I just found a LEGO minifigure in the pocket of my shirt. I haven’t worn this shirt in a long time, and I have no idea where this little person came from. I don’t recognize it, so I don’t think it is from my childhood. Starting off the new year with a mystery that cannot be solved is a fascinating way to begin. Here’s to discovering new things and adding new friends to our lives!
I ended last year talking about my favorite things, and I’d like to begin 2023 discussing a few hopes and dreams. People that know me know I don’t exactly like to do New Year’s Resolutions, but call them what you will, it’s hard not to look at a fresh calendar year and not then think about what you’d like to accomplish.
Reading
I’ve probably said this many times before, but I really want to get back into a habit of reading. Of late, it has become really difficult for me, and I am not entirely sure why. Long-covid? Depression? Latent ADHD? Who knows, but as a child/teenager/young adult, I read voraciously. Lately? Hardly at all. This hasn’t stopped me from collecting many books that I would love to read, but I just don’t read them. I have a reading journal to keep track of pages and time read, and that did help to finish reading Dune last year, a book I really enjoy. I hope to take journal and fill it up with pages read, even if for only a short time each day.
Making
This year is wide open, and I’ve already begun a few making projects. I am a follower of Adam Savage’s Tested, and the former Mythbuster consistently inspires me to want to make things, both physically and digitally. Last year I was trying to complete a 52 Week Photography project that I did not finish, but this year I want to be a lot more free and open with my toy photography. I have many figures, and want to shoot what appeals to me when I am inspired. Towards the end of last year, I was getting bogged down in my restrictions (one a week/Star Wars figures only) and I think that hindered. I am hoping freedom of choice will mean more expression.
I also want to paint more. I like to customize my action figures, and have already started a new one, a NED-B droid from the Star Wars: Kenobi show. I bought two last year, one to keep pristine, and one to customize. I pulled all the arms and legs and things apart to hopefully make painting easier, and can’t want to get started turning him from yellow to another-color-yet-to-be-determined.
A few years back, I bought a tiny X-Wing Bandai model kit and built a tiny diorama of a crashed X-Wing, and for Christmas I acquired a slightly larger X-Wing and a TIE fighter. I want to build two dioramas of crashed (?) ships, and have purchased 10-inch turntables to build them on. I am still working out the details and designs in my head, but I think those will be fun projects.
Writing
I have built an excellent habit of writing at least twice a month on my blog here, and I think I will be able to continue that. To all my faithful and occasional readers: thank you! I appreciate your time spent hearing what I have to say. It is cathartic and focusing for me to write out occasional thoughts, or to elaborate on what interests me, and I welcome friends along for the ride. If ever you have thoughts, suggestions, questions, or anything you want to send to me, email to PhilRedbeard AT gmail DOT com. I will always welcome interaction.
Personal Growth
I want to continue to grow as a good human being. I want to spread love and joy to those who know me, and those I encounter in life. I want to be better than I am now, and improve on what I am building in my life. Some of that includes what I’ve already mentioned, but that also means listening to other voices, and challenging my biases and privileges and my own status quo. That won’t be easy or comfortable, but I think it is necessary to create real improvement as a person. Staying stagnant is never a good thing, and I don’t think I will ever reach a state of being that can’t be improved upon.
That is all I can think of for now. I am sure that 2023 will present challenges and difficulties I can’t anticipate, and already has some curveballs it is winding up to throw. My self-awareness and memory of the past informs me that this will happen, and the only thing I can do is try to be prepared. As Adam Savage says: “It’s a not a problem to solve; it’s a process to manage” and I really take that to heart. Like unexpected LEGO, I can take what I meet and make new things from it, and always try to build something positive from whatever may come.
I hope your 2023 is all you want it to be and more, and may you have strength and creativity to meet all that comes your way.
a simple man 