A PERSONAL REFLIECTION ABOUT 2025

Before beginning my big project in 2026 (Which may include a Rumble channel), I want to reflect on the year that just ended. 2025 feels like the fastest year from start to finish in my lifetime. If reaching middle age is a race to the end, than the sweet taste of death will be upon me much faster than anticipated. In 2025, I traveled more outside of the country than ever before. Due to being unemployed for a large chunk of the year, the family decided to spend some of our hard-earned savings on experiencing the different nation states and cultures of this planet. Back in March, we spent ten days in Mexico, a country I have always loved. In September, we spent fourteen days in South Korea and Japan. And during Thanksgiving weekend, we spent a few days on two Caribbean islands (Cozumel in Mexico and Roatan in Honduras) as well as experiencing Mayan ruins on a boat ride in Belize. Throwing in my Southern European adventure in late October/early November of 2023, I have visited eleven nations in a little over 14 months. I will admit to being fatigued and exhausted by all of this. Since I am starting a new higher paying job in Texas during the first week of 2026, I am looking forward to a slower, more boring life researching cultures and spending more time on the couch reading historical novels in my free time while helping my son get through high school.

As this will be my last blog of 2025, I want to make a few recommendations for entertainment that was released over this current year. 2025 may go down historically as one of the worst years of American culture in history. There is so much garbage in video games, television, and the film worlds. Hollywood is on its last legs and deservedly so. Video games which had their apex in the 2000s/early 2010s began their terminal decline to the eventual reality of super mergers and less creativity. And television’s golden age ended when the COVID lockdowns struck. But there were a few gems if you look hard enough.

Films

My two favorite movies this year are EDDINGTON and THE LIFE OF CHUCK. I have written about EDDINGTON here. THE LIFE OF CHUCK directed by arguably this decade’s best director Mike Flanagan (Especially for his television content) is a sci-fi ghost story with a large dose of philosophy that hits all the right notes. One of the most positive films I have seen in a very long time. WAKE UP DEAD MAN or KNIVES OUT 3 directed by the ever-dependable Rian Johnson is the best of the trilogy and a solid third place for the year. He somehow blends a murder mystery with a story about faith. Highly recommended for those who have not seen it. If you notice the pattern above, if a film has a good director (And in this case, all three directors of these films are highly respected), Hollywood still puts out some good content. You must look for it through all the political bullshit.

In terms of video games, I have nothing to recommend. I have downloaded a very popular, highly rated game called CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 for future play which I will review if the game is life changing in any way.

Finally, television really begun its descent to the bottom. The two best shows were both from the science fiction genre. Everything else while good either felt underwhelming or disappointing compared to previous seasons. SEVERANCE Season 2 was one of the few fantastic shows with a continued star making turn by Adam Scott. The other show which has not completed its first season is PLUR1BUS which is the new show from creator Vince Gilligan. The first season of all his shows are the weakest before they evolve into must watch television. This first season has been amazing. Both these shows happen to be on Apple TV. So either you already have the membership, or buy the subscription for one month and power watch these shows (The other great sci fi show on Apple TV is DARK MATTER. Don’t miss that one either.)

To show you where my head is at for the future, I have become fascinated with the religion of Zoroastrianism. This religion was the foundation of multiple Persian Empires before the time of Christ until the Islamic takeover of that area by the Rashidun Caliphate in the 7th Century which evolved into the Abassid Caliphate which lasted into the 1500s and was more heavily influenced by Persian culture. Zoroastrianism has an interesting back story. It was the foundation of the early Persian Empires, the Achaemenid, the Parthian and finally, the Sasanian which fell to the Caliphate. This religion was monotheistic and very similar to Christianity and Buddhism in many ways. Zoroastrianism was a very positive religion revolving around a God-like entity named Ahura Mazda who is in an eternal battle with the evil Angra Mainyu who creates destructive thoughts. Historians are still torn about how much influence Zoroastrians had on the Christian church and Buddhist spirituality. Without a doubt, Zoroastrians have the best place of worship (Fire temples) on the planet. There is one located near Houston that I will likely attend soon for curiosity’s sake.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2026 to everyone. See you next year.