so this must be it

*blows the dust off*

Hi friend, it's been a long time. And it's the first day (as I write this) of 2024. A brand spanking new year!

This is where I could get cliché and say "new year, new me" OR make a disparaging remark about resolutions for the new year. I could (and will, later on) tell you about what I've accomplished last year and what I hope to accomplish this year. Or I could just not do this. That'd be the easiest, right?

What I'm actually doing here is beginning the long, slow, frustrating process of breaking out of habits and patterns that have defined how I think of myself for years. For example, I used to look forward to sitting down, slapping some words together, and publishing them for my many adoring fans.

What happened?

While the specifics are interesting to dive into, we'll keep it short and say life got in the way and things had to change. What didn't change is my desire to create, to affect change, and to help others in a way that brings together some of those things.

To that end, I've put up a new collection for sale called "Aggressive Positivity". Inspired by brutal, oftentimes unreadable metal band logos, the hope is that someone will ask what the shirt says and the wearer can say something positive, like "You Make Today Better". For those who like heavier music, this is a nice blend of hardcore and hopeful.

Anyway, on to this month's musical selection!

If you're an #ElderEmo like me, you've probably seen and/or listened to The New Year by Death Cab for Cutie. It's a classic, and one of my favorites. It's poignant, it sounds great, and it's a little melancholy.

But if I may, I'd like to direct your attention to another favorite of mine, called Together We'll Ring In the New Year by Motion City Soundtrack:

My analytical skills (and writing) is rusty, but I'll just say that this song feels the way that I feel. The highs can't last forever, and neither can the lows.

So this year, wherever you are, I hope that you remember to talk to yourself the way you'd talk to someone you care about. I hope that the good outweighs the bad, that the joy outshines the sorrow, and that your highs are long and your lows are short.

You're in good company, friend. Thanks for reading, and for being here another day.

yeehaw, it's a roundup

2023 was a year.

Here's some of what I remember reading, listening to, watching, and overall enjoying:

books

• Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
• Speak-Up Culture by Stephen Shedletzky
• The Conversation by Dr. Robert Livingston
• A Psalm for the Wild-Built, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
• Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
• His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman
• Educated by Tara Westover
• Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
• A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard by James Frey

music (not all are new releases)

• Superbloom by Silent Planet
• The Death We Seek by Currents
• Heavener by Invent Animate
• Earth OST by Academy Garden
• God Made Me An Animal by Better Lovers
• The Fear of Fear by Spiritbox
• Revolving Doors by Copeland
• graves by Purity Ring

As always, you can check out my Spotify playlists for lofi, heavy music, and those sweet, sweet soft jams.

movies & shows

• The Boy and the Heron
• Barbie
• The Fall of the House of Usher
• Scavenger's Reign
• Morning Show
• Pokemon Concierge
• Nimona
• Andor
• Ahsoka
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie
• My Happy Marriage
• Shrinking

other things

• Went to Disneyland with my family - it was the first time for my kids and wife
• Saw a lot of concerts (Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service was a personal favorite)
• Spent time in my hometown with some of my favorite people
• Visited the beach and my daughter learned how to body board!
• Enjoyed Christmas (I'm a recovering grinch, so this is a huge step)