#drink some champagne and think about how amazingly miraculous it is that you got through the year.

[notbecauseofvictories]

Whelp, it's December 31st. Since I've already published my best books and movies of 2024 list, and I've already committed to not making any commitments until January sets in, there's not much more to say. Still, as I put it in my Christmas card---I do think it’s valuable to look back over the past year and reflect on all that happened.

......if nothing else, to understand what mistakes you can’t afford to repeat in 2025.

This past year, I traveled to Switzerland and Washington D.C., I threw a big milestone birthday party for my aunt, I volunteered as an election judge for both the midterm and presidential elections, pickled almost my entire garden, formed some strong opinions on which Chicagoland FM radio stations are any good, and watched a ton more movies than I thought I would or could. I crossed off another Chicagoland museum from my list (Leather Museum & Archives!) and very proudly went to my first tasting menu restaurant. I strengthened my relationships with friends and with colleagues, though the "am I about to be fired???" anxiety hasn't gone away. It is quieter, now.

It's not a commitment---it doesn't count as a commitment! I am not committing to it at all---but I would like to get back into more creative work. 2024 was very good in grounding me in real life and the real people that I consider "mine", but there's an itch under my skin despite it. I want to get out of my head more; I want to make things again.

In my Christmas card, I said that the so-called "season of joy" is not without its moments of cold slush and grey skies. That's still true. Yet hopefully between the two---merry and bright on one hand, bleak midwinter on the other---there’s something in the middle that might be dimmer, but is nevertheless warm, full of good cheer.

May we all come to rest there, in front of the fire.