Lately I have been shocked and troubled by some of the recent mass casualty events in our country. The Waukesha parade crash, the Astroworld concert disaster, and the Michigan school shooting are all tragedies that are top of mind for me.

These events are so tough to digest in part because of their savagery. Pummeled by a vehicle? Crushed by fellow concertgoers? Shot to death? What awful ways for a life to end. It is hard to imagine.

The innocence and youth of the victims also weigh heavy. Many of these people had the best years of their lives yet to come only to have them robbed in such a sickening manner. Or, at the other extreme, some of these people, like the Dancing Grannies, led good, long lives that had no business being ended in such a violent manner.

Finally, the randomness is flat out disturbing. Watching a parade, going to a concert, or simply attending school should not be criteria to die. Although I can’t say for certain, I am sure that the individuals who lost their lives never thought it would be possible that they wouldn’t return home.

There is no kind way to put it. These events leave us appalled. Or perhaps I should just speak for myself. They leave me feeling appalled…and guilty. Why must these people suffer such cruel, random fates?

Well, one answer is that the perpetrators of these atrocities have free will. Also, there has never been a blanket guarantee that random freak catastrophes, like Astroworld or natural disaster, won’t occur. Bottom line, bad things happen. Sometimes we might feel hopeless but we can always pray; pray for God’s will to be done. We can also pray for the souls who have lost their lives and the families they have left behind. Finally, we can be thankful that we have not been tested in the strenuous ways that the victims in these recent examples have.

Never let anyone tell you that prayer is meaningless. Pray for the victims of these tragedies.

As December begins, let’s remember those who have recently passed away and won’t be spending the holidays with their families. At the same time, let’s be appreciative of the precious gift of life that those of us reading this still have. Don’t link.

December is now here and that means it is time to roll out a Don’t Blink tradition. Tonight I put on my super official music critic hat and rate my top 5 songs from the past 12 months. Well, since it is just December 1, more like 11 months. Truth be told, I have already heard enough when it comes to music in 2021 and I wish that was a compliment.

This is my eighth year presenting Brent’s Top 5 Songs of the Year. Some years the song selection is good. Some years, like in 2020, the selection was average. Sadly for our ears, some years are bad. When it comes to my amateurish musical critiques, I think 2021 has been a down year.

Of course, I will take my share of blame for this conclusion. I continue to dive deeper into SiriusXM and I would be lying if I said my dial is always turned to Hits (the top 40 station). But where I lack listening to contemporary music on the radio, I think I fill my trending music gap by overhearing the TiKTok videos that Sid watches.

So without further ado, here is my 2021 countdown…

I present to you my top 5 songs of 2021.

5. Adele – “Easy On Me”

As what will be a theme throughout this countdown, I can’t relate to the lyrics but I still like the song. After a five-year hiatus, Adele is still Adele. The way she nails notes in “Easy On Me” takes me on a ride, especially when she elongates the words “easy” and “feel.” The sadness is richly present in the song and even though I don’t like to feel sad when listening to music I respect how this track can grab at you.

I remember hearing this song for the first time driving back to Spokane from Pullman one night and just taking pause. I think “powerful” is a good word to describe “Easy On Me.” Adele might have landed on my bad list in 2012, but I must give her credit in 2021.

4. Elle King and Miranda Lambert – “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”

Okay, first off…what a combination! It was anybody’s guess what type of sound would be produced when Elle King and Miranda Lambert collaborated. I think it is obvious that in the initial verses that it is in the style of King even though Lambert is doing most of the singing. But once the chorus starts (at which point the song really starts to get good), there doesn’t seem to be a King or Lambert influence. Rather, it is just a high energy good time.

If I was still in college, I think this would be a perfect pregame song before hitting the bars. It is fun, upbeat, and a hodgepodge of different styles. This definitely isn’t an easy listening or contemplative song…it is meant for tailgates and bonfires…and this countdown deserves one of those.

3. Olivia Rodrigo – “Good 4 U”

I always say to be weary of songs that use numbers and single letters as words in the title but I must make an exception for “Good 4 U.” It was the year of Olivia Rodrigo as she delivered hit after hit. A lot of her music was slower, belt-it-out type ballads but those tracks never interested me much. Besides, we have Adele to deliver those songs, right?

But when she changed up the tempo with “Good 4 U” I couldn’t help but listen. Yes, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I like this song but I fell for its catchiness. It is fun and a ride. The quick pace and energetic chorus was enough to keep me engaged through the whole track. I also liked how it kept me waiting. Who didn’t hold out for the “Ah-ah-ah-ah” interlude? Or who didn’t join Olivia to sing the “like a damn sociopath” line? “Good 4 U” was fresh and it was also the perfect song for the summer. I have lots of memories of our family driving the sun-soaked streets of Spokane during June and July with this song blaring in the background. Well done, Olivia.

2. The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber – “Stay”

The fact that my wife loves this song might have something to do with its favorable spot on the countdown but not its overall presence. You see, I really like “Stay” too and it would have made this list regardless of Sid’s fondness for it.

I like music with a unique hook and Kid Laroi and Bieber accomplish that with this track. “Stay” has edge and it has sophistication (because I am so sophisticated when it comes to music haha). The way the artists seem to “punch out” lyrics when they get to the end of verses is pleasing to my ear. Although the end of these verses include a four-letter word I don’t necessarily enjoy, I can let it pass for this song…I just got to make sure not to let Sloan listen to it.

In the same way that “Good 4 U” saves good stuff for the end, “Stay” does too. Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber singing together to close the track is the way it should be. Now I am no Belieber but that kid (I guess I shouldn’t call him a kid anymore) is talented.

1. Jonas Brothers and Marshmello – “Leave Before You Love Me”

How did the chill, easy listening song of the countdown reach #1? Well, a few reasons. I like “Leave Before You Love Me” because it has a really nice flow that allows you to either think deeply about something or to just kind of close your eyes and relax. The vocals are soothing and the beat mellow. In my opinion, it is just a very well put together song.

“Leave Before You Love Me” also earns extra points because of its viral component. It has enjoyed a prolific run on TikTok and was even utilized by yours truly. The song will always remind me of Sloan because I used the track in this TikTok video that showcased my daughter getting ready for her first day of school. What more can I say? I would that is enough to make “Leave Before You Love Me” the top song on my list.

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Thank you for jamming out with me tonight. Also, thanks to the artists above for providing me with a soundtrack of memories. Do you have an undisputed favorite song of 2021? Don’t Blink.

Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2020
Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2019
Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2018
Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2017
Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2016
Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2015
Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2012

The last three years I have established a December tradition. To help my readers with their holiday shopping, I present “Brent’s Gift of the Year,” a practical and inexpensive option ($10-$15) that they may consider for their loved ones. In 2018 I suggested an LED cinema lightbox marquee, in 2019 I championed a blanket, and last year I pushed a framed photo. So, what about 2021?

Drum roll please…

Whether you are looking for an item for a Chinese gift exchange, stocking stuffer, or just a thoughtful present, I am advocating that you give the U.S. Postal Service some business and purchase a book of stamps. And yes, I am dead serious.

In 2021, I am suggesting a book of stamps as my gift of the year.

I stand by my conviction that there is no better deal in the world than paying $.55 for a stamp that will give you the power to slap it on an envelope and send it anywhere in the United States. To have a service that will take your letter and shuffle it thousands of miles to the mailbox of someone living in an obscure town on an obscure street in a couple days for well under $1 is insane.

It is also very underutilized. The amount of first class mail shipped per year continues to dwindle. Sure, electronic communication has a lot to do with that but neglecting to take advantage of something that is so therapeutic for the sender and so joyful for the receiver is a shame.

So this year, buy someone a book of stamps. Folks, this doesn’t have to be boring. Did you know the U.S. Postal Service offers all different varieties of stamps? Go online and order something flashy, pretty, or bold. There is no doubt that you will find something that will fit the personality of the recipient. Trust me, many more options exist than the American flag.

Perhaps pair your book of stamps with nice stationary or glossy envelopes. Or include a contact booklet of the recipient’s family and friends with their mailing addresses. Just make it as easy as possible for the person to actually use the stamps.

I alluded to this a couple paragraphs ago, but an additional reason for why I am promoting a book of stamps as my gift of the year is because the benefit extends far beyond the person who is gifted it. Everyone who receives a letter from that book will most likely have their day made. A book is comprised of 20 stamps so that means possibly 20 different people will be touched by the thoughtfulness of one person. Talk about the value of something extending far beyond its $11.60 price.

I admit it, if you choose to take me up on my gift idea your recipient might not be overly excited at first. But give the person the opportunity to discover the power of snail mail. Chances are, they will use one of the stamps in the book to send you a thank you card for the thoughtful gift and for turning them on to a new hobby. Don’t Blink.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Last year I wrote a subdued Thanksgiving post acknowledging that many people might not be in the “thankful” mood in 2020. Last year’s holiday fell at the nine-month mark of the pandemic at an especially troublesome time. COVID cases were up, layoffs/furloughs kept coming, and another round of shutdowns had started.

Things are different this year. However, they certainly aren’t normal. Vaccines are available and we have learned to better live with the virus. At the same time, people continue to get sick from the coronavirus while pandemic ramifications still negatively impact everyday life.

For the second year in a row, Thanksgiving will be tough for more people than usual.

I say this to remind my readers that there will still be a higher percentage of people not giddy about Turkey Day compared to pre-pandemic years. Let’s be mindful of this tomorrow.

But don’t let that disclaimer dampen the gratitude you feel within your heart. Especially if you overcame pandemic hardships, you have every reason to be thankful and I hope Thanksgiving 2021 is a joyous one for you.

My family will spend the holiday at my parents’ house. We will be joined by my sister and her family along with my brother and his wife. Our unit has so much to be thankful for and the vibe will be celebratory. However, among the laughs and optimism at our Thanksgiving gathering, I am going to do my best to remember those who aren’t as lucky this year. May your holiday be meaningful. Don’t Blink.