Note: Not all of these things came out in 2012, but that’s when they came into my life (mostly).
Music
I collect a lot of music. Most of it ends up buried in the pile, to be reheard only if it finds grace with iTunes’ randomizer. Only occasionally do I connect enough with an album to actually listen to it repeatedly as an album. Here are a few from this year:
John Mayer Born and Raised – I didn’t realize I was a John Mayer fan since I have some bias against mainstream music. But then I discovered Walt Grace’s Submarine Test January 1967, which has become the anthem for my middle agedness. Here’s a YouTube clip of me trying to cover this great tune.
Brandi Carlile Bear Creek
Good Old War Come Back As Rain
Book
George Friedman The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century – I bumped into this one at the library. Although I’ve never liked political books, I found out I like geopolitical books.
Laura Hillenbrand Unbroken – Ok, I listened to this audiobook in 2011, but I thought about it more than I did most 2012 reads/listens. I still remember where I was on my daily walk when certain scenes took place. I don’t normally feel much strong emotion when I read but this one had me furious, amazed, anxious, and even overjoyed at times.
Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind – I’m a slow reader. I usually have a pile of books next to my bed, deciding each night which looks interesting. Rarely do I read 100 pages in one sitting. But this book made me break my routine.
YouTube Channel
Tavin Dillard – try Butter. If you don’t find it funny, he’s not for you.
App
Flipboard – connect your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google Reader accounts and flip through a mixture of news and your own social network content.
Audible – Love audiobooks.
Day One – Best journal software I’ve ever tried. I used it every day. On an iPhone you can dictate your entry, add a photo from Camera+ or your iPhone photos. It automatically stores your location and the current weather, if you want.
Kingdom Rush – wonderful tower defense game. I love hearing my 5-year-old yell “For honor and glory!”
Website
Noisetrade – lots of great free music here. Tip the artists you like.
Goodreads – track your books and find new ones to read.
TV Series
The Middle
Podcast
Stuff You Should Know – For when you don’t have time or attention for an audiobook. It’s like an Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader for your ears.
BYU Classic Speeches – There are some real gems in here.
Gadget
Roomba – We got a refurbished one on Woot! and thought we’d kind of like it and it would do an ok job. It’s amazing. Haven’t swept the main floor the old fashioned way in almost a year.
Food
Chocolate Cruesli cereal – because it’s my favorite every year.
Categories coming soon, maybe. . .
Audiobook
Accidental library find
French book
French CD
Comedian
Child
Family vacation
Restaurant
Form of Exercise
Photo
Movie
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