All in all, I can’t say 2025 was too bad a year. True I lost three chickens, two to the fox and one to a pallet, plus the door handle fell off my fridge, but I managed not to lose either my patience or my mind. And my brother (the skinny one) managed not to lose any limbs. Each time he uses the chainsaw I have visions of him racing into the house to announce he’s lost a leg.
I call that a good year.
And 2026 is bound to be even better, although I read a report yesterday that, in a Gallup survey of 60 countries, Ireland consistently ranks among the ten most pessimistic. Just 20 percent of those polled here were hopeful that 2026 would be a better year, while 38 percent reckoned things would likely get worse.
Personally, I’m going to ignore trivialities like world war, financial collapse, and the shenanigans of Team America: World Police, and instead focus on the truly important matters — such as mildew on my cucumbers.
That said, as an ex–Boy Scout, I’m always prepared for every eventuality, so I’ve decided to learn to drive, purely to facilitate a swift getaway, should they come for me. I had a full licence in my twenties, so I’m sure I’ll take to it like a cat to water.
I did four practice theory tests today and aced them all. But before you start complimenting me on my superior intelligence, consider the intellectual demands of answering forty questions like this in a mere forty-five minutes.
A Beckon the pedestrian to move along as quickly as possible.
B Rev the engine to encourage the pedestrian to hurry along.
C Sound the horn as a warning and proceed with care.
D Wait and let the pedestrian cross at their own pace.
A Cyclists.
B Motorcyclists.
C Pedestrians.
D Tractors.
A Be patient and do not exceed the speed limit so as to arrive safely.
B Drive on smartly and overtake any vehicles preventing progress.
C Exceed the speed limit if necessary to make up the time.
D Use hazard warning lights to encourage other road users to let you pass.
I also attempted to apply for my learner’s licence online, but was thwarted by the absence of a MyGovID. What’s that now? Apparently one can no longer interact with the institutions of the state online without one. So I’ll be schlepping into their offices in person instead, no MyGovID required.
This year will also see me leaving the safety and security of the compound to attend a famous-ish event in Central America in February. If one of you can correctly guess which event it is, I’ll send you ten SBI units …because I’m worth it.
And finally, at the end of the year, I’ve been invited to @Blanchy’s Christmas shindig. Now that is something worth staying alive for
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Posted in response to galenkp's weekend experience
prompt asking: Why will 2026 be a better year than 2025 for you personally
The images are my own.