And like that we’ve moved from 2020 to a new year. And although nothing has really changed from year-to-year, it does feel nice to have said goodbye to 2020 even if it was only symbolically. And so the new year is here and with it brought terror, hope, and a lot of work.

RECAP OF THE MONTH

I remember waking up on January 1st and feeling a sense of hope and optimism. We were only a few weeks from a new President, vaccines were starting to roll out, and a new day was on the horizon. I made Jenn and me breakfast (a full diner breakfast from the NYT cooking app) and we enjoyed a beautiful brisk day to start the year. I even got Jenn to play an hour of tennis with me on the 2nd of January something we havne’t done in nearly two years.

We drove down to Los Angeles to grab dinner from a Michelin restaurant called Kali. After our Christmas dinner, we got the bug to try more takeout options so we drove all the way to Hollywood to pick up a four-course dinner. It was ready right when arrived and so after a hundred miles of driving, we had a delicious dinner ahead of us. Although not as good as our Christmas feast, this was still a delicious meal and one we enjoyed with one of our wines from SommSelect.

It was only a few days later that one of the most unbelievable moments in American history occurred. On January 6 right around lunchtime here on the west coast, Trump supporters moved from peaceful protestors to agitated mobsters who somehow made their way into the Capitol building temporarily delaying the confirmation of President Biden’s victory. It was one of the most horrific moments I’ve ever witnessed. To watch these horrible people reach the floor of the house of Speaker Pelosi’s office is a visual I’ll never forget. Luckily 12 hours later Biden was confirmed but the scars of this day will be felt for a long, long time.

It was only two weeks later that at the same spot that the angry mob attacked the Capitol building that Jenn and I watched history unfold. I was in tears as Kamala Harris became the first woman and person of color to be vice president, and Joe Biden took the oath of office to be President. It was a moment and a day that I’ll never forget. I know there will be moments in their Presidency/Vice Presidency that will let me down, or where I think they won’t always hit the mark. But the first two weeks of them in office (and the former President off social media) the sense of calm and trust I have again in this country has increased beyond measure. I remember getting emotional at the normalcy of a Biden press conference. It’s been surreal.

And so the month ended with Jenn and I excited by the future, nervous for big decisions we will need to make but enjoying what we have right in front of us. Almost every weekend in January we did a walk to Balboa Island on Saturdays and the Back Bay on Sunday’s talking about the future and being somewhat hopeful that better days are ahead.

TV WE WATCHED

What an incredible start to TV watching in 2021. Whether it be the witty and often poignant Pretend Its a City mini-series on Netflix, or wrapping up the first season of Bridgerton, we’ve had a lot to enjoy in the first month of 2021. But the two standouts for the month of January started with Wandavision. The first MCU show to hit Disney + and now 5 episodes in and we’re hooked. I have no idea where it’s going to go but I can’t wait to watch it every Friday. The other show is The West Wing (yes the one from 1999) which neither of us has ever watched. We’re just about done with Season 1 and it’s been a pure delight and reminds you of what good leadership and governance could be.

BOOKS I READ (OR LISTENED TO)

Have I ever mentioned how much I love to read. I’ve obviously continued to read more and more each year ut I often don’t reflect on how much I enjoy just the act of listening to a book or sitting down to read. Jenn and I have successfully started to read every night before bed and it’s been one of the biggest +1’s to our pandemic lives. If there was one book I wanted to call out from January it was The Invisible Life of Addie Larue a book that moved me, brought me to tears at one point, and made me think about the finality and brevity of life more than I wanted to at times. It easily made it into one of my favorite books of all time category.

MOVIES WE WATCHED

As is typical for Jenn and I, we get into grooves and new routines. One of them lately is popping popcorn in one of my favorite devices a silicone popcorn maker and we’ll pop some fresh popcorn, clothes all the curtains on a Saturday or Sunday and watch a movie. Jenn typically hates them or falls asleep as was the case with most of them in January. The real stand out for January was the half magic show half live philosophy class In & Of Itself on Hulu which was a recording of several live performances by Derek Delgaduio’s show in New York. It was beautiful and one that truly moved both of us.

THEATER WE SAW

Sadly we continue to be theater-less. Maybe in Fall 2021 we will see a resurgence here.

GAMES I'VE BEEN PLAYING

January has really been my deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Valhalla a game that I can just switch my brain off for a bit after work and just indulge. I probably put 20+ hours in the game in January and expect it to be a reoccurring visitor on this list for the foreseeable future.

2021 GOAL TRACKING

Goal #1: Read 45 Books: I've read 5 books and on track to hit my goal.

Goal #2: Keep Weight Under 140: I've yet to go over 140lbs

Goal #3: 12 Monthly Recaps: 1 for 1.

Goal #4: Create 6 travel books: Almost done with our China trip.

A Look Back - January 2021