Our Favorite Things from 2022

Personal
Written By Joel

Each year Jenn and I sit at our respective laptops and spend an agonizing amount of time wrestling with what our favorite things are from the past year. 2022 was no different and we’re back with our list of favorite things from the year, and what a year it was!

Favorite TV Show

Jenn - Severance

We continue to be in the golden age of television. The quality and production of TV, in my opinion, continue to be far superior to film; and this year was no exception. I could do a full write-up on my top 5-10 favorite TV shows of 2022 without hesitation. I could speak to the brilliance of the writing, the depth of the acting, and the nuances of the narrative. I could admit that all of them brought me to tears and showed me cautionary tales of the price of love, life, and freedom.

But I’ve been assigned to spotlight one, and that one must be Severance. It honors the deep dark truth of the divide between your work and personal life and the erosion of each on your psych, health, and concept of reality. It toys with the idea of truly severing each into their own experience, and how, in the end, we are strong beings who need relationships, meaning, and our full selves in every context to truly thrive. As the world comes out of the pandemic, the balance between work and family continues to converge, and the messages from this story couldn’t be more timely: we are not robots, but complex individuals with complex emotions, thoughts, and memories that can’t be tethered. What a beautiful reminder - and one of the many reasons I chose this as my favorite show this year.

Joel - Station Eleven

This might have been the toughest TV decision I’ve made in many years. Its hard to pick a show that I watched in January of 2022, but the show Station Eleven stuck with me for the entire year and when I think back on the show that I enjoyed the most and think back on its Station Eleven. I loved the book but the show brought to life in a clearer and more concise way that I fell in love with. Its a show about love, perseverance, the importance of art and stories, and how easily it can all slip away.

Honorable mention goes to Severance & House of the Dragon which I had contemplated putting as the top show.

Favorite Political Satire

Jenn - The Problem with Jon Stewart

It’s difficult for me to decipher if I’m struggling with picking this one because I’m so tired of hearing about politics (is it really still funny that our world is burning alive?) or do I just feel at peace with Biden as President and don’t need to watch this to find relief in the abyss of political incompetence?

If you have read these before, it will come as no surprise that I adore Stephen Colbert. But, as of late, I have found his shows becoming a bit low-brow / appealing to the masses. Oliver, I find it too in-depth and over the top. I think I will pick Stewart’s “The Problem With” this year, although I admit it has some flaws and seems to still be finding its way. But, of anyone, Stewart continues to remain the most passionate and invested in this space, speaking truth, spotlighting dysfunction, and offering hope when all else seems hopeless. He started my love for politics, and he continues to fuel that ember.

Joel - Last Week Tonight

I almost put The Problem with Jon Stewart which got SO much better in its second season. But the show I look forward to every week there’s a new episode that continues to be Last Week Tonight. It’s not just because John Oliver lives around the corner from us and we’ve seen him walking home while we walk Frasier but I just love the format of his show. I learn so much from his show on topics that I normally wouldn’t double-click into and often times gives me a lot to think back on.

Special shoutout to Trevor Noah who wrapped up his 8th and final year as the host of The Daily Show. I loved him as the host. He was filling impossible shoes following Jon Stewart but his grace, perspective, and style were amazing. Also, he is hands down the best interviewer of any late-night host.

Favorite Movie

Jenn - Spirited

As I mentioned earlier, I haven’t been overly impressed with the quality of movies as of late. I could rattle off many that we saw this year that I thought were average. Probably why I wasn’t surprised to see many repeats “oldie but goodies” on our watch diary.

If I was to pick one I would say Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Farrell. I’m surprised to say this, but I have come to thoroughly enjoy musicals, and that movie did such a fantastic job of bringing broadway to the big screen in such a fun, new version of The Christmas Carol.

From an animation perspective, I have to tip my hat to Turning Red. Another stellar movie by Pixar and Disney. Beyond the animation, what I valued most from these powerhouses (and this story) is that they decided to “go there” with diverse characters and the exploration of “uncomfortable” topics like the female perspective of puberty.

And one more honorable mention: Neal Brennan: Blocks. What a powerful and comedic story of anxiety, depression, and ultimately: life. It was reminiscent of one of Bo Burnham’s original performances. Raw, painful and beautiful.

Joel - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

This is a really tough category in 2022 because I don’t think there’s one movie that I think is truly “best.” I might be giving it to Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery because of recency bias but I had an absolute blast with this movie. It was a clever well made murder mystery that had me laughing and second guessing what was really happening the entire time. It was the perfect movie to watch while we were off and I loved it.

My backups would have been RRR an incredible over the top action movie and although not a new movie it was new to me, Good Will Hunting.

Favorite Live Performance

Jenn - Into the Woods

This one is easy: Into the Woods. I connected with this performance on so many levels. I felt like it spoke directly to me - to my purest thoughts, my fears, and my dreams - all wrapped in the guise of a children’s fairy tale. I’m not sure if this is how Sondheim meant for us to interpret it, but I saw characters struggle with the pursuit of love, family, and their dreams while constantly battling the rise and fall of life - and all the heroes and demons that come with it. Here are just a few quotes from the show that resonated with me and perfectly personify what I mean:

“It’s time to go, It may be all In vain, you (I) know. Into the woods—But even so, I have to take the journey. Into the woods, The path is straight, You (I) know it well, But who can tell—? Into the woods to lift the spell—Into the woods to visit Mother—Into the woods to fetch the things—To make the potion—To go to the Festival—Into the woods…Without regret, The choice is made, The task is set. Into the woods, But not forgetting why I’m (you’re) on the journey. Into the woods…To get my (our) wish, I don’t care how, The time is now.

Into the woods..It’s not so late, It’s just another journey…Into the woods, But not too long: The skies are strange, The winds are strong. Into the woods to see what’s wrong… into the woods to slay the giant! Into the woods to shield the child…To flee the winds… To find a future…”
“No more giants… Waging war. Can’t we just pursue our lives With out children and our wives? ‘Till that happy day arrive, How do you ignore…All the witches, All the curses, All the wolves, all the lies, The false hopes, the goodbyes, The reverses…All the wondering what even worse is Still in store?”

Joel - Company

Without even reading Jenn’s pick I know for a fact she is going to pick the other Sondheim show we saw this year, Into the Woods. But for me, Company was far and away the best live performance I saw this year. The music which revolves around growing up and finding love moved me in ways that few musicals have ever been able to. If Spotify tracked the most listened-to show tunes in 2022, Company (specifically Being Alive) would have taken the crown (removing it from Hamilton.)

Favorite Song or Artist

Jenn - There Will Be Time by Mumford and Sons

I’m sensing a theme from these favorites: deep, personal artifacts that really resonated with me this year. I can’t recall when or how I heard the Mumford and Sons: There Will Be Time song, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Beyond it being such a beautiful song, it truly is my love story to Joel.

““And in the cold light, I live to love and adore you. It’s all that I am. It’s all that I have.

In the cold light, I live to love and adore you. It’s all that I am. It’s all that I have.””
— Mumford and Sons

Joel - Being Alive (Company Broadway)

If you read the previous section you will probably guess already that my favorite song is not a new one, it was first performed in 1970 and has had a few variations including Adam Driver singing it in Marriage Story. It’s a song that I just adore and will be one that I have a strong suspicion will stand the test of time as it already has over the last 50 years.

Favorite Book

Jenn - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Recommended highly by Joel, I decided to give in and read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid during our vacation in Croatia. I’m so happy I did; it turned out to be my favorite read of the year. It was an entertaining book with some decent plot twists, humor, and heartwarming moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing style and the story itself. It was much more feminist than I anticipated and I walked away from the book highly inspired and in awe of successful women who are just like this fictional Evelyn Hugo.

Joel - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

I feel like I might be too consistent this year. My favorite performance and song were both from Company. My favorite TV show and book were both written by Emily St John Mandel. Sea of Tranquility was released this year and is her latest book and I loved it. It was one of the most beautifully written and interesting books of the 36 I read in 2022. I loved the interweaving storylines and the way in which she was able to manipulate time. I’ve recommended this book to more people than any other book this year which is how I know it was easily my favorite of the year.

Close runner-up honors would go to Rules of Civility by Amor Towels and Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris.

Favorite Purchase

Jenn - Botox

I’m very proud to list this purchase. It’s something I knew I needed and prolonged for some time, but couldn’t be more grateful it exists botox. Yes, you read that right: botox. Technically I had my first “dose” in November 2021, and have been a regular customer every quarter ever since. I have been self-conscious of the lines on my forehead for so long, and now, I feel more confident, youthful, and vibrant. I think it knocks at least 5 years off my face, and although it’s painful in the moment, after literally a day, I see results that bring me so much joy. I can see why literally every working woman I have interacted with does it. It’s like an instant Instagram filter applied to your face IRL. And while I don’t see myself extending beyond the application to my forehead and crows feet, (as I’m too vain and want to be as “natural” as possible), I’m proud to have it be a part of my regular upkeep, like doing my hair, nails, eyebrows, etc.

Joel - M2 Macbook Air

On one of my Air France flights this year, one of the airplane attendants pulled out my tray table for me and accidentally scratched up my very old and barely running Macbook Air. It was the last push I needed when Apple announced the M2 Macbook Air earlier in 2022. A week after my birthday my M2 Macbook Air arrived (after taking back the initial model I purchased to get more storage) and it has been bliss ever since. It is the fastest laptop I’ve ever had and the difference between this one and my old one is night and day. Even writing this post today I’m grateful to have this amazing laptop that I am sure five years from now I will laugh at for its inferior specs.

Favorite Memory

Jenn - Life

I pondered this for a while. Ever since Joel asked me a week ago to write this, I have been thinking about what I would include in this year’s post. Is it too cliche to say that this year was a bouquet of wonderful memories and moments that could last a lifetime? And I say that after having a horrific case of COVID - and continuing long COVID side effects that have ruined or shortened multiple trips.

What I find so beautiful about life - our life - my life - is the simple moments. While I was battling long COVID? an infection? whatever the heck I had the past two weeks before we closed out the year, I was able to truly just live with Frasier and Joel and have hundreds of these simple moments. And every day I was reminded how much I truly adore both of them. How happy they make me. How just being around them brings me so much peace and comfort. It’s like they are an extension of my being. Nothing is right in the world until all three of us (“the Szerlip wolf pack”) are together cuddling, playing, or just “existing” near each other. It’s the smile on Frasier’s face when Joel and I play with him and give him kisses. It’s Joel’s adorable laugh when he is watching something, his embrace when I’m scared, or the intangible moments when I sit and look around our life and apartment and question my own reality and existence. It’s me making sexual passes that make Joel hilariously uncomfortable, it’s me singing and dancing around Frasier that makes him smile and wag his tail, and it’s the darkness of night when all I hear is Frasier and Joel snoring in the background. It’s Frasier kicking me in his sleep, it’s Joel walking through the door after work or returning from vacation. It’s toasting one another at a vineyard near Niagara Falls, it’s watching Frasier chase Joel along the beach, it’s experiencing new adventures, places, and food with your best friend. I live for those moments. I cherish those moments. And I will chase every one of these moments until the sun won’t set.

Joel - Drinks at St Regis Bar in NY

I’ve had a couple of moments that I’ve been going back and forth on which would be my “favorite.” But when I sat down to write this post the first thing that stuck with me and the one I keep going back to was in August. Jenn had texted e saying that she really wanted to go out for drinks and that it had been a long week at work. She said she would meet me there after work and so I of course obliged. When I walked into the bar she was in this stunning red dress and was glowing. I knew right away what had happened. After 9 months in her current job, she had been promoted to Senior Director. It was something we knew could potentially happen but nothing is certain until it does and seeing her joy and pride in the news had me tearing up. we subsequently had a couple of drinks and clinked glasses to Jenn’s incredible accomplishment. Jenn has always been a hard worker but never have I seen Jenn more confident and more impressive then she has been in this job and it was great to celebrate this massive accomplishment.

Joel

https://www.worldofjoel.com
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