A Holiday Ending in Ten Parts
Onward toward 2025...
Greetings Starfighters,
Over the next few weeks, we’ll complete another arbitrary tracking of our little planet’s latest trek around the nuclear explosion at the center of our solar system. Joy remains unabashed and unbounded by this event, and all it entails.
This is my final newsletter for 2024 as we head into the holidays. That means a two-week break from my instructional coaching day job and a more extended break from my dissertation work. I crossed a major milestone this week, submitting the last “homework” assignment I’ll ever have—though that dissertation thing still hangs over my head…
These next two weeks, at least here in the US, always seem nebulous, with days blending in some time warp. Austin Kleon calls the week between Christmas and New Year “Dead Week,” when no one expects much from you, likely since they’re not expecting much from themselves. I’m a massive fan of Dead Week and think we need more of them.
With the end of another year, your inbox or newsfeed has likely been flooded with “best of” lists. Yes, I’ve got a couple here for you of my creation, along with one list of new awesomeness to enjoy as it enters the public domain on 1-1-2025.
Happiest holidays to you, no matter how you celebrate (even if you don’t). I hope these times are good for you and those dearest to you. And, if they’re not, please remember that you are loved and needed on this humble planet. If you're struggling, please know that you're not alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to—help is just a call or text away. Take care of yourselves and each other. ❤️
And now, here are 10 things worth sharing in this final edition of 2024…
10 Things Worth Sharing
Since 2020, I’ve curated a playlist of songs I discovered, rediscovered, or loved. There’s not much rhyme or reason to it, but somehow, several themes reveal themselves. Here’s this year’s edition:
I didn’t hit my initial reading goal this year, but I still read almost 60 books. Amid a dissertation, I think that is an acceptable, fine number. My favorite books from this year’s reading are (in no particular order):
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday
11/22/63 by Stephen King (reread)
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Dangerous Visions Trilogy, edited by Harlan Ellison
Another Public Domain Day approaches, and another batch of fantastic work is now available to everyone, free from copyright. This year features two of the great literary works of the 20th century, Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury and Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms (which is currently staring at me from across the room, still unread). Popeye and TinTin also enter the public domain, as do the last original Sherlock Holmes works. I bring this up every year since copyright laws have become completely unhinged, and people (mostly copyright trolls who had nothing to do with the original works) think they can copyright anything, even emotions.
There will be ample holiday film watching and music listening in our house over the next couple of weeks—my wife and daughter have begun their annual tradition of watching the worst Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies—and I’ll revisit more of my favorites. For me, the quintessential Christmas music album is The Glorious Sounds of Christmas, which filled the Christmases of my youth. I’ve already watched Patrick Stewart’s version of A Christmas Carol, soon to be followed by the George C. Scott, Alistair Sim, and Muppet versions. Other yearly viewings include White Christmas and The Holiday, and my wife and I watch Love Actually every Christmas Eve.
Still on the movie and tv show front, I’ve made quite the pile of viewing for the break. I think I’ll start with seasons 2 of Silo and Arcane, followed by the second seasons of The Wheel of Time and The Rings of Power. And there will be my annual holiday comfort rewatches of The Last Samurai, the always under-appreciated Master and Commander, and The Lord of the Rings (yes, the extended editions).
Sometimes, the silliest gifts make the best gifts. As everyone in my family ages, we try to focus more on experiences and creating memories for the holidays, but we still make time for minor, silly gifts that mean something. My wife picked up a couple of new desk mates for me, sure to bring years of pleasure.
Long holiday breaks are a great time to catch up or begin reading long, dense books because of the time warp phenomenon. I’m wrapping up Wind and Truth, but I think I will get around to The Power Broker, too. Some other ideas for 500+ page tomes to read over the holidays are here, here, here, and here.
If you’re looking for more holiday tunes to play while stuffing your face with figgy pudding, listen to Walter Martin’s holiday episode, Matthew Perpetua’s Jazzy Christmas, or 20th Century Christmas, or enjoy some old-time radio Christmas episodes.
Maybe you’re not looking for a long book to read over the holidays, just something of consequence. Here are some of the best books of 2024: the award winners, this best of list, this best of list, and this best of list.
I am, first and foremost, a Batman/Iron Man fan, primarily because of the very human aspects of their characters, and everything they’ve ever done has been from their hard work and intellect (also, seemingly endless piles of cash…). … the first superhero films I knew about were the Christopher Reeve Superman films, specifically the first two. This week, James Gunn dropped the teaser for his Superman film, due in theatres in July 2025. I’m not gonna lie; I shed many a nostalgic tear watching that teaser. I’m very excited about this newest take on the Man of Tomorrow.
OK, kids, it's time to step away from the computer, slip into some comfy jammies, and celebrate the end of another year. Please take time to rest and recover if you can. I’ll see you in the new year.
MP