2024 was a year of changes. I lack appropriate distance and time, but I believe will look back at this year as hinge, turning point, and marker, separating "before" and "after".
The year started with my exit from a job at Osso VR, and perhaps an industry and even a career.
I took advantage of the downtime to deal with home repairs and stuff related to my ailing father and his late partner's estate. Pro Tip: Do not agree to be the executor for anyone's estate. Refuse if you can. It is a huge hassle and liability. There is no upside.
I spent time with friends, including some great walks with old friends I had not seen in quite some time. I took a couple of trips, including a peaceful vacation down to Carmel-By-The-Sea, and visiting friends back east and down in Los Angeles.
Physically, this was a year of increasing nuisances. Various nerve insults and impingements, some bone stuff, and other things nobody wants to hear about. I'm doing OK health-wise, but replacement parts are hard to come by at this point.
It was a solid year for music. The album I appreciated most was The Cure's "Songs of a Lost World".
I finished an ambient electronic album with my friend Thomas. Given how long we have known each other, it is surprising it has taken us this long to collaborate on something. Look for a release in early 2025!
My friend Matt took me to a stunning classical guitar performance in San Francisco, which was one of the highlights of the year and one of the best things I have seen in a while.
Sid Luscious and The Pants also reformed, with new members, new songs, and our first show since the start of the pandemic. It went incredibly well, and it felt great to be back on stage playing new material for a receptive audience.
Of course, there was the start of graduate school, knocking out 3 classes in my first full semester. I am enjoying it so far, and optimistic and excited about the future.
There's plenty to be concerned about in the world. The US election was a deep disappointment, and the first few weeks afterward have already depleted my patience and goodwill for the goons, plutocrats, and other bad actors who are already complaining about their victory. You won, get over it.
Little progress was made this year on issues of substance, such as the climate. I do not feel like I have anything new to add regarding all that stuff -- I have written about it before, and not much has changed. I still think the biggest problem for all of us is the shocking income inequality and disparities between the super-rich and everyone else. It is like these doofs have never read a history book.
In the meantime, colleague after colleague got laid off or took a package, and are finding they simply cannot find another job, either because the jobs are being outsourced (to AI or cheaper humans) or eliminated. 2025 feels like it will be economically challenging, and even my moderately wealthy friends feel precarious.
If I were a billionaire, I'd be nervous, and I'd start looking at how to be a lot more generous before it is too late.
Perhaps a theme for 2024 was growth and change -- nothing stays the same forever, nothing lasts. That applies to good things and bad. I will try to stay optimistic and positive about the new year.
See you there!
