World Cocoon

Its 2022. For those of us from the before times (pre-2000), did you ever think there would be a 2022? it seemed like the horizon. 2000 hit like a speedometer rolling over and all bets were off; passing inspection/mot seemed impossible at this point.

I write for both continents now.

Anyway, I hope whatever potholes you hit this year don’t blow your tires (tyres?) too badly. Just remember, you’ll always have a spare in the trunk. Boot. Whatever.

1.What did you do in 2021 that you’d never done before?

Gotten three vaccinations in a year? Willingly (and successfully) cut out sugar?

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I did, in a sense. Health forced me to exercise, and it made me lose weight whether I wanted to or not lol. I made more art than I had in some time; at least one minicomic, and while most of the sketches I did were left-handed due to an injury, some of them came out ok!

Goals for this year are sort of the same: more art, writing. Finish some books. Lose more weight, gain back muscle. Drive again. Make local friends. Keep old ones.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Its nice to know that babies and children keep on coming. 99% of them are adorable.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

It wasn’t as bad as last year but it’s still shite.

5. What countries did you visit?

Hyrule, Mushroom Kingdom. Whatever weird ass country Sonic is from.

6. What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?

A better job. More recognition, which would come from more motivation. People. I miss people that I know.

7. What date from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day I could hug my niece and nephew again after not being within 6 feet of them for a year or so.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Staying alive. Getting art done. Going back to school. Impressing Doctors with improvement.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I still think not enough art and not enough exercise. I still need to eat healthier.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
HAHAHAHAHA oh boy yes and yes.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
College courses. A vinyl copy of the original mix of Bad Brains’ Rock for light. An Xbox series x lol

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Same as last year: Everyone that acted like an adult and wore a fucking mask and stayed distant. All of my nurse and care worker friends that I fear for constantly.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Again: Every fucking selfish piece of garbage that doesn’t believe in wearing a mask in public or take distance. There are so many and they’re so despicable. Let’s pop back a month before and say more of these racist ignorant fucks. Just the usual idiots, right? People without compassion.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. Music. Savings?

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Ugh well the new ghostbusters but I never got to see it in the theatre cause of c19. Spiderman which I did get to see. Honestly the high point was being able to hang with the kiddies.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2021?

well, here are my top ten listened to songs of 2021 as determined by my ever-malfunctioning last.fm scrobbler.

Keep in mind, as lockdown began, I decided to do the ol’ listen to my itunes from start to bottom. As of right now I am headed towards the end of the letter T (for reference last year this time I was in the middle of Miles Davis). My Prediction from last year (‘I predict new year saint etienne or prince will make this list) was true of the top listened to artists for sure, but not for the top songs:

1. Rihanna – James Joint
2. System of a down – Thetawaves
3. Seal – Kiss from a rose
4. Rihanna – Don’t stop the music
5. Tyler, the creator – 435
6. R.E.M – The sidewinder sleeps tonite
7. Rihanna – Sex with me
8. Rihanna – Work
9. Rufus Wainwright – Damsel in distress
10. Fiona Apple – Shameika

So while I was doing an A-Z, these were all songs I broke protocol for on Friday afternoons when I would play Rihanna and a Friday mix. The last two were end of the year finds that really caught my ear.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
You know, I think I’m slightly happier.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Been social. Its hard normally, its extra hard now!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Ate crap! But crap is soooo good yum yum.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It was gonna be Christmas with the fam finally but sadly it had to be postponed due to the virus. As long as everyone is ok.

21. Years ago I started a livejournal?

22. Did you fall in love in 2021?
With ideas.

23. How many one night stands?
I have built no nightstands this year.

24. What were your favorite TV programmes?

Fleabag. I may destroy you. Atlanta. Hawkeye. Whitehouse and Mortimer Gone Fishing.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Sure there is always enough to go around.

26. What was the best book you read?
I re-read Stephen King’s ‘on writing’, one of my favorite books. I’ve done more reading this year than in at least 10 years I think.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Kendrick Lamar.

28. What did you want and get?
A new job, a new path.

29. What did you want and not get?
COPY/PASTE – THOSE DAMN FISHBONE SNEAKERS! A saxamaphone. Energy.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I have four but I don’t think any of them are from this year, they’re just new to me this year. Parasite, Psycho Goreman, Heredity and Midsommar.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
45. 45!!!!!! Hung with wifey.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Def a drivers license. A job that gave a crap about covid protocols. A working pancreas. A shoulder that did not emanate pain 24/7.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021?
New shirts, old socks.

34. What kept you sane?
Bob Mortimer.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Anyone that stood up to stupidity was a celebrity in my eyes.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
UK politics is just as awful as US politics so now I get to be twice as frustrated.

37. Who did you miss?
Friends. Family. Claude.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
The nurse that pushed for me to come in for a random check-up even tho I was nervous to because of the virus, and changed my life.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021.
Moderation.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“How you live and love like ‘fuck rules’?
Don’t care why, just know I love you.”

– Rihanna – ’James Joint’