Happy Solar Return (New Year)
What to expect in 2025
First of all, I want to say hello and thanks for sticking around. It’s been a busy year, and 2025 will be the year the fruits of all that labor will be harvested.
News to share
Sequoyah Kennedy and I have finished recording Ong’s Hat: COMPLEAT. I have completed the cover, as evidenced below.
I have finished building the final bundle of audio interviews, original notes that inspired the conversations that make up the recordings, and a collection of images. Polypores provided the soundtrack, and it’s divine.
This work started as an idea for a book, for which I wrote the first draft. However, upon reflection, it needed more. So I sat on it for a while and then asked Sequoyah if he’d like to help me expand the vision. He agreed, and I think you’ll like what we did.
I will transcribe the audio in a print/digital book version to follow the audiobook/notes combo.
As it stands today, there will be three versions of this work.
An audio work with accompanying digital notes to be experienced separately. This is to be considered the primary work.
An audio-only version.
A print/eBook version.
The notes are not a transcription of the conversation. If I can suggest, the best way to experience this work is to listen to the conversations and then read the notes, which include links, so you may follow up with the ideas I’m trying to highlight. Think of it as a hybrid, extended storytelling session and accompanying research manual. The audio clocks in at over 14 hours, and the linked notes are over 28,000 words, so you will get your money’s worth.
Expect more information on purchasing these versions to be released in 2025, starting in February. I will notify everyone via this Substack, social media, and my website.
Respond to this message if you are a press person seeking a review copy.
Withdrawal from the Circus
In 2025, I will begin to withdraw from social media actively, so I want to tell you where you can find me online if you wish.
You may contact me directly through my website at https://josephmatheny.com/contact/
I can sometimes be found hanging out on the Discords for SittingNow, and Vayse
I will no longer actively monitor Twitter/X, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, etc.
I wish you all well in the new year and beyond. I am thankful for all of you who have reached out to inspire me and share that I managed to encourage you to be creative, good, decent human beings. If nothing else, keep doing that. You never know how much that helps someone who needs it.
Rabbit Holes
With everyone talking about New Jersey these days, here’s a deep dive down that rabbit hole.
A Warning?
Maybe this was a warning? (Note the date)
https://x.com/OngsHat1/status/1867719442802844102
A Free Movie That Is Worth Your Time
Enjoyable indie sci-fi with shades of conspiracy/paraweird. I love it when low-budget films exceed most studio schlock.
I tip my hat to you.
Thank you.
Have a lovely solar return, a happy Solstice and respite from the rest of it, a fine harvest next year and every success in your aim to complete your two Pole visit ritual ambitions fella.
Bravo 🙌 🎪 🙇 Sincerely