tattoo with Tuck and Antonio in this guy’s home studio. He’s a really cool guy.
My tattoo on my rib, right below my left booby, says “Resolve”. Resolve to me means strength, the commitments I hold so dear, my courage, and my determination to see things through. I can apply it to many things.
I would like to say, and if you ask about it, no it’s not someone’s name, but sometimes I believe it holds the same weight as if it was. I love you and always will.
I’ve worked as a “maid”, that’s what I jokingly call it. I’ve been fortunate to clean model homes for a flexible, well-paying company.
I got to say a final goodbye to my Grandpa. I love you Grandpa.
I got a sweet, skin-fade, haircut. “They call me SPIKE.” I think my spikes are cool. Everyone else hates them.
I finished a couple of paintings and got to give them to my Dad. I’m working on another one right now. It rocks.
I got into reading. (If you ‘gon write you ‘gon read!)
I got to revel with my friends.
A big chunk of my drama novel is outlined and written. It stresses me out when I think about it too hard. It’s good. I really wanna publish it and have ‘yall read it.
I balled, ate pistachios, financed a car, reconnected with people, and got into football.
I didn’t do too much. I didn’t go to many places (aside from a quick AZ trip, Indiana, and an amazing time in Florida. I really needed that getaway).
I stayed at my desk a lot. I went to school once or twice a week. I went to my gym. I cleaned model homes at night. I went to my buddy’s houses when they were around. At the back end of the year I visited the bar (love me a Budweiser).
I am complacent and just fine with this year. I turned 21 and I like to believe I have a lot ahead of me. I could talk forever, and people who know me know this. Even writing doesn’t always do my thoughts justice because I could just keep going on and on and on.
I hate that I have to condense my thoughts. That’s no fun!
All in all, I wanna say thank you to those who read my blog. I like that I don’t have to squeeze you or suck up for compliments. I can just do what I do and be proud of it.
That goes for anything, or for what anyone’s doing. People recognize what you do. Everyone’s got perspectives and thoughts. Be confident with what you do. People can blatantly tell you, “Good job” but there’s no need for someone to actually say it.
If you wanna be that forward, say something nice about someone when you see them. Doesn’t matter if it’s off-topic. That is one of my favorite things about seeing people. Regardless if you are super close or it’s been a while, you can say something nice and have a good moment.
Infinite potential, unrealistic optimism, a crazy, good idea that makes you laugh.
My resolutions for 2024:
Keep posting on my blog site (and make $0 off it).
To stay healthy; stay in the gym, and keep good intentions with myself and others.
To be kind even when I’m a grump. In short: to not be a grump (ha-ha).
To be creative and finish the rough copy of this damn book.
Thank you for a great freaking year, everyone.
I rock. Your socks. Off.
(tongue out, rock signs with my hands)
— Ty Steinbrunner
(an obnoxious, creating, self-centered, cheese-eating, lovin’-you, jackass)
