HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 🥳🎶

Thank you so, so much for being here with us as we move into the year of 2025!! If you're reading this post, I want you to know that I truly do appreciate all of your support. 2024 was full of a lot of ups and downs for me, so I wanted to take some time and write about some things that brought me joy this year.

One of the most wonderful things about this year was all the incredible people I got to meet. I met people like Robert Keeley, Chris Allison, and Tosin Abasi, and I became true friends with fellow creators like Eddie EWI, Anthony Fantano, Billy Basso, and Goth Egg. My own favorite highlights also include the fact that I got yelled at by Seal (lmao), Jeff Garlin sent me an email, and Drew Gooden followed me on Instagram. I am constantly reminding myself that every human being is just temporarily trapped in a meat suit like I am and going through a similar life journey, and I shouldn't get flustered by "fame" or anything like that... but those ones in particular got me pretty good.

I enjoyed hosting the 3rd annual EMMAs Awards Ceremony this year, even though it was a LOT of work. It's a fun celebration of all the hard work pedal builders put into their craft, and a celebration of art, weird sounds, and the people who make it all possible. I've been extremely busy sending out trophies and giveaway pedals, but I'm finally all caught up! Also, if you're in the Whoppie Senior tier here on Patreon, keep an eye on your mailbox :)

Obviously, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how difficult this year has been, too. I struggled with SVT and V-Tach episodes from December until May, and then I struggled with complications from the surgeries for months afterwards. When I went to the cardiologist earlier this week, I learned that I have a bicuspid aortic valve, which means I have only two flaps in my aortic valve when most people have three. My cardiologist was shocked that I had no idea and nobody told me sooner, especially after the two cardiac ablation procedures have been done on my heart. I had no idea I was born with a congenital heart condition, and I lost someone very close to me this year to an aortic dissection at age 37, who also had a bicuspid aortic valve. This knowledge is scary, but also very important for me to have, because although I was already transitioning into a healthier lifestyle, it's more important than ever for me to stay healthy and continue doing cardio exercises and eating right. I'm cutting caffeine, processed foods, and limiting alcohol and cigars (my favorites...) in the hopes that my aortic valve doesn't get super clogged up as they're prone to do when you only have 2 valves.

Anyway, here are some other random assortment of things that I've been enjoying in my personal life recently:

• The Shakti Mat - This one is crazy. I picked up a 'Shakti Mat' from FB Marketplace at a huge discount price (who's paying $100+ for a brand new mat?!) and it's been doing WONDERS for me. After about 15 mins of pain from laying on little plastic spikes, you suddenly feel extremely calm, relaxed, and euphoric, and your back feels nice and warm. It's supposed to help with circulation, back pain, and stress relief, and it's been working well for me! It hurts like hell when it's time to get up, though...!

• Inscryption - I started playing this game after I saw it available on the Xbox Game Pass and I'm actually obsessed with it. I love card games / deck builder games like Slay the Spire, and this one really dug it's claws into me!

• Undisputed - I never played any "sports video games" before this (except for maybe like Quidditch World Cup on Gamecube when I was young lmao) but I've been addicted to playing this boxing game and learning the timing and different combos that are possible!

• Going to the gym - Now that my heart is fixed, I've been trying to get back on a regular schedule of moving my body and pushing myself, and paying attention to heart-healthy habits like cardio. I ran a mile earlier today for an upcoming video, and my mile time is SLOW (13:56). I'm going to keep working on getting that number lower and lower over time, and I definitely need to get running sneakers instead of flat basketball sneakers.

• YETI cup - I hate to say this, because I've been a long time YETI-hater... But I got one of these big stinkin' cups for Christmas, and it's been helping me reach my goal of drinking at least 3 liters of water every day. I only own two reusable water bottles, with my main one being this Brita water bottle with a built-in filter, but this is a nice addition. I think I've written about this before, but because I have so many pedals and music tech, I like to be a minimalist in all other areas of my life and simplify things wherever possible.

• CALM Magnesium Powder - Ok, this shit has been putting me to SLEEP. I've recently been feeling PVCs (premature ventricular contraction) again in my heart, which is essentially a skipped heartbeat that just feels absolutely disgusting but is ultimately not dangerous. When I drink 2 tsp of this powder it really does help quell the PVCs. It also makes me sleepy in the evening, and this powder (combined with 20 minutes on the Shakti Mat!) is almost as effective for me as taking actual sleeping medication.

• A Confederacy of Dunces - I started reading this book back in October not knowing what to expect, and every page has been amazing so far. I'm not making as much progress on it as I'd like because my schedule has been so busy lately -- it's hard to find solid chunks of time for reading. But I think I'm on page 100 or something so far, and it's been such a fantastic ride!

Since tonight is New Year's Eve, I am VERY much staying home bundled up with a nice mug of tea and my Kindle, and I'd love to read about some exciting things / milestones that happened for you in 2024! Or, if you feel comfortable, please share with us some challenges or losses you experienced. I am seeing a ton of "Year in Review" posts on social media, and they make me happy to see! But I noticed that a lot of them only focus on the positive elements, which I totally understand. But if you also had a year that wasn't 100% super positive, please know that you're not alone there. Let's continue taking everything day by day. Be safe tonight on New Year's Eve, and take good care of yourselves!!! ❤️