The year’s rear-view review
We are a few days into 2026, and I wanted to take some time to reflect on 2025. It was a long, weird year, but I had some interesting anecdotes that weren’t big enough to carry their own column but, to paraphrase Elaine Benes, are “column-worthy.”
It was a banner year. I had three plays produced: “Fish, Please,” “The Bowl,” and “The Last Resort.” Two of the plays were written and performed in 24 hours. My play, “Light’s Out,” was adapted for radio and performed in Los Angeles (a podcast). A fourth play, “Broccoli on the Side,” was published in a literary magazine. I taught my comedy writing class for Pennwriters and at the Norfolk Public Library.
I went out to the theater, film premieres, cabarets, art gallery openings, and even the opera.
During all this success, I had to say goodbye to a dear friend, the creator of ‘Burgh Vivant, Brian Edward Leach. There were so many other losses, but this one hit the hardest.
In April, I went to Italy.
Here are some of the more humorous accounts of the year in review:
In June, I went to a coffee shop on the North Side and ordered a cup of black tea. The barista said, “You remind me of Winnie the Pooh.”
While I was wearing a red shirt, I assure you, I was wearing pants.
After he told me that I reminded him of a cartoon bear, I looked down at my steaming cup of tea and said, “Well, now I’m afraid to ask for…hhhhhhhhoney,” and yes, I said it while impersonating the famous bear of the Hundred Acre Wood.
I suppose it’s better than being mistaken for Eeyore.
Personally, I think the barista was on something. He’s seeing pink Heffalumps and purple Woozles.
In early December, I hosted “Story Club” at Bottlerocket Social Hall in Allentown, filling in for regular host Alan Olifson. At one point, I told an obscure joke, and when it only received a titter from the audience, I said, “Only four people got that joke.”
Someone in the back yelled, “Five.”
I don’t know if it’s funnier that he thinks I counted, or that he wanted to make sure that I knew he “got” the joke, even if he didn’t think it was funny.
A few nights ago, I woke up from a dream with a laugh. A character in my dream had said, “Air Bah-Nib,” and I replied, “It’s pronounced Air B and B.”
Apparently, I dream in sitcom.
Many people have told me 2025 wasn’t their year, and they’re glad to see the front end of 2026. Last year had its ups and downs, but I don’t blame it.
It’s inevitable. There will be some adversity in getting through 2026, but there’s a trick to it. You must remember this important quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
It’s excellent rear-view advice from a famous honey-loving cartoon bear, Winnie the Pooh.