Some people say 2017 was a shitty year.

Well…they’re kind of right. But you know what? We didn’t all get burned in a nuclear fire. We’re all still alive and that’s what matters. Sure the planet is in total disarray and who knows what’s going to happen next year, but whatever. That’s future me’s problem. Screw that guy. As for right now, let’s focus on the good from 2017, like…

The Best Movie: Blade Runner: 2049

Even though Harrison Ford is an old fart. Even though they got Ryan Gosling to play the new lead. Even though Baby Driver was really good. Even though it was three hours long…God damn Blade Runner was amazing. I have such attachment to the original, I was really worried that this wouldn’t live up to its predecessor. But sure enough, it came through. I can’t think of a single thing wrong with it except for the fact that it took 25 years to make. You can read my full review here.

Runner Up: Baby Driver

The Best Thing on TV: Master of None – Season 2

Master of None isn’t a TV show. It’s a piece of art. The music, the camera work, the stories all work together so well to create a masterpiece of viewing pleasure. Sure the acting could’ve used a little work, but that’s part of its charm. It’s something you can easily overlook when you think about the show as a whole. If you’ve been living under a rock for the last three years and haven’t seen any of Master of None, start now. You won’t be disappointed.

Runner Up: Bojack Horseman, Season 4

The Best Video Game: Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

What’s more fun than killing nazis? Killing nazis while riding on the back of a fire breathing robot-dog. Wolfenstein II made FPSs fun again, and if this is anything to show for the future of the genre, I can’t wait to see what’s coming next. In-depth storytelling, flawless gameplay (mostly), and thoughtful level design make this game one for the ages.

Oh. Did I mention you get to kill nazis?

Runner Up: South Park: The Fractured But Whole

The Best Beer: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest

Just like Christmas, it seems like Oktoberfest beers come earlier and earlier each year. This year, they started peeking up around the middle of August. THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. Whatever. I’m not bitter about it. (Get it? Bitter? Because beer is bitter?) But there was a beacon of hope through the sullied world of other crappy oktoberfest beers…Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest. They change their recipe every year, so that was it for 2017’s batch. Sad, but delicious.

Runner Up: Real Ale Coffee Porter. It’s always going to be coffee porter. Always.

The Best Event: Getting Married

I guess this should go under the ‘The Best of My Life’ post, but on January 15th, I got married to my best friend. After a year of planning, a few tears, and a lot of stress (I developed shingles), we finally did it. It only took eight years, but whatever. Better late than never.

Runner Up: I might have only been married a year but I’m not that stupid.

Other Highlights:

Best eclipse. Pretty cool shit. It’ll happen again in five years and I won’t have to travel 1000 miles to see it, so that’s a plus.

Best snow. Dude. It fucking snowed last Thursday. What the hell was that about??

Best vacation. Honeymoon. Hands down. It might have rained 90% of the time. It might have snowed. It might have hampered our going to every place we wanted to, but damnit it was magical. Sedona, Arizona is a beautiful place that I’d recommend to anyone, especially in the winter. And stop by the Musical Instrument Museum if you’re in Phoenix. It’s SUPER cool.

 

What do I have planned for next year? Well, it’s all coming out of what I had planned for this year. I’m hoping to finally finish up some songs I recorded over the last few months, getting them into an album, and putting it out there. I hope to start going out and playing live music again…sometime. I’m also looking forward to finishing our children’s book over the next month or so and getting it printed to ship to publishers. Hopefully 2018 will be a year of creativity, love, and happiness. Cheers to 2017, y’all. I hope yours was as good as mine.