Jason’s 15th Annual Post/Pre-Year Review/Goals
Here we are again. Except this time, I've migrated off Tumbr, since 15 years later, you can't really post a blog on Tumblr without having to sign in to read the whole blog and that ruins the fun. I'm leaving all prior years there but for now, I'm just going to post about the last year and go from there which can be found here:
Jason’s 14th Annual Post/Pre-Year Review/Goals
And for historical posterity - here's the whole thing: @countjason on Tumblr
For context, EVERY year in December since (what is 15 minus 2025?) 2010, I've been posting goals for the following year but provide a summary to the goals I made the year before. It's amazing how much has evolved and how much has stayed the same in those 15 years. I do this to set goals for myself and also allow for reflection.
Let's start with what I think of 2025 holistically. It was an overall decent year. Like any year, it has it's ups and downs. For the highlights, I moved out of the little apartment I had and moved to a house I bought in Ybor City. I'm happy with it because I like being close to work and the action while still being in a quiet area of the town. My neighbors are not bad and stay to themselves, but we'll wave "hi" periodically. I like going to the SpookEasy on a regular basis and find myself there more than The Castle for numerous reasons. The mom of Dante finally bought got an apartment and took her two cats Binx and Thumb so I was petless for a bit, so I ended up getting my own cat, Lucifer at the animal shelter with Dante present.
On the down sides, I didn't get a promotion and continued at my current role but that's not all that bad. I'm still one of the best PMs the company has. The thing with me is if I'm not happy at work, I'm not happy in life. That's always been the case. The mother of Dante and I relationship has soured further. While I'm open to working with her and to even be friends that just couldn't make it work as a couple, she's totally against that. She'd rather burn everything to the ground than have anything ever to do with me again based on "my bad decisions" but I'm not all that surprised. She's always been that kinda person. We are also further apart in parenting styles which also doesn't help. We simply don't parent the same and it wouldn't have worked out even if we were together unless I conceded every position I have. We both our dug into our ways which is unfortunate.
With that, lets begin reviewing my goals going into 2025 from last year:
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Be a good dad - Topping the charts at number #1 this year is being a good dad. This will probably be numero uno for a LONG time. The subgoal to measure how I did for this goal, I think, is to develop into a good boy who makes good choices. I will do my part in being firm when I need to be, but fun-loving when I don't need to be. I mean, the fact remains, I don't even get a chance to be more than 30% time share with the ex-wife for a long time, so there's some leeway I give myself that I wouldn't necessarily give myself if I had in 50% or greater.
I think I did good. Every time I get my son, I do the best I can. My situation is not how I ever envisioned raising a child, but I can't feel bad for personally being in a better spot which I think will help in the end. I am counting down the days where I can seek more custody of my son with my shitty 30% but I think I do the best I can with that 30%. How I get to my positive answer is we do homework when we have homework, when he is with me, we do things and I cater to him. I think I could always do better and if I had help but alas, those are the cards we're delt.
 Dante at the SpookEasy |  At Monster Jam seeing Grave Digger |  Graduating Pre-School |
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 At Camelot Day Ren Fair |  Halloween Photo shoot with my son as vampires |  BLAH BLAH BLAH |
 At the hotel prior to going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party |  First Day of Kindergarten |
Relationships - without giving away my current private life, I've been on cloud nine as of late. I'm working on a particular relationship, and it is going well. While there are clear challenges this current situation faces, I'm willing to work towards overcoming as many obstacles as possible, taking EVERYTHING I've learned, improving upon it, and just being what I've always been - me. Since assessing this goal is technically not my assessment, I'll go with vibe and what the situation is next year.
What is Jason's relationship status going into 2026 - single. Am I worried about that? Hell no! I'm completely happy with the friends I have and how things play out. I don't really get too lonely because of my universal support network I have. Don't get me wrong, would I want to be in a relationship? I mean maybe - if it's the right person but even the "right person" is somewhat hard to understand since I made that decision once and things were well for almost 5 years but ended up wasted a decade of my life which sucks. I've been on a few dates, but I don't have time to deal with the BS but I'm too old and established to throw my time, effort, and money at some sub-par relationship. Perhaps I'm a little selfish but I think I'm the prize here despite some baggage. I have a great paying job, a house, the ability to take care of someone, not half bad looking for my age, and a really good person so I don't want to throw myself at just anyone. It does suck approaching 45 years old and single but not everyone is meant to find their true partner in life, but I don't need a partner as long as I have friends.
Vacation - I have about 17 days of Personal Time off going into 2025 and I'm a firm believer in the phrase "work hard but play harder." for 2025, I have some things I'm eyeballing, but they are just ideas so if I don't do them, that's not to say I failed my goal unless I can't at least list 2 things next year. For now, I'm eyeballing a trip to Las Vegas at maybe a rockabilly weekend; I've been researching on and off a vintage cruise from England to New York, and I'm sure between now, and next year, there will be something I'm not thinking about.
I did a few - I did go to Las Vegas, but I did not go to the rockabilly weekend. I went during the week of October right before my trip to New Orleans as part of a massive "use it or lose it" vacation on the one-time a year planned vacation without Dante. I did not go to the vintage cruise but that's still on my list. What I did do was the Halloween New Orleans trip and that was fun and much better than 2024. Was it perfect, no, there were speedbumps with the event itself outside the event hostesses' control but it was fun. It was fun to reunite the "dynamic trio" of Pastel (to include her boyfriend), Lila, and I to redo New Orleans proper.
I also continued to expand on my mini-adventures which included Ren Fair and several trips to Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. I like going to events outside of Tampa to follow the fun (when I responsibly can with my schedule with my son). I never want to take time off to fart around and give up time with my son except for that one time a year thing but I give that option to the mom, she just never takes it.
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 At traditional ball posing |  |
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Promotion at work - I want Deputy or equivalent. I didn't get the Germany contract, which is fine, I spend more time with my son than I would have, and if you read my last post on Tumblr, it was letting God take the steering wheel, and he said, "Jason, you're staying" so I'm 100% okay with that but I'd like to advance my career a tad more. I'm not ready to abandon ship yet but if things don't appear like there's viable advancement, it's something I may look stronger into. I love my company and job, but I also don't like hitting walls.
I did not get a promotion. I am still doing what I normally do at work and completely happy with work overall. Is it frustrating at times, YES but that's any job and I'm just fortunate to be in a position I am, with the team I have, and the money I make. I can happily say, I've been at my company for 6 years and loving it. Next year, we go up for a new contract so there's risk we may lose the contract, but I don't focus on the negative and do all I can to ensure we are the best to ensure we win.
Better Living Situation - Did you notice how I phrased that? Last year, I was looking into buying a house or condo, but that German contract threw a wrench in the gears, resulting in the current living situation. However, my apartment kinda sucks. The A/C barely works in the summer. It took 2 weeks to get a replacement refrigerator when it broke, which is unacceptable, and I do kinda miss taking Dante outside to play, which I just don't feel comfortable with today.
I did get pre-approved for a VA loan, but I wonder if the market is the best timing too. Prices are just too damn high even for me. So, what I know right now is that I want to move out of this apartment, which I will do in April 2025. What I need to know is where. I do have Dante to consider, and if things play out in the relationship department, that also plays a factor. I have a crazy idea I'm kicking around in my head, but it's not something I will disclose here, so for now, the goal is a better living situation.
This was accomplished. I bought a new house in Ybor City which is nice because I can walk to my favorite places, be close to work, and still feel like I can decorate how I want which you can't do in an apartment. I have a backyard, and I installed the trampoline but we don't go out there too much. I need to install a fence, shed, and finish painting the living room but I did a lot to make my house my own. It's certainly got its own personality thanks to me. While I'm not happy with the interest rate I got the house at and the overvalue of it, those are just how it is. It's certainly a downgrade since the house I had when I was married but that's what happens.
Formal Dance—Oh, let's do this. It would be great to get really good at formal dancing. I've always been a fan of dance but have never jumped 100% into it. This is a lofty goal but manageable.
Okay good news/bad news - I did learn to dance and did several Tango lessons, but the bad news is I think I forgot again. This is not uncommon but if I had a regular partner, it would be a lot easier to remember with continued practice.
Lose some weight - OH SHUT UP...I KNOW...EVERY YEAR, I KNOW.
Good news/Bad news again - from a simple number perspective, yes, mission accomplished. I lost around 20 pounds from the beginning of 2025 but I keep sticking at a number and don't go below that number. Part of it is dieting is HARD. I don't drink nearly as much alcohol as I used to so I thought that would help more than it does. I must be making up for it elsewhere to keep me at my number I'm at now. However, part of it too is I weight lift again and, to a small degree, I'm told it shows. Lila said I look more buff and she'd be one to know since she's my travel buddy and we end up in hotels quite a bit to see me with my shirt off and spaced out enough in time to see changes that I don't see. I want to get below my sticking number though, it's still too high.
Continue to drink less - I would say I've dialed back my alcohol a lot, which is a goal since things went south in my marriage as a crutch to how I was hiding my depression. I'm currently a social drinker to close the deal at work and a weekend beer drinker at best. This is great, and I think I can do better because, to be honest, it adds no value overall, probably hasn't helped with goal #7 for years, and frankly, I've been happy as of late, so it's been a lot easier. It also helps there are people around me who don't drink or eat bad, so this is something that makes things easier.
As I alluded to, this occurred. I will socially drink at best and because there's so much riding on my future either be it work or setting an example for my son, I don't drink in situations where I know I might get behind the wheel of a car. Sounds easy enough and it is but tell 30 year old Jason that and you'd have a different answer.
Host an Event - OK, NOW we're getting lofty, but you know what? Fuck it, let's throw it on the list of shit, and if it fails, okay...we can attack it again (like goal 7 for the last decade). It would be cool to maybe save up, rent out a bar, and throw an event. Even if I lose money, you can't make an omelet without cracking a few eggs.
I said it was lofty and it was. Still no "...presented by Count Jason" banners out there. Still on my bucket list
Get out of the divorce debt - In 2024, one of the first things I did was take out a consolidated loan for 2 years to get the debt I obtained trying to cater to my ex-wife, ultimately failing, and then trying to manage bills while they house sat unsold forever. I'll be more or less halfway by April so this should be a reasonable goal overall. Granted, I'm okay with some debt - I mean, I can't take the money with me when I die, but I need to get that period of my life behind me where I accumulated that debt, and once that's done, I'll have much more flexibility in other areas.
In progress. I put the bulk of my loans in a consolidated loan and work on paying that down. I still am a man of my word to see that the mom gets the equivalent of alimony through other means outside the sale of the house which I didn't have to do (but how she treats me, I probably shouldn't have and just let her suck on the sale of the house than be nice at all).
(BONUS) - If I get Deputy Program Manager or equivalent, I want to reward myself with a goal of getting a Black C8 Chevy Corvette. Don't get my wrong, my 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T shaker with all-black trim, shaker hood scoop, and gothic esthetic did to it and sounds like America when you start the car and rev the engine is GREAT, but I do love the super car look and if I get Deputy, I want to set a goal to treat myself with this purchase.
No promotion = No corvette.
Ok - so with one more month of 2024 left, the big rocks to get through is Christmas and onward and upward to 2025! 2024 was the year of change. 2025 is the year of renewal.
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So with that, let's move into 2026 goals.
1) Be a good Dad - this ain't going away anytime soon and probably never. I am working with my 30% to the best of my ability which sucks. I do feel I'm missing so much of his childhood and while my job situation has improved where I don't travel overseas as much where I could fight for more custody, for the sake of stability of my son, I don't want to do that until at least 2028 unless provoked by the mom (and believe me, she's tested those waters). I have plans to do a week vacation in March 2026 and working those plans now. I'm hoping those plans involve getting outside the State of Florida, but it has to be a good reason and besides, he's only 5 right now so travel can wait.
2) Relationship - I'm putting it on the list, but I still consider this not a significant thing I'm pushing for. It would be a great nice to have and I do get scared to grow old and not have a partner in crime to grow old with but I'm not going to cry myself to sleep thinking about it either. I want it to work for all the right reasons. I don't want it to be good for a little bit then hear something like "my frontal lobe wasn't developed enough so I changed" or some insanity on why someone became a completely different person on me. I've mentally set myself up that if I do end up in a relationship, they're going to have children too and I've got a hard pill to swallow trying to be with someone and see their kid more than my own which almost makes me not want to be in a relationship at all.
I also value friendship and would rather be "friend zoned" than risk losing a friend. I've lost too many friends at the sake of "being in a relationship" and I never want to do that again.
3) Vacation - For 2026, I'm going to do something with my son in March and I'm probably going to do something later in the year for my annual "Jason only" vacation until Dante gets older and he can join me. I haven't committed to New Orleans on Halloween weekend for 2026 yet. I did book a mini-vacation to Las Vegas for the Endless Nights Event in 2026 in May when I don't have Dante due to the mom's birthday. I will probably still do some Ft. Lauderdale/Miami trips because it's not terribly expensive. I may do a cruise and if the Gothic Cruise would sort out it's s#%t, I'd book that. I will say, work has a lot of influence on vacation that it didn't before.
4) Win the new contract - I can't tell you how important it is to win the next contract. If we win the next contract, I'll be set for at least another 7 years at my job in my current capacity. If we lose, it could be devastating to include losing of my job. This is not something I singular can control so all I can do is do my best and I'm part of the proposal team having so much experience with the current contract but there's a "do whatever it takes" philosophy to win with this. Current contract ends in August 2026, so this is going to be critical over the next several months.
5) Work on the house - I need to paint the living room. It's too white. I need to install a fence. I need to install a shed to give me more storage. All things I "should" be able to do but require time, energy, effort, and money.
6) Get rid of some debt - Still ongoing and still chipping away.
7) Lose weight to my goal number - I have a number in mind, but MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN is it hard. Don't get me wrong, I work out and kind of going into what my plan for 2025 is, I probably put on muscle mass, but it would be nice to get a bit more cut which my number is reasonable. In my head, and I know this is going to sound selfish, but I'd like to be a silver fox older gentleman. You know, those dudes in their 50's and 60's and still look great and still turn heads. I'll provide an example.
8) Host an event - I don't know why I'm putting this here other than I want to try eventually even if I look at this goal every year for the last decade and roll my eyes at how I didn't accomplish it.
9) Do more creative things like I used to - Today, I work on my comedy with the Reels I make. I find this fun and sorta reminds me of the things I did before Instagram and Tic Tok. I don't do it to be an influencer or money, but for fun and make people laugh. I want to continue this and maybe expand and help other artist in my area that do short films and what not assuming it aligns with my schedule.
10) Make it through 2026 - Every year, I feel life gets worse in terms of everything. Everything is harder, everything is more expensive, everything is one challenge after another. I really feel bad for Dante in the world we'd being put into and I know the mom and I discussed this before we had Dante but that doesn't help the outcome we are living in today. I'm not going to say, "2026 is going to be my year" but what I will say is I'm going to do my best.
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