2023 was a weird-wild-wacky year. A year filled with reading, with binging, with odd jobs and part-times in full-time clothing and job searches into infinity. Informationals and interviews. Cats getting fleas and hating each other and loving each other and a 3 month minuscule kitten growing bigger than his 6 year old brother because time and age and growth is all relative. Travel and more travel and money bleeding out of my pockets staining the white carpet, screaming not to look, the bleach will take care of that, we are LIVING LIFE TO ITS FULLEST HERE. As the clock struck midnight and December turned to January five days ago my credit card hopped into her pumpkin coach and promptly went into hibernation.
It was a year. Random, unstable, and lovely. Here are some highlights & offerings.
January
I started out my year reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, which while not even from 2023 remains one of my top books of the year. Spanning several decades, we witness the lives and relationship between video game developers Sadie and Sam as they form a successful company and forage a sometimes tumultuous working partnership. “Often in love but never lovers”, it’s beautiful and magical and crushing and memorable, and if you haven’t read it, do.
I went on to watch The Last Of Us, cozy and unique amongst 30 million others… and once again was struck with awe and inspiration. Shouting to anyone who would listen that this must be one of the greatest television shows, ever. My Showrunner Boss waved me away with her distaste for video games and “zombies”, but I would not let up. It’s so much more than that. I don’t like zombies either! You MUST give it a try. The Last Of Us took expectations and swirled them into oblivion, tipping me on my axis and leaving me in a puddle of sobs. One of the most beautifully done shows I’ve seen, period. Cue: Long Long Time by Linda Ronstadt.
March
I had the insane honor of watching Joni Mitchell win the Gershwin prize at a ceremony in D.C. filled with tributes from artists closest to her. Watching Cindi Lauper rehearse wearing a velour tracksuit and bedazzled sunglasses was a highlight. Watching Joni, center stage surrounded by her superstar friends, swaying in unison to Circle Game, was unforgettable.
April
I hopped over to New Orleans on a whim Easter Weekend and had the time of my life, stumbling upon a massive bead-throwing parade up and down French Quarter streets. Beignet in hand, powdered sugar on face, crawfish in belly - this was sheer joy. A must, must visit of a destination.
I binged Jury Duty - a reality hoax sitcom with a totally insane and original and HOW DID THEY PULL THIS OFF format centered on a fake jury trial in which only one of them, sweetie pie Ronald, is not in on the joke. An enormous delight of a show.
I watched classics like Sunset Blvd, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane, Paris, Texas, Harold and Maude, 8 1/2, as part of a now-defunct movie club where we mainly just ate good food and gabbed around LA. Let’s bring it back guys!
May
I watched Goodfellas and Scarface and The Birds and Psycho and Rebel Without A Cause and The Conversation and tick tick ticked off my ‘must see movies’ list because amidst the uncertainty and aimlessness of my year I was desperate to label something as productive. In my mind, watching classics counts. But don’t worry, I am also firmly cemented within Scandoval and Gerry (Gary?)’s quest to move on from his now-dead love of his life.
I attempted to go to my 10 year High School Reunion but one block away, a positive covid test halted me. The 20 year will be a TIME.
I read mystery thriller after mystery thriller because it seems that murder and death has become a cozy escape for a deeply disturbed generation. Some honorable mentions:
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter - a dark and disturbing thriller
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden - as seen on booktok
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware - a spooky gothic horror
June
I went on a road trip from Los Angeles to Vancouver, stopping in Monterey, Napa, Oregon (Crater Lake and Portland) and Seattle. I had never been to Vancouver and I have two words for you: THE FOOD. Yes, chef. If you’re ever there, you must go to Sashimiya for a chirashi bowl, Dinesty Dumpling House for dim sum, and Ask for Luigi for insane Italian. Some of the best meals I’ve ever had.
In Seattle I thrifted an oversized dark wash Levi’s jean jacket, and proceeded to wear it at least once a week for the remainder of the year. Win’s my 2023 article of clothing award. I love a uniform staple.
Oh, and I got a new cat. Have I told you yet? His name is Sunny and he brings us so much sunshine and at night he turns into moon and we say “Goodnight Moon!” and he has a very large sagging pooch that we call his pooch full of love because he has so much love to give. He is perfect in every way, and I know everyone says that but he really actually is, I mean it. (His brother Romy is too, don’t worry, although his newfound grinchy ways did almost get him coal in his stocking this year). If you’re in the LA area and looking to adopt, check out Friends of Normie - they could not have been more kind or helpful or fab.
July
I went to New York and treated myself to the famed Via Carota salad (it lives up to the hype) and saw Kimberly Akimbo for $40 dollar box office tickets (a newfound hack), and got Carbone’s Spicy Rigatoni Vodka which my friend regrettably paid for out of pity for my abysmal strike-fueled lack of income and now I owe her my first born child.
I obsessed over The Bear season 2 like the rest of us, and while I love Jeremy Allen White as much as the next thirsty girly I was mainly busy fangirling over the absolutely incredible writing (and directing! and acting!) on display and dreaming to be in that writers room. I’d take PA… I’ll get Starbucks… anything at all you need Chris Storer! Also, I’d like it to be known I was a Jeremy fan before it was trendy. This is the award my friend made for me as my supervisor for our college job. In 2016.
Rent-free line of the year: “Because you’re The Bear, and I remember you.” OOOF. 10/10 scene/writing/delivery. I’d remember him too, girl.
August
I spent my fourth anniversary at the Madonna Inn, in their ballroom, on the dance floor, surrounded by white-haired couples clutched tight, beaming with love in a marriage twice my age. This memory might take the cake. Specifically the Madonna Inn Pink Champagne cake.
September
A large and important portion of my year was spent deep in the trenches of the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul universe.
October
Followed by a traumatic revisiting of the Lost universe in which a quarter of me is still planted.
I camped under the most mind-blowing stars at Joshua Tree’s Cottonwood campsite which is an absolute bucket list sight. It’s so good it feels fake.
November
I ran a 5k for the LA Turkey Trot - which raises money for a good cause and therefore locked me into a commitment I begrudgingly showed up for at 6am Thanksgiving morning. I had not run since 8th grade track during which I was deeply traumatized and convinced running would lead to my untimely death. Let it be known that after the Turkey Trot, I went on SEVEN 1.15 mile runs around my neighborhood in the month of December. This is a big deal for me. I had to buy a knee brace. I’m creaky.
December
I watched the cousin I was born six months after get married. Kind of a trip.
I slept in 10 different beds and went to 3 different states and a whole different country in the span of 2 weeks.
I won London.
2023, In Closing
What’s in a year. For me there is love and grief and chaos and excitement. Hope and anxiety, good books and stupid shows and friends around a table. Seasons, and new places, and solitude, and a yearning for community. Crying from laughter and crying from fear. Walking, and running, and watching a hummingbird make a sanctuary of your porch. Dancing to a record, making a Sunday Roast, squishing two cats together in a hug when one wants to kill you but is really all talk.
It goes by in a blink.
Yes, 2023 was random, weird, wacky, and wild, and I wouldn’t actually wish for anything different. So, Happy New Year. I welcome you, 2024. May you be even wilder.