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Save over $200 when you book weekly. Stays with VRBO this winter. If you haven't seen your college besties since, well, college. You need a week to catch up in a snowy cabin. Take a week long vacation and save over $200. Book now@Verbo.com. Hello everyone and welcome to Intrusive Thoughts and welcome to the year 2026. Happy. It is so good to be here and it's so good to be alive and well in this brand new year. We've done it, we've made it, and things are really looking up, you know, they're really looking up. I'm feeling really good about this year. I'll be like brutally honest about that. I am. I'm sitting right here in front of a Powerball ticket. I have it right here. I'll flash it to the camera and I'll put kind of hear the billowing of the breeze of the ticket. Yeah, I am a Powerball winner. Not the full sort of billion dollar. Billion dollar total. It's a bit shy of that. It is sort of, you know, redeem at your nearest place where you can redeem for $4. And I did sort of kind of lay down $10 for this ticket because I did just do a bunch of quick, maybe even more than 10. Maybe this is like a 20. It's a 20 doll. So. But you know what? That was from last year. I'm bringing the winning energy into this year. Right. I'm not thinking about how I'm 16 down. I'm thinking about how I'm $4 up. And that's why I have this ticket here. And let's see, it's from August 30th. Okay, so I'm a winner from back in August. Um, the reason I haven't redeemed this ticket is because I don't know how to, you know, plain and simple, I don't know how to redeem. I don't know what to do. Like, I don't know, do you go to a gas station to do that or do you do that like at the grocery store? I'm very unclear of how to redeem my winnings because it is important, because I'm currently. Like I said, you know what, it doesn't matter how if I'm down or if I'm up, because I'm up. I'm up. Huddle up and play. California game days. Scratchers are here. That's what it says. It doesn't matter what it says because what it means is that I have $4 waiting for me, I have $4 waiting to call me home. And that's kind of the energy I'm bringing into this year. Another thing I'm bringing into this year is, like, I'm just not. I'm gonna give less of a Fucking. Okay. I'm gonna give less of a. And what I mean by that is, I think people don't care about anything. Okay? They really don't. And I'm going to bring that energy of, like, why should I care about anything? But, I mean, I'm saying this in a way that sounds like you should probably care about something. And I do. Like, I really do care about things. But what I mean is, like, if I want something, I'm just gonna go for it and I'm gonna fake it till I make it, because I. I'm gonna make it. I am gonna marry Tyler Moore. Make it. I do believe that we're gonna get to some New Year's sort of topics as we get into the show, but I'm going to talk a little bit about a. Are pretty topical for me, like, right now in this moment. What did I do today? This is something. And I feel like people could help me out, help me out with this. And it's that I'm really looking for a good new slipper. Okay. And I'm a real big, like, house shoe person. There's just something about wearing, like, a shoe in the house that I feel like I can get things done if my foot isn't, like, if there's not a barrier between the sole of my foot and the floor. It just. My body sees that as a signal of, like, it's day off. It's day off. And I'm never, like, in a barefoot around the house, right? Like. Like, my dogs are barefoot around the house because they're animals. They're dogs. I'm always in a sock. I'm a sock person. And that's making me think of something of, like, you know when people, like, post pictures of themselves and they're, like, at home and they're like, in an outfit, and then it's just like, bare feet. That really rubs me the wrong way. And I can't explain it, but I do think that when people do that, I'm like, you're a bit kinky and you should take that off line or you take it online to a different platform. Do you know what I mean? I just think that every single time I go, this is, you know, it's a little porny for Instagram. It's a little bit Much for a TikTok. I just don't. I don't know what it is. Like, I don't know why I feel like completely. I feel more scandalized by somebody being in a full head to toe outfit and then no sock, no shoe, barefoot in their own home. I feel more scandalized by that than I do like someone be like, get ready for me while I. And they're like in truly their underwear, right? If they're in their underwear down to like a barefoot. I'm like, it is what it is. Like, I know how this goes. I know that they weren't born with clothes on. I know that they have to put, you know. Do you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Like I'm talking myself into it sort of like a. Into a corner. But like, I'm just. It's within the context of like, of course the feet will be bare. Right. I knew that. But when I see them kind of posing for like I'm just like at home. Like it's like very like casual or like that. That's seemingly how they go about it. Like I'm just at home and then they choose to show their bare feet. That's where I'm like you. Ah. That it feels like it's lacking decorum, you know, I don't. And I know that like what I'm saying is absolutely insane, right? Like, I'm talking about like I'm see true. It's truly just seeing people like butt naked. And I'm like, it's okay until you put clothes on. But then when I see those piggly wigglies, I think that you're asking for attention. Not even though it should be the opposite, other way around. And I know people try to like they do barefoot to like establish like comfort home. I understand what they're doing. Like casual. I just see it as like that's pornography. And it always. And I always get like chills thinking about it. So yeah, I am a sock person at home, you know, because I have dignity. You know, that's what I call it, dignity. And, but, and so I am a slipper person. And I'll tell you that I always. Something happened and I think we all know something happened. Do I know what happened? No, I don't know what it was, but something did happen. And it was dark and I'm gonna tell you what it was. And I think maybe like now we're talking like 20 years ago. 20 years ago I saved up my money and I bought myself a pair of Ugg slippers. Okay. And this is important that you know, like, the timeline and when and you know, all of that stuff. 20 years ago, which. That's insane that I can say that. And I was, like, a teenager 20 years ago. I was a teenager 20 years ago. Big breath in, big breath out. Okay, whatever. Don't want to. I would literally never want to be a teenager again. Thank God it's not possible. Thank God it's not possible. But I remember I bought my very first pair of Ugg slippers because I saw somebody who I perceived as, like, very rich, and they had a pair of Ugg slippers, and they were like, $60 at the time. I remember. Now, remember, it's like, 20 years ago, right? Like, you can't. You can't even buy a piece of shit from the Ugg company That's less than a hundred bucks. And I'm going to get to that. So I bought them, and I loved those slippers. And those slippers were like. They were like my prized possession. And I used those slippers almost every day for seven years. I remember. Seven years. I use them for every day for seven years. And the only reason I got rid of them was not even that. They were, like, falling apart. I got rid of them because they were looking a bit, you know, they were a sight for sore eyes. Okay? They looked. They. They weren't falling apart, but they were disgusting. You know, I don't know the technical way to put that, but, like, they were atrocious. And so I was gifted a new pair of. By a friend of mine for a Christmas. And she said, I think it's time. And I said, do you? Because I had worn the sort of sheep skin all the way down, so it was just like leather. Like, the whole thing had leathered over, but in a way that was, like I said, just abysmal, horrible. But they were comfortable, you know, they were very comfortable. And so I said, you know, it's time. And so I switched into the new ones. I got rid of the old ones, and the new ones lasted maybe five months tops before, like, seams were popping and the. The, you know, the sheepskin was just, like, not. It was getting, like, it was gone. It was gone. And I don't know what happened. It's not like I was, like, harder on these pair of slippers, these pair of slippers, right? The very famous sentence and correct sentence in English. I wasn't harder on these pair of slippers, but something about them, like, just fell apart. And I said, you know what? I'll just get a new pair. Because by that time I had, you know, six. They were maybe 80 bucks then. Because I'm talking like 10 years and now I'm talking almost like 10 years ago now, $80. I'm dropping 80 bucks on these. And so I put them on and I go, okay, here we go. And something about them. Then the bottom start. I'm like, this is cardboard, right? This isn't like, this is not a nice thing that I'm putting on. This is a piece of junk, something that's like landfill bound. Okay, I. Like we know that. I know that. Like I'm putting this on. I'm going, this is just, it's like a piece of thick cardboard, right? Like they put this on the backing of like a toy. This is thick cardboard. This is an Amazon box with a leather coating over it and cotton blend. I don't know, it was not sheepskin, but there was some like furry bits, okay? Like, and those shoes lasted me, those shoes, those slippers lasted me about three or four months before, you know, there's, it's just, it's a disaster junk. But you know, I held on to them because I was like, I guess Ugg company is like bad. And by that I mean like dishonest. Okay, so then like let's fast forward to like five years ago, okay? Five years ago, we're on tick tock, we're scrolling and then all of a sudden you see some sort of like laureate journalist get on there. And by that I mean a 17 year old child who's going, did you know that the company was not really the company that they are anymore? And blah blah, blah, like, and they're going, all this. And I'm going, okay, enough, quiet. First of all, calm down. And I watched the video again and they're telling me that Ugg is a term of a shoe, right? Like it's not even a company, but that this American company bought the like the word ug U, G G. And again, please, you look this up on your own if you're wanting like facts, okay? I'm, I'm giving you like what I remember. I'm giving you like coffee table chit chatter. I don't know if it's real. I don't know if it's wrong. I don't know if it's true. How about that? And so this is like, I'm. Don't trust me, right? Just like hear me out. And they're saying that like this American company bought and they trademarked it so this. These different Australia. Australian brands could not sell Uggs, which, like, is just, like, what they call these different types of, like, furry woolen shoes in Australia. Okay. Like, is this making sense to you? I hope so. But basically, if you want the real Uggs, is what they said, if you want the real Uggs, you need to go to Uggs since 1974. I said, all right, let me just. Let me just check this out. And so there's a company called Ugg since 1974. And I went to the website, I went through it, and I said, I'm going to order myself a pair of slippers from Ugg since 1974. And I did. And this is, like, two or three years ago. And those slippers are great. They have, like, a rubbered bottom. This is, like, nice material. The sheepskin has, like, lasted for quite a while. And I treat these things poorly. You know, like, I'm getting out of the shower and I'm putting. And I know it's bad. I know it's bad. You don't need to tell me twice. I'm putting a wet foot inside of a woolen slipper, right? Listen, that. A wet foot inside of a sheepskin slipper is going to wear that thing down to the bone, right? It's. You're going to be bone on bone, and you're going to wear that. That sheepskin straight up out of town. I know that. You know that. The Australians know that. Ugh. The American company trademark wars. They know that, and they want that. They want that. The American company wants that. They want to set you up. So you're just smacking down 80 bucks every time, you know, you got a loose thread, you pull it, the whole thing falls apart. They're blue. They're all these obscure colors. You know, that famous obscure color of blue. The American company of UG has, like, the ugliest slippers. And I know this because I bought one of them because I went, oh, that's cute, until I got it and then got so mad at it. And so the ugliest slipper from the Ugg American company is blue. And it says across, like, the bridge of your foot. Ugh. Ugh. That's what it says. U G, G. Ugh. That's what it says across the foot. And it's. I don't know. That was, like, from a time in my life when I was like, oh, the labels are cute. Do you know what I mean? I used to think that now, like, if I see a label on my clothes, I want to barf And I want to vomit. I don't know labels, nothing. Okay? That's what I want. I'll do, like, some merch here or there. I'll do that. Sometimes I do like that because I'm like, oh, isn't that cute? I'm supporting this up and coming brand, right? And by that I mean Lululemon, because that's, like, the brand I'll wear. Because I'm like, I like Lululemon this up and coming brand. Viori. Right? Like that. You know me. I'm just like, shop local, whatever. Okay? I'm a. I want you to know that what I am through and through now I'm, like, revealing all the secrets. Not that this is a secret. I'm a Uniqlo guy through and through. Everything I have is Uniqlo, basically, this sweatshirt, which. I'm gonna get to this in a second. I don't think. What, we should be wearing Sweatshirts anymore in 2020. I'm a done. I'm done seeing, like, lazy people sitting on the couch in sweats. We get it. We get it. Put on a pair of slacks, okay? Put on a collar. Wear an under. I'm at least wearing an undershirt underneath this because I like, you know, I have some etiquette. People lack it. They do. Oh, God. Put your shoes on. Put your shoe. Brush your hair. Take a shower. You don't need to wear a hoodie. You can wear something form fitting. Why are you so scared of your own silhouette? Like, don't be like that. All right, back to my slippers. Slipper gate. So I ordered these slippers from Ugg since 1974. All right? Oh, I have a peanut M and M stuck in my throat. I'm all good. I'm all good. That's lucky, by the way. That's really lucky. I have a peanut M and M stuck in my throat. It's okay. I'm back. So these slippers I get from Ugg since 1974, they're great. I love them, but it is time. Like, they're where they're like, they're worn out, and I want to get new ones. And I'm like, wouldn't it be nice to have some new slippers for the new year? And I thought this, I think, maybe last year. So I decided, you know what? I'm gonna buy a pair of, like, the Ugg boots, right? Like the classic, like, Ugg boots. But I'm getting, like, the real ones from, like, Uggs since 1974. Okay. And I'm getting A pair of new ugg slippers. So I'm buying two things, and it's a bit pricier. Okay, It's a little bit pricier. And by that I mean, like, I think the boots, I think, like, in total, it was like $350 Australian. Okay, what does that mean? I don't know. It's been. That's monopoly money. And that's a charge that, like, I will deal with on the Amex bill in a month. Right? This is back in the day. And by that, I mean, like, a year ago. And so I. So because this is coming from Australia, it's going to take a minute, right? Because you're dealing with, like, it's a mom and pop shop, basically. That's what I'm thinking. It is there. Well, first of all, they acted like it, okay? They acted like very. Like I was emailing with customer service, which I will get to why I had to do that. So I put my order in. Everything's looking good. I get an email like, your order is on its way. And so I'm quite excited because I'm gonna get my. My nuisance 1974 Ugg slippers and Ugg boots that I can't wait to, like, wear on the morning walks with me, walking my dogs. Like, I couldn't wait to do that. That's what I planned for myself, what I wanted. And so I am looking for the box and says, delivered and signed for. That's crazy because it wasn't ever delivered and nobody signed for it. And so I'm like, this can't be right. So I email them and I'm like, hey, like, I never got this box. It says it was delivered. It says it was signed for. Like, I never signed for it, all of this stuff. And they sent me an email and they said, oh, my God. Sorry. Well, and first of all, if I were them, I'd be like, okay, fuck off. Like, it's not my fault you didn't get your box. But because it's happening to me, I feel like I cannot risk ordering something from Australia to have $350 just gone, right? Like, as I said, I have a lottery ticket. It's a winning one. $4. This street is still, like, $346 to go, right? And you know, if I have to do this by lottery tickets, it's going to take me a lot of money. I'll be way more than $350 down. It cost dollars to get 4, right? And, like, again, I'm like, leaving that loss in last year and I'm bringing the winnings into this year. That's the way that I'm framing it. But yeah, so that was about a year ago. So I'm still in my Ugg since 1974. And I'm bringing all of this up because today I'm recording this in the year 2025, if you even remember it at this point. And I, I had a friend of mine and I asked her, she's very trustworthy and I said, what's the slipper that we're like using? And she said, we're going and we're using this brand called Stegman's. And she said, you can trust me because I used to date a guy who lived in a mountain village. And I said, say no more. You're right, I can trust you. I went on the website, the products look immaculate. They're wool based, right? There's no sheepskin. Right. It's wool. And that's, that's important because you're not going to wear down the wool, right? You're not going to wear that down. I ordered them in what I thought was my size. I said, first of all, let me backtrack. I said, you got it. You got a girl. You are not with that man anymore. But at least you did gain some knowledge from that relationship. You learned about yourself and you learned where to get the best slippers in town. So I said, okay, who am I? You know, who am. I asked her, who am I? Yeah, no, but I said, who am I to not follow the directions of my friend who obviously knows better in this circumstance? Because I was trying to, you know, buy abroad right? Now think of it, if I was trying to do it now, the tariffs, okay, thanks, Trump, by the way, the tariffs on those since 1974. And then there's a thief in the neighborhood who's just signing for things. Things willy nilly. That sounded like the way that it was like delivered and signed for sounded like that was stolen from the delivery truck driver. It was quick. I was like outside waiting for the truck. Never saw it. I don't even know what, you know, wasn't coming. It was coming from like a dhl. It's coming from one of those, like tricky ones from like abroad where it's like, no, we work because we're German. Like, it's like, I don't know if DHL is German. They just give off like a German vibe. But sometimes you just need, you need a FedEx truck coming to the house just for a little bit of security. I needed that because I didn't need, like, you know, World News Tonight sending, like, a package. A D. DHL is always a little. And listen, if. If you are, like, if you know something about DHL that I don't, be my guest and share it. But I just don't really kind of around with the DHL. I'm a FedEx kind of person. If I can be ups seems like second tier to me. I don't know. I just don't like the brow trucks. Feels really good to get this off my chest. Anyway, so I ordered these Stegman slippers. And I ordered them, like I said, and what I thought was my size, I got them. It's like, they're so tight. They look like they're for an American Girl doll. They're not the right size. I know that. Like, I'm seeing that. It's just like, it's pretty obvious right in front of me it's not the right size. I go. And I can just do, like, a return exchange. I go, I'm gonna do it. I Show them to J.P. i'm walking around. He goes, those can't be for you. I go, yeah, they are. Who else would I buy? I wouldn't get them for you, right? I'm getting something for myself, please. Which I always do. My famous move to get something for myself. I want to treat myself, you know, it's fine. So what I decided to do next was I. I said, these look really small. He goes, yeah, I would like. I'm like, should I go up half a size? A full size? Like, I would do a full. I'm like, you are completely right. You're a genius. So go upstairs. I get on my computer, click, clack, click clack, click, clack. On the keyboard. I don't know if you can hear that, but it was me, like, pantomiming, clicking on the keyboard. I got nervous that I was stopping the recording for a second. We good? We're all good. I go. I exchange. I'm going from an eight, which is my U.S. legal size. I'm recognized by the government, size eight men's shoe. And I decide that I'm going to order a size 9 because they said it might be a bit snug. Well, okay, it might be. I'm going up one full size American size. So I get the size nines. And I just got to be honest. I don't like the way they fit. Don't like the way they fit. So I had to return them today. And I'm going to tell you the problem for me is, like, I like to slide on a shoe, okay? I don't believe in the shoes where it's like, you can step on the back if you want. And you know what I'm talking about, right? There's, like, some slides where it's like, you could, like, put it over your heel where it looks like a tom, if you remember that, and if you don't remember Toms, they're basically, like, the ugliest canvas shoes that, like, money can buy. And they were like 500 a piece. Not 500, but they were like a hundred bucks. And they. They were pieces of garbage. And I loved them. I really did love them. I had. I had toms that, like, had laces, and I had one that was like a straw. Like, truly, like, Scarecrow from Oz, right? Like, and I really loved those shoes. They were pretty comfortable. You know, they just. They look very like. Like Jason Mraz singing I'm Yours. Like, that's what that shoe really looks like. It looks like, you know, Fedora and Jason Mraz. Like, those. That's what, like, when I think of. Close my eyes, I think of Toms. I think of, like, Jason Mraz, like, patchy beard toms, fedora, white T shirt, Puga shells, Chase Moraz. It's like, that's what I think of when I think of Toms. And so basically, you can buy slippers that have, like, it's Tom's level of thickness of shoe where you can just slide it and you just step on the back. I hate that. I need, like, a full open back. And with these Stegmans and a lot of the slippers that I'm seeing, it's like you put the foot in, and it's like a full open back. But they have, like, this, like, little, like, bear, like, lip. Do you know what I'm talking about? Where it's like, you're here. There's like, something against the back of your heel, but it's like, half an inch. And nothing was gonna drive me closer to insanity than this little half an inch of, like, woolen trim hitting the back of my. It would be like Edgar Allan Poe, the Raven, the click clacking of the clock. Like, this is. This would be my 13th reason. The little woolen trim from the Stegman clog slippers. This would be it. This would be it. I'd go, where are the knives? And I'd have to. I'd cut my own foot off before I would, like, whatever. So anyway, sorry to the Stegman brand. I didn't really like the slippers, this. But they're amazing quality. If that wouldn't bother you, you should get them. But they. It bothered me to the point of almost insanity, and so I had to return them. So I'm still back on my Ugg since 1974, and I would totally order another pair of, like, Uggs since 1974. But the lack of care that they had for me, having a package. So, like, and again, like, I'm starting a business, right? A medical spa, first of all. It's like, there's no product there, so it's not like you stole that. Like, I'm not gonna run into that issue, right? But, like, if I had a product and I had somebody, like, calling, be like, my package was, like, signed for, but not. I'd be like, you're lying to me. Be like, that's so sad. That sucks. So I get it. Especially if you're dealing with, like, Americans where it's like, I get it. Like, I really do get it. We are not. Like, I would probably do the same. I'd be like, did you look for it? Like, did you sign for it? Like, I. I would get it. Okay? So, like, I completely get it. And what's really good about all of this is that it's been about 30 minutes into the new year, and I've only talked about slippers, and a lot of people said that was impossible. I said, you know, just give me 30 minutes, give me a hot mic, and give me two sort of lights on either side of me. Light me up and watch me go. Happy New year, everyone. Happy 2026. And so this is gonna be. This is a happy story, not a sad one, because I am still sort of looking for, like, that new slipper for me, for him. And I am really curious if, like, there are people out there now. The. The criteria is I want it to be some sort of, like, harder bottomed shoe, right? Like, I wanted to have the. The opportunity and the possibility to, like, live outside. I'm not talking, like, going for a walk. I'm talking, like, taking the trash out. I'm talking, like, taking the dogs out to, like, pee and poop at night. That's the kind of flexibility I want with this shoe, right? It needs to have some sort of, like, sold bottom. I like to have a bit of grip. You know, I'm notorious for. I've slid down my own stairs here. Almost broke my damn neck. So that's why I'm always in a shoe, because it can't be trusted in a Sock. I know your own foot has, like, more grip, but as I told you, that feels a little porny to me. I'm not going to be doing that for free around my own home. No, I'm in a sock. So I do need a shoe. And so I'm still kind of looking for one. I get emails all the time from this one place called Allbirds, which there's one near where I live. And I was walking around, I walked into it. Don't like those either. They're like, they. After walking in a Stegman, I'm like, well, that's a nice shoe. This is a bad shoe. And it's the same price. Why would I. Why would I even bother? It's like fluffy shoe. And it's truly made of, like, Target fleece sweaters. Like, it. There's. It's not gonna last you a lifetime. How about that, right? It's not gonna last you a lifetime. Not at all. And so that is. That's where I stand. So if you know a good slipper, right? And I'm talking UGG since 1974, and if you're UGG since 1974, feel free to send me a pair of slippers because I've already paid for them. And a pair of ugg boots. What if the truck driver isn't even an American size 8? A size of 41, right? Like, I'll be furious because I had, you know, I like, talked myself off the ledge where it's like, oh, also, like, that stuff doesn't really, like, get to me because I'm always like, you know, if somebody stole that from me, they. They definitely. They. They were on hard times, right? That sucks. But I'm gonna. I'm not ordering anything from Australia again. That. Strike one Australia. Strike two on me for thinking I could order something abroad and not have any trouble. Like I said, it's probably dhl. No offense, you know, hopefully. None taken. I'll still get things from DHL every once in a while, but it's always, like, wrapped in a thousand sheets of tape. If, you know. You know, it always comes where it's like, is this a bomb? And it's like, no, it's just you ordered, like, something from the Tick Tock shop that you shouldn't have, which I remember I did an episode and be like, I'll never order anything from there. I have. I've succumbed to, you know, the man, whatever. That's okay. I would like to move along, right? 31 minutes in and we're only talking about my Shoes. Whoops. I would like to talk a little bit, and you'd think maybe I'd get some, like, audience questions and whatever. We might get there, but we also might not. I have, like, so many things I want to talk about. We're going to talk about heated rivalry. Yes, Heated rivalry, the Canadian show that I believe just thought it would be a Canadian show on crave television, and that's it. I don't think that they ever thought it was gonna, like, turn into, like, what it was, which is. I think it's basically, like, the show of. At least this season, if not for me, like, the gear. This is the one that I'm, like, thinking of, and we're gonna just, like, talk generally about it. And I remember, like, I had seen, like, some promos for it. Yeah. So, like, this is. This is how I'm gonna do this. That's how I'm gonna explain heated rivalry to you. First of all, spoiler alert. We're gonna talk about it. If you haven't watched it yet, stop listening to this episode, because I'm not going to save the ending for you. Okay? That's 2026. And at this point, the show came out in 2025. My spoils are not, like, it's not my fault if I spoil it for you. It's your own fault. And if you've, like, avoided it, like, through the Internet and whatever, like, you are. I don't know how you did that, so I'm not spoiling it, but I'm just. I am saying that if you haven't watched it yet, I'm about to spoil it for you. But I'm not even going to talk that much about the show, like, the. The plot and whatever. I'm not going to break that down. I'm just going to talk about, like, how it came to me and all of this stuff. So I've seen. Not. I. I have seen. That is true. But now I'm going back in time. I had seen some promos for it, and I had seen basically, like, the horniest people on the Internet being like, I can't wait for this. And so that didn't really, like, entice me. Right. That that wasn't really gonna hook me in to the show. And I think maybe we were like, two or three. Hmm. Maybe two or three episodes in. Yeah, that. That would seem about right. And I just. So many people were talking about it online that I was like, I have to just. I have to watch it. So I'm like, I'm just Very curious. And so it was what I kind of thought in the beginning. And I'm gonna say the first few episodes, they move very quickly. Okay. And I think that the first three episodes. No, no, excuse me. The first four episodes move so quickly and all of that stuff. And we'll get to. I'll talk to about them in a second. But the first four episodes, they move so quickly because they have to. It's imperative that they get to the fifth and the sixth episodes, which are like. We'll talk about those in a second. So the first four are basically. And I had a friend who watched it, and she was like, have you seen it yet? I said, no. She said, it's porn. I said, so, you know, I want you to know. And I, like. I know maybe I'm giving, like, a bad description of, like, what I envision as porn, because I'm envisioning, like, you know, like, what is, like, some. Oh, God. What are their names? I'm trying to think of, like, some, like, at home, like, Chip and Joanna Gaines. Okay, I know, like, right now you're thinking, like, Chip and Joanna Gaines, like, sitting on, like, their barnside table, like, no shoes. And Adam's going like, that's porn. It is. It's porny, but it's not porn. Right. But then, like, I won't bat an eye. And something else. Well, I won't bat an eye at people having actual sex on the screen, and I'll be like, yeah, it is. What? They're actors. That's the. That's a big difference, though, isn't it? Right? Somebody's getting paid to do that. Are you getting paid to show your feet on the Internet? Maybe. Which I have respect for. So I'm. I don't feel, like, scandalized. And so JP And I were watching this together, and we finished the first episode, which, like, there's a lot of sex in. And I was like, that's a lot less sex than I. That's, like, less graphic than I thought it was going to be. We all kind of agreed on that, so. And it's kind of cute. Like, it was, like, kind of fun. Like, I was enjoying the show. Like, I had a good time watching it. So we watched the next episode, and then we watched the next episode, and then we get to episode five. Episode five is, like, one of the greatest episodes of television I've literally ever watched in my life. It is so phenomenal. And I was crying throughout the episode. Okay. I'm not too proud to admit that I was crying throughout that episode, it's just so well done. And the two, like, lead actors, Connor Story and Hudson Williams, they just, like, put so much tender care into their characters. It just. It's so beautiful. They do such an amazing job. And in episode five, there's this, like, monologue for Ilya Rosanova, right? Rosanov. Is that right? Connor's Story, he's the actor. He's the plays Ilia. And he has this phone call, and he speaks in Russian to. To Shane Hollander, okay. Who does not speak any Russian. So that's like the. That's the whole play. Like, one of them. They're both like, top level, like, hockey players in the NHL, and they're. They're. They're main rivals. Okay. Oh, God. It's like now. Now the podcast is falling off because I'm trying to explain something that I saw recently, and I have, like, not had to think about it critically at all. And not even that. This is like, I'm giving a critical review. You know what I mean? You know when you have to, like, explain something for the first time and you're just like, all the details are so blurry. That's how I'm feeling right now. It's all right. It's okay. So back to me. What was I saying? Oh, God. Heated rivalry. It's like melting my brain right now. Okay. Yes. Moonlight Sonata. If you've watched the show, you know everything that I'm saying. If you've not seen it, it does sound like. Like I'm having a psychotic break. It's like a little bit of both. It's okay. But he does he. Ilya Rozanov. Rozanov. Sorry. Rosen Off. That's it. Rosen Off. Something didn't sound right when I was saying Ilia Rosenoff. Connor Story. The actor gives this whole monologue in Russian, which he's, like, not a native Russian speaker. And it's just. It's heartbreaking. It's incredible. It's absolutely incredible. And so, like, the. The whole story is about, like, these two, like, hockey players, right? It's about Shane Hollander and Alia Rosenoff and that they, like, over the course of, like, their entire, like, NHL career, have been, like, having this sort of, like, love affair, flinging lots of. Okay. And aside, like, kind of B side story, supporting story is that there's this other hockey player whose name is Scott Hunter, okay. Who is, like, also gay and closeted. Okay. And he goes into, like, this, like. Basically, it's like a Jamba Juice, but it's like the version that is, like, royalty free. Whatever. Like, Canadian show that has no budget can afford. Which I think was like, Juicy Juice. Juicy Juices. I don't remember the name of it. Okay. The Punch Squeeze. I don't remember the name of the Juice place. It doesn't matter. But, like, he goes in and there is this, like, guy. And first of all, everybody's drop dead gorgeous in the show. That's, like, obviously a given. So he goes in, and there's a guy working whose name is Kip, right? Just like the brother of Napoleon Dynamite. Kip Dynamite. But it's not Kip Dynamite. It's like if they had, like, the hottest gay cousin of all time. That's who it is. Kip. And Scott Hunter goes in, and he's like. They order a smoothie, and Scott is kind of laying it on thick, and everyone's like, I think he's laying it on thick. And then he is. And he goes back and forth, and it seems like I don't, like, know the duration of time of which he's doing it. But then, like, you know, he asks Kip out on a date. Scott Hunter, who's, like, an NHL player, right? Like, big deal. Asks Kip out on a date. And then, like, from that moment, like, they go on a date, they go home. He's like, can you just stay here? Can you be here? Like, when I get home for practice? Just sort of, like, he has a little love bomby. Okay. This was, like, the only. And I had, like. And I know why they had to do this, right? Well, one, because, like, the author, it's, like, written in the book, right? I'm sure, like, it reads different, but I know, like, in the show, it feels, like, rushed. Do you love that? I'm just like, feet are porn. And now I'm just, like, upset that, like, this television show rushed a relationship for me. And I'm gonna just tell you why it feels rushed. So Scott Hunter is a closeted. Like, he's in the closet. Has, like, not been in relationships or, like, whatever, but he's like. He's closeted, and he wants to be in this relationship with Kip, who's the cash from the Jamba Juice. Ish Canadian Jamba Juice place. And, you know, he basically is like, I want you to be home when I get here. Like, they. He wants to do everything together, but he doesn't want to be seen with him, like, outside and all of this stuff. And for me, I'm just like this. There's a, like, a power dynamic here that I. I don't know what to make of it yet. Okay, first of all, this has nothing to do. This is me telling you about the story, okay? I love. I love both of these actors like family, okay? I've never met either of them, but it doesn't matter. I'm telling you. Just like, my reaction to the. To the. The story, where it feels a little bit like whisking somebody off into, like, fairy tale. It just. I felt like, okay, Kip, be careful of this dynamic. Because, like, Scott will get you into situations that you don't want to be in, and you'll be like, well, he. Scott knows better. Like, that's how I'm feeling about that. Basically doesn't matter how I'm feeling because Kip gets to a point where he was like, listen, if you can't, like, love me in public, like, I. I don't think I can do this. Okay, whatever. Yeah. Fair. Very fair. So Scott's like, I'm sorry. So, like, he's like, I want you to go to my birthday party. Kip says this to Scott, and he's like, I don't think I can do that. So it's at a gay bar. Scott's freaked the out, right? Like, he is very freaked out by that. So. And there's, like, a shot of him of, like, looking into the bar, and just like, I wish I could be there. So basically, I don't know how it happens, but he makes. He wins the Stanley Cup. Scott Hunter, right? Scott, Kip, like I said, he's like the cashier at a Jamba Juice. He's just. He's getting into art school again. I'm just like, there is a disparity in the age, which. Who cares? But I'm like, power dynamic, right? You're working at a Jama Juice, and you're winning a Stanley Cup. It doesn't feel. We don't feel equal here. Here. And I want. I want everyone to feel equal. I want everyone to feel good. I'm not going to yuck anyone's yummy, okay? I'm just talking about Kip and Scott, okay? So he wins the Stanley cup, and then Scott Hunter has this moment where, you know, all of the friends, the wives of girlfriends are coming down. They're all, like, kissing their partners, and it's just like. It's like this amazing, like, jubilee on the ice. And Scott finds Kip, who likes, for some reason, was still getting tickets to go to the show. I'm saying show. It's like, like, fully, like, the Stanley cup finals. And he, like, is like, come down, come down. And this is where it's like, oh, my God. I. Then I'm like, I don't care how we got here, as long as we got here. Scott Hunter brings Kip down and, like, you can hear, like, the PA announcer on the show being, like, this lucky fan. Little do they know. So Scott brings Kip down and he kisses Kip mid ice. It's amazing, right? It's just like. It's such an amazing moment. And why episode five is so good is that, like, throughout this, like, in the beginning of this episode, we touch a little bit on, like, the Scott and the Kip of it all. Like, they were heavy on epis in. In, like, episode three, I think. So then we go back to, like, to Shane and Ilia in episode four. And it's just. It's so good because. So then in episode, in episode five, before we get to the kiss, there's a moment where, like, Shane gets hurt and Ilya meets him at the hospital. And Shane is like, please come to my cottage and don't go to Russia. If I had a nickel. If I had a nickel, don't go to Russia. Every time I've told that to somebody anyway, and he's like, you know, I can't do that maybe. And so it's like, it's, you know, he's just like, Shane is in the hospital. He's out of his mind. Okay? Like, he's concussion city. And so then at the end of the episode, they see Scott Hunter making out with his boyfriend mid ice. And so Ilya calls Shane right away and he goes, I'm coming to the cottage because he invited him to the cottage. Did I say that? I said I'm saying it now. And so it's like after this kiss, the episode could have ended and I would have been, that was amazing. But it ends with Ilya saying, I'm coming to the cottage. No questions fucking asked. Flawless. It's a flawless episode of television. And the episode six is, like, all about, like, being at the cottage. And Shane's dad finds Ilya and Shane there, and he sees them kissing and whatever. And so Shane has to come out to his parents and all of this stuff. And I'll be honest, this is like my honest, like, thinking of the story. There's a coming out story, and then there's like, this story of, like, secret romance. And I feel like they're two different things. I feel like Scott Hunter and Kip, like, that's a coming out story. Which is very, like, period piece, right? Because I think, like, the timeline of this is, like, 2015, which, like, people aren't out in 20. There aren't no gay people lived in 2015, by the way. Nobody was gay. You weren't allowed to be gay. That was before Stonewall even. That was like, Marsha P. Johnson was like, that. She was 2016. Marsha P. Johnson was 2016. Stonewall had not happened in 2015. 2015, we were. I'll be on in 2015. We were sort of doing, like, YouTube reveals of, like, I'm crying to my dad to tell him I'm gay, but I'm gonna record it. Like, that's when we started that pandemic of, like, I'm gonna record myself doing, like, traumatic and, like, very, like, jarring things. So that's what's happening in 25th. People are not out until it's like, yeah, you should be closeted. You absolutely should. It's dangerous, right? Like, it was. Yeah. Like, that's crazy. So, like, that's the timeline. Like, 2015 is, like, a wild time to be like, should I come out of the closet? Should I kiss my boyfriend after winning the Stanley Cup? Like, that's a. When we think of the timeline of 2015, like, that is a wild time to do. People were not doing that. Okay. People are. I mean, it's even crazy to think in 2018, I was the first openly gay person to compete for any. Like, that's crazy. Okay? That's 2018. We're not even talking. But that's, like, later than that. So, like, like, I said, you. Yeah. Hush, hush. Do not tell anybody. You cannot be gay in 2015. And they are. And so, like, this is just like, a different time and that. And so I see, like, that, like, that's a coming out story. 2015. The coming out story of this whole thing is, like, Scott and Kip. I don't really see Shane and Ilias as, like, a coming out story because it's scandalous enough that these are the two best players in the league, right? Because I even think, like, when I'm thinking about this, and, like, if it were, like, in a real situation, I'm not even thinking, like, oh, my God, they're in love. Ew. They're gay. Like, I'm not thinking that because I'm totally okay with it, right? Like, I have no problem with gay. I don't. And that's kind of the honest to God's truth. But, like, I am just thinking, like, this is going to be really scandalous because now everybody's going to question anytime, just like Shane's mom did. Did you ever let him win? She let him off the hook quite easily with that one, right? You guys have been in a relationship for almost 10 years, right? You've been, you've been for 10 years and you've been calling yourself you're each other boyfriend for the last 20 minutes. I'm at the cottage, like, I'm telling you like what's happening like in the cottage times. And it's like people are gonna question everything you've ever done, anytime you've ever played. Did you guys talk about that? Did you coordinate that? Like, this is a huge scandal and nobody's gonna give a. That you've been having sex. They're not gonna care. They're gonna be freaking out that you guys could have been plotting or planning against them. That's, that's crazy sports people talk. And that's the honest, that's like the honest truth. That's, that's to me why, like this is like, yeah, who cares if they're gay? Were they cheating? Like that's what that. Were they planning? Were they plotting? That's what's gonna get people fired the hell up, right? Like, nobody's gonna give a. That they're gay. They're gonna give a. That they like that they're colluding something like that. Like, that's, that's when I see that, I'm like, oh, the gay is like so irrelevant here, right? Let Scott Hunter and Kip the cashier, like, let's them deal with it. That's gay what you're doing. That's scandal. That's completely different. You're doing a scandal, not doing gay. Like I said, gay is the juice. Jamba Juice, Canadian Jamba Juice. That's gay. Scott Hunter, he's gay. Queer as folk. Shane and Ilya, you're in trouble. You're going to be in trouble, right? You have a lot of explaining to do. That's just sort of. And that's why I feel. And that's why I love it. Like, that's because it's not even about being gay. It's like that's scandalous on its own, right? Like, that is completely scandalous. And it's like the secret relationship and like, whatever. And it's just like, yeah, it's, it's amazing. It is an amazing show. And I, I have to say, like, I was blown away by it. I think it's one of the shows that I'll remember Like, throughout, like, the. In it'll. It's one of the best shows that I watched all year, if not the very best show. And I don't think, like, in. Like I said before, like, I don't think it was meant to be or had the intention of, like, we're gonna be the best show. I just. They. Everybody involved in it. Scott Hunter, Kip Grady. I think, like, his last name was Shane Hollander. Ilya Rosenoff. All. All of them. Like, they. Every person put so much like, tender loving care into their character, and it just came through. It was just in the direction the. The director was, like, amazing. Like, it really was amazing. They made. You'd never know that, like, they had such a limited budget that it wasn't even going to come out on HBO until the very last minute. It just. It's. I mean, that's where the magic is, right? Like, that's. It was beautiful. I couldn't recommend it more. Could absolutely not recommend it more. I'm gonna go back to, like, why it's, like, scandalous for a second because I have. And I actually send me your intrusive thought of, like, what you think about that. I think I'm right. This is that. Me attempting to prompt a question to the audience. Get a grip. But you know what I'm saying? Like, do you have any questions about what I'm saying? If you do, like, please, you can call or text the podcast. 310-909-7717 first time we're saying that in this year. And it feels really good. But yeah, I just. I think it's also different in, like, because it's a team sport, right? And it's not even. And like, it's just. There's so many layers to it that makes us, like, so juicy. This is why this is not a gay story. This is like Watergate. Okay? Like, this is craziness. But, yeah, like, given that timeline, like, being gay, it's like, that's. You don't do that. No, you pray that. Pray that away. Like I said Marsha P. Johnson. It was like that. No, Stonewall was like. When you said Stonewall in 2015, it was like. No, you mean a wall of stone. You don't meet the hotel. You don't mean the marches. They didn't happen yet. They did not happen yet. They did, but, like, you know, it was just sort of like, that's good that it happened. But, like, let's not talk about it. That's what I mean. Like, that's what it felt like in 2015. 2015 was like, a wild time. You could be gay to your friends, but you had to kind of be like, don't talk about that. You know? And, you know, it was what it was. The kids these days do not know. Because I also saw a lot of discourse of, like, why would he. Why would Scott want to be, like, closeted and whatever? It was like, yeah, because it was like, you couldn't do. People would get fired from jobs. Right? Like, you'd get fired. You could be. And they'd be like, no. There were people like, Come on, 2015. Get real. 2014, it was when the Olympics were in Russia and there was, like, gay propaganda, whatever the hell that means, was just decided to be called illegal. Get a grip, Putin. I'm glad. I hope I'm the first person to say that this year. Get a grip, Putin. I'll say it again. I'd say it's his face. I don't care. Like I said in this year, I'm not giving a. The art of not giving a. You need to not love your job. You need to job your love. That was the last thing I saw before I started recording that video and I went lobotomy. Trending lobotomy. Anyway, this has been an amazing episode, and I did not get to, like, any voicemail. I didn't. I have something so insane in front of me that I. In our next episode, we're going to be talking about New Year's news. Me. Is it. Can we also get clarification? Is it New Year? Happy New Year. I've, for the life of me, Happy New Year's. What are you doing for New Year's? Right. It's Happy New Year. What are you doing for the New Year? I think I really need to kind of, like, confirm and solidify my language on that, because I just. Whatever. We're going to be talking about new. The New Year's resolutions. Is that correct? Who knows? Well, I'll never get. I'll never, ever get clearance on that. Whatever. Actually, let's look it up because. And now I'm gonna. People are gonna be in their car. Is it. Okay, is it New Year or New Year's? Let's see. Okay. Use New Year's with apostrophe for holidays. Eve Day resolutions. That's exactly what I was gonna get to New Year's, plural. For multiple holidays over time. It says in brackets, rare. No shit. And New Year, lowercase no apostrophe for general period ahead. Okay, but you always say, happy New Year. It's not Happy New Years. Okay, I knew that, but New Year's resolutions, okay, that's what we're going to be talking about in our next episode. I'm going to prompt people for on Instagram to send me some of your New Year's resolutions and things that you're putting on your vision board. Because what I have right here, it's in a folder. I'm shaking it. Can you. Okay, I have a folder. It's a. It is a vision board that I've put together. I'm not even going to say anything more about it because there's so much to say about it. But we'll be talking about that in the next episode. This was just sort of like, like, let's break the ice. Let's get back into the swing of things. If you've been listening to the show, you know, we're. We know that we never got out of this swing of things, right? It's always tis the season, right? Is the reason for this season. And we never took a break and we never will because we're not lazy and we're not being lazy and we're dressing up and we're stunting out. I actually also, if you watch the podcast on YouTube, God forbid. I don't ever watch podcasts, but I know a lot of people like to. And so I do record myself doing it because it's like, pull a clip. Which I. When do I post those on Instagram? Every blue fucking moon. I Forget to podcast 1. Don't get mad at me. You can't. It's the new year. You can get mad at me by March. But, you know, it's easy to like post a clip, promote the pod, whatever. You get it. But that being said, like, I have the camera sort of like at an angle where I'm like, am I stunning? Like, I'm looking at myself because I'm doing front facing camera where I can like see myself and I'm going, this is it. Like, I found the angle. It feels good. Can't wait to like, maybe I'm being blinded by like the lights that I have on and maybe I'll look like Quasimodo when I turn this off and go, what was I thinking? Who knows? I don't know. I don't really know. Anyway, it feels really good to be in this new year with you. We made it through our first calendar year together, which is absolutely amazing. I remember that I did the photo shoot myself. Photo shoot. I say that like, so loosely for the COVID art of this podcast. On January 1st or on December 31st of 2024 or on January 1st, 2025, I think on New Year's Day, I did it, and I was like, this is one of my goals this year is that I do the podcast, and I do it all the way through the year. And I'm actually kind of proud of myself that I have. And I'm really grateful for working with a great team on it now who, like, they do. They do all the editing and everything, which is, like, so amazing because I would. You know, I would go overboard. If you've listened to the first few episodes of this, it truly sounds like you're in, like, a video arcade hell. I was truly obsessed with, like, the sound effects. Whatever. Don't. Whatever. It's. I was having, like, a bit of fun. Is that okay? I recorded through, like, the LA Fires. Okay. I was a first responder, basically. Yeah. I mean, if I could record through that, I can record through anything. But I'm proud of myself that I made it through the whole year. And it just feels like this feels just like something I do. Right. Like, how many podcast can one man have? And I'm grateful for all of them. I'm grateful for. If you're a figure skating fan, I have another podcast called the Run through that I host with my very good friends Ashley Wagner and Sarah Hughes. And I'm doing another podcast that I got asked to do my new favorite Olympian, which is an NBC podcast. It's like, it's a limited series, right? Okay. It's not, like, how many hours can you just talk to yourself? First of all, if I can do a podcast on my own, talking to. Literally, let's look around. I look to my left, I look to my right, there's nobody here. I think I can handle one where I have, like, something to talk about. And I'll tell you that, like, when I first started this, I didn't know if I'd be able to, Like, I didn't know how hard or easy it would be. And I'll say that there are some episodes where it's just, like, I have a lot to say. There's somewhere I don't. And it just sort of like, okay, well, how are we gonna make it through this? But I do feel like I've gotten into a great rhythm, and I'm so grateful for everybody who does listen to this. And I want you to know because right now, I'm, like, in a reflective mood because I'm recording this in 2025. But, like, you're hearing this over the airwaves in 2026, and that's what's important. So I want you to know that I was leaving 2025 in a. A grateful state of mind, and I'm enter ready to kill it. Get ready. Get ready for me all over the place in 2026. I feel like I'm going to have a great year. Do you want to know something crazy? I'll talk about it next time. It's fine. Cliffhanger. Cliffhanger. But, yes, make sure that you tell me all New Year's things. I want all of your New Year's intrusive thoughts. What are your resolutions? What are you doing differently? What are you thinking? How are you feeling about 2026? I'm feeling like it's going to be a great year. I just. I'm being totally upfront and honest about that. I really am. And I've always kind of felt like 2026. I'm feeling, like, good about 2027. I'll be honest. I'm like, I'm feeling nervous for. But I don't know, 2028. Oh, that's going to be a good one. 2027 is going to be a good win, too. I don't want to put that out there. I don't want to put that on on 2027, but I'm feeling great. We're. We're think we're doing one thing at a time. Okay. We're going to do 2026 first, which I'm feeling great about, which is a great way to enter the year. Oh, I just thought of something. I want to talk about somebody. I'm turning these. See, I honestly could probably, like, sit down and just, like, do another episode. I'm writing something down that I want to talk about in the next episode. It's a person's name, somebody who I'm turning on. I'll share it. I don't care. Okay. But that's, you know, neither here nor there. It's next week, actually, on. On the next episode of Intrusive Thoughts. You know, like I was saying, there are some episodes where it's, like, harder to do this, and then there are some where it's just like, damn, I could just like, go, go, go, go, go. And I'm feeling like I could go, go right now, but zip it. We're saving it for next week. We have a lot to go over. We'll be talking about New Year's resolutions, as I have mentioned. Make sure that you call or text the podcast hotline and leave me your intrusive thoughts about this upcoming new year. That number is 310-909-7117. Write it down. Call it that numbers in my Instagram. If you do not have a pen and paper handy, save it into your phone. Text it whenever you want. Anytime you have a good thought, let's just text me. Right? Why not? And again, happy New Year. I'm very grateful that you're here, happy to share my intrusive thoughts with you. I hope that you had a great New Year's Eve and that you are entering 2026 on a very positive note. And I hope that this episode gets you into the right frame to have an excellent year. I know that I'm gonna have a great one and I think that we're all gonna have. I think anyone who listens to this podcast, anyone who list podcast, is going to have an excellent year. I'm claiming it. I'm calling it and that's it. My name is Adam Rippon and these have been my intrusive thoughts. Sam.