I normally do these annual surveys a little later in the year, but being that this is (once again) not the usual Christmas season, all bets are off. I’m doing my damndest to sustain any remaining semblance of holiday spirit, but suffice to say, events of the day, so to speak, are making it very hard to stay optimistic, let alone cheery. We are making the most of it and — god willing — getting through it unscathed, but we’re ultimately taking it day by day. Let’s get to it, then...
What did you do in 2021 that you'd never done before?
Well, I had a long-overdue colonoscopy. That sure was fun. And now, I get to have one every year. Oh joy.
Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t have an excellent track record with keeping resolutions, but since the pandemic first landed, I’ve been battling the tenacious “fuck it, it’s the end of the world” impetus that allows for overeating and over-imbibing. I’m hoping to step up efforts, in that capacity, come the New Year, but I’m not making any resolutions about it.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister-in-law had another little boy about four months back, and one of my sister’s daughters-in-law gave birth to a little girl.
Did anyone close to you die?
The mother of a dear friend of mine from high school passed away very recently. Beyond that, a few friends of my parents died. No one in my immediate circle, mercifully.
What countries did you visit?
For a hot second, we were thinking of traveling to Montreal, but events of the day forbade. Maybe next year?
What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?
An end to the pandemic.
What date from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory?
Well, gosh, January 6 was certainly pretty memorable. Fuck Trump.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying healthy, getting my kids vaccinated (although Oliver’s not eligible for a booster, yet) and staying productive and appreciated on the work front.
What was your biggest failure?
There are things I wish I hadn’t done or said, but that will always be the case. I am human.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
I have thus far managed to continue to dodge COVID-19, but that won’t be the case for long, if the news is to believed. Beyond that, however, I have been grappling with a host of unsavory travails that come with aging, ranging from the discouraging results of the afore-cited colonoscopy to graduating up to a proper pair of “progressive” lenses, which is a gentler way of saying “bifocals.” I’m also now on blood-pressure meds, occasionally experiencing “visual auras” (which are linked to migraine headaches, allegedly) and have a hammertoe problem that’s kind of a bitch. Sorry you asked?
What was the best thing you bought?
I honestly haven’t the foggiest idea.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Beyond the medical community and essential workers, everyone who got vaccinated and boosted and continues to adhere to COVID protocols for the benefit of the collective.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Trump supporters, anti-vaxxers, science-skeptics, conspiracy theorists and SantaCon participants.
What did you get really, really excited about?
A few months back, things seemed genuinely like they were getting better. Life opened back up. Things were getting re-scheduled. Options were appearing. Live music was back. So much for all that.
Where did most of your money go?
We spent a lot on prospective college visits.
What song will always remind you of 2021?
As with 2020, I can’t say that I’ll want to be reminded of 2021.
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
At the moment, I am worried and depressed.
Thinner or fatter?
Can’t say that I’ve been keeping track, but probably fatter.
Richer or poorer?
About the same as before.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Oh crap, who knows? I worked quite hard this year and got to spend a great amount of time with my wife and kids. I have no regrets, on that front.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing out about COVID.
How did you spend Christmas?
It hasn’t happened yet, but we’re *PLANNING* on spending it here at home, then leaving Christmas Day to go visit my mother out in Quogue. After that, we *MAY* go visit my sister-in-law’s family in Pennsylvania, but this is all contingent on a number of fluid factors.
Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Colleagues from work.
Did you fall in love in 2021?
I have been married for 20 years and remain very much in love.
How many one night stands in this last year?
See above.
What was your favorite TV program?
I’m inclined to again cite “Succession” as the best thing we watched this year, although I’m invariably forgetting some of the other shows we watched.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well, hmmmm.. I still vehemently hate everyone in the Trump Administration and those that continue to support the cause of Trumpism.
What was the best book you read?
“The History of Bones,” the memoir of John Lurie.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I already devoted a post to my favorite albums of 2021, although I was remiss in not adding both Big Paul Ferguson’s debut LP and the debut album by The Wind-Ups.
What did you want and get?
Joe Biden sworn in as President, albeit not without a lot of friggin’ idiotic fallout.
What did you want and not get?
Donald J. Trump being arrested, tried, convicted and imprisoned.
What were your favorite films of this year?
I quite enjoyed both Apple TV’s Velvet Underground documentary and “Belfast.” I saw “Spencer” with Kristen Stewart, and that almost put me off movies for good. Yes, it was that bad.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 54 and had a few friends over to ring it in. Overall, very low-key.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Reports of Donald J. Trump being vigorously and repeatedly molested by his fellow inmates in federal prison.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021?
Face masks are the new black
What kept you sane?
Who said anything about being sane?
What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I think Dua Lipa is quite striking, but to say I “fancy” her would be inappropriate and repugnant.
What political issue stirred you the most?
If you had told me, during the scariest moments of 2020, that there was going to be pronounced pushback upon the arrival of vaccines, I would have scoffed, but Americans are stubborn, selfish and fucking stupid.
Who did you miss?
President Barack Obama
Who was the best new person you met?
Ummmmmm…. probably my new little nephew.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021
Don’t put off a colonoscopy.
Song lyric that sums up 2021
History shows again and again How nature points out the folly of men - Blue Oyster Cult
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