The year that was a masterclass in mixed signals.

I’ve enjoyed reading the personal reflection blog posts that pop up in my feed this time of year. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to do my own reflection—this time in person—with a new friend I made in 2024. My takeaway from this introspection is that 2024 was a Year of Confusion, marked by a steady stream of highs and lows—so many mixed signals.

There are several ways I wish this year had gone differently, but thanks to my loving and supportive wife, I was afforded the opportunity to “fuck around and find out.” In the absence of meaningful employment or work-for-hire, I spent most of this year creating.

A lot of what I made had been in my head for a long time, but wrapped in the comfort of stable work, I’d kept those ideas conveniently tucked away. Near the top of that list is The Dice, which has been a joy to produce and evolve. Add in all the work on Same Team and the occasional Jump Ship session, and 2024 turned out to be a productive year—though not without its costs. The clarity I gained professionally and personally came, unfortunately, at the expense of some fractured and lost relationships.

Today, I’m better equipped to say “no” than ever before—and looking ahead, that might just be the best result to come from this year.

Thank you for reading Brilliantcrank in 2024—for rolling The Dice with me each week. Happy New Year to you and yours. Cheers to a fresh, brand-new year ahead!