BREATHIN’ EASIER: That hospital day was a bit of a buzzkill on my normal policy of “charging hard on all the stuff I do.” In the end, it was just a pulled muscle. Simple shit, that got pretty complicated, pretty quick. So scary. I’m relieved with all the test results, though. I’ve got a good ticker and good plumbing. Happy about that. But it just makes you think. Real deep shit. And that can wear on you in weird ways. Exhaustive thoughts. I usually keep shit pretty lighthearted, you know? Needles and x-rays aren’t lighthearted.

Gonna downshift a bit after the New Year. (Yeah, right!) I am. I have to. Doc’s orders. Had a big goddamn year and I’m gonna enjoy somewhat regular workdays for our 38th year. Whatever the hell that means.

And, to each and every one of you who left a nice note on here, wrote me, came into the shop, prayed to the deep, vast heavens for our swift return to 100%, I thank you with my whole heart. A strong heart, so the doc says! Let that blood pump in these veins with fury! Here’s to the next 100 years!