December has that strange effect on people. Suddenly we are all reflective, forgiving, and emotionally available. At least on the outside. Inside, most of us are just tired, overfed, and quietly hoping nobody brings up politics at the dinner table.
As the year winds down, I feel a small need to explain myself. Not to apologize. That would be suspicious. But to add context.
Yes, I rant. Often. With enthusiasm. Sometimes with precision. Sometimes with a flamethrower. That is not because I am grumpy, bitter, or permanently annoyed at the world. Quite the opposite. I actually enjoy the absurdity of it all. Cynicism, when done right, is not negativity. It is a form of humor with sharper edges. A way of poking the world to see if it notices.
Some rants are exaggerated on purpose. Overshooting the target is half the fun. If you cannot laugh at how ridiculous certain things have become, you will eventually start screaming at your coffee machine. Nobody wants that. Other rants, admittedly, are meant very seriously. But I trust the reader to feel the difference. Or at least I hope so.
Christmas, however, is the season where even professional ranters are expected to soften a little. It is the time when families magically love each other again. Sometimes voluntarily. Sometimes because tradition says so. For a few days, we all agree to play along. We smile, we hug, we eat far too much, and we pretend that nobody is silently judging anyone else’s life choices. It is beautiful in its own strange way.
Food plays a central role, of course. Christmas is less about peace on earth and more about strategic overeating. We eat because it is festive. We eat because it is polite. We eat because there is still space on the plate. By the end, everyone is full, slightly sleepy, and emotionally convinced that everything is fine. That might actually be the greatest Christmas miracle of all.
Looking back at the year, there was plenty to comment on, question, criticize, and occasionally mock. Some things deserved it. Some things probably did not. But writing, ranting, and occasionally poking fun at the madness is part of how I process the world. It is not anger. It is curiosity mixed with irony and a good dose of mischief.
If any of it ever came across as pure negativity, consider this the clarification. There is a smile behind most of it. Sometimes a raised eyebrow. Occasionally a facepalm. But rarely bad intent. If some of what I shared this year managed to inspire a few people, that would genuinely make me happy. Whether it encouraged someone to dive deeper into the world of music and build a stereo system that brings real joy, sparked conversations among Formula 1 fans who live for the details behind the racing, or motivated others to travel and see the world with more curiosity and openness. These passions connect us, and they remind us that there is always more to explore. And the good news is that the coming year will bring plenty of new ideas, experiences, and discoveries worth getting excited about.
As the year closes, I genuinely want to say thank you. To everyone who reads, disagrees, laughs, shakes their head, or comes back anyway. The internet is loud enough. Having people who choose to spend a bit of time here is something I do not take for granted.
So now we enter the quiet days. Or at least the quieter illusion of them. May your holidays be relaxing, your food excellent, your family gatherings survivable, and your batteries recharged. Enjoy the warmth, the absurd rituals, and the shared agreement to slow down, even if just for a moment. If things get a little messy after too much food and one glass too many, consider it a small nod to a legendary cinematic Santa and move on with a smile.
I’ll be back next year, without a muzzle, fully recharged, and ready for whatever comes next.
Cheers,
//Alex
alexreusch 