A very merry Christmas, 1987 or so
I love Christmas and I love Christmas music, but there’s a line in this holiday classic that always gets my back up.
So this is Christmas
and what have you done?
Sheesh, John Lennon. Can you let me enjoy the seven fishes and many Bacis without me thinking I haven’t done much this year, or that time is rushing by me in a way that I can’t quite articulate, and that I’ve filled my days with meaningless shit?
Another year older
A new one just begun …
This is the time of year we’re inundated with end-of-year lists, reflections, rundowns, takeaways, and promises for the new year. But by the end of the year I’m usually so tired I don’t have time to reflect on everything. It feels like a rush to the end. By the last week of the year I’m too busy finishing Christmas shopping and packing my car with Panettones and boxes of Cadbury chocolates to think about what I did right or wrong this year, and what I’ll fix in the next one. And if I’m being honest I still have ClassPass credits that can’t roll over to my next month, so don’t even ask me about my New Year’s resolutions.
What did I do this year? I worked a lot. I had some fun. I met new people and re-connected with some of the people I’ve known a long time. I swam a lot — in the ocean and ponds and rivers and pools. I watched a lot of movies, saw some live music, took a drawing class. I roasted another mayor in his home. I stayed alive and mostly sane.
I have plenty of hopes and wishes for 2023, but I will not list them for anyone here to both save you all from another list and to not jinx it. I do appreciate everyone reading these newsletters, which have been an exciting outlet for me.
READ
The Adams family grows [THE CITY]
A Santa-for-hire. [CURBED]
LISTEN
I spoke with Alex Brook Lynn about her brother Zack and his struggle with schizophrenia. [FAQ]
Feel free to enjoy this Christmas playlist that I am almost embarrassed includes Shilelagh Law.
Happy Birthday, Kat! My friend Katherine Creag would have been 49 years old on Dec. 26. We met at WNBC many years ago, bonding after work at dance parties and karaoke. I was always impressed by Kat’s professionalism but also her dedication to her family, her friends, and to having fun. It always felt so perfect that Kat’s birthday was so close to Christmas. She was a gift.
Her sudden death struck me as especially cruel after nearly a year of being inundated with so many heartbreaking stories of people dying. That someone so wonderful – so full of light – could be taken so quickly felt like pure darkness to me. But if COVID taught us anything at all it was that life isn’t fair. We keep going anyway.
Every so often I read the tributes on Kat’s obituary page (maybe a morbid confession, but I’m sure I’m not alone.) Reading the reflections from the people who knew her, and from those who just watched her on TV, reminds me of how miraculous it was that our paths crossed and we got to share time together, even if it was way too short. This holiday season, I hope we all remember to cherish the people around us and remember that all of this – the good, the bad, the meh, the mundane – is a gift.
Thank you for reading, and see you all in 2023!
I think I sadly associate Shilelagh Law with my drunkest self, covered in beer inside of The Tent! But it is a great song. Merry Christmas to you and the family!
Love your playlist. Why be embarrassed about Shilelagh Law? Great song.
I don’t think Lennon wanted us to feel guilt, just wanted us to think, as all good artists, musicians and writers do…. as you do Katie. Well done and Happy Christmas, to you and yours. ☮️