A Closer Look … @ WTF_Chaotic_Cartoon_2025 

with Anthony Newcombe 

WTF Chaotic Cartoon, BAN Solutions, copyright 2025

Just to mention a few … 

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 

Our clocks have now been turned back.  A winter chill is in the air (except where I live). It’s November now – time to begin reflecting on the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.  In fact, most of us wait until New Year’s Eve, but I always subscribed to the belief that it’s much harder to keep (and even harder) to implement new resolutions during the strain of the holiday season. 

So, here we are.   

What do we make of 2025?

2025 may be regarded (in future historical accounts) as one of the most chaotic, unbalanced, and transformative (good or not) years in recent times.  All the while, I’m confident you will agree that there is a tension in the wintry air that we haven’t felt in a minute.   

When everyone feels as though their opinion must be not only heard, but acted upon, it creates a tenuous situation with few possibilities for a favorable outcome.  When I was young, we knew it as “Too many chiefs, not enough…” Oops!  

BLOG CANCELLATION ALERT: Please be advised that this blog and its author may be officially canceled for “insensitive language and/or reference(s).”  

Lighten up Francis, I happen to be a noble member of the tribe.  

The need to “cave up” once in a while

Anyway, perhaps we can chalk up this mentality to our “instant gratification” existence – too many opportunities to reach too many people in too quickly of a fashion. Though it is way beyond my pay grade to suggest a remedy, what I can say is we need to “cave it up” a lot more. Slow it down, turn it off, and at least try to pay some time to the life that got you here.  

The experts will tell you that it’s an integral part of our genetic makeup, but more importantly, it’s something that any of us can choose to do.  It doesn’t take millions of dollars (or crypto), near-perfect credit, nor access to celebrities and whatever they think they bring to the table. 

Just find a corner, a stairwell, or a cove at the beach (or lake). Give yourself a few minutes to unwind and get your pulse down (for once). You may not emerge as a superstar, cult figure, or billionaire, but I promise you will feel much better than when you got there. 

What do YOU think? 

Have a wonderful (and less chaotic) holiday season and we’ll see you at some point along the way to check in. 

-A.N. 

Some helpful third-party links for you: 

Psychology Today: America the Anxious 

Coping with political stress 

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and a full-stack web developer. Please visit our CONTACT PAGE for more information.

A Closer Look … CLIMATE DENIAL GONE WILD!!

with Anthony Newcombe

Let’s take a closer look … @ OUR CLIMATE DENIAL!!

THIS MONTH’S TOPIC: CLIMATE DENIAL GONE WILD!!

JULY 16, 2025: CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL IS GETTING HARDER TO CLAIM EACH AND EVERY DAY

I don’t see any climate change problems, do YOU?

Q: What more needs to happen before our world’s leadership finally gets on the same page (completely on it) concerning the hazards of climate change?

I don’t know about you, but it seems a day no longer goes by without learning about another city, state, region, country, etc. that is ravaged by a new catastrophe.  It’s ironic because I’ve been writing about this topic for over a decade now (see author’s archives below this post) and it almost seems like it was nothing compared to what we experience today. 

EVERYTHING IS MAGNIFIED: SIZE, STRENGTH, SCOPE, DURATION AND FREQUENCY

The size, strength, scope, duration and frequency of today’s snowfalls, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires are more amped-up than ever before. At this pace, it appears that we are on a collision with the type(s) of disasters that may soon become unrecoverable (for lack of a better word).

https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions

https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/2025-us-tornadoes-and-severe-storms

WHEN WILL “ENOUGH” REALLY BE ENOUGH?!

Q: How much is enough?    

Are we at the hard headedness level of breaching the point at which we can no longer: breathe the air? Drink the water?  Travel to and from the places we used to without thought or effort?

Do we need to see a state snap off at some point and wash away into one of our ocean bodies?  Why are we so blasé (in general) about this issue?  And why is it only discussed as a “political topic” as opposed to what it really is – a human survival topic. I mean, it isn’t like nobody dies in these events … or suffers other personal and/ or financial losses. Can’t we do at least a little better?!

What say YOU? 

At any rate, I hope your summer is “steaming along” as well as possible in 2025. Probably will see you next sometime in the early fall season.

-A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer.  He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

Related posts by this author

A Closer Look … (@ MegaMillions!!)

with Anthony Newcombe

Let’s take a closer look … @ MegaMillions!!

March 13, 2025

This month’s topic: The Lottery ($5 now)

I don’t understand something.  Perhaps you can help me.  I noticed last week that the California MegaMillions just announced that starting this April, the entry fee going forward will now be $5 – up from $2.

The rationale went something like this: “Now, MegaMillions wannabes will be able to LOWER their odds of winning…blah, blah, blah…”

I’m not a big fan of the lotto (too much of a control freak regarding my finances) but I can’t help but notice the plethora of citizens who partake in the contest (many of them as often as possible), and I know they all really have faith they will one day hit the big jackpot.

I guess for the purposes of this blog entry, I’m more concerned about the “little guys.” You know, the ones who can’t seem to make their monthly nut, yet squirrel-away just enough ducats to participate whenever possible. 

So, lotto entries are ALSO subject to inflation?

Now, being that we are facing some odd and widespread inflationary issues right now, I can’t help but wonder why the lotto bosses thought this was a good time to “raise the ante.” Let’s face it: Americans are bellyaching over the price of eggs, gas, mortgages, rent etc. 

I agree with said aches & pains.  HOWEVER, I don’t see the logic in paying 150% more for a gambling ticket while they are enduring said inflation. I mean, it’s like saying to someone:

“Let me help you out with that inflation. I know you’re in need of making some big money but first just give me some extra money and I promise you your odds of winning big will move UP from being struck by lightning while a Great White Shark is devouring you – to simply being struck while relaxing on a random park bench.”

Coo coo, isn’t it. I don’t know what to say. HELP! S.O.S.

What do YOU think?

Oh, and “happy spring season!”Flowers in pot with solid fill

– A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

RELATED WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR

https://writeplus.biz/a-closer-look-17/

A Closer Look … (WILDFIRES!)

Wildfire relief
Let’s take a closer look … @ contributing to the L.A. wildfire relief !!

with Anthony Newcombe

January 15, 2025

Wildfires and more wildfires: How YOU can help …

Considering the death and destruction of this month’s Los Angeles area wildfires, we are dedicating this month’s A Closer Look to the affected residents, tireless emergency personnel – as well as those who may not live in L.A. but are contributing with their time, attention, and financial donations – to a successful recovery effort.

WHERE YOU CAN DONATE

Below, please find some reputable links for information and/or donations:

  1. American Red Cross
  2. Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
  3. CoreResponse
  4. EIFoundation

Of course, we will likewise provide a convenient PayPal link below for those who wish to donate directly upon completion of reading today’s post.  As a lifelong resident of the area, we send our sincerest condolences to those who have lost their homes and/ or loved ones – and commit to doing all we can to share in the efforts to uplift their spirits and rebuild their lives and new homes.

https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/3843

We are a strong, vibrant and resilient community.  Let’s all step up and continue to prove ourselves as “the gold standard!”

Until we meet again.

-A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

Related posts by this author

Maui

Author’s Note: Next month (February, 2025), we will resume our traditional Super Bowl wrap with interesting vignettes and sidebars of hilarity and irreverence. Thank you for your patience and continued support!