Well, that happened. 2021 began with an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol and ended with the death of Betty White. Everything in-between was painted upon a canvas of COVID, its variants, and the exhausting rhythm of a technological society unable to get out of its own way. As I suspected in 2020, there will be no pre-2020 'normal,' nor a return to it. Like it or not, the result is an evolution. Part of my evolution has been working hard to build on a small plot of security. I am respectful of that privilege and the vantage it affords me – especially in the context of the struggles many others face. That said, everything is relative. Personally, in recent memory, 2019 is my benchmark for difficult years, 2020 was kinda 'meh,' and 2021 saw a push and pull between the two: moments of success and moments of cruelty. I have no doubt that I'll spend a fair amount of time unpacking some of those sadder personal events in the coming year and adding their lessons to my life kit. On the upside, I'm glad I kept my expectations low for 2021 because it allowed enjoyment of the light that did emerge around an otherwise heavy period. For me, 2021 will be the year that I completed a fruitful career transition, found my feet as a university instructor, and embraced the joy in the advocacy of others' success. I also attended some baseball games in person, performed a few shows, and fully immersed myself in all forms of 'extreme music' because, somehow, it brought me peace. 2021 will also be the year that, at any opportunity, I decided to vocally acknowledge love and gratitude for my friendships because of the immeasurable comfort they provide. Today, I joked with one of those friends that I was digging a hole for my bar of expectation for 2022 so that I can continue to find joy in whatever lies around the corner. But, actually, that's the truth: my strategy for the year ahead is to take life as it comes, deal with the work, and embrace the good wherever I can find it. As ever, enjoy my year of music and moments in review, and best wishes for the year ahead.
Favorite Songs of 2021
'Downtown,' Unto Others
'Lumerian,' Soen
'Live Another Life,' Son Lux
'Brushed,' Quicksand
'Wild Hearses' Lucifer
'Crimson Stone,' Converge & Chelsea Wolfe
‘Through Eternal Fields,’ Wolves In The Throne Room
'Don't Go Putting Wishes in my Head,' Torres
'Riptide,' MONO
'Black Myself' Amethyst Kiah
'The Writing on the Wall,' Iron Maiden
'Price of Blue' Flock of Dimes
'12 Things I Forgot,' Steven Wilson
‘Right on Time,’ Brandi Carlisle
'Morning Star,' King Woman
'Body,' Emma Ruth Rundle
‘Pennsylvania Furnace,’ Lingua Ignota
'There is no End to the Void,' Scene Noir
‘Chimes,’ The Joy Formidable
'G.S.K,' Squid
‘Mystery,’ Turnstile
Favorite Albums of 2021
Primordial Arcarna, Wolves in the Throne Room
Strength, Unto Others
Bloodmoon: I, Converge and Chelsea Wolfe
Imperial, Soen
Senjutsu, Iron Maiden
Engine of Hell, Emma Ruth Rundle
Lucifer VI, Lucifer
Ice Fleet, Kauan
Moral Hygiene, Ministry
So It Goes, Demoniac
Celestial Blues, King Woman
Head of Roses, Flock of Dimes
Swagger and Stroll Down the Rabbit Hole, Diablo Swing Orchestra
Chemtrails Over The Country Club, Lana Del Rey
Sinner Get Ready, Lingua Ignota
Foreverglade, Worm
Tortured Soul, Sanguisugabogg
Bright Green Field, Squid
Access All Worlds, Iotunn
Odyssey, Vokonis
An Unexpected Reality, Gatecreeper
Favorite Shows of 2021
Counting Crows, Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA 08/29/21
Amethyst Kiah, The Gorge, George, WA, 08/14/21
Brandi Carlisle, The Gorge, George, WA, 08/14/21
Unleash The Archers, El Corazon, Seattle, WA, 09/26/21
Sheryl Crow, The Gorge, George, WA, 08/14/21
Tres Leches, Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA 05/29/21
Tres Leches, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA 07/18/21
The Posies, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA 07/18/21
Thundercat, Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA 12/04/21
Defining Moments of 2020 (in chronological order)
Watching the Capital Insurrection (with horror) on live TV
Being diagnosed as celiac
Continued enjoyment in teaching at UW
Getting my COVID-19 vaccinations
First 'Post-Lockdown' baseball game
First 'Post-Lockdown' family visit from Phil, Natasha, and Emma
First 'Post-Lockdown' flight to Sonoma
First 'Post-Lockdown' show with Erin Rae and the Heartbeets at Chateau St. Michelle
First Mariners Diamond Club experience on my birthday
Finally getting my shingles vaccinations
Getting a haircut
Completing my career transition