Good Things: Small and Big and Weird (Patreon)

Iyo iyo, it's the end of 2023. How was your year?

I've had some craptacular years for quite awhile now, but I guess the only thing we can do is try and ride them out, find the small things to be grateful for and enjoy those. If possible keep loved ones close and work on creative pursuits that bring us joy and calm. Try and stiff upper lip those really difficult parts. At least that's how I think I made it through them.

The state of the world (which keeps me awake most nights -- devastated, terrified, and heartbroken) aside, 2023 wasn't a bad year for me, one of the best in quite awhile. A couple unexpected surprises came my way that really made me thankful and have to step up my game. One being working with David Dastmalchian on his incredible comic, Knights Versus Samurai. The world is going to lose its head once this gets published. He's such a good writer and story teller and the artist Fede is brilliant beyond words.

Then at right around the same time, Adams Media approached me about writing a book. When I heard the deadline (less that two months) and knowing somewhat well what was involved, I ~~almost~~ said no. But I knew I'd hate myself forever if I did. Also, something-something comfort zones. So that, too.

Then there was the fact I was able to sit down and write stories again and three were accepted for publication.  I also started no less than a dozen more, so there's my next year's short story goals. I'm a little shy of two million downloads for Uncanny Japan (which I can't comprehend) and hit 300 supporters on Patreon. I really love hearing from and getting to know all of you, too. That's huge.

This past year I also got to fly up to Hokkaido and see Julyan and K-chan and travel around with them. I got to literally visit the actual coast and forest where much of Knights vs Samurai takes place and that was quite emotional. And that's on top of the emotionallness that came from being Julyan and K-chan. It was one of those perfect trips.

Of course, not everything was great, state of the world, lots of unreached goals, like how I didn't lose the weight I wanted to and my "Camping Car Travel up Japan*" got sidelined for a tad, really want to see my parents in the States...stuff.

But this isn't about what we didn't accomplish, what tiny, huge, or strange things happened in your 2023? Was it a year to kick to the curb or one to go down in your own personal history?

*Oh! One fantastic thing that happened though is I met both online and in person a wonderful expat here in Japan who is doing literally what I want to do with the camping car trips, but is way ahead of me and will be launching his Youtube channel soon. Once I get the okay, I'd love to introduce you all to his work.

I'll end with a couple Hokkaido photos: 

This place is near Julyan's house in Hokkaido. They go to feed and hang out with the sheep when the weather is nice. It's entirely under blizzard conditions at the moment. 

Decked out in the merch. Sunset near Cape Soya. 

I still have at least one more blog post in me before 2024. More weirdness with my crow-hating neighbor and Sunday's post as well, so stay tuned for that excitement. 

XOXO, 

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