Journal Entry #127: It's Almost Here, the End of the Year - 12/18/25

Okay I'm back lol

A lot has happened, but to be honest, I want to save it for my recap. I'm mostly just blogging right now to pass the time. Also look at this graphic I made! I love Windows notification generators!!!

A lot of innovations currently happening with technology right now make me want to hit myself over the head with a computer. AI is everywhere and is bloating Windows and I can't seem to get myself away from ChatGPT. Part of me really wants to purchase a used laptop and install Linux Mint while keeping my current one on Windows for things like Adobe and Microsoft Office. However, AI is making computer prices skyrocket due to its demands for RAM. 

I'm also tired of all the Spotify Wrapped clones. A lot of them are somewhat unnecessary and unfortunately highlight how much useless stuff I've been consuming. Chick-Fil-A did one. I do not want to know how much money I spent on it this year, but at the same time, at least it allows me to see where I shouldn't be putting my money.

Also, it's not all bad. Apple released liquid glass, which has been a refreshing change in UI design. I also have an application that allows me to customize Windows to look more like Windows XP (though it only works so well).

Also loosely related is the Amazing Digital Circus's new episode. It was absolute cinema. I really want to write a dedicated post for it, but for now I will say that Caine is officially my favorite character both in terms of writing and design. The timing of this show also could not be any better considering the rise of AI.

With more restrictions being put on the Internet lately, especially on large social media websites, I really want to disconnect from those platforms. What that means for me is logging off Instagram for good at least. I'm currently curating my feed to be less shock value, alarmist, and flashy. A lot of my feed is now pictures and videos of wild animals, natural landscapes, etc. but it's not enough. I'm also thinking about getting rid of Reddit, but there are some good communities there; I just need to monitor which communities I frequent and avoid echo chambers and subreddits that make me depressed, angry, etc. I want to stay on more Indie areas like Spacehey, Blogger (for more publishing more polished stuff), and Bluesky (for a bit of news), along with YouTube (information and indie entertainment). 

We are slowly but surely approaching the Winter Solstice. Soon the days will get longer, but I must be patient. Winter is the time to reflect and quietly work on oneself. May this winter be quiet. Snow would be nice again but I live in the Southern US, so I think we hit our snow quota already. Spring will be here...

Winter is expected to be warmer than normal here, and somewhat drier. I sometimes enjoy the winter rain, even if it is quite miserable. It's nicer at night when I'm at home.

Okay, even though a lot of good things happened to me this year, I'm slotting this year as below average. I would elaborate but I'll save it for my end of year reflection post. 

Call it silly, but I do think that 2026 will be good personally, but awful generally speaking. This all may just be coincidences and meaningless connections, but I had a dream that had a few symbols that I associate with myself and good fortune. Also I'm kinda into my own interpretation of numbers, and 26 contains numbers and factors that I find to be lucky. We'll just have to see though.

I feel like a lot of lessons I've been struggling with will be learned within the first half of the year allowing for the second half to take up growth and transformation. But again, I can't be sure. Also I turn 21 next year. I'm already trying to pick out my first drink lol.

The future has something for me, I just don't know what it is quite yet.