Volume 1 - Issue 8 - December 2025

Greetings !

As December settles in with its glittering expectations and quiet aches, I’m reminded that the holidays can be both comforting and complicated. They bring light and festivity—but also memories, absences, and moments of deep reflection.

This season, I found myself thinking back to 2013, a Christmas spent not around a table or tree, but in a hospital bed. What began as recovery turned into rediscovery of body, breath, and small rituals that bring meaning even when traditions fade.

I was saddened to learn that the Little Yoga Studio had closed earlier this year. I started going there the Monday after Labor Day in 2014, when I was still rehabbing from my six weeks in the hospital and at the rehab center.

That December, the teacher, Nafisa, mused that the holiday season pushes everyone to be extroverted, which can be stressful. For introverts like me, it was fitting that the day’s practice focused on grounding. It was beneficial for both my mental and physical well-being.

Read about my root chakra and holiday stress ...

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A Twinkle at the End: A Life Told in Reverse from obituary to zygote

There's been a lot of talk over the past year about the state of healthcare in America. I’ve lived through seven, going on eight decades, tangled in the tubes, pills, forms, and fees of the American healthcare industrial complex.

December 16th marks 12 years since I went to the hospital, where I spent a month on my deathbed. That was the inciting incident for my memoir, A Twinkle at the End, which begins with my death — or at least what will likely be my last dance with the Grim Reaper, then travels backward through time. I figured I'd get the pain out of the way first.

Like most people, I didn’t exactly volunteer for this. I was born into it. I decided to tell my story differently: in reverse. My picture was taken during a brain MRI required for a research study that determined moderate physical activity improves memory.

Click to read what I learned about living by almost dying...

My disclaimer: You're receiving this newsletter because at some point over the past 25 years, we've met or corresponded by email. You can unsubscribe if your inbox is already too cluttered. You're safe here. I won't ever disguise my voice as your nephew, Craig, and ask you to Venmo me money for a hotel room because I'm stranded in Elko, Nevada.

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Support indie artists not only during the holidays, but every day!

I wrote last month about how the publishing game is rigged in favor of celebrity authors. I hope you support indie artists, including myself. I'm trying to sell some of the books I have out there, including A New Dawn at Libby Flats. Writing is easy compared to selling. Even if you miss the holiday buying season, purchase books from indie authors.

When you choose a gift made by someone who doesn’t have a household name, you’re helping level the playing field in a system tilted toward fame and profit.

Views from Beyond Metropolis is my memoir about how each of us can unwind the tapes in our heads to be more accepting of others who are different from ourselves.

Through the eyes of my hero, Superman, I learned how to be civil and developed practical cultural competency techniques from my life experiences.

I grew up in a strong extended family, living in a college dorm, purchasing my first home with two other guys as a co-op, and living in a mixed-use urban neighborhood before it became trendy.

If you have a book club, consider selecting a book written by a local author.

Meanwhile, I've been having fun writing short-form content, such as this newsletter.

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Black & Tan podcast wraps Season 1

Black & Tan is a podcast that explores a new story about beer and the intricacies of cultural understanding in today’s rapidly changing world. Season 1 has just wrapped.

Hosted by Pedro Silva, an African American advocate for social equity, and Alan O’Hashi, a Japanese American from Wyoming with a passion for cross-cultural engagement.

The show offers insightful discussions designed to inspire personal change. Each episode tackles ways to bridge cultural divides by making intentional, individual adjustments to foster acceptance and empathy

With engaging conversations, Black & Tan offers listeners both practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives on our evolving world. Why Listen? Black & Tan is for anyone who wants to:

Discover strategies to bridge gaps and foster connections across diverse backgrounds.
Gain practical tools to make positive, impactful changes within your communities.
Enjoy lively and thoughtful discussions.
Learn simple, actionable steps to encourage understanding and respect.

Click to check out all episodes on your favorite platform, including Spotify ...

Drop me a line if you run out of things to do. Thank you for sticking around. Until next time...

If you have questions or comments, message Alan-Bot. We learn more and more every day! You can also click the icon to chat ...

Staying mellow during the holidays is easier said than done!