A lot of the things I've done has been alone. Sometimes other people have been pulled in and sometimes two alone projects have converged into one. It's textbook stuff really. But it's more fun with other people. Harder now, social media has decimated the other means of expression on the Internets and some of the people have drifted away. But damned if I don't try!
So here's things for 2026.
- Write more. Both about things that matter but also personally.
- Rope other people into stuff.
- Hopefully afford to turn on the newsletter function here, and make some half-exclusive stuff. You know, like Patreon but not dependent on their bullshit? And not getting the benefit of VAT-MOSS.
It's one of these things I've never really talked about, in how creation and other people work in orbit. For some people, it's very much "when I'm alone it's a me project" and I'm not sure that's me. It's always a we even when I'm alone because suddenly someone else come in for a minute and then they're part of it even if they're not aware.
John Darnielle say this at the beginning of the Dramatis Personae chapter of This Year:
“The Mountain Goats” has, from its first usage, been a floating signifier; the only variable that never goes missing is me.
And while this is true for everything I've done as well, I would also say it's got a bit of how the Mekons described their members once. "Once you're in you're a member for life, you might just not be an active member." So Tommy is not getting of the hook just because he's dead, he's still a member. And I guess this is bad news for my friends that's still alive too. Shit. Sorry. You have to deal.
You're safe for now though. Small steps.
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