It has been way too long since I’ve posted here and I need to get back to it. It’s not like I haven’t had anything to say. I’m not sure why I haven’t been inspired enough to sit down and write. I actually have two drafts here that I haven’t posted. Maybe I’ll post them later. But for now, let’s catch up.
SMITTEN FANGIRL
So back in 2015, I “discovered” Sam Hunt. For almost two months, he was my playlist. I played him at work, in the car, at home, etc. I was a little obsessed? Okay, A LOT. It took happening upon Tyler Rich to break that spell Sam had on me. I didn’t think that such a thing could happen to me again. I’m usually so good about spreading my fangirl love. Well, apparently I was due for someone new to grab my fangirl heart.
Riley Green. He’s been around for awhile and I’ve heard his name and probably heard some of his songs but he didn’t pique my interest until I heard him on Ella Langley’s song “You Look Like You Love Me.” Can I blame her for me starting on him? Because honestly, it started with her. I love that song and so I bought her album (yes, I still do that) and I was digging her music and saw that she did another song with Riley and when I listened to it, I liked it. “Don’t Mind If I Do” led to me hearing another song of his, “Worst Way.” I really like that one. I was itching to hit buy on the two songs and then his latest album released and I thought, why not just buy the whole album? So I did.
I have been stepping away a bit from my country music listening besides my mainstays– Tyler Rich, Sam Hunt, Jordan Davis. I will buy their music without evening listening because that is how much I love and adore them. And having met two of them, I feel a deeper connection and will always have good thoughts about them. And one of them knows that I do truly love him. But as someone not the usual target audience for country music, I know that there are certain artists that I wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing live because of the crowd. It’s a weird thing to acknowledge, I know, and really it’s not such a problem when the shows are here in California. I have never felt uncomfortable or out of place at a show with my mainstays, thank goodness, but I have been to shows with other artists where the vibe was definitely NOT “everyone is welcome.” So buying two new country albums is a bit of a big deal for me.
Even though I bought Riley’s album in November (looks like when it was actually released), it took me a month to glom on to it and make it the current soundtrack of my life. I didn’t think I would like a few of the songs but even though every single song is certainly not my favorite, I have yet to skip to the songs that are. And I am listening to the album on repeat but no shuffle. What is this madness? I am all about repeat/shuffle but no, not this time. At the moment, I am listening to the songs in order, as perhaps intended. I added his Christmas song as well as the Apple Music live thing he did. I have listened to Riley Green so much in the past few weeks that he is somehow my number one listened to artist in 2024.
Tyler, Jordan, and Sam are in the bottom five of my top 10. Yikes! Well, my musical tastes are eclectic, eh?
I haven’t started on Riley’s back catalog. Yet. But it might be inevitable. I’m not sure. I’m taking it slow on learning more about him and listening to more of his music because right now, I like this musical haze I’m under. I am really enjoying his album and the stories his songs tell. I’m also a little irritated that because of him, I haven’t been paying proper attention to new music from Tyler and Ben Barnes. Oh, and I haven’t been listening to my winter holiday tunes.
Darn you, Riley Green.
NERD GIRL TIME
The Superman teaser trailer came out. I am so excited for this movie! I’m taking the day off (July 11, 2025) and I’m going to the first showing. I LOVE how my Threads timeline was full of excitement and hope for the movie. I’m sure there are some haters out there but I’m not paying them any mind. I have faith in James Gunn and his vision. I know that he’ll do right by the character. Even though I LOVE Henry Cavill and wish he could have played a more joyful Superman, I am looking forward to seeing what David Corenswet does. And lo, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane also intrigues me.
I have a lot of hope for this iteration of Superman. I think I’m going to love it but that’s partially because I’m easy for Superman.
BASEBALL SORROW
Rickey Henderson, the greatest lead-off hitter of all time and greatest base stealer in MLB history, died. He was 65, just a few days shy of his 66th birthday on Christmas. He brought joy to the game and I’m glad that I was able to watch him when he played. It’s a sad time for so many– his family, his friends, Oakland A’s fans, Oakland, and baseball. He was the greatest for a team that no longer exists.
Thank you for bringing joy and bravado to the game of baseball. The Oakland Athletics (and your other teams) were lucky to have you. You’ve left us too early.
Journey well into the next, Rickey Henderson
OTHER STUFF, BULLET STYLE
- We binge watched season three of The Witcher. Knowing it is Henry Cavill’s last turn as Geralt, I wasn’t in a rush to watch season three. After watching it, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Even though I’ve only read one book and played none of the games, I can still see why Henry decided to part ways with the show. The tone from the first season to the third definitely shifted. I started watching the show for Henry and I was inclined to stop watching it but I am curious enough to wonder how the show will handle a recast of Geralt with a younger actor (Liam Hemsworth) who’s supposed to be a father figure to Ciri. Make-up can only do so much, eh?
- We signed up for Spotify! I don’t know what I’ll miss not having Apple Music but as long as I still have iTunes Match, I’m fine. Yes, I still buy some of my music because how else will I be able to play my tunes on my iPods? Yes, I still have iPods.
- I’m working on a story that came to me in the middle of November, which means that I haven’t finished my November novel. Did I even get halfway through it? I might have. This new story has a new Muse. Let’s see if I actually finish the story and if it’ll be a full length or a novella style story.
CLOSING OUT 2024
I will look back on 2024 with much fondness. Personally, it was a very good year. We traveled, we went to concerts, we saw the All Blacks. We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and I feel like all the fun things that we did this year was in support of that. It was a good year personally, which definitely countered the craziness of the outside world.
I don’t think I have anything profound to say about the past year so let’s look a little to the future. I’d like to get back to writing here at my blog on a more routine basis. I slacked hard the last part of 2024 and I’m going to regret it when I look back. I don’t know why I couldn’t keep up but such is life. I’m going to be more mindful next year. Maybe I don’t need to do the weekly posts. Maybe I can write more than once a week or maybe write at least monthly. Or I could be crazy and write daily. I probably won’t be that crazy.
Now for some pictures to help catch up.
On Halloween, we visited my grandparents’ graves. It was my first time seeing my grandmother’s grave marker. It’s very lovely.
For the week of Thanksgiving, we headed to Las Vegas! We saw Shania Twain, played miniature golf at PopStroke, and checked out the sites. I have another post in my drafts so I might publish that later. No promises.
Threw axes at the hubby’s company holiday party. I sucked, HARD, but it was fun. Kinda sweaty too.
We got to wear ugly sweaters for work. Fun times!
Drank wine and made tamales the first weekend of break. It was fun! I like getting my hands dirty with food things. It was lovely spending time with friends.
We had Christmas dinner with friends. Dinner was so good. I’m still thinking of that prime rib.
I will look back on 2024 with much fondness, on a personal level. As for the state of the world, I think taking a moment everyday to focus on the beauty and the good will go a long way to staving off the moments of despair. I’m tired of the anger and horror of the world, so I will do my part to be a positive light, whether with just a smile or funny words (I’m not really that funny) or joy. I know things will bring me down but I hope it’s not so much that I can’t enjoy a song or the sun shining on my face or the rain falling from dark skies.