2026 Theme: Odyssey

Written By Thomas Nagle

Reflecting on last year’s theme of Year of Action, I was able to get a lot done. I wasn’t perfect and didn’t cross everything off but that’s never the point of a yearly theme. The theme is just to nudge you in the direction of the goal, and overtime you start to internalize that direction and move towards it. This year will be one of a lot of change but also one that I’m wanting to maximize the time I get so I’m somewhat doubling down on a similar theme. 2026’s theme will be “odyssey”

It’s broken into a few different sections but the main purpose is growing/developing as a person and strengthening who I am around the edges. I’m not going to lose the core elements but a fun way to have more stories and experiences.

I’ve been enjoying a new musical called “EPIC: The Musical” which is all about Homer’s Odyssey and that coupled with some of the basic ideas I wrote down made me choose this word to signify how I will approach the year.

Texas-maxxing

Here are some “core” Texas experiences I gathered from friends that I would want to cross off. This is also loosely based on the some My Texas by the Josh Abbott Band.

Locations

  • Big Bend (and the dark sky reserve)

  • Enchanted Rock

  • Fredericksburg

  • Riverwalk in San Antonio

  • The Alamo

  • Natural Bridge Caverns

  • River Float

  • Stockyards at Fort Worth (Cowtown)

  • State Fair? Red River Rivalry?

  • Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner

  • Newman’s Castle?

  • Houston Rodeo

  • NASA

Activities

  • Horseback riding

  • Learn how to two step

  • Deer hunt? maybe gulf fishing?

    • Guided fishing tour?

  • Get Cowboy boots/hat

  • Golf with friends?

  • Dynamo game?

Food

  • TexMex

    • The Original Ninfa’s

    • Tatemó

  • BBQ

    • Franklin’s - Already hit when I was in school

    • Snow’s

    • spots in Lockhart - Terry Black’s, Kreuz Market, Smitty’s Market? Kreuz is the lead option

    • Corkscrew, in spring

    • Pecan Lodge, Dallas

    • Truth

Rounding the corners

There’s a ton of other activities/experiences I want to try and just have the story. They will stretch me as a person and help develop who I am. “100 bad days makes 100 good stories” is the theme for this part.

Here’s some random things I’m interesting in doing:

  • do an open mic stand up

  • learn to juggle

  • drive a stick shift

  • start a fire from scratch - bow method or flint and steel?

  • read Ulysses by James Joyce

    • This is one of the novels I’ve always wanted to read and have kept bouncing off after starting. But now that the theme is “odyssey” it seems the perfect time for this book!

Chicago

In September, I’m going to be moving to Chicago. I’ll be going to Booth for my MBA. This will certainly be an odyssey as I’ll have to make all new friends and figure out how to live in the cold North. But I’m so excited by the challenge and future growth opportunities. Right now this just folds into the theme because I’m going on a physical odyssey to Illinois but also an intellectual odyssey as I begin to learn and see new things.

Thomas Nagle https://melloplatypus.com
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