Trend predictions? what’s in, what’s out? Top albums of 2024? List of random stuff? List of random stuff. Here are my favorite things of 2024 - maybe you can enjoy reading it before you go out tonight.
Favorite movie: Problemista
Problemista is Julio Torres’s first feature length. I loved him in Los Espookys, loved his HBO special, love this film. It’s funny, whimsical, emotional, and features Tilda Swinton acting up. I went to more movies this year than I ever have, which still isn’t that many, but it was a good time all around. It’s my only 5-star film this year.
Longest bike ride: Philly to AC
This was the longest ride of my life! I rode to Atlantic City for Grant’s birthday party on the beach. The ride was a bit rainy; the party was even rainier and colder. Grant’s brother just posted a group photo from then and I look absolutely wiped. Maybe I’ll do it again this year!
Favorite walk: December 30, 2024
There may be recency bias here, but I had a great walk yesterday. I listened to the 1998 live version of Long Season (41 minutes) and enjoyed 55 degree weather and a sunny reprieve from work. Listening to Long Season on a walk is akin to a spiritual experience. I swear!!
Honorable Mention: Any time I would get a lassi from mood on a walk
Favorite book: Rebel Girl by Kathleen Hanna
I didn’t read enough books this year (can’t do it all!), but this was my favorite that came out in 2024. I’m not the biggest Bikini Kill fan, but this book covers so much more. Fascinating life and well written.
Favorite run: Lake Kawaguchiko, Japan (photo up top)
I ran about 5k around Lake Kawaguchiko, enjoying the beauty of the lake and the reflection of Mt Fuji. It was one of the most beautiful runs and experiences of my LIFE, especially after climbing some of Fuji the day before and the view being shrouded in clouds. A clear morning, a trail around a lake, a beautiful mountain. It was the best.
Honorable mentions: My other runs in Japan (Tokyo - imperial palace loop, Kyoto - historic loop, run along river, sweatier than i’ve been since high school cross country, Osaka - Osaka castle), my run in the magical Redwoods in Aptos CA, my 10k run this morning! It’s been a down year for running but I’m happy to do enough to get the energy out and see the sights.
Favorite cats: Broccolini and Rigatoni
Need I say more??
Favorite TV Show: Fantasmas
Fantasmas is like the TV show version of Problemista. Of course it’s my favorite. It has a show-inside-a-show called Melf with Paul Dano, Aidy Bryant selling toilet skirts, Emma Stone and Cole Escola in a reality tv show, gay hamster night club, Julio wandering around looking for an earring all season, and more. Twice I locked myself in my friends houses and forced them to watch the pilot with me.
HM: Somebody Somewhere S3, Hacks S3, probably one i’m forgetting because my favorite shows are hard to find on this internet
Favorite unicycle ride: Hall Ranch, Colorado
I was blessed with excellent mountain unicycle riding this year, from Philly with my new friend Max, to Utah. Moab with Chris and Jon was an absolute blast (3 days muni, 1 day mtb), and one of the best parts of this Colorado ride is that it reminded me of that trip.
I went to Boulder for a wedding and hit up Noli, the organizer of that trip, since he lives in Denver. He picked me up from my hotel the morning of the wedding, drove me out to the first trail he ever rode in CO, lent me a 27.5” muni, and we rode/hiked up the front range of the Rockies. We reached the top, turned down, and had an amazing ride, cruising on smooth, sessioning on the challenging parts. I rode sections that were hard for me while Noli hit a 5 ft drop. The adventure came together so quickly and fit right into the rest of my trip, I felt so lucky I could do it.
Favorite music league: key lime pie in a burlap sack
I played a couple seasons in a music league (submit songs to fit a prompt, listen to playlist, vote and comment, receive points), that a friend set up with his friends, and friends of his friends. It was fun, but my songs didn’t really land with the rest of the group and the playlists weren’t super coherent. I started a new league, with limited spots and picked friends that would have similar, but not identical, music tastes and appreciation. I also made a “no repeat artists” rule. The playlists have been great, it’s been fun getting texts from friends, and I enjoy hearing which friends have beef with others that they’ve never met due to their votes and comments. “Key Lime Pie in a Burlap Sack” was a name my friends came up with for our high school English teacher’s outfit. I stole it for a Facebook music group and now this. Sorry jake!
Favorite bike route: Buttery
This is the first year I’ve ridden the Buttery route, and I learned why it’s so popular. Long, rolling hills from Philadelphia to Malvern Buttery, through farmland and bordering on the Main Line. About 55 miles, I rode it twice, once solo and once with my dad. I kicked his butt on the hills, big for me since he’s been riding a lot in retirement. Looking forward to more Buttery loops in 2025!
Favorite concert: Hop Along, Union Transfer, January 26
I went to 38 shows this year, including comedy if I remembered to log it in my tracker. It’s my lowest in a non-covid year since 2013. I had a couple down months in the summer, and again at the end of the end of the year, plus lots of trips and weddings. And shows got more expensive!
Hop Along played a benefit show for Steve Poponi’s family at UT, in between Saintseneca and Alex G. I was hoping they’d play Laments, but since that wasn’t too likely, Somewhere a Judge. They started off with both. I was high fiving, hooting, hollering, screaming to every song. Since they only played these two benefit shows this year, it was even more special.
HM: Destroyer duo at Johnny Brenda’s, Cloud Nothings at JB’s, The Softies at PhilaMOCA, Shit Present at JB’s, seeing Gladie 4x, including at JBs with Frances Quinlan, Rad Hos (<33333), Florry, and Poison Ruin, Greg Mendez at JB’s.
Favorite comedy show: Joe Pera at the Electric Factory
I had been rewatching Joe Pera Talks with You, feeling sad it was over, and the first twenty minutes of this performance felt like I was inside the show, like a warm hug, a feeling of elation. I’d seen Joe before, but not quite like this. He transitioned to asking people to look under their seats for turkey meatballs (they were actually there), had some people from the crowd act out a new video game he wrote about the Phoenix airport, and made a very distasteful Beau Biden joke. Incredible.
HM: Conner O’Malley at Helium, Natalie Rotter-Laitman at PhilaMOCA. I’m not including Julio’s Helium show here so you know I’m not being biased when I talk about Problemista and Fantasmas!
Favorite album: Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee
I listened to so many albums. I’d love to grow personally and pick something less typical but I can’t help it! Last.FM says I listened to this the most. It wasn’t my favorite live show, nor my favorite Waxahatchee album, but it’s the best this year.
HM: This is Lorelei, Charli XCX, Graham Hunt (late 2023), Lily Seabird, Los Campesinos, Cloud Nothings, 2nd Grade, Mo Troper, Uranium Club, MJ Lenderman, Cassandra Jenkins, Rosali, Jon Patrick Titterington, the Softies, 22 Halo
Favorite underrated albums: Forever by Charly Bliss & Power by Illuminati Hotties
They’re on their third or so album each, and both changed their sound a lot for these new ones. I haven’t seen much love for them, but I’ve been hooked all year. IH turned into smoother, easier listening, while Charly went full pop. I especially can’t get “Back There Now” out of my rotation.
Favorite EP: First Time/Alone by Greg Mendez
He’s on a heater. These are lower fidelity than the S/T album, but connect nonetheless.
HM: Dazy x2, Bon Iver
Favorite meal: Vegan Izakaya in Kyoto
Favorite songs playlist, very loosely in order:
Other things OF NOTE:
Winning my bad fantasy football league
Joining a fantasy basketball keeper league in it’s 13th year and hanging in there
4 weddings in 4 states, 2 bachelor parties in 1 state
Wonderful niece Siena turning 1
Turning 30 and having Hardena party
Seeing Oh Mary and All In on Broadway
Probably some other things I’m forgetting. bad things too but we that’s not for here. thanks for reading.