Here we go again. New year, new beginnings, new mutations.
Chelsea, Sloane and I have been fortunate to see most of you this year and we hope to see more of you in a glorious 2022. According to internet numerology, which you can always trust, “2022 stands for success and making your dreams come true.”
I’m good with that.
Life
Chelsea has been especially busy with Bates Technical College communications thanks to the never-ending pandemic. She also serves on the board of St. Vincent de Paul of Tacoma-Pierce County, which “isn’t just a thrift store.” Their long-standing mission includes homelessness prevention, a timely goal.
Sloane enjoyed learning about the Egyptian pyramids at Saint Pat’s school this year. Chelsea and I introduced her to the Steve Martin King Tut video from SNL, which survives on YouTube. Sloane is back to playing tennis three to four times a week. Ah, to have the schedule of an eleven-year-old.
After successfully resolving our Lion Air cases against Boeing, I have a new case against Boeing: the crash of Sriwijaya Air Flight 182. You can read more on my lawyer website or my author website blog. I also have several wrongful death cases, including two against the City of Seattle. You can read more in the New York Post, local media, or my lawyer website.
As always, please let me know if I can help with anything. I feel grateful every day for my continuing and expanding ability to fight the good fight and serve.
Books
‘Twas a good year for books. My favorites included Live Like a Monk by Jay Shetty, The Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday, and Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion. Kazuo Ishiguro has a new novel out, but I confess I haven’t read it yet.
I did read some novels this year, but mostly classics and pop fiction I reread, including – another confession – Jacqueline Susann. I recommend returning to books you’ve already read for the order and grounding they momentarily provide in topsy turvy times.
I was jazzed to discover there is a graphic novel version of The Great Gatsby and this was my favorite Christmas gift to Sloane. When she was about two, I read her the entire book as she was going to sleep each night. She’ll get to it after she finishes Twilight, but right now she’s more into her new Apple watch.
Movies
Sloane’s pop culture education took a leap forward this year when she watched a trifecta of holiday movies: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Die Hard, which she declined to finish with me. Next year.
I don’t see as many movies as I used to, but for 2021 I recommend Don’t Look Up, a smart satire for strange days. While writer-director Adam McKay misfires a few times, he keeps it entertaining. McKay, by the way, also directed Anchorman.
Podcasts
I’m late to the podcast world, but I’ve discovered three good ones for roadtrips to Seabrook:
Brian Koppelman’s “The Moment.” Brian interviews icons like Elvis Costello and Quentin Tarantino and a variety of lesser-known cool people. Smart, curious, connected and pop culture savvy, Brian does amazing interviews.
Lili Anolik’s “Once Upon a Time in Bennington.” Lili covers the careers of Bennington grads who became semi-famous writers, most specifically Bret Easton Ellis, author of Less Than Zero and American Pyscho. Lili artfully elevates gossip into literary history.
“Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.” Bret interviews writers, actors, musicians, and anyone else he feels like talking with. It’s like having dinner with Bret, but without the cocktails, cigarettes and substances.
Seabrook
As the legal profession and other occupations catch up to the modern remote world, we’re spending more time in the surreal town of Seabrook with a meditative view of the ocean.
When we are not there, Urban Ocean is in the rental pool. Contact me about the friends and family discount.
New year’s resolutions
I believe in the power of goals, but I’m still working on mine for 2022. Meanwhile, here are some smart suggestions for a “happy and productive life” from Ryan Holiday:
Keep texting for friends only.
Walk during phone calls.
Fire crazies from your life.
Don’t set up voicemail.
Avoid conference calls.
Don’t watch the news.
Keep a journal.
Avoid stimulants.
Exercise daily.
Say no.
I practice seven out of ten.
People who died
The eighties were spectacular years for music. One of the better tunes was “People Who Died” by poet Jim Carroll. I listened to it a lot this year as people who had significance of some sort in my life kept dying.
To name only a few of many, there was Joan Didion, Anne Rice, Norm Macdonald, John Madden, Hank Aaron, Charlie Watts, old-fashioned public servants like Walter Mondale and Bob Dole, former Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst, who served with grace and empathy, as well as two good friends of mine, Kris Brannon, aka “Sonics Guy,” and Willie Garson from “Sex and the City” and a slew of other shows and movies.
I wrote a homage to Kris on my lawyer website and an homage to Willie in a previous blog post on this site.
Onward and thanks
2021 reminded us life is short and uncertain. My counsel is to reconnect with friends and family, be present while we’re here, live with gratitude.
I wish you success in 2022.
