https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExeW43ZmIzbXI1OHQzcjIxZXVjdWphMjdmOXhjdjE1MW0wdTJneGExNSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/tkruja3wbPS9h6GTzg/giphy.gif I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! 2025, what an exhausting year it’s been. If I can think of one word to describe this year it would be—tumult. I think we’ll all look back at 2025 as a time of great transformation, of a shift from one era to a completely different one. Transformation tends to make most people edgy, unsure, and generally uncomfortable even if they don’t realize why they’re feeling that way. --- ## Tu·mult - a state of noisy confusion, disorder, or uproar, often from a crowd or mob, but it can also describe a turbulent or agitated state of mind, emotions, or a situation. Think loud commotion, riot, or intense inner turmoil. ## --- My [recent article about Minnesota fraud](https://hive.blog/story/@ericvancewalton/unraveling-minnesotas-massive-fraud-scandal-billions-stolen-empty-daycares-and-a-system-in-shambles) has earned me a fair amount of negative attention on other social media platforms. A few years ago this would have bothered me and my mindspace would be a cyclone of second-guessing and worry that I did the wrong thing. But not this time. To me this is just a small example of the kind of “shaming” that happens to real whistleblowers. It’s a mechanism that’s been put in place to instill an environment of fear to dissuade people from speaking out when they experience something they know isn’t right. It's a form of societal self-censorship, and quite an effective one. It’s sad that people are willing to jeopardize relationships over this but these days, a lot of people obediently believe what their algorithms tell them to. ## On A Brighter (and Louder) Note ## https://youtu.be/KLQuJ6DY6g8?si=RD0CIlv0OOKO0fBn I had the opportunity to launch Tesla’s 2025 light show a few days ago in my Model 3. I had to find a secluded parking spot for recording because the music was about ten times louder than the video makes it seem. It truly sounded like an outdoor concert. This would have been a lot more impressive at night but mother nature served us up a proper snowstorm just a few hours after I recorded this. # Right On Time # In Minnesota we’re descending into what’s typically our coldest time of the year. We can have below zero weather for weeks on end between January and early March. ![Snow1.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23w2eb4fmFW27DfkzweipJYJMywywmr8E36kzJWeSi7BN4ygmra6c4aqZ54tCSGHovFNP.jpg) If you don’t want to be a hermit this time of year you have to learn to dress for the severe weather and give in to the fact that you have to try and get used to it and try to enjoy the outdoors anyway. ![Snow2.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23xAdzgM2NU4gEk3v69sL6NnSDJo7VHAZR2GsAGQ5eB8fSwGaMQEvYw3kEt4QBsUWxrRT.jpg) I ventured into the woods yesterday during -5 degree temperatures and 40mph winds. It’s hard to believe but after a few consistent weeks of this weather your body does begin to get used to it—what a testament to the adaptability of the human body. The most difficult part of it all is silencing our "inner-wimp" who generates a million excuses to stay warm and cozy. ![Snow3.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/23xL11a71s4nme2erkg8gkFQg9GTf2oKt45fWu6MqRkUo1trEsW8xKuRK4tGLtn6n1dRs.jpg) When the first glimpses of spring arrive here in late March, or sometime in April, 30-40 degrees will actually feel warm. What I miss most this time of year is the sight of color and the smell of the Earth because once the temps descend into the single digits, the sense of smell disappears as everything is frozen and buried under the snow. This will be the perfect time to get started recording my spoken word poetry and getting the video files uploaded to my YouTube channel. I can't wait to share this with you all. ## 2,000 Pull-up Challenge ## It took him almost ten hours but my nephew completed his 2,000 pull-up challenge via live stream on YouTube a few days ago. https://youtube.com/shorts/ILf6kv2rN_0?si=Kj93Tq7ZUxO0w9w1 Although his hands were shredded and he couldn't feel his arms, he conquered the challenge. He'll be attempting an ultra-marathon (100+ miles) in 2026 and I don't have an ounce of doubt that he'll crush it. ## Who Can Relate? ## ![Gary.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/ericvancewalton/EoibzYGbhjjYgj7tcyV3YXZLDpaYwAkeuy8h2FGvws1MZc1GQJU9pMfKkJktt8YpP2g.jpeg) I ran across this New Yorker cartoon and couldn't resist sharing it in one of my blogs. I think we can all relate to Gary, especially this time of the year. Incase I don't make it back here before the clock strikes twelve in a few days—Happy New Year and thanks so much for the support and friendship this year! All for now. Thanks so much for reading. --- [www.ericvancewalton.net](http://www.ericvancewalton.net) ![](https://i.imgur.com/aieouS5.png)

Goodbye 2018