Be Excellent To Each Other

Another year over, and what have we done?

I always enjoy writing these short summaries as it gives me a chance to reflect on the past 365 366 days, and also keeping a hypertext connection to the past.

On the whole, a pretty good year. I feel I've done loads with my time, and built up some good friendships through my board game group and other clubs.

My absolute highlight of the year was a hiking trip to Norway's Lofoten Islands. Not only was the scenery stunning but given the time of year and latitude I got to experience the weirdness of the sun not setting!
I've also had some great hiking weekends in the Peaks and in Eryri.

I spent a fun birthday week in Munich, and an enjoyable tour of the Netherlands in September (overnight ferry is the best way to travel!).

The UK Games Expo was as busy and overwhelming as ever. I took in some shows as well as wandering and playing games but next year I think I'll only do one (or none at all) as getting to the location and watching the thing eats into precious playing time. Couldn't find Grim... in the crowds, alas.

Cottage was as mad and enjoyable as ever. Haven't really got the hang of archery but always good to try.

For next year, I want to continue hiking and working on my outdoor skills. I also want to find fun ways to start shifting some excess ("middle age spread") as I don't fancy replacing my entire wardrobe. Also keep on exploring, keep on playing games, and keep on feeling confident about myself.

Whatever the future holds for this place, you all remain the best people on the Internet and it continues to be a privilege and honour to know you all.

Onto 2025!

Kern

Giphy "list time!":
https://media3.giphy.com/media/26n8D91tAJeEcslIA/giphy-loop.mp4

TV of the Year: Traitors in all its incarnations.
Most improved TV of the Year: The second series of Freddy* fixed some of the issues of the first, but still is frustratingly mediocre. As with Chibnall-era Doctor Who, it needs more show, less tell. Not as painful as Cheers can be, however.
Board Game of the Year: Looooot. Easy to pick up, very addictive, and satisfying when you get the right combo. Honourable mention to Heat, which I still can't get enough of!
Radio/Podcast of the Year: The Behind the Bastards episodes on the madness of RFK Jr was quite the eye-opener. That aside, my usual run of political podcasts got quite emotional the day/weekend after the election. Ah, such moments of hope!
Cosy YouTuber of the Year: There's something endlessly charming about Scott Cramer, especially his videos on small town North Dakota and, of course, the Cramer Games.
Book of the Year: From our thread of what we've read, I think it has to be Ghosts of the British Museum by Noah Angell. A clever way to tell the story of colonial exploitation that's executed superbly (and spookily).

* Yes, I'm committing to this bit

I need to go out partying, so I'm going to be quick. 2024 was okay.

TV of the Year: Rivals, obv
Board Game of the Year: My love affair with Betrayal at the House on the Hill continues. Other than that, Dead by Daylight was surprisingly good.
Radio/Podcast of the Year: Midnight Burger. Just superb audiodrama about a diner that bounces through space. It's incredible
YouTuber of the Year: Er... Josh Weissman? Oh no, Bobby Fingers (a new one has just been released!)
Video game of the Year: I really liked Dredge. And Balatro, obv.
Movie of the Year: I watched 59 movies this year (or I rated 59, at least). Highest rated is a tie between Deadpool and Wolverine and Alien: Romulus.

To save some time:

2024 has been a slog but I’ve been chuffed with doing things I set out to do. I must read more next year as I’ve let that slip, but there’s only so much time for everything.

TV of the Year: Hmm spoilt for choice, I think I’d agree with Grim… and say Rivals though.
Board Game of the Year: Not a board game really but the RPG Mothership was excellent space based carnage.
Radio/Podcast of the Year: Radio 2?
YouTuber of the Year: Bthelick, amazingly in depth yet accessible for music production.
Video game of the Year: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC… no actually Armoured Core 6! Gah that was 2023…
Synth of the Year: Digitakt 2 - Elektron Boogaloo

Hope you all have a great NYE folks, not up to much myself. And best wishes to you all for 2025

I’ll come back to this later.

TV of the Year: Shogun
Book of the Year: Julia by Sandra Newman - an expansion of 1984 from the other side.
Video game of the Year: Star Wars Outlaws - 70 hours of gameplay and not a Jedi in sight
Movie of the Year: one of…. The Holdovers, Wild Robot, Kneecap, Lee, Civil War
Music of the Year: Millie Manders & The Shutup - “Wake up, shut up, work”
Holiday of the Year: Budapest was unexpectedly awesome
Dog of the Year: Super Noodle


Nay Being made redundant from a ludicrously well paid job on what everyone knew was totally bullshit justification. Even HR were appalled but nothing they could do.
Finding a new job took far longer than expected.

Yay but Nay My dad’s still with us, but Parkinson’s is not being kind to him.
Some of my family are being dicks, but I can mostly ignore it (though it feels like I *should* talk to one of them.

Yay Had nine months off work which I was able to make the most of, with plenty of days out, miles ridden on my motorbike, and generally getting stuff done or spending it with friends.
Got a new job which seems like it should be good fun and a lot less stressful.
Watched a ridiculous number of films at the cinema.
Had some very nice holidays.
Ended the year with an awesome meal out tonight.

TVs of the Year: Hmm, seen lots of good telly but nothing that's blown me away to where I want to watch it again. But Penguin very nearly up there though we're quite enjoying Silo too.
Book of the Year:The MANIAC - Benjamin Labatut/Every Man for Himself and God against All: Werner Herzog/Nexus: Yuval Noah Harari
Radio/Podcast of the Year:Adam Buxton or The Blindboy Podcast
YouTuber of the Year:Bobby Fingers/Wristwatch Revival/Ron Chopper Golf
Video game of the Year:Astro Bot
Movie of the Year:Dune 2 maybe? Scratching my head trying to remember anything else I saw that was any good.

TV of the Year: Traitors. It’s not highbrow television, but it’s very compelling viewing.
Board Game of the Year: Wingspan. It’s a beautiful, beautiful game. The Switch version also gets a big thumbs up.
Radio/Podcast of the Year: Buried Bones. Kept Russell and I sane throughout two bouts of decorating. Sweet Bobby also remains top notch to the point where I listened to it a second time with Russell.
Doggo of the Year: Noodle
Book of the Year: The Wizard And The Prophet. The history of two scientists and thinkers who have very different approaches to solving the problems of a rapidly increasing global population, climate change, soil erosion and food scarcity. Preservation vs innovation.
Video game of the Year: Jenny LeClue. Surprise find that we bought for peanuts based on the name alone, but was absolutely brilliant.
Movie of the Year: Haven’t seen many but really enjoyed Heretic.

TV of the Year: Shrinking. It's mostly heartwarming and nice but the humour has enough edge to it. Plus I love Christa Miller regardless of what she's done to her face.

Book of the Year: some cook book probably. I really don't read enough.

Radio/Podcast of the Year: The Rest is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde. Really fun podcast that talks about the workings of TV, film and other things.

YouTuber of the Year: Preppy Kitchen (baking), Nasty Soul (neo soul guitar teacher), Charles Cornell (piano guy who breaks down interesting music)

Video game of the Year: Brotato or Balatro.

Movie of the Year: VHS Beyond or Abigail. Both of these got 4.5/5 from me on Letterboxd. So, neither is perfect but they were both a lot of fun.

Music of the Year: Every Inch of Earth Pulsates by WH Lung. It's just a great album with no bad tracks on it. Very indie for me but I like them a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=724dSJxSKV0


EDIT: put in some formatting and the music answer.

Ooh, I didn't do book or song. Stand by.

Song! This awesome remix of Hey Ya: https://open.spotify.com/track/15wO9y2W ... 9bSdNt-uZg

Book will take some thought.

Did I read Verity this year? If I did, it's that.

If not, erm... I enjoyed the new Reacher, obv. And it goes without saying that Propulsion by me is a fantastic read.

Oh shit yeah, I forgot about Penguin!

TV of the Year: Rivals - absolutely joyful
Board Game of the Year: Colt Express European Championship Edition - there is a new champion
Radio/Podcast of the Year: No Filla all killa - about serial.killers
YouTuber of the Year: Play on Tabletop for the 40k in 40 minutes
Video game of the Year: Pacific Drive
Movie of the Year: Sonic 3 if this year, otherwise Princess Switch

other boxed off a nigh on perfect London Marathon (and smashed a beer into me at about mile 22) so needn't do that distance again,saw some great music, hung with the best crew despite Colt Express championship, got a new job, and looking forward to the 11+ horror show restarting.

TV of the Year: Curb Your Enthusiasm/Slow Horses.
Board Game of the Year: Cheating really, because I only played at the Cottage, but I enjoyed Heat.
Radio/Podcast of the Year: Radio 6/Beef and Dairy Network.
Comedian of the year: Hannah Gadsby. Just doing stand-up this ti... oh you're a genius.
Theatre Dahling of the Year: Collaborator, Daniel Kitson. Comic but also theatrical so I can squeeze him in here. He's also a genius.
Movie of the Year: We Live in Time (saw it early).
Book of the year: Orbital, short and dreamy.

TV of the Year: slow horses. Just fantastic.
Board Game of the Year: ticket to ride at cottage as I won.
Radio/Podcast of the Year Scott Siglar. slay. - an episodic broadcast. Kinda like Witcher set in a modern world. Where magic exists but no magic folk are unaware
Video game of the Year: Star Wars Outlaw - loved it. Playing a ‘Han solo’.
Movie of the Year: Deadpool and Wolverine. Silly and great fun
Book of the Year: the crypt by Scott Siglar. About a shop that is hostile to be assigned to and will try to kill folks. Has a an 80% mortality rate.

I read Verity this year, from a recommendation from you, but you put it in the book thread about 2 years ago I think!

Oh, piss. Aha! Welcome to Neverbury - a mosaic novel in an English Night Vale-like. I liked that a lot.

TV of the Year: Slow Horses
Board Game of the Year: Don't play them
Radio/Podcast of the Year: Collecting Cars/Chris Harris and friends
YouTuber of the Year: Don't really watch that much YouTube
Video game of the Year: AstroBot or Animal Well
Movie of the Year: Deauxne
Book of the yeardidn't read that many last year, so The Secret Hours by Mick Herron
Song of the yearGreatest Dancer, Nadine Shah