Tariff, the word of the year for 2025; House of David trailer drop; Finding pace with The 49
3 Things this week and the poem The Same Wind
Thanks for spending some of your weekend with Things I Wrote Down. Everything is about to get 25% more expensive in Canada, so I hear. Wouldn’t it be nice if, instead, everything got 25% better?
2025 is already a wild ride. Glad we’re in it together. Here are my 3 Things and a poem.
1. Tariff, the word of the year for 2025
If you were playing a drinking game for every time you heard the word tariff, you'd never get out of bed. Trump's tariff's took effect on February 1. The day before, as the administration confirmed they were coming, the Canadian dollar dropped like a penny and is closing in on the retired coin's value.
We’re only one month into the new year and things are getting interesting. And the problem is compounded by the fact that our Parliament is shut down with no proceedings or debate among elected officials.
I hate to break it to you, but I think a generative AI program is writing our former-turned-interim Prime Minister’s speeches.
Trudeau addressed the nation last night, not with his cabinet, but with his economic committee. He announced 25% tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods, starting this week and over the next 21 days to allow Canadian companies to find alternatives.
In his closing remarks, he aimed to stir national passions, but the vision of Canada and what might empower us seemed limp:
In this moment, we must pull together because we love this country. We pride ourselves on braving the cold during the long winter months. We don’t like to beat our chests, but we’re always out there waving the maple leaf loudly and proudly to celebrate an Olympic gold medal.
Canada is home to bountiful resources, breathtaking beauty, and a proud people who’ve come from every corner of the globe to forge a nation with a unique identity worth embracing and celebrating. We don’t pretend to be perfect, but Canada is the best country on earth.
Thanks ChatGPT.
Now it’s time for Trudeau to ask the AI platform if it has Trump’s phone number.
2. House of David series trailer drop
It looks awesome. The House of David trailer was released this week, and the new series looks like it will be an action-packed re-telling of the story so many of us know so well: David’s rise from shepherd boy to King of Israel.
Amazon's recent commitment to produce faith-based series with a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment, starting with House of David is massive for the faith-focused content space.
With this first trailer drop, it looks like that money has been well spent! And it certainly encourages us at UnveilTV to continue to move forward as we bring Daniel to life.
3. Finding pace with The 49
It’s been a busy few weeks as I’ve launched my new series and found its pace. It’s always a thrill to get new work into the world and to connect it with audiences.
I have an ambitious release schedule that includes a new portion of the story each week (words and audio). Read or listen along at, The 49.
Here’s the latest if you want to check it out.
A poem
The power of nature amazes me. It gives us a glimpse of the power of God.
In a moment when nations are throwing their weight around and buying for power, it's good to be reminded of our smallness.
This poem helps me so that.
the same wind
the full force of too much air
pushed past speed
against the deep
forcing waves to
swell then breach
the violent energy
bending the proud height
of trees
to the ground among
fallen leaves
mastering the will of
the mountain
eroding its features
© Andrew Kooman