Long ago I wrote a post about changes I was watching for in 2023. 2024 seems too far in the future for consideration. (So Much Going On) There’s already enough going on, so I wrote about several topics. I didn’t expect to mention any of them (except stocks for my June 30 report), but then last night happened. I decided today’s blog would just be an update – and then realized that post was written at the beginning of the month, only a few weeks ago. Yep. 2023 has not been dull, and the pace of change is quickening.

So much for plans.

The topic I expected to concentrate on is my next event. I am the, harumph harumph, the Guest of Honor and Featured Local Writer for a scifi expo happening on Whidbey: Galaxy’s Edge’s 2023 Expo. Honored, pleased, and surprised to be included. Check them out. See what collaborations can create.

Great (self-promotion) topic. Then some Russians decided to redefine Russia. There are definitions being rewritten as a mercenary group is rebelling against an entrenched mainstream establishment. Call it a government if you need a name for it. I’m not going to go into details because things are changing as I type, I suspect.

But there I was, letting YouTube play some background news while I worked on the computer getting ready for an interview, work on my next book, doing some computer maintenance – you know, the way many entrepreneurs spend Friday nights, working while watching ads telling everyone else to go out shopping, dining, then drinking, then having romantic romance. My indulgence was a martini, with real gin! (Splurge, but also because the gin was on sale.)

Believe it or not, there was breaking news that was really news. One of the news sources that is less news and more entertainment showed hints of a civil war. It was probably nothing, but after an hour other reports started coming in. So much for work. It was time to watch history, as I have watched before.

There is more than war.

I expected upheaval in Russia this year, but didn’t expect it this way. I also expected news from one of the stocks, MVIS, which spiked a week or so ago. Instead of bland Puget Sound weather, the meteorologists have stated that Seattle’s climate and weather cycles have changed, but they don’t know to what. Currently, we’re swinging from drought, back to dour, and throw in some storms. AI’s accelerated advance has accelerated, in my opinion. And we still have a bit more than half of a year to go.

All of those things are news; but news can sometimes just be news, a story. Each of those changes do have direct effects on our lives, however. The easiest metric to reference is what happens to economies because economies are easy to measure. That filters down to anyone who relies on money to pay bills.

Personal finance plans are a good idea. Plans are built on assumptions, and if assumptions must be changed, expect plans to change. Watch the news, but what are you going to do about it? Advocacy and volunteering come to mind, but also keep in mind how things affect mortgages, rent, utilities and life.

The coup attempt is happening quickly. Climate change has become obvious. AI advancements are already affecting businesses – and those of us calling Help Desks. Be firm and carry on is a great stalwart strategy, but before and after rarely look the same. In the past, that surprised some; but they could adjust over enough years. News in 2023 is happening quickly enough that being firm and staying on course can turn plans into anachronisms in a month, maybe a week, maybe a day, maybe overnight.

I’d write more but there’s I’m to be interviewed for a show in an hour or so, then there’s probably a bill to pay – if my pay has posted in my bank. After that, there’s a dance to get ready for because – with so much, too much, going on – I like to remember that life and living are the reason for planning and working.

A good time for me to recall my frequently used sign-off: Stay tuned.