greetings

(almost) new year, new newsletter platform! you are (hopefully) receiving this email from buttondown.email. i really like substack’s ease of use and engagement, and i’m really tired of scooting platforms, but i’ve been meaning to switch ever since i learned of their nazi problem. not thrilled that i’m now paying to send a free newsletter, but i wanna keep writing y’all and this seems like the best option (mainly cuz buttondown allows comments and single email imports).

but i digress! strap in, because i fucking LOVE reflection and it’s that time of year again!

real quick events corner!

dec 27 - get free masks + tests 4-6pm at DECAY
dec 27 - covid safer fiber arts meetup 3-5pm at DECAY
jan 10th - get free masks + tests 4-6pm at DECAY
jan 17th - covid safer fiber arts meetup 3-5pm at DECAY

more info + upcoming covid safer events

2025 reflection

here’s the stuff i hoped to do in 2025, and the stuff i did. pretty good year, save for my ongoing struggle with budgeting my energy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2025 intentions/goals

• continue journaling every day ✅ [check]

• make a few zines ✅ [check]

• keep resting more/moving more/working less [jury’s out on this one]

• say no more often ✅ [check]

• prioritize pleasure & play ✅ [check]

• get real fucking silly

• ask for & accept help!! [? this one too]

• host more fun covid conscious events/meetups ✅ [check]

• host a masks required pride

• get some help/a better system for clean air oly ✅ [check]

• stop neglecting dodiy.org ✅ [check]

• host a couple punk rock flea markets ✅ [sorta check, did 1]

2025 year in review

• made it onto antiquated future’s best seller list again :)

• got a lotta mileage out of my “i said NO” punch cards (does anyone recall the originator of this idea?? i wanna credit them :()

• got hired by a Real Company to illustrate some greeting cards

• coordinated air purifiers + wrangled volunteers to enforce a mask requirement for olympia zine fest (while also tabling my zines)

• co-hosted an oly PRFM with clover :-)

• tabled seattle zine fest (1st time) & portland zine symposium (2nd time)

• attended some really good shows, hosted a few (yay yipee in my yard!!!), discovered a lotta great music & made new friends to trade music with

• celebrated 12 years with kyle & planted a tree to commemorate

• had a mutual crush that turned into a v cute & gay relationship :)

• grew lots of great flowers in the garden, dug a frog pond & added various native plants to the yard

• ‘twas my sluttiest year on record

• attended lots of cute masks required events that i didn’t personally have to plan!

• got my nose pierced

• started an onlyfans

• did a lotta karaoke

• forged/strengthened fulfilling friendships + relationships, queering shit along the way

• made 7 zines ?!

• got off spotify!

• did a big update on dodiy.org, gave it a new look & made a mailing list to prompt folks to update their info

• created covidsaferoly.com, a resource hub for olympia’s covid conscious community/events

• had 43 air purifier reservations, installed 1 long term purifier loan at DECAY, distributed 6 free air purifiers within the community, distributed tons of masks & tests thru clean air oly + mask bloc

some songs

here’s a playlist i made (just for tidal, sry! rip to my beloved bndcmpr.co). it includes artists i listened to a lot this year, excluding sharks keep moving, because i didn’t wanna put a 10 min song on there lol.

PopeNext Year

_{if i see you next year / i’ll have loose skin and longer hair}

been stuck on this album lately, this felt like an appropriate track to showcase! been super into pope this year ever since a friend introduced me to them.

some photos

could’ve shared like 100 more photos but:

i think that’s all i got for now! saving the 2026 dreamin’ and schemein’ for the next newsletter. i hope everyone is doing cozy time for at least a lil bit of this liminal space (i kinda love the week between xmas and new years for this). hang in there!!

<3 elliott