First of all,

I’d like to thank those who have stuck around with blog for all of these years, as I approach the 7th year of The STiXXclusive Blog’s existence. I know for a fact that this wasn’t a very productive year for the site, but a lot of things in life happened to warrant my distance away from writing as frequently. I would apologize for not being as consistent with the content, but what I’ve learned is that you need to move at your own pace, and not your audience’s. I don’t get paid from this site, and it has always been a vessel for me to share what I’ve been interested in. Movies & Music, and whatever else in between that I felt the need to share, I’ve done so. This was a year where I decided to soak in more art, but not be as much of a commentator. I respect the fact that many people take stock in my opinion, and I am grateful for that, but sometimes, I don’t have to be that voice on a piece of work. Sometimes, I too just want to be a fan, and I took the time out to do that. I listened to a bunch of projects and certainly have my favourites of the year (J. Cole – K.O.D, Mac Miller (RIP) – Swimming, Smino – NOIR, Rejjie Snow – Dear Annie, Blood Orange – Negro Swan, Buddy – Harlan & Alondra, Travis Scott – ASTROWORLD, Freddie Gibbs – Freddie, The Internet – Hive Mind, Jay Rock –  Redemption, Kali Uchis – Isolation, Black Milk – FEVER, SIR – November), but I didn’t feel the need to put my thoughts into them. I valued them more because I didn’t have to, and for that, I’m grateful, and I thank you for your understanding.

That said, I had a year. It was good and bad (start here to get a sense of what began), but from getting my G2, to editing 4 episodes of a popular Food Network/Cooking Channel show, to travelling to the Dominican for my first All-Inclusive trip, joining the Gym, getting 3 tattoos (after going 28 years without 1), getting my own professional website and getting married (!!), there were a lot of high points.

But also, I lost my Uncle to cancer, I had a bad experience getting a wisdom tooth removed where I could barely open my mouth for a month, experienced some financial woes, battles with insecurity, lost some friends, and overall a lot of self-confidence issues. It wasn’t pretty, but I learned a lot about myself, and it helps to have a person you confide in, to hold up the mirror to your face, to let you know that you need to let some shit go and just move forward.

One of my favourite quotes in life is ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do,’ and I’d like to think that I’m considerably tough. Not just in the physical, but mental & emotional toughness. I allowed myself to be more transparent and open with my emotions (some pushing was required, and I’m still working on it), and for the most part, I’ve seen my own personal growth. I’m still selective on expressing myself to many people, just due to my own habits, but I am at least at a place where I can be comfortable doing it.

Furthermore, I’m looking forward to what 2019 brings. I’ll be turning 30, and that’s a milestone. Being married is certainly a big dynamic, and what challenges it will present, I’ll be excited for, because I truly have the best wife in the world.

I hope that if you’re reading this, you take a moment to reflect on the good and bad that happened, and still recognize that you’re here. There’s still a couple of weeks left in the year, and God willing I make it to see the end, but I wish you all success, health & prosperity to finish off your year, and to an even better start to your new year. Enjoy it all.

That’s My Word & It STiXX