My work life is weird. Most people have a reliable schedule and know when they’ll work, and how much. They can plan out their week, their month, and their budget accordingly. But not me. I will go weeks or months without a job, and then work my face off for 45 straight days. I’ll look at an empty week on my calendar that suddenly fills up before the end of Monday. I’ll have zero jobs and a wide open calendar for weeks at a time, and then four jobs all want me and they can only work at exactly the same time so I have to choose just one. (I hate it when that happens. I’d do so much more cool stuff if not for the constant conflicts).
I mean, look, this as far as problems go, as far as uncertainty goes … this is not the worst thing. I love how much I get to just do my own thing, usually whenever I want to, it’s not the worst thing! But I also am not crazy about that uncertainty. To make it less intense, we made a choice about 15 years ago to keep a year of liquidity in savings, just in case. Knock on wood, we haven’t needed it. And to take even more control over my life and career, I started developing this project that, if it finds its audience, could become the thing I do full time. I would love that. You have no idea.
This week, I’ve been working my face off on what feels like the final lap of this passion project I’ve been developing for a couple of years. Late last year, after a long development process that felt at times like it would never end, I started work on the thing. Last week, we hit a significant milestone that allowed us to set a release date on the calendar for next month, and I’ve spent all day every day this week doing so much writing for it, my fingers are numb and my brain is mush. I want to keep going, but the flesh is spongy and bruised.
It’s been a nice break from the horrors, though, and I have been so grateful for that. It reminds me that, even though everything is terrible and America is in the middle of a fascist coup, we still need breaks from the fight to restore our hit points and our mana. We need to step away from the fire hose of social media and all of its algorithmically-driven agitation and addiction. We need to breathe and taste the air and practice some quiet self care. As an entertainer, I can help create that space for anyone who wants or needs it. That’s how I can be a Helper. That’s what I want to do with my work, and that’s what this project is all about.
I really want to make sure you know about this when it releases. The best way to make sure you do is by signing up for email alerts when I make pots posts on my blog. If I did what I think I did, you should be navigating about ninety thousand popups and reminders that you can subscribe.
Here’s one more.
Okay bye!
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wow i was just talking about you and then you spawned a blog post
I love reading your posts. They inspire me to write more whether on my own blog or in my book. I had such a huge crush on Wesley Crusher 👀 nerd much?! 🤓
Glad to hear that you have been able to keep busy and stay safe in these uncertain times.
Speaking about “a nice break from the horrors”, are you opening up your discord to new applicants? Hopefully you are able to keep that free of trolls and assholes.
I hope everything goes well!
“The best way to make sure you do is by signing up for email alerts when I make pots on my blog.”
I would like to buy an official Wil Wheaton pot! I’ve signed up. Eagerly awaiting my new pot! Gonna make RAMEN!
I mean, it’s not that kind of pot.
Can we pick a glaze? Will there be teaposts or coffeeposts? A clown sweater mug maybe?
I’m really looking forward to…whatever it is. Anything to distract us from ‘the horrors’ and remind us that they aren’t all there is on this planet. I figure if you’re putting it together, it will be wonderful!
Your honesty about the world (and your life) is one of the biggest reasons we love you. Can’t wait to be part of The NExt Grand Thing with you.
I’ve been following your blog for over 20 years and today is the day I subscribed. I can’t wait to hear about your new projects.
Thank you for that hard work; I‘m sure it will pay off and I‘m excited to finally find out what you have been working on soon.
I want to know when you make pots on your blog. Pots are awesome.
just check here every day at 420pm.
What time would that be in Scotland?
Morale is Power.
And you are good for our morale.
I’m an accountant. I wouldn’t be able to stand not having a predictable income stream! Thanks for what you do to make things a bit brighter. I next-to-never comment on your posts, but I always read and enjoy them.
Looking forward to it, whatever “it” may be!
Hi Wil,
Just a thought… I’m not a doomsday prepper or anything like that… May I suggest that a good chunk (3 months?) of that year’s burn be kept in either cash or gold, in a physically hidden, non-institutional location? It’s getting mighty whacky out there, and you don’t want to get caught on Ferrenginar without sufficient Latinum. This is just a tidbit from a guy who was traveling, and had all his cards turned off unexpectedly (was an identity theft issue) but I was reduced to desperate requests for cash from friends and relatives… Because I trusted my money in the bank would be universally available. Sometimes, it ain’t.
tl;dr: Keep 3 months of your reserves in gold or cash, physically accessible without an institution intervening.
Yesss!! Joy as resistance! And, joy to fill our cups and charge our batteries! I’m so excited for your passion project 😍
(Bow-Wow-Wow reference for the win)
Also, I’ve gone back to RSS readers, which are great for keeping up with sites without having to deal with social media. It’s some seriously old-school web tech, but lot of sites still generate a feed, even if they don’t advertise them.
A year is a lot! I have four months. 🙂
You’re the coolest – I love reading your posts!
I hope it all works out for you, Will. It’s the best feeling when a project succeeds. My best wishes to you.
You go! I anticipate your creation!
I have followed your blog for a few years and subscribed today. I like your effordless writing.
Looking forward to seeing what your “passion project” is – it’s amazing you’ve been dropping hints for months without saying what it is, what form it’s taking, and how it’s going to be presented to the fans – wish you the best of luck. I hope it does well and you get a LOT of press and interest.
I can’t wait for whatever the new project might be!
Yes. Whatever it is, I’m in!!! (Also, while reading your second paragraph, I stopped to knock on my wooden desk.)
Love ya, Wil! Tell Anne I said “hi”.
Thank you for being a helper.
(And I’m sure it was unintentional, but your typo at the end (“pots” instead of “posts” definitely gave me a much needed chuckle!) Stay you!
Taxes must be a pain for you! Well… not like they aren’t a pain for everybody… Taking care of your mental health is important when you don’t have a steady schedule.
*Cornfield voice whispers, “if you make it, they will consume it.”
So need to restore my Mana! Excited about this project and can’t wait to hear more!
Thank you for this. My mind is reeling from what is going on in America and I need to stop and take a breath. I am really looking forward to the release of your project.
I empathize. I’ll be pounding my keyboard next month for disposable income again. Break a leg, young Jedi.
Congratulations on being almost ready to release the Kraken, or whatever it is you will be releasing!
I am looking forward to meeting it!
I love that you’re here and I don’t have to worry about missing your updates if/when I have to jump ship from another social media platform. Thanks for being a calm breath of fresh air. Best of luck with your new project – can’t wait to hear about it.
Is the project Daffodil that you mentioned a couple of times?
No, this is a different thing.
I’ve been reading the various incarnations of WWdN since 2000 or 2001, I think? And I still mainly keep up with the blog via good ol’ RSS and a reader I check my feeds with daily. Makes me feel old, but it still works and doesn’t rely on an social media empire. Does anyone else still use RSS?
Thank you, Will, for the reminder that we need to give our self breaks from the bad things happening to restore our hit points and take care of our well-being.
I can’t wait to see what you have been working on!
I look forward to reading and hopefully seeing these projects of your come to fruition.
I can’t say that I have followed your career particularly closely, but I have been an enthusiastic fan of yours for many years.
I look forward to seeing your latest passion project. 🤩
Very excited for your new project! While I miss you on Facebook, I very much look forward to hearing from you, as do all of your fans, as a light in these dark dark times. Thank you for giving us something to look forward to!
I SO hear you about the uncertainty. I did myself no favors when I became a computer game dev right out of college.
Uncertainty city.
One of the greatest moments of my life is when my careful selection of paternal grandfather paid off and I no longer had that uncertainty.
I hope your project does the same for you. It’s a great blessing.
Can’t wait as I’m sure it will be wonderful and right up my alley.
I’m excited for your passion project and the joy that it will bring you and so many others.
Can’t wait to learn more about your project!
Thank you for the bright spots you bring to my day. And looking forward to email alerts when you are making “pots on your blog”, hee hee hee. 😁
Your words are like a balm, soothing to the soul, as I can hear them in your voice… and so lovely to read you on BlueSky as well 🙂
Very excited about this! Can’t wait to find out what you’ve been working on
Keep on keepin on Will. You will never know how many people need to hear your voice. Thank you for being a sane voice in all the craziness.
We could all use some more wonderful right about now. I’m not handling any of this well at all.
I don’t know what your project is, but I think your wit, humor, generous spirit, and love of games would make you the perfect host of a nerdish game show.
I have a pitch waiting for you, the minute you want to hear it. 🙂
Love to you and the fam, fam.
I’m really looking forward to whatever it is you’re doing! And I gotta say I was utterly delighted when you said, “The flesh is spongy and bruised.” That was one of the funniest lines ever from “Futurama,” and it makes me so happy that you quoted it!!!
Can’t wait!!
Living in the UK I had previously felt removed from the political antics of those in power in the US, however, this time around I am scared. Scared for the American people and what is being masterminded internally with his successor, concerned that once again megalomaniacs have elected control of a nation, petrified of what is being concocted with another megalomaniac in the absence of a key ingredient and finally (although there is probably lots more I could write about, but my dog is death staring me which means he wants his walk) the way he is attempting to rewrite history. Have we moved past the living memories of the world wars. Are we now generations of people who only know about Nazism if we studied it. I remember stating, quite vehemently, to my mother, as a 9 year old, that history was a useless subject and we should be looking to the future not at the past. I’m glad I grew and developed and realised that we, absolutely must, learn from history, lest we make the same mistakes again.
I have to admit that I feel shame that when the news came through about his shooting I was not troubled by the fact another human had attempted to kill another human, something that would normally be abhorrent to me. Even from thousands of miles away it is impacting who I am.