kiriel123 asked: What's one of your favorite memories from this year?

 It’s really hard to pick! This year has had a number of really great moments (as well as some very tough ones). But I’m going to go with the Abigail Washburn & Wu Fei concert we were able to attend in February. It was one of the first times I was in a crowd since 2020 and that aspect made me nervous, but masks were required and that made me willing to go.

I’m glad I did, since it was absolutely magical. I love their album and they played basically the whole thing plus some extra songs that aren’t included. Wu Fei did this experimental guzheng piece where she turned it on its short edge and sang into the back. It was wild! It was also just really fun to see their camaraderie--they’re clearly close friends and it enriches the musical exchange, I think. 

TV shows

With R: 
BBC Ghosts s1: This is a generally funny, sweet comedy about a young couple who inherit a huge, rundown estate and the ghosts who haunt it. We tried a bit of the US remake and didn't care for it, but enjoyed the British version. 

Travel Man (various): The premise is Richard Ayoade traveling (mostly around Europe) with various comedians. It's a slightly irreverent and mostly enjoyable take on the travel genre. 

Severance s1: I find myself somewhat reluctantly engaged by this show? We've only seen the first fourish episodes and I'm curious to see where some of the plotlines go. 

Obi-Wan s1: Speaking of reluctantly engaged, I have been annoyed that this show even existed since it was first announced--and I take it back. With one major spoilery reservation, it was everything I want from Star Wars and the finale was such a great wrap up of the series arc. And I'm still having emotions over the found family arc with Uncle Owen & Aunt Beru. 

Derry Girls s1 & 2: Rewatching because we love it so much and the 3rd season will hopefully be available to US audiences soon. We watched the last episodes of s2 last night. 

On my own: 
CQL/The Untamed: Yes, I am rewatching it again and enjoying myself hugely. 

Joy in Life: I'm try to also watch something new! I'm only 2 episodes into this one, but the premise is interesting so far. 

movies

Turning Red: We both really, really loved this one! I was surprised by how much R enjoyed it, to be honest, but he thought it was great. I will admit that I cried a little bit too. 

Rogue One: After we finished Obi-Wan, we were both in a Star Wars mood, so we rewatched our favorite of the new movies. Also, I looked up Jiang Wen (the actor who plays Baze) and he has a fascinating biography. 

music 

I've mostly been in a relistening mood lately. My usual summer mix: First Aid Kit, House & Land, Valerie June, Mountain Man.