Ready to make another playlist? It is that time of the year when I provide my “expert” musical commentary and select my top songs from the past 12 months. Truth be told, there probably isn’t anything more comical than yours truly trying to pose as a musical authority but I can’t help myself. You see, this will be my 9th time doing this and how can I stop now with my milestone decade list just a year away?

I imagine it is more of my aging cynical self than the actual degradation of music, but for the second consecutive year I would categorize the state of mainstream top 40 hits as rather poor. That couldn’t stop me from compiling a handful of songs that I believe represent the best of the best in 2022. So sit back, fire up the following songs on YouTube, and dig deep into the chambers of my very non-musical mind.

I present my personal favorite songs of 2021.

5. Sia – “Unstoppable”

To be honest, I wasn’t too thrilled with this song when it came out. Although a fan of some of Sia’s other songs, this didn’t click with me right away. That all changed when I needed a song to go with Sloan’s first day of kindergarten TikTok. As I watched her march into that initial day of school with confidence and sassiness, I needed a song to match her fearless attitude. There wasn’t a better choice than “Unstoppable.”

From that moment, the song grew on me. We have declared “Unstoppable” as Sloan’s theme song of the year and if she is in the car with me we never pass it over when it comes on Sirius. If Sloan needs just a little bit of energy to power through the day, we remind her that she is so powerful and doesn’t need batteries to play. This track with the usual powerful vocals from Sia is #5 on this year’s list.

4. Taylor Swift – “Anti Hero”

I have had a complicated history with Taylor Swift, one that I chronicled a half decade ago. In that post, I mentioned that she hit her peak with me in 2014. During that year she came out with numerous hits, including my all-time favorite Swift ballad, “Blank Space.” Fast forward to 2022 and her intriguing song “Anti Hero” reminds me of that same track that takes me all the way back to Thanksgiving 2014. So, I guess it goes without saying that Taylor is back on my top songs of the year list after last making it with “Ready For It” in 2017.

I think “Anti Hero” touches on the genius of Swift because it packs her storytelling skills, haunting vocals, and one-of-kind personality into a single track. It is the same formula that has helped her pump out hit after hit over the years. No lyric is wasted with “Anti Hero”—it seems like everything is emphasized for optimal effect. I am a fan.

3. Mae Muller, Neiked, and Polo G – “Better Days”

This song is my dish washing track of 2022. I would be cleaning the kitchen after dinner and I would ask Alexa to play it for me. I was drawn to the easygoing and smooth melody mixed with lyrics that describe the daily grind of life and the optimism for “better days.”

I like the contrast of the female vocal chorus of Muller with the rap verses of Polo G. It is a true collaboration with nothing seeming out of place…it just gels.

2. Halsey – “So Good”

“So Good” by Halsey was one of those songs that I liked from the very first time I heard it. Additionally, it holds the distinction of a song that I can listen to multiple times in a row. It is a track where I really don’t take any stock in what it is actually about but am just captivated by the three minutes of escape and listening delight that it brings.

I appreciate how “So Good” can be underestimated at first. It starts rather unremarkably with a non-distinctive intro that doesn’t seem to fit the rest of the song. But once she begins with I’m here, standing in the same dress the ride really begins. From that point it is a pleasant and energizing musical trip. When it builds up to the chorus and her crystal clear belting of the words When you left, I bet you held her body closer you can’t help but tap your hands rhythmically on the steering wheel. This is my all-time favorite Halsey song.

1. Harry Styles – “As It Was”

How do you go from not caring for an artist to suddenly declaring one of his songs your favorite of the year? Well, I think it just comes down to uniqueness. Earning top billing in my top 5 songs of 2022 is “As It Was” by Harry Styles. When it comes down to it, until this year, I had never heard a song quite like it. And in this case, that’s a good thing.

“As It Was” is a good vibes song with a laid back and quirky melody. It dominated the airwaves in spring and summer—providing the perfect track for laying by the pool. This song is simply fresh, unique, and easy on the ears. Whereas I would get annoyed by Styles’ previous work, “Watermelon Sugar” being a great example, this song hits the spot. So Harry, please answer the phone, because it is me telling you that you are plenty good alone at #1 on my 2022 list of top songs.

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So there you have it, my five favorite songs of the year…and I didn’t even need Spotify to tell me what they were. If you have a favorite song of the year that matches any of the five on my list, please let me know! Let’s hope for better music in 2023. Don’t Blink.

Brent’s Top 5 Best Songs of 2021
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

Earlier this week I revealed “Brent’s Gift of the Year.” A qualifier for that distinction is that the gift be under $15. If only what I am about to write about wasn’t a tad north of that threshold, it would have been featured on Monday.

Last Christmas season, Sidney brought me home a surprise. It was an “ugly” Christmas sweater that paired nicely with the one she got herself. Now, at the time I didn’t necessarily think I needed an ugly Christmas sweater but it sure grew on me fast.

Sidney and I in our ugly Christmas sweaters.

The sweater Sidney purchased for me is “Home Alone”-themed. It is red with a white snowflake pattern around and beneath the collar. When the snowflake pattern ends a quarter of the way down the garment, the fabric turns green for the remainder of the sweater. Inside the green space is the phrase “Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal” followed by the “Home Alone” logo.

A full look at my ugly Christmas sweater.

The first thing that I really noticed about it? For a $20 Walmart sweater it sure was comfortable. I sported it for the first time at a party with our Young Adult Catholic group. I would then don it a few more times during the 2021 Christmas season, including at the airport when we flew cross country to South Carolina. That day I had numerous random people comment about how cool they thought it was.

Hanging with Beau on the airplane while wearing my ugly sweater.

Yesterday I busted out the sweater for the first time this Christmas season. At work we had a holiday party luncheon and it included an ugly sweater contest. Although I was barely edged out for the top prize by someone who wore a sweater that had its stitched on Christmas lights actually light up, it was still a hit. I then wore it to my Knights of Columbus meeting later that night and my brother Knights sure got a kick out of it.

I got to wear my ugly sweater to work yesterday!

I have additional opportunities to wear the sweater at other Christmas activities this month. All I can say is that it has been well worth the investment. In fact, the value I have already received from it rivals that of my Santa suit.

My sweater is comfortable, spirited, and very well-received. Needless to say, it is a lot of fun to wear. If you are on the fence about buying an ugly Christmas sweater, I say go for it! Don’t Blink.

December is here and that means the biggest month of the year for Don’t Blink. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will publish a slew of annual blog posts that always drop at the end of the year. First up is my youngest, but perhaps most creative, tradition. It is time for “Brent’s Gift of the Year.”

Every year for the past half-decade I have made a practical and inexpensive gift suggestion. In the spirit of my recommendation, I try to pick an item in the $10-$15 range that can be gifted in a versatile way—whether that be a Chinese gift exchange, stocking stuffer, or a thoughtful gift.

In 2018 I suggested an LED cinema lightbox marquee, in 2019 I championed a blanket, in 2020 I pushed a framed photo, and last year I recommended a book of stamps. Need a hint for this year?…

One word: Cheers

My gift suggestion for 2022 is a six-pack. No, I am not talking about chiseled abs, I mean six bottles or six cans of liquid delight. Anything that lands in Jeff Foxworthy’s 12 Days of Christmas must be worthy for my annual recommendation, right?

A six-pack is my recommended gift for 2022. If you want to upgrade my suggestion, you can even order a customized six-pack like my brother did for me.

But in all seriousness, I am not trying to be silly with this year’s pick. With the explosion of the craft beer industry, there are so many tasty, fun, and unique brews to choose from. With the plethora of flavors, styles, and packaging you can easily find a six-pack that will stand out.

From a Chinese gift exchange perspective, unless the final recipient is under 21 or doesn’t drink, how can you go wrong? Whether you play the version where items remain wrapped until the very end or whether the glorious sight of a good time is visible from the beginning, most people will be relieved and happy if they are holding a six-pack at the end of the night.

If you are searching for the perfect present for a family member or friend, I don’t think you can get more personalized than a six-pack. As I mentioned, there are just so many different beers available, allowing you to choose something that specifically plays to a person’s taste and personality.

Let’s not discount what a six-pack of premium beer provides to the recipient: refreshment, adventure, and plenty of good vibes. Most Christmas gifts well over the $15 mark don’t begin to even satisfy one of those qualifiers.

But I am not obtuse when it comes to the contents of the six-pack. Although beer might be preferred by many, there is nothing wrong with gifting a six-pack of soda. I will never forget one Christmas as a kid when my aunt and uncle gave my siblings and I each a six-pack of Coca-Cola in glass bottles. We thought it was the greatest thing ever. Cracker Barrel offers an extensive line of gourmet, quirky sodas in its gift shop that would be perfect for Christmas gifts.

Whether you opt for a six-pack of beer or a six-pack of root beer, there is something of true beauty with this type of gift: Recipients can indulge the moment they take it out of the gift bag or bring it back home with them fully intact. Opt for instant gratification or toss it in the refrigerator for a rainy day.

I hope your holiday shopping goes smoothly. My wish is that if you find yourself in a bind (or if you are shopping for yours truly), you will remember my gift recommendation for 2022 and head for the nearest Total Wine. Don’t Blink.

Happy December! I hope everyone has a magical month. Not much small talk tonight, let’s get right to the five topics…

Snow Fun – As I mentioned in last night’s post, Spokane received a lot of snow on Wednesday. At the end of the day, Sloan and Beau were going a little stir crazy since school and daycare were canceled due to the weather. So when I finished work, I took them outside for some fun in the snow. It was the best powder a kid could ask for as it was perfect packing snow and ripe for any snow activity. We threw snowballs, built a snowman, and constructed a snow slide.

Sloan and Beau had a great time in the snow last night.

National Pie Day – Today is a day for all dessert lovers—including yours truly. It is National Pie Day, not to be confused with National Pi Day on March 14. I am a big pie fan and enjoy all varieties from pumpkin to chocolate silk to lemon meringue. But my undisputed favorite is ice cream pie. Does it neglect the true spirit of what a pie actually is? Perhaps. However, this is my blog and I am including it as a legitimate pie and also sharing the blog post I wrote about ice cream pie back in 2016.

First Snowman of the Season – When I recapped our snow evening, I mentioned we made a snowman. However, I wanted to give our first “Frosty” of the season a little respect and not confine him to just a passing mention in a broad topic. So congrats, Stix, this section is all about you. This fella was made with Tootsie roll pops, an orange popsicle, M&Ms, and Beau’s Halloween hat from 2021. I had a couple of great helpers!

No, this picture isn’t crooked. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for Stix to shift to his right side.

A Classic – Today marks the eight-year anniversary of one of my all-time favorite blog posts. I wrote about a childhood tradition that my dad faithfully did for the three of us kids growing up. Whenever we reached a milestone or achievement, he would use his superb artistic skills to illustrate the moment. My mom kept the drawings throughout the years. If you have the time, it is an interesting and fun blog post to read.

My dad had a neat tradition where he would create drawings for us on special occasions. Here is some of his work from my high school years.

My Picks – Okay, I will play along. You are supposed to choose your top 3. In numerical order, my choices are 1, 4, and 7. If you want to see where they land in terms of my overall preference, you can reference this blog post of my top 5 Christmas movies. I also chuckles that “Die Hard” is on this graphic. I watched the film for the first time last year and gave a loud opinion on whether I think it is a Christmas movie or not.

You are supposed to choose your top 3.

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I hope your first weekend of December is enjoyable. I can’t wait for mine, we have a lot planned! Stay warm and stay happy, my friends. Don’t Blink.

When you are blessed to live in an area with four seasons, you typically receive snow. Most people enjoy a little bit of snow—it is pretty, fun to play in, and it makes cozying up to the fire even more gratifying. But constant, heavy snow can wear out its welcome and pose inconveniences, especially when it comes to driving.

Driving in the snow is a skill that must be mastered if you have a driver’s license and live in an area that receives winter weather. I remember my driver’s ed teacher advising all of us to have our parents take us to a large parking lot when it snowed. Once there, he suggested that we get behind the wheel and experiment with driving in the snow, including purposely sliding to become acquainted with that feeling.

Personally, I received my winter driving chops by living on a street that had a massively large hill. When it snowed, that hill could be a major challenge to navigate, both going down and up. Because it was pretty much necessary to travel on if you wanted to get anywhere, I got a lot of practice. The most intense winter driving experience I received was driving back and forth between Spokane and Missoula when I lived in Montana. Some of the scariest moments in my life came on Lookout Pass at night during December. Talk about white knuckle driving.

At this point in my life, although it probably isn’t my favorite thing to do, I am pretty confident behind the wheel when it snows. However, I was a little worried about how Sidney would adjust. As someone who had only seen significant snowfall when she traveled out west with me, she had no winter driving experience. But now that we are embarking on our third winter living in Spokane, I can say that Sidney is a pro driving in the snow.

The first time Sidney saw significant snow was when we visited Spokane for the holidays back in 2014.

To be honest, the learning curve wasn’t that steep for her. From that very first winter we lived here, she picked it up with ease. That says a lot considering all the slide offs you see on any given snowy morning from cars driven by lifelong Spokane residents.

So it might come as no surprise that as the snow fell at a rapid pace this morning, Sid and I were both on the roads in the wintry mess. Thankfully, we didn’t have to do much additional driving besides going back and forth to the gym. Because of the significant snowfall and gusty winds, both school and daycare were closed, granting Sloan and Beau a snow day.

Would Sid and I prefer to drive on clear roads? Absolutely! But one of the tradeoffs of living in a four-season climate is occasionally driving in the snow. I am glad we are equipped to do so. Don’t Blink.

With Thanksgiving in the books and December knocking on the door, Sloan and Beau are already excited for Christmas. As their enthusiasm starts to build, Sidney and I face the same balancing act—letting our children enjoy the commercialism of our modern day secular Yuletide culture while making sure that the true reason of Christmas is emphasized, honored, and celebrated.

The message in this magnet is key.

One common struggle is the obsession with gifts. Just in the same way that I intently focused on the presents I wanted as a 5-year-old, Sloan also eagerly anticipates what Santa and others might bring her. Totally normal behavior but it is something that does need to be reined in.

A couple weeks ago, someone encapsulated to me how to “rein in” gift obsession in a very profound way. As I was getting my blood tested, I chatted with the woman who was performing the exam. We discussed the upcoming holiday season and the pressure to buy buy buy. She shared with me the philosophy she used for purchasing gifts for her children.

“Jesus Christ received only three gifts on Christmas,” the woman began, “so why should anyone else receive more than that?”

Wow. What a great perspective. It just doesn’t seem right that someone should receive more presents than the birthday boy himself.

I shared with Sloan this wisdom over the weekend as she started to make a Christmas list. To her credit, she did take it to heart. When she presented her list to me, it only contained three items. The only issue was that next to each item was the number 14.

“Why did you put a ‘14’ next to the items on your list” I asked my daughter.

“Because I want 14 Barbies, 14 LOL dolls, and 14 OMG dolls,” she replied.

Perhaps she missed the mark just a bit.

I am realistic and know that at the end of every Christmas season I will probably feel that I fell short when it comes to our Santa vs. Jesus conundrum. By all means, Sloan isn’t the biggest culprit in the tilting of the scale toward the guy in the red suit. My love of all things Christmas—including St. Nick, a certain Chevy Chase movie, light displays, etc.—prove that I still have the same fixation on American commercialism that young children do.

But with Advent now underway and plenty of time to reflect on the incarnation of Jesus, perhaps we can make more headway this year. The perspective from the woman who tested my blood is a good starting point. Don’t Blink.