In this Life & Channel Update for 2025 #2, I’m just keeping it a buck with y’all—no script, no fancy setup—just what’s been going on and why the review uploads slowed down. A big part of it is timing: this is that season where companies start lining up new product launches, and as a smaller creator, I’m not always first on the list. Even with brands I’ve worked with before, the bigger channels usually get the early units, and mine comes way later (if it comes at all). That’s not me complaining—just explaining the reality so you understand the gaps. The other piece is real life: me and my wife are saving hard for a Hawaii family reunion and we’re also gearing up to move out of state, so I’m not out here buying lenses, bodies, or “just because” gear. I also talk about how I handle brand deals—how I research specs, read the manual as much as makes sense, and watch other reviews (starting with smaller channels) because I don’t trust the brown-nosing, affiliate-link-only hype. On top of that, I’ve been live streaming on Kick, dealing with childcare struggles, and I got back on meds for my bipolar/PTSD. It’s a lot, but I’m still here, still transparent, and still trying to keep this budget creator tech thing honest.