Auld Lang Syne
A year in review and preview
I’m not going to lie to you all. The end of 2025 sorta snuck up on me. I mean, it’s January 2, 2026 as I write this, so that should be a good indicator of things where I stand…
As couple of winter storms made my day job all consuming — not a complaint, just a statement of fact. The end of 2025 meant a bunch of engagement for my side hustle, as we revealed our “Best of…” selections. And, of course, the requisite family stuff to fill in the blanks.
The result was Dirt Nap was set aside.
Most will tell you that money is a finite commodity of which you can never have enough. For me, it’s time. Each week offers you 168 hours to work with, a blank slate from which to build. It’s never enough.
Cumulatively, you get 525,600 minutes each year (That’s what the criminally overrated Broadway musical Rent tells us, at least. I make it a point not to double-check other people’s math, especially if they’re being paid handsomely to calculate their own shit.) By my back envelope calculations, I spent 156,000 or so (around 30%) at work, and about 200,000 (let’s say 40%) asleep. That leaves me 170,000(ish) minutes to do everything else.
Is it enough? No. Of course not. But what gives? Sleep? Nah. I work long days and, thanks to my gradually advancing age, my eyes go totally blurry around 9:30-9:45 p.m. nightly. Also, I love my naps.
Work? HA! That will never abate. Some weeks are better than others, but I have a time-consuming job that I actually like. Swing a cat and you’ll hit a think piece that analyze our workcentric culture and how it makes all of us miserable. After all, everyone’s loves capitalism until they don’t.
Dirt Nap has fallen on the list of priorities for that 170,000 minutes. Sad but true. Some of it is motivation. I’m not in the groove to write about this topic right now; I have about a dozen half-written or outlined pieces in my drafts folder. None are even close to publication. Most of it is priority. Am I going to take a long weekend in Boston with my family before Christmas, take my oldest to her first NHL game, and visit the New England Aquarium? Or am I going to chisel out six hours to button up an essay about family dynamics? See where I’m going.
So, Dirt Nap is on another self-imposed break until I can find some time to write. Until then, I’m happy to share with you our five most read stories of 2025. It’s a little later than normal, but you get what you pay for, right?
Capitalism!
The Dirt Nap Top 5 of ‘25
1. Robin Rosenthal (and her family) turns grief into viral comedy…
"Here Mark, Have a Fry." Laughter and Grief with Robin Rosenthal
Growing up Roman Catholic and Italian-American meant mourning and grieving was serious business.
2. Our readers share their grief days before RePresident Trump was inaugurated. A reminder that no Kornacki’s were harmed during the Election Grief series.
Election Grief: The Roads Were The Same
As this drops into your inbox, we are four days removed from the certification of the 2024 Presidential Election and 10 days away from the inauguration. Grief will parallel reality. Maybe you’re like me and have begrudgingly accepted that we’re going to relive four years of domestic chaos. Maybe you’re still caught in denial.
3. The power of nostalgia overwhelms when celebrities die, even the ones that were absolute trash humans.
4. The trans community was placed in the crosshairs of the 2024 presidential campaign and the pressure has not let up. (ft. Robin Taylor (he/him))
Election Grief: "Our grief was their tool of oppression"
Illegal migrants aside, the one group who has caught more fire for trying to live their lives has been America’s trans population. The past eight years has seen both greater visibility and hostility towards them. More trans people are out and visible, living their lives as what they believe is their true self. Congratulations to them for accepting thems…
5. A childhood pal opens up about losing a sibling when she was a child.
Laura Lewis: The Girl Who Tackled Cancer and the Ropes Course (ft. Kate Torok Lewis)
Laura Ann Lewis couldn't wait to get her driver's license. As soon as she picked it up, she planned to get a set of license plates for handicapped people. That way, when she drove her friends to the malls, they would be guaranteed the best parking spaces.
Final Thoughts on Finality
Dirt Nap is the Substack newsletter about death, grief and dying that is written and edited by Jared Paventi. Dirt Nap is published Friday mornings and is free; we simply ask that you subscribe and/or share with others.
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You gotta love the Barenaked Ladies! Dirt Nap is important work, but one you can always return to.
Glad you're taking a break, Jared. It's good to pace yourself when writing about the kinds of intense stuff you're so good at tackling. Especially during these strange times. I hope the New England Aquarium was cool. Wishing you much time with family and peace until DN begins to stir again.