St. Louis Dad 2022 Wrap Up

For the last few years I have been creating end of the year “wrap up” posts with some lists of my favorite things from the year. This year will be no different as I definitely had an interesting year. It was a year filled with a lot of emotion and struggle, but also a lot of positive! Looking back it is amazing to see the struggle, but also see the Keep on reading to see some of the highlights from my year and what’s still to come!

One new thing I started this year was to document as much of the media I consumed over the course of the year. So I created a media log. The list is pretty extensive and shows that I watch A LOT of movies. So feel free to take a look at 2022’s Media Log.

New Music by Me!

This year I put some work into my online artist portfolio site MissouriMobileProductions.com. 2022 is MMP’s 20th anniversary and to celebrate I released two new experimental instrumental hip-hop albums. The first was Dr. Williams – JELLY-Fi released back on June 18th (my mom’s bday) and the second was released on November 11th (11/11) entitled Richie Williams – The Long Way to Mars EP.

I also put in a lot of work illustrating new projects for almost 70 new clients. This next year I hope to highlight all of the stories I have illustrated and also put out a few more of my own!

Jason Beware 3

Another major project that I spearheaded this year was the final installment of Jason Beware. We couldn’t leave with a cliffhanger, so I spent the first part of the year writing and then this summer we filmed the final film in the Jason Beware series. It was a lot of fun working with the kids again. I think we made ourselves a fun little series and I cannot wait to see what we come up with next.

We Bought a House!

It was emotional, it was painful, but we made it happen. We are also finally free from an emotional abusive landlord that we never want to hear or see ever again. Good riddance!

We Got a New Puppy!

This little horse (photo right) is a rescue from downtown St. Louis. Little guy was chained up in the backyard of an abandoned house. So we rescued him and now him and our other goofball are best buddies!

Tales from a 6th Grader

That’s right, we now have a 6th grader this year. It has been a little bit of a challenge learning new routines and practices but we’re getting by fairly well. She’s excited about Art Club, Images, and all of the fun things middle school offers!

My little 6th grader is really getting into music. She got her first record player for Christmas and watching her flip through vinyl is a new favorite past time. Here are her top 5 songs of 2022!

I Joined TikTok!

Around Halloween 2021 I joined TikTok as DadSTL. I made a couple videos, but over 2022 I posted even more. So if you’re there, give me a follow! I am a big fan of the stand-up comedy crowd work videos, so feel free to give me a follow and send me some funny stuff!

I was a little against TikTok at first, but I have warmed up to it and discovered that it can be a fun and unique way to create content. Just don’t get addicted to the scroll!

Spotify 2022 Wrapped

I don’t always listen to Spotify but I have been a bit more lately. I usually am listening to my own collection or Pandora. This year I have been diving more into some indie country and holy cow there is a lot of good stuff out there that I had not heard. Compared to last year my wrapped list is completely different. I do love how Spotify will share some of your stats in fun ways. Here are some of my highlights!

Spotify is a great way to discovery new music. I don’t think I would have ever found Morgan Wade without it. Also, Zach Bryan just released his Live from Red Rock album as a Christmas present to the world, and of course he titled it, All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live from Red Rock). Perfect!

Zach Bryan also provided me one of the greatest Twitter moments I have ever had in my life. He quote tweeted one of my tweets and I had been on that Ninth Cloud ever since.

My Top 9 on Instagram

Instagram, I love you but I also hate you sometimes. I don’t understand your algorithm but I do like your layout and filters, so I still use you, but not as often as I probably should. Here are the top nine photos of 2022! Give me a follow and see what’s in store for 2023!

My 2022 Favorites

Here are some more of my favorite things from 2022, some of these were not released in 2022 but possibly my first viewing experience! There’s so much more I could have included, just because they weren’t does not mean that I didn’t enjoy whatever it was.

2023 and Beyond

2022 was a year of getting back to my old self. I was finally able to cut ties to a lot of emotional baggage and I feel more free than ever and 2023 will be even better! One goal I have for 2023 is to redesign StLouisDad.com. I really like the format I have going here but I think things could be reorganized a little better. This was also a goal last year, but I kind of got wrapped up in some other things. A redesign may still be at the bottom of my list, but I will attempt to get it done. I promise! I also am planning on producing more episodes of Dad v Son – The Chess Son as well as more content for TikTok and my other channels. I even have an amazing idea that I will be unleashing around this time in 2023. It will be very special and possibly one of the coolest things I will work on through-out the year. I would tell you more but than I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

Along with my secret project, I am also hoping to start writing my next short film. I have an idea and a general outline, but I need to write the screenplay and start planning the production. It will be my most ambitious project to date, so hopefully things fall right into place this coming year!

Another goal I have for the 2023 year is to hit my fitness goals. This coming year I hope to do at least (if not more) 100 miles of hiking, 300 miles of riding my bike, and 1000 miles of traveling. I may not hit these goals but it’s worth a shot to at least make them my goals. I only did around 20 miles of hiking total this past year, I got to pump those numbers up!

This next year is going to be something great. It’s my last year of my 30’s, and I am excited to this next chapter in my life. Each year seems to be going by faster and faster, so I am needing to savor this life I got going and help put some positivity into this world the best ways that I can.

See ya 2022, I’m ready for the year of Air Jordan, 23. Let’s do this!

Signs Your Car is Unsafe to Drive

If you’ve been driving for a while then you will know exactly what it means when your car starts to make certain noises. You already know all of her signs and her tricks to tell you that something is wrong. You need to ensure that your car is running as smoothly as possible but if you’ve been used to your car making noises or smelling funny for a while it can be difficult to differentiate when your car is in trouble and not safe to drive. 

Companies such as Cars Protection Plus are there to help you when you are feeling unsafe, and while you may be saving yourself from a repair bill, it’s only a matter of time before your car gives up the ghost. When this happens, your safety is at risk. Below, we’ve put together the warning signs that your car really is not safe to drive right now and needs maintenance and support as soon as possible.

Image source: Pexels

  • You have a cracked window or two. Even the tiniest little crack can turn into a big Catastrophe. They can spiderweb into bigger ones as you use your car, and cracks, no matter how big they are, can weaken your windshield. This puts you in a lot of danger of being injured or potentially killed while you are driving. It can hinder the proper deployment of airbags, and that can be fatal if the impact is strong enough. Taking your car to a windshield repair service at the first sign of a small chip or any damage is important.
  • You are smelling gas and you’re not in the petrol station. If you smell fuel or your car is being filled up with exhaust fumes, you need to get out of the car as soon as you can. Calling for help is important here, as the smell of gas inside the cabin means that there is a serious problem with the car. There could be a gas leak, which can ignite very quickly.
  • The brakes are making funny noises. Your brakes are not supposed to squeak, squeal or make any kind of noise. Any grinding noises when you step on the brakes usually means that something is wrong. Having them checked out as soon as possible is important for your safety on the road. You shouldn’t risk experiencing a loss of brakes and get into a nasty crash on the road.
  • Your warning lights are flashing. Warning lights on a car not just for decoration you know! A lot of drivers ignore their warning lights but they are there for a reason and they tell you that something is really wrong with your car. Ignoring these warning lights can lead to bigger problems and that can make your car much less safe to drive.
  • Your exhaust smoke has changed colors. When you start to notice different coloured smoke coming from the exhaust of your car, you need to go to a mechanic. Exhaust fumes can indicate major problems in your car, especially if they are great from a blue or black.

When You Might be Entitled to Compensation

CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Pexels

There are many instances where you might be entitled to compensation. Compensation can help you get back on your feet after an injury and cover any expenses you may have.

What Exactly is Compensation?

Most of the time, “compensation” means the money someone gets in exchange for their services. In the workplace, compensation is what employees get in return for their work, like a salary or a bonus. But there are other ways to get money from the law. For example, accident law firms can help you get money from the person who hurt you. This compensation is about getting money back for things like lost wages, medical bills, and trauma and recovery damages.

Claiming Psychological Compensation

Personal injury compensation is often given when someone is hurt badly. But there is more damage than a broken leg, a sore back, or nerve damage. Trauma can also be mental and cause a lot of damage to the mind. In some situations, you may be able to get money for mental damage. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are some of the most common of these. You can also get money if your job is making you feel stressed and your employer hasn’t tried to help.

You Might be Entitled to Compensation for Fraud

Even though fraud is common, it is often not possible to get your money back. In fact, for bank scams alone, only around 45% of victims get their funds back. But there is still some hope. Some businesses have ways for you to get some of your money back as compensation. The UK’s Fraud Compensation Fund is one such example. If you can show that you were a victim of fraud and lost money because of it, you should contact such an organization.

Delayed Flight Claims

As a paying customer, a business has to meet your service needs related to what you paid for. For example, when traveling between countries, you can get your money back if your flight is canceled or late. But this is hard to do, and many airlines will try to get out of it. But writing a letter with all the details and asking for a refund is the best thing you can do. If your flight was five hours or more, they have to pay you money in the eyes of commercial law.

Personal Injury Compensation

Making a claim for personal injury is one of the easiest things you can do. This is because there is often a lot of proof that wrongdoing has happened. But if you want to go to court to get money for a personal injury, you should talk to a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases. You need to move as quickly as possible because most legal actions have strict deadlines. Often, legal fees will be deducted from your award if you cannot pay your lawyers beforehand.

Summary

You might be entitled to compensation in many scenarios. These typically include psychological trauma, being the victim of fraud, and of course, personal injury because of negligence.

Handling Compensations After a Fleet Truck Accident

Commercial truck accidents are some of the most devastating and deadly accidents on the road. Not only do they often cause serious injuries or fatalities to those in other vehicles, but they can also shut down traffic for miles. If you are involved in a commercial truck accident, it is important to understand your rights and what you can expect in terms of compensation. This blog post will discuss the different types of compensation that may be available to you after a truck accident.

1) Property Damage Compensation:

If you are involved in a truck accident, the driver and/or company may be responsible for any property damage that is caused. This includes vehicle repairs or replacements as well as any other property damage such as fences, walls, lawns, etc. The insurance company of the at-fault party should cover the cost of these repairs. In addition, if the property damage exceeds a specific limit, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to cover the costs.

2) Medical Expense Compensation:

Medical expenses can add up quickly if you are injured in a commercial truck accident. These costs can become overwhelming, from initial ambulance rides and hospital bills to long-term care or physical therapy. Fortunately, if the at-fault party has insurance coverage for their vehicle, their policy should cover the majority of your medical expenses related to the accident. You may also be able to get compensation from other sources, such as your own health insurance or even from government programs such as Medicaid or Medicare.

Via Pexels

3) Lost Wages Compensation:

If an individual is injured in a trucking accident, they may be unable to work for a period of time. As such, this can lead to lost wages as well as a loss of anticipated future earnings. In some cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company may cover these losses. However, if that coverage is not sufficient, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover these lost wages.

4) Pain and Suffering Compensation:

In addition to physical injuries, many people suffer from emotional pain and trauma after being involved in an accident with a commercial truck. This type of compensation is often referred to as “pain and suffering” damages, and it can include both physical and emotional anguish caused by the incident. Unfortunately, these damages are often harder to prove, so it is important to have a strong legal team with attorneys that handle trucking accidents on your side when filing such claims.

In conclusion, when pursuing any compensation for a commercial truck accident, it is important to get in touch with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process and help ensure that you receive the total amount of compensation owed from the at-fault party. With this knowledge, you can be sure that your rights are being protected and that you are receiving all of the necessary compensation for your injuries or losses after a fleet truck accident.